Updated October 17, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Avira (Gen Digital) vs Proton Pass
Avira (Gen Digital)
Higher score in this comparison
Proton Pass
Where Avira (Gen Digital) and Proton Pass differ
| Compare | Avira (Gen Digital)ReviewVisitVisit | Proton PassReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Brave extension, Command line interfaceCovers more |
| Security audit | AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives test certifications, antivirus products only (2020) | Independently audited by third-party experts (Cure53 audit published July 2023), open source under GPLv3, public bug bounty |
| Encryption | 256-bit encryption, bank-grade | End-to-end encryption; 256-bit AES-GCM encrypted vaults; OpenPGP with ECC (Curve25519) for vault keys |
| Features | Kill switch | TOTP |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $4.99 |
| Family plan | Not confirmed | Pass Family: up to 6 users, includes 6 Pass Plus accounts and an admin panel |
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Avira (Gen Digital) scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Platforms: only Proton Pass offers Linux, Web app, Chrome extension.
- Support channels: only Avira (Gen Digital) offers Email, Phone.
- Founded is lower at Avira (Gen Digital): 1986 vs 2014.
- Features: only Avira (Gen Digital) offers Kill switch.
- Features: only Proton Pass offers TOTP.
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.
Proton Pass
Proton Pass’s listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, unlimited devices, 10 hide-my-email aliases, and passkey support. The provider also lists apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, and says all fields, including usernames and web addresses, are encrypted. These are provider descriptions, not an independent security assessment.
Score breakdown
| Area | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherThe renewal price is €4.00 against €3.97 for the field, and the first-year antivirus price is €47.95. | 9.0 |
| Offer | 8.6A free VPN tier, a free antivirus version, a free password manager plan, and support on email, phone and help centre. | 9.1Higher |
| Privacy | 9.9Higher | 9.0 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany | Switzerland |
Sources behind this comparison
Avira (Gen Digital)
- avira.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- e-shop.avira.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Proton Pass
- proton.me: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- privacyjournal.net: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Authenticator apps | 15 of 55 | 7 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Avira Holding GmbH | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Germany | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1986Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Help centre, Community |
Antivirus
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | €47.95 | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | €4.00 | Not confirmed |
| Devices | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Free version | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Extras | VPN, Password manager | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | 60 days | Not confirmed |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys on all devices; no vault or item sharing |
| Logging policy | Not confirmed | No permanent IP logs by default; temporary IP logs kept to combat abuse and fraud; authentication logging off by default; Proton states it has no technical means to access encrypted passwords or notes |
| Jurisdiction | DE | CH |
Secure email
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Not confirmed | All fields end-to-end encrypted: passwords, usernames, web addresses, credit cards, note contents and metadata; 256-bit AES-GCM vaults; only the user can decrypt, Proton cannot |
| Custom domains | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Avira (Gen Digital) | Proton Pass | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $4.99below the median | $6.50 |
Median across 26 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
Proton Pass
Pros
- The listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, plus unlimited devices.
- The provider lists 10 hide-my-email aliases and passkey support.
- Apps are listed for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Cons
- Vault contents cannot be unlocked by the company, so a lost route to the account leaves no fallback
- Built around a single account holder, so unlocking the vault depends on that person's own care
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
Proton Pass
Who it suits
- People who want a password manager with listed apps across desktop and mobile platforms and passkey support.
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want a password manager that the provider can unlock for them
- Anyone wanting a tool limited to one type of device
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
Proton Pass
Current offer
Discount code
40% off Pass Plus: 40% off
Offer link points to the yearly-billing Pass Plus signup; discount applied at signup
Source, checked September 26, 2026
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.
Proton Pass
Which platforms are listed for Proton Pass apps?+
The provider lists Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Can outside experts check how the software works?+
The code behind the software is publicly available, so people outside the company can review it. This openness is part of its approach to transparency. Anyone who wants to understand how vault contents are protected can look at the encryption design, since only the account holder can read stored items.
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