Zone Alarm vs AVG Technologies: Which One is Better? [2024 Top Picks]

Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.

Zone Alarm vs. AVG Technologies: Which Is Right for You?

Tyler Cross
Tyler Cross
Senior Writer

Zone Alarm vs. AVG Technologies: Which Is Right for You?

AVG and Zone Alarm both offer comprehensive security from all online threats. Along with the latest in antivirus scanning, they offer advanced firewall options which provide additional protection. So, which is best? The main difference is in the range of helpful extras each antivirus offers.

AVG offers anti-ransomware and anti-phishing, built-in payment protection for online shopping, and a webcam blocker which stops hackers from intercepting your video stream. AVG also optimizes your device’s speed; the PC tune-up tool deletes unnecessary files and defragments disks, while the “Smart Sleep” mode pauses scans until your computer is asleep or in screensaver mode. The subscriptions cost up to $99, however, there is a free option and you can protect unlimited devices with each subscription.

Zone Alarm relies on auto-sandboxing technology, which launches all files in a virtual environment to check for infection. They also use crowdsourced insights to fast-track safe apps. It scans during boot stages, so threats are identified before the system loads. You also get 5BG of online backup in case of an emergency, a “Find My Laptop” feature in case of physical theft, and anti-phishing with the required Chrome extension.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$19.95
30 Days
$39.99
30 Days
Security
Features
Ease of Use
Support
Pricing
9
7
8
8
8
9
7
8
8
7
Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
Ottoman Mint
Nov. 5, 2020
Zone Alarm User
I highly recommend ZoneAlarm! I’ve been using Zone Alarm Free Firewall...
Benny
Sep. 22, 2020
A good security product
A very good antivirus with firewall, and it's free !
Lee
Mar. 22, 2022
wow so much hate!
really don't understand the hate AVG are getting! had ZERO issues for the...
Mike
Dec. 13, 2018
Works with most apps without any problems
Didn't slow my computer down. Works with most apps without any problems
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Sanjay
Nov. 7, 2018
Use to be good, but not anymore
I've been using this program for a very long time and have always been...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
Jul. 12, 2023
Unethical Business Practice
I was on a free trial for the multi-device protection, but received no...
DORCAS I SOETAN
Apr. 21, 2023
Total scam
I subscribed for a year in May 2022 and canceled it within three months...
Our Verdict
Tyler Cross
Tyler Cross
Senior Writer
Zone Alarm protects you from almost every cyberthreat but it’s pretty pricey compared to other antiviruses. Plus, you will experience some system slowdown. AVG is a fantastic option as it still offers comprehensive protection at a fraction of the price.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2024.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

The listings featured on this site are from companies from which this site receives compensation and some are co-owned by our parent company. This influence: Rank and manner in which listings are presented. 
Learn more