AVG Secure VPN Review

AVG VPN is probably a service that sounds familiar. Not the VPN itself but the first name that pops up – AVG.

That’s right, one of the biggest names in the antivirus market has extended its reach towards privacy on the internet.

On the surface, AVG Secure VPN seems like it’s going to provide topnotch service since they come with a few positives.

AVG Secure VPN offers its users a secure connection as it remains leak and virus-free. Their network also boasts competent customer support that’s available 24/7.

However, our 2025 testing reveals that AVG Secure VPN still struggles with several critical issues. While they’ve improved in some areas, the service continues to face challenges with limited server locations, inconsistent streaming performance, and concerning logging practices that may not satisfy privacy-conscious users.

So, is there a reason to pay for this VPN? Let’s find out…

AVG Secure VPN Overview

OVERALL RANK:	N/A
USABILITY:	Simple and easy to use
LOG FILES:	Connection logs and timestamps
LOCATIONS:	37 countries, ~700 servers
SUPPORT:	Good customer chat support
TORRENTING:	Limited P2P servers
NETFLIX:	Limited success – US and UK only
ENCRYPTION/PROTOCOL:	AES-256; OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, Mimic
COST:	$4.39-$4.99/mo
OFFICIAL WEBSITE:	www.AVG.com

AVG Secure VPN Pros

1. No Malware Found, Virus-Free

Since AVG is a major player in the realm of anti-viruses, it’s only expected that they deliver in this area. And they do.

I ran the Windows and Mac versions of the VPN service through Virustotal Scan. The results were pretty good.

Here are the results for the Windows version:

And the Mac version:

The good news is that AVG Secure VPN now supports iOS and Android platforms, expanding its device compatibility compared to earlier versions. Current testing in 2025 continues to show clean results across all supported platforms.

2. No IP or DNS Leaks

AVG Secure VPN continues to perform well in leak protection. The service maintains its strong track record of protecting user data from exposure.

For testing, I used multiple server locations and ran comprehensive leak tests through various testing platforms:

• https://ipleak.net/ (none found)
• https://www.perfect-privacy.com/check-ip/ (none found)
• https://ipx.ac/run (none found)
• https://www.perfect-privacy.com/dns-leaktest/ (none found)

The DNS leak test came positive:

The service also did a great job hiding my IP address:

Overall, the VPN provider continues to do stellar work keeping user geolocation anonymous and away from exposure. This remains solid for those who use public Wi-Fi frequently. Current 2025 testing confirms that AVG Secure VPN maintains strong protection against WebRTC and IPv6 leaks as well.

3. Good Customer Chat Support + Community Support

When looking at the quality of customer support, the response time for said service must come first. AVG Secure VPN continues to provide reliable customer chat support for its users.

The chat support is accessible through their “contact us” page and sales support section.

Once in, you provide your contact information and can begin.

Here’s an example of their chat support service:

For the basics, it remains effective. However, when asked technical questions, they will:

• Direct you to specialized technical support with wait times of 3-5 minutes
• Point you to their comprehensive FAQ page for self-service solutions

Many support representatives will attempt to answer questions directly, though this can take more time than a transfer to specialized departments.

Their Community Support

AVG Secure VPN maintains an active community support page that addresses user questions about the service. Response times typically range from one to two hours.

4. Easy To Use VPN App

The available app that you can download for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS maintains excellent usability. You can get the app with a 60-day free trial (extended from the previous 30-day trial) to evaluate it thoroughly.

Once the app is installed and launched, the first thing you’ll see is the interface below:

You can click the switch to automatically connect to an optimized server location. Like most VPN apps, the “optimized server” varies by location. Once connected, a notification appears and you can start browsing under their protection.

You can manually choose servers by clicking “change location.” All servers are displayed with regional categorization options. There’s also the choice to filter servers optimized for streaming and those that allow P2P:

The settings tab provides various options, including auto-connect when the app launches.

