AVG Secure VPN Review 2024: Is Simplicity Key?

A virtual private network (VPN) is essential for maintaining a secure and private connection while online. One such VPN that is grabbing the attention of privacy enthusiasts is AVG Secure VPN. It’s a robust security tool that was launched by a well-established name within antivirus software.

AVG Secure VPN comes with an easy-to-use interface, basic VPN features like a kill switch and split tunneling, and industry-standard security. This AVG Secure VPN review delves deep into its features and performance metrics, so you can find out if AVG Secure VPN is the right fit for you.

AVG Secure VPN review at a glance

Who is AVG Secure VPN best for?

• AVG Secure VPN is ideally suited for individuals who prioritize simplicity in their VPN use.

If you prefer a straightforward VPN with no frills, then AVG is a great choice. It’s a user-friendly service with a simple interface and straightforward setup. It’s a great option for individuals who are new to VPNs or prefer an uncomplicated online protection solution.

AVG Secure VPN’s privacy stands out due to its military-grade encryption and headquarters. It’s based in the Czech Republic, which isn’t part of any intelligence-sharing alliances, so you know it respects online privacy. With AVG, you can have peace of mind knowing your online activities won't be recorded or handed over to any government entity.

AVG Secure VPN pros and cons

AVG Secure VPN features

AVG Secure VPN comes with standard security features, like a kill switch and split tunneling, specialty servers, and a user-friendly interface. It offers a suite of security protocols, which include OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Mimic. This is all alongside powerful AES 256-bit encryption to ensure your online activities remain secure.

However, AVG offers a limited number of VPN servers compared to some competitors. This may affect your connection speeds and ability to access regional content.

Server count and countries

• 50+ server locations in 37 countries

AVG Secure VPN isn’t transparent about its number of servers, but it does advertise 50-plus server locations. The 37-country count also seems low, but it caters to a global audience with server countries across North America, South America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. It also provides specialized servers for streaming and torrenting.

A large server count is critical for a VPN because it reduces the load on individual servers, improving speed and performance. It also offers more options if you’re looking to bypass geo-restrictions on content in certain regions. With AVG, it could lead to slow VPN connections if too many people are on the same servers.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• AVG Secure VPN logs policy: Some logs (timestamps and amount of data used)
• AVG Secure VPN headquarters: Czech Republic

A no-logs policy is when no record of your online activity is kept by the VPN service. This includes personal and sensitive data. The policy is particularly important in situations where law enforcement or government agencies ask a VPN provider to hand over data because they will have nothing to give.

AVG has a general privacy policy that appears to process items like your personal data, billing data, and product data. The VPN policy mentions that it doesn’t send your originating IP address, DNS queries while connected, browsing history, or transferred data to its servers. However, this could still be a red flag for VPN users who are looking for the utmost privacy from their service provider.

AVG Secure VPN also collects some data like timestamps and the amount of data used for a period of time. These are used to calculate peak times of service demand, manage the number of concurrent active connections, handle abuse, as well as troubleshoot the service.

Timestamps show when connections were initiated and closed, while the amount of data transmitted is tracked in terms such as 5GB up or down. This information is used to plan for new network capacity and server improvements. For example, AVG Secure VPN may deploy more capacity in order to meet demand and ensure speeds stay up for all users.

The location of the VPN's headquarters also matters. Depending on the jurisdiction, companies might be legally required to retain user data or assist in surveillance activities. However, the Czech Republic is not part of any major intelligence-sharing agreements. Therefore, AVG Secure VPN is not obliged to retain user data or share it with foreign governments. This further strengthens its privacy measures.

Security features

AVG Secure VPN provides several security features to protect user data. The service incorporates suitable security protocols along with a kill switch and split tunneling.

A kill switch is a security measure designed to prevent your data from being exposed when your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. It works by automatically disconnecting your device from the internet. This feature can be activated in the AVG Secure VPN network settings.

