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The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Best server network
Premium VPN offering strong security and ultra-fast speeds
Strict no-logs policy with independent audit
In-house Lightway protocol for more speed and security
More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Best for multiple devices
Easy-to-use interface
Smart VPN feature automatically connects when needed
No month-to-month payment options
Are you looking for a virtual private network (VPN) for added security over your online activity? A VPN can help protect your personally identifiable information (PII) from scammers while on public Wi-Fi, circumvent geo-restricted content on your favorite streaming services, and provide other cybersecurity benefits.
But how do you choose a VPN that’s best for you? There are so many different VPN providers available, and they all tout similar offerings. We evaluated two providers to help you find the best VPN. ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN are both reputable options, but we found that there were a few differences that really set them apart, including price, number of connected devices, ability to stream, and available servers.
While ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN are similar, their primary differences are their allotted simultaneous connections and their server networks. Avast SecureLine VPN allows for up to 10 simultaneous connections, while ExpressVPN allows only five. On the other hand, ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, while Avast SecureLine VPN has servers in only 34 countries.
 ExpressVPN |
 Avast SecureLine VPN |
|
| Price | $6.67–$12.95/mo | $4.39-$4.59/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | 5 | 10 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more |
| # of servers | Servers in 94 countries | 700 servers in 34 countries |
| VPN protocol | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, OpenSSL |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | ||
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN | Get Avast SecureLine VPN |
If you’re looking for a VPN that allows you to access geo-restricted content, ExpressVPN is the definite winner. Although Avast SecureLine says that it can unlock your favorite streaming platforms, our testing proved that wasn’t the case. We were able to access Netflix when connected to a server outside of the U.S. Otherwise, the only other streaming platform we could access was Disney+.
While VPNs are quick to market the number of servers or the number of server locations, most users won’t need to access 700 servers or 90-plus locations. But for streaming, the VPN service you choose must have a server located in countries where you want to access geo-restricted content. ExpressVPN has a larger number of countries in its network.
Avast SecureLineVPN and ExpressVPN both use industry-standard encryption and VPN protocols. Avast includes OpenVPN and OpenSSL, but ExpressVPN stands out for including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec. It also offers a proprietary protocol called Lightway, which claims to improve VPN efficiency.
| ExpressVPN | Avast SecureLine VPN Best Value
|
|
| Price range | $6.67–$12.95/mo | $4.39-$4.59/mo |
| Best value plan | 12 Months + 3 Months Free for $6.67/mo | 2-Year Plan for $4.39/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | See Full Pricing Details | See Full Pricing Details |
Avast SecureLine VPN offers subscriptions to its services only in yearly increments, with plans for one year, two years, or three years. However, you do get to save money on a VPN subscription if you commit to two or more years with Avast. The price drops from $4.39/mo to $4.39/mo.
If you’re looking to purchase a VPN service in monthly increments, ExpressVPN has a monthly plan where you’ll pay $12.95/mo. You can also commit to a six-month subscription for $9.99/moor 12 months for $6.67/mo.
Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try either service risk-free before committing to a VPN. We discovered that you may score better pricing by clicking on one of the VPN's paid ads. We found special pricing for ExpressVPN by clicking on a sponsored ad from a Google search engine results page.
| Feature | ExpressVPN Best Features
|
Avast SecureLine VPN |
| Number of servers | Servers in 94 countries | 700 servers in 34 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | British Virgin Islands | Czech Republic |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| VPN protocol | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, Open SSL, IPSec |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Netflix support | ||
| Torrenting support | ||
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN | Get Avast SecureLine VPN |
ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine’s features are pretty even. They both offer industry-standard 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy. A no-logs policy means that your online activities will not be tracked or logged while connected to the VPN, so your online privacy should be maintained with either service.
Avast SecureLine keeps connection logs, which show when you connect or disconnect from the VPN as well as any connection issues that may arise. It does not log any user activity once connected. Similarly, ExpressVPN keeps some information too. ExpressVPN tracks what type of devices are used, the dates the user connected, the VPN server location, and the total amount of data transferred in a day. However, both Avast SecureLine and ExpressVPN say that the information they do log can’t identify the user or what the user did while connected.
Depending on how you plan to use your VPN, other features may be important to you. One feature that both services offer is a kill switch. A kill switch stops your internet connection if the VPN connection is lost. This function ensures that you won’t be using your internet unprotected if your VPN stops working.
Split tunneling is another useful VPN feature that comes with both VPNs. Split tunneling allows you to navigate some of your website traffic through the VPN connection, while other browsing can continue without a VPN connection. For example, you may want to be connected to a VPN to stream Netflix out of the country, but you don’t need the VPN to access your regional banking service.
If you’re looking to use a VPN for torrenting, you can also do so with either service. Torrenting allows you to send peer-to-peer files through the BitTorrent network. Torrenting is not illegal, but the content that may be shared through torrenting could have legal implications. Avast SecureLineVPN highlights servers around the world that are optimized for torrenting when you’re selecting a server inside the VPN.
You should also consider which VPN protocols are included with the service. Most VPNs offer several protocols depending on your usage needs. The protocol defines how data will be transmitted between your computer and the VPN server. They also have varying security levels and may improve or slow down your internet connection.
