Avira Prime
Finding additional security features for Windows users can be a mammoth task, altering the settings even more. For those who do not regard ourselves as technologically inclined, the less time spent getting a security suite up and running, the better.
There has always been a fine line that antivirus vendors have trod when developing products, with one side being too simple and the other being too complex. Avira Prime has approached the problem differently by focusing on the less tech-savvy user base and providing a product in which they can be confident.
While the user experience has been paired down and simplified, additional features provided by the product are surprisingly deep. This is done while still providing strong threat protection.
Works with: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license. 30 day free trial available.
Licenses and Costs
If you are looking to buy just one license for Avira, you are out of luck. When buying directly from Avira, you have two options: either you buy five licenses or 25 licenses. There is no flexibility in terms of licenses. Avira Prime can be installed on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, so it is foreseeable that users will have five devices needing protection. However, more flexibility regarding licenses would be nice.
Now, the five-license package costs 60 USD for the first year. Thereafter, you will look to pay 105 USD at the time of writing. The 25-license plan comes in at 130 USD a year. The pricing is still competitive, but just to reiterate, some licensing flexibility would be nice.
It is also important to note that unlike with more popular antivirus suites, you can’t buy Avira Prime subscription codes at a discount from popular third-party retailers. This has the upside of letting the potential client know the cost without the nagging feeling that you could have gotten a deal elsewhere.
Independent Lab Results
Of the three labs this publication follows, Avira was tested by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. In summary, the score results are good, meaning that Prime can be recommended for threat protection alone.
When looking at AV-TEST, the lab carries out three tests on home consumer products: Protection, Performance, and Usability. Each is scored a maximum out of six; the closer to six, the better. In the lab’s latest round of tests, Avira scored full marks in each category and was awarded the Top Product Award.
Meanwhile AV-Comparatives test scores are a little murkier but nothing to be overly concerned about. This lab conducts a whole host of tests, but the three most relevant to home consumers are the Real World Protection Test, Malware Protection Test, and Performance Test.
In the Real World Protection Test, Avira scored the lab’s Advanced+ rating, which was the highest. In the remaining two tests, the lab scored an Advanced rating, the second highest awarded by the lab. Avira has scored the highest award possible on several occasions in the past. While these scores are good, Avira consistently performs well in an ever-changing threat landscape.
Installation and User Experience
Once downloaded and installed, Prime is just as easy as any modern application. Prime prompts the user to begin a scan. You can be reminded to do this later, but it is strongly recommended that you perform a scan when the application starts.
Once the recommended scan is complete, the user will be presented with an easy-to-navigate interface. The default coloring is a dark gray background with easy-to-read icons displaying the relevant status of each monitored system, using green, yellow, and red denotations if anything needs to be seen.
Like many other antivirus programs, the layout is split between a left navigation bar and a main panel. As to ease of use, which is undoubtedly one of Prime’s strongest positives, Avira’s take on this standard feels cleaner and more modern due in large part to the simplicity of its features and settings.
Standout Features
Prime includes core functionality, such as malware protection and web and network protection modules. The anti-malware engine scans continuously for real-time threats, including ransomware, malicious websites, and malicious downloads. Meanwhile, the firewall blocks potential network intrusions and suspicious app traffic.
In Prime, in particular, the package includes an unlimited VPN, which other companies often offer only in their flagship offering and not the mid-tier one. Further, Prime includes a Password Manager and a dark web monitor to help protect the user’s identity.
Avira Password Manager Pro
When using the password manager, you’ll be asked to log in to your Avira account. This is to set up your master password. You absolutely cannot forget this primary password; if you do, you won’t be able to recover your account.
The browser extension quickly detects when sensitive information needs to be inputted by the user. The extension will also check sites like Have I Been Pwned’s data breach database for any of your login info so that you can be alerted and quickly change login credentials.
One drawback of the password manager is its limited multifactor authentication, which is limited to SMS codes. You can’t set a passcode to make access to the vault faster and easier. This is a drawback for potential power users wanting the most secure options. Still, the provided password manager is suitable for a large portion of Avira’s target market.
Avira Secure Browser
For very sensitive tasks, like online banking or purchasing an item using your credit card online, you might want to have a more secure browser installed. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge require some time and settings diving to be sure they are as secure as possible. The other option is to get a secure browser from the outset. Avira’s Secure Browser is such a tool.
The preconfigured settings make Avira’s search engine the default and automatically add an extension that blocks trackers and advertisements. It is a more customized version of Chrome and a great option for those who do not want to spend time configuring the security settings of their preferred browser. One obvious admission is that the extension for the password manager is not preinstalled by the secure browser, but you can rectify this by downloading the extension yourself.
Unlimited VPN
Accessing the VPN through the Avira app is a little less convenient than other antivirus suites. To get started, navigate to Privacy, then the VPN subsection. This could be improved, seeing how the company has spent a lot of effort on the user experience. Accessing the VPN seems like an afterthought.
Once you have navigated to the VPN section, you can start the VPN with basic settings or open the Avira Phantom VPN Pro companion app by clicking on the Advanced Settings link. The Avira Phantom VPN Pro app is the only way to adjust those advanced settings.
You can activate automatic internet shut-off when the VPN connection drops, auto-connect when on Wi-Fi, launch at Windows startup, and the blocking of malicious sites and content. None of these settings are on by default, but something some users might find essential. For servers, you get a choice of 35 countries, with three English-language countries offering specific cities for selection.
Summing Up
Avira Prime offers excellent threat protection and a host of handy features. While there are some gripes with those features, they are certainly not dealbreakers. This can also be said for the lack of flexibility when purchasing licenses.
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