Gen Digital Inc. · freemium
Avira Free Security
A free German-engineered scanner bundled with optimisation and a capped VPN.
Avira Free Security combines a free antivirus engine with a small VPN allowance, a software updater and system optimisation tools. It is a long-standing choice for users who want free virus protection with a few extras attached.
Avira is now part of Gen Digital, alongside Norton, Avast and AVG. The free product is funded by upgrade prompts; the paid Avira Prime tier removes limits and bundles the full VPN and password manager.
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.
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At a glance
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Free version
- Yes — Avira Free Security with real-time protection.
- Trial
- Avira Prime offers a developer-set trial.
- Paid plans
- Avira Antivirus Pro, Internet Security and Avira Prime.
Who it is for
Good fit
- • Users wanting free virus protection plus a light VPN allowance
- • People who like the built-in software updater
Not a fit
- • Users who want a clean, prompt-free interface
Security features
| Real-time protection | Included |
|---|---|
| Malware scanning | Included |
| Ransomware protection | Included |
| Anti-phishing | Included |
| Web protection | Included |
| Email scanning | Not included |
| Trojan detection | Included |
| Spyware detection | Included |
| Firewall | Not included |
| VPN included | Included |
| Password manager | Included |
| Identity monitoring | Not included |
| Parental controls | Not included |
| PC cleanup tools | Included |
- • Free VPN allowance is capped per month.
- • Software Updater flags outdated applications, a genuinely useful hardening feature.
Performance and privacy
Light scanning, but the bundled optimisation modules add background components.
Gen Digital privacy framework; review data-sharing settings at install.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Free real-time protection
- + Software updater reduces exploit surface
- + Includes a small free VPN allowance
Cons
- − Bundles optimisation tools some users do not want
- − Frequent upgrade prompts
- − VPN cap is low
Installation and removal
How to install
- 1. Remove other antivirus.
- 2. Download from avira.com.
- 3. Deselect bundled components you do not need.
- 4. Run a full scan.
How to uninstall
- 1. Uninstall from Windows Settings.
- 2. Use the Avira Registry Cleaner utility if components remain.
Platform notes
Windows: Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Android: Avira Antivirus Security for Android has a free tier.
macOS: Avira Free Security for Mac is available.
ChromeOS: Only via Android apps.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Avira virus protection free?
- Avira Free Security is a permanent free product with real-time antivirus, plus limited VPN and optimisation tools.
- Does Avira include a VPN?
- Yes, with a monthly data cap on the free tier and unlimited traffic on Avira Prime.
Sources
- Avira official site