Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Is It Worth It?

What is Avast SecureLine VPN?

Avast SecureLine VPN is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) from the Czech company Avast Software s.r.o., which is now part of the American group Gen Digital Inc. (the owner of Norton, HideMyAss, and other security products). Avast launched its VPN in 2013 with the goal of giving antivirus users a simple privacy tool.

The service encrypts your entire internet connection, hides your IP address, and helps you access geographically restricted content. It is especially useful when connecting through public Wi-Fi networks — for example at airports, cafés, or hotels.

Unlike some VPN solutions, this is not a standalone product focused purely on privacy. It is more of an extension of the Avast ecosystem. In this review, I will show you who may benefit from that — and who should probably look elsewhere.

Pricing and Plans

Avast SecureLine VPN offers one plan for up to 10 devices, available in three subscription lengths. All plans include the same features — they differ only in price and commitment length.

• 1 year: from around $4.59 / month (billed annually)
• 2 years: from around $4.29 / month (billed every 2 years)
• 3 years: from around €3.71 / month (billed every 3 years)

The pricing sits in the mid-range segment of the VPN market. When I compare it with competitors — NordVPN or Surfshark offer a lower monthly price on long-term plans and a larger server network. Avast also does not offer a major discount for a longer commitment, which is unusual — the difference between the 1-year and 3-year plans is only around $0.20 per month.

A 60-day free trial is also available for PC (payment details are required), while mobile devices get a 7-day trial. Every paid plan also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Tip: You can find all current discounts and coupons in the deals section.

Features and Parameters

Avast SecureLine VPN covers the basic needs of an everyday user. It includes standard security features, multiple protocols, and several practical extra tools. However, you will not find advanced features such as multihop or split tunneling across all platforms.

Encryption and Security

The service uses the industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption (and ChaCha20 with the WireGuard protocol), which is also used by banks and government institutions. DNS leak protection and a kill switch are built in.

Perfect forward secrecy is also available — a new encryption key is generated for every connection, which reduces potential damage if one key is ever compromised. Avast has not yet undergone an independent security audit, which is a disadvantage compared with NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Protocols

Avast SecureLine VPN supports four protocols: WireGuard (the fastest), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Avast’s proprietary Mimic protocol. Mimic is interesting — it obfuscates VPN traffic so it does not look like VPN traffic. This can help bypass deep packet inspection (DPI), which is useful in countries with internet censorship.

Kill Switch and Smart VPN

The kill switch automatically blocks your internet connection if the VPN connection drops — this prevents your data from leaking outside the encrypted tunnel.

Smart VPN is a practical feature: the VPN can automatically activate in defined situations — for example when you connect to public Wi-Fi, use online banking, or download torrents. You can also add your own websites where the VPN should turn on automatically when you visit them.

Servers and Locations

Avast operates around 700 physical servers in 34–37 countries. These are not virtual servers, which is a plus from a security perspective. On the other hand, compared with NordVPN (9,000+ servers) or ExpressVPN (thousands of servers), it is a much smaller network.

Streaming-optimized servers are available in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Czechia. Note: at the end of 2025, Avast removed its P2P servers optimized for torrenting without prior notice. For torrenting, this is a major disadvantage.

Device Compatibility

The app is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Android TV. One subscription covers up to 10 devices at the same time. Linux is not supported, and there is no router installation support either — so you cannot protect your entire home network, including smart TVs or game consoles. Split tunneling works only on Android.

Pros

• 60-day free trial — one of the longest on the market
• Strong 256-bit AES encryption and WireGuard protocol support
• Proprietary Mimic protocol for VPN traffic obfuscation
• Physical servers (not virtual) — a security advantage
• Smart VPN — automatic activation based on rules
• Up to 10 devices at the same time on one subscription
• Simple and intuitive interface, even for beginners
• Based in Czechia — the country is not part of the Five Eyes alliance
• Works with Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
• 24/7 customer support, including phone support

Cons

• Controversial history: the parent company previously sold anonymized user data to third parties
• No independent security audit of its logging policy
• Avast stores some connection logs (timestamp, data volume, device information) for up to 35 days
• P2P/torrent servers were removed without prior notice at the end of 2025
• Small server network (around 700) compared with competitors
• Speed slowdown: around 33% drop on nearby servers
• No Linux app, no router support, and no smart TV support except Android TV
• Split tunneling only on Android
• Weak results with Hulu and HBO Max (depending on tests)
• The price difference between the 1-year and 3-year plans is minimal (around $0.20/month)

My Experience

I tested Avast SecureLine VPN on Windows and Android. Installation took only a few minutes, and the interface is truly simple — I especially appreciate it for less technical users. You press one button and you are connected.

The Smart VPN feature worked well: when I opened an online banking website, the VPN activated automatically, which is practical. The kill switch also worked reliably — when I simulated a connection drop, the internet connection was blocked immediately.

Streaming works well with Netflix and Disney+. BBC iPlayer also worked without issues. With Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, I saw inconsistent results, which is also confirmed by international tests.

