Avast SecureLine VPN is a basic VPN service that works with other Avast security products, like its antivirus and internet security tools. Skip to the Conclusion & Next Steps Avast SecureLine VPN is another security tool from Avast Software, a worldwide security company based in the Czech Republic.
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(Last updated on August 29th, 2019)
Avast or AVG, which antivirus software is a better pick in 2019?
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Overall, Bitdefender is our #1 antivirus software for 2019 (and beyond), because of its excellent, flawless performance in all independent lab evaluations, particularly those conducted by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives.
Right now, we think that Bitdefender Total Security 2019 (currently at 50% off) is the best antivirus package available in the market. Apart from providing excellent anti-malware protection, it offers all the advanced premium features and utilities that must be there in a high-end package -- and best of all, it offers excellent value for money. You can protect up to five devices (PCs, Macs, or smartphones) with just one license.
If you need protection for more than five devices, we highly recommend Bitdefender Family Pack 2019. It will cover all the internet-capable devices in your household with the Total Security suite, so your family is protected no matter what goes wrong.
In this comparison, we’ll show you the strengths and weaknesses of two top antivirus companies: Avast and AVG. We’ll examine each software in detail so you can make a smart decision.
In a rush? Check out the rundown below to see which software wins in each category.
A Quick Rundown of Winners Antivirus in Each Category
1. Features
Winner: Avast. Compared to AVG, Avast offers a more comprehensive feature-set as part of its premium suites.
2. Malware Protection
Winner: Tie. According to two independent tests, both Avast and AVG protect your computer against all sorts of malware.
3. System Performance
Winner: Tie. Again, both companies tied during independent performance tests.
4. User-Friendliness
Winner: Avast. Both programs have simple, intuitive user interfaces, but Avast’s secondary screens are more easily reached than AVG’s.
5. Pricing
Winner: AVG. AVG offers more bang for your buck; you can protect more devices for less money through AVG.
6. Customer Satisfaction
Winner: AVG. AVG has slightly better customer satisfaction ratings than Avast
Short Verdict
The independently held examinations conducted by the AV-Test and AV-Comparatives prove that both Avast and AVG provide excellent malware protection with minimal impact on system performance. But Avast offers more protection-related features and extra utilities in its security suites than AVG.
We have reviewed and rated most (if not all) antivirus software packages out there, and we think that Bitdefender Total Security 2019 (currently at 50% off) is the best antivirus package you can buy right now. You can protect up to five devices (PCs, Macs, or smartphones) with a single license of this suite.
If you have more than five devices, Bitdefender Family Pack 2019 is the best option for you.
If you're just looking for Mac-specific protection, we recommend Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac 2019 for complete peace of mind.
Now, we’ll go into the details.
1. Features
Good antivirus software won’t just defend you against malware; it will also come with a host of advanced features and extra utilities that enhance your security and promote extra value.
First, let’s see what features Avast offers as part of its software packages.
Avast has different protection tiers for Windows and Mac computers.
Avast Free Antivirus is the company’s freemium security product for PCs. It doesn’t offer much in terms of advanced features and utilities, but it does protect against a host of malware types. As expected, the freeware is easily overshadowed by Avast’s premium tiers of protection coverage.
Avast Internet Security is the company’s first premium antivirus package. This suite offers excellent protection against all sorts of digital threats, along with several advanced features and add-ons. These include a smart two-way firewall that keeps an eye on your network traffic, an email filter that helps junk and malicious emails away from your inbox, and the Wi-Fi Inspector that checks for weakness in your home network.
The Real Site feature is also jammed into the suite; this prevents hackers from taking over your DNS and rerouting you to fake sites to steal your financial details. The Sandbox feature is another useful offering that lets you run suspicious files and programs in a secure environment, so there’s no risk of malware infiltrating your computer.
Finally, there’s also the Do Not Disturb Mode that minimizes disruptions and distractions while you’re enjoying your favorite game, for example.
