Price When Reviewed

From free

Best Prices Today: Avast Antivirus & Security

If you download and install Avast Antivirus & Security (or sometimes called Security & Virus Cleaner), you’ll be given a choice during installation: buy a paid subscription or continue with the free basic version, but with in-app ads. You then get almost as much functionality without the cost.

The adverts in question are very annoying and intrusive, but only while you are in the app. Most of the time, an app like this runs in the background and is as discreet as other security apps. That is, semi-discreet, there are still some pop-ups and notifications when it wants to attract attention.

In addition to app control, which according to AV tests is slightly better than Google Play Protect with a 100% detection result in the latest measurement, you get a bunch of features.

These include basic protection against malicious websites, link checking for emails and texts, and a “photo vault”. This uploads selected photos from the archive or directly from the camera to a special, encrypted folder. You also get a junk cleaning tool that can remove unnecessary files.

Helping you with safe practices

The app includes clear visual step-by-step guides to use other apps like Instagram and Tiktok in the safest way possible. I wouldn’t call it a feature in itself technically, but a welcome bonus.

Then there’s also the option to have an email address monitored so you get alerts if it’s included in any known hacker leaks. However, this requires an extra step – registering an account with Avast. You can also scan the Wi-Fi network you are connected to for any vulnerabilities.

Price

If you want to get rid of the adverts, you’ll have to pay £1 a month just like AVG Security & Virus Cleaner. This Premium plan is billed as £11.99 for the first year then £19.99 a year afterwards.

You’ll also get some additional features, such as enhanced phishing protection on the web and in email, app locks for “sensitive apps” so you can lock them behind extra PIN codes or biometrics to open them. You also get scheduled system scanning and cleaning, and fully automatic scanning of Wi-Fi before you connect to it.

What you don’t get is a VPN, which is part of the Ultimate plan for £2 per month (billed at £23.99 for the first year then £39.99). The VPN service is pretty slow when I test it, so it’s questionable whether it’s worth the money.

Alternatively, you can get Avast One Silver or Avast One Gold for £32.49 or £69.99 for the first year respectively and this includes protection for three or five devices across Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone/iPad.

Specs

App lock

Encryption (images)

Privacy overview

Browsing protection

VPN

Wi-Fi control

Identity monitoring

Android 8+