Avast Secureline VPN vs ExpressVPN: which VPN is better?

Avast SecureLine VPN and ExpressVPN are robust VPN providers with two different approaches to internet privacy and security. One is an unconventional choice: an antivirus provider that also includes a minimalistic VPN in its multipurpose app, while the other is a premium VPN service that aims to deliver top VPN features. Here we look at their strengths and weaknesses to find the best option for you.

For this review, we tested Avast VPN vs ExpressVPN and their most important aspects: security, streaming, global coverage, pricing, extra features, customer support, and the overall user experience for both services.

Based on our test results, ExpressVPN is the winner of this comparison. It offers a bigger set of essential and optional features, faster download and upload speeds, and industry-standard security solutions.

Avast VPN vs ExpressVPN

Based on the latest test results, ExpressVPN is better than Avast SecureLine VPN in 2024. It has better privacy and security suite, as well as premium infrastructure for torrenting, streaming, and overall stability of VPN connections.

Avast SecureLine VPN, by contrast, is cheaper at $4.39/month and supports up to 10 simultaneous connections. Still, the entire ExpressVPN package is more valuable, with a better price-performance ratio, even though it comes at a pricy $6.67/month.

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Netflix and streaming performance

As we search for the best VPNs for streaming, ExpressVPN is a better match, with faster speeds and a higher connection success rate, even though Avast SecureLine has special servers dedicated to accessing major streaming services.

With Netflix as the most popular platform, both Avast SecureLine and ExpressVPN access the site, but Avast only managed to connect to the US and Canada streaming libraries. While the provider offers specialized streaming servers in the US, the UK, and Germany, the European servers did not work for streaming.

ExpressVPN is a better VPN for Netflix, with faster speeds plus stable and efficient unblocking of Netflix streaming sites. It managed to unblock all our tested streaming countries: the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, and others.

For other streaming sites, the gap between providers becomes even more apparent, where Avast SecureLine only manages to unblock Netflix and YouTube. ExpressVPN is a better option that sweeps the board and easily accesses the most popular sites: BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Paramount+, HBO Max, and more.

Also, their performance when connecting to available platforms is another important trait. For the sites it did unlock, Avast SecureLine had slow loading speeds but stable connections during streaming. Meanwhile, ExpressVPN is fast and connects to all tested platforms, letting you enjoy movies or TV shows in full HD.

Wrapping up

ExpressVPN is better than Avast SecureLine VPN for accessing Netflix and other streaming sites. Its connections are faster, more reliable, and unblock more platforms, letting you enjoy streaming without buffering.

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Plans and pricing

As we search for a VPN with the best bang for your buck, here you can see the difference between the premium but expensive ExpressVPN and a mid-tier Avast VPN.

ExpressVPN is expensive, but the additional features greatly enhance the service's functionality. Still, AvastVPN finds ways to offer great value for a lower price. For example, it lets you use 10 devices at a time, while ExpressVPN supports 5 at a higher cost.

The unusual pricing structure for Avast VPN threw us off guard. Its shortest deal already binds you for a long-term partnership – a one-year subscription for $4.59/month. On top of that, the provider follows up with a barely cheaper two-year deal for $4.39/month and a three-year option for the exact same price.

Meanwhile, although ExpressVPN deals are a bit pricy, its subscriptions do not force you into lengthy obligations. Starting at $12.95/month, your other options are a 6-month deal for $9.99/month and a one-year subscription for $8.32/month.

To save more money, check out our ExpressVPN coupons.

Avast SecureLine VPN vs ExpressVPN: which is more secure?

Both ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN are solid options for secure VPN connections. ExpressVPN is based in The British Virgin Islands, while Avast SecureLine VPN is in the Czech Republic. Both choices reside in locations outside of intelligence-sharing alliances. However, there are inequalities in the infrastructure, logging, and privacy solutions that determine a better provider.

Infrastructure

One of the main innovations for modern VPN security is RAM-only servers. ExpressVPN uses them and even employs a tool called TrustedServer that makes sure the data of its servers are in RAM and gets erased after every reboot.

Avast SecureLine VPN still relies on the classic hard drive servers, which store data longer and are generally less secure and private than RAM-only options. ExpressVPN’s diskless data storage and management create a safer, fool-proof environment that respects our anonymity.

Another important aspect is the tunneling protocols that guide the connections for Avast VPN and Express VPN and dictate their versatility. Avast SecureLine VPN comes with a brief but solid list of options: OpenVPN and its main variations, IPSec for Apple users, WireGuard on Windows and Android for faster speeds, plus its custom protocol Avast Mimic, oriented at masking your VPN traffic.

ExpressVPN offers OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP or IPsec, PPTP, and its custom Lightway protocol for fast and lightweight connections. There’s no special masking protocol like Avast Mimic, but the Lightway protocol is built to support server obfuscation and will cover your tracks if tracking attempts from third parties are detected.

