Avast SecureLine VPN Evaluation 2024: Is It a Beneficial VPN for You?

Although Avast is recognized for its antivirus program, it also provides a virtual private network known as Avast SecureLine VPN. It comes with one of the lengthiest trial periods for a VPN service I’ve tested and an uncomplicated Windows application.

Nevertheless, it lacks top-notch security functions present in other VPNs and is hindered by Avast’s historical privacy controversies. At present, Avast SecureLine VPN can be used on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Android TV.

Avast SecureLine VPN rates

During my initial inspection of Avast SecureLine in 2023, its paid packages were categorized into a monthly subscription, a one-year plan, and a two-year package. In 2024, Avast eliminated the one-month offering and introduced an extended three-year subscription choice.

The pricing for the one-year and two-year plans continued as before, priced at $4.59 monthly and $4.29 monthly, respectively. This places it in the middle range among its competitors, with Private Internet Access VPN at $3.33 per month for a one-year subscription and NordVPN’s Basic yearly plan at $4.99 per month.

SEE: Avast SecureLine VPN vs NordVPN (TechRepublic)

While the price point is relatively reasonable, I contend that the features and server network of Avast SecureLine pale when compared to other VPNs with similar pricing. Ideally, Avast should consider offering more budget-friendly pricing to enhance its value proposition — even with a reduced feature set.

Interestingly, both the two-year package and the new three-year option do not present significant savings. Currently, they merely offer a $0.20 discount when compared to the one-year plan. This appears to be a missed opportunity, as other VPN providers usually reduce the monthly cost.

for extended contract alternatives to attract customers to commit for longer.

Avast SecureLine VPN boasts one significant advantage — its complimentary trial period. Unlike other firms that provide seven-day trials or 30-day refund options, SecureLine stands out with its extensive 60-day trial period across all compatible platforms. It is important to note that during the trial initiation, you will need to provide payment details, but the billing will only occur after the 60-day period.

The removal of the one-month subscription is likely linked to this 60-day trial, as individuals contemplating a monthly plan would find the free trial a more attractive proposition without as many stipulations. I highly suggest that anyone curious about Avast SecureLine VPN should certainly commence with the 60-day free trial.

Is Avast SecureLine VPN secure?

Personally, in 2024, I would not perceive Avast SecureLine as a secure VPN. Despite covering the necessary security elements expected from a modern VPN, it is marred by the company’s troubling incidents pertaining to user data.

Visually, Avast SecureLine VPN is equipped with the requisite VPN protocols and features to be labeled as secure. It employs the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols — the most critical security protocols for contemporary VPNs. Additionally, it features Mimic, a proprietary security protocol by Avast. SecureLine also integrates AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and safeguards against domain name system leaks.

SEE: The 6 Best Antivirus Software Choices for Windows in 2024 (TechRepublic)

Regrettably, Avast has been embroiled in numerous controversies concerning user data. In February 2024, the US Federal Trade Commission stated that Avast was required to disburse $16.5 million for jeopardizing consumer privacy. According to the announcement, the FTC highlighted that Avast had amassed a wealth of user information through its antivirus software and browser extensions without user consent. Furthermore, it was revealed that the company had illicitly “commercialized the information through its subsidiary Jumpshot” without permission.

Avast’s 60-day trial extends the typical free trial durations and solely requests PayPal or Mastercard details without an initial payment. This approach towards customers earns praise for Avast.

EXPLORE: Crowdstrike Falcon vs Avast: Endpoint Security Software (TechRepublic)

Connect Up to 10 Devices

Avast permits the simultaneous connection of up to 10 devices with a single VPN subscription. While having an unrestricted number of device connections is ideal, allowing 10 connections already places Avast at a high-end position compared to other current VPN offerings.

In comparison, other VPN services typically grant authorization for around 5-8 devices.

Speed and efficiency: What is the speed like with Avast SecureLine VPN?

In terms of speed, the performance of Avast SecureLine VPN showed improvement from my initial test last year. I utilized SecureLine VPN for completing tasks in Google Workspace (Docs, Drive), had numerous tabs open for research, and participated in video conferences.

