--- title: Avast canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/avast/ category: Antivirus Software points: 83 rank: 4 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Avast Free Windows antivirus with real-time protection, plus Premium Security with a firewall, Ransomware Shield and Rescue Disk. 83 points out of 100. #4 of 10 antivirus products. Vendor: Gen Digital Inc.. Website: https://www.avast.com/ - Avast Free Antivirus, part of the Avast One app, costs nothing and blocks malware in real time [2]. - Premium Security costs $49.08 for the first year on one Windows PC, then $77.99 a year [1]. - Premium Security adds an advanced firewall, Ransomware Shield and Rescue Disk [1]. - Refunds are available within 30 days of purchase or of each renewal [1]. - In February 2024 the FTC announced an order banning Avast from selling browsing data for advertising, with a $16.5 million payment [4]. Verdict: Avast suits people who want a free Windows antivirus with real-time protection. Premium Security adds a firewall, ransomware protection and a rescue disk for $49.08 in the first year [1]. The catch is the $77.99 renewal and the 2024 FTC order over selling users' browsing data [1][4]. Best for: People who want a free Windows antivirus with real-time protection. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Independent lab results | AV-TEST score | 18 of 18 | 15/15 | AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Avast Free Antivirus 26.6). [5] | | Independent lab results | AV-Comparatives award | ADVANCED+ | 15/15 | AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: ADVANCED+ (Avast). [6] | | Independent lab results | AV-Comparatives protection rate | 99.3% | 11/15 | AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 99.3% (Avast). [6] | | Protection features | Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 8/8 | Premium Security is sold for Windows PC, Mac, Android and iPhone or iPad [1]. | | Protection features | Firewall | Yes | 5/5 | Premium Security includes an advanced firewall that stops unauthorized access [1]. | | Protection features | Ransomware protection | Yes | 5/5 | Ransomware Shield stops untrusted apps from modifying, deleting or encrypting your files [1]. | | Protection features | Rescue or offline scan | Yes | 4/4 | Rescue Disk boots the PC from a CD or USB drive to scan it [1][2]. | | Protection features | Browser protection | Yes | 3/3 | Web Guard blocks scam websites and phishing links [1]. | | Price | Free edition with real-time protection | Yes | 8/8 | Avast Free Antivirus blocks malware in real time at no cost [2]. | | Price | First-year price | $49.08/yr | 2/6 | Premium Security, 1 Windows PC, first year [1]. | | Price | Price from the second year | $77.99/yr | 2/6 | Premium Security, 1 Windows PC, renews at $77.99 a year [1]. | | Refunds and security | 30-day refund | Yes | 5/5 | 30-day money-back guarantee; refunds within 30 days of purchase or renewal [1]. | | Refunds and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/5 | | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free Antivirus | Free [2] | $0 | | Premium Security, 1 PC | $49.08 first year [1] | $4.09 | | Premium Security, 10 devices | $69.48 first year [1] | $5.79 | | Ultimate, 1 PC | $49.08 first year [3] | $4.09 | | Ultimate, 10 devices | $69.48 first year [3] | $5.79 | First-year prices are discounted. Premium Security for one PC renews at $77.99 a year, charged at the then-current price [1]. ## Strengths - A free edition with real-time protection [2]. - Rescue Disk boots the PC from a CD or USB drive [2]. - Premium Security covers Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone or iPad [1]. - A 30-day refund window on purchase and on each renewal [1]. ## Limits - Premium Security renews at $77.99 a year after a $49.08 first year [1]. - Renewals can be charged up to 35 days before the subscription anniversary [1]. - The FTC says Avast's Jumpshot subsidiary sold browsing data from 2014 to 2020 [4]. ## Concerns - The FTC says Avast sold browsing data through its Jumpshot subsidiary while claiming to block tracking; its 2024 order bans this and requires $16.5 million [4]. ## Sources 1. [Avast Premium Security | Online Security — Up to 10 Devices](https://www.avast.com/en-us/premium-security), Avast (Gen Digital), accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Download Free Antivirus Software | Avast 2026 PC Protection](https://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download), Avast (Gen Digital), accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Avast Store | Browse Products, Check Prices, Buy Now](https://www.avast.com/en-us/store), Avast (Gen Digital), accessed 2026-10-08 4. [FTC Order Will Ban Avast from Selling Browsing Data for Advertising Purposes, Require It to Pay $16.5 Million Over Charges the Firm Sold Browsing Data After Claiming Its Products Would Block Online Tracking](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/ftc-order-will-ban-avast-selling-browsing-data-advertising-purposes-require-it-pay-165-million-over), Federal Trade Commission, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026](https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/), AV-TEST, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-february-may-2026/), AV-Comparatives, accessed 2026-10-08