Ready to unlock a new stream of passive income by promoting one of the most trusted names in cybersecurity? The Avast Affiliate Program offers you a golden opportunity to partner with a global leader in antivirus protection and digital security.
Whether your audience is looking for top-tier virus removal, secure VPN access, or comprehensive identity theft protection, Avast’s high-converting products mean your efforts translate directly into generous commissions.
Dive into the world of affiliate marketing with a brand that practically sells itself!
The Real Economics Nobody Talks About
Let’s do the math that most reviews skip.
At 30% commission on Avast’s most popular plan (Premium Security at $69.99/year), you earn $21 per sale. To hit $1,000 monthly income, you need 48 sales per month. That’s roughly 12 sales per week from your audience.
Sound doable?
Here’s the challenge: cybersecurity products have notoriously long purchase cycles. From our data tracking affiliate conversions, the average visitor needs 3-5 touchpoints before buying antivirus software. That 60-day cookie helps, but you’re still looking at conversion rates around 0.5-1.2% for cold traffic.
What this means for you: To generate those 48 sales monthly, you need approximately 4,000-9,600 targeted visitors hitting your affiliate content each month.
Can you drive that traffic? If yes, read on. If that number makes you nervous, the alternatives section shows programs with easier conversion paths.
Who Actually Succeeds with Avast?
Pattern we see across successful Avast affiliates: they’re not promoting antivirus software broadly—they’re solving specific cybersecurity problems.
The affiliates earning $3,000+ monthly focus on:
- Remote work security guides (massive audience post-2020)
- Comparison content (Avast vs Norton vs McAfee)
- Platform-specific guides (Mac security, Android protection)
- Problem-solution articles (ransomware protection, VPN for streaming)
Notice what’s missing? Generic “best antivirus” listicles. That space is dominated by sites with $50,000+ monthly SEO budgets.
What Is Avast? (The 30-Second Version)
Founded in 1988 in Czech Republic, Avast now protects 435 million active users worldwide. They went public in 2018 and offer antivirus, VPN, and digital security products for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
Their product line includes free and premium plans, plus specialized tools like CCleaner, cloud backup, and patch management. You’ve probably seen their name—they’re one of the “big four” in consumer antivirus alongside Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky.
Commission Structure: The Good and the Confusing
Here’s where Avast gets complicated. They don’t have one commission rate—they have four different structures depending on how you promote:
Browser/toolbar extensions: Fixed 5% commission
- These convert fast but pay almost nothing
- Only worth promoting if you have massive traffic volume
Content sites: Fixed 30% commission
- This is what most affiliates qualify for
- Applies to all Avast products (antivirus, VPN, utilities)
Standard tiered: 15-30% based on revenue
- Higher volume = higher percentage
- Need consistent sales to climb tiers
New affiliate bonus: 35% for first month
- Great for testing the program
- Drops to tiered rate after 30 days
Cookie duration: 60 days Payment schedule: Monthly Payment methods: Payoneer, check, or direct deposit Minimum payout: $100 for checks, $50 for direct deposit
That minimum threshold matters more than you think. At $21 per sale (30% of $69.99), you need 3 sales to reach the $50 minimum. Miss that in a month? Your earnings roll over, but you’re essentially lending Avast your money interest-free.
What You Get (Beyond Commissions)
Joining through the CJ Affiliate Network gives you access to:
Marketing assets:
- Banner ads (multiple sizes)
- Text links
- Promotional graphics
- Email templates
Exclusive promotions:
- Seasonal discount campaigns
- Product launch bonuses
- Limited-time offers
Tracking dashboard:
- Real-time click tracking
- Conversion analytics
- Commission reports
The creative assets are actually useful—unlike some programs that give you three generic banners from 2015. Avast updates promotional materials regularly, especially around Black Friday and back-to-school seasons.
The Honest Pros and Cons
What works in your favor:
Brand recognition is massive. Avast ranks in the top 3 for brand awareness in cybersecurity. Your audience has heard of them, which dramatically shortens the trust-building phase.
30% commission beats most competitors. Norton typically pays 20-25%, McAfee around 20%, Kaspersky 20-25%. That extra 5-10% compounds quickly at volume.
60-day cookie is generous. Most antivirus programs offer 30-45 days. The extended window captures buyers who comparison shop for weeks.
Multiple product options increase conversions. When promoting Avast, you’re not limited to antivirus. Their VPN, cleanup tools, and password manager give you multiple ways to monetize the same visitor.
What works against you:
Competition is brutal. You’re competing against massive review sites with seven-figure budgets, established YouTube channels, and aggressive SEO campaigns.
Long purchase cycles test patience. Security software isn’t an impulse buy. Expect 30-60 days from first click to conversion, even with the cookie duration supporting you.
Minimum thresholds delay earnings. That $50-$100 minimum means new affiliates often wait 2-3 months before seeing their first payment.
Free version cannibalizes sales. Avast’s generous free tier means some visitors you send convert to free users instead of paid customers—earning you nothing.
