Avast SecureLine VPN Assessment (2023): Pricing, Execs & Cons

Whereas Avast is understood for its antivirus software program, it additionally provides a digital non-public community known as Avast SecureLine VPN, which options one of many longest free trials for a VPN service I’ve tried and a simple-to-use Home windows utility.

Nonetheless, it lacks standout security measures to warrant its middle-of-the-road pricing and is held again by Avast’s previous privateness controversies. At the moment, Avast SecureLine VPN is out there for Home windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Android TV.

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Avast SecureLine VPN pricing

At first look, Avast SecureLine’s pricing falls within the midrange amongst the competitors. Whereas the annual plan is $4.59 per thirty days, the general function set and server community provides do pale compared to different providers. On this regard, I’d have most well-liked if Avast had a extra inexpensive worth to assist it higher stand out from different VPNs.

The two-year plan isn’t the most effective worth both. Different VPNs have decrease prices for his or her plans on the 2-year or 3-year mark. SecureLine, nonetheless, solely provides you a $0.20 financial savings if you happen to go for the two-year subscription as a substitute of the annual plan. The 1-month subscription additionally falls inside the center floor when it comes to pricing for a month-to-month VPN plan.

Avast SecureLine has one saving grace, and that’s its free trial. Whereas different corporations supply seven-day free trials or 30-day money-back ensures, SecureLine has a beneficiant 60-day trial on all its supported platforms, and no bank card is required.

Anybody fascinated about attempting Avast SecureLine VPN ought to positively begin with the 60-day free trial.

Is Avast SecureLine VPN secure?

On paper, Avast SecureLine VPN has the requisite protocols and options to be deemed secure. It carries the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols — the 2 most necessary safety protocols for contemporary VPNs. It additionally has Mimic, Avast’s proprietary safety protocol. SecureLine additionally makes use of AES-256 encryption, has a kill swap and protects towards area title system leaks.

There are, nonetheless, areas of concern that weaken SecureLine’s case for safety. Like most VPNs, Avast SecureLine has a no logs coverage that states they don’t log apps used, web sites visited or content material consumed. Nonetheless, Avast doesn’t at the moment have a third-party unbiased audit that confirms this coverage.

As well as, Avast fell sufferer to a cyberattack again in 2019, the place an inside Avast account was reportedly compromised. In 2020, Avast’s free antivirus was additionally reportedly discovered to have been promoting consumer net shopping knowledge through a subsidiary known as Jumpshot — a purple flag particularly for a safety software program firm. Whereas these two controversies don’t contain SecureLine VPN itself, they’re necessary issues to know if you happen to’re contemplating SecureLine as a potential VPN possibility.

To Avast SecureLine’s credit score, they publish Transparency Reviews and Warrant Canaries that give worthwhile info on authorities requests and warrants issued to the corporate. It’s additionally based mostly within the Czech Republic — a rustic that isn’t a member of any knowledge sharing or intelligence alliance.

Key options of Avast SecureLine VPN

Avast SecureLine VPN comes with totally different useability and security measures that defend consumer knowledge. I’ve listed among the key options I feel it is best to find out about.

Sensible VPN mode

SecureLine’s Sensible VPN mode permits the consumer to set totally different sensible guidelines and situations that mechanically flip the VPN on or off (Determine A). This offers customers the flexibleness to personalize their VPN expertise, relying on their wants and workflow.

Determine A

Customers can set the VPN to activate whereas on a public community, banking websites, torrenting apps or streaming websites. You may as well set Trusted Websites that don’t must be accessed through the VPN if you happen to really feel they’re already secure.

60-day free trial

SecureLine’s 60-day free trial (Determine B) is among the most beneficiant free trial choices within the VPN house right now. VPNs normally supply a 7-day free trial or a 30-day money-back assure (with an preliminary cost required).

Determine B

Avast’s 60-day trial greater than doubles standard durations free of charge trials and solely requires PayPal or Mastercard particulars with out an preliminary cost. This can be a customer-friendly method that I positively give Avast credit score for.

As much as 10 system connections

Avast lets you join as much as 10 gadgets concurrently with one VPN subscription. Whereas limitless system entry is the most effective situation, having 10 allowable connections is already on the highest finish quantity in comparison with different VPNs obtainable right now.

To contextualize, the standard variety of allowed gadgets on different VPN providers ranges from round 5–8.

Velocity and efficiency: How briskly is Avast SecureLine VPN?

