AVG Secure VPN vs NordVPN 2024

Akash Deep

Cybersecurity Researcher

AVG Secure VPN and NordVPN are quite different in terms of what they offer. With AVG Secure VPN, you get a straightforward and user-friendly VPN solution for everyday users. NordVPN, on the other hand, is known for its advanced features, extensive server network, and high-speed connections.

To find out which delivers better performance and value, my team and I conducted comprehensive tests. We evaluated each VPN’s speeds, streaming capabilities, torrenting support, server networks, security features, privacy policies, and overall user experience. Plus, we assessed how they perform in specialized areas like gaming and bypassing tough network blocks.

AVG Secure VPN provides an easy-to-use service at a budget-friendly price, but NordVPN consistently outperformed it in almost every category. It offers faster speeds, better streaming capabilities, a larger server network, and more robust security features. Keep reading to see a detailed comparison of AVG Secure VPN and NordVPN across all key aspects of their services.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

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Streaming — NordVPN Can Securely Access a Wide Range of Platforms From Anywhere

When you want to safely stream your favorite shows and movies without interruptions, reliability matters. In our comparison, NordVPN outperformed AVG Secure VPN across all major streaming services, making it a top choice for streaming.

During our tests, NordVPN securely accessed Netflix US, UK, Germany, Japan, and South Korea. It even worked with some of the less popular regions like South Africa and Argentina. AVG Secure VPN, on the other hand, was not as reliable. While it worked seamlessly with popular libraries (like the US and the UK), it struggled to stream content from lesser-known regions.

We didn't experience any connectivity issues or slowdowns while streaming

NordVPN also delivered superior performance with other major platforms. We could stream Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video US, and Hotstar without any issues. On the other hand, AVG Secure VPN struggled with Disney+ and Hulu. Both VPNs worked well with BBC iPlayer and Max — we could watch The Penguin in HD on Max with both options.

Our connection speeds were consistent — we didn't experience any buffering

But overall, NordVPN proved to be a more dependable option for streaming HD content from anywhere.

Winner

NordVPN is a better choice for streaming. It provides secure access to multiple Netflix libraries and works seamlessly with other major streaming services too. If you want uninterrupted entertainment, NordVPN is the superior option.

Server Network — NordVPN Has A Much Larger Network

NordVPN has a significantly larger server network compared to AVG Secure VPN. It provides servers in 113 countries. This includes locations like Malaysia, Argentina, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan, which are not available with AVG Secure VPN. This extensive coverage ensures you can easily find a nearby server for faster and more reliable connections.

In addition to physical servers, NordVPN also uses virtual servers. Virtual servers help you obtain IP addresses from countries with stricter internet regulations. AVG Secure VPN, on the other hand, has a smaller network and lacks servers in many of these regions, which means you may not be able to find an IP address for your desired country. And you may experience occasional performance issues during peak hours.

That said, both VPNs provided reliable connections in our tests — we never experienced connection drops or massive slowdowns with either VPN.

Winner

NordVPN emerges as the winner with its extensive and diverse server network. It offers access to more countries and uses both physical and virtual servers. This ensures you have reliable connections and the ability to obtain IP addresses from regions with stricter internet rules.

Speed — NordVPN Delivers Faster and More Consistent Connection Speeds

To evaluate the speed performance of NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN, we conducted a series of tests using a base connection speed of 250Mbps (download) and 27Mbps (upload) from the UK. Both VPNs delivered solid performance, but one was better than the other.

When we connected to a nearby UK server, NordVPN had only a 4% speed drop, maintaining a download speed of 249.6Mbps. The speeds were stable — we didn’t experience any fluctuations throughout our testing.

NordLynx is largely responsible for its exceptional speeds

In comparison, AVG Secure VPN had an 11% reduction, resulting in 231.4Mbps download speed. You can use either VPN for bandwidth-intensive tasks on nearby servers.

The speed drop didn't exceed 20% on nearby servers

On a more distant Los Angeles server, NordVPN's speeds decreased by 19%, bringing the download speed to 210.5Mbps. AVG Secure VPN faced a steeper 33% drop. With such a drop, you may experience slowdowns, especially if you have a slow baseline connection.

The most significant difference was observed on the Japan server. NordVPN had a 33% speed reduction (167.5Mbps). Meanwhile, AVG Secure VPN suffered an even steeper 41% drop.

Winner

NordVPN consistently delivered higher download speed across all tested locations, ensuring a faster and more reliable connection for your streaming and downloading needs. In comparison, AVG Secure VPN experienced greater speed reductions, making NordVPN the better choice.

Gaming — NordVPN Offers Lower Latency

In online gaming, a low ping is essential for a responsive and enjoyable experience. We tested NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN by connecting to local and distant servers while playing games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends. NordVPN consistently delivered lower ping, resulting in smoother gameplay and fewer interruptions.

During our tests on NordVPN’s nearby UK servers, we recorded a ping of 23ms and had instantaneous responses in Warzone and Apex Legends. AVG Secure VPN also had a very good ping of 23ms, letting us play without interruption.

