We review VPNs independently, but may earn commissions if you buy a VPN via our links.

Avira Phantom VPN Review

 Rated 2 out of 5 
1 reviews
Screenshot of Avira Phantom's desktop app on Windows
Simon Migliano

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.

Additional Testing by David Hughes

Our Verdict

5.55.5/10
How is this calculated?

We calculate the VPN service’s Overall Rating by combining the ratings of several testing categories. Each category is weighted as follows:

  • Privacy & Logging Policy: 20%
  • Speed: 20%
  • Security & Technical Features: 15%
  • Streaming: 15%
  • Ease of Use: 10%
  • Torrenting: 5%
  • Server Locations: 5%
  • Bypassing Web Censorship: 5%
  • Customer Support: 5%

Learn more by reading our VPN testing and review methodology.

Avira Phantom VPN is a basic VPN available on its own or as part of a security suite. It doesn't keep you private online as it logs your IP address. There are very few advanced features and it only unblocks US Netflix on mobile. However, it has good short-distance speeds.

Ranked #37 out of 55 VPNs

Avira Phantom VPN Category Ratings

  • 44.0/10
  • 6.36.3/10
  • 0.10.1/10
  • 8.98.9/10
  • 88.0/10
  • 4.34.3/10
  • 7.27.2/10
  • 7.47.4/10
  • 77.0/10
  • 66.0/10

Avira Phantom VPN Pros & Cons

  • Fast same-country speeds
  • Fast torrenting on free & paid plans
  • Protection against DNS leaks
  • Simple, streamlined VPN apps
  • Connect securely to 36 countries

  • Logs your IP address
  • No access to Netflix or BBC iPlayer
  • Small VPN server network
  • Very limited customer support
  • Apps lack advanced settings

Why Trust Our Review?

We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing 55 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 Testing30,000+
Weekly Speed Tests3,000+
VPN Services Reviewed55
Streaming Platforms Tested Daily12
IP & DNS Leak Tests Performed9,500+
How Much We've Spent On Testing$25,000+

Avira is well-known for its antivirus software, and in 2016 it ventured into the world of VPNs with the introduction of Avira Phantom VPN.

This self-proclaimed ‘ultra-secure’ VPN service has received mixed reviews, like many other VPNs launched by antivirus companies.

Overall, Avira Phantom VPN Pro (the premium version) is average. It’s a basic service, which offers security and is okay for torrenting but not much else. It does unblock US Netflix, though.

Avira also offers a more limited free VPN service with a 500MB monthly data cap (1GB if you create an Avira account). You can read our review of Avira Free VPN here.

Avira Phantom VPN Key Data

Data CapDownload SpeedLogging PolicyData LeaksJurisdictionServersIP AddressesCountries With ServersUS NetflixTorrentingSimultaneous ConnectionsWorks In ChinaSupportCheapest PriceMoney-Back GuaranteeOfficial Website
Premium
Free
Unlimited500MB / 1GB
96Mbps53Mbps
Intrusive LoggingNo Identifying Data
NoNo
Germany (14 Eyes Member)Germany (14 Eyes Member)
4847
48+47+
3633
NoNo
PartiallyRestricted
Unlimited-
NoNo
Live ChatOnline Resources Only
$6.50/mo over 12 MonthsFree
30-day Money-Back Guarantee-
Avira.com

Privacy & Logging Policy

Is Avira VPN safe?

0.10.1/10
How is this calculated?

We analyze and dissect the VPN service’s logging and privacy policy. A VPN should never log and store:

  • Your real IP address
  • Connection timestamps
  • DNS requests

Headquarters outside of 14 Eyes or EU jurisdictions are also preferable.

Avira stores your original IP address, which is the worst thing that a VPN provider can do. It also collects device information and aggregated bandwidth usage data. Avira Phantom does not protect your privacy.

Ranked #45 out of 55 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy

Data TypeLogged by Avira Phantom VPN
Browsing ActivityNo
Device InformationYes
DNS QueriesNo
Individual Bandwidth UsageYes
Individual Connection TimestampsNo
ISPNo
Number of Simultaneous ConnectionsNo
Originating IP AddressYes
Account InformationNo
VPN Server IPNo
VPN Server LocationNo
Date of Last ConnectionNo

Avira VPN logs your IP address, the amount of bandwidth you use, and details about your device.

