Avast and AVG are two reliable antivirus programs that offer perfect malware detection rates, a variety of useful features, and easy-to-use interfaces. Both are well-suited for users looking for straightforward protection and added tools for online safety.
While both apps are very similar, there are some notable differences. For example, Avast provides two interfaces: Premium Security and Avast One. Premium Security offers more advanced customization, and Avast One has a built-in VPN with more integrated tools.
AVG, meanwhile, offers a single antivirus app with better optimization tools, but accessing its full suite of features requires downloading multiple additional apps.
Below, I’ve broken down the other key distinctions between Avast and AVG to help you decide which antivirus best fits your needs.
Short on Time? Avast vs. AVG 2024 — Final Verdict:
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Avast provides privacy-focused features and an all-in-one app (Avast One). It’s ideal and better for users who prioritize privacy and want a more user-friendly antivirus.
AVG offers good malware protection and system optimization tools. If you’re looking for an antivirus that boosts your PC’s performance while providing excellent online security, AVG is the better option.
Avast vs. AVG: Quick Summary
Malware Protection — Excellent Detection, Fast Scans & Minimal Performance Impact
Avast — Top-Notch Malware Detection & Versatile Scanning Options
Avast offers excellent malware protection, with perfect detection rates against various threats, from viruses to ransomware. I tested its scanner with over 1,000 malware samples, and Avast caught every single one. Its full system scan was completed in under an hour with minimal impact on performance — I could even use my PC during the scan.
I particularly like Avast’s 6 versatile scanning options, which include Full Virus Scan, Smart Scan, Boot-Time Scan, Targeted Scan, and more. Its real-time protection also impressed me, blocking malware downloads even when zipped or encrypted.
AVG — Strong Malware Protection & Fast Scans
AVG shares the same antivirus engine as Avast, meaning it also achieved a perfect 100% detection rate in my tests. Like Avast, AVG offers 6 types of scans. Its Deep Scan is similar to Avast’s Full Virus Scan and is just as thorough. Plus, it only took 45 minutes to complete — which is on par with the best antiviruses on the market. The real-time protection blocked malware downloads and even disconnected me from malicious web servers.
However, AVG’s ransomware protection could be improved — it only protects specific files and folders. Despite this, AVG’s Deep Scan and real-time protection make it an excellent choice for malware defense, offering reliable security with effective scanning and threat-blocking features.
Web Security — Avast & AVG Keep You Safe Online, With Some Differences
Avast — Strong Web Protection With Minimal False Positives
Avast provides good web security, blocking dangerous websites and phishing attempts. In my tests, it consistently flagged phishing sites that were not detected by major browsers’s built-in protections.
It also includes a real-time web shield that blocks harmful downloads and potentially unsafe files. While Avast is generally very accurate, it occasionally flagged legitimate sites I was trying to visit as suspicious. Even worse, whitelisting them with the Premium Security interface wasn’t that intuitive (whitelisting is a bit easier with Avast One’s interface).
AVG — Reliable Web Security With Advanced Features
AVG also provides reasonably good web security, protecting against malicious websites, phishing attempts, and unsafe downloads. Its real-time protection blocked most phishing sites I tried to visit and flagged a few potential threats on the pages I browsed.
The Web Shield feature prevented me from downloading malicious files and stopped me from clicking on risky links in search results or emails. While AVG’s web protection is top-notch, it didn’t perform quite as well as Avast, but it’s still a strong option for secure browsing.
Features — Avast Offers Versatile Security Tools for Everyday Users
Avast — Comprehensive Tool Set
Avast offers great protection for users who want an easy-to-use antivirus with a wide range of tools. Its real-time protection and malware scanner provide reliable security, while tools like the password manager and software updater make it a great choice for users looking for additional peace of mind.
Avast provides coverage for up to 30 devices and includes:
- Real-time protection.
- Ransomware protection.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Web shield.
- Wi-Fi protection.
- VPN (unlimited on some plans).
- Software updater.
- Sandbox.
- Bankmode.
- And more…
AVG — Good Features With a Focus on Performance
AVG offers a solid set of internet security tools, though it only includes the VPN on its most expensive plan. Unlike Avast, it doesn’t include a sandbox.
