Safety
Aura

Aura

9.15
Very Good
Our verdict:
Best-in-class identity theft protection with solid device security. Ideal for privacy-conscious users.

Overview

Aura was launched as a premium all-in-one security platform, aiming to simplify digital protection by merging multiple services into one. It is designed for consumers and families who not only want to keep their devices malware-free, but also need peace of mind against identity theft and financial scams. Aura’s tagline is “Smart, simple online safety” and it emphasizes ease-of-use despite its broad feature set. Plans start around $10 per month for individuals (with higher tiers for couples or families), reflecting that it’s not a basic antivirus but a comprehensive service. Aura’s approach resonates with users looking to replace a patchwork of solutions (antivirus, credit monitoring, VPN, etc.) with one unified app. The company highlights its use of AI and intelligent monitoring to proactively protect against emerging threats, from data breaches to phishing websites. In short, Aura’s general philosophy is to cover “everything you need in one” for online safety, making it a top-notch all-around protection service for those willing to invest in holistic security.

Features & Capabilities

Aura’s feature list is long, covering both traditional cybersecurity and personal identity protection:

  • Robust Antivirus Engine: Aura provides real-time antivirus and anti-malware protection on PC, Mac, and Android devices. It automatically scans new files and downloads, quarantines threats, and can eliminate a wide range of malware including ransomware, trojans, worms, rootkits, and more. In real-time usage, Aura quietly scans in the background without noticeable slowdown. (Notably, antivirus functionality is not offered on iOS due to platform restrictions, but Aura’s other features still protect iOS users via the app/browser extension.)
  • Safe Browsing & Phishing Protection: Aura’s Safe Browsing feature uses AI-driven filters to block dangerous or fake websites automatically. If you accidentally click a phishing link or visit a known scam site, Aura will intercept the connection and display a warning page, preventing you from entering any credentials. This protects against phishing attacks, malicious downloads, and even “smishing” or fraudulent text message links. Aura’s web protection extends to browser extensions as well – for example, on desktop it offers a browser plugin to ensure consistent blocking across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
  • Identity Theft Monitoring: A major differentiator for Aura is its identity and credit protection. It monitors personal data like your Social Security number, bank accounts, credit cards, and even home titles for signs of fraud. Aura watches the Dark Web and data breach databases; if your information is found leaked, you get an instant alert. It also provides triple-bureau credit monitoring (watching Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and can lock your Experian credit file with one tap to prevent unauthorized loans. These are features typically not found in standard antiviruses.
  • Secure VPN: Every Aura plan includes an unlimited VPN (Virtual Private Network) for online privacy. The VPN encrypts your internet connection to protect against eavesdropping, which is especially useful on public Wi-Fi. With servers in 100+ locations, Aura’s VPN also lets you mask your IP address. This integration means users don’t need a separate VPN subscription – it’s bundled, adding to Aura’s value as an all-in-one suite.
  • Password Manager: Aura’s suite comes with a built-in password manager that securely stores passwords and can generate strong credentials for you. The manager integrates with your browsers/devices to auto-fill logins, and Aura will alert you if any saved password is found in a breach or is deemed weak. This helps fortify another common vulnerability (reused or weak passwords) as part of Aura’s layered security.
  • Parental Controls & Online Safety Tools: In its Family plans, Aura includes parental control software (in partnership with Circle). Parents can filter inappropriate websites, track kids’ online activity, and manage screen time to ensure children have a safer internet experience. Aura also provides a “Protection Score” dashboard that gamifies your security status, suggesting steps to improve (like enabling 2FA or installing device safeguards).
  • Insurance and Fraud Remediation: Uniquely, Aura backs its identity protection with a $1 million identity theft insurance per adult user. If you suffer losses due to identity fraud on their watch, this insurance can cover costs like stolen funds, legal fees, or lost wages. Aura also offers 24/7 U.S.-based support and hands-on fraud resolution specialists to help victims recover their identity. This level of service is far beyond a typical antivirus software guarantee.
  • Additional Notables: Other capabilities include email alias masking to reduce spam, data broker removal (Aura will request deletion of your info from people-search sites), and an in-app Wallet for monitoring all your financial accounts in one place. Aura even monitors your social media accounts for account takeover or inappropriate content (important for family safety). These extras position Aura as a broad digital life security solution rather than just virus protection.

Overall, Aura’s features cover virtually every aspect of digital security, from device malware protection to personal data privacy. Independent evaluations note that Aura provides “all-around protection” with a handful of unique features that many competitors lack.

Free vs. Paid Versions

Aura does not offer a permanently free version of its suite – it is a premium service, though it does provide a free trial. New users can get a 14-day free trial of Aura to test all features risk-free. During the trial, you have full access to the identity monitoring, VPN, antivirus, etc. After 14 days, a subscription is required to continue protection. There is no “basic free antivirus” tier beyond this trial; Aura’s philosophy is that comprehensive protection is worth paying for (and indeed, the service is quite feature-rich).

