AVG Secure VPN Review 2024
AVG Secure VPN is owned by Avast. The VPN is based in the Czech Republic, which isn’t a member of the Eyes Alliance. However, the country adheres to EU data retention laws and participates in intelligence-sharing agreements. This means the government may gain access to some of your data through AVG VPN.
AVG Secure VPN uses industry-standard, military-grade AES-256 encryption. It also features a kill switch, split tunneling, and Wi-Fi threat protection. Popular protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, among others, help you stay safe online.
Nevertheless, it's important to note that AVG VPN retains specific user logs, including connection times and session data, which we consider excessive. Remarkably, no data leaks have been reported despite this practice.
Furthermore, AVG VPN is a solid choice for online gaming, streaming, and torrenting. It offers dedicated servers optimized for torrenting and streaming on popular platforms like US Netflix and BBC iPlayer. However, you should be cautious when torrenting due to its data logging policy.
Before going any deeper, our AVG VPN review starts with an overview of this service. Check out the table below.
In this comprehensive AVG VPN review, we'll carefully examine each aspect of the VPN, starting with its background, ease of use and installation, security and privacy features, speed performance, pricing, and more. For a better understanding of our hands-on testing methodology for VPN services, refer to our guide on how we review VPNs.
If AVG VPN doesn't sound like the ideal service for you, then you'd be sure to find one on our list of the best VPN services. For a quick recommendation, check our ExpressVPN review.
Background, Jurisdiction, & Reputation
While not a member of the 14-Eyes Alliance, AVG VPN is still subject to EU data retention rules. Nevertheless, there's no history of data leaks. Our Score: 6/10
VPNs are privy to a lot of information about you and your activities. Hence, it’s important to investigate any service before you pay for it. In this section, we'll examine AVG Secure VPN's background, history, data leaks, or any controversies surrounding the service or its owner.
Where Is AVG Secure VPN Based?
AVG Secure VPN is based in the Czech Republic. Although the country isn’t a part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, it complies with EU data retention regulations and intelligence-sharing agreements. Also, it has yet to be audited by a third party.
Established in 1991, AVG was a cybersecurity software enterprise until it merged with Avast through an acquisition in 2016. In July 2016, Avast acquired AVG, including AVG Secure VPN, in a $1.3 billion deal.
The current owner, Avast, is a large multinational cyber security company that also owns HMA VPN, although AVG VPN operates independently. In 2022, Avast merged with Norton LifeLock, another consumer cyber-safety company.
Following Czech legislation, AVG must provide retained data to law enforcement upon request. With a strict no-logs policy, it would have nothing to share when the government comes knocking. Sadly, AVG VPN stores some of your data.
Although the company says it only collects necessary data to improve its service, that’s not an excuse. It records timestamps of your connection, amount of data transferred, connection and product events, your email address, and billing info, among others. All this data gives European governments a better chance of figuring out your identity.
Did AVG Secure VPN Leak Private Data in the Past?
No, AVG Secure VPN didn’t leak data in the past. Although it logs data, it has kept it safe as the service has had no widely reported incidents or security breaches.
Regarding its logging policy, AVG VPN logs specific personal data to deliver its products and services effectively. It claims the data is used for product optimization, enhancement, direct marketing, and legal compliance. However, AVG VPN stores all your data for up to 2 years. This is risky in the event of a hack.
AVG VPN doesn’t collect your IP address, transferred data, or browsing history, but there’s still substantial room for improvement. So if you prioritize your privacy, you might be better off choosing an alternative service, as AVG isn’t sufficiently confidential.
Supported Platforms & Devices
AVG Secure VPN's basic device coverage only supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It doesn't cover routers, Linux, or browser extensions. However, you can connect ten devices simultaneously. Our Score: 4/10
When choosing a VPN, it’s important to know which of your devices it can protect. Leaving a device unprotected can expose your data to potential snooping by your ISP or hackers. So, below is a table explaining which devices are natively supported by this VPN.
AVG Secure VPN presents dedicated VPN applications meticulously designed for four prominent operating platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. However, it doesn’t support Linux, ChromeOS, or browser extensions. There’s no AVG VPN extension, but you get an AVG browser extension that works with other AVG products.
