AVG Internet Security Reviews

“Lightweight security with better performance”

Pros

AVG still gives you all the familiar ways to customize when, where and how incoming and outgoing scans are handled and it does that part really well. The biggest improvement for us after switching from our previous protection though, was how much more responsive our slightly older machines became. AVG seems to have gone back to being fairly lightweight again and that has been a big plus.

Cons

The console is the part I'm not keen on. It can be a little hard to navigate and some of the buttons and options for controlling or containing things feel annoying. In most cases that's manageable and it may even help prevent anyone from doing something risky or careless without really understanding it but it definitely becomes a hurdle if you want to dig in and tweak more than usual. We also really disliked how aggressive the advertising was in the free version.

“Free protection you can trust”

Pros

It's a free antivirus and honestly, it performs just as well as plenty of the expensive options people pay way too much for.

Cons

There are quite a few upsell prompts but that's pretty much expected with a free product.

“A reliable safeguard for online banking”

Pros

This software was pretty easy to adopt and using it feels similar to a lot of other products in this category. It comes in two versions, free and unlimited and we use the unlimited plan. It covers viruses, spyware and other kinds of malware which are some of the key features it provides. It also adds protection for payments, including online banking security which is a helpful extra. That feature though, is only included with the unlimited version and not the free one.

Cons

One problem I ran into is that scans use a lot of system resources and can noticeably slow the computer down. The pricing is about the same as other options out there but it is still a subscription that only lasts for a year before you have to renew it. The software also seems to need updates fairly often which can be inconvenient and take up extra time for a lot of users.

“Peace of mind with the free tier”

Pros

The free plan is definitely what drew me in first and the fact that there was very little pressure to upgrade afterward gave me a lot of respect for the brand. It's very simple to use and keep up to date which gives that extra peace of mind everyone wants.

Cons

The platform currently doesn't offer ADP support for router-level protection which would be useful.

“Resource-intensive scans are the main drawback”

Pros

AVG does what antivirus software is supposed to do. A few years ago, it stopped me from downloading or running malicious files more than once and that saved me from a lot of hassle.

Cons

Back in the 2000s and early 2010s, AVG felt like a strong antivirus option but today most modern operating systems already include built-in protection. The biggest advantage of using the built-in tools is how well optimized they are. With AVG, there were times when scans would suddenly eat up my PC's resources and that became really frustrating. Because of that, the balance between system performance and protection is tough to justify. If AVG could reduce its resource usage and run lighter than something like Windows Defender, I'd be much more likely to recommend it.

“Virus protection that restored my PC”

Pros

After trying a different antivirus that couldn't solve the problem, installing AVG Internet Security finally got my PC back in working order. It protects the computer from harmful viruses coming from both local sources and the web and its own virus detection algorithm seems to do the job really well. In my case, it completely fixed the issues my computer was having.

Cons

One downside with AVG Internet Security is that it can occasionally remove system files which may end up crashing the OS. That said, this seems to happen only when those files are infected.

“Affordable security that delivers”

Pros

Something I was drawn to immediately is the affordable pricing, how simple it is to use and how often the virus definitions get updated.

Cons

The pop-ups pushing extra products are the part I could do without. They get pretty annoying when I'm trying to work.

“Better value than expensive alternatives”

Pros

After using this software for years, I can honestly say I prefer it over more expensive options like McAfee.

Cons

Switching from previous software to this one has been a choice I wish I made earlier. I'm very happy with it and would gladly recommend it to anyone.

“Affordable security with a light footprint”

Pros

A big plus is the free 30-day trial which gives enough time to test everything properly before committing. The monthly price is very affordable and the software runs quietly in the background without slowing down my computer which really matters when I'm using other resource-heavy programs at the same time.

Cons

One concern I've come across is the allegation that the company may have been tracking customers' browsing data and selling it which is definitely troubling to hear.

“Helpful alerts with effective cleanup tools”

Pros

One thing that really works well with AVG is the way it alerts me if my security has been breached. I get text notifications on my phone which is really useful. It's also very simple to use and I appreciate that it cleans up and closes running apps. That feature has been especially helpful. I've used other security apps before that seemed okay at first but I wasn't happy with how they performed on my phone and tablet. With AVG, I really haven't run into many problems.

Cons

My biggest complaint is how long it takes to scan and stop apps and it does seem to bug me a lot lol. I wish it would just scan everything and then send me a report so I could clearly see which app is running too much. Time matters and my phone has been feeling a little sluggish. If AVG is the reason for that, I'll probably uninstall it. I'm still trying to figure out whether it's the app or just something going on with my phone. At this point I haven't been able to narrow it down but aside from that, it's working well enough for me.

