NordVPN vs Avast SecureLine VPN 2024

Kennedy Otieno

Cybersecurity Researcher

During my research, I’ve noticed that NordVPN gets a lot more praise than Avast SecureLine VPN. There’s a good reason behind it since the difference in their performance is quite significant.

I know it might be tough to choose a VPN, so I performed several tests on both NordVPN and Avast. Among the things I checked were streaming capabilities, speed, and security. If you’ve been wondering which VPN is better, my findings can help you make a final decision.

Although each offers essential features for regular web browsing, NordVPN easily triumphs in performance. It has an extensive server network and impressive speeds for streaming and torrenting. Even though Avast SecureLine VPN is a product of a reputable security firm, NordVPN has better protection — I'll let you know why.

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Streaming and Netflix Access — NordVPN Wins by a Large Margin

NordVPN is way better at bypassing geoblocks. After testing several servers, including the US ones, I didn’t encounter any restrictions. I watched New Girl on my Netflix US account without issues. On the other hand, Avast isn’t a good choice for unblocking.

It's becoming difficult for most VPNs to access Netflix. The platform deploys advanced VPN/proxy detection firewalls to block VPN traffic. Some NordVPN servers are obfuscated to disguise your VPN traffic from detection (but you must set the protocol to OpenVPN).

NordVPN lets me instantly bypass geoblocks and watch my favorite shows

Avast SecureLine VPN wasn’t successful with most Netflix libraries, including the US. A few servers didn’t induce an error message but were too slow for streaming. Other platforms like Hulu and BBC iPlayer blocked the VPN too.

Most streaming platforms detected Avast SecureLine VPN’s connection

NordVPN has optimized servers in several locations, making it easier to find a server that works with Netflix. Even though Avast SecureLine VPN provides streaming-optimized servers (in the UK, US, and Germany), it’s mostly trial and error. You have to check servers individually to see which works with streaming services.

Besides, NordVPN comes with SmartDNS that lets you bypass geoblocks on devices without native VPN support. This means you can watch your favorite movies and shows on Kodi, Roku, and gaming consoles like PlayStation.

Winner

NordVPN beats Avast SecureLine VPN in streaming hands down. It has obfuscated servers in prime locations like the US and Canada to help you get around restrictive geoblocks without hassle.

Server Network — NordVPN Has a Bigger Network Than Avast SecureLine VPN

NordVPN’s network is several times larger than Avast SecureLine VPN. Plus, its servers are distributed across twice as many countries. For these reasons, NordVPN is way more reliable for bypassing geoblocks in many locations (like Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East).

Additionally, NordVPN also offers servers with dedicated IP, Onion Over VPN, obfuscation, and Double VPN features. Some of them are optimized for torrenting. Avast SecureLine VPN also has P2P and streaming-optimized locations but doesn’t provide any other specialty servers.

NordVPN runs servers in many countries, including many US locations

Winner

NordVPN covers 111 countries, so it’s easier to find a server that lets you access the content you need. Avast VPN is quite limited both in number and server distribution.

Speed — NordVPN Is Notably Faster Than Avast SecureLine VPN

Both NordVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN say they are dedicated to ensuring fast speeds. Let’s check if what they claim is true.

NordVPN’s in-house NordLynx protocol is an upgrade of WireGuard (which is already very fast). Avast SecureLine VPN has WireGuard too, and claims its busiest servers can support up to 10Gbps connection bandwidth. The good news is both VPNs have no data caps.

I tested their servers in multiple locations (using NordLynx for NordVPN and WireGuard for Avast SecureLine VPN). My base download speed was 123.89Mbps and my upload speed 17.56Mbps.

NordVPN’s distant servers delivered excellent speeds

Your test results may vary slightly or look very different. This is because VPN speeds can be affected by many factors, including your distance from the servers. Also, server traffic can be higher or lower at a specific time of the day. But a quality VPN should let you watch YouTube videos without buffering anytime.

Avast SecureLine VPN is equally fast on some servers

Winner

Although Avast SecureLine VPN is also fast, NordVPN’s speeds are most consistent, including on distant locations. Plus, with many servers to choose from, you’re unlikely to face delays due to congestion. This makes the VPN faster for most activities, including streaming and torrenting.

Gaming — NordVPN has Lower Latency for Smooth Gaming

Besides fast download/upload speeds, gaming requires low ping/latency of between 20–100ms. Both VPNs increased ping, but NordVPN had a lower average on most servers. I got ping as low as 7ms on the quick connect server, compared to Avast Secureline’s 58ms.

I didn’t encounter any lags while playing Roblox with NordVPN’s US servers, but Avast had slight delays.

I played online games without lag using far away and nearby servers

Winner

NordVPN does a better job keeping the ping rate low, at least on nearby servers. Avast SecureLine struggled to deliver minimal latency, especially on remote servers.

Security — NordVPN’s Protection is More Advanced

NordVPN comes with better security features. Both services use the military-grade AES 256-bit cipher, the highest and most secure encryption standard. Slight differences emerge, however. For example, Avast SecureLine VPN doesn’t have IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection, which is a pretty standard feature for most quality VPNs. Here is a side-by-side security comparison.

Both VPNs use a private DNS to tunnel traffic, so your requests are hidden from third parties. NordVPN has a proprietary protocol, NordLynx, which is fast and secure. Avast SecureLine VPN also has its own Avast Mimic — though barely any public information is available about it.

