Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.
Overall, we don’t recommend AVG Secure VPN. It has a small server network and logs connection data. It’s also expensive and doesn’t include many features, such as split tunneling. That said, AVG VPN has fast download speeds and works well with US Netflix. In short, unless you already use AVG's antivirus software, you should avoid AVG Secure VPN.
Ranked #30 out of 56 VPNs
AVG Secure VPN Category Ratings
6.96.9/10
5.45.4/10
77.0/10
99.0/10
7.67.6/10
2.52.5/10
6.56.5/10
7.77.7/10
8.68.6/10
6.56.5/10
AVG Secure VPN Pros & Cons
Fast VPN connection speeds
Works with US Netflix & BBC iPlayer
Working VPN kill switch
No IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks
User-friendly VPN apps for popular platforms
Collects connection logs, including timestamps
Small server network (36 countries)
Mimic protocol is unproven
No OpenVPN on Mac or iOS
Doesn’t work in China
Customer support agents aren't always helpful
Why Trust Our Review?
We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing 56 VPN services using our impartial review process to recommend you the best VPN software.
Here are some of our key VPN testing statistics:
Total Hours of Testing
30,000+
Weekly Speed Tests
3,000+
VPN Services Reviewed
56
Streaming Platforms Tested Daily
12
IP & DNS Leak Tests Performed
9,500+
How Much We've Spent On Testing
$25,000+
AVG is one of the biggest internet security brands in the world. AVG is owned by Avast, which operates two other VPN products, Avast Secureline and HMA.
Sadly, we found that AVG Secure VPN is not very good. It does little to protect your security and privacy, due to the VPN’s invasive logging policy.
In terms of unblocking, AVG VPN unblocks US Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Also, its generous device policy lets you use the VPN on up to 10 devices at once.
However, torrenting users need to stay away since the VPN retains connection timestamps.
There’s a seven-day genuine free trial available that doesn’t require submitting any payment details.
After the trial is over, the shortest subscription length is one year, though. You’ll therefore have to pay at least $59.88 to continue using the VPN.
Ultimately, unless you’re an existing AVG antivirus customer, you shouldn’t use AVG Secure VPN. There are far better VPNs available with faster speeds, better customer support, and larger server networks.
EXPERT ADVICE:Private Internet Access (PIA) is faster, safer, and is better at unblocking than AVG Secure VPN. It costs the same upfront but for two years of use, instead of AVG’s one. Try PIA VPN risk-free for 30 days.
We dissect the logging and privacy policies of every VPN. A VPN should never log:
Your real IP address
Connection timestamps
DNS requests
A base of operations outside of 14-Eyes or EU jurisdiction is preferable.
AVG VPN’s privacy policy is much improved. The VPN service no longer collects any part of your IP address. However, it still logs some data, such as connection timestamps and the amount of data transmitted during your session. AVG Secure VPN's logging policy is not private enough for privacy-focused users.
Ranked #36 out of 56 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy
AVG Secure VPN logs the following information:
A timestamp when you connect to and disconnect from the VPN
The total amount of data transmitted during your session
Note: This data is held by AVG for 35 days.
The VPN previously logged the subnet of your originating IP address and the IP address of the individual VPN server used. We’re glad that the VPN provider has improved its privacy policy, but we’d like it to go further.
AVG Secure VPN shares the same privacy policy as Avast SecureLine. However, HideMyAss, another VPN owned by Avast, has a much more private logging policy.
AVG Secure VPN logs the exact time of connection, while HideMyAss only logs the day of connection. AVG VPN collects the exact amount of data transmitted, while HideMyAss only collects the rounded total of data transmitted.
These extra steps help anonymize the traffic, making it harder to work out who you are based on your web activity. As a result, we’d like Avast to have all of its VPNs use a singular private logging policy.
As it stands, AVG VPN logs more user data than is necessary. It should put off anyone who wants a high level of online privacy.
Ownership Overview
AVG (including AVG Secure VPN) was acquired by Avast in July 2016. Avast is a well-known cybersecurity company.
Avast has a poor track record for protecting user privacy and data. You can read more about this in our Avast SecureLine review.
Based in the EU
Avast is headquartered in the Czech Republic. As a result, the company is subject to intrusive EU data retention laws and intelligence-sharing agreements with other countries.
In line with Czech law, AVG would have to provide the data it retains to law enforcement if requested. As the VPN logs some data, such as connection timestamps, your identity could be worked out.
