Comparison

Desktop Browser vs Avast Secure Browser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Desktop Browser

Access full desktop versions of websites on your mobile device, overcoming content limitations and enhancing productivity. Enjoy a customizable browsing experience with tabbed browsing and bookmarks, seamlessly integrated with other apps.

Highlights
  • View desktop website versions
  • Tabbed browsing
  • Bookmarks
  • Customizable settings
  • Seamless app integration
  • Enhanced productivity
Features
Read full description

Desktop Browser displays the mobile or the desktop version of a website. In their mobile version some websites hide content, display different content or event present a payable content to the user. Desktop Browser let you surf the web the way you want. Desktop Experience on Mobile: With Desktop Browser, say goodbye to limitations. Enjoy the full desktop browsing experience on your iPhone, complete with tabbed browsing and bookmarks. Whether you're researching, shopping, or simply browsing the web, you'll have all the features you need at your fingertips. Enhanced Productivity: Boost your productivity with the ability to access desktop versions of websites on your iPhone. No more struggling with mobile-optimized layouts that lack functionality. With Desktop Browser, you can work more efficiently, seamlessly switching between tabs and accessing all the tools and features you need to get things done. Customization Options: Tailor your browsing experience to suit your preferences. Desktop Browser offers customizable settings, allowing you to adjust everything from font sizes to default search engines. Make your browsing experience truly your own with personalized options that enhance usability and convenience. Seamless Integration: Desktop Browser seamlessly integrates with other apps and services on your iPhone. Whether you're sharing links with friends, saving articles for later, or accessing web-based resources within other apps, Desktop Browser ensures a smooth and cohesive user experience. Continuous Updates and Support: Rest assured that you're always getting the best experience possible. Desktop Browser is regularly updated with new features, performance enhancements, and security patches to ensure optimal performance. Plus, our dedicated support team is always available to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter. Experience the future of mobile browsing with Desktop Browser. Download the app today and unlock a world of possibilities right from your iPhone. --- Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Avast Secure Browser

This browser prioritizes your online privacy and security with built-in VPN, ad-blocking, and data encryption. It protects you from trackers and ISPs, ensuring your browsing is truly private and secure. Enjoy faster browsing without ads and sync your encrypted data across devices.

Highlights
  • Built-in VPN
  • Ad blocker
  • Data encryption
  • Automatic privacy protection
  • Faster browsing
  • Cross-platform sync
Read full description

Over 400 million users trust Avast! Avast Secure Browser is a next generation browser that is designed from the ground up for unparalleled privacy and security with built-in VPN, ad-blocker, and complete data encryption. Did you know other "private browsers" do not actually make you invisible? For real privacy and security, you need built-in VPN and total data encryption. Avast Secure Browser has all the browsing tools you love plus all the privacy tools you need for secure browsing that’s actually private. Download the best encrypted private browser for iOS today! BROWSER FEATURES Automatic Privacy: Avast Secure Browser keeps you hidden from the prying eyes of hackers, trackers, and ISPs. Browse securely with powerful privacy tools such as built-in VPN, ad blocker and full data encryption. Browse Faster Without Ads: Avast Secure Browser automatically blocks ads and trackers that slow you down. Powerful Encryption: Your browsing data is protected and private. This is incognito mode that is actually incognito and convenient. That means your bookmarks, IP address and browsing history are all encrypted and kept private and secure. Built-In VPN: Secure your mobile device and unblock the internet with fast VPN protection. Secure Cross Platform Sync: Sync your encrypted bookmarks and browser history with Avast Secure Browser.

Screenshots

Desktop Browser4 screens
Avast Secure Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Avast Secure Browser at none against Desktop Browser's shown. Avast Secure Browser also leads on review sentiment (79% vs 52%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Desktop Browser's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and ratings volume (16K vs 2.1K). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Desktop Browser sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days and Avast Secure Browser sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Avast Secure Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Desktop Browser has 16K ratings behind it against 2.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Desktop Browser's written reviews are positive against 79% of Avast Secure Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Desktop Browser ships an update fortnightly, Avast Secure Browser every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Desktop Browser versus Avast Secure Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesktop BrowserAvast Secure Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (16K ratings)4.7 (2.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews79.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16K — better2.1K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB110 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSpicy AppsAVAST Software s.r.o

Customer experience

Desktop Browser

All ratings16,020 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral3.3%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews667 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral3.4%
Negative44.4%

Avast Secure Browser

All ratings2,065 ratings
Positive91.6%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews498 reviews
Positive79.1%
Neutral7.0%
Negative13.9%

User reviews

Desktop Browser

From 16K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Useful for desktop browsing on mobile
  • 🚀 Reliable in forcing desktop mode
  • 💡 Helpful for accessing desktop-only features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance on some websites
  • 💸 Aggressive monetization with ads and in-app purchases
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface with too many toolbars

Avast Secure Browser

From 2.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🚀 Quick and responsive
  • 👍 Excellent protection

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 💰 Paywall for premium features
  • 🔋 Can slow down device performance
  • 🔍 Limited customization options
  • 🤖 Aggressive ad/upsell tactics

Bugs and requests

Desktop Browser

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when trying to upload images
  • Reloads pages unexpectedly when interacting with text fields
  • Fails to properly display desktop versions of certain websites

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add PDF export/download functionality
  • Improve tab management and background browsing
  • Provide more customization options

Avast Secure Browser

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sync issues between mobile and desktop
  • Compatibility problems with certain websites
  • VPN disconnects unexpectedly
  • Ad blocker not working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved tab management
  • Sync bookmarks/history across devices
  • More granular privacy controls
  • Better integration with other Avast products

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Desktop Browser

Subscriptions3
  • weekly3 Days trial$1.497 Days
  • monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • yearly3 Days trial$7.491 Year
One-time3
  • remove ads$1.99
  • browse plus$1.99
  • all features pack$2.99
6 purchases

Avast Secure Browser

Subscriptions6
  • Avast Pro 1 Month7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Avast Pro 1 Month7 Days trial5 variants$7.491 Month
  • Avast Pro 1 Month7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Avast Pro 12 Months7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Avast Pro 12 Months$29.991 Year
  • Avast Pro 12 Months7 Days trial2 variants$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Desktop Browser free?
Desktop Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Avast Secure Browser free?
Avast Secure Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Desktop Browser or Avast Secure Browser?
Avast Secure Browser is rated higher. Desktop Browser averages 4.4 out of 5 from 16K ratings, while Avast Secure Browser averages 4.7 from 2.1K ratings.
Do Desktop Browser or Avast Secure Browser have ads?
Desktop Browser shows ads; Avast Secure Browser does not.
Which is updated more often, Desktop Browser or Avast Secure Browser?
Desktop Browser ships an update fortnightly, and Avast Secure Browser every 5 weeks. Most recently, Desktop Browser was updated on October 14, 2026 and Avast Secure Browser on October 14, 2026.

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