A kill switch feature must be enabled manually in each VPN, so your IP doesn’t leak if the connection accidentally drops. NordVPN takes security to another level by offering 2 kill switches. One stops the internet for the entire system, while the other blocks at the app level. Also, there’s IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection to hide your identifiable details from showing on websites. When I did leak tests, both VPNs passed.

Though there isn’t any leak protection feature, Avast SecureLine VPN didn’t expose my data

You can set Smart Rules on Avast SecureLine, so the VPN automatically protects certain apps when you connect to the internet. This acts as a split tunneling feature, which NordVPN has as well. The latter has other extras  — NordVPN Threat Protection prevents you from visiting potentially dangerous sites or downloading malware and trackers. You can also set up trusted WiFi networks to connect to a VPN whenever the app detects a new WiFi network.

With NordVPN’s robust security features, you can surf the web with peace of mind

Winner

NordVPN has robust security features and offers reliable protection. Besides solid encryption, there's Ieak protection and an anti-malware tool (Threat Protection).

Privacy — NordVPN Has a Transparent Privacy Policy Contrary to Avast SecureLine VPN

NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. This means the assurances that it doesn’t collect or store your sensitive data are valid and verifiable.

We can’t say the same for Avast SecureLine VPN because it hasn’t undergone any third-party checks. Apparently, the service collects more data than is necessary, including timestamps, your IP address, and bandwidth use. It has faced data breach accusations before for selling users' data. As a redemption, Avast VPN offers a data breach checker that lets you determine if your sensitive information has leaked online.

Even though NordVPN collects some info like the timestamps and usernames, all your data is deleted every 15 minutes thanks to the RAM-based servers.

Like NordVPN, Avast SecureLine VPN isn’t based within the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, so your data can’t be shared with foreign agencies. This is a significant privacy boost for both.

Winner

NordVPN wins because its policy has been audited for transparency more than once. Avast SecureLine VPN hasn’t been audited at all.

Works in China — NordVPN’s Obfuscation is Strong Enough for China

NordVPN is among a few countable VPNs that work in China. Avast SecureLine, however, isn’t known to work there.

VPN connection is automatically blocked by firewalls in China. NordVPN has obfuscated servers that disguise your traffic as regular internet activity, so it can’t be easily detected by China’s Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). It’s advisable to download the VPN before arriving in China because the official website isn’t accessible from there.

Winner

NordVPN has the tech to bypass restrictive systems and even provides support on configuring the app to work in China, whereas Avast VPN doesn’t work there at all.

Installation & Ease of Use — Both Are User-Friendly

It's straightforward to set up either VPN. I downloaded and installed each in under 5 minutes while testing them on my Windows PC.

NordVPN has intuitive apps that look similar across most devices. A unique feature on the NordVPN app is the world map, where you can point a location and get recommended to a server. Its router setup process is quite complicated, though.

Navigating NordVPN’s app interface is easy (and fun!)

While both VPNs work with popular devices like Windows, macOS, and iOS, NordVPN has a bigger compatibility range. Avast SecureLine doesn’t provide apps for Linux and routers. However, it has a user-friendly design for effortless server connections.

The Avast SecureLine VPN home screen is neat

Winner - draw

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You’ll likely have an easy time with either NordVPN or Avast SecureLine. Both have simple UIs for intuitive navigation and quick connections.

Reliability & Support — Both Have Good Customer Service

I contacted both of the 24/7 live chat support teams and got prompt responses. Avast SecureLine had the fastest response in under a minute. In the latter’s case, I went through a chatbot first and then waited in the queue for 2 minutes to connect to a human rep. Still, I was assisted in configuring my router in no time.

Avast SecureLine VPN has a condition that you need to have a paid subscription to access the live assistance lines. Otherwise, you’ll have to comb through the knowledgebase and FAQ resources for solutions to common problems. You can also submit a ticket or ask on the community forums.

Winner

Though Avast SecureLine’s live support is a bit restrictive, it responds swiftly. At least in this category, the VPN competes toe-to-toe with NordVPN and checks most boxes.

Tips on Choosing Between NordVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN

Depending on your preferences and needs, you might prioritize certain features in a VPN over others. Here are some essential things to consider when choosing between NordVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN.

• Bypassing geoblocks — Some firewalls block VPN traffic, but an obfuscated VPN can avoid detection. The feature is handy when you live or travel to a restrictive country. So you can still access content on multiple platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer (if you have a subscription).
• Fast speeds — The VPN you choose shouldn’t significantly reduce your base connection speed. This way, it’s possible to stream, torrent, and play online games without slowdowns. UHD streaming requires a minimum of 25Mbps.
• Server networks — Getting a VPN with ample servers worldwide is advantageous because it’s easier to access your favorite international sites. Also, you’re unlikely to experience slow speeds due to server congestion.
• Robust security features — Alongside AES 256-bit encryption, there should be safe protocols (like OpenVPN), a kill switch, and leak protection, so your sensitive data isn’t exposed.
• Respectable privacy practices — Choose a VPN with a clean reputation and a strict no-logs policy. It should only collect or store the minimum data needed to keep your account active, like email and password.
• Easy to use — It’s best if the apps are simple and compatible with most devices.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee — With this in place, you can test the VPN risk-free and get a refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.