Avast

What Avast does

Avast is a Prague-based consumer cybersecurity company founded in 1988, operating today as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GEN) following the $8.6 billion acquisition completed in 2022 by then-NortonLifeLock. Avast builds an AI-powered security platform organized around Avast One, a unified cross-platform application for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS that combines antivirus, anti-phishing, AI-powered scam and deepfake detection, no-log VPN, identity and breach monitoring, secure browser, and device cleanup. Underlying technology includes a shared Gen Stack detection engine reused across the Avast, AVG, Norton, and Avira brands within Gen Digital, supporting proprietary ML models for anomaly detection, phishing (95% detection rate per AV-Comparatives 2025), deepfake audio analysis, and an AI Agent Protection module that monitors tampering of autonomous AI tools.

Avast serves individual consumers, families, and small-to-medium businesses, with tiered products (Free, Premium, Ultimate) and modular a la carte add-ons priced from €2.49/month. The company makes money primarily through auto-renewing consumer subscriptions, business security subscriptions sold through MSPs and resellers, and OEM/telecom licensing (e.g., the TECNO TGuard partnership). Avast's products have earned consistent third-party recognition, including AV-Comparatives ADVANCED+ 2026, AVLab Product of the Year 2026, AV-Test 100% real-world detection (December 2025), and SE Labs AAA. The company also carries material regulatory risk from FTC settlements related to its discontinued Jumpshot data analytics subsidiary, which resulted in $16.5 million in consumer redress for deceptive data collection practices between 2014 and 2020.

Name

Avast

Legal name

Avast Software s.r.o.

Website

https://avast.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Avast is a Prague-based consumer cybersecurity company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Gen Digital, providing AI-powered antivirus, VPN, scam and deepfake detection, and identity protection across 500+ million users worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Cybersecurity Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (51321)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Endpoint Security Managed Services (EDR/XDR) (BPAEADAH)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity software
• Antivirus protection
• Threat detection
• Internet security
• Privacy VPN

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Subscription (Avast One): Recurring subscription revenue from Avast One products with free tier and optional paid modular add-ons. Users can purchase individual premium modules or bundled formulas covering security, privacy, and performance features.
2. Subscription Renewals: Auto-renewing subscriptions billed annually or monthly, with renewal prices potentially different from initial discounted rates. Revenue recognized continuously over subscription periods.
3. Business Security Products: Enterprise and SMB security products including Essential, Premium, and Ultimate Business Security tiers, plus specialized products like Patch Management, Cloud Backup, and Linux Antivirus.
4. OEM and Telecom Partnerships: Revenue from pre-installation deals with device manufacturers and telecom operators bundling Avast products with devices and service plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Avast develops and sells consumer and small-business cybersecurity software delivered primarily through the unified Avast One application, which bundles antivirus, AI-powered scam detection, deepfake detection, no-log VPN, breach monitoring, and device cleanup across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The company monetizes a large free user base with modular premium add-ons (VPN, AntiTrack, BreachGuard, Cleanup Premium, Driver Updater, Scam Guardian Pro) and tiered business products (Essential, Premium, Ultimate Business Security, Patch Management, Cloud Backup, Premium Remote Control, Linux Antivirus) managed through the cloud-based Business Hub.

