AVG
Free antivirus for Windows, with paid Internet Security and Ultimate
AVG report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 17, 2026
Best for free real-time antivirus on a Windows PC
AVG AntiVirus Free puts real-time shields, ransomware protection and a firewall on a Windows PC for nothing, and one person could live on it. Paid Internet Security adds Mac and phone apps for up to 10 devices. Our listing has no prices, though, and the VPN and TuneUp only come bundled in Ultimate.
Who AVG is for
- Great if you want real-time antivirus on a Windows PC without paying
- Handy when one plan has to cover Windows, Mac and phones, up to 10 devices
- Good for anyone who wants antivirus, a VPN and PC tune-up in one bundle, on Ultimate
Who AVG is not for
- Skip it if you're on a Mac and want it free, as the free antivirus is Windows only
- Not for you if upsells bug you, as the VPN and TuneUp sit inside the app but cost extra
- Tight if you want the VPN on lots of Android phones, as Mobile Ultimate covers 5 at once
Why AVG gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyNo prices on record: avg.com turned our reader away, so there's no two-year figure for a household, and C is the grade for no stated price. Watch the add-ons: Secure VPN and TuneUp show up inside Internet Security but need their own subscriptions.
- BFree plan and trialAVG AntiVirus Free gives a Windows PC real-time file, behavior, web and email shields, ransomware protection, a firewall and Hack Alerts. One Windows user could live on it, but the free version is Windows only.
- BFeaturesReal-time shields and a firewall even when free, then webcam and remote access protection, Fake Website Shield and Browser Defense on Internet Security. Nothing in the listing shows a gap in the core protection.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record. It installs and starts protecting, with nothing to configure first.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone and a browser extension, up to 10 devices on Multi-Device. A single-device licence moves only within the same platform, and there's no API on record.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from AVG's own support pages on 17 October 2026. avg.com turned our reader away again when we went back to check it, so no price could be checked. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/avg#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/avg.svg" alt="AVG: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where AVG stands among antivirus apps
AVG's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 11 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 15 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. AVG’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 3 of 14, level with 11
- BFree plan and trialAbove 11 of 14, level with 2
- BFeaturesAbove 4 of 14, level with 10
- BEase of useAbove 2 of 14, level with 10
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 14, level with 14
Keep AVG, or make your own?
Keep it
To replace AVG you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. AVG’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is AVG?
AVG is a Gen Digital brand that offers AVG AntiVirus Free, a real-time antivirus for Windows PCs, and paid AVG Internet Security, which adds webcam, remote access and fake website protection. AVG Ultimate bundles Internet Security with AVG Secure VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack on up to 10 devices across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
AVG's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. See every plan
Good for
- Windows users who want real-time antivirus without paying
- Households mixing Windows, Mac and phones under one 10-device plan
- Buyers who want antivirus, VPN and PC tune-up in one bundle
Worth knowing
- AVG's website refused automated reads on 2026-10-17, so its plan prices are not listed here; check avg.com before buying.
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
AVG pricing
We could not confirm AVG’s current pricing from its own site, so we are not listing plans here. See avg.com for current prices.
AVG alternatives
- AVG vs Avast
Free plan
- AVG vs Avira
Free plan
- AVG vs Bitdefender
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
- AVG vs Malwarebytes
Free plan · from $59.99/yr
- AVG vs TotalAV
From $99/yr
Common questions
Is AVG free?
AVG has a free plan. AVG AntiVirus Free: real-time file, behavior, web and email shields, ransomware protection, network scans, a firewall and Hack Alerts on a Windows PC.
What platforms does AVG work on?
AVG is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It also has a browser extension.
Does AVG have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 17, 2026. AVG is listed for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Is AVG open source?
AVG is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Who makes AVG?
AVG is made by Gen Digital Inc.
What are the alternatives to AVG?
The closest alternatives to AVG in our directory are Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes and TotalAV. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with AVG.
How does AVG compare with other antivirus apps?
AVG's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3. It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 11 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Could I make my own version of AVG?
To replace AVG you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade. What you could not make: An engine that recognises new malware as it appears. Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other. The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job. This is a judgement from its listing. We have not built one.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 17, 2026.