Overall, the connection was swift, and I encountered no significant issues regarding speed and reliability. Nevertheless, I have concerns that the smaller server network of SecureLine could result in inconsistent performance depending on your location.

This brings us to the speed test findings of SecureLine, which presented varied results. Download speeds witnessed only a 7.3% decline compared to my internet service provider – an outstanding outcome. However, upload speeds demonstrated a notable difference, with a 92.8% decrease compared to my ISP. Based on my evaluations, SecureLine can deliver satisfactory but erratic speeds in terms of VPN service. If maintaining a consistently fast connection is vital to you, VPN options like NordVPN and ExpressVPN are likely to provide superior outcomes.

SecureLine performed commendably in terms of safeguarding against DNS leaks. Upon subjecting it to a public DNS leak tool, utilizing multiple server locations and running it several times, SecureLine did not reveal any DNS leaks.

Lastly, the Avast SecureLine VPN Windows application was user-friendly and straightforward. I encountered no difficulties in using the app, and all the functionalities were easily accessible. Nevertheless, I would prefer a more feature-rich experience, as the overall app interface seemed somewhat too simplistic for my taste.

Avast SecureLine VPN servers and regions

Avast SecureLine VPN provides access to servers (Figure C) across approximately 37 countries and up to 60 locations. Although Avast does not disclose the precise quantity of servers in the SecureLine network, reports estimate the count to be around 700 servers.

Figure C

This places SecureLine among the VPNs with the smallest server networks, which could be a limitation if you seek more options for speed or location flexibility. The condensed server count also does not align well with Avast’s mid-tier pricing.

EXPLORE: How to Create an Effective Cybersecurity Awareness Program (TechRepublic Premium)

While the network of servers is relatively compact, SecureLine’s geographical coverage is satisfactory. It includes servers in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

I find it beneficial that Avast designates top servers for streaming and torrenting – a valuable feature if you are specifically searching for VPN solutions for these purposes (Figure D).

Figure D

More on Cloud Security

Avast SecureLine VPN benefits

• Offers a 60-day trial.
• Allows user-generated rules with Smart VPN mode.
• Supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections.
• Good distribution of countries and locations.
• Easy-to-use application for Windows.

Avast SecureLine VPN disadvantages

• Lacks an independent audit.
• Associated with privacy concerns regarding user data.
• Limited server options.
• Inconsistent speed test outcomes.
• Missing prominent security features.

Who would benefit from Avast SecureLine VPN?

If you seek a VPN service with a generous trial period, Avast SecureLine VPN could be a suitable choice. It boasts a 60-day free trial, which is among the longest available, and the sign-up process is quite simple. The application is straightforward and may particularly appeal to first-time users of VPNs.

However, it lacks standout security features, has a smaller server network compared to competitors, and faces significant privacy concerns linked to Avast. Furthermore, its no-logs policy lacks independent auditing.

Alternatives to Avast SecureLine VPN

Surfshark

Renowned for its user-friendly interface, robust encryption, and round-the-clock customer support, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections for securing multiple devices.

For more insights, read our comprehensive Surfshark VPN review.

NordVPN

As a comprehensive security platform, NordVPN offers a robust server network, malware protection, and consistently fast speeds. Its commitment to transparency is evident through third-party testing of its services.

For a detailed review, see our extensive NordVPN review.

ExpressVPN

Offering support for multiple platforms and a robust threat manager for blocking suspicious sites, ExpressVPN excels in providing secure solutions. With a split tunneling feature, users can select specific traffic to route through the VPN or their ISP.

For more insights, read our detailed ExpressVPN review.

Evaluation of Avast SecureLine VPN

My assessment of Avast SecureLine VPN involved examining its security features, pricing, and real-world performance. I tested SecureLine’s servers on my Windows device using Avast’s 60-day free trial.

For speed tests, I utilized Ookla’s Speedtest tool. To verify DNS leak protection, I ran SecureLine through DNSLeakTest multiple times.

Ultimately, I rated Avast SecureLine VPN based on criteria such as protocols and value using an internal algorithm, resulting in a 3.4-star rating out of 5. The evaluation compared SecureLine to other VPN services.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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