# AVG vs ESET for antivirus software

AVG and ESET are closely matched for core workflows. Both offer a trial; both support windows protection, macos protection, android protection, and ios protection. AVG has confirmed free version, starting price of £41.49, and renewal price of 89.99. ESET has confirmed real-time malware protection.

## Key decision points

- AVG has confirmed free version; free version is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- AVG has confirmed starting price of £41.49; starting price is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- AVG has confirmed renewal price of 89.99; renewal price is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- ESET has confirmed real-time malware protection; real-time malware protection is not yet confirmed for AVG.

## Choose AVG if…

- Choose AVG if confirmed free version matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- Choose AVG if confirmed starting price of £41.49 matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- Choose AVG if confirmed renewal price of 89.99 matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for ESET.

## Choose ESET if…

- Choose ESET if confirmed real-time malware protection matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for AVG.

## Platforms

| Feature | AVG | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Windows protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html)) |
| macOS protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Android protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html)) |
| iOS protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html)) |

## Features

| Feature | AVG | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Real-time malware protection | Not confirmed | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Ransomware protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Phishing protection | Not confirmed | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Firewall | Not confirmed | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| VPN included | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Identity monitoring | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad)) | Not confirmed |
| Dark web monitoring | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Parental controls | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Not confirmed |
| Webcam protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Microphone protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |

## Capacity

| Feature | AVG | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of devices | 10 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store)) | Not confirmed |

## Security and compliance

| Feature | AVG | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Independent lab testing | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Not confirmed |

## Pricing

| Feature | AVG | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free version | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage)) | Not confirmed |
| Free trial | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/home/protection-plans/)) |
| First-year price | £41.49 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store)) | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | 89.99 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store)) | Not confirmed |

## Evidence

- **AVG — Windows protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Get free antivirus that's trusted by experts”
- **ESET — Windows protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html. Evidence: “ESET NOD32 Antivirus ✔”
- **AVG — macOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Also available for Mac, Android, and iOS”
- **ESET — macOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Available also for macOS”
- **AVG — Android protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Get free antivirus protection for your Android phone or tablet that’s fast, light, and secure.”
- **ESET — Android protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html. Evidence: “ESET Mobile Security     ✔”
- **AVG — iOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad. Evidence: “Download our iOS security app to protect your device from online threats.”
- **ESET — iOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html. Evidence: “ESET Mobile Security     ✔”
- **ESET — Real-time malware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Real-time antivirus protection Our security shields you from more than just viruses, protecting against malware, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and more.”
- **AVG — Ransomware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Defend yourself against anybody trying to access your built-in camera or change your files without permission. Do it with our new Webcam Protection and Ransomware Protection features.”
- **ESET — Ransomware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Real-time antivirus protection Our security shields you from more than just viruses, protecting against malware, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and more.”
- **ESET — Phishing protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Real-time antivirus protection Our security shields you from more than just viruses, protecting against malware, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and more.”
- **ESET — Firewall:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Firewall, Wi-Fi and network shield Filter unwanted content, secure access to your network, and test your home router and smart devices for vulnerabilities.”
- **AVG — VPN included:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad. Evidence: “PRO includes VPN for iPhone & iPad”
- **ESET — VPN included:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Unlimited VPN Traffic Shield your connection and prevent unwanted tracking—anytime, anywhere.”
- **AVG — Identity monitoring:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad. Evidence: “AVG’s Identity Protection can monitor online databases and warn you if your password has been leaked.”
- **AVG — Dark web monitoring:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/mobile-security-for-iphone-ipad. Evidence: “AVG’s Identity Protection can monitor online databases and warn you if your password has been leaked.”
- **ESET — Dark web monitoring:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Dark web scanning Scanning thousands of websites, including those on the Dark Web, blogs and other data sources to detect the illegal trading of your personal information.”
- **AVG — Parental controls:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Get powerful, effective protection against viruses and scam websites with free antivirus.”
- **AVG — Webcam protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Defend yourself against anybody trying to access your built-in camera or change your files without permission. Do it with our new Webcam Protection and Ransomware Protection features.”
- **ESET — Webcam protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Lock and track missing devices, secure access to your webcam, and monitor microphone activity for enhanced privacy and control.”
- **AVG — Microphone protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Defend yourself against anybody trying to access your built-in camera or change your files without permission.”
- **ESET — Microphone protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Lock and track missing devices, secure access to your webcam, and monitor microphone activity for enhanced privacy and control.”
- **AVG — Number of devices:** 10. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store. Evidence: “Covers 10 devices”
- **AVG — Independent lab testing:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “2024 Top-Rated Product 2024 Best protection 2024 Malware protection”
- **AVG — Free version:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/homepage. Evidence: “Get free antivirus that's trusted by experts”
- **AVG — Free trial:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store. Evidence: “Try it free for 30 days”
- **ESET — Free trial:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/home/protection-plans/. Evidence: “Free 30-day trial No credit card required”
- **AVG — First-year price:** £41.49. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store. Evidence: “realPrice":"41.49"”
- **AVG — Renewal price:** 89.99. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.avg.com/en-gb/store. Evidence: “After the first year, it automatically renews every year at £89.99 unless cancelled.”