None of this is necessary to maintain a VPN service and we advise against using Avira Phantom if you want to protect your online privacy.

Who Is Behind Avira?

Avira was founded in 2006, but its anti-virus software was developed back in 1986 by its predecessor, H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH. Avira launched Avira Phantom VPN in 2016.

It isn’t the only security software company to create a VPN product: McAfee, Kaspersky VPN and other antivirus services have launched their own VPNs.

Avira’s headquarters are located in Tettnang, Germany. It also has offices in China, the Netherlands, Romania, and the US.

Germany isn’t the ideal jurisdiction for a VPN service. It falls under EU data retention laws and is also part of the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. However, Avira Phantom’s very minimal logging policy means this isn’t too much of a concern.

Avira also states in its privacy policy that it will comply with data requests from public authorities, but it can’t hand over any personally-identifiable information as it doesn’t store any.

In December 2020 NortonLifeLock, which operates Norton VPN, acquired Avira.

Speed

Fast Local Connections

8.98.9/10
How is this calculated?

We calculate the VPN’s speed rating using our download speeds, upload speeds, and ping (latency) measurements.

We regularly test the VPN’s local and international speeds using a dedicated 100Mbps internet connection in New York, USA.

Avira Phantom’s speeds have improved in recent months, especially if you’re planning on connecting to a server in the same country as your physical location. However, Avira VPN is still struggling over longer distances. It's unable to compete with our fastest VPN services on connections from the UK to the US and Asia.

Ranked #26 out of 55 VPNs for Speed

We tested Avira Phantom VPN’s speeds on servers in six continents, assessing impact that the VPN has on our 100Mbps internet connection. Here are the full results:

As you can see, Avira Phantom is fast on local connections, but it’s long-distances speeds are slower than we reasonably expect.

For example, we lost 49% of our normal speed connecting to Australia. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, only lost 17% on on the same distance.

To put these speed results in more context, you can use the bar chart below to compare Avira’s average local and international speeds with some of the best VPNs on the market, like ExpressVPN and Hotspot Shield:

Bar Chart Comparing Avira Phantom VPN's Short and Long Distance Speed Loss Average Against Competitors

Good Ping Score

Avira VPN’s latency was surprisingly low, making it a solid choice for keen gamers — we recorded a 6ms latency connecting to a local New York server. Fast same-country upload speeds mean it’s not too bad for torrenting either.

Avira isn’t the fastest VPN we’ve tested, but it’s speeds are the most reliable VPN service we’ve seen — we still experienced very few connection drops and speeds did vary more between tests.

Server Locations

49 city locations over 36 countries

88.0/10
How is this calculated?

The key factor for calculating this rating is the global spread and coverage of the VPN’s server network.

We also consider the total number of servers, the number of city-level servers, and the number of IP addresses available.

Avira Phantom has good server coverage for a VPN of its size. Its servers are mostly concentrated in Europe and the US, though.

Ranked #23 out of 55 VPNs for Server Locations

Globe with a blue flag
36 Countries
Image of a city landscape
52 Cities
Image of a pink marker
48+ IP Addresses

Avira VPN has a mid-sized server network covering 36 countries.

We were unable to find out exactly how many individual servers and IP addresses Avira maintains. We asked Avira for more information, but they refused to disclose any specific details. This likely means the overall number of servers and IP addresses is small, which can lead to slower speeds at busy times.

Avira VPN’s server coverage is best in Europe, which accounts for 24 of its total locations. There’s four server locations in Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore), but only one in South America (Chile), and none at all in Africa.

The only two countries with city-level choice are Australia (Melbourne and Sydney) and the US. US-based users can choose from Avira Phantom servers in 12 different cities, including:

  • Atlanta
  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
  • New York City
  • Newark
  • Phoenix
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Washington DC

12 US cities is impressive considering Avira’s small server network. However, we would have traded this to see Avira Phantom Pro serve a wider range of countries.

Streaming

Avira works with US Netflix on mobile only

44.0/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is calculated by how many different streaming services and regional content libraries the VPN can unblock, and how consistently it can access them.

