What the Avast and AVG Merger Means for Antivirus Users

avast avg merger

What the Avast and AVG Merger Means for Antivirus Users

avast avg merger

In 2016, there was big news in the antivirus world: two leading providers of free antivirus software, Avast and AVG,  announced that they entered into a purchase agreement (which was finalized in the fall of 2016). Avast paid $1.4 billion to AVG’s shareholders for all shares. AVG’s board recommended shareholders accept (making it all-in-all an amicable transaction).

Avast and AVG have a lot in common; both companies were early innovators into the antivirus world, both were founded in the Czech Republic, and they both provide quality antivirus software for free. Avast’s friendly acquisition of AVG comes as no real surprise. The major difference between the two companies at the time of merging was that Avast was a private company while AVG was public and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Both Avast and AVG are good companies. All in all, Avast has been a better company, and though AVG has been stable over the years, they’ll benefit from Avast.

Both products have improved with their merged development teams (and detection engine) and continue to provide great products that are both low-cost and solid performers.


JHAbout the Author – Jason Hand loves making music, serving his church and getting people excited about technology tools. He currently lives in Georgia with wife and two adopted sons.  Jason is the Systems Administrator at Rocket IT.

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