For pace, Avast was common to below-average. I used SecureLine VPN to do work in Google Workspace (Docs, Drive), stream Spotify, attend video calls and watch YouTube movies. Whereas connections had been typically steady, I felt that the pace was slower than standard. Particularly, webpages and picture thumbnails appeared to load slower.

The story is similar with SecureLine’s add speeds. Whereas drops in pace are anticipated with VPNs, I recorded an 85% drop in add speeds with SecureLine in comparison with after I was related to my web service supplier. This can be a important lower, particularly since I used to be related to what SecureLine thought-about an optimum server based mostly on my location. In the meantime, obtain speeds had been extra cheap with round a 38% drop in pace.

SecureLine carried out effectively when it comes to DNS leak safety. I recorded zero DNS leaks with the VPN, even after I ran it by a public DNS leak instrument a number of instances utilizing totally different servers and places.

Lastly, Avast SecureLine’s VPN Home windows app was easy and intuitive. I had no hassle utilizing the app and all of the options had been simple to search out. I want that it had extra options generally, as the entire app expertise appeared a bit too bare-bones for my style.

Avast SecureLine VPN servers and places

Avast SecureLine VPN grants you entry to servers (Determine C) in round 36 international locations and as much as 60 places. Avast doesn’t disclose the precise variety of servers in SecureLine’s fleet however studies have the quantity at round 700 servers.

Determine C

This offers SecureLine one of many smallest server networks obtainable, which is a disadvantage if you’d like extra decisions for pace or flexibility when it comes to places. The smaller server rely additionally isn’t ultimate given Avast’s middle-tier pricing.

SecureLine’s nation unfold is first rate although. You may have entry to servers in Europe, the Americas, the Center East, Asia Pacific and Africa.

I admire that Avast segments the most effective servers for streaming and torrenting — a plus for if you happen to’re VPN searching for these particular use instances (Determine D).

Determine D

Sadly, SecureLine VPN lacks extra safety and privacy-focused server options comparable to cut up tunneling (solely obtainable on their Android app) or multihop servers that privateness lovers could also be looking out for.

Avast SecureLine VPN execs

• 60-day free trial
• Sensible VPN mode permits for user-generated guidelines
• As much as 10 simultaneous system connections
• First rate nation and placement unfold
• Easy to make use of Home windows app

Avast SecureLine VPN cons

• Lack of an unbiased audit
• Avast has a controversial privateness historical past
• Small server suite
• Slower speeds
• Missing security-centered options

Who’s Avast SecureLine VPN greatest for?

Avast SecureLine VPN is usually a first rate VPN choose if you happen to’re on the lookout for a service that has a beneficiant free trial. Its 60-day free trial is among the longest I’ve seen to date and the enroll is comparatively simple. SecureLine additionally has a quite simple utility that may attraction to first-time VPN customers.

Nonetheless, it lacks standout security measures and carries smaller server networks in comparison with different VPNs. SecureLine additionally suffers from the privateness controversies related to Avast and lacks an unbiased audit for its no logs coverage.

Avast SecureLine VPN options

Surfshark

Surfshark is among the most well-known VPNs. It has an easy-to-use interface, robust encryption and 24/7 buyer assist. It even supplies limitless simultaneous connections, permitting customers to safe and defend a number of gadgets.

NordVPN

In case you’re on the lookout for an all-around safety platform, NordVPN is a best choice. It has a wholesome server community, built-in risk safety towards malware and constantly quick speeds. NordVPN has additionally proven robust dedication to unbiased third-party testing for extra transparency.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one other strong VPN resolution. It helps a number of platforms (Home windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and even routers) and carries a robust risk supervisor function that blocks suspicious websites. It additionally has a cut up tunneling function that enables customers to pick which visitors they need routed to the VPN and which to their web service supplier.

How we evaluated Avast SecureLine VPN

My assessment of Avast SecureLine VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its security measures, pricing and real-world efficiency. I used SecureLine by Avast’s 60-day free trial of the VPN service on my Home windows laptop.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined SecureLine’s servers utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. To verify for DNS leak safety, I ran SecureLine a number of instances by DNSLeakTest.

Lastly, I scored Avast SecureLine VPN based mostly on properties comparable to its protocols and worth utilizing an inside algorithm to get a score of three.4 stars out of 5. I checked out SecureLine each by itself and in relation to different VPN providers.