EmailBest Reviewed
Antivirus Software
- Best antivirus software ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 *Est. $35
- Free antivirus software AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 *Est. $0
- Security suite with antivirus software Norton Internet Security 2009 *Est. $45
- Most popular antivirus software Norton AntiVirus 2009 *Est. $20
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- Free
- Effective virus removal
- Not as customizable as paid antivirus programs
Professional reviewers say AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is the best free antivirus program available, and it's clearly popular with users as well. We found no substantial reviews that compare free and commercial antivirus programs, but reviews of the paid version of AVG provide one measure. The paid version of AVG falls short in reviews to Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 (*est. $40) and ESET NOD32 3.0 (*est. $40), among others. AVG and other free programs offer much less user control than commercial programs, but users swear they work. If you're diligent about your personal security practices, free antivirus software might be enough for your needs.
The major testing labs generally test the paid version of this software, but we found reviews of the free version at Download.com, VNUnet.com and About.com.
Our Sources
British magazine Computer Shopper directly compares a dozen leading antivirus software programs, including a couple of free ones. Testing is appropriate and credible, yet results are sometimes different than the conclusions of other reviewers. This review for Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free 7.5 does not address compatibility with other security programs and rarely mentions affect on system resources. In this test, AVG catches much more malware than Avast! and is more effective than the bestsellers, too.
Review: Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free 7.5 Review, Simon Edwards, Feb. 2007
2. Download.com
Download.com editors outsource lab testing of antivirus software to outside firms, but editors describe ease of use and features of the free version of AVG Anti-Virus. The program is said to work quietly in the background and to be a good choice for novices.
Review: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0, Editors of Download.com
3. About.com
About.com's guide to antivirus software reviews three free antivirus programs: AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, Avast! 4 Home Edition, and AVG Free Edition. The university-based AV-Test.org tested each program. AVG Anti-Virus Free found the fewest viruses and removes no adware or spyware. Although Mary Landesman gives ratings to the free programs, she does not address their adequacy relative to commercial software.
Review: Review: Free Antivirus Software, Mary Landesman, Aug. 21, 2006
4. VNUNET.com
This short review commends the free version of AVG for its ease of use and clear interface. Virus protection doesn't appear to have been tested in a measured way, but features are compared to the last version.
Review: AVG Anti-Virus Free 8.0.173, Chris Wiles and Tim Smith, Sept. 29, 2008
U.K. Internet magazine Web User regularly reviews security software. Mark Wilson compares six free antivirus programs, including Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. Each program earns overall ratings and sub-category ratings for features, performance, and ease of use. AVG Anti-Virus is top-ranked. Wilson says it has more features than some commercial products.
Review: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition Review, Mark Wilson, Oct. 2006
6. About.com
Mary Landesman, About.com's guide to antivirus software, doesn't reveal what version of AVG Free she's talking about, but we know it's an older version because she notes there's no antispyware feature (the latest version includes this). Landesman says it has good "core competency in virus detection" and is light on system resources. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: AVG Free Edition, Mary Landesman
7. BetaNews
This shareware site offers downloads and invites members to review products they have downloaded. The wildly popular AVG Anti-Virus Free has nearly half-a-million downloads, but earns the lowest among the three most popular free programs. Effectiveness and false positives are the main issues.
Review: AVG Anti-Virus Free 7.5.472a1024, Contributors to BetaNews
In this short article, PC World Contributing Editor Steve Bass recommends Grisoft's free AVG antivirus program over Symantec's Norton AntiVirus and McAfee's VirusScan Plus. Other than price, Bass doesn't state his objections to the commercial programs. He says he uses AVG Anti-Virus, and implies it is as effective as the commercial applications.
Review: Hassle-Free PC: Dump Pricey Antivirus for a Freebie, Steve Bass, Nov. 22, 2006
