Computer viruses are the worst enemies of the digital era. They can enter your system and create chaos, deleting and potentially stealing your data. These enemies can be so powerful that they'll make years' worth of data seem like it was never there.
Thus, an antivirus solution is crucial for your digital sanity. If you're searching for the best tool, Avira antivirus is highly recommended by experts and sophisticated users. You may wonder whether Avira is good and you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll dig deep into everything it offers so you can determine whether it's the right choice for your needs. We'll also introduce a bonus tip for reversing the damage after a computer virus infects your device.
In this article
Avira Antivirus Overview
Here's a short overview of the Avira antivirus software.
Name | Avira |
Rating | 6.5/10 |
Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS |
Free Plan | (✅)You can get a free Avira antivirus plan for all your devices. |
Price | Avira Antivirus PRO – the prices start at $2.95 a month. |
Money-Back Guarantee | The platform offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. |
Pros and Cons
Every tool has advantages and disadvantages, so let's check out some of Avira's best and worst sides.
Key Security Features
The whole concept of Avira is to provide all security features to protect you against potential threats. Thus, you can find numerous advanced protective functionalities on the platform, such as:
- Real-time protection – this feature will scan all of your activities for malware and notify you about suspicious activities. It's constantly active, so it'll scan your device all the time, providing top-tier protection.
- Firewall – firewalls will stand between you and the internet. These tools will check every page and link you visit to ensure they're safe. If not, the program will send you a notification and prevent you from getting a virus.
- VPN – A Virtual Private Network will also stand between you and other internet parties by hiding your original internet location. This way, you'll become undetectable online, and no one can steal your valuables.
- Identity protection – this feature will constantly scan the web to find your personal data and prevent it from being sold or used.
- Smart scans – this option includes manual scans that will detect potential threats and unnecessary files. You can use this feature to improve your device's performance and overall security.
- Quarantine management – if you've downloaded a file Avira marked as unsafe, you can manage it through this feature. It's responsible for storing and isolating files containing potential threats, and you can access your files safely through quarantine management.
These are only some of Avira's advanced tools, but you can explore many more if you opt for this platform.
Performance Features
Aside from the security features that every antivirus solution should offer, Avira comes with performance-boosting features that will make your device as good as new. Here are some of them:
- Duplicate finder – it removes all junk and duplicate folders from your computer, which will free up space.
- Optimizer – this feature will improve the startup speeds and clean your device, making it as good as new.
- Battery saver – the program will turn off services and applications on your device that you aren't using, which will save your battery percentage and improve battery health.
- Driver updater – this feature will automatically update your drivers and software, improving your safety and protecting you from other issues, such as data corruption.
- Hyper boost – it comes with numerous tools, such as a startup guard, that will optimize the device's boot time and notify you if there's something that may impact the boot speed.
These features can help you get the most out of your device and optimize your devices. And, since Avira is a lightweight tool, it won't impact your device's performance negatively at all. You'll see that your device is working as well as the day you got it, thanks to these advanced systems.
Additional Features
Aside from the security tools, you can find the AI feature to boost the security experience. Avira stays current with the latest trends and technologies, creating machine learning systems to improve your security experience.
These AI systems can detect patterns and successfully eliminate potential threats based on previous experience. Although artificial intelligence may report false positives, it's still an innovative and efficient approach to security. Some AI-powered features include:
- Zero-day detection – it comes with advanced machine learning algorithms able to analyze files in 8,000 dimensions and detect potential threats.
- Behavioral analysis – AI can use patterns to detect similar behaviors, such as viruses and malware. Thus, AI systems can detect possible attacks and eliminate them accordingly.
- Anti-malware SDKs – thanks to artificial intelligence, Avira has one of the best local detection rates. The best part is that it'll leave the smallest system footprints in the industry.
Here are other features you can rely on if you download Avira:
- Safe shopping extensions – you can use Avira to protect your personal data while shopping online.
- Password generators – if you need a strong password to create an account somewhere, you can use Avira's password generators and stay safe on the internet.
