Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AVG vs Surfshark
AVG vs Surfshark: the differences
| Compare |  AVG |  Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Server countries | from 100 | 100 |
| Jurisdiction | CZ | NL |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, RoutersCovers more |
| Owner | Gen Digital Inc. | Nord Security |
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | €2.49 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €2.49 |
| Devices | 10 | Not confirmed |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | Deloitte 2025 |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos |
| Features | Not confirmed | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop |
| Streaming services | Streaming services | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 27 months |
Same on both: Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- Surfshark scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Platforms: only Surfshark offers Linux, Android TV, Apple TV.
- Support channels: only Surfshark offers Email, Chat.
- Founded is lower at AVG: 1991 vs 2018.
- Pricing model: only AVG offers Free.
- Pricing model: only Surfshark offers Budget.
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..
Surfshark
Surfshark suits households and small teams that want a wide network at a modest rate, and it reaches further than most rivals at this price. Its long-term plan price is €2.49, under the site median for long-term plans, €3.97, and every purchase carries a 30 money-back window.
Score breakdown
| Area | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3 | 9.6HigherSurfshark's long-term plan price of €2.49 undercuts the site median €3.97, while the monthly plan at €2.49 keeps entry low. |
| Offer | 8.9Offer score 8.9 rests on a free plan, 10 devices, a VPN extra and a 30 day trial. | 9.5HigherThe plan bundles private dns, ad blocker and search with a 7 trial and a 30 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 9.2Higher | 8.7 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
Where these facts come from
AVG
- avg.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Surfshark
- surfshark.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 34 of 232 | 12 of 232 |
| Identity theft protection | 21 of 117 | 7 of 117 |
| Privacy tools | 31 of 280 | 7 of 280 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 11 of 55 | 3 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Streaming |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Pricing model | Free | Budget |
| Legal entity | Gen Digital Inc. | Surfshark B.V. |
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1991Lower | 2018 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Privacy tools
| Fact | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| 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 | 7-day free trial, 3 devices |
| Logging policy | Not confirmed | No-logs policy, independently verified by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025; RAM-only server network |
| Privacy tool type | Browser | Private dns, Ad blocker, Search |
Identity protection
| Fact | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,000,000 |
| Free trial length | 30 daysHigher | 7 days |
Data removal
| Fact | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | Not confirmed | €121.23 |
| Countries covered | Not confirmed | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AVG | Surfshark | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | €2.49lowest quarter | €7.99 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €2.49lowest quarter | €3.99 |
| Devices | 10at the median | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Server countries | from 100highest quarter | 100highest quarter | 62 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 27 monthshighest quarter | 12 months |
Median across 139 listed providers.
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
Surfshark
Pros
- Servers in 100 countries, ranking 7 on coverage among 62 brands compared.
- The no-logs policy is independently verified by Deloitte, with the current audit listed as Deloitte 2025.
- A single subscription covers Windows, macOS and Linux.
Cons
- There is no free plan, so the 7-day free trial, 3 devices is the only way to try Surfshark before paying.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with no phone line for urgent problems.
- Price-first readers have cheaper options: MEGA lists $1.67 and Sinew Software Systems lists $1.99 for a long-term plan.
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
Surfshark
Who it suits
- Households covering several device types, with apps across Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Small teams priced for business, with 100 server countries and privacy extras of private dns, ad blocker and search in one subscription.
- Readers who put audit evidence first, since the no-logs policy is verified by Deloitte and the current audit is Deloitte 2025.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers chasing the lowest long-term rate, where MEGA at $1.67 and Sinew Software Systems at $1.99 sit lower.
- Buyers looking for antivirus rather than a network, where ESET Brasil is the comparison to read, with 40 to 70 server countries in its coverage.
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
Surfshark
Current offer
Bonus
+3 EXTRA months, Save 85% on Surfshark Starter: Starter EUR 2.49/mo., sale price EUR 67.23 for the first 27 months (old price EUR 444.15)
24-month plans, VAT may apply, 30-day money-back guarantee
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
7-day free trial: 7 days free on 3 devices
Available on all 12-month and 24-month plans; payment by credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | AVG | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No | Yes |
| Aland Islands | No | Yes |
| Albania | No | Yes |
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| American Samoa | No | Yes |
| Andorra | No | Yes |
| Angola | No | Yes |
| Anguilla | No | Yes |
8 of 250 countries where either is available.
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.
Surfshark
What does Surfshark cost month to month and on a long commitment?+
Surfshark's monthly plan is listed at €2.49 and the yearly plan at €121.23. The longest plan runs 27 months, which brings the monthly rate to €2.49, below the site median for long-term plans, €3.97. A 30 money-back window sits behind the longer commitments.
Is there a free plan, or only a trial?+
The free plan is no, so nothing runs indefinitely at no cost. What is offered is a 7 trial, and the stated free plan limits read 7-day free trial, 3 devices. After that trial ends, the 30 money-back window is the route to a full refund if the service does not fit your setup.
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