Speed drops on nearby servers (around 30–33%) are noticeable, but they are still sufficient for normal browsing and HD streaming. On distant servers — for example in Asia — latency is higher and the speed drop is more significant.

What personally concerns me is the company’s data handling history. Although Avast says it stopped selling user data after the Jumpshot subsidiary scandal (2020), these claims have not been verified by an independent audit. If maximum privacy matters to you, I recommend considering alternatives — for example Proton VPN, which has a more trustworthy history.

Who does it make sense for? For an everyday user who wants protection on public Wi-Fi and already uses Avast antivirus. For advanced users, or for those who see privacy as a priority, there are better options.

User Reviews

On Trustpilot, the Avast brand has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on more than 35,000 reviews. Satisfied users appreciate ease of use, reliability, and customer support. Dissatisfied users mention aggressive upsells for other products and issues with automatic subscription renewals.

In technical reviews (for example vpnMentor, SafetyDetectives, and TechRepublic), Avast SecureLine VPN usually receives scores in the 6.5–7/10 range — above average, but clearly below the top VPN services.

One of the most frequently mentioned complaints since late 2025 is the quiet removal of P2P servers, which surprised and disappointed many torrent users.

Alternatives to Avast SecureLine VPN

There are VPN services on the market that outperform Avast SecureLine in several categories. Here are four proven alternatives that I have tested and recommend you consider.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has long been considered one of the fastest and most reliable VPN solutions on the market. It operates thousands of servers in more than 100 countries, has a verified no-logs policy with an independent audit, and works with practically every streaming platform. Compared with Avast, it is more expensive, but you get a much larger server network, better speed, and stricter privacy protection.

NordVPN

NordVPN is currently one of the most popular VPNs on the market. With more than 9,000 servers in 100+ countries, its own NordLynx technology (built on WireGuard), and features such as Threat Protection and multihop servers, it is a more complete solution than Avast. The price on a long-term plan is comparable to Avast, but you get significantly more.

Surfshark

Surfshark is an ideal choice for households and families — it offers an unlimited number of devices on one subscription, which is a clear difference compared with Avast’s 10-device limit. It includes advanced features (CleanWeb ad blocking, camouflage mode, multihop), is cheaper than Avast on a long-term plan, and has undergone independent audits.

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN is among the most affordable VPNs on the market and has one of the largest server networks — around 9,900 servers in 100 countries. It stands out with special servers optimized for specific streaming platforms and P2P downloads. Compared with Avast SecureLine, it is more affordable and more transparent in terms of privacy protection.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN is the best choice for users who truly care about privacy. It is based in Switzerland (outside the EU and Five Eyes), is open source, has repeated independent audits, and even offers a functional free version without a data limit. Compared with Avast, it has a much more trustworthy history and a stricter no-logs policy.

Tip: You can find all compared VPNs in our article on the best VPN services.

Support and Contact

Avast provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and phone, which is above standard — most VPN providers do not offer phone support. A large knowledge base, FAQ section, community forum, and video tutorials are also available.

In support quality tests, Avast usually receives an average rating — live chat responds quickly, but email support can be slower. The app interface is localized into 41 languages, including Slovak.

Summary and Rating

Avast SecureLine VPN gets 6.5 / 10.

It is a solid VPN for basic everyday use, but it is not a product I would recommend as a first choice. The 60-day trial is its biggest attraction — you can safely use it to test the service without a long commitment.

I recommend Avast SecureLine VPN if:

• You already use Avast antivirus and want a VPN in the same ecosystem
• You want a simple VPN solution for protection on public Wi-Fi networks
• You need to protect up to 10 devices without an extra fee
• You want to try a VPN free for 60 days without a long commitment

I do not recommend Avast SecureLine VPN if:

• Privacy and anonymity are your priority
• You use torrents (P2P servers were removed)
• You need a VPN on Linux or a router
• You are looking for the fastest connection for gaming or 4K streaming

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Avast SecureLine VPN free?

On PC, a 60-day free trial is available, but it requires payment details. On mobile, the trial lasts only 7 days. There is no permanent free version.

How many devices can I connect at the same time?

Every Avast SecureLine VPN plan allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections across different platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV).

Does Avast VPN log my activity?

Avast does not store your browsing history or your real IP address. However, it does store some connection metadata (timestamp, data volume, device and account information) for up to 35 days. This policy has not yet been verified by an independent audit.

Does Avast VPN work with Netflix?

Yes, Avast SecureLine VPN can unblock Netflix (US, UK, CA, and others), Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. Problems may occur with Hulu or Amazon Prime Video — results depend on the specific server.

Does Avast VPN work for torrents?

At the end of 2025, Avast removed P2P servers optimized for torrenting without prior notice. For torrenting, I therefore do not currently recommend Avast SecureLine VPN — consider NordVPN or CyberGhost VPN instead.

What is the money-back guarantee?

Avast offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. During the 60-day trial period (PC), you can cancel the subscription without a charge.