The company’s next offering is Avast Premier. Everything that comes with the Internet Security suite is also part of this package, plus you get the Data Shredder utility that allows you to permanently delete your sensitive data so hackers can’t recover them. Webcam protector (prevents people from spying on you through your webcam) is also part of the suite, as well as an automatic software updater.
Avast Ultimate is the company’s full-blown antivirus offering. This suite has all the advanced features and utilities you can expect to find in a high-end security package.
All the features we mentioned above are part of the Ultimate suite, plus there’s a VPN that lets you surf the internet anonymously and can be used to access content that may be blocked in your geographic location. There’s also a clean-up tool that removes junk files to free up disk space, optimizes computer operations to improve the speed of operations, and fixes annoying problems. Finally, there’s an advanced password manager and protector that can store all your sensitive details in a secure, digital vault.
If you use a Mac user, there’s Avast Security for Mac. There are two different versions of this software: Free and Pro. The free software is a lot like the Windows freemium option; it’s not worth much in terms of advanced features and only provides barebones security. The Pro version offers several advanced features that make it worthwhile, such as a ransomware guard, and the Wi-Fi intruder alert feature.
If you’re interested in Avast’s business-specific security solutions, click here for more information.
Now let’s see what AVG offers in terms of features.
AVG also offers a freemium solution, called AVG AntiVirus Free. As you’d guess, there aren’t any advanced features or tools jammed into the freeware, but it does offer protection against different types of malware threats. The software also protects against malicious links and downloads.
AVG Internet Security (compatible with both Windows and macOS) is the company’s mid-level premium offering. This suite offers excellent protection against all kinds of malware, plus you get a two-way firewall that defends your network, a file encryption utility that lets you secure your important data against ransomware, and a file shredder.
Webcam protection software that prevents surreptitious spying is also part of the suite, as well as an email filter (filters malicious emails and blocks dangerous links) and a fake website detector; this feature helps prevent financial information theft.
Next up is AVG Ultimate, the highest, full-blown tier of coverage offered by AVG. It can be used to protect PCs, Macs, or Android devices.
All the features and utilities that are part of the Internet Security suite are also found in this suite, plus you get a comprehensive computer performance optimization tool, called AVG Tune-up; this all-in-one utility automatically cleans up junk files, speeds up your system performance, and keeps your applications up-to-date.
The Ultimate license also gives you access to AVG’s live phone or chat support at any time of day or night, as well as AVG’s mobile antivirus and clean-up apps.
If you’re interested in AVG’s business-specific products, click here to see the full range.
Winner: Avast. AVG’s products come with an impressive feature-set, but Avast offers more security-enhancing features and tools in its security suites.
2. Malware Protection
The ability to defend your computer from malware is the most important factor you should consider when purchasing a security program. We’ll examine the recent lab tests conducted by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives to see how Avast and AVG compare in this category.
AV-Test’s most recent evaluations were held in April 2019. During these evaluations, all antivirus companies were tested for Protection, Performance, and Usability.
In the Protection tests, Avast scored a 5.5 out of 6, which is a decent score but not a perfect one.
AVG also got a 5.5/6 score in the Protection category.
AV-Comparatives is another well-known independent organization that regularly conducts several exhaustive to determine the performance of top antivirus software brands.
In the AV-Comparatives’ 2019 Real-World Protection tests, both Avast and AVG got the second-best ADVANCED award, because of their good malware detection rates. Other products, like Bitdefender and Kaspersky, got the highest ADVANCED+ award in these evaluations.
Winner: Tie. Overall, both companies scored equally well in both independent evaluations we considered.
Jun 29, 2016 Avast Free Antivirus for Mac is a free antivirus program with a virus scanner, firewall, and various features that you can turn off or on. The program is free, but will request payment for some features, which means that you can’t expect everything in the features section to be free. Need premium Mac antivirus protection? Say hello to Avast Security Pro. Avast Security Pro includes all the malware-crushing moves of its free little brother, along. Avast for mac review.
