Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 17, 2026

Avast Antivirus

Avast Antivirus is a family of cross-platform internet security applications developed by Avast, a subsidiary of Gen Digital Inc.. It is available on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Avast offers free and paid products for computer security, browser security, antivirus software, firewall, anti-phishing, antispyware, and anti-spam, among other services.

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Jun 17, 2026
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Avast Antivirus
DeveloperGen Digital Inc.
Stable release
25.7.103081 / 22 July 2025 (2025-07-22) (Windows version)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Available in45 languages
TypeSecurity software, Antivirus software
LicenseFreeware, proprietary software
Websiteavast.com

Avast Antivirus is a platform of cross-platform internet security applications developed by Avast, a subsidiary of Gen Digital Inc.. It is available on multiple systems, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Avast offers free and paid products for computer security, browser security, antivirus software, firewall, anti-phishing, antispyware, and anti-spam, among other services.2

As of May 2026, the Avast One app is the platform through which individual services are offered on a freeware, a la carte or subscription basis. Within Avast One, many different services can be enabled, such as Avast Free Antivirus. Avast Free Antivirus is the base product in the Avast lineup. It provides important security features such as malware protection, phishing protection, data leak tracking and Wi-Fi security scanning.3 The free version is available without a credit card or a time limit.4 Other available services through the application include system cleanup, a secure browser, data breach protection, and more, all managed from one consolidated dashboard.4

History

The software that became known as Avast Antivirus was launched in 1998. It was one of the first antivirus programs to ever stop a circulating computer virus when, in 1998, it was the first widely-available antivirus program to successfully detect and remove the “Vienna” virus from an infected disk.56

In 2001, Avast Antivirus was the first consumer antivirus software to be offered as a freeware edition. It did so to differentiate itself against commercial software that required expensive up-front purchases or subscriptions. By 2013, the freeware model allowed the company to grow to over 200 million users in 43 languages.5

Avast initially launched an freeware enterprise version, Avast for Business, in February 2015. It included antivirus protection, web threat scanning, browser protection, and a cloud management console.7 This product is now branded as Avast Premium Business Security,8 as part of the company's cybersecurity solutions product line.

The Avast product lineup was previously sold in subscription tiers. In 2021, Avast launched the Avast One app, a platform consolidating features such as antivirus, anti-malware, anti-tracking, and others into one application.9 The app offered Basic, Silver, Gold, and Avast One Platinum subscriptions with varying services at each tier.1011

In 2026, Avast relaunched the Avast One app to offer simplified, a la carte pricing for key services and one dashboard to activate new services.  The free version of Avast One offers antivirus, anti-malware, and WiFi vulnerability detection12. Additional features, such as VPN, may be added through the app. Bundled packages are still sold: Avast Premium Security also includes advanced features such as real-time ransomware protection, webcam protection, and remote access protection.13 Avast Ultimate combines Avast Premium Security with additional services such as Avast Cleanup, Avast SecureLine VPN and Avast AntiTrack.14

Reception

The Avast One application relaunch in 2026 was received well by critics. Gizmodo described it as "free protection that is actually good, with paid add-ons that are genuinely optional."15 PCMag called it "a clear Editors' Choice winner for free antivirus software" for "Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices."16 TechRadar noted that "the free tier starts with industry leading antivirus protection, scam protection, and web protection" and "users only pay for what they need" beyond that.17 Tom's Guide described it as "fantastic" and "a great choice" that "offers robust protection against deepfakes, sophisticated malware, and more," although it criticized the lack of a web backup.18

As of January 2015, Avast had the largest share of the market for antivirus applications.19 In 2016, Avast had more than 400 million users and 40% of the global antivirus market excluding China.20 Parent company Gen Digital employs approximately 4,000 employees worldwide. In September 2016, Avast purchased AVG Technologies, another antivirus company, for US$1.3 billion.21 In 2022, Avast merged with NortonLifelock to form Gen Digital.

Controversies

In January 2020, multiple news sources reported that Jumpshot, a subsidiary of Avast at the time, was selling the browsing history of Avast Free product users. Though Avast claimed all data was de-identified, it was reported that the sold data could in some instances be linked back to users' real identities.222324 In response, Avast announced that it would close the subsidiary over the data privacy backlash.25 In February 2024, the Federal Trade Commission fined Avast $16.5 million for collecting user data2627 and the FTC sent settlement notices to Avast customers by email in February 2025.2829

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "NEW version 25.7". community.avast.com. July 22, 2025.
  2. "AVAST Software s.r.o.: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  3. "Free antivirus". Avast. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  4. Deals, Gizmodo (2026-05-20). "Avast Rebuilt Its Security App Around a Simple Idea: Start Free, Add What You Actually Need". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  5. Swartz, Jon. "Avast emerged from Communism to shine in security". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  6. "Viruses of the 80s". cyber.tap.purdue.edu. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  7. Kovacs, Eduard. "Avast Launches Free Security Solution for Businesses", Security Week 24 February 2015. Retrieved on 23 March 2015.
  8. "The Best Small Business Cybersecurity Suites We've Tested for 2026". PCMAG. 2025-11-11. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  9. Rubenking, Neil J. (2026-06-09). "Avast One Free Review: Top-Tier Antivirus and a Wealth of Free Security Tools". PCMAG. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  10. Rubenking, Neil J. (2026-06-08). "Avast One Free for Mac Review: Strong Free Protection With a Few Paywalled Surprises". PCMAG. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  11. "Avast One review: Polished PC security with excellent protection". PCWorld. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  12. Smith, Carter (2026-05-09). "Avast One: The Go-To Software for Millions of Users". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  13. "Avast Premium Security". Avast. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  14. "Avast Ultimate". Avast. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  15. Deals, Gizmodo (2026-05-20). "Avast Rebuilt Its Security App Around a Simple Idea: Start Free, Add What You Actually Need". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  16. Rubenking, Neil J. (2026-06-09). "Avast One Free Review: Top-Tier Antivirus and a Wealth of Free Security Tools". PCMAG. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  17. "'Only pay for what you truly need': Avast unveils revolutionary new antivirus platform – industry leading device protection & scam detection, with optional no-log VPN, data breach monitoring, and device cleanup". TechRadar. 2026-05-19. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  18. Achanta, Nikita (2026-05-25). "Avast One review: Robust protection and a pay-as-you-go model make it a fantastic antivirus software suite". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  19. "Avast worth 'upwards of $2 billion'; no IPO before 2017" Reuters. Published on October 29, 2015.
  20. Sawers, Paul (2016-09-30). "Avast completes AVG acquisition, will operate as single company from October 3". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  21. "AVAST! Information". 2003-04-15. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  22. "The Cost of Avast's Free Antivirus: Companies Can Spy on Your Clicks". PCMAG. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  23. Cox, Joseph (2020-01-27). "Leaked Documents Expose the Secretive Market for Your Web Browsing Data". Vice. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  24. "Avast packaged detailed user data to be sold for millions of dollars". Engadget. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  25. "Avast to Commence Wind Down of Subsidiary Jumpshot". Avast. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  26. "Avast to pay $16.5 mln to settle US charges linked to user data sale". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  27. "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". Federal Trade Commission. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  28. "Avast Settlement". Federal Trade Commission. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  29. "Millions of Avast antivirus software customers are getting a refund. Here's why". CBS News. 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-03-29.