If you’re stuck between Avast VPN and NordVPN, you need to do some homework before making your final choice of VPN.
Of the two, you may have heard of NordVPN and how it ranks as one of the best VPNs thanks to international connection speeds and the high levels of security it offers users in the VPN market.
At the other end of the spectrum, you have Avast VPN that may not be as well known, yet it comes from one of the world’s largest Cybersecurity Software company choices for antivirus, etc.
In our guide, we will pitch NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN and see if there is enough difference between the two to choose one over the other.
By the end, you’ll be armed with enough information to know if NordVPN is heard about for a good reason or if the NordVPN, Avast Secureline VPN contest shows a surprise upset?
Is Avast VPN Good?
Here’s a quick overview of Avast SecurelineVPN and how it compares to NordVPN.
| Details | Avast SecureLine VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Czech Republic | Panama |
| Number of servers | 55 | 5,000+ |
| Number of countries | 34 | 59 |
| Logging policy | Connection Logs | Zero Logs |
| Dedicated IP | Unavailable | Available |
| Streaming | Netflix and others | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Hulu, Etc. |
| Torrenting | Supported | Supported |
| Customer support | Help Desk Live Chat, FAQs | 24/7 Live Chat |
| Cost | From $3.99/Month | From $3.49/Month |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days |
Streaming and Torrenting
Two of the primary reasons users pick a VPN service rather than stay safe online and keep their online activities private are using streaming services and torrenting.
When trying to unblock Netflix, I had little luck with Avast SecureLine VPN with specialist servers across the US, UK, and Germany.
However, it wasn’t as reliable for connection with Netflix and had more success when accessing other streaming services such as access BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video was accessed as easily as any other VPN can, yet it can’t match NordVPN to access Netflix, iPlayer, DAZN, Hulu, and more.
NordVPN offers the SmartDNS technology called SmartPlay as it takes the best part of a VPN and a DNS system to gain access. Also, you can make full use of the obfuscated servers that hide the fact you are using a VPN.
For torrenting, things are equally level. Avast Secure Line VPN does support torrenting with specialized servers to ensure anonymous P2P file transfers, yet that is as far as it goes.
NordVPN has specialized servers for P2P transfers, and NordVPN can use Onion over VPN for added layers of security. However, this makes your connection much slower.
Is Nord VPN Better Than Avast VPN?
Pricing
Secureline by Avast offers three distinct pricing plans. Avast used to offer memberships based on the device you were using; however, that is no longer the case.
Their 1-year plan costs $4.99 per month, while their 2-year and 3-year plans cost $3.99 per month. All the plans offer 10 simultaneous connections on different devices at the same time.
For Avast VPN, you have the option of paying with credit cards or PayPal to acquire Avast VPN. Both options are safe but adding crypto to the mix would have given Avast VPN the advantage over NordVPN. Avast VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for refunds. (Read Avast Secureline VPN Not Connecting)
NordVPN offers fairly cheap pricing, it offers three plans as well, but unlike Avast VPN, it substitutes a 3-year plan for the 2-year plan. The 1-month plan costs $11.95 per month, the 1-year plan costs $4.92 per month, and the 2-year plan costs $4.13 per month.
NordVPN accepts credit cards and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and others. NordVPN used to allow PayPal payments; however, this is no longer the case. All NordVPN subscriber plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
One area where the Avast VPN NordVPN tests turn is the 7-day free trial on all devices. Nord only offers this on mobile devices.
Speed and Performance
Avast VPN: 100 servers in 34 countries
NordVPN: 5,000+ servers in 59 countries
Compared to NordVPN, Avast VPN has a smaller server network. The provider’s website does not specify the precise number of servers; however, it does state there are 100 VPN servers in 34 countries.
In the entire VPN market, NordVPN boasts one of the largest network servers. NordVPN’s server network currently comprises over 5,000 servers in 59 countries. Even though it doesn’t own its own server network, they have dedicated servers and is not used by any other VPN service providers.
As a result, in this NordVPN Avast SecureLine VPN comparison, Nord is the clear winner in this category.
Another key component that influences a VPN’s functioning and overall performance is its speed.
You can’t expect a good experience without good speed. For this part of the Avast VPN vs. NordVPN, both Avast VPN and Nord were tested on a 60 Mbps base connection with unlimited bandwidth.