- Crypto privacy settings – if you have cryptocurrencies and want to protect your digital wallets, this is the ideal solution for you.
- Network traffic managers – you can close all active programs that are using the internet to lower data usage and improve battery life.
- File shredding – you can delete your files permanently thanks to Avira's file shredders.
- Process managers – with this feature, you can view all processes running in the background and shut down all the unnecessary ones.
Limitations
Avira's free version has numerous limitations standing between you and high-end security. For instance, you'll only get 500 MB of free VPN a month, which isn't enough to fulfill an average user's needs.
Since the free version isn't enough to fully protect you against threats, the program will constantly ask you to upgrade to the professional version, which can be nerve-racking. You'll get pop-ups non-stop, which may be one of Avira's worst sides.
Moreover, the customer support experience is limited, and you can hardly contact the team if you experience any issues. If you use the free version, the answers may be delayed even more since you won't have priority support. Thus, you can't rely on Avira's customer support if things go sideways.
System requirements may also be limiting as they don't allow everyone to use this antivirus tool. Even though it's compatible with numerous operating systems, it isn't for everybody. Avira has higher requirements for Windows systems, as you can see in the image below. Unlike Windows users, Mac users only need macOS Catalina or higher.
Steps to Install Avira Antivirus
Installing Avira antivirus is quick and straightforward. You only need to visit the official website and follow the steps below:
- You'll see the Download for free button when you visit the website. Click it to begin.
- Once you do, click the Save button to download the program.
- After downloading the file, double-click it and follow the on-screen instructions to activate the tool.
If you want a paid version, follow the steps below for a successful installation:
- Head to the official website and scroll until you see the Pro version offer.
- Click the Discover Antivirus Pro button.
- Choose the number of devices and the type of subscription you want.
- Click the Buy Now button.
- Choose the desired payment option (a credit card or PayPal).
- Enter your address and finish the purchase.
- After that, the installation file should appear in your inbox.
As you can see, you can quickly download the tool. You don't need additional steps to start using the Avira antivirus.
Pricing Plans
As mentioned above, the Avira antivirus has a free solution that may address only some of your security concerns. If you want to get more out of your security journey, you can choose between three paid versions: Avira Pro, Avira Prime, and Avira Internet Security.
The free and the paid versions have several differences. For instance, Avira Antivirus Pro provides web protection services, which isn't something you'll find in the free plan. Moreover, the Pro version won't bombard you with advertisements and will let you secure your banking applications.
The most noticeable difference is the support experience; Pro users have priority support and more channels.
You can check out all of the differences in the table below.
Features | Avira Free | Avira Pro | Avira Internet Security | Avira Prime |
Antivirus protection | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Firewall | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Software updater | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Password manager | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
PC speed tools | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
VPN | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Pricing | Free | $16.95 a year | $21.95 a year | $47.95 a year |
Customer Support
The customer support experience at Avira is one of the most underwhelming we've had. Even though the platform aims to fix issues, the support team won't effectively resolve problems you may encounter on your antivirus journey.
While testing this platform, we were furious about the support system. Sometimes, we didn't receive an answer for days. A few minutes is enough to compromise your security, let alone a few days. The worst part is the exclusion and how free users can give up on trying to get an answer.
Additionally, free and paid users have different support channels, prioritizing the latter. You're in the wrong place if you're searching for a platform with a quality support system and team.
For instance, free users can only get community support and resolve issues independently. On the other hand, the Pro users can contact the team via email and phone.
User Comments
The reviews for Avira are mixed; some people seem to enjoy everything it offers, while others dread downloading the application. If we're to judge by user reviews, we can say that you'll either love the program or be entirely against it.
For instance, one user reported that Avira antivirus is worth trying:
On the other hand, some users didn't have a pleasant experience. One reported:
This review proves that the customer support experience is Avira's weakest link.
Final Verdict: Is Avira Antivirus Still Good?
