Norton LifeLock Bought Avast. What does that mean for Avast Free?

[AvastEPL]

Since Norton LifeLock Bought Avast, does that mean Avast will no longer be free anymore?

[Bluesman]

Since Norton LifeLock Bought Avast, does that mean Avast will no longer be free anymore?

We don't know any details yet. We all have to wait for more information.

[wahyushikifujin]

maybe it will be removed and will be replaced with paid all stay free but security features are reduced a lot ,

[Luukjr]

I can do without Avast anti virus products, Windows Defender seems to be a good alternative.
I would like to keep Avast Secure Browser and Clean Up.

[bob3160]

If this is a friendly merger, then this can indeed be a big boom to both companies.
Let's not forget that Microsoft, Google, and Apple have all stepped up and increased
the security they now offer their customers. If private industry wants to remain viable,
they must pool their resources to prove that using their products is the consumers best choice.
All the best to both Avast and Norton LifeLock to a quality outcome.

[loungehake]

BusinessWire reports that the combined setup of Norton LifeLock (formerly Symantec) and Avast will have 500+million users. This means that Avast users (435million) comprise more than 80% of the total number of users.  I guess that users of Avast free are a large proportion of the 435million total but I have not yet actually ascertained how many free users there are.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210810005994/en/NortonLifeLock-and-Avast-to-Merge-to-Lead-the-Transformation-of-Consumer-Cyber-Safety

The sudden uncertainty about the future of Avast makes me appreciate how fantastically good Avast really is and how trivial the issue of the 'practical jokes', as I call them, really is.  It would be a massive blow to have do without Avast.

[Pondus]

Market share.   
https://metadefender.opswat.com/reports/anti-malware-market-share?date=Latest&lang=en


Click on vendor for details, the box that pops up can be X away in top right corner

[DavidR]

Market share.   
https://metadefender.opswat.com/reports/anti-malware-market-share?date=Latest&lang=en


Click on vendor for details, the box that pops up can be X away in top right corner

Well the data/report is over a year old.

Plus

OPSWAT’s streamlined Market Share Report provides monthly updates on the market share of leading anti-malware vendors and products. This report focuses on the market share of anti-malware products versus traditional antivirus engines, as they offer protection from a greater range of threats such as PUAs, ransomware, spyware, keyloggers and botnets. For each vendor represented in this report, additional data is available on the market share of the vendor’s individual products.

I don't really think there is a traditional antivirus engine as viruses are in the minority anti-malware including viruses is closer to real life.  So I have no idea how they would split those two.

[wahyushikifujin]

So, let's wait and see what avast, norton and avira do, who have merged into one  ?
and I'm really looking forward to the firewall feature in the public release, hopefully it can be released in version 21.7

[bob3160]

This is the latest information Available:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210810005994/en/NortonLifeLock-and-Avast-to-Merge-to-Lead-the-Transformation-of-Consumer-Cyber-Safety

[loungehake]

I hope it doessn't work out like when Kraft Foods took over Cadbury's Chocolate. Lots of broken promises there. We were well and truly had.

There must likely be at least a couple of hundred million Free Avast users. That's just a stab in the dark guess. However, Avast stated 93million Free users in 2009 so 200million seems plausible.  According to PC Pro, about 3% of Avast's users pay for a premium version (10% in the US).  That being the case, we are looking at 400million Free users?

[Pondus]

That being the case, we are looking at 400million Free users?

That would be more correct, and if you google revenue avast and revenue norton you will see that Norton make lots more $$$$ then avast since evryone is paying

[bob3160]

I hope it doessn't work out like when Kraft Foods took over Cadbury's Chocolate. Lots of broken promises there. We were well and truly had.

There must likely be at least a couple of hundred million Free Avast users. That's just a stab in the dark guess. However, Avast stated 93million Free users in 2009 so 200million seems plausible.  According to PC Pro, about 3% of Avast's users pay for a premium version (10% in the US).  That being the case, we are looking at 400million Free users?

Lots of assumptions.

[Asyn]

Avast-Statement (regarding Avast Free): At Avast, free is part of our ethos. We have been offering our product free for twenty years because we believe everyone deserves the right to be free, safe, and private online. Thanks!

[NON]

I suppose 400 million is not only users of antivirus, but also browser, cleanup, vpn, and even AVG/Piriform users.