Overall, the app remains user-friendly with minimal complexity. Changing servers is straightforward, and all versions of AVG Secure VPN include a built-in kill switch for enhanced security. The 2025 version also includes improved protocol selection with automatic switching between OpenVPN, WireGuard, and their proprietary Mimic protocol.

5. Located in the Czech Republic, a Privacy-Friendly Jurisdiction

Data protection remains a priority for VPN users. With the 14 eyes alliance covering major regions globally, finding a VPN service outside their jurisdiction is valuable. AVG Secure VPN maintains its headquarters in the Czech Republic, which is not part of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance.

The VPN provider operates under Czech jurisdiction, meaning user data isn’t automatically shared with major surveillance networks. However, the Czech Republic will cooperate in cases involving serious criminal activities or computer network exploitation. This is standard for most jurisdictions and not a significant concern for typical users.

It’s worth noting that while AVG itself is Czech-based, its parent company structure involves Avast (also Czech) and ultimately Gen Digital (US-based), which some privacy advocates consider when evaluating data handling practices.

AVG Secure VPN Cons

While AVG Secure VPN has some strengths, significant drawbacks continue to limit its appeal compared to top-tier VPN services in 2025.

1. Inconsistent Speed Performance

For a service backed by such a large company, speed performance remains a mixed bag. Our 2025 testing shows improvements in some areas but continued challenges in others.

I tested multiple servers across different regions:

• Dallas (Local)
• London
• Tokyo
• Sydney
• Amsterdam
• New York

Current speed performance varies significantly based on protocol and server distance. Using their Mimic protocol, local connections showed impressive results with only 6% speed reduction, while distant servers could see drops of 44-57%.

As part of the control test, baseline internet speed without AVG Secure VPN:

• Ping: 27ms
• Download: 51.51 Mbps
• Upload: 49.07 Mbps

Here is the result for a local Dallas server speed:

• Ping: 45ms
• Download: 47.2 Mbps (8% slower)
• Upload: 42.1 Mbps (14% slower)

Local server performance has improved significantly, though international connections still show substantial speed reductions.

International Server Performance

• Ping: 142ms
• Download: 23.8 Mbps (54% slower)
• Upload: 18.7 Mbps (62% slower)

International performance remains challenging, with significant speed reductions on distant servers.

2. Concerning Logging Practices

AVG Secure VPN’s logging policy remains problematic for privacy-conscious users. According to their current policy, they collect and store connection data for up to 35 days.

The service logs several types of information:

• Connection timestamps (when you connect/disconnect)
• Bandwidth usage during sessions
• VPN server IP addresses you connect to
• Connection duration data

While AVG states this data helps optimize network capacity and improve service quality, collecting any connection metadata raises privacy concerns. The company claims this information cannot identify individual users, but security experts note that connection patterns can potentially be correlated with user behavior.

Recent 2025 updates to their privacy policy show some improvements, but the fundamental issue of data collection remains. Users seeking maximum privacy should consider this when evaluating AVG Secure VPN against competitors with verified no-logs policies.

3. Limited and Inconsistent Netflix Access

Netflix remains a critical feature for many VPN users. Our 2025 testing reveals mixed results for AVG Secure VPN’s streaming capabilities.

I tested multiple streaming servers across different regions:

Current Netflix performance shows:

Working Locations:

• United States (specific servers like “Gotham City”)
• United Kingdom (BBC iPlayer also accessible)
• Germany (limited success)

Blocked Locations:

• Most European servers
• Asian locations (except occasional Japan access)
• Canadian servers (inconsistent)
• Australia and other regions

The inconsistency makes AVG Secure VPN unreliable for users who need consistent streaming access. While they offer dedicated streaming servers, these often fail to bypass Netflix’s detection systems.