AVG covers up to 10 devices and includes:
- Real-time protection.
- Ransomware protection.
- Anti-phishing tools.
- Web protection & ad blocker.
- Tune-up tools (with AVG Ultimate).
- VPN (most expensive plan only).
- And more…
Ease of Use — Avast Is More Intuitive, but AVG Offers Easy Setup
Avast — Simple Setup, but Multiple Apps Can Be Confusing
Avast is quick and easy to set up. The entire process took under 5 minutes, and the website automatically detected my operating system, ensuring I downloaded the correct version. However, I found it confusing that Avast offers 2 separate apps — Avast One and Premium Security. Both have similar features, and it wasn’t immediately clear which one I should use.
The Avast One app features a streamlined, user-friendly interface, ideal for less tech-savvy users. However, it lacks some advanced customization options found in the Premium Security app. While Premium Security offers more features (password manager, data shredder, sandbox, and more), its interface is more complex, and you have to download multiple apps to access all the features (like the VPN). That said, the tooltips and search function make navigating settings easier.
On mobile, Avast’s apps for Android and iOS are secure, well-designed, and easy to navigate, with clean layouts and intuitive menus. The apps offer useful features like malware scanning, privacy protection, and a VPN, all presented in a straightforward, user-friendly way.
However, I found it frustrating that different functionalities are spread across multiple apps. For example, Avast Mobile Security handles antivirus protection, while Avast SecureLine VPN requires a separate download for private browsing. While the individual apps work well, having to switch between them can honestly get pretty annoying.
AVG — Quick Setup, but It Requires Multiple Apps
Just like Avast, AVG is quick and easy to set up, taking just a few minutes. However, I found it a bit frustrating that AVG requires downloading 6 separate apps to access all of its features, such as AVG Internet Security, AVG Secure VPN, AVG Driver Updater, and more.
While apps like a VPN or Driver Updater being separate isn’t unusual in the industry, AVG doesn’t make it immediately clear which features are included in its core antivirus package and which require additional purchases. For example, Driver Updater appears integrated into a higher-tier plan from the AVG UI but is, in fact, a standalone product requiring a separate license.
Once I got used to the interface, it was easy to navigate, though I found the lack of a dedicated sub-menu for virus scans confusing at first. The Smart scan option is located in the middle of the page, and the rest of the scans under ‘Run Other Scans’ are in the bottom right corner of the home page, which took a little extra time to get used to.
As with Avast, accessing all of AVG’s mobile features requires downloading multiple apps, such as AVG Antivirus for malware protection and AVG Secure VPN for private browsing. That said, AVG’s mobile apps for both Android and iOS are well-designed, with clean interfaces and straightforward navigation, making them easy to use even for less tech-savvy users.
The core antivirus app worked well, providing real-time protection, a Wi-Fi scanner, and anti-theft features. However, like with Avast, you have to switch between separate apps for different functionalities, which can be annoying.
Customer Support — Avast’s Support Is Good, but AVG Offers Faster & More Accessible Help
Avast — Decent Support, Limited by Region
Avast offers live chat, phone, and email support, a comprehensive knowledge base, and a community forum. However, free users can only access the knowledge base and community forum. While the knowledge base is well-organized and answers most common questions, it doesn’t provide direct one-on-one support. I found Avast’s live chat helpful, with agents providing clear responses, though response times slowed when my questions became more complex.
Avast’s support is limited by region. Live chat and phone support are only available in English-speaking countries, and email responses can be delayed in non-English regions. When I contacted support via email, it took a full day to get a response. If you’re outside an English-speaking country, getting timely support is even harder.
AVG — Excellent Support With Quick Responses
AVG offers live chat, email, phone support, a community forum, and a knowledge base. I was connected to a live agent within a minute, and my issue was resolved quickly. AVG’s email support was also prompt and provided helpful answers. Phone support requires filling out a form first, but once done, you’ll get access to phone numbers for different regions. I found the agents friendly and helpful in responding to all my queries.
AVG’s support is fast and easy to access. Whether through live chat, email, or phone, I always received quick responses. The option to choose phone support from various regions made it easier to get in touch, and I found the support experience more efficient than Avast’s overall.
