Avast VPN review: Pros and cons in 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Published 7:41 a.m. UTC June 27, 2024
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Avast SecureLine VPN
Pros
- Pricing as low as $4.59 per month when billed annually.
- 700 servers in 34 countries.
- No activity logging.
Cons
- No built-in ad-blocking.
- No third-party audits.
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Avast SecureLine VPN is a virtual private network (VPN) product from Avast, a company known for its free antivirus software. The VPN enables users to establish a private connection to the internet, improving security and privacy when using public WiFi or even home internet. Here’s a closer look at how Avast VPN works so you can decide whether it’s a good option for your online privacy needs.
Featured VPN service offers
NordVPN
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Surfshark
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$15.45
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
Avast VPN overview
Avast VPN is a computer and smartphone application that enables users to set up a private connection to the internet. VPNs are commonly used to enhance privacy and security when using public internet, such as at coffee shops and hotels. They’re also helpful for unblocking international content from streaming services, such as when watching a show only available in another country.
You can download and try Avast VPN for free, and free trials are available for up to 60 days before paying. You can download versions for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices, and it also works with Android TV. There’s also a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox.
Avast VPN pros and cons
Avast VPN is a reasonable choice for many people, but it’s not perfect for everyone. Here’s a look at the major pros and cons of Avast VPN.
Pros
- Pricing as low as $4.39 per month: While you can find cheaper deals elsewhere, Avast VPN offers competitive pricing. When paid annually, it costs $4.59 per month. Paying for two or three years upfront costs $4.39 per month.
- 700 servers in 34 countries: With a presence in 34 countries, you can change your IP address in a few clicks. The 700 servers offer users plenty of options for a speedy connection. Avast says top download speeds can reach up to 2 gigabits per second with no throttling or data limits.
- No activity logging: Avast is a no-log VPN based in the Czech Republic, a country with strong privacy laws that’s not a part of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance (those with intelligence data-sharing agreements).
Cons
- No built-in ad blocking: Some VPNs offer built-in ad blocking and filtering for malicious websites and software. Avast doesn’t stop trackers, ads or malicious software. You’d need the Avast antivirus software in addition to the VPN for device safety and security.
- No third-party audits: Avast doesn’t publish any third-party audits. You have to trust Avast is providing the product as described. However, Avast has a history of collecting and selling user browsing data, which is a significant concern. When you install the app, there’s a setting turned on by default to show offers for other Avast products, which may be based on your app and device usage information.
Avast VPN pricing and value
| SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD | MONTH-TO-MONTH | ONE YEAR | TWO YEARS | THREE YEARS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price
| $10.99 per month
| $4.59 per month
| $4.39 per month
| $4.39 per month
|
Avast VPN allows all users to use all features. You can access all servers and locations with the top available speeds with any plan. You can also connect up to 10 devices at a time. If you sign up for a three-year plan, that can give you the best rate per month, however, it might not be viable for many small businesses to commit to one service for that long.
If you want to just use Avast VPN month-to-month, you will be paying $10.99 per month. If you are comfortable with committing to one year, then the price would be $4.59 per month, but you will be billed annually.
Features and add-ons
Avast VPN is a simple product without add-on features. For example, there’s no dedicated IP address option. However, core VPN tools are available, including automatic connections on unknown networks and a kill switch that shuts down your internet connection if the VPN disconnects.
Servers
Avast VPN features over 700 servers worldwide. You can choose your preferred location in the app or use the default optimal location setting. Several servers in Germany, the U.K. and the U.S. are designated for streaming, and you can tap into servers in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Netherlands, the U.K. and the U.S. for torrenting.
In all, you can connect to servers in over 30 countries. Six countries even come with options to connect to servers in specific cities.
Speed
Avast advertises speeds up to two gigabits per second, which is extremely fast and faster than most people’s home internet connection. Your connection speed will likely be slower based on several factors. For instance, your distance from the server, current server congestion and internet speed all influence your actual speed when using Avast VPN.
Devices
Avast VPN works on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Android TV devices. There’s also a browser plugin for Chrome and Firefox. Notably, there’s no support for Linux or router-level VPN usage. You can use up to 10 devices with an Avast VPN subscription. That should cover most household needs, including computers and smartphones.