AVG Secure VPN doesn’t support TV streaming devices or gaming consoles as well. It lacks an app for the Fire TV Stick and doesn't offer a Smart DNS tool. Additionally, it can’t be configured on your home router.
Thankfully, AVG Secure VPN can support up to 10 of your devices at once. This means you have the freedom to download the app on supported platforms without much restriction.
Since AVG says its VPN is designed for family use, you can protect your loved ones with the same VPN subscription. Most VPNs support three to five devices, so supporting ten simultaneous device connections is commendable.
Overall, AVG VPN has limited platform coverage. But if you find that sufficient for your needs, then AVG might be a good choice for you.
Installation & Initial Configuration
Downloading, installing, and configuring AVG VPN is user-friendly and intuitive, requiring no technical expertise. Our Score: 10/10
In this section of our AVG VPN review, we'll share our experience with downloading and installing the VPN. You'll understand what to expect regarding ease of use and how technical the process is.
How to Download and Use AVG Secure VPN?
To download AVG VPN, subscribe to the VPN, download the installation file, and install it on your computer. Here's a step-by-step guide to installing AVG VPN on Windows:
- Subscribe to AVG VPN using your Web browser.
- Return to AVG VPN's website and log in to your AVG Account.
- Go to "My Subscriptions" on your dashboard.
- Under "AVG Secure VPN (Multi-device)," click the Download button.
- In the pop-up card, select your device.
- Click ‘Continue’ to start the download.
- Open the installation file to install the AVG VPN app.
- Launch the VPN and sign in with your credentials or activation code.
- Select a server location to connect. That’s it!
AVG VPN is impressively simple to download and install across all four supported devices. Setting up a VPN on any device takes a lot of technical work, but AVG VPN neatly tucks all that away in the backend. Downloading and installing AVG VPN is simple and can be completed in a few clicks.
Even a first-time VPN user would find the process hassle-free. Moreover, you don’t need an account to download the apps to your device. AVG's official website is also user-friendly, and the VPN download links are easy to find despite AVG offering multiple products.
Prominent Features
AVG VPN falls short in its feature offerings. It offers no advanced features, and its basic features could be more extensive. Our Score: 6.5/10
The array of features AVG Secure VPN provides is relatively limited compared to other VPN providers. The offerings include a kill switch, a few auto-connect configurations, and a selection of P2P and streaming servers.
This section will look at the prominent features offered by this VPN. Here's what to expect from AVG VPN:
- Kill Switch: This feature ensures that if your VPN connection drops, your device will be automatically disconnected from the Internet. Doing so prevents any exposure to non-secure data transfer until your VPN connection is reestablished. You can find this feature on the settings page of the Android and Windows versions of the app.
- Auto-Connect Options: You can set the VPN to automatically turn on once you connect to the Internet. This setting lets you determine how the VPN behaves on public and private Wi-Fi.
- Split Tunneling: This feature lets you set which apps use the VPN connection on your device. It’s only available in the Android app, but it’s a handy tool if there are applications you prefer not to connect to a VPN network.
- Wi-Fi Threat Shield: This Android-only feature automatically turns on your VPN if you connect to a suspicious wireless connection.
- Local Network Bypass: The app allows you to access devices on your local network even when your VPN connection is active on Windows and Android.
The Android version of AVG VPN has more features than other platforms, where only a handful of features are available. However, iOS devices have the least number of features, as they lack the basic kill switch found on other devices.
Server Count & Infrastructure
With servers in 37 countries and approximately 59 locations worldwide, AVG offers a small network of servers, thus failing to meet our expectations. Our Score: 2.5/10
With more servers comes more flexibility. When accessing various geo-blocked content or changing your IP address, VPNs with wide server coverage give you more freedom. This AVG Secure VPN review will also cover the server count and infrastructure the service offers.
AVG Secure VPN's server network is relatively limited, spanning 37 countries with 59 servers. The official website doesn't list its available server locations, so you must download the app to see them. However, it has servers on all continents.
If you’re accustomed to using VPNs with the most servers offering thousands of options and over a hundred locations, you might be disappointed with this VPN.
