AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5 Review

What the reviewers like:
Some reviews and lab tests show that Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free is as effective as commercial programs, and better than many. Features are exceptional for a free program.

What the reviewers don't like:
Some antivirus reviews and lab tests show that AVG Anti-Virus Free is less effective than other free programs and much less effective than commercial programs. Some also say AVG Anti-Virus Free produces too many false positives.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5 review highlights

Several reviewers actually prefer AVG Anti-Virus Free to Norton and McAfee commercial antivirus software. Other reviewers say the free version of AVG isn't quite as effective or flexible as paid software. As to whether AVG is the best free program or simply the most popular free software, reviews are mixed. Also free are AntiVir PersonalEdition, Avast! 4 Home Edition and AOL Active Virus Shield, allof which have about equal support in reviews. Despite the inconclusive notices, most experts agree that the free version of Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus is almost as effective as paid antivirus software.

We found the best review for the free version of Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus software at Computer Shopper magazine, the only source to directly compare free antivirus programs with commercial software. About.com and WebUser.co.uk have good comparisons of free programs that are backed by lab testing. BetaNews.com is a great source for user reviews. Australian PC Authority has a very short review with a rating. PC World and other publications recommend Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free in articles without providing a full review.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Computer Shopper
Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus Free 7.5 Review
Simon Edwards
Feb. 2007

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.

2. About.com
Review: Free Antivirus Software
Mary Landesman
Aug. 21, 2006

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.

3. WebUser.co.uk
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition Review
Mark Wilson
Oct. 2006

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.

4. BetaNews
AVG Anti-Virus Free 7.5.472a1024
Contributors to 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.

5. PC World
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Hassle-Free PC: Dump Pricey Antivirus for a Freebie
Steve Bass
Nov. 22, 2006

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.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software