AVG Secure VPN Review: Ultimate Guide

Are you looking for a new VPN but are unsure which one to use? Perhaps you have heard of AVG Secure VPN and want to know more? Or maybe you are fairly new to the VPN world and are looking to dip your toe in? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you! 

We know how stressful finding the right VPN can be, and often we find ourselves getting more confused, reading complex policies, and comparing server numbers and speeds, unsure what we should be looking for. 

Well, that all ends today! To help you navigate these murky waters and get the answers you need, we have the ultimate guide below! Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about AVG Secure VPN to see if it's the one for you!

Overview

In a hurry? Here is everything you need to know about AVG Secure VPN!

• Compatible with Windows, Apple, Android, and iOS
• It can be used on multiple devices simultaneously 
• Provides secure encryption and web anonymity using industry-grade software 
• Easy to uninstall and use 
• 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee offers a no-commitment trial of the VPN
• No IP or DNS leaks have been detected 
• Worldwide servers to choose from 
• VPN covers areas that are usually ignored by other VPNs
• Unblocks US Netflix and BBC iPlayer for lots of streaming possibilities 
• Monthly subscription costs are fairly low 
• Mid-range in terms of speed and performance 
• Protocols are not the best, especially on Mac devices 
• The privacy policy is not very clear 
• No-logs policy also isn’t very clear; your information is sold to third parties. 
• Not many additional features that you would expect with a premium VPN 
• Keeps connection logs with timestamps 
• Not many servers compared to other, newer VPNs

Have we convinced you? Then install AVG Secure VPN today and keep yourself protected online! Do you need more information? Then just keep reading to find out even more about the VPN. 

Features

Let’s get into some of the features that AVG Secure has to offer! Most of the standard features that the VPN comes with you would usually expect with a Premium VPN, but there aren’t too many advanced features unless you are paying for their premium option. 

So what are these standard features? Let’s look at them now!

“Bank-Grade” Encryption

You get Wi-Fi security encryption with this VPN currently used by banks and government agencies; talk about a high standard! It’s considered safe-proof, so you can rest easy when your VPN is switched on.

Your information will be protected thanks to the AES 256-bit encryption being used. 

Compatible With Smartphones 

Another feature we love is that it’s compatible with smartphones! AVG Secure offers apps for both Android and iPhone devices, meaning that you can keep your phone safe when using free Wi-Fi as well as your laptops! 

You get the same protection on your phone as you would on other devices, like your laptop or tablet. It’s completely safe to install on your phone and offers full end-to-end encryption and security protocols.

However, AVG does not claim to protect your data from government agencies or their own tracking practices, so where you go and what you search for might be tracked! 

Easy To Use 

If you have never used a VPN before, AVG’s are super easy to use! Their VPN app is easy to download and even easier to use! The interface is aesthetically pleasing and can be navigated easily, allowing you to use it problem-free. 

It installs quickly, too, and comes with a quick-connect feature that automatically loads your VPN connection! Keeping yourself safe online has never been easier! 

How Fast Is It? 

VPNs are notorious for slow internet speeds, but premium VPNs these days are using more advanced technology to counter this loss in speed.

And AVG is no exception! When connected to US and UK servers, we tested the speed of AVG Secure and found that it achieved results of 65 Mbps (which is above average), more than enough speed for streaming with ease! 

When connected to an Australian server, the speed did drop, so be mindful of that when making your connection. For the best speeds, connect to the US and Northern American servers. 

However, compared to other VPNs, these results are quite slow. We would consider AVG Secure VPN as mid-tier in terms of speed. But we do recommend performing your speed test to see how the VPN will perform for you!

Be sure to consider your distance to the server, internet speeds from your provider, time of day, and the lag caused by VPN encryption. Considering all of these factors will help you have a better understanding of the speed provided. 

Locations And Networks 

While AVG’s services can be used across the globe, they don’t have that many servers. They have 56 servers in just 36 countries, which is comparatively low compared to other newer VPNs. 

They do, however, offer better coverage in Africa and South America compared to other VPNs that usually don’t. AVG owns the network of servers, and they don’t use virtual locations. Taken from their website, we can see where their servers are and how many of them they have: 

• North America - 3
• South America - 2
• South Africa - 1
• Asia Pacific - 8 
• Middle East - 2
• Europe - 20 

It’s not as many as other VPNs, but an adequate amount that gives you plenty of choices when connecting! 

What Is Their Logging Policy?

One feature that sets AVG’s VPN apart from other free options is its logging policy. The VPN operates a no-logs policy, which means that your online browsing records and financial activity are not used for marketing and creating targeted ads (like Google and Amazon do). 

Instead of seeing adverts for items you browsed and feeling like you are watched constantly, AVG Secure promises a practically anonymous presence online, allowing you to search and shop with ease. However, their privacy policy is complicated and confusing, making for a tough read! 

The policy states that the VPN does not monitor the user’s full originating IP address, activity logs of apps and services used, and any DNS queries while connected to the VPN. It takes part in your IP address to identify the internet service provider, but not you, the user. 

The VPN also tracks using a timestamp when you connect and disconnect from the VPN. It also records the data transmitted during the session.

Compared to other premium-grade VPNs on the market, this is quite an intrusive logging policy. Its policy states that it discloses personal data to third parties and will pass on data to the government or a court if ordered to do so. 

For those that want absolute anonymity online, it's not the VPN for you. Not only do AVG store data, but pass it to other parties, too, meaning it probably isn’t the most secure VPN out there. 