There are only a couple of servers in Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Most of the servers are spread across the other continents, with Europe and North America having the highest server counts.
Does AVG VPN Use Virtual Server Locations?
Yes, AVG Secure VPN uses virtual server locations. Services that use VPN virtual locations give you an IP address in the country you select, but your data actually goes through a different location.
For instance, if you choose to connect to the US, you’re given a US IP address. On the backend, however, your traffic is being routed through a nearby Canadian server.
AVG's customer support agents confirmed that the VPN uses virtual locations. However, they couldn't provide a list or proof of which servers are virtual. So, we can only assume that AVG has a mix of physical and virtual servers in its 58 locations.
Its coverage includes the most sought-after countries like the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada. You can select its servers at the city level as well.
UI/UX Design & Ease of Use
AVG VPN has a simple and user-intuitive interface. You don't need to be an expert to navigate and use all its features. Our Score: 10/10
Using this VPN is easy even for complete novices. This section of our AVG VPN review will explore the VPN app's design on desktop and mobile platforms.
How Well Does AVG Secure VPN Work on Desktop Platforms?
AVG VPN works well on desktop platforms. Once you log in to your account, AVG VPN for Mac and Windows will show a clean, modern interface. On Windows, you can see your connection status, an ON/OFF switch, the current server selection, and a button to switch between server locations.
To customize the VPN, click the "Menu" button at the top-right corner of the screen, and it'll display its sidebar. The sidebar's first link is to your VPN account on the AVG website, rightly marked "Go to account."
The sidebar has six more menu items listed below.
- Enter Activation Code: This allows you to connect to your AVG subscription with an activation code. You can retrieve the code from your dashboard on AVG's website.
- Settings: Here, you can customize your security, protocol and notifications settings, as well as turn on the kill switch.
- My Subscriptions: This displays relevant information about your subscription plan and lets you sign out of the app.
- Get Free Mobile Version: This tab links to a new page where you can input your email to receive a download link to the app's mobile versions.
- Support and Help: The app links to the “Help and FAQ,” “Community Forum,” and “Contact Support” pages on the AVG website.
- About: This option shows your version of AVG Secure VPN. It also links to some third-party software, an Acceptable Use Policy, and end-user agreements.
There’s also a section of the sidebar dedicated to promoting other AVG products. If you only need the VPN, you don't have to pay attention to this promo section.
We also have to add that AVG VPN for Chrome and other browser extensions don’t exist. However, AVG has a Chrome extension to identify untrustworthy websites.
How Well Does AVG Secure VPN Work on Mobile Platforms?
AVG VPN works so well on mobile platforms. Even AVG VPN for Android and iOS shares similar designs with desktop apps.
The home screen on the mobile apps is laid out the same way, with a big red ON/OFF switch in the center and server selection options at the bottom. The Menu button on Windows is replaced with a Settings icon.
Below are the settings you can access on AVG VPN for iPhone and Android devices:
- Account: This lets you access your subscription info and settings.
- Connection Rules: You can customize VPN security and privacy features here, including VPN protocols, auto-connect, split tunneling, and kill switch (on Android).
- Troubleshooting: Here, you can access FAQs, go to the Forum, or contact Support for personalized assistance.
- General Settings: This section lets you rate the app, send optional usage data, customize your notifications, and read the VPN’s privacy policy.
Media Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming Support
AVG VPN has dedicated servers for streaming and torrenting for a faster and smoother experience. These servers also work well for online gaming. Our Score: 9/10
VPNs have many benefits, such as bypassing streaming restrictions, improving gaming, and securing P2P sharing. Our review assesses AVG Secure VPN’s performance in these areas, providing the info you need to make a decision.
Is AVG VPN Good for Streaming?
Yes, AVG Secure VPN is a good VPN for streaming. Although it doesn't make our best streaming VPN list, it delivered a fairly satisfactory performance.
Notably, we could access prominent media platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Max, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. We also streamed on US-based platforms with all its four US streaming-optimized servers. Other servers performed well, but dedicated servers deliver a smoother experience.