How Private Is AVG Secure VPN Compared to Other VPNs?
To compare how private AVG VPN is, we’ve collected data about it and four other VPNs in the table below. You’ll see each VPN’s key metrics, such as its overall privacy rating, logging policy, and jurisdiction.
Speed
Fast speeds across every server location
99.0/10
How is this calculated?
Speed ratings are calculated using upload speeds, download speeds, and ping (latency).
We test average speeds regularly using a dedicated 100Mbps connection in London, UK. Local download speed is considered the most important factor.
AVG Secure VPN performed well in our speed tests. Using the Mimic VPN protocol, our download speeds dropped from 100Mbps to 96Mbps on a nearby server. We also recorded speeds of above 85Mbps when connecting to far-away locations, like Australia and the US. AVG is quick enough for all web activities.
Ranked #16 out of 56 VPNs for Speed
Here are our full local speed test results when we tested AVG Secure VPN using the Mimic protocol:
Local Speed Test results before using AVG Secure VPN:
Download Speed: 100Mbps
Upload Speed: 100Mbps
Ping: 1ms
Local Speed Test results with AVG Secure VPN:
Download Speed: 94Mbps
Upload Speed: 99Mbps
Ping: 50ms
Download speed loss when AVG Secure VPN is running: 6%
Since the last time we tested it, AVG VPN’s download speeds have improved by 42% and by 65% for its upload speeds. We’re glad AVG has improved and we hope it can continue to boost speed performance in further product iterations.
The one major downside to the VPN’s local speeds is its ping time. We measured a ping rate of 50ms, 50 times higher than the baseline.
International Speed Test Results
Here are the full results we recorded when connecting to server locations from London, UK with a 100Mbps internet connection:
USA:
Download: 85Mbps (15% loss)
Upload: 30Mbps (70% loss)
Germany:
Download: 100Mbps (0% loss)
Upload: 30Mbps (70% loss)
Singapore:
Download: 73Mbps (27% loss)
Upload: 24Mbps (76% loss)
Australia:
Download: 89Mbps (11% loss)
Upload: 10Mbps (90% loss)
Brazil:
Download: 70Mbps (30% loss)
Upload: 1Mbps (99% loss)
AVG Secure VPN’s download speeds remain fast on servers around the world. We were particularly impressed with the results from the US and Australia, with our speeds remaining above 85Mbps in both locations.
That said, the VPN’s upload speeds are slow. AVG VPN is not an ideal choice if you regularly upload files.
How Fast Is AVG Secure VPN Compared to Other VPNs?
Using the table below, you can compare AVG VPN’s speed results to other VPNs. We’ve collected information about the VPN’s download speeds, upload speeds, and ping. We’ve also given each VPN an overall speed score using our speed testing scoring calculator.
Server Locations
Small VPN server network covering 36 countries
7.67.6/10
How is this calculated?
The global spread and coverage of the VPN server network is the most important factor here.
We also consider the number of city-level servers, plus how many IP addresses are maintained.
This rating does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Security & Features rating.
AVG Secure VPN’s server network isn’t very big, covering just 36 countries. There's a lack of server choice, with no dedicated IP or obfuscated options. The VPN provider also will not disclose how many of its servers are rented and virtually located.
Ranked #28 out of 56 VPNs for Server Locations
36 Countries
55 Cities
Undisclosed number ofIP Address
AVG Secure VPN’s server network isn’t very big, covering just 36 countries.
Sadly, AVG’s website doesn’t list its server network, making it difficult to check whether or not the country you need is available before you purchase.
Thankfully, AVG Secure VPN’s servers cover the most popular locations such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many countries in Western Europe.
There are also eight countries available in Asia Pacific, three in South and Central America, two in the Middle East, and one in Africa (South Africa).
AVG Secure VPN only has servers in the most popular countries.
AVG Secure VPN allows users to connect to city-level servers in six countries:
Canada (2)
Germany (2)
Russia (2)
Spain (2)
UK (2)
US (15)
City-level server choice is great for optimizing speeds and for accessing geo-specific content. AVG Secure VPN’s selection of 15 cities in the US alone is impressive for a server network of this size.
AVG does not disclose how many individual VPN servers (or IP addresses) it provides, nor does it specify whether they are virtual or physical servers.
Streaming is rated by the number of different services unlocked, how many regional libraries are viewable, and how consistently the VPN can access them.
Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and more are all tested on a weekly basis.