3. System Performance
Another important aspect you should consider is the impact (or strain) each antivirus software will put on your system performance. Good antivirus programs don’t slow down your system.
In the performance category of AV-Test evaluations, both Avast and AVG received a perfect 6 out of 6 score, meaning both software are excellent in terms of the impact on system performance.
In the AV-Comparatives’ recent performance test, which was held in April 2019, both Avast and AVG got the highest ADVANCED+ award form the company, because of their low impact scores.
Winner: Tie. Once again, both companies were neck and neck during both performance evaluations.
4. User-Friendliness
The interface of a security product should be simple and easy to use, even for those who aren’t very computer literate.
Let’s take a look at the user interface of both software to see which one is more user-friendly.
Avast’s interface is intuitive and straightforward, dominated by dark colors. There’s a left-hand bar with four main categories, which are Status, Protection, Privacy, and Performance.
The Status screen is the default view. When everything is okay, you will see a green checkmark in the center with a reassuring “you’re protected” message. You can begin a quick scan right from this screen at the click of a button.
You can customize the controls to a reasonable extent, either by turning tools off or adjusting their usage. You can also lessen the amount of scanning and monitoring the software undergoes if it’s putting too much of a strain on your computer, although this shouldn’t be an issue given the high scores and received for performance when it was tested by unbiased organizations. The software also allows you to schedule scans, allowing you to make the software work around your personal schedule.
Links to Notifications, Settings, and Help are in the top bar.
Now, let’s examine AVG’s interface.
AVG’s dark, intuitive interface uses green and white as its primary colors. On the main screen, there’s a large circle at the top which will be a green checkmark if everything is fine. At the bottom, there’s the prominent Scan Computer button that allows you to initiate a scan with just one click.
There’re five modules on the main screen: Computer, Web & Email, Hacker Alerts, Privacy Data, and Payments. Each module has relevant features and their settings. All the advanced features and functions of the software can be easily reached with a few clicks.
Winner: Avast. Overall, Avast’s interface is simpler, more straightforward than AVG’s.
5. Pricing
Now, let’s look at the pricing structure of both companies to see which software gives more bang for your buck.
Avast Internet Security protects 1 device for $59.99 per year. Avast Premier costs $69.99 per year for a single PC.
Finally, Avast Ultimate, which is the highest package offered by the company, costs $119.99 per year for 1 PC.
Avast Security for Mac, which is the company’s offering for macOS, costs $59.99 per year for 1 Mac.
| Avast Security Products | Prices |
|---|---|
| Avast Pro Antivirus | Check Price |
| Avast Internet Security | Check Price |
| Avast Premier | Check Price |
| Avast Ultimate | Check Price |
| Avast Security for Mac | Check Price |
| Avast Business Products | Check Prices |
Let’s compare what AVG costs.
AVG Internet Security, which works on both PCs and Macs, protects up to 10 devices for $79.99 per.
AVG Ultimate, the highest tier of coverage from AVG, actually gives you an unlimited number of licenses for $99.99 per year; it represents excellent value for money, especially in comparison to Avast’s top-of-the-line product.
| AVG Security Products | Prices |
|---|---|
| AVG Internet Security | Check Price |
| AVG Ultimate | Check Price |
| AVG Business Products | See Full Range |
Winner: AVG. It’s a close call, but you can protect more devices for less money with AVG. Also, AVG is a better pick if you’d like to get antivirus protection for all your family devices.
6. Customer Satisfaction
Before we render our final verdict, let’s look at the overall customer satisfaction ratings for companies.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) combines company reputation and user reviews and awards a single letter rating from A to F to each company. Avast has an excellent A+ rating from the BBB, showing great company reputation and exceptional customer service. AVG has an A+ rating as well, meaning they too have a good company reputation and high levels of customer satisfaction.
