Avast One aims to simplify cybersecurity by offering a comprehensive suite of antivirus and security tools, including malware blocking, ransomware protection, and a VPN. Available in both free and subscription plans, Avast One caters to various needs and budgets. I tested Avast One’s design, features, support, and overall value to determine its effectiveness in safeguarding your PC.
Pricing and Plans
Avast One offers four basic plans with customizable configurations to fit individual preferences. While the abundance of choices might be overwhelming, Avast provides clear distinctions to simplify the selection process. Avast One Basic, the free plan, offers decent antivirus protection for your browser and email, a VPN (capped at 5GB per week), and PC optimization tools. However, it lacks the advanced features available in paid subscriptions.
Avast One subscriptions offer a discounted price for the first year, followed by a significant increase upon renewal, a common practice among antivirus software providers. Avast One Silver starts at $36 per year and renews at $80, offering customizable features like additional device protection, privacy controls, and PC cleanup tools. An individual plan covers three devices, while the family version protects up to 30 devices. Avast One Gold includes all the features of Silver and supports up to five devices for $84/$180. The family version costs $132/$280 and covers up to 30 devices.
The highest tier, Avast One Platinum, expands upon the Gold family plan with $2 million in identity theft insurance, dark web monitoring, and remote tech support for your laptop, phone, and printer. For those considering Avast One Gold, Platinum’s first-year price of $120 is more affordable, and the $300 renewal price is only $20 more than Gold.
Design and User Experience
I began with Avast One Basic, a comprehensive antivirus solution that blocks viruses and ransomware but lacks the advanced features found in paid versions. The initial screen suggested upgrading to a paid Silver or Gold account, but I opted to stick with the free app. A system scan revealed eight issues with my stock Windows 11 installation, which could be resolved by purchasing an Avast subscription. I declined the offer, but Avast generously provided a 60-day free trial. I had an activation code, so I skipped the paid version again.
The dashboard includes a 5GB-capped VPN, a smart scan button, and system maintenance options for cleaning up your PC, browser, disk, and drivers. Another tab houses email and ransomware protection, firewall settings, and a network inspector. After activating Avast One Gold, I explored the Explore tab to set up additional protection. Features like the PC optimizer included a tutorial screen, demonstrating Avast’s attention to user experience. The Account tab houses the Rescue Center, allowing you to undo recent changes made by the Disk Cleaner and PC Speedup tools. Avast One Gold’s design is user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and customize.
Features and Performance
Security is paramount for antivirus software, and Avast consistently ranks among the best in protecting against malware. I checked Avast One’s rating on third-party cybersecurity lab AV-Test, where Avast has maintained an almost perfect record for the past nine years, with its AV-Test score occasionally dipping to 5.5 out of 6. This score puts Avast on par with Bitdefender and Norton, two leading antivirus software solutions.
While Avast One Gold never prompted me to install a browser extension, it successfully detected the EICAR test virus and several others, preventing downloads to protect my computer. I tested the VPN by selecting a server in Italy and accessed Google to check if Avast One’s VPN concealed my location. Google loaded in Italian, but I could switch to English. When searching for nearby coffee shops, I received results for Milan, located in Northern Italy. The VPN functioned as expected. However, I noticed slower bandwidth while streaming video. If you prioritize video streaming, consider exploring our guide to the best VPNs for better solutions.
Support and Customer Service
Avast One subscribers enjoy 24/7 support via live chat or phone. I opted for the chat option and provided basic information, including the product I was using, my name, and email. Although the form requested my order number, it allowed me to proceed without providing it. A live agent responded within seconds. My question concerned using the VPN for streaming videos from another country. The agent informed me that it would take two to three minutes to check my account, so I left the tab open while waiting. To my surprise, I received a response within a minute, confirming that video streaming from another country is possible but server location might affect speeds, potentially reducing quality and connection stability. This matched my experience, confirming that Avast support is prompt and helpful.
Privacy and Security Concerns
While using the free version of Avast One, you might encounter targeted ads. The end user license agreement states that paid subscriber data remains private, although you might receive product offers from Avast with special upgrade offers. After providing my contact information and installing the apps, my inbox appeared unaffected, suggesting that privacy isn’t a major concern. However, Avast has faced past privacy issues. In 2019, Google removed the Avast browser extension for allegedly spying on Chrome users. Since then, Avast has developed well-rated security extensions in the Chrome Web Store, mitigating this issue. Nevertheless, Avast’s past invasive practices remain a cause for concern.
Conclusion
Avast One Basic is a decent free antivirus option that includes a capped VPN. It’s a good starting point for immediate malware protection. Avast One Silver offers a cost-effective way to access some of the advanced features of a Gold subscription. If you don’t need the full package, why pay extra? I appreciate the customization options Avast One provides. Avast One supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, but Windows users receive more features. Setup is straightforward, and the app guides you through optimizing and protecting your computer. While these are valuable features, the prices are higher than equivalent Norton 360 plans, particularly upon renewal. If you lack tech expertise, the extra cost might be justified. You can try the user-friendly Avast One Gold free for 60 days, the longest free trial I’ve encountered while testing antivirus software. This offer is enticing, but other top antivirus software providers offer better deals.