This VPN easily unblocks popular US streaming platforms, as shown below:
AVG VPN extends its reach beyond the US, enabling access to streaming platforms around the globe. Here's a preview of the diverse streaming options you can enjoy with this VPN:
All six streaming-optimized servers gave us a reliable connection that allowed us to stream for hours. Non-streaming servers have also unblocked these platforms, but we recommend dedicated servers if they’re available. Thankfully, they’re easy to identify, as they’re marked with a white play icon.
Is AVG VPN Good for Torrenting?
Yes, AVG VPN is a good VPN provider for torrenting. It enhances your P2P connections with special torrenting servers optimized for faster download speeds.
There are eight dedicated torrenting servers at your disposal. Three servers are located in the US, and one each in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, and Czech Republic.
P2P connections are also supported on its other 50+ server locations. However, AVG VPN doesn’t support port forwarding, which is why it isn't included in our list of the best VPN for torrents. Still, it emerges as a compelling choice if you often use torrent clients.
Is AVG VPN Good for Gaming?
Yes, AVG VPN is good for gaming. This stems from its ability to reroute data, leading to decreased ping and improved latency. It also has solid protocols to protect you from cyber-attacks. As a result, your gaming experience is guaranteed to be smooth and enjoyable. However, AVG Secure VPN lacks dedicated servers for gaming.
If you need servers optimized specifically for gaming and advanced features to prevent DDoS attacks, choose a gaming VPN instead. Otherwise, if you’re a casual gamer playing with friends, AVG VPN is just fine. You can play in 55+ locations across the world and access geo-restricted games.
Security & Privacy
AVG VPN offers basic security features and collects some information about your online activities. However, it has had no data leaks. Our Score: 6/10
Security and privacy are important considerations when it comes to choosing a VPN. In this section, we'll determine if you can trust AVG VPN by reviewing its protocols, logging policy, and leak prevention.
AVG Secure VPN Protocols
AVG Secure VPN doesn’t have advanced features such as multi-hop, dedicated IP, or an ad blocker. It simply offers VPN protocols and encryption for average VPN users.
- WireGuard: This is the fastest protocol AVG VPN offers, and it works for all kinds of Internet traffic. It also keeps you safe with the new ChaCha20 authenticated encryption, which has shorter keys that keep it light.
- OpenVPN: Two variations of this protocol exist - UDP and TCP. However, it's not specified which version AVG VPN uses. But since Avast generally prefers OpenVPN UDP, it's safe to assume that AVG also uses UDP, which is known for its higher speed.
- Mimic: This protocol is exclusive to Avast and is available on all AVG Secure VPN devices. It mimics your traffic, giving snoopers fake info about your identity and online activities. If you’re in a country that regulates VPN use, then Mimic will help hide your actual traffic.
- IKEv2/IPSec: These protocols are only available in the macOS and iOS apps, and they’re great for streaming online content. Combined with AVG VPN's AES-256 encryption, you can stream at good speeds anonymously.
By default, AVG Secure VPN uses OpenVPN. If there's a problem with OpenVPN, the app automatically switches to Mimic.
Does AVG VPN Keep Logs?
Yes, AVG VPN keeps logs. While AVG VPN's logging policy has improved over the years, it's still far from ideal. The service no longer retains any portion of your IP address. Also, it doesn't store your browsing history, DNS queries, or any transferred data.
Nevertheless, it retains more data than is essential, including the amount of data you send and receive. It also stores your connection timestamps and events. All that service data can be stored for up to two years.
Lastly, there have been no third-party audits of this VPN to confirm how it processes your data. So, if you’re privacy conscious, then you should consider other options.
Does AVG VPN Leak/Expose Your Private Data?
No, AVG Secure VPN doesn’t leak or expose private data. AVG VPN totally hides your data from ISPs and other third parties when you’re connected. It protects user data from exposure to third parties during online browsing.
Based on the above results, it's evident that no DNS leaks were identified. However, AVG uses third-party tools to analyze the data it collects from you during your sessions.
Some of those tools are owned by Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and AppsFlyer Analytics. This means some of your data will be subject to these companies' privacy policies.
