Avast offers free and paid antivirus, VPN, and privacy protection software for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, now part of Gen Digital.
Researched and fact-checked by Bartu Cavusoglu · Updated July 18, 2026
Avast is a cybersecurity software company founded in 1988 by Eduard Kučera and Pavel Baudiš in Prague, where it remains headquartered. It is best known for Avast Free Antivirus, one of the most widely used free antivirus products worldwide.
In 2022, Avast merged with NortonLifeLock to form Gen Digital Inc., a publicly traded cybersecurity conglomerate that also owns Norton, LifeLock, and CCleaner, with Avast continuing to operate as one of its core consumer security brands.
Avast's product line spans free and premium antivirus/internet security, Avast SecureLine VPN, a password manager, and Avast Cleanup performance optimization tools, alongside Avast One, an all-in-one subscription bundling antivirus, VPN, and identity protection.
Avast software is available across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and the company also offers Avast Business product lines for small and medium businesses.
Avast offers a free antivirus tier for individual consumers, with paid subscriptions for premium security suites, VPN, and Avast One bundles. Pricing varies by product and region, with annual subscription plans being the most common billing structure.
Yes, Avast offers a free antivirus tier, with paid subscriptions available for premium security, VPN, and identity protection features.
Avast is part of Gen Digital Inc., formed by Avast's 2022 merger with NortonLifeLock, which also owns Norton, LifeLock, and CCleaner.
Avast software is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Yes, Avast's former Jumpshot analytics subsidiary (shut down in 2020) faced scrutiny over data practices, and Avast reached an FTC settlement in 2024 related to historical data-sharing.