AVG remains a popular choice among antivirus software, particularly for its free version, though its paid options compete with giants like Norton and Bitdefender. Users often seek a more affordable, lightweight alternative. Enter Avira, a leading antivirus that offers both free and enhanced paid plans, making it an excellent alternative to AVG.
Avira’s approach mirrors AVG’s, providing a free version with essential protection and advanced features in its paid plan, including unlimited VPN, identity theft protection, and performance tools. Avira’s user interface stands out for its simplicity, offering an intuitive dashboard and a quick “Smart Scan” for security, privacy, and performance issues. While AVG also boasts user-friendliness, Avira’s UI is preferred by many.
Avira excels in real-time protection, blocking 99.3% of threats with minimal false positives, as shown in recent AV-Comparatives tests. Its cloud-based scanning reduces system impact compared to AVG. Avira’s browser extension enhances online safety by blocking phishing sites, ads, and trackers more effectively than some popular ad blockers.
Although Avira’s firewall appears simpler than AVG’s, it offers significant customization for advanced users, ensuring robust online protection. Both antivirus suites provide strong firewalls, but Avira’s is more user-friendly. In the paid version, Avira includes a password manager with unlimited storage and AES-256 encryption, whereas AVG’s password protection is less straightforward. Avira also offers an unlimited VPN, unlike AVG, which requires a separate purchase.
Pricing-wise, both Avira and AVG offer free versions with basic protection. Avira’s Internet Security plan costs €21.95 per year for one device, while its Prime plan, at €59.95 annually for five devices, includes comprehensive features like a secure price comparison tool.
Customer support is accessible for both Avira and AVG, with Avira’s knowledge base being particularly noteworthy. Both provide ample technical documentation and responsive direct support.
In summary, Avira presents a compelling alternative to AVG, offering advanced features and tools at a reasonable price. For those seeking a robust antivirus solution, Avira is a standout choice.