Split tunneling allows you to choose which traffic is routed through the VPN service and which uses your regular internet connection. It is particularly handy when you need to access local and international services at once. This feature can also be activated in the network settings.

AVG’s VPN protocols include OpenVPN, Mimic, and WireGuard. OpenVPN is an open-source protocol that is secure and trusted. When OpenVPN is blocked, AVG should connect with Mimic. It was made by AVG experts to bypass VPN restrictions. WireGuard, another industry-leading protocol, is also available to connect with if desired. If you're uncertain about which protocol to use, you can allow the VPN app to auto-select based on your current network conditions.

Our experience with AVG Secure VPN

Upon deciding to test AVG Secure VPN, we found the initial process of downloading and installing the application straightforward and hassle-free. The app was easy to locate on its website and offered compatibility with the most common devices. From signing up to navigating through the user interface, the process was seamless.

Once installed, choosing and connecting to a server was effortless. The app presents a list of servers from different countries, so we just needed to click on one to connect. The speed was reasonable when connecting to servers in the U.S. and Canada. However. the speed dropped off tremendously when connecting to servers in the U.K. and Australia. AVG Secure VPN took around 23 to 30 seconds to even connect to the server in these locations, and when connected, loading sites took noticeably longer than when we were connected to servers in other countries.

AVG Secure VPN test results

Testing a VPN is essential for ensuring these services maintain good speeds, can access streaming services like Netflix, and don’t leak your information. We conducted several tests on AVG Secure VPN to get a better understanding of how secure the service truly is. Our tests looked at both speed, streaming support, and security.

Speed tests

• AVG Secure VPN speed test results: AVG Secure VPN decreased our speed significantly with every server and was especially slow in Australia and the U.K.

We tested the AVG Secure VPN speed results in several countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia, to determine how well it performs while connected to servers worldwide.

AVG Secure VPN had slower internet speeds across the board compared to our baseline speed without the VPN enabled. That being said, its performance was particularly poor in Australia and the U.K., where we experienced significant lag time and slow download speeds of around 22 to 30 Mbps, down from an original speed of about 375 Mbps.

We tested a variety of different websites like Netflix and social media sites while using AVG Secure VPN and noticed that it took noticeably longer for pages to load or content to buffer than usual. Even switching between servers didn't seem to help. We used a MacBook Air with an M1 chip and the latest version of AVG Secure VPN for all our tests.

AVG Secure VPN speed test results

AVG Secure VPN Netflix tests

• AVG Secure VPN Netflix test results: AVG Secure VPN allowed us to access Netflix everywhere but the U.S.

It can be hard to watch Netflix with a VPN because the streaming platform constantly battles with VPN users. AVG Secure VPN could be a good option for international Netflix. It could be accessed everywhere except the U.S., where it couldn’t connect even after we tried different browsers and U.S. servers and refreshed multiple times. While this may be disappointing for those wanting to access U.S.-based content or just stay secure online, AVG Secure VPN still has plenty of streaming options available in other countries.

In terms of streaming performance, AVG Secure VPN had no issues. There was no noticeable lag or buffering while streaming Netflix in Canada, the U.K., and Australia. This is a great sign as it shows that users can access content without any problems.

As far as other streaming platforms, we were unable to stream Hulu, Max, or Peacock. We were able to access BBC iPlayer, which even some of the best VPNs out there struggle to unlock.

AVG Secure VPN Netflix test results

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• AVG Secure VPN DNS leak test results: AVG Secure VPN passed its DNS leak test.
• AVG Secure VPN WebRTC leak test results: AVG Secure VPN passed its WebRTC leak test.

DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is responsible for translating website names into numeric IP addresses. DNS allows you to access websites without having to remember all of the site's individual numerical codes. A DNS leak test is an important tool that can help determine if your information is exposed when using a VPN; it checks whether or not your internet traffic goes through the secure connection of a VPN.

