Avast SecureLine VPN Review: How Reliable and Secure Is It?

Whether you're browsing from home or working remotely on public Wi-Fi, a VPN helps keep your online activity more private and secure.

Alongside its well-known antivirus lineup, Avast offers SecureLine VPN, a service that encrypts your network connection and hides your IP address to strengthen your digital security.

But in a crowded VPN market, how does it actually perform? That's what I aim to find in this Avast SecureLine VPN review.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Quick Summary

When it comes to cybersecurity, Avast hardly needs an introduction. For over 35 years, the brand has built a strong reputation for security and privacy solutions, and Avast SecureLine VPN is one of its products. Available both as a standalone VPN and as part of Avast's broader security suite, SecureLine VPN focuses on what matters most. It keeps your online activities private, secures your connection with 256-bit encryption, allows you to stream geo-restricted content, and limits tracking by ISPs and network observers while maintaining good speed.

You can also connect up to 10 devices at the same time, which is useful for protecting multiple devices under one subscription.

Setting Up Avast SecureLine VPN

Setting up Avast SecureLine VPN is straightforward, but before installing it, make sure your device meets the app's minimum system requirements for smooth operation. I tested Avast SecureLine VPN on Windows, so the requirements mentioned below are based on that platform.

System Requirements

OS: Windows 7 SP1 or higher
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 or above with SSE3 support. ARM-based devices are not supported.
RAM: 1 GB or above
Disk Space: Avast lists 2 GB of free hard disk space as the minimum requirement. On my test device, SecureLine VPN occupied around 280 MB after installation.

For more information, you can refer to Avast's official system requirements page.

How to Download

Installing Avast SecureLine VPN is simple.

• First, download the setup file from the official Avast website.
• After downloading it, run the setup as administrator, and the installation process will start.
• Then follow the on-screen setup instructions; the app will be installed in a few minutes and launch automatically.

Pricing Plans

SecureLine VPN is available in three subscription options, and you can use it on up to 10 devices at the same time.

• 1-Year Plan: $99.99
• 2-Year Plan: $194.99
• 3-Year Plan: $294.99

If you're interested in trying the service first, Avast offers a free trial. However, you will need to provide payment information before you can activate it.

One thing worth mentioning is that SecureLine VPN is also included with Avast Ultimate. So, if you already use or plan to use other Avast products, the Avast Ultimate suite may offer better value. Before subscribing, it's always worth checking for available Avast SecureLine VPN coupons or discounts.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Interface

I really like Avast's approach to a simple, intuitive, and modern user interface, and SecureLine VPN is no different. Everything you need to establish a secure connection is right in front of you, making the connection process simple.

The Dashboard

SecureLine VPN's dashboard is quite clean and straightforward. Once connected, the status indicator turns bold green instantly, confirming that your connection is safe. When disconnected, it switches to red. Below that sits the server location dropdown, which lets you switch between your preferred locations.

Apart from these main controls, Avast also includes 4 additional cards at the bottom of the dashboard for quick controls.

• Online Activity card: It helps you select what you plan to do online, and the VPN connection adjusts automatically. Whether you want to stay anonymous while browsing, stream more content, or just do some online shopping, this section will tailor your VPN experience accordingly.
• Settings card: Takes you straight to the Settings menu.
• Browser Extension Card: Lets you install the SecureLine VPN extension in your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge). Once installed, you can change your server location and enable AdBlock to ensure an uninterrupted browsing session.
• Devices Card: Lets you activate additional devices.

That covers the main dashboard experience.

Settings

Now, if you like to tweak settings here and there, the Settings menu will come in handy. It includes three options.

General: This section contains the usual settings, such as launching the app at startup, language preferences, notifications, and participation in beta updates.

VPN Mode: Switch between Smart Mode and Always-on Mode. If you are on Smart Mode, you can control when the VPN activates, such as while visiting shopping sites, torrenting, accessing sensitive content, or specific websites. You can also add trusted sites in the app to prevent the VPN from automatically activating.

Advanced Settings: Here you can enable the kill switch, allow local device access, and switch between VPN protocols. The Kill Switch feature is enabled by default and adds a protective layer to your connection. The moment your VPN connection drops, the kill switch cuts off your internet access to prevent privacy leaks.

The settings are pretty limited, but useful.

In short, the interface's overall simplicity is likely to be appreciated by non-tech-savvy users.

Avast SecureLine VPN: Features

Here's a glance at the features you get with Avast SecureLine VPN.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Usability

Unlike many standalone VPN apps, SecureLine VPN does not offer an extensive feature set, but the ones it does provide work quite well.

Encryption and Protocols

Encryption is one of the most important aspects of any VPN service. It uses the industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption to keep your online session protected from prying eyes. So, whether you are banking, streaming, or browsing on public Wi-Fi, your data stays private and secure.

