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Guardio is ideal for individuals seeking lightweight and user-friendly browser protection against phishing attempts, scams, and malicious websites with identity theft protection features. Because it's a browser extension, Guardio also works as a great supplement to your device's built-in antivirus software.
Guardio has a free plan with limited features, but the Premium plan provides far more value. Guardio doesn't offer a first-year discount like traditional antivirus solutions, so its upfront cost may seem pricy. However, unlike antivirus competitors, Guardio doesn't hit you with a steep renewal rate. In fact, Guardio's rates are transparent and consistent.
In this article, we'll discuss Guardio’s costs, features, and help you decide whether it's the right choice for you. You can also learn more in our complete Guardio review.
What do you get with Guardio?
Top alternatives
FAQs
Bottom line: Is Guardio worth it?
How much does Guardio cost?
Guardio has two core plans: Free and Premium. Like most free plans, Guardio Basic has limited features and isn't the most convenient option. However, you can try the Premium plan for free during the 7-day trial period.
The Premium plan is one of the most expensive options on the market because it doesn't offer the first-year discount that many antivirus programs typically provide. But while competitors raise their prices when you want to renew for the second year, Guardio prices stay the same. It can make the prices comparable in the long run.
For example, McAfee Premium costs $49.99/first yr. But it renews at $149.99. Meanwhile, Guardio Premium costs $9.99/mo (billed annually) for an annual subscription for one person. You should consider your budget when looking at introductory and renewal prices.
Guardio price
Guardio Basic (free) | Guardio Premium (Individual) | |
Monthly cost | Free | $14.99/mo |
Annual cost | Free | $9.99/mo (billed annually) |
# supported devices | 1 | Up to 5 |
Fake website alerts | ||
Fake website blocks | ||
Malicious download blocks | ||
Identity and data breach monitoring | ||
Data leak alerts | ||
Email phishing security | ||
Text message filter | ||
Malicious pop-up blocks | ||
Cross-device protection | ||
$1 million identity theft insurance | ||
24/7 support | ||
Learn more | View plan | View plan |
While free, Guardio Basic doesn't offer much. The browser protection covers only fake website alerts, which is useful for spotting phishing scams.
There's also a manual scan feature to look for malware.
Guardio Premium offers a lot more value. It features several protections against online threats, including phishing, malware, and identity theft. You can also use it across multiple devices.
Another standout feature is the $1 million identity theft insurance, which can help you recover from losses if your identity is stolen.
What do you get with Guardio?
Guardio is designed to warn you about malicious software, protect you from phishing scams, and safeguard your identity. Here are the tools it uses for top-tier browser protection:
- Identity protection: It monitors the dark web and can help detect if your personal information is being sold online.
- Browsing protection: It blocks potentially malicious sites and explains why they're problematic.
- Email security: It will send you alerts about phishing emails and other scams.
- Text message filter: It automatically filters spam messages into a separate folder (available only on iOS).
- Malicious download blocks: It scans files to find malicious software and blocks it from downloading.
- Malicious browser extension detection: It evaluates browser extensions for potential risks.
- Search hijacker correction: It disables search hijackers that redirect you to sites that you didn't open.
- Critical security alerts: The security team will call or text you if a high-risk threat is detected.
- Real-time protection: It blocks threats in real time, so there is no need to run scans.
Top alternatives
Guardio is not your traditional antivirus software. It's primarily a browser extension for real-time protection against online threats. Traditional antivirus software protects not only your browser and online browsing experience, but also your devices. It can remove malware, and it includes other security tools, such as a virtual private network (VPN) and a password manager.
Some examples of the best antivirus software for full system protection include:
- TotalAV: Best for web protection since it blocks ads, has a browser extension, and can stop viruses and malware before they get installed on your device.
- Norton 360: Comprehensive antivirus protection with Norton Secure VPN, dark web monitoring, and parental controls.
- McAfee: Covers an unlimited number of devices, which is great for large households.
Antivirus | ![]() |
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Star rating | |||
Price | $19.00–$49.00/first yr | $29.99–$249.99/yr | $29.99–$299.99/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 | 3/3 | 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 Guardio free and safe?
Guardio does have a free Basic plan that can alert you to fake websites and can conduct manual scans for malware. It's a safe browser extension that passed the anti-malware test files from the European Institute for Computer Anti-Virus Research (EICAR).
Is it worth paying for Guardio?
Guardio doesn't offer a first-year discount, which many antivirus programs offer. This can make it look more expensive than competitors. However, it's essential to consider the renewal rates when determining whether a product fits within your budget. Guardio prices stay the same, so you won’t have to make a drastic change to your budget after the first year.
Is Guardio better than Norton?
Guardio may or may not be a better choice than Norton. It depends on what you are looking for in an antivirus program. You may prefer Guardio if you're looking for a free plan or just need browser protection. Norton 360 antivirus is a good choice if you want comprehensive cybersecurity for your browser and devices.
Can you cancel a Guardio subscription?
Yes, you can cancel a Guardio subscription or simply uninstall the free version. The Premium plan requires that you go to the Subscription page on your profile to cancel. If you used the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store to purchase Guardio, then you'll cancel through those online stores.
Bottom line: Is Guardio worth it?
Guardio is worth it if you want something easy to use or need a browser supplement to your device's built-in antivirus software. Browser protection helps prevent you from falling victim to phishing, malware, and identity theft.
However, Guardio is not a full system antivirus protection program. It lacks malware removal capabilities, device file scanning, and offline device protection. For comprehensive antivirus software, consider our top-tested favorites.
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