Privacy

The privacy for most VPNs begins at their base location, and both providers reside outside the Fourteen Eyes Alliance. However, ExpressVPN is a better choice because it is located in The British Virgin Islands, which has more favorable privacy laws than the Czech Republic.

Protecting our web connections, we have the industry standard AES-256 encryption for both providers, but ExpressVPN swaps to a lighter ChaCha20/Poly1305 for Lightway tunneling.

Both providers stop data leaks with a kill switch feature for VPN connections. ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine have simple and intuitive settings to activate the tool and stop internet access when a connection with a VPN server is lost.

Logging

ExpressVPN abides by a strict, independently audited no-logs policy, whose credibility was proven in court and during audits by PwC. With an emphasis on privacy and user security, the provider also had its applications tested for weaknesses by Cure53 and F-Secure.

Avast VPN follows a no-logs policy but records the times of connections, which are kept for 35 days. While the provider claims to stay away from our IP addresses, browsing history, and other elements of private data, we would want to see an independent audit to confirm these claims.

We recommend reading our guide on the best no-log VPNs for most private connections.

Wrapping up

ExpressVPN is better than Avast SecureLine VPN for accessing Netflix and other streaming sites. Its connections are faster, more reliable, and unblock more platforms, letting you enjoy streaming without buffering.

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Speed comparison: Avast VPN vs ExpressVPN

With speed as a more direct metric of superiority, here we look at Avast VPN vs ExpressVPN and their performance with an identical baseline and compare the dropoff of download and upload speeds.

To determine the faster provider, we will focus on their speediest protocols: ExpressVPN’s Lightway vs Avast Mimic. First, let’s look at downloads:

• Baseline: 300 Mbps download/ 300 Mbps upload

Avast SecureLine VPN shows dominant performance in the US and UK, but the average speed loss is very close. ExpressVPN loses about 43% of its baseline speed, while Avast SecureLine VPN is a bit faster with 40%.

Now let’s take a look at the uploads, where the situation is a bit more chaotic.

• Baseline: 300 Mbps download/ 300 Mbps upload

Here, the lack of stability from AvastVPN starts to hinder its performance. On average, it loses 70% of the speed on uploads, while ExpressVPN lost 64%.

To learn more about their speedy alternatives, check out our guide on the best fastest VPNs.

Wrapping up

While the speed comparison is incredibly close, the victory goes to ExpressVPN because its average performance during in-house testing was better by 3%.

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Avast SecureLine VPN vs ExpressVPN features

By analyzing the offered suite of features from ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN, we see which provider brings more to the table and if the added tools are worth the price. For a mid-tier option, Avast VPN brings very few features, while the expensive ExpressVPN is a premium choice with a great set of functional tools.

Split tunneling

Often presented alongside essentials, a split tunneling feature helps you select which apps or segments of your internet connection travel through a VPN server, and ExpressVPN delivers this convenience for Windows, Mac, and Android users.

The tools have simple options you can turn on to diversify selective routing, making sure that only the processes that need a VPN use it.

While it is one of the most demanded additional features, strangely enough, Avast SecureLine VPN has a split tunneling feature only on Android devices, where you can select which apps use VPN tunneling.

Server obfuscation

Obfuscated servers, also known as stealth VPNs, are crucial for areas where VPNs are blocked by the government or the owner of your network. ExpressVPN has this feature automated, switching the connection when someone tries to spy on the user.

While technically, Avast SecureLine VPN has no obfuscation feature, its proprietary protocol Avast Mimic is designed for getting around firewalls and recognition attempts from third parties. However, because the software behind it is closed-source, there is no way of knowing the level of obfuscation it provides.

Smart DNS

ExpressVPN is better than Avast VPN for streaming because it has a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer, which lets you access remote streaming libraries and platforms, even if your preferred device does not have a VPN app.

Avast SecureLine does not have a Smart DNS feature. That is a shame because this tool is essential for unblocking geo-restricted pages and streaming sites on devices that do not support VPN applications.

Other features

In its extensive list of premium features, ExpressVPN includes a Threat Manager for filtering malware and ensuring safer browsing sessions, a zero-knowledge DNS for more private connections, a password manager called ExpressVPN Keys, and the aforementioned TrustedServer technology for RAM-only servers.

Avast SecureLine VPN does not have the extra features we like to see, but it still includes a password leak checker to detect data breaches and other problems associated with your email address, plus a set of smart rules: conditions that automatically turn on your VPN.

Avast SecureLine VPN offers many additional tools, such as the famous Avast Antivirus, as well as various anti-tracking and privacy protection features. However, they're not available in the same package: you'll need to buy them separately or look for a combo plan such as Avast One. It's also worth mentioning that several features can be accessed through the same app.

