Gen Digital Inc. · freemium
AVG AntiVirus Free & AVG Internet Security
Avast's sibling engine in a simpler, more traditional interface.
AVG AntiVirus Free has been a default recommendation for free Windows protection for two decades. Since the Avast acquisition — and now under Gen Digital — AVG and Avast share the same detection engine, so the meaningful differences are interface, bundled tools and price.
AVG's free Windows product covers real-time file scanning, web and email protection, and basic performance checks. AVG Internet Security adds a firewall, ransomware protection and webcam controls. AVG also ships TuneUp (marketed as AVG Cleaner on mobile) as a separate optimisation product — worth understanding, because a cleaner is not an antivirus.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-09
Developer Offer + 1 Extra Month
Current offer published by the software developer at checkout
+ 1 extra month of coverage provided by VirusGuardHub
- Valid:
- Ongoing while the developer promotion remains live
- Eligibility:
- New subscriptions purchased through the link on this page, for customers in the United States.
- Available in:
- United States
- Terms:
- The extra month is supplied by VirusGuardHub and applied after your purchase is confirmed. The developer sets the base price, currency, renewal terms and refund window.
Offer last verified on . Promotions are set by the developer and can change without notice.
Some links on this page may be partner links. If you purchase through them we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This never changes our editorial assessments or the order of our recommendations.
At a glance
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android
- Free version
- Yes — AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows, Mac and Android.
- Trial
- Paid tiers are offered with a trial period set by the developer.
- Paid plans
- AVG Internet Security and AVG Ultimate, which bundles TuneUp and a VPN.
Who it is for
Good fit
- • Users who prefer AVG's simpler layout to Avast's
- • People who want free Windows protection with email scanning
- • Android users looking for a free security app
Not a fit
- • Anyone expecting AVG and Avast to detect differently — they do not, materially
Security features
| Real-time protection | Included |
|---|---|
| Malware scanning | Included |
| Ransomware protection | Included |
| Anti-phishing | Included |
| Web protection | Included |
| Email scanning | Included |
| Trojan detection | Included |
| Spyware detection | Included |
| Firewall | Included |
| VPN included | Included |
| Password manager | Not included |
| Identity monitoring | Not included |
| Parental controls | Not included |
| PC cleanup tools | Included |
- • Firewall, ransomware protection and webcam protection are paid features.
- • AVG Cleaner and AVG TuneUp are optimisation products, not security products.
Performance and privacy
Light in normal use; the deep scan is thorough and slower than the quick scan by a wide margin.
Same Gen Digital privacy framework as Avast. Review data-sharing toggles during setup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Simple, readable interface
- + Strong shared detection engine
- + Free tier includes email protection
- + Free Android app
Cons
- − Upsell prompts in the free tier
- − Cleaner products muddy the brand
- − No firewall without paying
Installation and removal
How to install
- 1. Remove other antivirus software.
- 2. Download from avg.com.
- 3. Decline bundled offers you do not want.
- 4. Reboot and run a full scan.
How to uninstall
- 1. Windows Settings → Apps → uninstall AVG.
- 2. Use AVG Clear if the standard uninstall fails.
AVG anti virus software vs AVG Cleaner
Searches for AVG frequently mix two different products. AVG AntiVirus is security software that detects and blocks malware. AVG Cleaner — including AVG Cleaner for Android — removes junk files and manages storage and battery. Installing the cleaner does not protect you from malware, and installing the antivirus does not free up storage.
Platform notes
Windows: Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Android: AVG AntiVirus for Android is free with app scanning and anti-theft tools; AVG Cleaner for Android is a separate storage-optimisation app, not antivirus.
macOS: AVG AntiVirus for Mac offers a free real-time scanner.
ChromeOS: Only via Android apps on Play-enabled Chromebooks.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the AVG free download safe?
- Yes, when taken from avg.com. Avoid mirror sites, which frequently repackage installers with adware.
- What is AVG Cleaner?
- AVG Cleaner is a storage and performance optimisation app, most visible on Android. It is not antivirus software and does not replace AVG AntiVirus.
- Is there a free AVG for Android?
- Yes. AVG AntiVirus for Android has a free tier with app scanning, a photo vault and anti-theft tools.
Sources
- AVG official site