We had a ping of 20ms on its UK server

On a US server, NordVPN maintained a respectable 78ms ping, which meant we could play online games with minimal lag. In contrast, AVG Secure VPN experienced a slightly higher ping of 109ms, leading to occasional lag and missed shots.

On Japanese servers, neither VPN could maintain low latency connections. NordVPN’s ping of 189ms made playing Apex Legends nearly impossible, while AVG Secure VPN struggled even more, reaching a ping of 212ms and making the game unplayable.

NordVPN also offers the Meshnet feature, which lets you create a secure virtual LAN for playing with friends.

Both VPNs work well with cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now, so you can enjoy a lag-free gaming experience across devices.

Winner

NordVPN provides significantly lower ping times, resulting in a more responsive and enjoyable gaming experience. Its performance makes it the better choice for gamers seeking smooth and uninterrupted gameplay.

Torrenting — NordVPN Offers Faster Speeds and Stronger Privacy Features

While both VPNs offer optimized torrenting servers, NordVPN covers significantly more locations with P2P servers in over 100 countries. AVG Secure only offers these connections in 8 locations across North America and Europe. A more widespread network of P2P servers makes it easier to find a fast, nearby server for speedy downloads.

To test each VPN, we downloaded a 5GB file using uTorrent and a nearby server for a direct comparison. NordVPN showed faster download speeds, completing the download in under 4 minutes, while AVG Secure VPN took approximately 4 minutes and 45 seconds. We were lucky to find a nearby P2P server for AVG secure in this case, but connections will likely be much slower if there are no P2P connections close to you.

Both VPNs have essential security features to keep your activity private. However, NordVPN takes the lead with additional security and privacy features, which we will discuss below. These extra protections make your torrenting activities even more secure and private.

Winner

NordVPN offers significantly faster download speeds and stronger security features for torrenting, making it the superior choice over AVG Secure VPN. Its performance ensures quicker file transfers and better protection of your online activities.

Security — NordVPN Takes the Lead With More Advanced Features

Both NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN offer essential security features to protect your online activities. They provide strong AES-256-GCM encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection to ensure your data remains secure. However, NordVPN goes a step further with a range of advanced security options that enhance your online privacy and protection.

NordVPN offers NordLynx, which is its proprietary protocol designed to provide faster speeds without compromising security. AVG Secure VPN offers WireGuard, Mimic, and OpenVPN, but lacks some of the optimized protocols that NordVPN provides. This made NordVPN feel more reliable and responsive during data-heavy tasks.

Also, NordVPN includes advanced tools such as split tunneling, private DNS servers, and Tor over VPN, which AVG Secure VPN does not offer. These features allow you to customize your VPN usage more effectively, providing greater control over your internet traffic and enhancing your ability to access content safely.

With NordVPN, you also get Threat Protection Pro, which includes an ad and malware blocker. This improves your online experience while enhancing your privacy.

You don't need to enable the VPN to use Threat Protection Pro

Winner

NordVPN provides a more comprehensive set of security features for enhanced protection and greater privacy compared to AVG Secure VPN. Its advanced tools ensure a safer and more secure online experience.

Privacy — NordVPN Provides Superior Privacy Protections

Both NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN offer privacy features to protect your online activities, but NordVPN stands out with its more robust privacy measures.

It is headquartered in Panama, a country with privacy-friendly laws and no mandatory data retention. This location allows NordVPN to freely enforce a strict no-logs policy and ensure that your browsing activities are not recorded or linked back to you.

In contrast, AVG Secure VPN is based in Czechia, which is part of the European Union. Czechia has data retention laws and is part of intelligence-sharing agreements, meaning AVG Secure VPN is required to store certain user data. This can be a problem since AVG logs connection timestamps and individual bandwidth usage, which can be accessed by authorities if needed.

It’s also worth noting that AVG Secure VPN has a history of complying with government requests, as evidenced by its parent company, Avast, handing over user data in multiple instances.

NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited, reinforcing its commitment to user privacy. Although it hasn’t been tested in a court case or under a law enforcement request, these audits provide additional assurance that NordVPN does not retain any personally identifiable information. On the other hand, AVG Secure VPN lacks such independent verification, making its privacy claims less trustworthy.

Winner

NordVPN delivers stronger privacy protections with its strict no-logs policy and privacy-friendly jurisdiction, making it a more trustworthy choice compared to AVG Secure VPN.

Works in China — Neither VPN Works in China

Accessing the internet in China presents unique challenges due to the country's extensive online restrictions. Unfortunately, both NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN struggle to maintain stable and consistent connections within China.

NordVPN offers advanced obfuscation to hide VPN use, but it’s not sufficient to guarantee its functionality in China. AVG Secure VPN lacks the advanced technologies needed to establish reliable connections in this highly regulated environment. As a result, neither VPN works in China.

If you’re looking for a reliable option, you can check out our list of the best VPNs for China that still work.

Winner - draw

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Neither NordVPN nor AVG Secure VPN are guaranteed to work in China, making them unsuitable choices if you’re looking to access the internet securely in the country.

