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AVG Secure VPN is a VPN service offered by AVG, a well-known brand in the digital security space. While AVG is primarily known for its antivirus software, it has branched out to provide a range of personal security services, including its own VPN. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at AVG Secure VPN’s features, pricing, performance, and security to determine if it’s worth the money.
Features and Services
AVG Secure VPN offers a user-friendly interface that resembles other AVG applications, such as AVG Internet Security. The main screen features a large on/off slider, tiles displaying the country location of the server and the user’s current IP address, and a “Change Location” button to access the list of available servers. The server network consists of over 700 servers in 50 countries, with special groupings for streaming and torrenting. However, AVG Secure VPN lacks advanced features like split-tunneling, multi-hop, and ad-blocking.
The VPN service is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Pricing
AVG Secure VPN offers long-term subscription plans, starting at $53.88 for a one-year subscription. Two- and three-year plans are also available at slightly reduced prices. While the pricing is reasonable, the lack of monthly subscription options may deter users who prefer to pay on a month-to-month basis. However, AVG Secure VPN offers a free two-month trial for new users, allowing them to test the service before committing to a subscription.
Performance
When testing AVG Secure VPN’s speeds, the results were not impressive. The average download speeds were 31% of the baseline speeds, and the upload speeds were only 19% of the baseline speeds. While VPN connection speeds can be affected by various factors, these results indicate that AVG Secure VPN may not be the fastest option available. However, the speeds should be sufficient for most browsing and video streaming activities.
In terms of unblocking capabilities, AVG Secure VPN is a mixed bag. The dedicated streaming servers performed well and were able to access major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and HBO Max. However, other servers in the network had mixed results, with Netflix blocking every connection and other streaming sites being hit or miss. Therefore, the ability to unblock streaming websites depends on the specific country content you want to access.
Security and Privacy
AVG Secure VPN offers protocol options such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and its proprietary protocol called Mimic. While the Mimic protocol is intended to help bypass VPN blockers, its effectiveness may vary.
AVG Secure VPN and its parent company Avast are located in the Czech Republic, which is not a member of any international signals intelligence alliance. This means that the company is not subject to government data-sharing requirements. In terms of privacy, AVG Secure VPN does not log originating IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, or personal data. However, it does collect connection timestamps, data transmission amounts, and VPN client data for network optimization and service quality purposes. This data is retained for varying periods, ranging from 35 days to two years.
Is AVG Secure VPN Worth It?
AVG Secure VPN is an easy-to-use VPN with acceptable speeds and decent unblocking capabilities for streaming services. It offers 10 simultaneous device connections, which is a plus. However, it lacks advanced features and collects some user activity data, which may deter privacy-conscious users. The long-term subscription options may also be a turn off for those who prefer monthly billing. Overall, if you’re looking for a VPN from a well-known security company that covers the basics and isn’t overly complex, AVG Secure VPN may be a decent choice.
Note: This review reflects the current state of AVG Secure VPN at the time of writing, but online services are often iterative and subject to change.