We test access to Netflix, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and many more platforms on a weekly basis.

Avira unlocks Netflix US on iOS and Android, but no other platforms. We havn't been able to get any other streaming services working through the service.

Ranked #32 out of 55 VPNs for Streaming

If you’re looking for quick, one-click access to major streaming services, Avira Phantom isn’t the right VPN for you.

The VPN service seems to only be capable of streaming the US Netflix library, and then only from iOS and Android devices (this works in the free mobile apps too). It’s a big one, and we’re glad that it can at least do that, but we want to see more.

Unfortunately Avira’s sole UK VPN server has never unblocked BBC iPlayer, either.

Torrenting

Supports P2P traffic

6.36.3/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is determined by the VPN’s torrenting speeds, the percentage of servers that allow P2P file sharing, the service’s privacy and trustworthiness, and useful settings like port forwarding.

For speed specifically, we calculate the VPN’s average download bitrate using our bespoke torrenting setup.

Avira allows P2P traffic on its network. While it might not be the fastest VPN for torrenting, its minimal logging policy and reliable VPN kill switch make Avira a safe choice for torrenting.

Ranked #29 out of 55 VPNs for Torrenting

Avira Phantom VPN Pro is a decent choice for torrenting and P2P file sharing.

While Avira’s website confirms that its VPN can be used for torrenting, there’s no additional information about this.

Nevertheless, Avira’s minimal logging policy, decent same-country speeds, and its VPN kill switch are good features for anonymous P2P activity.

Using Avira Phantom VPN Pro with qBittorrent screenshot

Avira VPN supports P2P traffic on all of its servers.

Avira has done well in our torrenting benchmark tests, too, but it isn’t the fastest available. For a faster and more secure file-sharing experience, use one of these VPNs for torrenting, instead.

Avira Free on the other hand is by far the fastest free VPN we’ve tested for torrenting, although its 500MB data cap will hold you back significantly.

Bypassing Web Censorship

Won’t work in China or Turkey

4.34.3/10
How is this calculated?

We routinely test if the VPN can bypass strict internet restrictions in China using our remote-access server in Shanghai.

Other important factors we consider include obfuscation technologies and the availability of servers in neighboring countries (for faster connections).

We've not been able to get Avira Phantom working from our Shanghai server, and have no reason to beleive it will work in other highly censored regions.

Ranked #31 out of 55 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

Avira Phantom VPN doesn’t work to bypass censorship in China and most other highly-censored countries.

Screenshot of a comment on Avira Phantom's user forums

We also can’t recommend Avira Phantom for use in Turkey, Russia, the UAE or Iran.

The service doesn’t have any obfuscation tools to hide your VPN connection. Also, the apps use the OpenVPN protocol, which is very easy for censors to detect and block.

Security & Technical Features

Secure VPN but lacks advanced settings

7.27.2/10
How is this calculated?

A secure VPN must offer OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, AES-256 encryption, and a working kill switch.

To calculate this rating, we also factor in additional security settings and features.

Avira VPN is a safe VPN service with a basic set of security features. It includes industry-standard AES-256 Encryption, first-party DNS servers, and a functional VPN kill switch. However, Avira VPN lacks advanced features and its iOS app uses the IKEv2 protocol, which isn’t as secure as OpenVPN or WireGuard.

Ranked #26 out of 55 VPNs for Security & Technical Features

ProtocolsAvailable in Avira Phantom VPN
IKEv2/IPSecYes
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)Yes
SSL VPNYes
TLS VPNYes
WireGuardNo
EncryptionAvailable in Avira Phantom VPN
AES-128No
AES-192No
AES-256Yes
BlowfishNo
ChaCha20No
SecurityAvailable in Avira Phantom VPN
DNS Leak BlockingYes
First-party DNSYes
IPv6 Leak BlockingNo
Supports TCP Port 443No
VPN Kill SwitchYes
WebRTC Leak BlockingNo
Advanced FeaturesAvailable in Avira Phantom VPN
Ad BlockerNo
Dedicated IPNo
Double VPNNo
Smart DNSNo
Static IPNo
SOCKSNo
Split TunnelingNo
Tor over VPN ServerNo
Tracker BlockerNo

Although Avira Phantom doesn’t have as many advanced privacy settings as other top-tier services, it will keep you safe online.

