Alternatives to Avira
German AV with free tier
Avira ranks #8 of 9 in Antivirus software, with an Alt Score of 78. It is proprietary, freemium and available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Web. 8 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Home users and families who want an easy, low-maintenance way to protect Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices from malware and online threats, without needing deep technical expertise.
Avira provides core antivirus and ransomware protection with real-time malware scanning, plus phishing and unsafe-site blocking for safer browsing. Paid tiers add a VPN, password manager, software updater, and PC/device cleanup and performance tools bundled into one suite. A free tier covers basic antivirus, password manager, and software updater, while premium plans (Internet Security, Prime) unlock unlimited VPN, advanced ransomware defense, and multi-device coverage.
Users download and install the Avira app for their device, after which it runs background and on-demand scans to detect and remove threats automatically. Additional modules (VPN, password manager, cleanup tools) are accessed from the same app and unlocked based on the free or paid subscription tier.
Why people leave Avira
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the Antivirus software checklist (14 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| Antivirus software checklist | Avira | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Malwarebytes | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Independent lab scores (AV-TEST) | ||||||
| Real-time protection | ||||||
| Ransomware protection | ||||||
| Performance impact | ||||||
| Free tier | ||||||
| No data selling | ||||||
| Web protection | ||||||
| Cross-platform | ||||||
| Firewall included | ||||||
| Ad-free experience |
Every fact and feature listed for Avira is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
-
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-10
Copyright © 2026 Gen Digital Inc. All rights reserved.
https://www.avira.com/en/prime -
Pricing model Freemium verified 2026-07-10
Download Avira Free Antivirus for free! ✓all popular operating systems & smartphones ► Protect your data!
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Platforms Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Web verified 2026-07-10
Get access to all our products across all platforms, including PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and web browsers.
https://www.avira.com/en/prime -
Status active verified 2026-07-10
Copyright © 2026 Gen Digital Inc. All rights reserved.
https://www.avira.com/en/prime -
Independent lab scores (AV-TEST) Yes verified 2026-07-10
Awarded Best Usability by AV-TEST in 2021
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Real-time protection Yes verified 2026-07-10
Antivirus software such as Avira Free Antivirus constantly monitors your system in real time, helping you to protect it from malware such as viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Ransomware protection Yes verified 2026-07-10
Ransomware extortion: The anti-ransomware feature helps protect your data from being held hostage by ransomware.
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Performance impact Yes verified 2026-07-10
Our antivirus is light on system resources and provides real-time protection without slowing down your Mac.
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Free tier Yes verified 2026-07-10
Download for free
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Web protection Yes verified 2026-07-10
Malicious websites: The Avira Browser Safety add-on helps you block potentially dangerous websites before they even load.
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Cross-platform Yes verified 2026-07-10
Award-winning protection for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus -
Firewall included Partial verified 2026-07-10
Windows-only firewall add-on in Prime.
The Avira Firewall is an additional layer of security that complements your Windows computer's built-in firewall, making it even more secure.
https://www.avira.com/en/prime
FAQ
Yes. Bitdefender, Avast and Malwarebytes have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
ClamAV — every license claim links its source.