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#5 of 7 in Antivirus software

Avast review

A long-standing Czech-founded brand, now part of Gen Digital, offering Avast One with a free tier and paid upgrades. Its free edition is one of the most widely used.

Last checked · Available: Global

8.0/10, Very good

Weighted across
5 criteria

Strongest on protection record (8.5).

See every score and reason

Scorecard

How Avast scores

Each criterion is scored 0-10 from public information, with the reason underneath. The total is the weighted average.
Protection record35% weight8.5

Regularly participates in AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives with solid results.

System impact15% weight7.5

Moderate system impact in lab reports.

Value for money20% weight8.5

Capable free tier; paid upgrades are reasonably priced.

Extra features15% weight7.5

Free tier includes web protection; VPN and extras need upgrades.

Ease of use & platforms15% weight7.0

Apps on all major platforms, with frequent upgrade prompts.

Best for

Users wanting a full-featured free antivirus.

Not ideal for

People who dislike upgrade prompts.

Trade-offs

Pros and cons

What stands out

  • Full-featured free tier
  • Covers all major platforms
  • Regular lab participation

Worth knowing

  • Frequent upgrade prompts in the free version
  • Best extras require paid plans

At a glance

Key facts and pricing

As Avast publishes them. “Not published” means we could not confirm the figure.
Free version
Yes
Money-back window
Not published
Free trial
Not published
In AV-TEST or AV-Comparatives tests
Yes
Main platforms
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Company base
Czech Republic
Price band
Budget
Founded
1988
Based in
Czech Republic

Pricing: Free Avast One tier plus paid upgrades sold by device count. Free plan: yes.

Head to head

Compare Avast with

Also consider

Avast alternatives

Scored on the same rubric in the same list.

Full antivirus software ranking

Questions

Avast: common questions

Is Avast good?

Avast scores 8.0 out of 10 in our antivirus software scorecard, rank 5 of 7. A long-standing Czech-founded brand, now part of Gen Digital, offering Avast One with a free tier and paid upgrades. Its free edition is one of the most widely used.

Who is Avast best for?

Best for users wanting a full-featured free antivirus. Less suited to people who dislike upgrade prompts.

How much does Avast cost?

Free Avast One tier plus paid upgrades sold by device count. Free plan: yes.

What are Avast's key terms and features?

Free version: Yes; In AV-TEST or AV-Comparatives tests: Yes; Main platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS; Company base: Czech Republic. As published by the brand, last checked 2026-11-01.

What is a good alternative to Avast?

Bitdefender (8.7/10) is the top-scoring option in the same list. See the full antivirus software ranking for every alternative.

Transparency

Sources and how we make money

Sources we used

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Brands change terms often; confirm on the brand's site before you buy.

How we make money

Some links to brands may earn AltFTool a commission. That never changes a score, a rank or whether a brand is listed. Scores come only from the criteria above.

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