How to Join: 6-Step Process
Joining Avast requires going through CJ Affiliate Network. Here’s the walkthrough:
Step 1: Visit the Avast affiliate signup page and click “Join Now”
Step 2: Create your CJ Affiliate account
- Enter your email and click “Verify email”
- Check inbox for confirmation
- Complete your publisher profile
Step 3: Search for Avast in the CJ dashboard
- Type “Avast” in program search
- Click “Apply to Program”
Step 4: Submit your application
- Describe your promotional methods
- Include your website/social media links
- Be specific about your traffic sources
Step 5: Wait for approval (typically 1-2 weeks)
- Avast reviews all applications manually
- They look for established platforms with relevant audiences
Step 6: Access your dashboard and grab your links
- Get your unique affiliate URLs
- Download creative assets
- Start promoting
Pro tip: Your application approval chances jump significantly if you already have published content about cybersecurity, antivirus software, or digital privacy. Create 2-3 relevant articles before applying.
Promotion Strategies That Actually Convert
Forget the generic advice about “creating valuable content.” Here are specific tactics that drive Avast sales:
Comparison content dominates conversions. Articles like “Avast vs Norton: Which Protects Better in 2025?” convert 2-3x higher than standalone reviews. Why? Because visitors searching comparisons are in buying mode.
Problem-solution articles capture buyers. Target searches like “how to remove ransomware” or “is my Mac protected from viruses?” These visitors have immediate pain points and convert faster than browsers.
Video demonstrations build trust. Screen recordings showing Avast detecting threats or explaining features generate strong conversions. You’re giving visual proof the software works.
Seasonal promotions create urgency. Avast runs aggressive Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school campaigns. Promote during these windows when commissions often increase 5-10%.
Email sequences nurture long purchase cycles. Since conversions take 30-60 days, build an email list and send a sequence educating about cybersecurity threats. Include Avast links in emails 3, 5, and 7.
Platform-specific content reduces competition. Instead of broad “best antivirus” content, target “best antivirus for Mac M2 chip” or “Android security for Samsung Galaxy.” Less competition, more targeted buyers.
Is Avast Worth Your Time?
Here’s the honest assessment based on what we see working (and not working) in the cybersecurity affiliate space.
Join Avast if you have:
- Existing traffic of 2,000+ monthly visitors in tech/security niches
- Patience for 60-90 day conversion cycles
- Ability to create comparison and problem-solution content
- Budget for paid traffic or strong SEO skills
Skip Avast if you have:
- Brand new website with <500 monthly visitors
- Audience that’s not tech-focused
- Expectation of quick earnings (first payment typically takes 60-90 days)
- Better opportunities in affiliate programs with shorter purchase cycles
The program works, but it demands volume and patience. That 30% commission looks great on paper, but the competitive landscape and long purchase cycles mean you need serious traffic or highly targeted audiences to generate meaningful income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should join the Avast Affiliate program?
Tech bloggers, cybersecurity educators, YouTube creators covering digital privacy, and publishers with audiences concerned about online security. If your content naturally discusses antivirus, VPNs, or malware protection, Avast fits.
Is the Avast Affiliate program free to join?
Yes, zero cost to join. However, you need a CJ Affiliate Network account, which is also free but requires approval.
Are there minimum requirements to become an Avast affiliate?
Avast doesn’t publish specific traffic requirements, but applications undergo manual review. Having an established website or social media presence with relevant content significantly improves approval chances.
Can the Avast program be combined with other affiliate programs?
Absolutely. Most successful Avast affiliates also promote complementary programs like VPN services, password managers, cloud storage, and other security tools. Just avoid promoting direct competitors (Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky) on the same page.
Top 5 Avast Alternatives Worth Considering
If Avast’s competitive landscape or long purchase cycles concern you, these alternatives offer different advantages:
Norton (Symantec) Affiliate Program
Norton pays 20-40% commission with 45-60 day cookies. Brand recognition rivals Avast, and their broader product line (antivirus + VPN + identity protection) gives multiple ways to monetize visitors.
Best for: Affiliates wanting similar earning potential with even stronger brand trust. Norton’s identity theft protection angle provides unique promotional angles.
ESET Affiliate Program
ESET (makers of NOD32 and Smart Security) offers 20-30% commission with 45-day cookies. They’re highly respected among tech-savvy users and accept global affiliates.
Best for: Targeting technically sophisticated audiences who research deeply before buying. ESET users are loyal and have higher lifetime value.
Kaspersky Affiliate Program
Kaspersky typically pays 20% commission with tiered rates for high-volume affiliates. They run geo-specific campaigns that help optimize by market.
Best for: International affiliates. Kaspersky’s strong presence in Europe and Asia means better conversion rates outside English-speaking markets.
360 Total Security Affiliate Program
360 Total Security offers 30% commission with up to 90-day cookies in some markets. Their freemium model converts casual users more easily.
Best for: Affiliates with high-volume, less tech-savvy audiences. The free-to-paid upgrade path has lower friction than traditional “buy now” antivirus models.
VIPRE Antivirus Affiliate Program
VIPRE pays 40% commission (highest on this list) with 45-day cookies. Smaller brand means less competition but requires more trust-building in your content.
Best for: Affiliates who can create comprehensive reviews and demonstrations. The higher commission and lower competition can offset the brand recognition gap if you put in the content work.
