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Head-to-head · Antivirus Software

Avira Free Security vs AetherAV

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Avira Free Security #28 in Antivirus Software 6.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Avira
AetherAV #53 in Antivirus Software 4.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit AetherAV

Avira Free Security leads on 1 check, AetherAV on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAvira Free Security · 6.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAvira Free Security · 2 of 3

Avira Free Security scores higher on our rubric for antivirus software: 6.6 against 4.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #28 and #53.

On protection scope, AetherAV gives you Complete security where Avira Free Security offers Internet security. Avira Free Security offers password manager; AetherAV doesn't.

Avira Free Security is the better fit for free, multi-platform personal antivirus. AetherAV is the better fit for technical users wanting open-source protection.

  • Avira Free Security fits best

    Free, multi-platform personal antivirus

  • AetherAV fits best

    Technical users wanting open-source protection

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Avira Free Security 6.6/10 Visit ↗ AetherAV 4.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.6 4.4
Ranking #28 in Antivirus Software #53 in Antivirus Software
Best for Free, multi-platform personal antivirus Technical users wanting open-source protection
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Features Avira Free Security 2/3 · AetherAV 1/3
Ransomware protection ✓ ✓
Parental controls — —
Password manager ✓ (best) —
Specs
Protection scope Internet security Complete security
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
  • Combines real-time, ransomware, browser, and virus protection
  • Adds VPN, password management, cleanup, and update tools
  • Open-source protection with on-device AI classification
  • Detects ransomware, rootkits, fileless, and in-memory threats
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with offline operation
Cons
  • Feature availability varies by operating system
  • Parental controls are not included
  • The free package is aimed at consumers rather than broader security needs
  • Kernel-level real-time protection currently applies only to Linux
  • Windows and macOS kernel support is planned rather than available
  • The offering has one Free plan and no advertised device limit
Our verdict

Avira Free Security is a free consumer security package for protecting devices against malware and ransomware. Its coverage spans Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with features that include full virus scanning, real-time antivirus…

Read the review →

AetherAV is a free, open-source antivirus for technical users who want local processing and coverage across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its protection combines signature and hash scanning with YARA-X rules, behavioral and heuristic…

Read the review →
  1. Avira Free SecurityAntivirus Software 6.6Free plan
  2. AetherAVAntivirus Software 4.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Avira Free Security — where it wins

    • Free plan covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
    • Combines real-time, ransomware, browser, and virus protection
    • Adds VPN, password management, cleanup, and update tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Feature availability varies by operating system
    • Parental controls are not included
    • The free package is aimed at consumers rather than broader security needs

  • AetherAV — where it wins

    • Open-source protection with on-device AI classification
    • Detects ransomware, rootkits, fileless, and in-memory threats
    • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with offline operation

    Where it doesn't

    • Kernel-level real-time protection currently applies only to Linux
    • Windows and macOS kernel support is planned rather than available
    • The offering has one Free plan and no advertised device limit
  • Avira Free Security6.6/10 · Free plan

    A broad free antivirus package for personal protection across four major platforms.

    Visit AviraFull verdict →
  • AetherAV4.4/10 · Free plan

    Free, open-source antivirus with deep threat detection across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    Visit AetherAVFull verdict →

All antivirus software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update