AVG Security & Virus Cleaner review: Avast with a slight advantage

At a glance

Expert’s Rating

Pros

Excellent virus protection
Several useful features

cons

Questionable VPN
Some annoyances

Our Verdict

Is there any reason to choose AVG over the largely identical Avast? Yes, maybe if you get a good discount on an annual subscription. Keep an eye on the manufacturer’s offers. For full price, however, it’s not really worth the money.

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Best Prices Today: AVG Antivirus & Security for Android

AVG merged with Avast several years ago, and while both brands still exist, their products have become increasingly similar. They are based on the same technology and share features.

AVG Security & Virus Cleaner is identical to Avast’s app, Avast Antivirus & Security, with exactly the same high level of app control, the same features, and almost the same design and layout of the interface. What differs are some icons and graphics.

But everything is in the same place and works the same. The interface is clear, neat, logically organised and in plain English. It is never difficult to find the right functions and they are easy to configure and use. There isn’t much in the way of detailed settings, but you don’t get that in similar security apps.

AVG and Avast also seem to use the same VPN servers, which you also have to pay extra for. In other words, it’s not a great feature, but it’s good for short-term anonymous browsing. It’s not something you want to do permanently, though. In my test, I initially got a slightly faster speed than with Avast, but that’s probably just a coincidence.

Prices vary

Again, you get a free promotional version with most of the app’s features. It’s exactly the same feature set as Avast’s app.

Premium costs £1 per month (billed as £11.99 for the year then £19.99 per year after the first year). Ultimate includes VPN and location selector and costs £2 per month (billed as £23.99 per year followed by £39.99 per year afterwards).

However, the more expensive plan seems to be missing some small features that Avast throws in for the same price. That might be a reason to choose it instead.

One trick you can do is get AVG Internet Security which allows you to install it on 10 devices (Windows, Mac, Android and iOS). It’s on offer for £33.99 for the first year (£2.83 per month).