Avira was one of the most popular antivirus solutions back in the day. Is it still worth the hype? Should you use it to fulfill all your security requirements? We would say that the Avira antivirus is a solid option and will cover all the everyday security needs.
However, before you start your Avira journey, be aware of its disadvantages and determine whether they'll affect your experience. For instance, if you use an antivirus for the first time, you might want a support team to rely on, which is not something Avira will provide.
Here's a comparison of Avira and other leading antivirus solutions so you can decide which option is the best for you.
Antivirus | Detection rate | Protection score | Final score |
Avira | 100% | 9.1/10 | 4.2/5 |
Bitdefender | 99.51% | 9/10 | 4.7/5 |
Malwarebytes | 99% | 9.1/10 | 4.6/5 |
Avast | 99.5% | 9.6/10 | 4.4/5 |
AVG | 99.5% | 10/10 | 4.5/5 |
McAfee | 100% | 10/10 | 4.6/5 |
Kaspersky | 100% | 9.7/10 | 4.4/5 |
As you can see, Avira may not be the best option on the market. You can find tools with higher detection and protection rates to become worry-free on your antivirus journey.
Bonus Advice: How to Recover Files Deleted by a Virus
Avira may not be the most successful antivirus solution available. If a virus enters your system and deletes some of your valuable files, you'll need a powerful solution to retrieve your data.
Luckily, there's a solution to this issue. With the help of a high-quality recovery tool like Wondershare Recoverit, you can retrieve your data in just a few minutes. The program covers all common file types and data loss scenarios, so you don't have to worry about returning your data. Moreover, it's compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux devices, ensuring compatibility and versatility.
The best part about this software is that you can use the Enhanced Recovery tech to patch fragmented photos and videos and improve their quality.
If you want to try this all-in-one tool, head to the official Wondershare Recoverit website, download the software, and follow the steps below:
- Launch the software and go to Hard Drives and Locations.
- Choose the storage unit where you lost data.
- The program will automatically start scanning. You can pause it if necessary.
- You can filter your results by file type and size.
- You can also search for your files by their name.
- Once the program finishes scanning, preview the recovered data and choose what to salvage. Click Recover.
- Select where to save the files.
It will take a few minutes to return your data where it belongs. After recovering your files, keep them somewhere safe and create duplicates to avoid other data loss scenarios.
Conclusion
An antivirus software solution in the digital era is crucial for keeping your identity and data safe. The Avira antivirus is a famous antivirus option, so consider this comprehensive review to determine whether it's suitable for your needs or if you should continue searching.
Although Avira is a popular option, you can still find some better alternatives, which we have covered in the text above. Don't forget to use Wondershare Recoverit to recover data if things go sideways and prevent virus-induced data loss.
FAQ
Is Avira the best antivirus tool?
Although Avira is a solid antivirus solution, it's not the best in the world. It doesn't offer many features, and you may not be satisfied with the experience. You can undoubtedly find more efficient antivirus tools, but they might be pricier than Avira, such as Bitdefender, AVG, and Malwarebytes. These tools utilize advanced antivirus systems that will protect your devices from all threats.Is Avira slowing down my computer?
Although Avira is a lightweight tool, it may still affect your device's performance. However, these changes are miniscule and undetectable. Luckily, Avira comes with performance-boosting features that will make up for the abovementioned performance issues. You can make your device even faster thanks to advanced optimizers, duplicate finders, and other options.Is Avira better than Bitdefender?
Avira is a solid antivirus solution, and it may be a little bit better than Bitdefender. Avira has higher detection rates than Bitdefender (100% vs. 99.51%), which may make it better performance-wise. On the other hand, Bitdefender has many more features, such as parental control and ransomware remediation, which you won't find on Avira.
We cannot say that one is significantly better than the other; they are just two different antivirus solutions with different tools and features you can enjoy. You should opt for the solution that best fits your preferences. You can also check out other solutions, such as Malwarebytes and McAfee, which have similar detection and protection rates but different, unique features.