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Avast offers a range of antivirus solutions, ranging from free to personalized paid plans. You can mix and match features with add-on premium tools. There is an option for everyone, catering to their unique needs.
For a straightforward option, Avast Premium covers all of the necessary protections to keep your data and devices secure. However, Avast Basic is a good choice for those who are not yet ready to invest in premium antivirus protection.
Continue reading to discover more about the various Avast plans and the customization options available.
How much does Avast cost?
Avast is one of the more expensive antivirus choices because it includes a robust cybersecurity suite. However, it offers antivirus protection for free and options to personalize which features you want to include in your plan. This can help reduce the overall cost.
Avast price
Avast One Basic | Avast Premium | Avast One Gold | Avast One Platinum | |
Price for the first year | Free | Starts at $49.08/first yr | Starts at $83.88/first yr | Starts at $119.88/yr (first year only) |
# devices supported | 1 device | 10 devices | 30 devices | 30 devices |
Manual and auto scan | ||||
Ransomware protection | ||||
Firewall | ||||
Dark web monitoring | ||||
Phishing protection | ||||
Webcam protection | ||||
Tracker blocker | ||||
Performance optimization tools | ||||
Unlimited VPN | ||||
Identity protection | ||||
Credit monitoring | ||||
Details | View plan | View plan | View plan | View plan |
Avast free vs. premium
Avast has 4 main plans. The free service provides protection from malware and viruses, including real-time protection. It even has a firewall as an extra layer of security. The primary drawback of the free plan is that it only covers one device.
That's why the Premium plan is so valuable. It can cover up to 10 devices on one account, which is suitable for most households. Premium also features privacy enhancements, including webcam protection and a tracker blocker. Phishing protection is also included, so you don't fall for sophisticated scams.
Avast Gold and Platinum plans have several enhanced security and privacy features. The Gold plan includes an unlimited virtual private network (VPN) and tools to optimize your device's performance. The Platinum plan also offers identity theft protection.
If you want to customize these plans, consider the Avast One Silver plan. It offers all the features of the free plan, but you can select which additional features you want to add. You can choose from 3 feature groups:
- Device protection: Includes webcam protection, phishing protection, and secure storage.
- Privacy: Includes VPN, dark web monitoring, and tracker blocker.
- Performance: Includes driver updates and device cleanup.
You can also choose between an individual plan, which covers up to 3 devices, or a family plan, which includes up to 30 devices. Pricing for the Avast One Silver plan ranges from $35.88/first yr for the Individual plan to $59.88/first yr for the family plan.
What do you get with Avast?
All Avast antivirus plans increase online security by blocking malware and other online threats. The upgraded plans can provide more device coverage and additional security tools. Some of the main features that make Avast valuable include:
- Webcam protection: Avast will ensure only trusted apps have access to your webcam. No intruders will have unauthorized webcam access.
- Firewall: All plans have a firewall, including the free basic plan. It's a great tool to block hackers from accessing your Wi-Fi.
- VPN: All Avast plans include Avast SecureLine VPN. Even the basic free plan provides 5 GB of browsing per week. Gold and Platinum plans give you unlimited browsing.
- Tracker blocker: Cookies and other trackers will be blocked and won’t have access to your online behavior. Advertisers will have a harder time monitoring you and targeting ads.
- Phishing protection: Fake and malicious websites can often look like the real site. Avast can detect fraudulent websites that are trying to obtain your login information.
- Device optimization: Avast will automatically update your drivers and help remove old files from your device. It helps keep your device running smoothly and quickly.
- Identity protection: Avast offers a range of tools to safeguard your identity. Beyond identity alerts, Avast can also reimburse you up to $2 million for identity theft and 24/7 personal support.
- Credit monitoring: All 3 credit bureaus will be monitored to spot potential financial fraud.
In addition, Avast offers several add-on tools. You can select options tailored to your specific security and privacy needs. For example, you may find the Avast BreachGuard worth it if you want to protect your data from breaches.
Top alternatives
Avast is only one of the best antivirus software programs we've tested. If Avast doesn't quite meet your needs, consider the following Avast alternatives.
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Best for | Best overall antivirus software | All-in-one software | Comprehensive security | Best value |
Starting price | $19.00/first yr | $36.00/first yr | $29.99/first yr | $3.39/mo (billed annually) |
Features | Zero-day scans, anti-phishing, ransomware protection, password manager, ad blocker, TotalVPN | Antivirus protection, VPN, password manager, security for multiple devices | Antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, cloud backup, password manager, Norton Secure VPN | Antivirus protection, Surfshark VPN, private search engine, data leak alerts, ad blocker |
Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Aura | Get Norton360 Antivirus | Get Surfshark Antivirus |
FAQs
How can I pay for Avast?
You can pay for Avast with any major credit card, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also choose to complete payment with PayPal.
Is Avast free?
Avast does have a completely free antivirus program. It contains all the essential features to protect your device against online threats. However, it covers only one device. If you need more device coverage or protection, consider upgrading to a premium Avast plan.
Is it worth paying for Avast?
It's worth paying for antivirus software like Avast if you need to protect multiple devices or want premium security features like identity protection. However, the free basic Avast plan is capable of essential antivirus protection.
Is McAfee or Avast better?
It's a tight matchup between McAfee vs. Avast. McAfee may be a better option if you want additional features like parental controls and a password manager. Avast is still a great option if you want a strong antivirus product.
Is Avast better than Norton?
It depends. Avast is a better choice if you want a free antivirus solution. However, you may prefer Norton if you want a variety of features like a cloud backup, password manager, or parental controls.
Bottom line: Is Avast worth it?
Avast is worth it for people who want to customize the features of their antivirus software. There are several plans available, and you can choose add-ons for tools your plan doesn't include. However, with so many choices, it can be confusing to pick the right plan. But the effort may be worth it for antivirus software that matches your exact needs.
If it's too soon to commit to Avast, the free Basic plan is ideal for getting a taste. It even has a firewall and ransomware protection. Overall, Avast is a strong contender for the best free and paid antivirus software.
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