AVG Secure VPN has dedicated servers for streaming US Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The UK server is very reliable, working each time we tested it. However, we couldn't watch any other streaming services, such as Prime Video or HBO Max.
Ranked #23 out of 56 VPNs for Streaming
Our most recent tests found that AVG VPN is less reliable at streaming US Netflix than it used to be. That said, it still accessed the streaming service more often than not.
AVG Secure VPN unblocks US Netflix.
The VPN is a good choice for streaming BBC iPlayer from outside the UK. Over months of testing, AVG was able to access iPlayer each time. Even the very best VPNs, like ExpressVPN, struggle with this.
To access US Netflix, connect to the ‘Gotham City’ server. To stream BBC iPlayer, connect to the ‘Wonderland’ server.
Disappointingly, AVG VPN doesn’t work with any other streaming service. We were unable to stream Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, or Peacock while connected to the VPN.
Torrenting
Not recommended for torrenting
5.45.4/10
How is this calculated?
We calculate the average download bitrate of every VPN using a bespoke torrenting setup.
Testing also factors in the percentage of servers which permit P2P, plus useful features like port forwarding.
AVG Secure VPN is a poor option for torrenting. In our latest torrenting tests, we recorded a slow bitrate and poor overall performance. The VPN also logs too much information to be trusted with sensitive activity. If you torrent files often, you should use a different VPN.
Ranked #33 out of 56 VPNs for Torrenting
AVG Secure VPN only allows P2P activity on servers in six countries. These can be found in the ‘Torrenting’ section of the server list.
AVG Secure VPN’s torrenting servers are located in the following regions:
Czech Republic
France
Germany
Netherlands
UK
US (Miami, New York & Seattle)
AVG Secure VPN has dedicated servers for torrenting.
You can’t torrent using any other servers.
As well as the limited server selection, we don’t recommend AVG Secure VPN for torrenting due to its logging policy. The VPN stores way too much user connection data.
Our remote-access server in Shanghai, China routinely tests if a VPN can beat restrictions and access a free, open internet. Obfuscation technologies and nearby servers are also a contributing factor.
This rating does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Security & Features rating.
AVG Secure VPN does not work in China, UAE, Turkey, or any other high-censorship country. The VPN apps don’t come with any obfuscation tools or stealth protocols, making OpenVPN – the only VPN protocol included – very easy to detect and block.
Ranked #45 out of 56 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship
We’ve never been able to use AVG Secure VPN in China. The VPN is detected instantly and we’re unable to even log into the app.
AVG Secure VPN will still work in highly-censored countries like Russia and Turkey, though, which have less-strict VPN bans than China.
While Chinese web filters block many VPN services, there still are VPNs able to bypass the Great Firewall. See our list of the best VPNs for China to learn more.
Security & Technical Features
Strong encryption but basic security tools
6.56.5/10
How is this calculated?
Top-rated VPNs offer OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, AES-256 encryption, and a functional kill switch. We also consider additional security features and the global spread of VPN servers.
AVG Secure VPN includes the average amount of encryption and security features, but nothing more. It encrypts traffic using AES-256, uses OpenVPN, and comes with a kill switch. However, it uses a less secure protocol on macOS and it doesn't include any advanced features, like double hop.
Ranked #34 out of 56 VPNs for Security & Technical Features
Protocols
Available in AVG Secure VPN
IKEv2/IPSec
Yes
L2TP/IPSec
Yes
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
Yes
WireGuard
No
Encryption
Available in AVG Secure VPN
AES-128
No
AES-192
No
AES-256
Yes
Blowfish
No
ChaCha20
No
Security
Available in AVG Secure VPN
DNS Leak Blocking
No
First-party DNS
No
IPv6 Leak Blocking
No
Supports TCP Port 443
No
VPN Kill Switch
Yes
WebRTC Leak Blocking
No
Advanced Features
Available in AVG Secure VPN
Ad Blocker
No
Dedicated IP
No
Double VPN
No
Smart DNS
No
Static IP
No
SOCKS
No
Split Tunneling
No
Tor over VPN Server
No
Tracker Blocker
No
Poor Selection of VPN Protocols
AVG Secure VPN uses different VPN protocols for each of its apps:
Windows and Android – OpenVPN (UDP) and Mimic.
macOS – L2TP/IPSec and Mimic.
iOS – IKEv2/IPSec and Mimic.
Mimic is a proprietary VPN protocol developed by Avast. It’s exclusive to AVG Secure VPN and Avast Secureline. It’s a closed-source protocol that hasn’t been audited by a third party. As a result, it’s impossible to know how safe and secure it is to use.