All the native VPN software runs on OpenVPN, the most secure connection protocol, apart from the iOS app, which uses IKEv2. Encryption is ensured via the ‘unhackable’ cipher AES-256.

The VPN kill switch is a very useful feature, as it protects your IP address in the event of a sudden VPN connection drop.

The VPN service also operates its own DNS servers rather than renting them from third parties, and protects you against DNS leaks, too.

Screenshot of Avira's leak test results

Results from browserleaks.com when connected to one of Avira’s US servers

If you still want more advanced settings to play with, head over to our IPVanish VPN review.

Device & OS Compatibility

Works with major platforms, but not routers

How is this rated?

A high-quality VPN should maintain functional, fully-featured applications and browser extensions for as many platforms and devices as possible.

Our ‘Device & OS Compatibility’ assessment contributes to the Ease of Use rating.

Avira Phantom has apps for major platforms (Android, iOS, Mac and PC), but won’t work with Linux or routers.

Apps

  1. Windows
  2. Mac
  3. iOS
  4. Android

Avira Phantom provides the usual range of custom VPN apps for various devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

Unlike many other VPN services, Avira isn’t compatible with any routers, meaning you have to download the VPN software onto each of your devices.

At least, Avira allows you to use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices at the same time.

No Firestick App and No Smart DNS

Avira VPN doesn’t offer any dedicated app for Fire TV devices.

It also doesn’t have a Smart DNS solution. Combined with the lack of router support, this means you can’t easily use Avira VPN on devices that don’t support native VPN apps.

If you want a VPN service for Apple TV or a VPN for gaming, there are far better choices out there than Avira Phantom. See our review of Surfshark for example, a VPN with a great Smart DNS tool.

Browser Extensions

  1. Chrome

Avira Phantom has recently introduced a browser extension for Google Chrome.

Unlike the proxy extensions many other VPN services provide, this is a true VPN extension that uses the same level of encryption (AES-256) as the desktop client.

It’s great for masking your IP address but it’s not a complete substitute for the desktop VPN app, as it only secures your browser connections.

There is no Firefox add-on, sadly. If you’re a Firefox user, consider using one of these recommended VPN addons, instead.

Ease of Use

Cluttered apps with some usability flaws

7.47.4/10
How is this calculated?

This rating mainly consists of the user-friendliness and intuitiveness of setting up and regularly using the VPN.

We also factor in customization settings, as well as device and OS compatibility (see section above).

Avira's apps are pretty good, but are let down by the total lack of additional features or customization

Ranked #33 out of 55 VPNs for Ease of Use

How to Install & Set Up Avira Phantom VPN

Avira Phantom is a very simple one-button VPN that’s almost identical on both desktop and mobile. Avira’s main screen only displays an on/off button and your current virtual location – we would like to see some more connection information here.

Avira really falls down when it comes to advanced features – or rather its lack of them.

Aside from a VPN kill switch and the option to automatically secure untrusted WiFi networks, there are no advanced settings at all, putting Avira well behind its rivals in terms of configurable options.

The Avira Phantom apps also lack any protocol options, and even fails to inform you what protocol you are using. If we didn’t know that Phantom was based on OpenVPN, which Avira confirmed to us, we wouldn’t feel very confident in its security.

If you’re looking for a VPN with uncluttered and accessible software, Avira is a great choice. However if you like having lots of advanced features to choose from, you’re better off looking elsewhere.

Customer Support

24/7 live chat makes up for limited resources

77.0/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is based on our assessment of the VPN’s:

  • Live chat support
  • Email support
  • Online resources

Not every VPN offers all these support options, and they often vary in quality and response times.

Avira's chatbot isn't much help but it's email support has always been quick and professional. It also offers online FAQs for free customers.

Ranked #32 out of 55 VPNs for Customer Support

Customer SupportAvailable in Avira Phantom VPN
24/7 Live Chat SupportNo
24/7 Email SupportNo
ChatbotYes
Live Chat SupportYes
EmailYes
Email Support via Online FormNo
Tutorial VideosNo
Online ResourcesYes

Sadly, Avira Phantom limits personalized customer support to paying users only, meaning free users or potential customers won’t be able to take advantage.