How Much?

There is a seven-day free trial you can sign up for if you want to trial AVG Secure VPN.

You don’t need a credit card, and the trial can be activated in as little as two minutes! If, after the week has passed, you don’t want to continue, your account will be deactivated, and you walk away with no charge. 

For those that want to pay, AVG has three paid subscription plans for you. They range from 1, 2, and 3-year subscriptions, with the longer you agree to, the lower the price is.

Over the course of the year, you make small monthly payments. Your subscription will automatically renew unless you cancel it beforehand. 

There is a range of payment options, including PayPal, America Express, Master Card, and Visa. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you aren’t happy, be sure to request a refund and cancel your account within the first 30 days. 

While the pricing options are limited, the monthly payments are fairly low. However, the features you get for this price are limited, and many users have noted this. You should consider the cost, as well as the features offered, before deciding if AVG Secure is the best VPN for you. 

Streaming And Torrenting 

So what about streaming and torrenting? Well, the VPN accepts peer-to-peer torrenting and streaming.

However, there are some glitches. Netflix actively blocks VPN connections to stop those from other countries from viewing shows that aren’t available. Thankfully, AVG has found a way around this and can now stream with ease! 

The VPN works extremely well on North American servers, allowing you to access sporting events that are locally blacked out with ease.

When it comes to torrenting, too, there are several servers optimized specifically for it, allowing you to torrent with ease. You can access these services using the servers in the following countries: 

• USA (Seattle, Minami, New York)
• UK
• Germany
• Netherlands
• France 
• Czech Republic

Unfortunately, as there are few streaming servers, you tend to get hit with a busy wire signal. You also cannot use Hulu and Amazon Prime when using AVg’s VPN. It's worth considering these factors before deciding if it's the VPN for you or not. 

Can I Use It On Multiple Devices?

Yes, AVG Secure VPN can be used on multiple devices simultaneously! You can put the VPN on and use it on up to five devices, allowing you to connect the VPN to Mac, Windows, and IOS/Android devices with ease and without the need for a browser extension. 

You also get user-friendly downloading and instructions for installation for each device through AVG’s support center! What more could you want? It’s compatible with a range of devices too. Below is a list of those its compatible with and the requirements:

Microsoft Windows 

To run the VPN on Windows devices, you will need the following: 

• 300 MB of hard disk space free
• Windows 10 (must support SSD2 instructions). The VPN will not work with Windows Vista or Windows XP.
• Windows 8/8.1 (except RT and Starter Edition) 
• A screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels or higher 

Smartphones 

To use the VPN on your smartphone, you will need the following: 

• iOS iPhones or iPads will Apple iOs 11.0 or higher 
• Android Operating System with Google Android 5.0 (Lollipop API 21) or higher

Mac 

To run the VPN on a Mac device, you will need the following:

• 90MB of hard disk space free
• To be running either Apple macOS 10.12.x (sierra), 10.13.x (High Sierra), 10.4x (Mojave), or 10.15.x (Catalina) or higher 
• A screen resolution of 1280x800 pixels or higher

Routers 

Unfortunately, you cannot install AVG Secure VPN on your router. Instead, you can place the VPN on up to five devices, which will cover all of their devices for some households. However, devices connected to your routers like your home security or climate controls will not be protected. 

Gaming consoles and TVs

At present, there aren’t any AVG VPN apps for games consoles like Xbox and Playstation. There also isn’t any protection for smart TVs when you are using the web for streaming purposes. 

How Secure Is It? 

When it comes to VPNs, we all want to know how secure it is and how safe we are when using it! And while AVG Secure uses military-grade encryption and streaming capability, their Logging and Privacy policies are a cause for concern. 

While it will offer basic protection on public Wi-Fri networks, it doesn’t offer the airtight security and anonymity online that many VPN users want! In these cases, we recommend that you opt for a VPN that can deliver on these (we have tons of other reviews, so be sure to check them out). 

When looking at the encryption and security of AVG’s VPN, we noticed some issues that are worth mentioning. Keep reading to learn more about them. 

VPN Protocols 

The VPN uses the OpenVPN protocol for its Windows application, one of the most secure and robust options on the market today! You can find comfort here if you are a Windows user, knowing that the protocols used are safe and secure. 

For Mac users, however, it is a different story. AVG Secure uses IPsec as its protocol. While it is stable, firewalls can easily block it and reduce connection speed, seriously impacting your online experience!

If you are a Mac user and don’t want to compromise on speeds or be blocked by firewalls, it might be worth opting for a different VPN. 

High-Grade Encryption

We touched on this earlier, but AVG Secure VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which happens to be industry-leading! AES, or Advanced Encryption Standard, features the highest cloud encryption, employing a single, varying length key with an algorithm working on a single block of data.

This algorithm encrypts and re-encrypts the data 10 to 14 times to provide you with fantastic security. 

AES meets all federal government requirements for protecting health and financial data security, so you don’t need to worry. AVG is using the best encryption on the market. 

Final Thoughts 

And just like that, we have come to the end of our VPN journey today! As you can see, AVG Secure VPN comes with a range of features that will provide you with encryption and protection online.

It’s a fairly low price per month, and their money-back guarantee is a nice touch. However, it is not the most secure or fastest VPN on the market, making it unsuitable for some users.

We recommend weighing up all the factors listed in today's article before making your final decision. 

Remember to check out our other reviews, too, to help you find the best VPN for you!