Avast Antivirus review: is it worth getting in 2026?
A fast, familiar scanner with strong phishing and scam-site detection.
Avast's core scanning is quick and its web-protection layer is particularly good at catching phishing and scam pages before they load — useful if browser-based threats are your bigger day-to-day risk.
What it's like to use
Avast's engine (shared technology with sibling brand AVG) posts solid detection numbers, and its web-shield component is consistently strong at flagging phishing pages, fake shopping sites, and malicious downloads before they execute.
The Wi-Fi inspector scans your local network for weak router settings and unfamiliar connected devices — a feature that's easy to overlook but genuinely useful on shared or public networks.
Avast has drawn scrutiny in the past over data-handling practices tied to a former subsidiary; that business was shut down, and current privacy policies are worth a quick read if that history matters to you.
Strengths
- Fast scans with low false-positive rate
- Strong phishing and scam-site detection
- Wi-Fi network security scanner included
- Removes unwanted browser extensions
Trade-offs
- Renewal pricing is on the higher end of this list
- Past data-handling controversy worth researching before buying
- Interface carries more upsell prompts than lighter competitors
Avast Antivirus FAQ
Is Avast safe to use given its data-privacy history?
The subsidiary responsible for the earlier controversy was shut down; current Avast products operate under updated privacy policies — review them directly if this is a concern.
Does Avast slow down browsing?
The web-shield component adds negligible latency in typical use.