Top Features
From our research, Avast SecureLine VPN stands out with these main features:
- Powerful AES-256 encryption
- About 700 servers, 34 countries
- Smart VPN mode
- Specific torrenting & streaming servers
- Kill switch
- DNS leak protection
- Free trial available
- 30-day money-back guarantee
SecureLine VPN is available as a standalone product or as part of Avast security bundles, giving you flexibility based on your needs. In this review, we focus on the standalone version.
About Avast
Well-established in the cybersecurity area, Avast has decades of experience. It is known for antivirus, malware protection, and privacy solutions. Avast’s expertise forms the foundation for SecureLine’s VPN’s quality and secure design as it uses industry-standard protocols and strong encryption. Subscribing to a VPN from a company known for protecting devices around the world can help you feel more secure.
Many Devices, Multiple Platforms
Avast SecureLine VPN has multi-device plans so you can use up to 10 devices simultaneously across its supported platforms. If you have several devices or want to cover your entire household, this feature is likely important.
This VPN is compatible with a wide range of platforms:
- Windows
- macOS
- Android (including Android TV)
- iOS (iPhone and iPad)
- Android TV
The supported versions and reasonable requirements for processor, RAM, and storage are clearly outlined on the Avast site.
Avast SecureLine VPN Review of Security and Privacy Features
Let’s look at what we learned about Avast, from protocols and encryption to the kill switch and Smart VPN option, through our research.
Several Secure Protocols
SecureLine VPN is built on OpenVPN and OpenSSL. The use of proven, respected privacy technologies increases user confidence in data protection and maintains anonymity online.
Several protocols are supported, giving you plenty of choice, depending on your preference and needs. For Windows and Android, choose:
- OpenVPN
- WireGuard
- Avast’s Mimic
For macOS and iOS, the options are:
WireGuard is known for being fast and efficient, making it popular for videos, downloads, and online gaming. OpenVPN is widely considered stable and trustworthy, so it is often used when wanting a highly reliable connection over speed.
IPsec is compatible with Apple devices and generally easy to use. Mimic is Avast’s proprietary protocol; it makes your VPN-enabled browsing look like normal online traffic. That makes it useful in countries or networks with restricted VPN use to overcome blocks.
Does the Avast SecureLine VPN sound like a good fit for you? See what else buyers have to say.
See Buyer Reviews
AES-256 Across All Platforms
Avast SecureLine VPN uses top-level encryption on Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Its AES-256 protection is the same standard governments and banks use, giving you greater confidence in its ability to withstand brute-force attacks. AES-256 is known for providing extremely strong encryption without slowing down speed.
Kill Switch
If your VPN connection ends unexpectedly, a kill switch protects your IP address and web activity from being exposed. We are glad to see Avast include this feature in its SecureLine VPN for your data security and privacy. You can enable the kill switch setting in your dashboard.
DNS Leak Protection
Along with a kill switch, many people look for DNS leak protection in a VPN, which SecureLine from Avast has. That is important to those who doesn’t want personal data to “leak” outside the VPN. For example, you may not want your internet service provider to see the websites you visit.
When using public Wi-Fi, this leak protection keeps hackers from intercepting DNS requests. While WebRTC leak protection is not automatically enabled in Avast SecureLine VPN, you can disable WebRTC in your browser settings.
Split Tunneling
Routing specific apps through the VPN is helpful when you want to stream or browse with protection, while keeping local access for other apps that require it. This split tunneling feature is available for Android only, allowing for customized VPN use based on app needs.
Smart VPN
An automation feature called Smart VPN automatically connects Avast’s SecureLine VPN based on user-defined rules and activities. Being able to customize smart rules, such as when using public Wi-Fi, helps you get a VPN experience that works with your preferences and needs.
Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Pros and Any Limitations
Protection and Anonymity
As using public networks increases the risks of data theft, the encrypted connection that Avast SecureLine VPN provides can help protect you against that. There is also peace of mind in being able to protect your privacy with a secure VPN connection, even when on unsecured public Wi-Fi.
Anonymity while browsing online, if you’re a broadband user with a fixed IP address, is beneficial for many reasons. For example, it can help protect your personal data, reduce advertiser tracking, and maintain privacy while shopping online. Reduce risks of cyberattacks, such as phishing and malware, too.
The VPN connection hides your true IP address, so a remote server sees the address of Avast’s SecureLine VPN server rather than yours. A single shared IP address for everyone using the server protects your privacy as it’s significantly harder for traffic on that server to be associated with any of you. While multi-factor authentication is not part of the standalone VPN service, you can improve account security by enabling two-step verification on your Avast account.
Unrestricted Access Online
By connecting to one of Avast SecureLine VPN’s servers, you can bypass restrictions and web censorship that may exist in your location. That gives you greater access to content worldwide that otherwise would be blocked, such as sports events, locally restricted websites, and popular streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu.
