AVG Price in 2024: Free vs. Premium Plans Explained

AVG antivirus offers a wide range of subscriptions, from free basic coverage to premium multi-device plans. Learn about the advanced security features this freemium antivirus software has to offer.
We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

AVG Antivirus Free is an appealing choice for people looking for a free way to block malware. But AVG’s subscriptions — Internet Security and Ultimate — offer premium features at a relatively affordable price.

AVG protects your device from online threats and prying eyes. However, it’s missing features like parental controls, dark web monitoring, and an ad blocker — which can be a dealbreaker for some. AVG may be most suitable for people on a budget looking for a strong antivirus product.

There are many different AVG plans, and trying to decide which is best for you can be confusing. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between AVG’s subscriptions and how you can test them out for free.

Trusted Protection by 435 Million Users Worldwide
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AVG's website
Antivirus Software
AVG
  • Award-winning antivirus, malware, and ransomware protection for up to 10 devices
  • Includes webcam protection, safe browsing and email, automatic updates, and 24/7 protection
  • Suite of protection benefits including a secure VPN, anti-tracking capabilities, safeguards against phishing sites, and more

In this article
How much does AVG cost?
What do you get with AVG Ultimate?
Top alternatives
FAQs
Bottom line: Is AVG worth it?

How much does AVG cost?

AVG is a freemium antivirus product, meaning that it offers a basic version of free antivirus software and charges a premium for advanced security features. AVG stands out by offering a solid free antivirus program, but it's also worth checking out its paid versions.

For example, let's compare McAfee and AVG. McAfee Essential and AVG Ultimate both have similar features, but AVG has performance optimization tools and covers up to 10 devices (5 more than McAfee). However, McAfee makes up for it with dark web monitoring and a password manager. McAfee is slightly more pricey, but it is worth it in the end.

Overall, AVG is within the same price range as other competitors and offers premium tools to protect your privacy.

AVG price

AVG Antivirus Free AVG Internet Security AVG Ultimate
Price per month Free $46.68/yr (first year only) $34.99/first yr
# devices supported 1 1–10 10
Manual and auto scan
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Wi-Fi security
Email monitoring
Enhanced firewall
Payment protection
AVG Secure VPN
Performance optimization tools
Tracker blocker
Details View plan View plan View plan

AVG offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives you plenty of time to try out the antivirus software before making a commitment.

One of AVG’s main perks is that it offers a free version. AVG Antivirus Free has the core functions to protect your device from online threats, including email monitoring and phishing protection.

However, switching to a paid plan offers some serious upgrades. AVG Internet Security offers an enhanced firewall and payment protection for additional layers of security. It can also work on up to 10 devices, which is great for families.

For a premium experience, AVG Ultimate also includes features to protect your privacy and optimize your device performance: It includes a virtual private network (VPN) and tracker blocker, which are crucial to stop third parties from monitoring your online behavior. AVG Ultimate has several tools to make your device faster while saving battery.

What do you get with AVG Ultimate?

AVG has all the essential features you expect from an antivirus software. It scans for viruses and alerts you to suspicious activity. We conducted tests to determine if AVG could effectively block online threats. Our results show that it passed with flying colors.

AVG Ultimate also has several other tools that make it valuable for keeping your device and data secure.

  • Email monitoring: AVG can monitor your emails and look for suspicious attachments. It can help identify potential scams and block you from opening them.
  • Phishing protection: Phishing scams often rely on websites that appear official but are actually fake replicas. AVG has a fake website shield that redirects you to the real site and avoids phishing sites.
  • Payment protection: Sending your credit card information over the internet needs security, and AVG ensures your online payment is safely encrypted.
  • Enhanced firewall: AVG offers an enhanced firewall to protect your files and photos from hackers. Unlike the basic firewall included in the free version, the premium firewall offers leak protection, port scan alerts, and ARP spoofing alerts.
  • AVG Secure VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) provides a private internet connection that keeps prying eyes away from your online behavior. AVG Secure VPN offers over 50 server locations to get around geo-blocks on content.
  • Performance optimization: AVG TuneUp aims to speed up your device's performance and make it more reliable.
  • Tracker blocker: AVG AntiTrack stops advertisers from tracking your online behavior. It provides another layer of privacy as you browse online.

Top alternatives

AVG has some robust security tools, but it also has some downsides. In June 2024, it reached a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations of selling non-anonymized data to third parties that could be linked to the original owner or device.

The good news is that AVG is currently prohibited from selling or sharing browsing information for third-party advertising. While this practice is no longer current, it does raise a red flag on its policies.

You may find other options are a better fit for your preferences. Here is a comparison of popular antivirus products that may suit your needs:

Antivirus
Star rating
4.7
4.8
4.8
Price $29.00–$49.00/yr (first year only) $29.99–$249.99/yr $29.99–$99.99/first yr
# of devices protected 4 - 8 Unlimited 1 - 10
Malware scans Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
EICAR test results 2/3 3/3 3/3
Firewall
Phishing protection
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Extras Password manager, ad blocker, VPN Parental controls, performance optimization tools, VPN Password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls, privacy monitor, identity theft protection, cloud backup
24/7 customer support
Learn more Get TotalAV Get McAfee Get Norton 360

FAQs


+

Is AVG free?

AVG does offer a free version of its antivirus software. Beyond protecting your device from malware and viruses, AVG Antivirus Free also includes features to block malware-infected emails and avoid scammy websites. You may want to consider upgrading your plan if you want additional protection and privacy tools.


+

Is it worth paying for AVG?

It may be worth paying for AVG if you need more tools to hide your identity online and keep your data secure. AVG Ultimate is equipped with a VPN and a tracker blocker to stop third parties from monitoring your online activities. In addition, it has several performance optimization tools to remove unnecessary files and improve battery life.


+

How can I pay for AVG?

You can pay for AVG with major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also choose to pay with PayPal.


+

Is AVG a one-time purchase?

AVG is not a one-time purchase. It's a subscription, and you will be charged on an annual basis. If you want to cancel, you need to notify AVG and then disable AVG antivirus protection.


+

Why did I get charged for AVG?

You may receive a charge from AVG if you upgrade your plan or if it auto-renews the subscription. If you are unsure why you received a charge from AVG, it's best to contact customer support for assistance.


+

Is AVG a Russian company?

AVG isn't a Russian company. It's owned by Gen Digital, which has headquarters in the U.S. and the Czech Republic.

Bottom line: Is AVG worth it?

AVG is a strong choice for keeping your device safe from online threats. However, it's up to you to determine if the FTC settlement changes your opinion on AVG's trustworthiness.

Overall, AVG can still be worth it if your main goal is to protect your devices from malware. AVG antivirus did test strongly for effectively blocking malicious attacks. Privacy-minded individuals may consider other antivirus products like TotalAV or Norton 360.

Trusted Protection by 435 Million Users Worldwide
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AVG's website
Antivirus Software
AVG
  • Award-winning antivirus, malware, and ransomware protection for up to 10 devices
  • Includes webcam protection, safe browsing and email, automatic updates, and 24/7 protection
  • Suite of protection benefits including a secure VPN, anti-tracking capabilities, safeguards against phishing sites, and more
Author Details
Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.