Installation and Ease of Use — NordVPN Offers More Comprehensive Support

Both NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN provide easy installation processes for major platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. You can download their apps from their respective websites or app stores and set them up within minutes. The setup guides are clear, making it simple even for VPN beginners to get started quickly.

NordVPN stands out with its intuitive world map interface, letting you select servers by simply clicking on your desired location. This makes finding and connecting to servers straightforward and visually engaging.

You can scroll or zoom out on the map to view your desired country

Plus, NordVPN supports a wide range of devices, including Firestick, Apple TV, and various browsers, ensuring that you can protect all your devices seamlessly.

AVG Secure VPN also offers user-friendly apps for major platforms. It offers a few dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming in select countries. This makes it super easy to connect to the ideal server for your needs.

AVG's torrenting servers gave us a 5% speed boost compared to its regular servers

That said, it doesn’t offer apps for Firestick and Apple TV. It’s also not compatible with routers. While the installation process is straightforward, the app interface is more basic compared to NordVPN’s visually appealing and feature-rich design.

Winner

NordVPN provides a more comprehensive and user-friendly installation experience with its intuitive world map feature and broader device support. This makes it easier to set up and use across various platforms compared to AVG Secure VPN.

Reliability and Support — Both VPNs Offer Responsive Assistance

NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN both provide customer support through 24/7 live chat and email, meaning help is available whenever you need it. Below is a comparison of their customer support features:

When I reached out to NordVPN’s live chat, I was connected to an agent in about 40 seconds. The representative was knowledgeable and provided clear solutions to my questions about device compatibility and troubleshooting connectivity issues. It also took less than 2 minutes with AVG Secure VPN. The support agent was equally helpful and addressed my inquiries effectively.

In terms of online resources, both VPNs offer extensive knowledge bases, FAQs, and setup guides. NordVPN’s knowledge base is slightly more comprehensive, covering a wider range of topics with detailed tutorials, which can be particularly useful for users encountering specific technical issues. AVG Secure VPN’s knowledge base is also helpful but doesn’t offer the same depth of information.

Winner - draw

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Both NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN offer responsive and effective customer support, making it easy to get assistance when needed. Whether you choose NordVPN or AVG Secure VPN, you can expect reliable help through live chat and email support.

Pricing

	NordVPN	AVG Secure VPN
Lowest Starting Price	$2.99/month for the 2-year plan	$4.39/month for the 3-year plan
Price (On Renewal)	$139.08 per year (subject to change)	$99.99 per year (subject to change)
Payment Accepted	Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies, and more	Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and wire transfers in some locations
Money-Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	30 days
Number of Devices Per License	10	10
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Yes	No

When selecting a VPN, pricing plays a crucial role in decision-making. AVG Secure VPN provides three subscription options: a 1-year plan, a 2-year plan, and a 3-year plan, with the longest subscription offering the best value at $4.39/month. It’s important to note that the renewal price increases to $99.99 per year, which remains competitive in the VPN market.

NordVPN also offers three subscription choices on its Basic plan: 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year subscriptions, with the 2-year one providing the best value at $2.99/month. Upon renewal, the price rises to $139.08 per year. It also offers Plus and Complete plan tiers that include a few more features at a higher price per month.

In terms of payment options, NordVPN offers a variety of methods, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies, and more. Crypto payments add a layer of privacy for those who prefer more private payment options. AVG Secure VPN is limited to credit and debit cards. Both VPNs offer a money-back guarantee, so you can try the services risk-free.

Winner

NordVPN is the better option due to its more affordable introductory pricing plans. Plus, it accepts cryptocurrency payments, providing enhanced privacy benefits that AVG Secure VPN does not offer.

Our Methodology for Testing NordVPN vs AVG Secure VPN

To provide an accurate comparison between NordVPN and AVG Secure VPN, we conducted thorough testing focused on key aspects such as connection speeds, server network size, encryption standards, privacy policies, and device compatibility. Our evaluation also included assessing each VPN's ability to securely access popular streaming services and their overall ease of use across various devices.

To ensure fairness and reliability in our results, we performed multiple speed tests from different locations and at various times of the day. We also reviewed each provider's security features, including their logging policies and protection against data leaks. Additionally, we tested their compatibility with different devices and streaming platforms to gauge their versatility and practicality for everyday use. For a comprehensive overview of how we evaluate VPNs, feel free to visit our VPN testing methodology page.

NordVPN vs AVG Secure VPN — Reddit Opinions

Based on Reddit opinions, NordVPN generally receives positive feedback from users, while AVG Secure VPN faces more criticism and skepticism. Redditors praise NordVPN for its excellent streaming capabilities. Users consistently report fast and reliable connection speeds, which is crucial for both streaming and general browsing. Many also highlight its user-friendly interface and responsive customer support as significant advantages.

On the other hand, AVG Secure VPN receives more mixed and negative feedback on Reddit. Users express concerns about AVG's privacy practices, with some mentioning past issues of data selling, which raises doubts about the VPN's trustworthiness. Many Redditors complain about AVG's aggressive marketing tactics and difficulties in canceling subscriptions. That said, I didn’t experience any problems in canceling my subscription.