Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Avira (Gen Digital) vs Kaspersky
Avira (Gen Digital)
Kaspersky
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Avira (Gen Digital)ReviewVisitVisit | KasperskyReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 1 | 10Higher |
| Server countries | 36 | 93Higher |
| Money-back period | 60 daysHigher | 30 days |
| Jurisdiction | DE | RU |
| Features | Kill switch | Screen time, Web filter, Location |
| Streaming services | Streaming services (vendor claim: unblocks access to geo restricted services) | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, LinuxCovers more |
| Owner | Gen Digital Inc. | Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky |
| Monthly price | €5.95 | Not confirmed |
| Long-term plan price | €4.00 | Not confirmed |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026 |
| Renewal price | €4.00 | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | WireGuard |
| Longest plan (months) | 12 months | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Kaspersky scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.1.
- Devices is higher at Kaspersky: 10 vs 1.
- Server countries is higher at Kaspersky: 93 vs 36.
- Features: only Avira (Gen Digital) offers Kill switch.
- Features: only Kaspersky offers Screen time, Web filter, Location.
- Streaming services: only Avira (Gen Digital) offers Streaming services (vendor claim: unblocks access to geo restricted services).
- Streaming services: only Kaspersky offers Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+.
- Platforms: only Kaspersky offers Linux.
- Money-back period is higher at Avira (Gen Digital): 60 days vs 30 days.
- Founded is lower at Avira (Gen Digital): 1986 vs 1997.
Our verdict on each
Avira (Gen Digital)
Avira (Gen Digital) suits readers who want a free tier or a short-term plan from a long-established security vendor, not readers shopping on server spread. VPN Pro costs €5.95 a month, with server coverage across 36 countries.
Kaspersky
Kaspersky suits households and small businesses who want one subscription covering antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls. Its bundles span 10 devices and Windows, macOS and Android, with server reach across 93 countries and a SOC 2 Type II audit behind SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026.
Score breakdown
| Area | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1The renewal price is €4.00 against €3.97 for the field, and the first-year antivirus price is €47.95. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.6A free VPN tier, a free antivirus version, a free password manager plan, and support on email, phone and help centre. | 9.7Higher |
| Privacy | 9.9Higher | 9.0 |
The numbers side by side
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 1 | 10 |
| Server countries | 36 | 93 |
| Money-back period | 60 days | 30 days |
How they place
| Ranking | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 30 of 232 | 4 of 232 |
| Antivirus software | 18 of 93 | 3 of 93 |
| Free VPNs | 25 of 189 | 3 of 189 |
| Free antivirus | 12 of 62 | 1 of 62 |
| Authenticator apps | 15 of 55 | 1 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more | Streaming, Travel |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Avira Holding GmbH | AO Kaspersky Lab |
| Headquarters | Germany | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1986Lower | 1997 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Phone, Help centre, Community |
Antivirus
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | €47.95 | Not confirmed |
| Free version | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Extras | VPN, Password manager | VPN, Password manager, Parental controlsCovers more |
Password managers
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Family plan | Not confirmed | Security plan licence shareable with family members in one account |
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Security audit | AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives test certifications, antivirus products only (2020) | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | 256-bit encryption, bank-grade | AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | Free antivirus version for Android only; premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan |
| Privacy tool type | Not confirmed | Ad blocker |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | €5.95below the median | Not confirmed | €7.99 |
| Long-term plan price | €4.00above the median | Not confirmed | €3.99 |
| Devices | 1lowest quarter | 10at the median | 10 |
| Server countries | 36below the median | 93above the median | 60 |
| Renewal price | €4.00lowest quarter | Not confirmed | €69.99 |
| Money-back period | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 134 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Avira (Gen Digital)
Pros
- Free plan on the password manager and a free version of the antivirus, plus a free VPN model
- VPN Pro carries a 60 day money-back guarantee
- Password manager protection uses 256-bit encryption, bank-grade in the same bundle
Cons
- One device at a time on the VPN checkout, below the 8 for VPN plans
- Server spread of 36 countries trails the 46.5 across VPN plans
Kaspersky
Pros
- Bundles a VPN, password manager and parental controls with antivirus in a single subscription.
- Covers Windows, macOS and Android, with VPN server reach across 93 countries.
- Password manager uses AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 encryption and supports passkeys.
Cons
- The free antivirus build covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager need a paid plan.
- The provider is Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky, with a AO Kaspersky Lab legal entity in a RU jurisdiction.
- Price at renewal is separate from the entry price, and long term plans sit at €3.97 a month against a €7.89 monthly median.
Who each suits
Avira (Gen Digital)
Who it suits
- Readers who want a free VPN or free antivirus tier to start with
- People already inside the Gen Digital security bundle
- Travelers who mainly need a working connection, not a wide server choice
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc. if you want a much lower monthly outlay from Apple services
- ESET Brasil if you need a wider device allowance than a single connection
- Sinew Software Systems if broad device coverage matters more than antivirus features
Kaspersky
Who it suits
- Households that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls in one place.
- Small businesses that need a single security bundle rather than separate tools.
- Travelers and streamers who value streaming and travel VPN coverage.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc., which covers Apple platforms such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS and fits people already inside its ecosystem.
- Comodo (Xcitium), which runs on Windows and Linux and suits buyers who want protection on Windows and Linux only.
- ESET Brasil, whose coverage of Windows, Windows Server and macOS suits buyers in Brazil who need a local store listing.
Current offers
Avira (Gen Digital)
Current offer
Free trial
Try for 1 month: 1 month
Payment method required; paid monthly subscription starts when the trial ends unless cancelled
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
45% off Avira Prime: 45% off
Site-wide offer banner on Avira product pages; subscription automatically renews
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Kaspersky
Current offer
Bonus
Kaspersky Safe Kids free for 1 year with Standard, Plus and Premium plans (limited time offer): Kaspersky Safe Kids 1 year free
Marked as a limited time offer; shown alongside the Standard, Plus and Premium plans; 30-day money-back guarantee applies
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Kaspersky Standard free trial: 30 days free
Free 30-day trial of Kaspersky Standard; compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Avira (Gen Digital) | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| Argentina | No | Yes |
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
8 of 47 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Avira (Gen Digital)
What does the Avira VPN cost each month?+
VPN Pro is €5.95 on the monthly subscription and €4.00 on the longest plan, which runs 12 months. The renewal price matches the long-term figure, so the annual rate is the one to watch. A free plan is also available.
How many devices can use the Avira VPN at once?+
The VPN checkout lists 1 device at a time, well under the 8 for VPN plans. Households with several phones and laptops will need a plan with a wider device allowance than this one.
Kaspersky
What does Kaspersky cover in a single subscription?+
A paid plan bundles antivirus with the extras Kaspersky lists as vpn, password manager and parental controls. That means the VPN, password manager and parental controls come in the same subscription, and parental controls add screen time, web filter and location tools such as screen time and location limits.
Is there a free Kaspersky antivirus?+
Yes, but the free build is limited. The free antivirus version covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan. The password manager does have a free plan, and passkeys are supported there.
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