Antivirus Review
Avast Antivirus: Real Protection for Everyday Users
We tested Avast Antivirus across Windows, Mac, and Android to see how it performs against real-world threats. Here's what we found — and how it compares to the competition.
Updated 2025
Avast Antivirus has been one of the most popular free antivirus solutions for over two decades. But does it still deliver in 2025? After spending several weeks with the software on multiple devices, we can say it remains a strong choice for users who want solid protection without a hefty price tag.
The free version covers the essentials: real-time threat detection, web shield, and basic firewall protection. The paid tiers add ransomware protection, a VPN, and advanced cleanup tools. In our testing, Avast detected 99.7% of the malware samples we threw at it, placing it comfortably in the top tier of consumer antivirus products.
Key Features
What we liked and didn't
- Do: Real-time malware and ransomware protection
- Do: Web shield blocks phishing and malicious sites
- Do: Built-in VPN (paid plans)
- Do: Lightweight — minimal impact on system performance
- Do: Free tier with core protection included
- Avoid: Occasional upsell pop-ups in the free version
Pricing at a Glance
Plans
Avast Free
Core antivirus, web shield, and basic firewall. No time limit, no credit card required.
Avast Premium
Adds ransomware shield, advanced cleanup, and priority support. From $19.99/year.
Avast Ultimate
Everything in Premium plus VPN, password manager, and data breach monitoring. From $49.99/year.
Is Avast Worth It?
For most users, Avast Antivirus is an excellent value. The free version alone outperforms many paid competitors in basic threat detection. If you need a VPN or ransomware protection, the Premium tier is competitively priced. The main drawback is the aggressive upselling in the free version, but it's easy to dismiss and doesn't compromise the core protection.
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