SecureLine VPN does not have a Smart DNS feature. While it cannot unblock geo-restricted content on devices that don’t support VPN applications, its dedicated streaming and P2P may be more valuable to certain users.
Streaming and P2P-Specific Servers
Specific Avast SecureLine VPN servers are designated as streaming-optimized or P2P-friendly, which improves performance and privacy when streaming media and torrenting. Getting smoother access to the latest TV shows, movies, and sports content with less buffering makes for a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Some users online note errors and issues when accessing certain streaming services. If you run into problems, trying a different server may improve performance, or you can contact Avast customer service for assistance. The P2P-optimized servers receive many positive remarks online from users for faster download speeds compared to connecting without the VPN.
Fast Connection and Browsing
Using a VPN that is fast to connect and won’t slow down your internet speed is important. Secure your connection to public Wi-Fi in seconds and enjoy “lightning-fast” speeds of 2 Gbits/s with SecureLine VPN, per Avast’s site. Of course, results can vary based on several factors, such as server location, server load, and the chosen protocol. For example, WireGuard tends to be faster than OpenVPN, which may be slower due to heavier encryption. Both are available from this Avast VPN, along with other reputable protocols.
The faster download speeds of the servers optimized for P2P and streaming is a major benefit for those who regularly download large files via peer-to-peer networks, want to access geo-restricted platforms like Netflix, and users in locations with web censorship or content blocks.
Plus, the Smart VPN mode connects you to the fastest available server in the Avast SmartLine VPN network. That can improve browsing speed and performance.
Global Server Network
Avast SecureLine has a network of about 700 VPN servers in 34 countries worldwide. The servers span North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
While the network is relatively small, the coverage is global and spans major regions. The benefits of P2P-friendly and streaming-optimized servers for fast performance may be more important to certain users.
No Activity Logging
Avast does not log your browsing activity, such as which sites you visit, originating IP address, transferred data (files such as emails and photos), or DNS queries while connected. While they don’t keep usage logs, though, they do keep connection logs.
Some people may say it is not a true no-logs policy as Avast logs SecureLine VPN connection details for a limited time, such as timestamps of connections, duration, and bandwidth usage. This info is collected to keep the VPN “running smoothly and efficiently,” per Avast’s VPN Policy on its site. We encourage you to read this policy to understand the data collected, its purposes, and the length of time Avast retains it.
Adapts to Different Network Environments
In the case of Avast SecureLine VPN, TCP and UDP ports are encrypted, not just the web browser ports. Full traffic protection is great to have, in our opinion. That allows for a flexible tunnel with a great security range.
Free Trial vs Subscription
Being able to start with a 60-day free trial on desktop (Windows and macOS) is a great way to try Avast SecureLine VPN. On mobile (Android and iOS), the free trial is 7 days. Being able to test the VPN’s features can help you decide if it fits your lifestyle and needs without financial commitment. While payment information is required to activate the trial, you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial period ends.
However, a trial only gives you short-term access and may not be suitable for multi-device use beyond what the trial offers. For long-term protection, several subscription plans are available from Avast SecureLine VPN.
There are 1-, 2-, and 3-year plans, covering up to 10 devices, and include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Each plan is set to auto-renew at the then-current published price. The plan pricing is competitive, in our opinion.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
The money-back guarantee makes for a risk-free purchase. You can subscribe to an Avast SecureLine VPN plan and be refunded if the service doesn’t meet your expectations within the first 30 days, upon meeting its policy terms. That gives you time to test features like the Smart VPN and streaming servers, as well as other features.
Also Important to Know
Ease of Use
After installation, you can launch the app and connect to a VPN server in the Avast SecureLine VPN network with a single click. The design is intuitive, showing you the current server location and connection status clearly. That makes it easy to use. While there is no multi-hop, some users may consider the VPN’s compatibility with many devices and operating systems more important.
The Smart VPN mode is simple and hands-off; it automatically connects to the optimal server based on your online activities and the network rules you’ve set. It protects your data without any manual changes needed.
Customer Support
There are many customer support options for users of Avast’s SecureLine VPN. For help with installation, your account, or troubleshooting, Avast Support is available by:
Several self-help articles are also available in the Support section of Avast’s site. There are installation guides too.
Concluding the Avast SecureLine VPN Review
Avast SecureLine VPN is a reliable, easy-to-use solution for protecting your online privacy and security. It has strong AES-256 encryption, multiple respected protocols, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. These important features help keep your data safe across the major platforms. While it does not have a true no-logs policy, certain connection details are used only in limited ways, and browser activity remains private.
The servers optimized for streaming and P2P use, global network, and support for up to 10 devices make SecureLine VPN versatile for many uses, including watching the latest TV shows on popular streaming platforms. With Avast’s excellent reputation in cybersecurity, a free trial available, and competitively priced plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee, SecureLine has a lot in its favor. Based on research and review, our team considers Avast SecureLine VPN a reliable choice for many users.
