AVG vs ZoneAlarm (2026): which should you pick?

Pick AVG if

• Fits if you want real-time antivirus on a Windows PC and don't want to pay
• Works for households mixing Windows, Mac and phones, up to 10 devices on one plan

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you're on a Mac and want it free, as the free antivirus is Windows only
• Pricey if you keep it past year one: one PC goes from $39.99 to $79.99, and 10 devices from $59.99 to $109.99
• Not for you if upsells bug you, as the VPN and TuneUp sit inside the app but need their own subscriptions
• Watch out: Ultimate is $59.88 the first year and $149.99 after, and a single-device license only moves within one platform
• Tight if you want the VPN on lots of phones, as Mobile Ultimate is Android only and covers 5 at once

Pick ZoneAlarm if

• Fits if you want a free firewall or antivirus on a PC
• Works for someone who wants one paid suite across PC and phones

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to compare prices first, as none could be read
• Tight if you stay on the free downloads, which cover PCs only
• Watch out: threat emulation and mobile protection are only on Extreme Security
• Watch out: products other than Extreme Security list fewer platforms

AVG

• First-year prices are for new customers; from the second year Internet Security is $79.99 for one PC or $109.99 for 10 devices.
• AVG Secure VPN and TuneUp show inside Internet Security but need their own subscriptions unless you buy AVG Ultimate.
• The free antivirus is for Windows, and single-device Internet Security can move only to a device on the same platform.
• AVG Mobile Ultimate covers Android only and limits the VPN to 5 Android devices at once.

ZoneAlarm

• Plan prices are not recorded: the product and pricing pages answered with a bot check, so nothing could be read.
• The home page lists Extreme Security NextGen for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS; the other products list fewer platforms.
• Threat emulation and the mobile protections are listed only for Extreme Security.

AVG

Real-time Core Shields

File, Behavior, Web and Email shields check files, running programs, downloads and email attachments as they arrive, in the free version too.

Ransomware protection and firewall

The free antivirus guards chosen folders against ransomware and includes Enhanced Firewall, Network Inspector and Hack Alerts for leaked logins.

Webcam and remote access protection

Internet Security blocks untrusted apps from the webcam and lets you choose which IP addresses may connect to your PC remotely.

Fake Website Shield and Browser Defense

Internet Security guards against DNS hijacking and protects passwords and cookies stored in your browsers from theft by other apps.

Multi-device coverage

Internet Security (Multi-Device) adds AVG's Mac, Android and iOS apps and covers up to 10 devices at once.

AVG Ultimate bundle

Ultimate combines Internet Security, AVG Secure VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack on up to 10 devices on the platforms you choose.

ZoneAlarm

Two-way firewall

Blocks inbound attacks and outbound connections from a PC; a free firewall edition is offered.

Real-time antivirus

Scans against a cloud database of signatures for viruses, spyware, Trojans and worms.

Anti-phishing

Checks fields that ask for personal details before they are filled in.

Anti-ransomware

Uses Check Point technology to detect ransomware and restore files; also sold as a separate product.

Threat emulation

Inspects documents and email attachments in a cloud sandbox. Listed for Extreme Security.

AVG

• Internet Security, 1 PC$79.99

  per year for 1 Windows PC at renewal, after a first year

  Protection for one Windows PC. The first year costs $39.99, then it renews at $79.99 a year. Secure VPN and TuneUp cost extra.

• Internet Security, 10 devices$109.99

  per year for 10 devices at renewal, after a first year

  Up to 10 devices across Windows, Mac and phones. The first year costs $59.99, then it renews at $109.99 a year.

• Ultimate, 10 devices$149.99

  per year for 10 devices at renewal, after a first year

  Internet Security plus Secure VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack on up to 10 devices. The first year costs $59.88, then $149.99 a year.

ZoneAlarm

Pricing could not be confirmed. See zonealarm.com.

AVG

• Other savings

  First year of Internet Security for $39.99

  New customers pay $39.99 for a first year on one PC, renewing at $79.99, or $59.99 for 10 devices, renewing at $109.99. Ultimate for 10 devices is $59.88, then $149.99.

ZoneAlarm

No public discounts listed.