Avast One vs AVG: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Avast One is built for free-tier, while AVG suits free-tier. For most users Avast One is the stronger default, but AVG can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Avast One versus AVG comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Avast One | AVG | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Antivirus | Antivirus |
| What it's known for | Free antivirus heritage plus an all-in-one Avast One suite with VPN and breach monitoring (Gen Digital). | Long-standing free antivirus brand sharing Avast's engine, with affordable paid Internet Security tiers (Gen Digital). |
| Pricing | Free tier; ~$50-100/year for Avast One paid tiers | Free tier; ~$50-80/year Internet Security |
| Best audience | Users wanting a solid free antivirus or a low-cost all-in-one suite. | Budget users wanting reliable free or low-cost antivirus. |
| Best for | free-tier, all-in-one | free-tier, budget |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Capable free tier with real-time protection. | Solid free antivirus. |
| Main caveat | Past trust damage: sold user browsing data via Jumpshot (FTC fined it $16.5M). | Shares Avast's history and Jumpshot data-selling baggage. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Avast One key features
- Free antivirus tier with real-time protection
- Avast One all-in-one suite (antivirus, VPN, scam protection)
- Data breach monitoring
- AI-powered scam detection
AVG key features
- Free antivirus for Windows, Mac and Android
- Enhanced firewall and ransomware protection (paid)
- Webcam and phishing/fake-site protection
- AVG TuneUp system optimization (Ultimate)
Pricing tiers side by side
Avast One plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Antivirus, VPN, scam protection, breach monitoring |
| Silver | ~$2.99/mo | Full coverage |
| Gold / Platinum | ~$83.88-119.88/yr | 5 to 30 devices |
AVG plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Core antivirus |
| Internet Security | ~$39.99 yr1 | 10 devices; renews ~$99.99 |
| Ultimate | ~$55.99 yr1 | Adds TuneUp + VPN; renews ~$139.99 |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Avast One wins
Long-standing free antivirus now rebuilt as the modular Avast One suite.
- Capable free tier with real-time protection.
- All-in-one Avast One suite.
That makes it the stronger pick for users wanting a solid free antivirus or a low-cost all-in-one suite.
Where AVG wins
A long-standing free antivirus brand running Avast's proven detection engine.
- Solid free antivirus.
- Strong AV-TEST scores (6/6).
That makes it the stronger pick for budget users wanting reliable free or low-cost antivirus.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Avast One if you fit its core audience — users wanting a solid free antivirus or a low-cost all-in-one suite.
- Choose AVG if you fit its core audience — budget users wanting reliable free or low-cost antivirus.
FAQ
Is Avast One better than AVG?
Avast One is the stronger default for most users, but AVG can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Avast One and AVG?
Avast One is long-standing free antivirus now rebuilt as the modular Avast One suite. AVG is a long-standing free antivirus brand running Avast's proven detection engine.
Which is cheaper, Avast One or AVG?
Both Avast One and AVG offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Avast One and AVG: