NordVPN vs Avast SecureLine VPN: Here is Why We Prefer NordVPN!
We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!
We have already reviewed NordVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN on an individual level. There, we kind of crowned NordVPN and trashed Avast SecureLine VPN. Even today, we will (have to) do the same — the only difference will be, this time, it will be head-to-head comparison.
In this article, we will compare NordVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN on the basis of features, user-friendliness, security, number of servers, privacy policy, performance, and the overall value for money.
How do these compare?
Vendor |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Features | 10/10 | 6/10 |
Ease of use | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Security/Privacy | 10/10 | 7/10 |
Support | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Speed | 9/10 | 5/10 |
Pricing | 10/10 | 5/10 |
Cell |
Avast is among the oldest computer applications company. However, its VPN product is a late entrant to the market. By the time it was launched, the one we are comparing it against — NordVPN — was dominating. Sadly for Avast, NordVPN, and others that were already making strides in the market, didn’t give it a chance.
NordVPN, especially, has been evolving and bettering its product ever since its foundation. And it shows — today it’s #1 on our recommended VPNs list. It’s fantastic at everything! Why do we say so? Let’s have a look.
NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN: Features
On numerous occasions, we have declared NordVPN as the “features king.” The difference between the features of NordVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN is proof of why it is so.
Firstly, let’s look at the common features both VPNs provide.
- Kill Switch: To stop all the internet activities if the VPN stops automatically. With NordVPN, you can customize this feature for the apps you want to keep connected to the internet, even if the VPN goes off.
- IP and DNS leak protection.
- Multi-device connections.
- P2P servers for torrenting.
That’s about all the features you get with Avast SecureLine VPN. Compared to that, NordVPN has many more value-added features, including:
- Obfuscated servers to use VPN in places like China,
- Onion over VPN for Tor browsing, i.e., complete anonymity,
- Double VPN, a multi-hop VPN for extra security/privacy,
- Cybersec for Ad/malware block,
- Split tunneling to use only selected apps through the VPN tunnel,
- SmartDNS,
- And SmartPlay for optimized streaming.
Overall, Avast offers only bare-minimum features. On the other hand, NordVPN quite literally has more than double & useful features.
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN: Ease of use
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
Payment options - Cryptocurrencies? | Yes | No |
Interface | Map-based & list-based | List-based |
Apps (Android, iOS, etc.) | All devices | Doesn’t have apps for Smart TV, Firestick, and Linux. |
Cell |
It’s really, really important to be user-friendly in the commercial market. The reason? Anyone can buy the product, and hence anyone should be able to use it. To test “ease of use” of a VPN, we look at everything from the signing up process to the interface one will deal with daily after purchasing the product.
Signing up with NordVPN and Avast SecureLine is easy. The only difference is, you can pay with cryptocurrency, alongside the standard Paypal and credit cards, while purchasing NordVPN. In contrast, Avast doesn’t accept crypto payment, which can be disappointing for the privacy-concerned users.
As for the interface, both differ quite a bit.
You can connect to a NordVPN server using three ways- quick connect, pick from the list, or pick from the map. On top of that, it has categorized the P2P servers and Double VPN servers for specific tasks.
Apart from that, the settings tab is also well categorized with options to change or turn on/off the features. Overall, NordVPN’s interface is super-intuitive.
Compared to that, Avast SecureLine offers a non-searchable list interface to pick a server. Also, it has classified its servers according to countries/continents and usage.
Moreover, the settings are well-placed for its minuscule number of features.
Overall, due to its map-based interface and searchable list-view, NordVPN is better from an “ease of use” perspective.
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN: Servers & Speed
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
Server locations | 59 countries | 34 countries |
Number of servers | ~5400 | 55 |
Unblocks streaming platform | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, etc. | Doesn’t unblock Netflix and Hulu! |
P2P/Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
Avg. Download speed reduction | ~20% | ~70% |
Avg. Upload speed reduction | ~15% | ~60% |
Avg. Ping | ~100 ms | ~180 ms |
In the first two sections, Avast’s VPN had (at least) something worth comparing to. In this section, there’s a clear winner. NordVPN is lightyears ahead of Avast when it comes to servers & speed.
Firstly, compared to Avast’s 55 servers in 34 countries, NordVPN has 5400 servers in 59 countries. That’s quite literally 100x the servers.