Speed & Performance
AVG VPN performed well, offering good speeds during testing on nearby and distant servers. On average, our speeds decreased by approximately 42%. Our Score: 7/10
Before discussing AVG Secure VPN's speed performance, it's important to note that VPNs typically reduce Internet speed due to encryption. However, while a speed decrease is expected, decent performance is still anticipated.
To begin, we recorded baseline speeds of 46.32 Mbps download and 44.05 Mbps upload. We compared these initial speeds to six servers in various countries and checked for speed drops.
Let's see how AVG Secure VPN performed.
- USA Server (Maryland): This was the fastest server we tested, with only a 19% reduction in speed. Our download speed reached 37.46 Mbps, while the upload speed reached 10.84 Mbps.
- UK Server (London): The speed test result was far below our expectations. The US server set the bar high, but the UK server was disappointing. The speed reduction was about 55%, with a download speed of 20.72 Mbps. However, the upload speed of 17.18 Mbps was the best we recorded.
- Canada Server (Vancouver): Similar to the UK server, this server's speed test result wasn’t impressive. It showed a similar performance with a reduced speed of 45%. We downloaded at 25.39 Mbps and uploaded at 8.40 Mbps.
- Singapore Server (Singapore): The download speed was remarkable, reaching 32.70 Mbps, resulting in a 29% speed reduction. However, the upload speed came in at 0.47 Mbps, which was very poor.
- Australia Server (Melbourne): We recorded an acceptable and average speed performance here, considering Australia is a remote location. Our download speed maxed out at 28.53 Mbps, showing a speed reduction of 38%. The upload speed, on the other hand, was sluggish at 3.02 Mbps.
- Italy Server (Milan): AVG Secure VPN performed the worst when connected to this server. We got download speeds of 17.35 Mbps and upload speeds of 12.19 Mbps. This marked a 63% reduction in speed, leaving us with a weak connection.
With its default configuration, AVG VPN averaged a 42% reduction in our Internet connection speed. This isn’t great, but it’s good enough for basic browsing and streaming. There's also some potential for improved performance if you adjust your VPN's settings, try different protocols, or use the fast servers we tested.
Despite the slowdown, our observation indicates a consistent and smooth Internet connection. But it’s worth mentioning that the speed drop varied widely, with some locations only losing 19% and some dropping up to 63% of the download speed.
There are also other options worth considering if you’re on the lookout for the fastest VPNs.
Customer Support
AVG's customer support includes community forums, phone calls, FAQs, and a live chat. However, not all of them worked. Our Score: 6/10
If you're experiencing any trouble with AVG VPN, you can get help on its official website. Here are the support options you can expect.
- Community Forum: The forum primarily comprises tips and advice contributed by Avast and other users. Avast's support team has a good amount of engagement, but our questions were first hidden while awaiting approval from the team.
- Phone Call: If you have an Avast account, you can directly call support agents with one of the three phone numbers provided once you have a ticket. Keep in mind that the ticket will only be valid for an hour.
- FAQ: You can access the FAQs page through the app, which redirects to the browser. It consists of answers to installation, connection, device compatibility, and subscription questions. It’s pretty light, but it covers most of the basic questions new users might have.
- Live Chat: AVG VPN live chat doesn’t work on the technical support tab. Even when the chat was activated, it always ended with an error. However, we were able to use live chat through sales support. The sales agent promptly transferred us to one of their technicians. Getting connected to an agent took about 15 minutes.
Pricing
AVG Secure VPN is pricey considering it offers mostly basic VPN features. Its subscription plans also lack distinct offerings. Our Score: 6/10
In this segment, we'll consider how well-priced AVG VPN is and its pricing for desktop and mobile apps. Let's take a closer look at AVG VPN's plans.
How Much Is AVG Secure VPN?
AVG Secure VPN starts at $4.39/month if you subscribe to its 2- and 3-year plans on its website. The AVG website offers three yearly pricing plans, with no option for a monthly subscription.
All its plans allow you to connect 10 devices simultaneously and are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. You get the same security and privacy features across all plans as well. However, that also means there’s little difference between these plans.
Here are the details of AVG's plans on its official website:
- 1-Year Plan: At $53.88 per year, you're paying $4.49 per month. It renews at $99.99, so you'll save 46% for the first year.