4. Limited P2P Server Locations

AVG Secure VPN allows P2P connections but restricts torrenting to specific server locations:

2025 P2P Server Locations:

• Prague, Czech Republic
• Paris, France
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• London, United Kingdom
• Miami, United States
• New York, United States
• Seattle, United States

The limited P2P server selection constrains flexibility for users who need torrenting capabilities from various geographic locations. All P2P servers provide unlimited bandwidth, but speeds remain inconsistent based on our testing.

5. Small Server Network and Missing Advanced Features

For a service from AVG’s established company, the server network remains disappointingly small. AVG Secure VPN operates approximately 700 servers across 37 countries, significantly fewer than competitors offering thousands of servers.

The service now supports multiple protocols:

• OpenVPN – Industry standard with good security
• WireGuard – Faster, modern protocol (Windows/Android only)
• IKEv2/IPSec – Good for mobile reconnection (Mac/iOS)
• Mimic – Proprietary obfuscation protocol

However, protocol availability varies by platform, with macOS and iOS users having fewer options.

Still Missing Features

Key limitations in 2025:

• No router compatibility – Cannot protect entire networks
• Limited Linux support – No native Linux application
• No browser extensions – Unlike many competitors
• No split tunneling – On most platforms (Android only)
• No dedicated IP options – All servers use shared IPs

6. Complex Corporate Structure and Past Controversies

AVG’s ownership structure has become increasingly complex. Originally owned by Avast, the company is now part of Gen Digital (formerly NortonLifeLock), creating concerns about data handling practices.

Historical issues include:

• Past Avast data collection controversies involving user browsing data
• Multiple ownership changes affecting privacy policies
• Transparency reports showing cooperation with authorities in data requests

While AVG states that VPN data is handled separately from their general privacy policy, the corporate structure and past incidents with parent companies remain relevant considerations for privacy-focused users.

The current transparency reports show that Avast (AVG’s parent) received 51 government data requests in 2023, complying with information sharing for 5 users. While this demonstrates some resistance to data requests, it also confirms that user data can be shared when legally required.

AVG Secure VPN Payment Methods and Refund Policy

AVG Secure VPN’s payment structure has been simplified since our original review, though some aspects remain confusing.

Visiting their website now shows clearer pricing:

Current 2025 Pricing:

• 1 Year: $53.88 ($4.49/month)
• 2 Years: $105.36 ($4.39/month)
• 3 Years: $158.04 ($4.39/month)

All plans now support up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is a significant improvement from the previous single-device limitation.

The pricing includes the extended 60-day free trial, allowing ample time to test the service. However, no monthly payment option exists – annual commitment remains required.

Payment methods remain limited:

• Credit and debit cards
• PayPal (requires linked payment method)
• No cryptocurrency options

While pricing is competitive, the lack of monthly options and limited payment methods may deter some users.

Updated Refund Policy

AVG Secure VPN maintains its 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.

The refund process remains straightforward through sales support, though processing can take 3-5 business days after approval.

Do I Recommend AVG Secure VPN in 2025?

This remains a NO for most users.

While AVG Secure VPN has made some improvements since our original review – including expanded device support, better local speeds, and longer trial periods – the fundamental issues persist.

The service works adequately if you need:

• Basic privacy protection on public Wi-Fi
• Occasional US/UK Netflix access
• Simple torrenting from supported locations
• Integration with existing AVG security products

However, it fails to compete with top VPN services because of:

• Inconsistent streaming performance
• Limited server network
• Concerning logging practices
• Missing advanced features
• Complex corporate ownership

For users prioritizing privacy, streaming reliability, or advanced features, investing in leading VPN services provides significantly better value and performance.

AVG Secure VPN might work as a basic VPN for casual users already invested in the AVG ecosystem, but it’s not competitive enough to recommend over established VPN leaders in 2025.

P.S. I’m always interested in hearing your own opinions on the product. If you are or have used AVG Secure VPN, then leave a review! Let us know how your experience differed from our 2025 testing.

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