Avast Cleanup Pro seems to be the Mac version of the Cleanup Premium app that is available for Windows users and is part of this new offering specifically developed for the growing market of Mac users that the company sees as an opportunity on which it can capitalize. In the Avast Cleanup Pro dialog that appears, double-click the Install Avast Cleanup Pro icon. In the setup wizard, click Continue. Review the End User License Agreement and click Continue. To uninstall Avast Cleanup Pro, follow these steps: Click the Avast Cleanup Pro icon on your menu bar and select Open Avast Cleanup Pro. Click AvastCleanup on the menu bar and select Uninstall Avast Cleanup Pro from the context menu. In the Avast Cleanup Pro Uninstaller dialog, click Continue. Enter your system credentials, then click OK. Avast cleanup pro for mac review.
Winner: Tie. Both companies score equally well in this category.
Final Thoughts
Avast is the overall winners as it won more rounds of the competition, although AVG puts up a good fight. Both companies are neck and neck in terms of anti-malware security and system performance. Avast wins in terms of features and user interface, while AVG offers a better pricing structure.
Plus, it comes with premium customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you have more than five devices, Bitdefender Family Pack 2019 is the best option for you.
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- Pros
Certified by one independent testing lab. Speedy full scan. Excellent phishing protection for Chrome and Firefox. Useful bonus features. Ransomware protection. Wi-Fi intruder detection.
- Cons
Doesn't add much to free edition's features. Expensive. Poor phishing protection for Safari. Password manager includes only basic features.
- Bottom Line
Avast Security Pro (for Mac) adds ransomware protection and Wi-Fi intruder detection to the features found in Avast's free antivirus, but these additions don't merit its high price.
The myth that Macs can't suffer viruses, Trojans, or other types of malware attack is busted. Oh, the situation isn't nearly as bad as on Windows or Android, but Macs really do need antivirus protection. There are free options available, including Avast Security (for Mac), but commercial antivirus utilities offer more features and do better in testing. Looking at what this product adds beyond the features in the free edition, it's really hard to justify the price.
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This product's main window looks exactly like that of the free edition, except for the absence of the upgrade offer. Plenty of white space surrounds a simple security status indicator. The left-rail menu is also the same as in the free edition. The difference is that clicking Ransomware Shield or Wi-Fi Inspector brings up the component, rather than displaying an upgrade invitation. The look is very different from that of Avast Pro Antivirus, which uses a dark gray background with occasional elements in purple and green.
Pricing and OS Support
Like Bitdefender and Kaspersky, Avast supports macOS versions back to 10.9 (Mavericks). If you have an antique Mac that for some reason can't even run Mavericks, consider ESET,
The most common pricing plan for Mac antivirus runs $39.99 per year for one license or $59.99 for three. Bitdefender, ESET Cyber Security (for Mac), Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes all fit this profile. Price-wise, Avast is on the high end, at $59.99 per year or $69.99 for three licenses. That's expensive, considering that the free edition has all the same features except for Ransomware Shield and Wi-Fi Inspector, which I'll detail below.
Shared Features
This utility shares all the features of the free Avast Security (for Mac), and that's saying a lot. I'll briefly summarize those shared features here, and you can should read my review of the free product for more details.
AV-Comparatives certified Avast's Mac malware protection as effective. In testing, it protected against 99.9 percent of Mac malware and 100 percent of Windows malware. AV-Test Institute, the other major lab that tests Mac antivirus, did not include Avast in testing. Note, though, that Bitdefender and Kaspersky earned 100 percent in both tests, and received certification from both labs.
I don't have the same kind of resources for antivirus testing under macOS as I do for Windows. I did try scanning a folder containing my current collection of Windows malware. Avast detected and quarantined 85 percent of the samples, which is quite good. Only Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (for Mac), with 86 percent, and Sophos, with 100 percent, have done better. At the low end, McAfee caught 25 percent and Intego just 18 percent.
Avast's full scan finished in 14.5 minutes, which is quite a bit faster than the current average of 24 minutes. The impressive Home Network Security Scanner took less than three minutes to take note of all devices on my network. It found 36 devices and flagged legitimate security problems on two of them.