Wrapping up

ExpressVPN offers top security features in one simple package. Avast SecureLine VPN offers plenty of additional tools, but they require further investment. However, as far as VPN features are concerned – ExpressVPN is the clear winner.

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Server locations

As we compare Avast SecureLine VPN vs ExpressVPN by their global coverage and server fleets, we see ExpressVPN winning once more. AvastVPN only has 700+ servers in 35 locations, whereas ExpressVPN offers thousands of options in 105 countries.

Not only is the coverage of Avast SecureLine VPN insufficient to compete with ExpressVPN, but inconsistent speeds, if multiple users have a small server fleet, can also lead to overcrowding while sharing one VPN server. Also, there are no options to have a server for yourself because Avast VPN and ExpressVPN do not sell dedicated IPs.

Wrapping up

With more available locations and a larger server fleet, ExpressVPN is the better option than Avast SecureLine VPN for this category.

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Torrenting

Even though both providers have solid privacy and security features, ExpressVPN is a better VPN for torrenting than Avast SecureLine VPN. It supports P2P communication for all its servers while stable and slightly faster connections than its competitor.

The overall structure of ExpressVPN is better suited for torrenting. It has a bigger network and more available locations, plus a functional kill switch with a split tunneling feature. Avast VPN’s P2P communication only works on specialized servers in 7 locations and is unavailable for the remaining options.

Wrapping up

Even though Avast VPN offers specialized P2P servers, ExpressVPN supports torrenting for its entire server fleet, while other features like a kill switch and split tunneling create better circumstances for safe P2P communication.

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Platforms, interface, and ease of use

Both Avast SecureLine VPN and ExpressVPN have extensive apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, but ExpressVPN has a slight edge with a text-based Linux app that works through a terminal.

ExpressVPN and Avast VPN both have browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. However, ExpressVPN has an advantage in versatility with router compatibility and a MediaStreamer tool for other devices.

Wrapping up

While both providers have intuitive apps on major platforms, ExpressVPN is slightly better simply because it includes more users with support for Linux devices.

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Desktop apps

While reviewing ExpressVPN vs Avast VPN, we see that both providers have functional, easy-to-use apps. For Windows, Avast SecureLine VPN comes with a slick, dark-themed platform with all the necessary information in the center of your window.

On the right, we have a slick sidebar with 4 subsections. The icons are not perfect at conveying their functionality, and everything is intertwined with other tools from Avast.

On macOS, the app looks completely identical, but the OpenVPN tunneling protocol is replaced with IPSec. The layout and color scheme remains the same.

Alas, a big downside for Avast VPN is missing a Linux app. Most VPNs on the market at least include a text-based terminal app for tech-savvy Linux users, but Avast SecureLine VPN omits this option entirely.

ExpressVPN app is fairly minimalist, reminding of mobile interfaces, which also makes the design easily interchangeable between devices. While it does not try to reinvent the wheel but offers a clear overview of all tools and features with informative text.

The menu bar at the top has both icons and text displaying their functions, and an option for shortcuts lets you recreate prior VPN connections faster.

The macOS version looks the same but lacks a split tunneling feature on newer versions. ExpressVPN also has applications on Linux that work with commands on a terminal and support its proprietary Lightway protocol.

Mobile apps

For Android devices, ExpressVPN offers another simple app that looks like a smaller version of a desktop app.

Again, iOS devices have the same layout but lose a lot of essential features: a kill switch, connection shortcuts, and settings for selective routing.

AvastVPN's Android app is arguably its biggest strength, as it is the only platform with a split tunneling tool. Besides that, the compressed layout and design are very similar to the Windows version.

Following the same design, just like its competitor, AvastVPN has a weaker app for iOS. While the provider has very few additional tools to begin with, this version of a mobile app leaves the IPSec as the only tunneling protocol.

Customer support

Both Avast SecureLine and ExpressVPN have the most important tools for finding help and support from employees. At first, we are happy to see a live chat option for services and e-mail support for complex issues.

ExpressVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN also have lots of information via articles, FAQs, and tutorials to help you find solutions to problems before they get too complicated.

Avast Secureline VPN vs ExpressVPN – which one wins?

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With stable and consistent performance in every tested category, ExpressVPN is a better option and the winner of this comparison. While its prices are higher, it also comes with a lot more features in one package that significantly improve the VPN service. Meanwhile, Avast has an antivirus program and many security features, but they are scattered as separate products and not a part of a SecureLine subscription.

Even in categories where the fight was close, ExpressVPN is either on the same level or has a slight edge over Avast SecureLine VPN. The biggest advantages of ExpressVPN over Avast SecureLine VPN are its features, streaming capabilities, and server locations. While it is a bit pricy, you can test and see if the service is worth it with a 7-day free trial or request a refund with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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