In terms of paid plans, Aura’s pricing is subscription-based and comes in tiers mainly differentiated by the number of users/devices and some added services:

  • Individual Plan: Covers 1 adult (all their devices) – includes all core features (AV, VPN, ID protection). Starts around $10/month (billed annually) for one person.
  • Couple/Family Plans: Aura offers plans for 2 adults or family (up to 5) for a higher fee. Family plans include parental controls and let you add children’s identities for monitoring. Each adult gets their own identity theft insurance and logins.
  • All paid plans include the $1M insurance, 24/7 support, and 60-day money-back guarantee (for annual subscribers). Notably, Aura doesn’t have “lite” versions – as one review puts it, “there aren’t any real tiers of service, meaning you can’t purchase a lighter version for less money”. The cheapest option is the Kids plan at $10/month, but that is limited to child monitoring and requires an adult plan in tandem. Essentially, Aura is an all-inclusive package, and you choose how many people to cover rather than which features.
  • Discounts & Trials: Aura frequently runs promotions (the example above is a free trial, sometimes they offer a couple months free or discount for the first year). There’s also a 60-day refund window on annual plans, giving some peace of mind when subscribing.

In summary, Aura is a premium product with no free tier (aside from the trial). Its value shines when you actually need all the layers of protection it offers. Users solely seeking a free basic antivirus might find Aura beyond their needs, but those who want one subscription for security + identity protection will find the paid plans comprehensive. Keep in mind that there is no limited-function free Aura app – after the trial, one must upgrade or lose protection.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • All-in-One Protection: Aura provides all-around protection for identity, personal data, credit, and devices in one intuitive service. It’s a one-stop solution (ID monitoring, VPN, antivirus, etc.), which is convenient and cost-effective for comprehensive needs.
  • Identity & Financial Safeguards: Aura’s identity theft safeguards are top-tier, including $1M insurance, triple credit bureau monitoring, and proactive fraud alerts. This goes far beyond what normal antiviruses offer.
  • Feature-Rich with Extras: Subscribers get useful extras like data broker removal and spam list opt-outs, a password manager, parental controls in family plans, and more. These unique features simplify staying safe (for instance, Aura will actively help clean your digital footprint).
  • 24/7 Support and Guidance: Customer support is available 24/7 via phone or live chat, and Aura can even assign a personal case manager in the event of identity theft. Few competitors offer such hands-on support for security issues.
  • Multi-Device & Family Coverage: One account can cover multiple devices across different OSes (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS) and even multiple family members. This flexibility makes it great for families with many devices.

Cons:

  • No Budget/Free Option: Aura lacks a cheap or free entry-level tier. You must pay for the full suite – the minimum cost is about $10/month (kids-only plan) or more for adults. Users who only want basic antivirus may find Aura’s packages more expensive than single-purpose products.
  • Complex to Navigate Initially: Because Aura offers so many features (antivirus, VPN, credit tools, etc., often via separate apps or modules), managing it can feel complicated. Some users might be overwhelmed learning the interface and ensuring all components (browser extension, mobile app, VPN app) are set up on each device.
  • Antivirus is Windows/Android Only: Aura’s antivirus and real-time malware scanning do not extend to iOS (due to Apple’s restrictions) – on iPhones, Aura mainly provides VPN and identity alerts. While not Aura’s fault, this means no virus scanning on iOS, whereas some competitors at least offer other iOS security features.
  • First Setup Takes Time: Initial onboarding can be lengthy, since Aura gathers lots of personal info for monitoring. In reviews, setting up all features (linking bank accounts, verifying identity, installing multiple apps) took some users ~30 minutes. This is a one-time effort but worth noting.
  • No Standalone Antivirus Only Mode: If someone just wants antivirus protection without the identity stuff, Aura doesn’t really sell that separately. You might end up paying for features you won’t use if you only seek malware protection.

Conclusion & Recommendations

Aura is a premium security suite that excels at protecting not just your devices, but you as a person. It’s highly recommended for individuals or families who are concerned about identity theft, financial fraud, and online scams in addition to viruses. In independent evaluations, Aura has been ranked among the best identity theft protection services because of its comprehensive approach. We found that its all-inclusive plans provide tremendous value – you’d normally need to combine an antivirus, VPN, and identity protection subscription to equal what Aura offers in one.

That said, Aura is most worth it for users who will take advantage of its broad feature set. If all you need is a simple antivirus for one PC, a cheaper solution might suffice. But if you’re the kind of user with multiple devices, who shops or banks online frequently, and wants to keep your personal and financial information on lockdown, Aura is an excellent choice. It offers peace of mind by covering multiple vulnerable areas (from credit reports to malware threats) simultaneously. The only caution is to be ready for a bit of a learning curve given how much is included, and to budget for a subscription.

In conclusion, Aura simplifies digital security for those who want everything in one place. We recommend it for families, identity theft victims or the especially privacy-conscious, and anyone looking to consolidate security tools. With its strong protections and support, Aura lets you “go online worry-free” under a very watchful eye. It’s a comprehensive and modern solution – just ensure you truly need the full gamut of features to justify the cost.