Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Avast vs Kaspersky
Avast vs Kaspersky: the differences
| Compare |  Avast |  Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 1 to 10 | 10 |
| Extras | VPN | VPN, Password manager, Parental controlsCovers more |
| First-year price | $49.99 to $69.99 | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | $77.99 to $99.99 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Platforms (Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS), Free version (Yes), Money-back period (30 days).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Kaspersky scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Extras: only Kaspersky offers Password manager, Parental controls.
- Support channels: only Avast offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at Avast: 1988 vs 1997.
Our verdict on each
Avast
Avast suits households and travellers who want antivirus and a VPN from a single supplier, and its free version covers a surprising share of the basics. Premium Security opens at $49.99 to $69.99 for the first year, covering 1 to 10 devices on Windows, macOS and Android.
Kaspersky
Kaspersky Secure Connection fits households already inside the Kaspersky ecosystem, since one subscription carries the VPN, password manager and parental controls together. Server reach of 93 countries sits above the median VPN, and 10 devices at once covers a couple or a family.
Score breakdown
| Area | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Intro $49.99 to $69.99 sits near the €49.95 median for the category, and monthly SecureLine pricing of $4.99 is under €7.89. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.8 | 8.9HigherThe offer pairs a 30 day refund window with a 30 day free trial on the wider Kaspersky suite. |
| Privacy | 9.2 | 9.4Higher |
What each covers
| Extras | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Password manager | No | Yes |
| Parental controls | No | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 41 of 232 | 6 of 232 |
| Antivirus software | 27 of 92 | 5 of 92 |
| Identity theft protection | 25 of 117 | 3 of 117 |
| Privacy tools | 36 of 280 | 5 of 280 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 12 of 55 | 2 of 55 |
| Free VPNs | 35 of 189 | 5 of 189 |
| Free antivirus | 20 of 62 | 3 of 62 |
The numbers side by side
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 1 to 10 | 10 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
Where these facts come from
Avast
- avast.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Kaspersky
- kaspersky.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Avast Software s.r.o. | AO Kaspersky Lab |
| Headquarters | Czechia | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1988Lower | 1997 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community, PhoneCovers more | Help centre, Community |
VPN
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $4.99 | Not confirmed |
| Long-term plan price | $3.99 | Not confirmed |
| Server countries | 74 | 93Higher |
| Features | No logs, Streaming, Travel | No logs, Streaming, Travel |
| Jurisdiction | CZ | CH |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IPsec | WireGuard |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hopCovers more | Kill switch, Split tunnelling |
| Streaming services | Built for streaming, downloads, and everything else you do online, Up to 2 Gbps for 4K streaming and big downloads | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ |
| Owner | Gen Digital Inc. | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | 36 months | Not confirmed |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €3.33 | Not confirmed |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan limits | Free Antivirus free indefinitely; app may prompt reactivation of the free subscription after 12 months; includes Free Cleanup, Free BreachGuard and a 60-day SecureLine VPN trial (payment method required to activate the VPN trial). | Not confirmed |
| Logging policy | States it does not sell users' personal data; security products send suspicious files to Avast Threat Labs for analysis and AntiTrack/BreachGuard block advertiser tracking. | VPN claims your online actions are not logged |
| Privacy tool type | Browser | Ad blocker, BrowserCovers more |
Identity protection
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 60 daysHigher | 30 days |
Password managers
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Family plan | Not confirmed | One Kaspersky Premium subscription shared with family members via the same account |
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Encryption | Not confirmed | AES-256 with key derived from the master password via PBKDF2, zero-knowledge architecture |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Avast | Kaspersky | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $49.99 to $69.99below the median | Not confirmed | $50.00 |
| Renewal price | $77.99 to $99.99below the median | Not confirmed | $78.99 |
| Devices | 1 to 10at the median | 10at the median | 10 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 51 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Avast
Pros
- The free version is not a trial: it includes Free Cleanup, Free BreachGuard and a 60 SecureLine VPN trial.
- Premium Security covers 1 to 10 devices on Windows, macOS and Android, so a single licence handles a mixed household.
- SecureLine VPN spans 74 server countries over OpenVPN and IPsec, with a kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop on top.
