AVG Antivirus Review (2025): Is it the right choice?

Full Review

AVG is ranked #10 of the 28 best antivirus of 2025.

AVG offers excellent malware detection and a variety of features, including one of the best firewalls we’ve tested in 2025, a powerful web and email scanner, and device optimization tools.

However, some features seem added primarily to compete with top-tier antiviruses, and it lacks parental controls and strong ransomware protection.

There are multiple plans: a free version with basic protection, a standard plan with extra security, and a premium plan offering device optimization, a VPN, and anti-tracking. While slightly pricier than competitors like Bitdefender and McAfee, AVG provides a 30-day free trial and a money-back guarantee.

Anti-malware

AVG’s malware scanner uses machine learning and heuristic analysis to detect a wide variety of threats, including trojans, worms, rootkits, and cryptojackers. It offers 6 scan types:

• Smart scan: Quick scan for malware, vulnerabilities, and performance issues.
• Deep scan: Comprehensive scan of all files, folders, and memory, targeting advanced threats like rootkits.
• File/folder scan: Scans specific files or folders.
• Boot-time scan: Scans before your OS starts, neutralizing threats early.
• USB/DVD scan: Scans removable media for malware.
• Explorer scan: Allows direct scanning from the Windows context menu.

In testing, the deep scan detected 100% of 1,200 malware samples and completed in 47 minutes, outperforming some competitors. The USB/DVD scan was similarly effective, finding all malware samples on external media.

However, the smart scan fell short, missing hidden malware while flagging unsecured PDF files. AVG also includes a performance scan, though it mainly serves to promote the TuneUp tool, available only with the Ultimate plan.

AVG’s real-time protection performed impressively, blocking malware downloads and preventing execution of malicious files. Unfortunately, the ransomware protection is limited, safeguarding only specific folders, and failed a ransomware simulation during testing.

Overall, AVG excels with its deep scan and real-time protection, though its smart scan and ransomware defense are less reliable.

Anti-phishing

AVG’s anti-phishing protection includes a customizable web and email shield that blocks malicious websites and email attachments. In testing, AVG blocked more phishing sites than Chrome, Firefox, or Edge’s built-in defenses but missed some that competitors like Norton flagged.

The email scanner effectively quarantines dangerous attachments but only works with email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird, adding a helpful warning in the subject line of flagged emails.

AVG also offers the Online Security browser extension, which uses color coding to mark safe (green) and dangerous (red) websites. Unfortunately, the extension struggled to correctly identify dangerous sites, performing below par compared to Norton’s Safe Search.

One strong point is AVG’s customization options. Users can control protections against botnets, script scanning, and HTTPS website scans, making it ideal for advanced users looking to fine-tune settings. This level of customization is rare and comparable only to Bitdefender.

However, the automatic inclusion of an email signature indicating virus scans could be intrusive for users, and it isn’t disabled by default.

Overall, AVG’s web and email protection is solid but not flawless. While its phishing protection isn’t as robust as top competitors, its flexibility and customization make it more versatile than standard browser security features.

Firewall

AVG’s firewall is one of the top-performing options in 2025, offering comprehensive protection by monitoring inbound and outbound network traffic. It provides leak protection, a port scanner, and ARP spoofing alerts, making it both powerful and highly customizable.

The firewall has four modes for handling new apps that require internet access:

• Smart mode: Automatically assesses the app’s trustworthiness and takes action without user prompts.
• Block: Denies internet access automatically.
• Allow: Grants internet access automatically (not recommended due to security risks).
• Ask: Prompts you to decide on each app’s internet access.

Smart mode is the default and best option, as it runs seamlessly in the background without disrupting you. Ask mode is useful for full control, providing detailed information like the app’s digital signature and the option for temporary connections, which many competitors, including Bitdefender, don’t offer. However, constant prompts can become tiresome.

The firewall also lets you monitor all active connections, showing which apps are using the internet and how much bandwidth they consume. You can block any suspicious apps with a single click.

Additionally, the firewall includes features to track network activity and log all actions, which performed well in tests and enhance AVG’s firewall reliability. Overall, AVG’s firewall stands out for its combination of ease of use, customization, and robust protection, making it one of the best choices for network security in 2025.

VPN

AVG’s VPN offers solid encryption and reliable performance, using 256-bit AES encryption to protect your IP and personal information. It provides access to 59 servers in 37 countries, which is fewer than competitors like Norton, but the speeds are generally good.

It includes useful features like a kill switch and multiple protocol options, including WireGuard, Mimic, and OpenVPN. In speed tests, the VPN had minimal impact when connected to the nearest server, with only slight slowdowns in download and upload speeds, making browsing smooth. However, on distant servers, there was a significant increase in ping (from 13 to 512), which caused noticeable delays in page loading, though browsing remained manageable.

AVG also marks servers based on their suitability for streaming or torrenting, a helpful feature not all VPNs offer. However, there are a few downsides. The VPN logs timestamps and data usage, which raises concerns for privacy-conscious users. Additionally, it struggled to access the TOR network, failing to load .onion sites and showing leaks when connected to AVG’s servers on the dark web—an issue competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark handle better.