On top of that, Avast SecureLine VPN gives you four protocol options to choose from:

• WireGuard: It's an open-source protocol that balances speed and security. Best suited for day-to-day browsing, streaming, gaming, etc.
• Mimic: It is Avast's proprietary closed-source VPN protocol. It helps you bypass VPN restrictions.
• OpenVPN: Provides strong security, though it can be slower compared to other protocols. Best for public Wi-Fi or handling sensitive data.
• Automatic Mode: When in doubt, select automatic mode, and SecureLine VPN will choose the best protocol for your connection.

Privacy

Avast SecureLine VPN claims to have a no-logs policy for browsing activity. According to Avast, it does not send your originating IP address, DNS queries, browsing history, or transferred content to its servers. That said, Avast still processes some service and account data, such as connection events, selected VPN location, protocol details, app events, and subscription information, which is stored for defined periods and then removed. Even the browser extension keeps data collection limited, with no third-party tracking.

Browser Extension and Ad Blocker

Avast SecureLine VPN also provides a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. There is not much to tweak; you can change the location, disconnect from the VPN, and enable an ad blocker. However, it is still handy if you don't want to go back and forth between the main app and the browser while working.

The ad blocker worked quite well during my test. It blocked many pre-roll ads on YouTube (free version) and Dailymotion, and significantly limited pop-up and banner ads on some websites.

It also includes a handy option to allow acceptable ads. When enabled, it will run non-intrusive ads (text or small banner ads, sponsored products, static ads, etc.) while keeping the annoying ads (pop-ups or ads that block the content) at bay.

Smart Mode

Smart Mode is another useful feature I found during my Avast SecureLine VPN review. The feature is all about automation, minimizing the need to manually connect to the VPN. It offers multiple options that allow the VPN to activate automatically during specific online activities. You can have it enabled when connected to public Wi-Fi, when visiting banking or shopping sites, when accessing sensitive content, and even when torrenting. It also lets you whitelist websites where the VPN won't be active.

Multiple Connection Options

What I like about Avast is its flexible choice offerings. Even when choosing a VPN connection, you can manually select a location for full control, or let Avast pick one for you.

Need speed? Select the Fastest Location option from the dashboard dropdown menu to connect to the fastest available server.

About to transfer big files through P2P networks? Avast also has P2P-optimized servers designed for fast, reliable peer-to-peer traffic.

Streaming and Torrenting

To test Avast SecureLine VPN's ability to access region-restricted content, I tried connecting to different regions.

First, I connected to a Thailand server and accessed Netflix. It worked smoothly, and I was able to view region-specific shows that are not available in my location. Next, I switched to the UK (United Kingdom) location and tried BBC iPlayer, and despite its strict VPN detection measures, I was able to access the platform.

I also tested torrenting on a P2P-optimized server. The downloads remained stable during my test.

Overall, Avast SecureLine VPN performed well in my tests for accessing region-restricted content and handling torrenting.

Speed Test and Performance

Before enabling Avast VPN, my baseline connection speed was 698.31 Mbps.

After connecting to different servers, I streamed videos across various platforms and did not notice any buffering. I conducted speed tests across these four regions: Ashburn, London, Calgary, and Perth.

Below, I have included a quick table showing the speed drops and percentage drops I experienced across different servers during the test.

How secure is Avast SecureLine VPN?

To assess Avast SecureLine VPN's network security, I tested it with two well-known IP leak detection tools.

• ipx.ac
• ipleak.net

These tools are designed to check whether a VPN is exposing your real IP address or successfully hiding it.

The results on my end were reassuring. Both platforms showed no signs of IP leaks, and my connection was consistently routed through the VPN server IP rather than my actual location.

This suggests that SecureLine VPN can mask your IP address and maintain a leak-free connection during normal use.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Support

To resolve your queries efficiently, Avast offers multiple support options, including FAQs, forums, user guides, and contact options through Avast Support. Paid support plans such as Avast Care may include 24/7 phone help, depending on the subscription and region.

However, the overall experience can vary depending on the agent you connect with.

Based on my interactions with the Avast support team, I found most agents to be knowledgeable and willing to resolve the issues. However, there were a few instances when the agents took a bit of time to fully understand the query's context, which could feel frustrating.

That said, what remains consistent is their fast response time, and most agents are patient and help you find a proper solution.

Quick Verdict

My experience with Avast SecureLine VPN was satisfactory. The interface was clean and straightforward, so connecting to the desired location never felt confusing. The Settings menu also follows the same philosophy: neat layout with clearly labeled options. The browser extension made it more convenient to switch locations quickly without constantly opening the desktop app. The connection was stable, and I did not face many connection drops during usage.

Despite that, the features feel somewhat limited and basic compared to those of other standalone VPNs. This may be because Avast positions SecureLine more as a companion to its Avast Antivirus ecosystem than as a feature-packed VPN-first product. Still, features like Double VPN and Split Tunneling for desktop would have made my experience a little better.