Avast SecureLine VPN uses the OpenVPN and Open SSL protocols. Both are open-source protocols. For Apple users, Avast SecureLine uses the IPsec protocol.
ExpressVPN uses its own protocol, Lightway. ExpressVPN touts that the Lightway protocol “does the minimum needed to get you connected quickly and securely, so you might even notice less battery usage.” It also offers other protocols, such as L2TP/IPsec and OpenVPN.
| Platform | ExpressVPN Best for Streaming
|
Avast SecureLine VPN |
| Netflix | ||
| Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Hulu | ||
| BBC iPlayer | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| HBO Max | ||
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN | Get Avast SecureLine VPN |
ExpressVPN is much better for streaming than Avast SecureLine VPN. Avast boasts on its website that you can stream using the VPN, but during our testing, we realized that wasn’t true. We were able to use Netflix when connected to a server in Canada but not when we were connected in the United States. We did find that ExpressVPN allowed us to access all of the streaming services in the table above.
Sometimes, your VPN can slow down your internet speed when connected to a VPN server. When evaluating VPNs, we want to see how speeds are affected while using servers from around the world.
| Server location | ExpressVPN Best Speeds
|
Avast SecureLine VPN |
| US | 13% slower | 38% slower |
| Canada | 12% slower | 53% slower |
| UK | 32% slower | 56% slower |
| AU | 43% slower | 69% slower |
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN | Get Avast SecureLine VPN |
Connecting to a VPN can slow down your internet speeds and the latency of your connection. While this is expected when connecting to a VPN server, some may still want a fast connection.
Latency measures the time it takes for your data to go from your computer to another server and then back again. A higher latency means that it takes longer for the website you requested to load. Latency is measured in milliseconds, so you may not see a big difference between different server locations.
We tested both of the VPNs when connecting to servers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. ExpressVPN consistently had faster speeds and lower latency with every server location.
| Server location | ExpressVPN Best Latency
|
Avast SecureLine VPN |
| US | 16% worse | 172% worse |
| Canada | 70% worse | 194% worse |
| UK | 156% worse | 844% worse |
| AU | 286% worse | 1,177% worse |
| ExpressVPN | Avast SecureLine VPN Best Interface
|
|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Router | ||
| Smart devices | Yes — Android TVs only |
Another important factor in choosing the right VPN is ensuring that the service has apps for the devices you plan on using. ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLineVPN work on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. However, if you’re looking to install a VPN on Linux or on your router, ExpressVPN is the only choice between the two.
ExpressVPN is also available for smart devices like TVs. As far as smart devices, Avast SecureLine VPN is available only on Android TVs.
From a usability standpoint, Avast SecureLine and ExpressVPN are both pretty easy to use and simple to navigate. With the Avast SecureLine dashboard, it was easier to see your connection status and your server location. ExpressVPN’s dashboard shows up as a pop-up instead of its own program, which we found hard to navigate at times.
| ExpressVPN Best Support
|
Avast SecureLine VPN | |
| 24/7 live chat | ||
| Phone | ||
| Support forums | ||
| Online guides |
ExpressVPN has more comprehensive customer service. Both services offer email support but no phone support. However, Avast SecureLine VPN has only a chatbot that can help you find answers to frequently asked questions; you are not able to connect with a live agent through the chat function. ExpressVPN allows you to speak to a live agent easily through its chat functionality.
ExpressVPN offers users a more robust support library with articles, how-tos, and more. It does not, however, have a support forum. AvastSecureLine VPN has a support forum for customers.
You can pay for either VPN using any major credit card and PayPal. With ExpressVPN, you can also pay with bitcoin, which is great for anonymity, or through Paymentwall, which offers several different payment options as well.
Winner: When it comes to payments and customer support, ExpressVPN is the clear winner. The company’s support is more readily available, and it offers more payment options.
ExpressVPN is a trustworthy VPN with industry-standard security features. It does not keep user logs, and it uses AES 256-bit encryption as well.
To disable Avast SecureLine VPN, you’ll want to uninstall the VPN from your computer or device. If you want to turn off the VPN for the time being but leave it installed, you can disconnect from the VPN server on the dashboard.
There are several VPN services available. While ExpressVPN is a great option, there could also be other options that work better for your needs. When finding the best VPN, you should evaluate your budget, what features you find most important, and how you plan to use it. ExpressVPN is an effective VPN, but it can also be expensive. ExpressVPN allows only 5 devices to be connected, which can be limiting for large households.
No, Avast VPN does not keep activity logs. However, they do keep connection logs, which Avast says is to help troubleshoot errors or connection issues. On its website, Avast says, “This data pertains to interactions taken in the app, and cannot be used to uncover what you’re using the VPN service for.”
ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN offer almost identical features, and both have servers worldwide. However, when it came to performance, ExpressVPN had a smaller effect on our overall internet speed and latency. This performance metric is important if you’re trying to stream your favorite show or download large files and your internet speed is greatly reduced. ExpressVPN also provides more support tools if you encounter any problems.
In the end, we felt ExpressVPN was the winner. Avast SecureLine is significantly less expensive, so you may want to pick Avast if the price point is important to you. However, we found that ExpressVPN was worth the cost to keep up your connection speeds and have better customer support.
Premium VPN offering strong security and ultra-fast speeds
Strict no-logs policy with independent audit
In-house Lightway protocol for more speed and security
More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