Mobile app
The Avast SecureLine VPN app for Android and iOS brings the same privacy and security features to your smartphone or tablet. It’s easy to install and set up through both the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Avast VPN vs. top competitors
| FREE TRIAL | MONTHLY PLAN PRICE | ANNUAL PLAN PRICE | LOWEST MONTHLY COST | NUMBER OF SERVERS | NUMBER OF COUNTRIES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Avast VPN
| Yes
| $10.99
| $4.59 per month
| $4.39 per month
| 700 | 34 |
NordVPN
| Yes
| $12.99
| Varies
| Varies
| 6,105
| 61 |
Surfshark
| Yes
| $15.45
| $2.79per month
| $2.19per month
| 3,200
| 100 |
Proton VPN
| 30-day money-back guarantee
| $9.99
| $4.99 per month
| $4.49 per month
| 3,000
| 70 |
If you’re shopping around for the best VPN, you may come across many competitors. Here’s a look at Avast VPN compared to several top alternatives.
Avast VPN vs. NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the biggest VPN providers worldwide, with over 6,000 servers in 61 countries. One-month subscriptions cost $12.99, and plans go down significantly when you pay for two years in advance. A caution: Nord pricing is variable based on your location, and we found discrepancies of up to $0.50 among annual and multi-year plans.
NordVPN once fell victim to a hack when one of its servers was breached, a big negative mark in its history. Otherwise, it’s a fast and trusted VPN company worth considering, particularly if you want access to the broadest number of servers.
Avast VPN vs. Surfshark
Surfshark offers one of the best deals in the VPN industry, with two-year plans costing just $2.19 per month. It also features one of the most well-distributed VPN networks, with 100 countries supported.
Surfshark works with many types of devices, offering an unlimited number of connections. It works with Chrome, Firefox, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, FireTV, Edge and compatible routers.
Avast VPN vs. Proton VPN
ProtonVPN is available as a standalone product or as part of Proton’s privacy-centric Proton Unlimited plan, which includes Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive and Proton Pass. Proton VPN costs $4.49 per month when you sign up for two years, or you can get the full suite for $4.99 per month with a one-year plan. Its monthly plan costs $9.99 per month. Proton VPN also offers a free forever version, with support for one device and more limited features.
The features are competitive, with a slightly higher cost and a smaller server network than some lower-priced competitors. It’s only a standout offering when you want the complete Proton Unlimited plan or can settle with the free version.
Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best VPN services of 2024.
Expert score (10%): Our expert score is an editorial opinion that takes into equal account the VPN software’s features and functionality, value for money, experiences with its customer support team and its general reputation online and sentiments among its customers. It’s a more subjective and human view, rather than being based principally on data, intended to help businesses and users understand what it’s like to use the service.
Pricing (32%): Our assessment of a service’s pricing looks into whether there is a free trial or version available that allows users to test the service before committing (7%), as well as the total cost of its lowest (15%) and highest (10%) pricing tiers. We assess the value it offers as a product itself, as well as how it compares to other services.
Features (24%): When we look at a VPN service’s features, we take into account its general capabilities (13%), such as anonymous browsing, dedicated IPs and kill switches. We also assess additional functionality and features (11%), including its no-logs policy, the number of simultaneous connections allowed and its distribution of servers.
Speeds (8%): We assess average download and upload speeds through rigorous testing, as this is a central factor in how the software performs when it comes to day-to-day activities like web browsing, streaming and gaming.
Service and support (8%): When looking at a provider’s customer support options, we factor in the availability of its support team (3%), as well as the methods of contact (5%). 24/7 support is the most important factor, while phone support and live chat (both 2%) are more valuable than the presence of a knowledge base (1%).
Mobile app (9%): Finally, we look at the availability of a mobile app and on which platforms you can download it (3%), as well as ratings on both app stores (each 3%). This helps with understanding how functional the VPN service is on the go, which is crucial for mobile businesses and travelers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Avast VPN is a safe virtual private network product from a large IT security provider. To maximize your safety with Avast VPN, using antivirus, firewall and privacy software is a good idea. If you like Avast, it offers software for these and additional privacy needs.
Avast doesn’t keep logs of user activity. It doesn’t store IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history or file transfer history.
Avast does offer a free trial for its VPN service. You can download and test the software and use it for free for 60 days. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the VPN service.
Avast Premium doesn’t include the Avast VPN product. However, the Avast One bundle includes Avast VPN, though some limits apply to the lower-tier plans. The free version comes with limited VPN access and up to five GB of data per week. Paid Avast One plans include the complete VPN offering.
Yes, Avast VPN does allow torrenting. Torrenting is supported through six counties and eight server locations.
As with any VPN, Avast can slow down your internet speed. While it’s designed to be fast, you may notice decreased connection speeds when Avast VPN is turned on.
While it may not work perfectly for all users, Avast VPN is designed to allow you to use Netflix as if you were in another country. If you’re traveling internationally, you can use Avast VPN to watch shows from your home country’s listings.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