Thankfully email responses were quick and professional, although clearly it’s company policy not to reveal too many details about Avira’s VPN server network.

The knowledge base on Avira’s website is pretty limited, with the main feature being a list of a few simple FAQs.

However we have to admit that when a product is this simple, there’s a limit to the amount of resources that can be created.

Screenshot of the video tutorials on Avira's website

The company has recently introduced a handful of video tutorials to the site, which are very helpful and informative.

The ‘chat bot’ is another recent addition by Avira, but all it ever seemed to do was redirect us to the FAQs or prompt us to leave a message for the customer support team.

Price & Value

The longest plan is decent value

66.0/10
How is this calculated?

While we do assign a ‘Price & Value’ rating, it doesn’t contribute to the Overall Rating. We believe the reader should decide what is or isn’t a reasonable price.

A good rating isn’t just based on how cheap the VPN is, but for the overall value it offers.

Avira Phantom has a simple set of subscription options, on either a one or twelve month contract. Of course, you can get the VPN bundled in with Avira's other security products, too, if you want.

Ranked #30 out of 55 VPNs for Price & Value

Avira Phantom offers three different pricing plans. They all offer the same features, but the longer you sign up for, the less you pay each month.

A single month is the most expensive option at $10.00 and is reduced by 35% to a reasonable $6.50 if you commit to a 12-month plan. That will cost you $78.00 upfront.

Additionally, you can opt for a mobile-only plan, which costs $5.99 per month, but you’ll be limited to VPN access only on your smartphone.

Avira Phantom Free

There’s also a free version of Avira Phantom available.

For a free service, it offers a reliable service and a strong privacy policy (just like the paid version). It isn’t great for streaming, comes with a 1GB monthly data cap, and is restricted to one server only. But it does allow P2P traffic.

It offers a good service for privacy oriented users who don’t use too much data. Because of this it holds a place in our top five free VPN services.

  1. Monthly

    $10.00/mo

    Billed $10.00 every month
  2. 12 Month(s)

    $6.50/mo

    Billed $78.00 every 12 months
    Save 38%

Payment & refund options

  1. American Express
  2. Mastercard
  3. PayPal
  4. Visa

Avira offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for those who aren’t satisfied with their purchase, or 14 days for monthly subscribers. This is a genuine ‘no questions asked’ guarantee with no restrictions or fair usage policies, simply contact cleverbridge (Avira’s billing partner) and it will process your refund.

If you don’t want to commit to a paid plan right away, Avira Phantom also offers a free trial that you can use for as long as you like. This does give you an idea of what Avira is like, but you are limited to a monthly data limit of 500MB and miss out on some key privacy features.

We love that you don’t have to provide any personal details to access the free service, however Avira offers to double your monthly data allowance if you provide your email address.

Avira Phantom doesn’t offer a very large range of payment options, particularly in comparison to top-tier VPN providers. It does accept most major credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal, but there is no option to pay using cryptocurrencies or international methods.

The Bottom Line

Much better VPNs are available

It’s difficult to recommend Avira VPN when there are much better VPN services available.

It certainly beats out most other “antivirus VPNs”, but that’s more or less all it has going for it.

Its speeds are only ‘ok’ and it won’t unblock niche Netflix libraries or BBC iPlayer. It also won’t work in high censorship nations like China or Turkey.

Overall, Avira VPN is an ok VPN, built for beginners keen to protect their online privacy. It is also a decent choice for torrenting.

But, it’s certainly not a good VPN for streaming, though, and it’s more expensive than we would expect for a VPN with its limitations.

Alternatives to Avira Phantom VPN

Private Internet Access logo

Private Internet Access

9.349.3/10

PIA VPN is an extremely fast VPN. If speed is important to you, then this VPN is for you. It's cheaper than Avira, but it works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and it's one of the best VPNs for torrenting. Read Private Internet Access review

NordVPN

NordVPN

9.359.4/10

NordVPN is also a very good alternative to Avira VPN. It's one of the best VPNs for streaming, with access to Netflix and Disney+. It allows torrenting on most servers, and it generally bypasses the strictest of web blocks. Read NordVPN review


User Reviews for Avira Phantom VPN