The following are the outcomes of the speed tests:
| Countries | Avast VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| US | 19.14 Mbps | 50.46 Mbps |
| UK | 16.43 Mbps | 50.09 Mbps |
| Germany | 19.21 Mbps | 48.29 Mbps |
| Australia | 17.84 Mbps | 46.81 Mbps |
| Avg. Download | 16.3 Mbps | 44.11 Mbps |
In the hierarchy of fast VPNs, Avast SecureLine is in the middle. Avast VPN achieved an average download speed of 16.3 Mbps across all four server locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia.
The results are consistent, and while not the fastest, they are better than a few other big-name VPNs.
NordVPN easily outperforms Avast VPN in terms of speed. NordVPN has an average download speed of 44.11 Mbps while connected to the same server locations. You won’t find many VPNs reaching too far in front with this connection speed.
Is NordVPN a good VPN?
Security
Avast SecureLine uses AES-256 encryption and industry-standard VPN protocols to secure your internet connection. Avast doesn’t have many features, but it provides DNS leak protection and a kill switch to keep you anonymous online. (Read ExpressVPN vs NordVPN)
If you need to secure many devices simultaneously, the supplier enables up to ten multi-logins.
NordVPN also uses the AES-256 encryption standard, which has become the de-facto industry standard among VPN providers. Apart from that, NordVPN uses use of the latest VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Nord also now uses a modified Wireguard protocol NordLynx.
NordVPN also has features like Onion over VPN, leak protection, kill switch, CyberSec, and Double VPN, which provide you with twice the privacy and security of traditional VPNs. For this, the Avast VPN, NordVPN victory easily goes to Nord.
In terms of VPN protocols and encryption strength, it’s safe to say that both AvastVPN and NordVPN are secure. They offer the market’s most acclaimed OpenVPN security protocol, backed up by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
NordVPN uses OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec as standard protocols for its desktop and mobile applications and TLS v1.2 for its encrypted browser extensions.
Customer Support
Avast SecureLine offers live phone support to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Avast also includes a forum and knowledge base with many helpful articles if you have any questions. For more comprehensive questions, you can contact Avast by live chat or email.
NordVPN customer support is available via live chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll also find detailed instructions, setup tutorials, and FAQs on NordVPN’s support page.
Their customer support employees are technically proficient and quick to respond, which is quite helpful when dealing with a problem.
It is close to coming up with a customer support winner. Avast does a good job, yet NordVPN responds faster and can resolve issues quicker. Avast, however, does a great job that puts some VPNs to shame. (Read Is NordVPN Netflix Not Working)
Compatability
SecureLine by Avast works on Windows, iOS, macOS, Android devices, PCs, and cellphones. Among the most recent additions to the service provider’s services as it supports Android TV support. Adding to these are Firefox, Chrome browser extensions, Firestick, Kodi, Roku, and more supported with Nord VPN, including routers. NordVPN takes the top spot here, yet Android TV support shows that Avast is taking things seriously.
With Nord, you get your 6 simultaneous connections and 10 with Avast, so again, it’s hard to pick a clear winner right away.
What clinches it is the Chrome and Firefox browser extensions as Nord offers more. Avast wants you to use the Avast secure browser to mask your real IP address when online rather than using add-ons. (Learn How To Disable VPN)
What is Avast SecureLine VPN, and do I need it?
The Czech Republic is the headquarters of Avast SecureLine VPN (a virtual private network). Although there are no mandatory data retention laws of user data, the country is thought to be a “cooperative” member of the European alliance 5/9/14 eyes.
Because the country is a part of the European Union, data retention requirements may apply in specific circumstances. As a result, Avast SecureLine VPN Czech jurisdiction is less secure than NordVPN’s Panamanian jurisdiction.
The headquarters of NordVPN is in Panama, which is a refuge for privacy supporters. There are no data retention requirements for ISPs, and VPN providers based in the country have no ties to any monitoring agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, or its allies.
Only the payment arm is done through a US company.
For choosing a VPN for yourself, jurisdiction is crucial. You don’t want to endanger your online privacy and data by using a VPN provider who will keep logs and hand over data at any request from the government.
Avast SecureLine VPN vs. NordVPN inches toward Nord as it is proven secure, and the NordVPN encryption using the VPN provider’s app is rock solid.
When you look at NordVPN vs. Avast VPN, there are arguments for using both. Avast VPN’s performance and internet speed are decent enough; it offers decent security features and stops DNS leaks effectively.
However, the Avast VPN NordVPN comparison must inch to Nord. It keeps no connection logs, offers users split tunneling, and is the number one stealth VPN out of any.
If you need to keep IP addresses hidden, the winner NordVPN does this much better and is the overall VPN security winner in this comparison.