Until more details are published, we don’t recommend using Mimic for sensitive activities, such as torrenting or online banking. Where it’s available, you should use OpenVPN instead.
There’s no option to use WireGuard, either. WireGuard is a new VPN protocol that performs well on speed and security. Unlike Mimic, it’s also open-source, meaning it can be vetted by third parties.
We’d like to see AVG VPN add OpenVPN as an option on all platforms, as well as support WireGuard.
AVG doesn’t use OpenVPN on all platforms.
No Advanced Security Features
AVG’s VPN software performs poorly when it comes to configurable settings.
All of AVG VPN’s apps use AES-256 encryption, which is considered unbreakable. It doesn’t have split tunneling, a feature that allows you to run some apps outside of the VPN tunnel.
There aren’t any advanced security features, either, like multi-hop, dedicated IP, or a malware blocker. Instead, AVG’s security features are basic and offer no options for customization.
The one upside is that AVG VPN has a VPN kill switch on its Windows and macOS clients.
The kill switch protects your real IP address if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. The feature blocks all internet traffic and keeps your true IP address hidden.
AVG VPN Hides Your IP Address
We put AVG Secure VPN through a range of security tests to ensure it doesn’t leak any personal information. We didn’t experience any leaks during our DNS, IP, or WebRTC leak tests.
AVG Secure VPN successfully concealed our true IP address.
However, AVG Secure VPN still recommends disabling WebRTC in your browser settings, since the VPN can’t disable WebRTC in-app.
Device & OS Compatibility
Doesn't work on many devices
How is this rated?
A quality VPN should maintain functional, fully-featured applications and extensions for as many platforms and devices as possible.
This does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Ease of Use rating.
AVG Secure VPN provides custom VPN apps for four popular platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Unfortunately, AVG Secure VPN provides no manual workarounds for other devices and platforms, like Linux.
Apps
Windows
Mac
iOS
Android
AVG Secure VPN is incompatible with games consoles and TV streaming devices. It doesn’t have a Fire TV Stick app, no Smart DNS tool, and you can’t set it up on your home router.
On the plus side, you can use AVG Secure VPN on up to ten devices simultaneously.
Ease of Use
Simple VPN apps with easy set up
7.77.7/10
How is this calculated?
This rating mainly consists of the intuitiveness of setup and everyday use.
Device or platform compatibility and customization options are also a factor.
AVG’s VPN desktop apps are simple to download and install. Although the apps are well-laid out and user-friendly, basic and don't offer enough customization options.
Ranked #29 out of 56 VPNs for Ease of Use
How to Install & Set Up AVG Secure VPN
You can find the VPN downloads for the four main devices on the homepage of AVG's website.
Before the VPN installation progress begins, you need to select your chosen language.
You'll also need to agree to the license agreement.
In order to use the VPN app, you'll be prompted to restart your device, which is annoying.
When you launch the VPN app for the first time, you'll be prompted to enter your email and password.
The VPN’s main screen doesn't display a great deal of information other than your chosen VPN server location and an on/off switch.
It's easy to tell when you're connected to the VPN as the on/off toggle lights up in green.
We like that the server list is separated into helpful tabs, with specific ones for streaming and torrenting.
The settings list is very limited and lacks any sort of advanced features at all. You can enable the VPN kill switch here, though.
AVG VPN is easy to install, set up, and use on all platforms.
To connect to a VPN server, just click the on/off button from the app’s home screen. Servers are conveniently split up into use cases. For example, click ‘Torrenting’ to find all of AVG VPN’s dedicated P2P servers.
Though its apps don’t offer many customization options, this means AVG VPN is very easy to use. The app is fine if you want a simple VPN to encrypt web traffic or bypass streaming restrictions.
But if you want a VPN that allows you to benefit from advanced features, you should consider an alternative.
Customer Support
Poor live chat and slow email responses
8.68.6/10
How is this calculated?
This rating is based on our assessment of each VPN’s:
Email support
Live chat support
Online resources
Not every VPN offers all of these, and they often vary in quality and response time.
AVG’s customer support is disappointing, and not what we expect from a well-established cybersecurity company. Its 24/7 live chat team weren't always able to answer our questions, and our emails were sometimes ignored. The online tutorials are below-par, too.