Secondly, when we tested both VPNs for speed reduction (because when you connect to a VPN, there will mostly be a decrease), Avast SecureLine VPN collapsed (for lack of a better word). NordVPN’s average download speed reduction was 20%, upload speed reduction was 15%, and ping was 100 ms. In contrast, we lost 70% download speed, 60% upload speed, and the ping shot to 180 ms after connecting to Avast SecureLine VPN.
Another thing we tested is how the VPN performs for streaming in terms of quality of the stream, the ability to bypass geo-blocks, etc. NordVPN performed excellently — we were able to stream in FHD on all major platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Prime, HBO GO, etc. On the other hand, Avast didn’t handle even the HD content properly; plus, it couldn’t unblock Netflix and Hulu.
In short, due to lack of servers & proper upgrades, Avast stands way behind in the VPN market.
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN vs. AvastSecureLine VPN: Security & Privacy
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard’s NordLynx | OpenVPN, IPsec |
Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
Key size | 4096-bit | 2048-bit |
Logs | No logs | Keeps connection logs |
Location | Panama | Czech Republic |
Other features | Kill switch, DoubleVPN, Onion over VPN | Kill switch |
Cell |
NordVPN undoubtedly has more features for security & privacy than Avast. We already discussed that, so let’s keep it aside and look at how fundamentally securer and private both are.
To start off, let’s re-mention the fact that NordVPN accepts cryptocurrency, which makes it a more private option right off the bat.
A couple of other things regarding privacy: Avast is headquartered in the Czech Republic, and NordVPN is in Panama. Both places are away from the 5-9-11 alliance, keeping it far from the government’s eyes. Besides, NordVPN’s complete no-logs policy, which has been proven by independent audits, is the pinnacle of privacy. Avast SecureLine VPN also has a zero-logs policy, but they keep connection logs. This isn’t something one shouldn’t worry about but, at the same time, makes Avast VPN less private.
As for security, NordVPN uses OpenVPN, IPsec/IKEv2, and NordLynx protocol. Avast uses OpenVPN and IPsec protocol. All these protocols are industry-standard and among the best. However, NordVPN’s NordLynx by Wireguard is a bit faster than all others.
For encryption, both VPNs use AES 256-bit, which is military-grade encryption that is practically impossible to decrypt by brute-force. The key size used for the handshake by NordVPN is 4096-bit and by Avast is 2048-bit. In practicality, either is entirely secure, but theoretically, NordVPN is securer.
Overall, NordVPN is slightly better than Avast SecureLine VPN in terms of security as well as privacy.
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN: Customer Support
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
Communication option | Live chat & Email; Knowledgebase & tutorials | Email & Phone; Knowledgebase & tutorials |
Response time | Live chat: < 1 minute Email: ~3 hours | Phone support < 5 minute Email ~ 10 hours |
Quality of response | 9/10 | 7/10 |
VPNs often face connection issues, server issues, setup issues, etc. In those cases, customer support is the answer.
NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat and email support. The response time and quality of live chat are top-notch. Plus, they also have guides and FAQs for general questions.
As for Avast, our experience was mediocre. Firstly, people prefer live chat to phone support. And even more so, people prefer a support team that is prompt and knowledgeable — Avast’s is mediocre on both stands, in our opinion.
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN: Pricing
|
|---|
Starting Price Per Month: $11.95 |
Best price: $3.71/month (2 years) |
Number of connections per plan: 6 |
Money-back guarantee 30 days |
VS
|
|---|
Starting Price Per Month: No option |
Best price: One week free trial; $3.99/month (2 years & 3 years) |
Number of connections per plan: 5 |
Money-back guarantee 30 days |
NordVPN’s best plan costs $3.71/month, which has a two-year commitment. This plan allows up to six simultaneous devices to use the product.
As for Avast SecureLine VPN, there’s a one-week free trial. The premium plan’s best cost is $3.99/month, applicable to its two or three-year package. With Avast, you can join up to five devices at a time.
Meaning, NordVPN costs lower than Avast SecureLine VPN. And at the same time, it lets you connect one device more. And from a “value for money” perspective, NordVPN simply crushes Avast.
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN vs. Avast SecureLine VPN: Conclusion
The Winner Is - NordVPN
Avast SecureLine VPN is simply horrible (for the price or not).
And NordVPN is one such product we can pay a premium for. It has
- Better features,
- Superior performance,
- 100x servers in more number of countries,
- Preferable interface,
- Finer privacy policy,
- And notch-above customer support.
To wrap it up, we have two words: Buy. NordVPN.
Total Score: 10/10
NordVPN Pros
Starts at
$3.71per month
• Uptime 99.99%
• Free SSL certificate
• WordPress official recommendations