AVG AntiVirus review 2026: can it protect your PC?

AVG AntiVirus is a great antimalware solution that provides you with an intuitive interface as well as excellent malware protection rates and an array of security features. It even provides you with a free version – but it’s limited to basic malware protection only.

However, AVG AntiVirus doesn’t come without its drawbacks. The service might detect false positives and is quite heavy on the Central Processing Unit (CPU) during scans.

If these factors seem like a dealbreaker for you, there are various alternatives that ensure better overall performance, such as TotalAV, which offers a more lightweight scanning process, fewer false positives, and a broader range of optimization tools to keep your device running smoothly without compromising security.

AVG AntiVirus review 2026: key takeaways

• Performance. During our test, AVG antivirus had a 90% success rate at malware detection and 80% successful online threat detection. However, throughout the scanning and malware-detecting process, AVG had a CPU load of 55-100%, which is really high.
• Security features. AVG AntiVirus has both real-time protection and manual scanning functions. Its Internet security has four different features: Computer, Web and Email, Hacker Attacks, and Personal Data. However, the free version does not have the Hacker Attacks and Personal Data features.
• Ease of use and interface. AVG is very easy to use and navigate. The user interface has improved a lot since the last time our team reviewed AVG antivirus. The app is now easier to navigate, less crowded, and does not overwhelm with notifications anymore. No bugs were detected throughout the use.
• Pricing. AVG AntiVirus has a free version, though it has fewer features than paid subscriptions. The usual price starts at $2.60/month if you're choosing a yearly plan, and there are several different paid plans to choose from, ranging from simple antivirus to business service.

Is AVG AntiVirus safe?

Yes, AVG AntiVirus is very safe and is a great tool for spotting malware and removing threats. It can also detect existing viruses and prevent new threats from entering your device.

Purchased by Avast in 2016, it uses the same engine. The independent testing lab AV-TEST examined the protection, performance, and usability of AVG AntiVirus. It scored 6 out of 6 points in each category during the tests in January-February 2025. This is a very good result, as this is the same score that one of the most popular antivirus programs, Norton, got.

Meanwhile, in lab tests performed by AV-Comparatives in March 2025, we can see that the malware protection rate of AVG AntiVirus reaches 99.96%. This score is also very high, especially when comparing the total threat-blocking rate. According to those statistics, AVG beats ESET, Microsoft Defender, and Malwarebytes by at least a couple of detected malware.

However, AVG Antivirus also spotted 1 false positive, by detecting a legitimate VPN as a threat. If you’re searching for an antivirus with excellent detection rates as well as little to no zero false positives, TotalAV is a great alternative.

AVG AntiVirus price and plans

AVG Antivirus offers three plans – Free, Internet Security, and Ultimate. The free plan covers just one device, while both paid versions support up to 10 devices.

All of the plans come with real-time malware, ransomware, and web protection as well as an email shield, network security, and the enhanced firewall.

AVG Antivirus Free plan is best for those who want basic everyday security without having to spend any money. This plan is best if you already take certain precautions, like not visiting risky sites and recognizing potential threats.

AVG Internet Security is a fairly affordable plan for those who want more extensive security features and would like to pay for certainty that their browsing will be protected.

Finally, the AVG Ultimate plan is great for those who also want extra features, like a Secure VPN and anti-tracking protection. This plan is great for people who sometimes have to visit riskier sites or for businesses that deal with sensitive information.

You can check out plan differences down below:

	AVG Antivirus Free	AVG Internet Security	AVG Ultimate
Price	$0.00	$31.20/year	$55.99/year
Malware scans	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Ransomware protection	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Wi-Fi network security	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Web protection	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Phishing protection	✅ Yes (Free plan doesn't include phishing protection)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Enhanced firewall	✅ Yes (Lacks some features)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
AVG TuneUp	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
AVG Secure VPN	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes
AVG AntiTrack	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes

AVG offers free trials for its paid plans, but the trial length depends on your device and app version:

• MacOS: 60 days
• Windows: 30 days
• Android: 14 days
• iOS: 14 days

Mind you, the iOS version doesn't include real antivirus protection. Instead, it adds the AVG Secure VPN, data breach monitoring, and increases the number of photos allowed in the secure vault. It costs $4.39/month.

