AVG Review 2026: Free antivirus with paid Internet Security and Ultimate bundle tiers
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AVG
Pros
- AntiVirus FREE offers real-time protection, ransomware defence and Wi-Fi security at no cost
- Internet Security covers 10 devices for $59.99 in the first year
- Vendor awards page lists AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST results dated 2026 for Windows, macOS and mobile
- 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases
Cons
- Renewals jump sharply: Ultimate $59.88 first year renews at $149.99 a year, 10-device Internet Security at $99.99
- Ultimate’s bundled VPN is not unlimited, and TuneUp and Internet Security are not available on iOS
- Security.org found no parental controls, yearly contracts only, and detection of 60 percent of the malware samples it introduced
- Refund excludes reseller and App Store purchases and any product refunded within the previous 6 months
Best for: Free real-time protection on any platform, Ten-device households on a budget, Buyers who want recent lab results.
What it is
AVG began in 1991 and is now part of Gen Digital, the NASDAQ-listed owner of Norton, Avast, Avira, LifeLock, ReputationDefender and CCleaner, with dual headquarters in Prague and Tempe, Arizona. The range runs from AVG AntiVirus FREE through AVG Internet Security to AVG Ultimate, a bundle of Internet Security, Secure VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack for up to ten devices.
Internet Security adds an advanced firewall, scam-website and pharming protection, ransomware and webcam protection, unsafe-Wi-Fi alerts and 24/7 customer support. The Ultimate bundle’s Secure VPN uses 256-bit encryption across 50+ server locations, but AVG itself confirms it is not unlimited. The vendor’s awards page lists AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection, Performance, Mac and Mobile results from 2026 and AV-TEST home-user tests from 2026 for Windows and macOS, plus Best Usability 2025 for Internet Security, though the 2026 entries are mostly for the free product. Security.org’s own testing detected 60 percent of the malware samples it introduced, found no parental controls, and reported that the post-scan Resolve button led to a TuneUp purchase page.
What it costs in practice
AntiVirus FREE covers Windows 7 through 11, macOS 10.13+, Android 5.0+ and iOS 10.0+ at no charge. Internet Security is $39.99 for the first year on one Windows PC or $59.99 for ten devices. Ultimate is $59.88 for the first year for ten devices against a struck-through list price of $149.99.
Unlike some rivals, AVG shows the renewal price on the page: $77.99 a year for one-PC Internet Security, $99.99 for ten devices and $149.99 for Ultimate. Security.org notes yearly contracts only. AVG offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases, excluding reseller and App Store purchases and any product refunded in the previous six months. The Ultimate Stay Safe Virus Guarantee applies only while automatic renewal stays active. On the parent company, the FTC ordered Gen’s Avast brand in February 2024 to pay $16.5 million and stop selling browsing data; that order names Avast, not AVG.
Key features
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| AI-driven antivirus | Detects parts of viruses and malware to help future-proof protection; blocks ransomware, spyware, unsafe links and downloads. |
| Enhanced Firewall and webcam protection | Advanced firewall to keep cybercriminals away from private files and blocking of untrusted apps from using the webcam (Internet Security). |
| Scam-website and pharming protection | Helps stop cybercriminals redirecting you from real websites to fake ones. |
| Ultimate bundle extras | AVG Secure VPN with 256-bit encryption and 50+ server locations, AVG TuneUp and AVG AntiTrack, plus the Stay Safe Virus Guarantee while auto-renewal stays active. |
AVG pricing
| Plan | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| AntiVirus FREE | Free | Real-time protection, ransomware defence, Wi-Fi security, breach notifications |
| Internet Security (1 PC) | $39.99/yr | First year; renews at $77.99/year |
| Internet Security (10 devices)POPULAR | $59.99/yr | First year; renews at $99.99/year |
| Ultimate (10 devices) | $59.88/yr | First year; renews at $149.99/year; adds Secure VPN, TuneUp, AntiTrack |
How AVG compares
| Alternative | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Avira Prime | Sister Gen Digital brand; 5-device all-in-one with unlimited VPN at US$41.99 first year. |
| Trend Micro Premium Security Suite | 10-device suite at $109.95 for the first 12 months against AVG Internet Security’s $59.99 for 10 devices. |
| ESET HOME Security Essential | $59.99 for 3 devices with no free tier. |
AVG ratings on other platforms
Independent user ratings from third-party review sites, linked here for transparency. These are not our editorial score, are captured on the date shown, and may have changed since.
Frequently asked questions
How much does AVG cost?
AVG AntiVirus FREE costs nothing. Internet Security is $39.99 for the first year on one Windows PC or $59.99 for 10 devices, renewing at $77.99 and $99.99 a year respectively. AVG Ultimate is $59.88 for the first year for 10 devices and renews at $149.99 a year.
Which devices does AVG cover?
AntiVirus FREE runs on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, macOS 10.13+, Android 5.0+ and iOS 10.0+. Internet Security supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, macOS 10.11 or above, Android 8.0 or above and iOS 14.0 or above. AVG states that TuneUp and Internet Security are not available for iOS devices.
Verdict
AVG offers a capable free tier, a cheap 10-device first year and lab results dated 2026, which is more than most rivals show. The trade-off is the renewal: Ultimate rises from $59.88 to $149.99, the bundled VPN is not unlimited, and Security.org’s own test detected only 60 percent of its malware samples. Take the first-year price for a large household and diarise the renewal date.
Facts verified against: www.avg.com, www.avg.com, www.avg.com, www.avg.com, www.avg.com, www.avg.com, www.security.org, www.ftc.gov, newsroom.gendigital.com, www.gendigital.com (as of September 2026).
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