Avast SecureLine VPN offers both a free (60-day trial) and a paid version. It uses strong 256-bit AES encryption, and you can choose from OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Mimic protocols.
Its server speeds are solid, though they fall behind top providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN in overall performance and server coverage. Although it works with a few streaming services, SecureLine VPN introduced a palpable lag and buffering on them.
Is this a decent provider? You’ll find out in this comprehensive Avast SecureLine VPN review.
Avast SecureLine VPN Overview
Avast SecureLine VPN was launched in 2013 in Prague, the Czech Republic, and worldwide at the same time. Although the company, Avast, has been around for a while, since 1988. It is now a part of Gen Digital Inc, which also owns Norton Secure VPN and HideMyAss, which we have also reviewed.
The VPN service supports the following devices and operating systems:
- PC
- Mac
- iPhone
- iPad
- Android
- Android TV
Avast SecureLine VPN works on up to ten devices and features no bandwidth limits.
As for TOR, customer support mentioned the VPN is not compatible with it.
It’s worth mentioning that Avast provides approximately 700 servers across 36 locations.
That’s a relatively small number of total servers compared to other VPN providers, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, which both have over 5,000 servers.
The United States has the most server locations (25 cities), while other countries typically have only one location each. The UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Italy have multiple city options.
You can also find P2P optimized servers, but there’s a slight hiccup regarding torrenting, which we’ll explain shortly.
Avast SecureLine VPN does offer a kill switch, which is perfect for protecting your privacy if your connection is ever lost across all supported platforms.
Kill switches are a critical safeguard or backup plan. When they detect that your connection to a VPN server is lost, they’ll automatically kill your current session, too.
That helps to keep whatever you were doing private and away from prying eyes.
The standard subscription allows up to 10 simultaneous connections, making it suitable for families or users with multiple devices.
| OVERALL RANK: | #23 Out of 30 VPNs |
| USABILITY: | Very Easy To Use |
| LOG FILES: | Some Connection Logs Kept |
| LOCATIONS: | 36 Locations, ~700 Servers |
| SUPPORT: | Phone, Knowledge Base, Live Chat |
| TORRENTING: | Torrenting Allowed |
| NETFLIX: | Average, 2 Out of 4 Libraries |
| ENCRYPTION/PROTOCOL: | AES-256 / WireGuard, OpenVPN, Mimic |
| COST: | $3.99/mo |
| OFFICIAL WEBSITE: | www.Avast.com |
Avast SecureLine VPN Pros
1. Solid Download Speed Performance
SecureLine VPN delivers respectable speeds across its network, though performance and real browsing experience could be better. We suspect some latency issues, which other reviews also outline.
In our speed testing, WireGuard consistently delivered the best performance. The VPN’s speed largely depends on your distance from available servers.
We tested by marking down our baseline speed without a VPN. Then we repeatedly connected to five popular VPN locations and marked the difference.
Baseline
- Download: 250.58Mbps
- Upload: 251.35Mbps
- Ping: 1ms
Nearest Server
- Download: 239.77Mbps
- Upload: 239.05Mbps
- Ping: 12ms
Europe
- Download: 239.34Mbps
- Upload: 238.97Mbps
- Ping: 17ms
US East
- Download: 225.54Mbps
- Upload: 232.38Mbps
- Ping: 97ms
Us West
- Download: 199.11Mbps
- Upload: 236.02Mbps
- Ping: 175ms
Asia
- Download: 198.33Mbps
- Upload: 43.35Mbps
- Ping: 400ms
These are good speed results, with only distant servers showing a bit too big a drop. On US West and Asian servers, SecureLine VPN lost ~20% of the initial connection speed.
Also, on the Asian server, session latency was 400ms, and that introduces an uncomfortable lag while browsing. Surfshark had a 264ms and Private Internet Access 241ms ping on the same location, which is significantly better.
2. Strong Encryption and Security Features
- AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption
- Kill Switch (all platforms)
- DNS leak protection
- Multiple protocol options
Avast SecureLine VPN offers multiple protocols depending on your device:
Windows & Android: WireGuard, OpenVPN, Mimic
macOS & iOS: IPSec, Mimic
By default, it offers automatic selection to choose the best one. This is military-grade encryption. The “256” number refers to the encryption key length in bits.
The short story is that 256-bit is considered virtually ‘brute-force proof‘ by many top government agencies and security professionals worldwide.
Avast SecureLine VPN also offers DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak protection.
We ran it through dedicated cybersecurity websites and verified SecureLine VPN is, indeed, secure.
There are no IP leaks.
No DNS leaks.
And no WebRTC leaks.
3. Torrenting Is Allowed on Optimized Servers
Torrenting and P2P are allowed with this VPN on designated servers. According to the Avast VPN FAQ page:
SecureLine VPN allows peer-to-peer connections through these data center locations:
- Australia
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Spain
- United States
P2P-optimized servers are clearly marked in the interface, making it easy to identify which locations support torrenting.
4. Comprehensive Customer Support Options
Avast SecureLine VPN uses multiple support channels, including live chat, phone support, and a ticketing system.
It also offers a knowledge base full of helpful articles, tons of support pages, and a forum.
Since the knowledge base is searchable, users can easily find what they need by typing in a few basic keywords.
Avast offers live chat support, which has improved considerably from previous years. We contacted their agent, who connected within a minute and canceled our subscription. Nothing to add, it was a great chat.
They also have an X account where users can send direct messages for support.
The good news is that if you need support fast, Avast’s phone support is available 24/7. This is a huge step above many VPN providers that rely solely on email or chat support.
5. Excellent Usability on Desktop and Mobile
Avast’s VPN software is surprisingly sleek and simple. All it takes to connect to one of Avast’s servers to hide your IP address is the click of a button.
