How is AVG free?

[CapsuleCorpJX]

I don't get it, they work fairly well, but what is funding AVG if it is free?

 

[gmmastros]

There is a Non-Free version of AVG. If you are using it within a corporate/business environment, you need to pay them. There are some differences between the versions, primarily, I think, the server that is used to download the updates.

From a marketing perspective, this is awesome. People download the free version at home, use it, fall in love with it, and then buy it to use at work.

-George

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. - Fortune cookie wisdom

 

[LloydSev]

There is an AVG Free version, but there is also "AVG Personal" which is a pay version of the software.

In essence, they provide AV for the world free, but offer a slightly better product for a price. Plus as gmmastros pointed out, they also have a Corporate/Enterprise/File Server, etc.. version.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[buck2506]

gmmastros is right. My experience with AVG free is the reason that my employer is going to purchase the business version.

 

[Mike Lewis]

A similar model is used by ZoneAlarms and some other vendors. As the others have pointed out, it works.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My sites:
Visual FoxPro (www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk)
Crystal Reports (www.ml-crystal.com)

 

[LloydSev]

Especially in a market like AntiVirus where so many people NEED it.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[motorsyko]

The main difference is enhanced functionality in pay versions. The free one is single PC only and has limited functions, however scanning engine is the same!


The world is full of apathy, but I don't care.

 

[keepingbusy]

I'm thinking that AVG have a great product and want it to be recognised. Let me give you an example: Remember Giant and the free Anti Spyware program? Hasn't that been bought out by Microsoft and now offered as a beta and free to all? Will we one day see AVG's free anti-virus program under the wing of Bill Gates as Microsoft Anti-Virus Package?
I dont recall seeing any AV programs from Microsoft or am I wrong?

Lee

Visual FoxPro Versions: 6 & 9
Operating System: Windows XP

http://www.customsoftware.co.uk

 

[Mike Lewis]

Motorsyky,

The main difference is enhanced functionality in pay versions.

Actually, the main difference is in licensing. AVG Free is only available for stand-alone home users. The full version can be used by anyone.

Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My sites:
Visual FoxPro (www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk)
Crystal Reports (www.ml-crystal.com)

 

[LloydSev]

Will we one day see AVG's free anti-virus program under the wing of Bill Gates as Microsoft Anti-Virus Package?
I dont recall seeing any AV programs from Microsoft or am I wrong?

Actually MS just bought an AV company just not to long ago.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[aquias]

Look for Microsoft to continue doing things like this (purchasing GIANT and the anivirus vendor) in an effort to better their security image.

Although if they do as good a job as they've done with the GIANT product, I won't mind one bit (granted, GIANT was good to begin with but they haven't hosed it...yet)