How good is AVG AntiVirus Free?

If you need basic protection, AVG AntiVirus Free is a great option. It performs 24/7 scans to detect rootkits, malware, spyware, and even has ransomware protection. You can install it on all popular operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

However, AVG free antivirus doesn’t provide phishing protection. On the other hand, what’s impressive is that the free version includes the Network Inspector feature that checks your home network for intruders.

All in all, those who seek free protection against malware and online threats should definitely consider AVG.

AVG AntiVirus features

AVG AntiVirus offers quite a few features for both security and privacy. This includes everything from various malicious threat protection in cyberspace to additional features such as a VPN. You can read all about it in the following sections.

Here are all the features that AVG has to offer:

• Malware scanning – plenty of scanning options available with AVG Antivirus.
• Real-time protection – continuously scans your system in the background.
• Phishing protection– keeps you safe from phishing attacks.
• Enhanced firewall – monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic.
• Network Inspector – monitors your home or public network from vulnerabilities.
• Web and email shield – secures you while browsing and sending email attachments.
• Secure browsing – protects your private data while browsing online.
• Anti-theft phone tracker – secures your devices if you lose it or it gets stolen.
• Sensitive data shield – protects sensitive files from hackers.
• Webcam protection – controls access to your webcam.
• AVG AntiTrack – prevents website trackers from collecting your data.
• AVG Secure VPN – makes your private data anonymous online.

Malware scanning

The free version includes quite a lot of handy scan options: Smart scan, Deep scan, Boot Time scan, File/Folder scan, USB/DVD scan, and Performance scan.

To find the scanning types, you need to click on the Run other scans button at the bottom right corner of the window. Because of such a display, unlike other antiviruses, AVG Antivirus doesn’t explain the purpose of particular scans. So beginner users might have a tougher time getting the hang of things.

Together with the research team, I also performed in-house malware detection tests on the most popular scanning types, including Smart and Deep scans. We downloaded 10 malicious file samples and extracted the files on the local system. Here are the results of both scans:

• Smart scan – the weakest link during the test and the most likely feature to be bypassed by malware. It took less than a minute to complete and didn’t detect any of the 10 malware files planted on the Desktop. Furthermore, it raised the CPU to 80-100%.
• Deep scan – took around 25 minutes to complete, which is less than the last time we tested this antivirus. Scanned 100GB of data and detected 9/10 malware files with one false positive. The CPU fluctuated around 55-100% throughout the process.

Here are the other scanning types that AVG offers:

• File or folder scan – checks the specific files or folders you choose for threats.
• Web shield – blocks unsafe downloads when real-time protection is off. We visited 10 malicious URLs, and AVG had an 8/10 success rate at identifying threats.
• Real-time scan – regularly scans the device. During our web test, it managed to detect 9/10 malicious URLs.
• Boot time scan – checks for known malware types and protects you from cyberthreats before your operating system boots up.
• USB/DVD scan – checks all removable media that is connected to your devices, including external hard drives or USBs.
• Performance scan – scans for and fixes issues that are slowing down your device.

Real-time protection

Cybercrime prevention can often rely on real-time response. Even a split-second delay in function could allow a virus or malware to breach a firewall. AVG Antivirus offers great real-time functionality through its industry-leading use of AI. It applies machine learning to learn about new threats as it discovers them.

This feature enables the software to effectively protect your computer without having to scan every file you download or open. During our in-house tests, the AVG antivirus real-time protection feature detected 9 out of 10 malicious file samples. That’s 90% of the threats it was tested with. This included one false positive, which was a legitimate VPN.

Phishing protection

Phishing is a type of social engineering that takes many forms, but the most well-known phishing attacks target users through email. AVG antivirus does a great job of spotting phishing attacks that are delivered as malicious attachments.

Additionally, it uses AI-based detection of phishing sites which is another form of the attack. AVG checks for domain meta information, suspicious tokens, and even visual elements in a blink of an eye. Most of this scanning happens while the page is loading and the system is effective 99% of the time.

Enhanced Firewall

AVG’s firewall is available on both free and paid plans, but the feature set differs. The free version offers basic network monitoring and protection, while advanced features – like Leak Protection and Port Scan Alerts – are only available with the paid AVG Internet Security plan.

