AVG AntiVirus Review (2026): Avast’s Slightly Less Intrusive Cousin

September 20, 2026

Tech

With Norton, Avast, and Avira, AVG has fallen under the wing of Gen Digital, the American cybersecurity giant. Boasting more than 200 million users worldwide, the Czech antivirus publisher should take advantage of this merger to improve its antivirus. Equipped with the same detection engine as Avast, it provides leading protection against all current threats with or without a listed signature, such as ransomware, zero-day attacks, modern phishing, etc. Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, AVG Antivirus benefits from a simple interface and remarkable system optimization and cleaning features. It remains to be seen whether it can rival the best antivirus on the market.

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Clubic – Our review of AVG Antivirus

AVG: the challenger to Avast and Avira

Founded in Prague, Czech Republic in 1991, AVG is best known for its free antivirus AVG AntiVirus. With more than 200 million users, it stands as one of the main challengers to Avast, the leader in free antivirus. Compatible with Windows and macOS, the latter offers basic protection including an antivirus and anti-malware engine. In recent years, AVG has been trying to establish itself in the premium cross-platform antivirus market with the security suites AVG Internet Security and AVG Ultimate. These include additional features such as Wi-Fi protection or modules to defend against phishing and malicious sites, etc. The Ultimate version represents the top tier with in-house tools known to users, including the AVG Secure VPN, AVG TuneUp, or AVG AntiTrack.

AVG AntiVirus

moodLimited free version
devices1 device
phishingAnti-phishing included
local_atmAnti-ransomware included
groupsNo parental control

8 / 10

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Pros

Minimalist and simple interface
Very good detection
Not too many prompts for the paid version

Cons

Limited free features

Notes

Effectiveness

Features

Performance

Ergonomics

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FAQ

Is AVG Antivirus reliable?

AVG’s reputation is well established, especially since the company merged with Avast in 2016. The two free programs are thus very similar and protect devices on Mac in a comparable way. AVG Antivirus is therefore a reliable protection.

What is the best AVG antivirus?

AVG offers a free version, as well as two premium subscriptions, which are effectively a single premium antivirus package. AVG Antivirus provides all the basic protection against threats users may face on their computer and while browsing the Internet: viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware… It does so with real-time protection that also blocks malicious links and downloads. The first Premium subscription, Internet Security, adds enhanced data protection against ransomware, an anti-phishing feature, and safer online shopping. Finally, the highest-priced plan, AVG Ultimate, is actually a bundle of software, including the Internet Security antivirus, a VPN, a PC optimization tool, and an anti-tracking feature. It all depends on one’s security needs and whether one is willing to pay for it.

AVG Antivirus – Detection engines

The options are presented in a Mac-friendly way, with a classic preferences panel. You can manage file, web, and email agent behavior, analysis preferences (scan of archives, external drives and network shares, inclusion of PUAs or not) and privacy settings.

AVG Antivirus – Settings

Windows

The Windows interface for AVG Antivirus is clean and clear. Again, there is an appreciation for the absence of ambiguity about paid features, shown much more explicitly than with Avira Free Security, and separated from free features on the home screen.

Of course, prompts to upgrade to the paid version are very visible: just on the home screen there are two, and like on Mac, you cannot escape the “Resolve all” button that hides a link to purchase AVG Internet Security. The transparency efforts are, however, welcome.

AVG Antivirus – Quarantine

Web Shield defends the system against attacks from websites that execute malicious scripts and scans downloads, placing suspicious files in quarantine when detected. Finally, an Email agent analyzes attachments in emails.

AVG Antivirus – Protection of downloads

Four scan types are offered: Smart Scan, which focuses on sensitive areas; Deep Scan, which does exactly what it says; Targeted Scan to focus on a specific file or folder; and External Storage Scan for disks, SSDs, or USB drives. A tab allows scheduling scans with daily, weekly, or monthly frequency.

AVG Antivirus – Scan Center

In short, what does the paid subscription bring? Primarily the same features as Avast Security. The hacker protection already includes the Anti-Ransomware agent found in the “cousin” with locking of sensitive folders often targeted by ransomware. The Wi-Fi Inspector module, premium in Avast, is offered here under the name Network Inspector. As a reminder, this examines the network connection, the router, and all devices on it to detect and block suspicious behavior.

AVG Antivirus – Anti-phishing module

The second paid-subscription pane covers online scams with two agents. The first protects against phishing using a cloud database updated with the latest fraudulent addresses cataloged. The second specifically blocks spoofed online shops.

AVG Antivirus – Anti-ransomware

Conclusion and Verdict

AVG Antivirus is a good free antivirus, and that’s not surprising given that Avast Security is in the same family. As with its “cousin,” AVG AntiVirus is effective in protection, though it can feel a bit heavy, and its prompts to upgrade remain somewhat intrusive, even if slightly less aggressive than Avast Security.

Conclusion

General note

8 / 10

AVG Antivirus is a good free antivirus, and that’s expected since Avast Security is too. But like its “cousin,” AVG AntiVirus is effective at protection, though it can feel a bit heavy, and its prompts to buy the paid version, though slightly more discreet than on Avast Security, remain relatively intrusive.

Pros

Clean and simple interface
Very good detection
Not too many prompts for the paid version

Cons

Limited free features

Sous-notes

Efficacité

Fonctionnalités

Performances

Ergonomie

Essayer AVG AntiVirus maintenant !

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Daniel Brooks

I cover everyday products with a practical eye, from kitchen tools and home essentials to smart gadgets and consumer trends. My goal is to help readers understand what is genuinely useful, what is worth the price, and what deserves a second look before buying.