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communications) is an open-source technology that allows browser-based applications to provide real-time communication capabilities without the need for a dedicated server. A WebRTC leak test examines whether or not your IP address can be exposed when using this type of technology.

We tested AVG Secure VPN for DNS leaks and WebRTC leaks, and it passed both. This means that the service effectively hides your IP address, so your data is secure while browsing the web.

AVG Secure VPN compatibility

When selecting a VPN, it’s important to consider the devices and platforms it supports to ensure it’s compatible with your devices. A good VPN should secure an array of different devices. AVG Secure VPN provides support for the most common operating systems and mobile apps. However, it lacks support for Linux, smart TVs, and routers, which other services support.

AVG Secure VPN supports the following operating systems:

• Windows
• macOS
• iOS
• Android

AVG Secure VPN customer support

AVG Secure VPN offers decent customer support. It has an extensive online knowledge base featuring a variety of self-help resources and a community forum.

If further assistance is required, AVG provides email support through a form. Although live chat is available, users have reported that it could be more responsive, and agents weren’t able to answer questions completely.

AVG Secure VPN prices and subscriptions

AVG Secure VPN offers a few subscription plans, but it does not offer much flexibility in pricing and tiers compared to other VPNs. The one-year plan costs $4.49/mo, whereas the two-year and three-year plans offer a very small discount at $3.69–$5.89/mo.. In comparison, many VPNs offer a range of plans that vary significantly in price.

For instance, Surfshark and NordVPN are two of the best VPNs with pricing that can be cheaper than AVG’s. Surfshark’s Starter plan costs only $2.29/mo for a two-year plan and $2.49/mo for a one-year plan. NordVPN’s Standard plan costs $3.99/mo for its two-year plan. However, Nord is slightly more expensive than AVG for its one-year plan, which costs $4.99/mo.

For payment methods, AVG Secure VPN accepts most major credit cards and PayPal.

AVG Secure VPN cost

AVG Secure VPN alternatives

AVG Secure VPN is a reliable service with a focus on privacy. However, some VPN users might be searching for alternatives based on specific features, additional pricing options, or increased server locations. Here are some of the best VPN services to consider:

• NordVPN: Nord is a top-rated provider known for its robust security measures and impressive network of global servers. It supports up to six devices and provides a user-friendly experience. NordVPN also comes with advanced features like double VPN, Threat Protection, and more.
  Get NordVPN | Read Our NordVPN Review

• ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN stands out with its exceptional speed, reliable security, and extensive server network in 94 countries. It also supports a wide range of devices and allows for eight simultaneous connections.
  Get ExpressVPN | Read Our ExpressVPN Review

• CyberGhost: CyberGhost is a great alternative for users seeking to strike a balance between cost and privacy. It offers a large server network of 7,000-plus servers, multiple strong VPN protocols, and a user-friendly interface.
  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

AVG Secure VPN FAQs

Bottom line: Is AVG Secure VPN good?

AVG Secure VPN is a suitable choice for anyone who wants a user-friendly VPN service that uses strong encryption. It allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections, and it supports popular VPN protocols. It is headquartered in the Czech Republic, which in itself adds an extra layer of security, as no data is kept for surveillance. AVG Secure VPN offers a generous trial for people to give the service a try without a financial commitment.

However, the VPN’s server count isn’t transparent and could be quite low when compared with other VPNs. According to a variety of reviews online, its performance hasn’t been the best with streaming services. AVG Secure VPN also doesn’t offer the same level of advanced features that other similarly priced VPNs offer. Therefore, this VPN service is best suited for those who don’t need advanced features and simply want a simple and easy-to-use VPN with online protection for a reasonable price. It's also a good choice if you want an AVG antivirus plan bundled with a VPN.

2.6

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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On AVG Secure VPN's website

AVG Secure VPN

• Uses military-grade encryption
• Offers a 60-day free trial
• Collects some logs

Author Details

Ryan L. Clancy

About the Author

Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.