The firewall monitors all incoming and outgoing connections on your network. You can choose security presets based on your usage preferences, and it automatically switches to stricter rules when connected to public Wi-Fi – ideal if you're often on the move.

Network Inspector

Network Inspector checks the network you’re connected to for any vulnerabilities and issues that could affect your device and data security. Plus, it lets you watch what devices are connected to your home network. This means you can see whether there’s anyone who is using your network without approval.

You can scan both home and public networks. Home network stands for exactly what the name implies – it’s the network that you own. Meanwhile, a public network can be a network in a mall or cafe, or any other network that isn’t managed by you.

Web and Email Shield

The Web and Email Shield features are available even on the free version. The Web Shield feature protects you from threats while browsing – it scans running scripts and blocks malicious ones. It also prevents you from accidentally downloading malicious content. It even allows you to choose specific websites that you want to block access to.

Meanwhile, the Email Shield is beneficial when you want to make sure you don’t send malicious attachments to your recipients. AVG Antivirus scans the attachment and includes a message at the bottom of the email stating: Virus-free. www.avg.com.

AVG compatibility and ease of use

AVG AntiVirus is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems and their supported devices. It is also extremely easy to set up, as you can complete the download of the AVG free version in just a few clicks. If you were to opt for a paid subscription, the installation process would also include giving your payment information.

Desktop apps

The AVG AntiVirus user interface is very simple and intuitive on both Windows and macOS apps. The apps are similar on both operating systems. The front panel features a top-line assessment of your protection. You can find basic and full protection features in one spot.

At the bottom of the panel is the date of your last virus scan and the Run Smart Scan and Run other scans buttons. One thing we disliked was that scanning options are not easy to find right away, which could be an issue for beginner users

To find everything you need in terms of features, you can use the menu in the top right corner of the window. So even if the interface isn’t ideal, it certainly isn’t a big issue.

Android app

Android users can simply download the AVG AntiVirus on Google Play Store – as with any other legitimate Android app.

The free version of AVG for Android devices includes a web shield, file scanner, hacker alerts, photo vault, network inspector, and Wi-Fi speed test features. By upgrading to the premium version, you can unlock automatic scans, app lock, a VPN, and Scam protection.

As for AVG technologies offered as separate apps, Android users can enjoy the AVG Cleaner for free. It helps optimize your device by deleting junk files.

iOS app

Naturally, as with most services, the iOS app isn’t as gifted in terms of features as the Android one. However, AVG still adds plenty of benefits for users even for free.

With the free plan, you get web protection, identity protection that monitors leaked passwords, and photo vault features. However, even these features are limited.

For a full-on and unlimited experience, you’ll have to upgrade. This way, you’ll get access to unlimited identity protection and unlimited photo vault features. Plus, you’ll also get the AVG Secure VPN as well.

AVG AntiVirus customer support

If you encounter any problems with your AVG AntiVirus, you might need to contact customer support. AVG AntiVirus offers several ways for you to receive help. Below are the current customer support options:

	AVG Antivirus
24/7 live chat	✅ Yes(For paid users only)
Email	✅ Yes
Phone line	✅ Yes (United States, Great Britain, Australia)
Knowledge base	✅ Yes
Community forum	✅ Yes

AVG AntiVirus offers quite a big choice of customer support options. If you’re in need of human assistance, you can contact agents by email, phone, or live chat.

AVG AntiVirus also offers a community forum and an extensive knowledge base if you want to tackle issues yourself. Yet, the knowledge base is only helpful for very general problems only.

Final verdict

AVG AntiVirus is a good solution for cyberthreat protection due to an impressive feature package and solid malware protection rates. The free version is very generous, and the paid plans come with many useful security features.

That being said, this AVG review showed that the service does have quite a few disadvantages. It was quite heavy on system resources during our in-house tests and detected false positives during independent lab testing.

In terms of price, keep in mind that the first year of using AVG will be cheaper for you. The second year of subscription can be significantly more expensive. So, if you want to cheap out, try AVG for a single year first ($2.60/month) – this will give you enough time to get to know the tool better.

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