8.7 / 10
Avira
German quality with a strong free version
Avira is a German security company with over 35 years of history. The name is best known for its free antivirus version, which already provides solid basic protection. Paid versions (Internet Security and Prime) add VPN, password manager, software updater, and system optimization. Avira Prime offers the best value with 5 devices and all features. Detection rates are high. Since 2021, Avira belongs to NortonLifeLock (Gen Digital) but continues to use its own scanning engine.
Windows
Mac
Android
iOS
Lightnet Multimedia GmbH
Protection & performance
Protection
9.2
Performance
9.1
Best for
9.0
First-year price
8.8
Key features
8.5
Support
7.8
Best for
Key features
Pros
- Good free version available
- German quality
- Lightweight and fast
Cons
- Now owned by NortonLifeLock
- Support only in English/German
Frequently asked questions about Avira
Is Avira enough as my only antivirus?
Avira is among the top-tested antivirus suites and is enough as the sole real-time protection for the vast majority of users. For especially sensitive use cases (banking, sensitive research) many users add an on-demand scanner like Malwarebytes.
Does Avira slow down my computer?
In independent tests (AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives), Avira sits in the upper midrange for system impact. On modern hardware the slowdown is unnoticeable in daily use; older machines may experience brief lag during a full scan.
Does Avira work on Mac, Android and iOS?
Most Avira plans include licenses for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS – see platform list above. Note: on iOS the feature set is significantly smaller due to system restrictions.
Does Avira's price rise after the first year?
Like nearly every vendor, Avira's renewal price is higher than the introductory price – usually by 50–100%. The exact figure is in the price box above. Tip: turn off auto-renewal early and re-subscribe before expiry.
Can I try Avira before buying?
Yes. Avira offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with no strings, so you can try the suite risk-free. A separate free trial is also typically available directly on the vendor's website.