Avast SecureLine VPN Review: Overall Experience

After testing, here's my overall impression of the app.

What I Liked

Sleek Interface

What caught my attention most during my review of SecureLine VPN was its sleek, modern, fuss-free interface. Unlike many VPN providers that unnecessarily overcomplicate simple tasks, Avast keeps things simple and approachable. Connecting, switching servers, and tweaking settings feel effortless.

Automation

SecureLine VPN focuses on automation and simplicity. Features like Smart Mode reduce manual work by automatically enabling protection when needed, while the browser extension makes server switching quick.

Worked with region-restricted content in my tests

During my test, Avast handled region-restricted content pretty well. I was able to access Netflix and stream Thai content, which is otherwise unavailable in my location.

What I Disliked

Limited features

Compared with other standalone VPN tools, SecureLine VPN's feature set feels quite basic and limited. It does not include Double VPN, which routes traffic through two servers to make tracking harder. It has a Split Tunneling feature, but it is only available for Android devices. This somewhat restricts the overall experience.

UI Glitch

Another unusual thing I noticed during my Avast SecureLine VPN review was the appearance of the "Double VPN" option in the browser extension. For a moment, I thought Avast rolled out its multi-hop support. However, after a few failed connection attempts, I reached out to the support team, only to learn that it was a UI glitch and that they do not yet support this feature.

Limited server locations

It also has a relatively limited number of server locations compared to many leading VPN services. This reduces flexibility when trying to access a wide range of regions to find the fastest connection.

Alternatives

In case you are looking for more options, these alternatives might help.

Bitdefender Premium VPN

I have been using Premium VPN for quite a while now, and my experience has been smooth and stable. In many respects, it is a strong alternative to SecureLine VPN. Both focus on keeping things simple while providing strong encryption for everyday online activities.

However, certain things give Bitdefender Premium VPN an edge over SecureLine VPN, such as its broader server coverage, more protocol options and features, and its 7-day free trial that does not require payment information, among others.

It is not feature-heavy or too basic; it sits in the middle ground. The only trade-off is that you won't get features like Smart Mode or a browser extension available with SecureLine VPN. Other than that, it holds up well as a standalone VPN service. Read this Bitdefender Premium VPN review to get a better understanding of the app.

NordVPN

It is another well-known and reputable VPN service and a worthy alternative to Avast SecureLine VPN. Similar to Avast, NordVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices with a single subscription, uses industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, and follows a strict no-logs policy.

However, unlike SecureLine VPN, NordVPN's interface can feel a little intimidating at first. In contrast, SecureLine VPN feels like a breeze and is less technical, especially suitable for beginners.

It also offers powerful features such as Meshnet, Onion over VPN, and Dark Web Monitoring that go beyond what you typically see in simpler VPN tools. If you want a closer look at its capabilities, read this NordVPN review.

Surfshark VPN

When it comes to VPN services, Surfshark is very popular. Both services offer intuitive interfaces and solid encryption for secure online activity. However, unlike SecureLine VPN, Surfshark offers more features and greater flexibility. It includes advanced options such as Dynamic MultiHop, dedicated IP, and Bypasser, which are missing or limited in SecureLine VPN. It also supports unlimited device connections under a single subscription, whereas SecureLine is limited to 10 at a time.

In short, if Avast SecureLine VPN feels a bit basic for your needs, you can consider Surfshark as a powerful alternative. For a closer look at its features and performance, check out this Surfshark VPN review.

FAQs

Does SecureLine VPN have split tunneling?

Yes and no. Avast SecureLine VPN does have a Split Tunneling feature, but it's available only on Android devices. You can't use Split Tunneling on Windows, macOS, or iOS.

Does SecureLine VPN have a free trial?

Yes, it does offer a 60-day free trial, but to access it, you have to provide your payment information.

Does Netflix block Avast SecureLine VPN?

During my review of Avast SecureLine VPN, I did not encounter any issues accessing region-restricted content on Netflix; streaming was smooth, and I did not experience any VPN detection blocks.

Is Avast VPN available in my country?

As VPN laws vary by country, you may be able to use this VPN freely in some countries, while in others it may be blocked or restricted. You can check Avast's official list of countries where the VPN is either restricted or not recommended for use.

Conclusion

Avast SecureLine VPN keeps things simple, clean, and to the point. It might not be the most feature-rich or server-heavy VPN option on the market. But if your core focus is on stability and security while prioritizing ease of use, then SecureLine VPN will serve you well. The experience feels straightforward thanks to thoughtful conveniences like Smart Mode and a browser extension that makes everyday use smooth. It uses strong 256-bit encryption and modern security protocols to protect you online.

You can use it as a standalone app or as part of the Avast Security Suite to enhance protection.