And changing your location is as easy as selecting a country from the server list inside the user interface.
In the settings menu, you can customize Avast to suit your needs better. For example, you can set it to connect every time your computer starts up automatically. That way, you’re always protected.
Avast also offers a mobile app that is available for both iPhone and Android. The usability of the mobile app is just as sophisticated and simple as using the service on a PC or Mac.
Much like the desktop interface, all it takes to connect to a server is just one tap.
And changing server locations takes little to no time at all.
The mobile apps now offer a 60-day free trial, matching the desktop version’s generous trial period.
6. No AdWare/Malware Found
A VPN might protect you from inadvertently downloading malicious files.
But what happens when the very VPN you’re using to protect yourself does its own malicious injection?
For example, before firing up the VPN client, we ran their installation files through VirusTotal.com.
Nothing found, it’s as clean as it gets.
Avast SecureLine VPN Cons
1. Connection Logging Policy
Avast SecureLine VPN claims it keeps no activity logs of your online browsing. But there are some things we don’t like in its public data collection statements.
This is metadata, as its privacy policy clearly outlines that no direct browsing activities are inspected and stored on servers. The thing is, metadata, such as used bandwidth, can also hint at what the user is doing online.
Avast claims that this information is only collected for “diagnostic purposes and to prevent abuse of the VPN connection.”
When you read Avast’s privacy policy, you’ll find they offer links to third-party sites such as Google or Facebook.
Overall, while Avast doesn’t log your browsing activity, some connection logging does occur in the background, which is more than what true no-logs VPNs provide.
2. No Router Support
It’s also important to note that Avast SecureLine VPN can’t be set up on routers to provide additional protection. This VPN appears to be basic protection for PC and mobile devices only.
While this won’t be a big deal for most users, it’s something to keep in mind. Installing a VPN on a router is a great way to protect all of the devices in your house without having to remember to sign in every time you log on.
It’s especially useful if you want to protect gaming consoles, IoT devices, smart TVs, and lots of phones and tablets.
This isn’t a deal breaker, but we’d prefer the possibility of using Avast with a router.
3. Inconsistent Netflix Performance
There’s always an ongoing battle between VPNs and Netflix—and Avast’s performance is inconsistent. During our previous test, SecureLine VPN managed to open the following Netflix libraries.
Working: Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia (varies by server)
Not Working: Many other regional libraries
Recent testing also shows mixed results across different Netflix libraries. We were able to get it working on Netflix Germany and the UK, but not in any others (including those that previously worked).
Performance can vary significantly – some users report success with US and UK libraries, while others encounter the proxy error message. For reliable Netflix access, you may need a different VPN that prioritizes streaming capabilities.
Regarding other streaming services, it worked on BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Paramount+, but was detected as a VPN and blocked Amazon Prime Video.
4. Czech Republic Jurisdiction Concerns
The Czech Republic is not a part of 14-eyes countries, so that’s comforting. However, they are close allies. According to the reputable Electronic Frontier Foundation, it is a country that works with surveillance agencies on specific projects. These claims come from Edward Snowden, so that’s not something to ignore.
Another worrying source is from Infosecurity Magazine. It reports that Avast was caught collecting and selling user browser data through its browser extension and antivirus software.
Although it doesn’t necessarily mean SecureLine VPN does so, or that Avast continues the practice under Gen Digital Inc ownership, these combinations of facts are a strong negative.
5. Limited Server Network
With approximately 700 servers across 36 locations, Avast’s network is relatively small compared to major competitors like NordVPN (9,000+ servers) or ExpressVPN (1000s of servers).
This limited network can result in:
– Higher server congestion during peak times
– Fewer options for bypassing geo-restrictions
– Less redundancy if servers go offline
– Potentially slower speeds due to overcrowding
Avast SecureLine VPN Pricing Options and Plans
Avast offers 12-month, 24-month, and 36-month packages like most other VPN services we’ve reviewed.
Current Pricing (2026):
– 1 Year: $4.99/month (billed upfront for the year)
– 2 Years: $3.99/month (billed upfront for the 2-year term)
– 3 Years: $3.99/month (billed upfront for the 3-year term)
All plans support up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is generous compared to some, but it’s not unlimited.
One of the great things about Avast SecureLine VPN is that it offers a generous 60-day free trial. No credit card charge required for the trial period.
The payment options are somewhat limited compared to competitors:
- Credit Card
- PayPal
Many users prefer VPNs that accept cryptocurrency for enhanced anonymity, which Avast doesn’t currently offer.
Avast’s refund policy is a standard 30-day money-back guarantee if you purchase through its “online retail stores” or through Google Play.
If you go through a reseller or Apple App store, you’ll have to go back to them for refunds (and the terms might differ).
Do We Recommend Avast SecureLine VPN?
After reviewing all the evidence, Avast SecureLine VPN falls into the “decent but not exceptional” category.
The company provides a very user-friendly VPN experience with solid encryption, good customer support, including phone option, and a generous 60-day free trial. The apps are well-designed and easy to use across all platforms.
However, the inconsistent Netflix performance is problematic for streaming users. The connection logging policy, while better than full activity logging, still records more information than true no-logs providers. The limited server network and lack of advanced features put it behind premium competitors.
Bottom Line.
Avast SecureLine VPN is certainly not a bad VPN. It’s fast on nearby servers, supports torrenting on designated servers, and maintains good security standards. The 60-day trial makes it risk-free to test.
However, you can get better features, more consistent streaming access, and stronger privacy protections from other providers at similar or lower prices.
For users already in the Avast ecosystem who want basic VPN protection, SecureLine works adequately. For those seeking the best possible VPN experience, there are better alternatives available.