Avast review 2026: Free Antivirus and Premium Security in India
Avast is one of the few big antivirus brands whose free version is genuinely strong. It earned AV-Comparatives' top Advanced+ award in both of the lab's main 2026 tests. The question for most people isn't whether Avast protects you, but whether the paid Premium Security is worth it, especially given its renewal price in India.
Verdict: Start with Avast Free Antivirus. If you want scam and ransomware protection on up to 10 devices, Premium Security's first year is good value at ₹1,599, but it roughly doubles to ₹3,099 at renewal.
At a glance
| Free version | Yes: Avast Free Antivirus, with real-time protection |
|---|---|
| Premium Security, 1 PC + 1 phone | ₹1,199 first year, then ₹2,399/yr |
| Premium Security, 10 devices | ₹1,599 first year, then ₹3,099/yr |
| Ultimate, 10 devices | ₹1,999 first year, then ₹4,999/yr |
| Real-world protection | 99.3% blocked, 5 false alarms: Advanced+ (AV-Comparatives, Feb–May 2026) |
| Malware protection | 99.97% online; 96.3% offline; 9 false alarms: Advanced+ (March 2026) |
| Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Prices from Avast's official India store, checked September 2026.
Pros
- Free version with real-time protection
- Advanced+ in both major 2026 tests
- 10-device plan is cheap in the first year
- Covers Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone
Cons
- Renewal is roughly double the first-year price
- Avast's VPN is not available in India
- Free version shows upgrade prompts
How well it protects you
Avast blocked 99.3% of attacks in AV-Comparatives' real-world test, and in the March 2026 Malware Protection Test it reached 99.97% online protection with 96.3% offline detection, the same figures as Norton in that round. Both results earned the top Advanced+ award.
What Premium Security adds
According to Avast, Premium Security adds scam detection for email, SMS and websites, stronger ransomware protection, protection against remote-access takeover (a common step in tech support scams), webcam protection and a sandbox for opening suspicious files.
Important for India: no VPN
Avast states on its Indian store that its SecureLine VPN is not available for use within India, because of government regulations requiring VPN providers to log and store user data. If a VPN matters to you, don't pay extra for Avast's VPN-based plans. Norton 360 Deluxe lists a VPN in its Indian plan.
What it really costs
The 10-device plan is ₹1,599 in the first year and ₹3,099 a year after that. If you'd rather decide at renewal time, turn off auto-renewal in your Avast account after subscribing, or cancel the payment mandate from your bank or UPI app. See how to stop auto-renewal.
Something you should know
In 2024 Avast agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle US Federal Trade Commission charges that it sold users' browsing data to third parties through a subsidiary called Jumpshot, after promising its products would protect users from online tracking. Under the FTC order, Avast is banned from selling or licensing browsing data for advertising and must run a privacy programme. We mention it because security software sees much of what you do online, so the company's record is worth weighing.
Who should get it
- Anyone wanting free protection across Windows, Mac and phones
- Households wanting scam protection on up to 10 devices, who will review the price at renewal
Who should skip it
- Windows-only users happy with the basics: Microsoft Defender is already installed.
- If you want a steady yearly price: Norton 360 Deluxe renews at the same price in India.
Where to get Avast Premium Security
Prices change often, and retail keys can cost very different amounts. On Amazon.in, check the "Sold by" seller and whether a key is for a new licence or a renewal. See how to buy antivirus keys safely.