Product overview

Avast offers a consumer cybersecurity product portfolio organized primarily around the Avast One unified platform, which consolidates free antivirus, AI-powered scam protection, VPN, identity protection, and device cleanup into a single cross-platform application (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) with a free tier and modular paid add-ons. Individual products include Premium Security (enhanced threat protection), Ultimate (bundle with AntiTrack, SecureLine VPN, and Cleanup Premium), SecureLine VPN, AntiTrack, Secure Browser, BreachGuard, Cleanup Premium, Driver Updater, Scam Guardian, Scam Guardian Pro, Deepfake Guard, and the AI Assistant. Business offerings span Small Office Protection, tiered Business Security (Essential, Premium, Ultimate), Patch Management, Cloud Backup, Premium Remote Control, Linux Antivirus, and CCleaner, all managed through the cloud-based Business Hub platform. The portfolio also includes specialized tools like Avast Family Space for parental control.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Avast One Unified all-in-one consumer cybersecurity application combining antivirus, AI-powered scam detection, no-log VPN, data breach monitoring, AI Agent Protection, and device cleanup into a single app across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS with a free tier and modular paid add-ons.
• Avast Free Antivirus Free basic antivirus protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, now delivered within the Avast One app, providing core malware defense, real-time scanning, and scheduled scans.
• Avast Premium Security Enhanced digital security for PCs, macOS, and mobile devices providing comprehensive protection against scams, viruses, ransomware, zero-day threats, and other malware, with AI-powered scam guidance, webcam protection, and Deepfake Guard.
• Avast Ultimate Comprehensive bundle combining Premium Security's advanced cyberthreat protection with Avast AntiTrack, SecureLine VPN, and Cleanup Premium for an all-in-one security, privacy, and performance package.
• Avast SecureLine VPN No-log VPN software that encrypts connections to protect privacy on public Wi-Fi networks, hiding activity from cybercriminals, ISPs, and advertisers, available as a standalone purchase or modular add-on within Avast One.
• Avast AntiTrack Privacy tool that disguises digital fingerprint to prevent personalized ad tracking and maintain anonymity online.
• Avast Secure Browser Secure, private, and easy-to-use web browser offering enhanced privacy protections and faster browsing for consumers.
• Avast Secure Browser PRO Full-featured version of Avast Secure Browser with fully encrypted online activity for enhanced privacy and security.
• Avast Secure Identity Identity protection service providing 24/7 expert assistance to help keep user identity safe.
• Avast BreachGuard Data breach monitoring tool that protects personal information from being exposed and sold by monitoring dark web for leaked accounts.
• Avast Cleanup Premium Device optimization software that boosts computer speed and performance by removing junk files, available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
• Avast Driver Updater Utility that automatically updates device drivers with a single click to ensure optimal hardware performance and security.
• Avast Online Security & Privacy Browser extension providing privacy and security protection while browsing the web.
• Avast Deepfake Guard AI-powered deepfake detection feature integrated into Avast Premium Security for Windows PCs that identifies malicious audio within video content to detect AI-manipulated scam videos on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X.
• Avast Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro AI-powered scam protection available for mobile devices (Android and iOS) that blocks scam calls, emails, and SMS messages, with the Pro tier adding Call Guard and Email Guard functionality.
• Avast AI Agent Protection Security module that monitors AI tools acting on behalf of the user and verifies their instructions have not been tampered with by malicious sources.
• Avast Assistant AI-powered assistant providing real-time anti-scam guidance and threat identification through conversational interaction within Avast One.
• Avast Small Office Protection Business security solution protecting up to 10 devices including laptops, mobile devices, computers, and tablets for small office and home office environments.
• Avast Business Security (Essential, Premium, Ultimate) Tiered business security suites (Essential, Premium, Ultimate) managed from the integrated, cloud-based Business Hub platform for small to medium businesses.
• Avast Patch Management Specialized business product for managing and automating software patch updates across endpoint devices.
• Avast Cloud Backup Cloud-based backup solution for small businesses to protect critical data and enable disaster recovery.
• Avast Premium Remote Control Remote access and control feature enabling IT administrators to provide remote assistance and device management.
• Avast Antivirus for Linux Antivirus solution designed for Linux servers and workstations in business environments.
• Avast CCleaner (Business) Device optimization and cleaning utility for business environments, part of the Avast business product portfolio.
• Avast Business Hub Cloud-based centralized management platform for administering Avast business security products including Business Security, Cloud Backup, and Premium Remote Control.
• Avast Mobile Security Mobile security application for Android and iOS providing antivirus protection, scam detection, and AI-powered mobile threat defense.
• Avast Family Space Parental control and family safety solution enabling parents to monitor and protect family members' devices across multiple platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% real-world threat samples detected and blocked (AV-Test December 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TECNOcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 4 March 2026TECNO's TGuard security brand uses Avast-powered threat detection as part of its mobile security ecosystem. The partnership includes a three-tier defense architecture featuring Trustonic's CC EAL5+ certified Trusted Execution Environment and Avast threat detection, protecting user devices, privacy, and data throughout the product lifecycle.
• Nigerian Air ForceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 August 2025Avast was cited as a potential technology and capacity-building partner for cybersecurity cooperation between Nigeria and Czech Republic, as part of a meeting between NAF Chief of Air Staff and Czech Junior Deputy Minister of Defence.
• Gen Digital (Parent Company)coreOthersAvast is part of Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GEN), which also owns Norton, AVG, and Avira brands. Following the $8.6 billion Avast acquisition in 2022, Gen Digital commands 44% market share in cybersecurity and protects over 500 million users globally.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ESET: European-headquartered consumer and business cybersecurity vendor with strong endpoint protection, ransomware defense, and SMB management products. Comparable product breadth and target segments.
• Trend Micro: Global cybersecurity vendor with strong consumer antivirus and SMB/enterprise endpoint security offerings. Comparable product breadth, cross-platform support, and subscription pricing model.
• Avira: Sister brand within Gen Digital (acquired 2021), offering consumer antivirus, VPN, and system optimization products on the shared Gen Stack. Direct overlap in product category and customer base.
• AVG: Sister brand within Gen Digital, originally acquired by Avast in 2016. Offers near-identical consumer antivirus, VPN, and tune-up products under its own brand on the shared Gen Stack engine.
• Kaspersky: Global cybersecurity vendor with strong consumer antivirus and endpoint security products. Comparable product portfolio, independent test performance, and cross-platform coverage (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS).
• Bitdefender: Leading independent consumer and business antivirus vendor with comparable product breadth (antivirus, VPN, identity protection) and strong independent test performance. Direct competitor across both consumer freemium and SMB/enterprise segments.
• Malwarebytes: Consumer and SMB-focused cybersecurity vendor specializing in anti-malware, endpoint protection, and threat remediation. Direct competitor in freemium antivirus and SMB endpoint security.
• McAfee: Established consumer cybersecurity brand offering antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and safe browsing products under a similar freemium-to-paid subscription model. Direct competitor in consumer and SMB security suites.
• Norton: Sister brand within Gen Digital, offering consumer and SMB antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and dark web monitoring on the shared Gen Stack engine. Direct overlap in product category, customer segments, and pricing models.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Defender: OS-bundled endpoint protection shipping with every Windows license and increasingly competitive on independent test scores. Not a product-line competitor but a structural threat to Avast's consumer freemium funnel and willingness-to-pay for paid tiers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Avast
• YouTubeyoutube.com/avast
• Facebookfacebook.com/avast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avast-software
• Instagraminstagram.com/avast

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A13 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Avast