Cons
- Renewal is the sting: $77.99 to $99.99 once the first term ends.
- The paid plan spans 1 to 10 devices while the typical free antivirus listed spans 10, so paying buys features rather than device count.
- Support runs on help centre, community and phone only.
Kaspersky
Pros
- Kaspersky Premium bundles the VPN, password manager and parental controls (vpn, password manager and parental controls) in one subscription a family plan can share
- Device and platform coverage is generous: 10 devices at once, with apps for Windows, macOS and Android on desktop and mobile
- Streaming and travel are stated features, with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ supported and kill switch and split tunnelling built in as standard
Cons
- Support runs on help centre and community only, so quick answers go through documentation or the community rather than live chat
- The protocol list is WireGuard, so readers who want a wider choice of protocols have less room to compare
- The free version that Kaspersky lists sits with antivirus rather than a free VPN, so VPN features start on a paid subscription
Who each suits
Avast
Who it suits
- Budget-first households that want a permanent free baseline rather than a countdown, with Premium Security as the upgrade.
- People who stream and travel, since SecureLine is listed for no-logs, streaming and travel and reaches 74 server countries.
- Buyers weighing a long commitment: SecureLine sells monthly at $4.99 or on a long-term plan at $3.99 with a 30 day refund window.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc., whose built-in protection covers iOS, iPadOS and macOS and suits readers already inside that ecosystem.
- Comodo (Xcitium), whose free plan reaches 50 and fits teams needing raw endpoint count.
- ESET Brasil, whose first-year price of BRL 64.22 is quoted in reais for readers buying in Brazil.
Kaspersky
Who it suits
- Households that already pay for Kaspersky security software and want the VPN folded into the same subscription rather than bought separately
- Travellers who want one app for secure connections on Windows, macOS and Android across phones and desktops while abroad
- Families sharing one account, since the family plan passes the same subscription across to other members in the household
Who should look elsewhere
- AVG, if server spread matters most, since its coverage starts at from 100 countries, further than Kaspersky reaches
- Namecheap, if you want the widest server list, since it lists from 100 countries or more across its network
- ESET Brasil, if device counts drive the choice, since its plans scale from 3 to 25 devices under one plan
Current offers
Avast
Current offer
First period offer
Save 36% on first year, single device (US): $49.99 first year vs $77.99 renewal
US store page, Windows PC or Mac single-device plan, 30-day money-back guarantee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
Save 30% on first year, 10 devices (US): $69.99 first year vs $99.99 renewal
US store page, 10-device plan
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Holiday promo code applied in Buy now links: WD-HOLIDAYPROMO21
Appears as promocode parameter in the US Buy now links for Premium Security
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Try Premium Security free for 30 days: 30 days, no credit card needed
US page, Windows PC plan
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Try Premium Security free for 60 days: 60 days, $0 at checkout
US page, Mac plan, promocode AVAST_TRIAL_60
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Kaspersky
Current offer
Free trial
7-day free trial of Kaspersky VPN: 7 days free
Free for 7 days, auto-renews to a paid subscription unless cancelled in My Kaspersky; 2 days' reminder before trial end
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Avast
How much does Avast cost in the first year?+
Premium Security sells at $49.99 to $69.99 for the introductory year, and Avast also lists an entry point of €3.33 in its store. The first-year figure is a launch price rather than the ongoing rate, so budget for what follows it. Avast ranks 13 of 36 brands on first-year price.
What does Avast charge when the subscription renews?+
Renewal lands higher than the introductory year: $77.99 to $99.99 against a first year of $49.99 to $69.99. Across the brands listed, Avast sits 7 of 22 on renewal price, a stronger position than its entry rank. Anyone staying past the first term should compare renewal, not the launch discount.
Kaspersky
What does Kaspersky Premium include besides the VPN?+
One Kaspersky Premium subscription covers vpn, password manager and parental controls, and the family plan lets the same subscription be shared with family members through one account. That bundle is the main reason to look here rather than a standalone VPN.
How many devices can one Kaspersky subscription cover?+
The plan covers 10 devices at once, which suits a couple or a shared family without straining. Server reach runs to 93 countries, a wider spread than the median VPN listed on the site.
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