- 2-Year Plan: Charged at $105.36 for two years, this averages to $4.39 monthly. You save 46% on your first 2-year purchase, which usually costs $194.99.
- 3-Year Plan: This plan costs $158.04 per year or $4.39 monthly. You save the same 46% on the first three years when you buy the 3-year plan, as it renews at $294.99.
You get the best long-term cost savings on AVG VPN's 3-year plan at $4.39 per month. When you buy via the website, you can pay with your credit card or PayPal. However, its prices are different on both Android and iOS.
Buying the service on Android means you can only use it on Android devices. You can log in and protect up to two Android devices at once. All 50+ AVG VPN servers are available to you. It also offers a monthly plan.
Here’s an overview of AVG Secure VPN's pricing on Android:
- 1-Month Plan: This is the base plan at $3.99 with no cost savings.
- 6-Month Plan: Priced at $2.50 per month, you save 37% on the monthly plan over the six-month period.
- 12-Month Plan (+7 Days Free): The longest plan on Android costs $1.50 per month, a 62% savings on the month-over-month price. It’s the only plan that has a free trial for seven days.
The best cost savings on AVG VPN's Android plans is the yearly plan with a 62% discount. But these plans are different on iOS.
Two of AVG Secure VPN's plans on iOS devices are cheaper than on Android, likely due to their fewer features. There’s also a monthly plan, although all plans can work on two iOS devices at once.
- 1-Month Plan: The monthly plan costs a flat rate of $2.99.
- 6-Month Plan: You save 16% off the monthly plan, paying only $14.99 or $2.50 per month.
- 12-Month Plan (+14 Days Free): This plan has a 14-day free trial period and costs $19.99 yearly or $1.67 per month, saving you 44% on the monthly plan.
For just $1.67 per month, the annual plan offers the greatest savings, reducing the monthly cost by 44%.
Is AVG VPN Free?
No, AVG VPN isn’t free, but it has a 60-day free trial on its website. If you're using the Android app, there's a 7-day free VPN trial, while the iOS app provides a generous 14-day trial.
Its yearly plans on the website also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Also, there are no restrictions when you use AVG VPN for free. Its lengthy 60-day free trial earns it a spot on our list of the best free trial VPNs.
Final Thoughts – Is AVG VPN Good?
Yes, AVG Secure VPN is good for light VPN users. It boasts above-average speed performance, an easy-to-use interface, and is easy to set up.
On the security and privacy end of things, we found that it had a decent blend of features and had no data leaks. It also performed relatively well when unblocking streaming services, casual gaming, and torrenting.
On the other hand, techy or regular VPN users might find it lacking in its logging policy and limited device coverage. It could also use more servers in more countries.
Premium VPNs are expected to have blazing-fast speeds and advanced features. So, these drawbacks may make it difficult to buy AVG VPN’s yearly plans. If you want the most out of your VPN, then we strongly recommend ExpressVPN.
PROS
- 60-day trial for computers.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Easy installation and setup.
- 10 simultaneous device connections.
- User-friendly interface.
- Good speed.
- Mid-level security features.
- No history of data leaks.
- Dedicated streaming and torrenting servers.
CONS
- Subject to EU data laws.
- Collects connection logs.
- Small server network.
- Lacks advanced features.
- Average customer service.
- Limited supported platforms.
- Non-uniform pricing across devices.
| Review Summary We recommend AVG Secure VPN only for casual users. While it offers reasonable performance and security, users with more privacy needs and a desire for advanced features may find it somewhat lacking compared to top-tier VPN services. | 6.6 Overall Score | ||
| Background, Jurisdiction & Reputation | 6 | ||
| Supported Platforms & Devices | 4 | ||
| Installation & Initial Configuration | 10 | ||
| Prominent Features | 6.5 | ||
| Server Count & Infrastructure | 2.5 | ||
| UI/UX Design & Ease of Use | 10 | ||
| Media Streaming & Torrenting, and Gaming Support | 9 | ||
| Security & Privacy | 6 | ||
| Speed & Performance | 7 | ||
| Customer Support | 6 | ||
| Pricing | 6 | ||