Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AVG vs Qwant
What sets them apart
| Compare |  AVG |  Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Blocks viruses, malware, ransomware and unsafe links, downloads and emails; no Wi-Fi security check, firewall, fake-site or phishing-site protection, no VPN, TuneUp or AntiTrack | Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, Edge extension, Firefox extension, Safari extension |
| Jurisdiction | CZ | FR |
| Privacy tool type | Browser | Search |
| Logging policy | Not confirmed | By default does not store search history or personal data; no advertising trackers or pixels |
| Open source | Not confirmed | No |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Qwant scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Platforms: only AVG offers Windows, MacOS.
- Platforms: only Qwant offers Web, Chrome extension, Edge extension.
- Support channels: only Qwant offers Email, Phone, Community.
- Founded is lower at AVG: 1991 vs 2011.
- Privacy tool type: only AVG offers Browser.
- Privacy tool type: only Qwant offers Search.
Our verdict on each
AVG
AVG suits readers who want everyday virus and malware blocking at no cost and a paid upgrade when they need more. The free version is there, and the paid tier covers 10 devices across Windows, macOS and Android and adds a VPN, all under Gen Digital Inc..
Qwant
Qwant suits readers who want a private search engine with no cost attached, since a free plan is included. It is the fit for people who put no stored search history above open source code, while the typical starting price in the site's private-search field is €6.93.
Score breakdown
| Area | AVG | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Higher | 9.1 |
| Offer | 8.9Offer score 8.9 rests on a free plan, 10 devices, a VPN extra and a 30 day trial. | 9.6Higher |
| Privacy | 9.2Higher | 8.8 |
How they place
| Ranking | AVG | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 31 of 280 | 77 of 280 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 11 of 55 | 15 of 55 |
Which one suits you
Pick AVG if privacy matter most.
Pick Qwant if offer matter most.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AVG | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Gen Digital Inc. | QWANT, SAS (RCS Paris B 532 867 256) |
| Headquarters | United States | France |
| Founded | 1991Lower | 2011 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | AVG | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | Not confirmed |
| Server countries | from 100 | Not confirmed |
| Features | No logs, Streaming | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | 30 days | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Streaming services | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Gen Digital Inc. | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | AVG | Qwant |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 30 days | Not confirmed |
Pros and cons
AVG
Pros
- A free plan is available, so core protection can start at no cost
- The paid tier covers 10 devices and adds a VPN (vpn)
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Android
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, so help comes from written guidance
- The free plan limits stop at core scanning, so the firewall, fake-site and phishing-site protection, VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack sit on the paid side
- The extras list is a VPN alone (vpn), with no password manager or parental controls among them
Qwant
Pros
- A free plan is included, and Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account.
- Search history and personal data are not stored by default, and no advertising trackers or pixels are run.
- It runs on web, iOS and Android and support covers email, phone and help centre.
Cons
- Open source: no, so the code behind the engine is not published for outside review.
- The unlimited free tier depends on signing up: Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account.
Who each suits
AVG
Who it suits
- Readers who need everyday virus and malware blocking without paying
- Households wanting a paid tier that covers 10 devices with a VPN
- People who want a 30 day trial before committing
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc. users who need coverage on iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS or visionOS, since AVG names only Windows, macOS and Android
- Large households, since Comodo (Xcitium) covers 50 devices against 10 here
- People who want live help, since support runs on help centre only, a point to weigh against ESET Brasil
Qwant
Who it suits
- Readers who want a search engine that keeps no search history or personal data by default.
- People in the Apple ecosystem, who can pair a Qwant account with Apple Hide My Email for aliasing.
- Anyone who wants one account across web, iOS and Android.
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts, for readers whose main task is opting out of data brokers rather than searching; it has no free plan.
- Apple Hide My Email, for email aliases: its aliases are free with an Apple Account, which is a different job from private search.
Current offers
AVG
Current offer
First period offer
Save 40% on Internet Security: 40% off
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
Save 60% on Ultimate: 60% off
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Get 30 days of PC protection for free: 30 days
no credit card needed
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
30-day money-back guarantee: 30 days
Stay Safe Virus Guarantee applies while automatic renewal is active
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
AVG
How many devices do the paid plans cover?+
The paid plan covers 10 devices and the bundle adds a VPN. If a household runs more machines, Comodo (Xcitium) covers 50 devices, while ESET Brasil offers device limits that run 1 to 25. Support runs on help centre only.
Which platforms does AVG run on?+
AVG runs on Windows, macOS and Android, which covers the main desktop and phone systems. Apple platforms reach wider: Apple Inc. lists iOS, iPadOS and macOS, adding tablet, TV, watch and headset systems outside the AVG list.
Qwant
Is Qwant really free?+
Yes. A free plan is included and Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account, so the search stays free once an account exists. The only model listed is free, so there is no paid tier priced against it.
What does Qwant cost, and what happens at renewal?+
Qwant's free plan covers the search, and Free and unlimited once you create a Qwant account. There is no introductory deal to time and no renewal step for a paid plan, since free is the only model listed. For scale, the typical yearly price across tools on the site is €65.76.