Our verdict: Avira Free Security packs real-time antivirus and several extra tools into one free app. The extras are limited versions meant to lead you to Avira Prime: the VPN is capped at 500 MB a month, and web, email and firewall protection are paid. The antivirus itself is free with no time limit.
About Avira Free Security
Avira Free Security is the current name of Avira Free Antivirus. Avira, a German company that is now part of Gen Digital, added a VPN, a software updater, a password manager and optimization tools to the antivirus and renamed the bundle.
Real-time scanning, scheduled scans and a browser safety extension with phishing protection are free. The VPN gives 500 MB of traffic per month, or 1 GB with a free My Avira account. Avira Prime, a paid subscription, adds web and email protection in Windows, the Avira Firewall, an unlimited VPN and more thorough cleaning.
What it does well
- Real-time antivirus. Scans files in the background with cloud-based detection; full and quick scans on demand.
- Browser Safety extension. Blocks known phishing and malicious sites in the browser.
- Phantom VPN. Encrypts your connection with 500 MB of free traffic per month.
- Password manager. Stores and fills passwords in the browser.
- Software updater and cleanup. Finds outdated apps, junk files and duplicates to remove.
Who it is for
Good fit
Home users who want one free app for antivirus plus occasional VPN use on public Wi-Fi.
Look elsewhere
Anyone who needs a VPN for daily use or streaming, or who wants a lean antivirus with no extras.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real-time antivirus with no time limit
- Free VPN, password manager and updater in one app
- Scheduled scans in the free version
- Runs on Windows 7 and newer
Cons
- VPN capped at 500 MB per month (1 GB with an account)
- Web, email and firewall protection in Windows require paid Avira Prime
- Frequent upgrade prompts for Avira Prime
How to install Avira Free Security
The download is a small bootstrapper that fetches the rest of the app. During setup and on first launch Avira suggests extra components and trials; you can skip them. Sign in to a free My Avira account only if you want the VPN allowance raised to 1 GB.
Questions about Avira Free Security
Is Avira Free Security free?
Yes. The antivirus, the capped VPN and the basic tools are free. Avira Prime is a paid subscription that removes limits and adds more protection.
What is the difference between Avira Free Antivirus and Avira Free Security?
There is none. Avira added a VPN, a software updater, optimization tools and a password manager to Avira Free Antivirus and renamed it Avira Free Security.
How much VPN data do I get for free?
500 MB per month, or 1 GB per month if you register a free My Avira account.