Phishing websites masquerade as secure sites in the hopes of fooling you into giving away your login credentials. It doesn't matter which browser you use, or which operating system. Avast's scores in my hands-on phishing protection test were extremely poor. The phishing protection systems built into Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer all outperformed Avast, by a long shot.
I learned from my company contacts that phishing protection is fully functional in Chrome and Firefox, but only partly in Safari. The developers are working up a browser-independent version. In a new test using Chrome, Avast scored better than any Mac product except Bitdefender. It tied with Norton and beat out all three browsers. If you're relying on Avast for phishing protection, make sure you use Chrome or Firefox.
The Online Security browser extension marks up search results to flag dangerous links. It also displays a list of all ad trackers and other trackers on the current page, with an option to actively block these. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac includes a similar active Do Not Track feature.
Avast comes with a basic password manager that installs as a separate application. It handles basic functions like password capture and replay, saving secure notes, and generating strong passwords. The app stores
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Ransomware Shield
Everything I've described to this point is also available in the free edition. The premium-only Ransomware Shield component simply prevents unauthorized access to files in sensitive folders. By default, it protects the Documents and Pictures folders for the current user. Naturally, you can add other folders if needed. A similar feature in Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac also protects your Time Machine backups.
Avast For Mac Free Download
To test this kind of access control on Windows, I use a small text editor that I wrote myself, something that would never show up on a list of trusted applications. I don't have such a program for macOS, so I had to disable the feature that automatically trusts Apple and App Store applications.
This type of access control is an effective tool for ransomware protection, one used by many security tools both on Windows and macOS. However, it does require vigilance on your part. When you see the Ransomware Shield popup, examine it carefully, and only click Allow if you're absolutely sure the program is legitimate.
Wi-Fi Inspector
As noted, you get the Home Network Security Scan even in the free edition. The premium edition adds a component called Wi-Fi Inspector. Despite the name, the main function of this component is to alert you when new devices join the network. It maintains its own simple list of devices. If you click Deep Scan, it launches the Home Network Security Scan.
Wi-Fi Inspector's device list doesn't identify security issues the way the security scan does. On the plus side, it lists the MAC address and IP address for each device, along with the name. For many devices, the name is a clear identification, like
I did encounter a serious problem with the device list. It found 36 devices on my network, but I couldn't scroll down to see more than the first bunch of devices. My Avast contact confirmed this as a bug. It's not such a big problem, as you can see all your connected devices in network scanner.
The real point of Wi-Fi Inspector is to alert you when a new device connects. Free license key for avast. Just after installation, you'll probably see quite a few of these, as devices that were turned off during the initial scan wake up. Once you get past that shakeout period, you should pay close attention to the new-device notifications. If you don't recognize the device, it could be a neighbor mooching your Wi-Fi, or even a hack attempt.
If you determine that the new connection isn't legitimate, there's not a lot you can do about it. Wi-Fi Inspector offers notification, but no direct way to act on that information. Your best bet is to snap a screenshot of the notification and then find a friend who's a network whiz. Your buddy can use the info from the screenshot to log into your router's settings and ban the device from the network.
Doesn't Add Enough
Avast Security Pro offers certified Mac malware protection, a network security scanner, and a password manager, but those features also come with the free Avast Security. The Pro edition adds ransomware protection that works by banning untrusted applications from modifying your files. It also adds real-time notification of new connections to your
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac has certification from two labs, excellent phishing protection, an anti-ransomware feature much like Avast's, and more. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac also has two certifications, and it comes with a full parental control system, excellent anti-phishing, protection against webcam peepers, and more. These are our Editors' Choice products for macOS antivirus, and they both costs $20 less than Avast.
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Bottom Line: Avast Security Pro (for Mac) adds ransomware protection and Wi-Fi intruder detection to the features found in Avast's free antivirus, but these additions don't merit its high price.
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