Ranked #12 out of 56 VPNs for Customer Support
Customer Support
Available in AVG Secure VPN
24/7 Live Chat Support
Yes
24/7 Email Support
No
Chatbot
No
Email
No
Email Support via Online Form
Yes
Tutorial Videos
No
Online Resources
Yes
The best way to get in touch with an AVG support agent is via live chat. Sadly, it’t not clear how to do this through the AVG website.
The support team covers both the AVG antivirus product as well as the VPN. We often had to wait over 20 minutes to be put through, and once we were, our query wasn’t always answered.
When contacting AVG via a support request form on the website, we sometimes didn’t receive any responses at all.
The support section of AVG’s website is poorly laid out and it took us a long time to find relevant resources. That’s because there’s no marked section for AVG Secure VPN.
The FAQ section is basic, but it does include some setup instructions and troubleshooting tips. There are also links to the community forum, with mostly user-generated tips and advice, but little input from AVG’s support team.
Price & Value
Not worth the expensive subscription cost
6.56.5/10
How is this calculated?
Price & Value for Money receives a rating, but is not factored into our Overall Rating. We believe the reader should decide what is or isn’t a reasonable price.
A good rating here isn’t just based on how cheap the VPN is, but for the value it offers overall.
AVG Secure VPN is expensive for the level of quality it provides. You can choose from three pricing plans, although there is no option to pay for a single month. All subscription lengths include the same product features.
Ranked #27 out of 56 VPNs for Price & Value
AVG’s VPN subscriptions start from a minimum of $4.99 for 12 months. The price drops to $3.99 per month on the two-year and three-year plans. You’ll have to pay upfront for each subscription.
Unlike most other VPN services, AVG does not offer a monthly subscription option. Make sure to use the VPN’s free trial before paying the upfront fee.
Here are AVG Secure VPN’s pricing options in full:
We recommend signing up for a yearly or two-year subscription. You won’t benefit from any further discount if you choose the three-year plan.
Simply, there are far better and cheaper VPNs available for less. For example, Surfshark’s two-year subscription is 45% cheaper, and Mullvad is available monthly for just $5.95.
The VPN also comes bundled with the ‘AVG Ultimate’ subscription. This package includes AVG’s antivirus and PC optimization software. It’s available for an annual subscription of $79.99.
Payment & Refund Options
American Express
Mastercard
PayPal
Visa
It’s only possible to purchase AVG Secure VPN using a credit card or PayPal. This limitation puts it well behind its competitors in terms of payment options.
There is no option to pay with cryptocurrencies for greater levels of privacy, nor are there any international options like AliPay or WorldPay.
7-Day Free Trial
AVG Secure VPN isn’t free, but you can trial the software for seven days without paying a cent. No personal or payment information is needed for the free trial.
Simply download the VPN on your chosen device and you’re good to go. You can only use the VPN on one device during the free trial, though.
30-Day Refund Guarantee
AVG Secure VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but it does come with some restrictions.
You are only eligible for a refund if you’ve used less than 10GB of data during the 30 days, and if you’ve connected to the VPN service fewer than 100 times in total.
If you do qualify for a refund, simply contact the AVG support team.
The Bottom Line
We don’t recommend using AVG Secure VPN
AVG Secure VPN is a mediocre VPN service, but it has improved slightly of late. It logs less user data than it used to, and its speeds are now very fast. However, it doesn’t go far enough.
The VPN still logs connection timestamps, and its fast speeds are down to the untested Mimic protocol. As a result, it’s not suitable for users concerned about privacy or security.
It’s a decent choice if you need to get an IP address from another country quickly. The VPN has servers in 36 countries, with all the main regions covered.
While we were able to watch US Netflix and BBC iPlayer using AVG VPN’s streaming-optimized servers, it didn’t work with Prime Video or Hulu. Also, its live chat customer support option is poor and email support is slow.
It’s fine to use if the VPN comes as part of your existing AVG subscription, but we don’t recommend paying for it separately. There’s no monthly subscription option, and there are safer and better alternatives available for cheaper.
In short, you should not use AVG Secure VPN and use a different VPN instead. You can find some suggestions in the section below.
Alternatives to AVG Secure VPN
Private Internet Access
9.39.3/10
Looking for super-fast speeds and top-level privacy? Private Internet Access provides both. It works reliably with US Netflix, too. Read Private Internet Access review
CyberGhost
99.0/10
If it's access to global content you need, CyberGhost is a great choice. With VPN servers in 90 countries. It's also safe, secure, and cheap. Read CyberGhost review