Overall, AVG’s VPN is a strong choice for general browsing and streaming but may not satisfy those looking for strict privacy or TOR network access. It’s available as part of AVG Ultimate or as a standalone service, both with a 60-day free trial. Alternatively, you could consider Norton VPN or Bitdefender VPN.

Other security features

Secure Browser

AVG’s secure browser includes privacy-focused features like an automatic ad blocker, VPN integration, forced HTTPS encryption, tracking protection, and browser fingerprint masking. However, it underperformed in testing. While the fingerprint masking worked, it failed to block tracking ads and invisible trackers, and it didn’t enforce HTTPS encryption as claimed.

The built-in ad blocker was effective, but similar extensions exist for mainstream browsers like Chrome and Firefox, making this feature less of a standout. Additionally, AVG’s add-on marketplace is limited compared to the Chrome Web Store, which is also compatible with AVG’s Chromium-based browser. Overall, while the browser has some useful features, there are better secure browsers available, like Bitdefender’s, which offers more advanced protection against threats like screen loggers.

Network Inspector

AVG’s Network Inspector scans for vulnerabilities in your network and connected devices. It performs faster than many competitors, completing a scan in about 5 minutes. The scanner detected intentional vulnerabilities, like an unprotected Wi-Fi connection, and provided useful guidance on addressing them.

However, it sometimes listed unknown devices with limited information and no option to disconnect them remotely, which made it less helpful in some cases. Despite these limitations, the Network Inspector is a solid tool for spotting risks in your network setup.

Device Optimization Tools

AVG’s TuneUp tools are among the best for optimizing system performance and freeing up disk space. The suite includes a junk cleaner, problem detector, outdated program detector, and startup manager.

The junk cleaner found an impressive 36.6 GB of unnecessary files, though users should manually check to avoid deleting important files.

The startup manager effectively highlights apps slowing down your PC, allowing you to put them to sleep with one click, but lacks the filtering options found in competitors like TotalAV.

The problem detector worked well, though its fixes didn’t make a significant impact in some cases, and the unnecessary program detector missed inactive apps. Despite these minor issues, AVG TuneUp provides significant system improvements.

Other Features

AVG includes a variety of additional security tools:

• Rescue Disk: Allows you to create a bootable recovery tool for infected systems, a feature not commonly included in standard antivirus suites.
• Remote Access Shield: Blocks unauthorized remote desktop connections but lacks customization.
• Sensitive Data Shield: Protects personal files from unauthorized access, though similar functionality is built into Windows permissions.
• Fake Website Shield: Protects against DNS hijacking, but should be part of core web protection.
• Hack Alerts: Monitors one email for dark web breaches, with the option to pay for more via AVG BreachGuard.
• Behavior Shield: Provides real-time protection by blocking suspicious software behavior before it’s categorized as malware.

Plans and pricing

In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.

The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.

Plan description

AVG offers one free plan and two premium plans. All come with a standard download but differ in feature accessibility.

AVG AntiVirus Free

The free plan covers one device and includes features like a malware scanner, real-time protection, and ransomware safeguards. While decent, it misses key features like web protection and a firewall. Compared to competitors like Avira that offer more in their free versions, AVG’s free plan is a bit lacking.

AVG Internet Security

Priced at $39.99/year for one device, this plan provides a robust set of features including a firewall and web protection. You can extend the coverage to up to 10 devices for a small extra fee. We found this to be AVG’s best-value plan, covering most security needs effectively.

AVG Ultimate

At $51.99/year, this plan extends coverage to 10 devices and includes AVG AntiTrack, AVG TuneUp, and AVG VPN. While feature-rich, the plan isn’t the best bang for your buck, especially when similar features are available at lower prices from competitors like Avira Prime.

What We Didn’t Like

We’re not fans of AVG’s upselling tactics. Even the premium plans tease features that aren’t included, urging you to pay more. This includes AVG Driver Updater and BreachGuard which are shown but not accessible unless you pay extra.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for comprehensive protection, AVG Internet Security is your best bet. But if you want value, competitors offer more features for less. AVG’s upselling can be annoying, but the good news is that there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Overall, AVG is good but leaves room for improvement in both feature offerings and pricing tactics.

Test score comparison

We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for Windows. Their scoring criteria are:

• Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
• Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.

We calculate a final score using this formula:

Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.

While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Windows 11, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Android or macOS, visit our other comparisons:

• The best antivirus for Android.
• The best antivirus for Mac.

Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.

Source: AV-Test (Last updated: December 2024).

Price comparison

We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a  single Windows PC with the most essential features:

• Anti-malware
• Anti-phishing (web protection)
• Firewall
• Password manager
• Unlimited VPN (no data limit)

A few notes:

• Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
• Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
• Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).

Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.

User reviews

We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform. 

We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.

Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: December 2024.

Company Profile

AVG is owned by Gen (NASDAQ: GEN).

Norton is part of the Gen Digital family (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader in Cyber Safety with a mission to make the digital world safer and more private for everyone.

Gen is a collection of renowned cybersecurity brands that serve over 500 million users in 150 countries. Its portfolio includes Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, and AVG.

Operating from dual headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, and Prague, Czech Republic, Gen brings together cutting-edge AI technology and data analytics to tackle today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges. 

By consolidating these brands, Gen combines expertise and innovation to address both current and future cybersecurity threats.

How we test antivirus software

At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:

For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.