“Dependable protection with frequent updates”

Pros

AVG is definitely one of the strongest antivirus options available. I've used it for quite a while and it has consistently helped catch the occasional virus or piece of malicious malware. Another big plus is that its virus database gets updated on a regular basis.

Cons

There really aren't many downsides. The only minor issue is that you need to run virus scans manually. As long as you stay on top of that and do it regularly, it works without any real trouble.

“Up-to-date protection that stays current”

Pros

This softwarehas done an excellent job keeping my computer protected from viruses and other security threats. Its database stays up to date and that really helps maintain a strong level of protection.

Cons

The upgrade prompts and other marketing notifications can get pretty annoying and they're not always easy to dismiss or turn off.

“Dependable security for every device”

Pros

Across all of our mobile devices, this has been a very versatile tool and an important part of our setup. It's essential for keeping our mobile equipment protected and secure and the installation, setup and day-to-day use have all been very smooth and simple.

Cons

I really haven't run into any actual downsides or negative issues with it. The free version already performs well but the upgraded version is definitely better since it removes the ads.

“Dependable malware defence”

Pros

It does an efficient job of protecting the system from malware and viruses.

Cons

At times, the system slows down and the scanning feature could definitely use some improvement.

“Consistent protection across all devices”

Pros

From day one, AVG checked every box for me. It was very simple to download and install on every device and platform I use, including my desktop, laptop, cell phone and iPad. I also appreciated that it's available across all of them. After installation, they provide several options to choose from based on the type and level of security you want. The whole experience was extraordinary and easy from beginning to end.

Cons

Honestly, I have no complaints at all. Like I mentioned, there isn't a single thing about this software that has let me down and I haven't come across any kind of threat that they don't seem prepared to protect against. They also keep the software updated as new threats appear which makes the protection feel current and dependable. Overall, it's an excellent product.

“Trusted protection at a reasonable price”

Pros

Pretty smooth to use and genuinely user-friendly. It's a free antivirus option that doesn't seem to leave any obvious holes in protection and if you want the extra premium features, the subscription cost is quite affordable. A big plus is that it's not owned by Norton either.

Cons

Once a year, there's a noticeable push to get you to upgrade and pay for a premium plan, mostly for features that don't get used very often and fixes for less common software issues.

“Budget-friendly protection you can trust”

Pros

It doesn't come packed with a lot of extra features right away but it still offers an effective amount of security at no cost and the company has a long-standing reputation for being dependable. I'd recommend AVG to anyone who's watching their budget and just needs basic internet protection.

Cons

As time has gone on, it has started to feel increasingly focused on making money. Years ago, it was completely free and almost had an open-source kind of feel but that's no longer the case.

“Smart protection and instant alerts”

Pros

Right from the start, the program is very easy to pick up and practically explains itself. It adapts to the user's browsing behavior, helps show safer ways to navigate online and makes it clearer what should actually be downloaded. File threat scans are fast and practical and being able to schedule scans for a time when the computer is not in use is very convenient. It also alerts me to intrusion attempts and really gives the sense that the protection is working in real time.

Cons

One downside is that the program launches together with the Operating System which ends up making startup slower. The same thing happens when shutting the machine down since it takes a bit of time for the command to be completed, likely because the program is still affecting performance during shutdown.

“Billing issues and disappointing support”

Pros

In my opinion AVG, has a strong concept behind it and the pricing is very appealing. A tool that combines system management with antivirus protection should be in a very strong position in the market. The trouble started with invoicing though since I was charged three times for the same software and trying to get that explained or corrected was frustrating. When customer support is lacking, only a small number of customers have the technical ability to install and fine-tune new software on their own.

Cons

Billing kept turning into a recurring issue. On my network, every time I tried to add another machine, invoicing errors kept coming up. I ended up being charged three or four times just for adding a new device and eventually I gave up and removed the software entirely. The biggest issue was poor communication from support. Nobody on my team could really communicate with the support staff so the problem never got resolved and remained a serious obstacle. I still believe the software itself is a good idea but it feels too early in its development and they completely missed the most important area which is their customer support.

“Dependable security with timely alerts”

Pros

I have been using AVG for quite a while, it has felt convenient to navigate and gives me peace of mind whenever I'm on my computer. One thing I really appreciate is how it alerts you when you're downloading something from a website that may not be safe.

Cons

The pop-up notifications can get a little annoying at times although I think they can be disabled in the settings. The price also feels a bit on the expensive side.