Avast VPN vs. NordVPN: Which Is Better?

Deciding which VPN is best for you can be tricky. Different VPNs meet different needs, and there are a lot of dicey VPN providers out there. Making the wrong choice is surprisingly easy. To narrow the playing field a little, we’re going to compare Avast VPN vs. NordVPN and see which is the better pick for you.

In short, we recommend NordVPN over Avast SecureLine VPN. It comes with more features and is a lot faster, for one. However, the biggest issue with Avast as a company is the looming shadow of the Jumpshot scandal, in which Avast used a subsidiary named Jumpshot to sell customer data. Though Jumpshot has since been closed and Avast has pledged not to be quite so careless with customer data anymore, it’s too black a mark to ignore.

What Are the Main Differences Between NordVPN and Avast SecureLine?

Overall, NordVPN offers a much more comprehensive set of features than Avast SecureLine VPN does. While both offer a kill switch — which turns off your internet if the VPN fails for whatever reason — NordVPN’s works a lot better because you can both set it for general use and for specific apps. It’s a small detail, but an important one.

NordVPN also offers a lot more servers than Avast and better ones that can handle more capacity. It’s also better for torrenters; even though Avast provides some features for them, NordVPN’s suite is a little more reliable. NordVPN is also better at unblocking Netflix and other streaming services.

That’s not to mention the extra features NordVPN offers, like dark web monitoring, which alerts you if your data shows up on the dark web, or CyberSec, a malware blocker. Avast has one, too, but it’s a different product you pay separately for.

Avast SecureLine Main Features:

• Kill switch
• Moderate speeds
• Mixed results unlocking streaming services
• About 700 servers in 30 countries
• P2P/torrenting servers

NordVPN Main Features:

• Kill switch (general & per-app)
• Fast speeds
• Good at unlocking streaming services
• Over 5,000 servers in more than 60 countries
• P2P/torrenting servers
• Dark web monitoring
• CyberSec

What Do Avast VPN and NordVPN Cost?

When it comes to pricing, NordVPN is a much better deal when compared to Avast VPN, especially on longer term plans. For example, for two years, NordVPN charges only $89, and at the end of that period, the company offers a return rate that’s about the same.

Avast, in contrast, charges $95.76 for two years of service, which is only six bucks and change more expensive than NordVPN, but is pretty high when you consider all the extra features NordVPN offers. 

When going year to year, the numbers are a bit closer. But Avast is still more expensive at $59.88 as opposed to NordVPN’s $59. Sure, it’s less than a buck, but for service as basic as Avast SecureLine, it’s a poor deal.

Avast is only cheaper if you pay monthly, but that’s generally not the way to go with VPNs as you’ll get stung no matter which provider you go with (Mullvad is a rare exception, charging 5 euro per month regardless of plan). 

Whichever provider you end up going with, both NordVPN and Avast offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you’re unhappy with the service at any point during that time, you can cancel your subscription and get a refund. Neither offers a free plan, sadly enough, so check out our selection of free VPNs if you need a VPN but don’t have the cash.

Are NordVPN and Avast VPN Easy to Use?

When it comes to ease of use, Avast SecureLine VPN and NordVPN are both good. Avast is more minimalist, sticking one big button in the middle that switches the VPN on and off. There’s a selection below for the server you want and your options in a bar to the left. 

We like this interface style as there’s little left to the imagination, and it’s practically foolproof.

NordVPN is a little fancier but follows the same basic philosophy. The big button at the top of the screen switches your connection on and off. You select servers or go to the client’s settings through the menu at the top. There’s very little difference in how you operate these two programs. It’s more about placement.

However, NordVPN’s interface is a little prettier because it has a map of the world that shows you where you’re connected to. The map is almost entirely cosmetic, but it’s a handy tool to get yourself orientated. Overall, though, it’s a minor point, so we’re not going to declare a hard preference for either Avast VPN or NordVPN here.

Are NordVPN and Avast SecureLine Private?

Regarding privacy, both the NordVPN privacy policy and that of Avast promise much the same: no keeping of logs, no data collection, and everything else most VPN services promise. It’s almost impossible to check whether or not these claims are true. However, NordVPN undergoes security audits every year, and Avast does not. Therefore in the case of Avast, you’re trusting a service’s word when it comes to privacy.

So far, NordVPN’s reputation is pretty good. There was a hack in 2019 of some minor systems, but NordVPN reacted quickly and made sure it wouldn’t happen again. Besides that, there isn’t much to mention against NordVPN except unsubstantiated rumors.

Avast and Jumpshot

Avast, however, is a different story. As we mentioned previously, the company’s hand was caught deep in the cookie jar of customer information. Technically, it only sold the data of Avast Antivirus customers; it’s still terrible for a security company, no matter how you slice it.

Though Avast has apologized and promised not to do it anymore, we know which one we’re recommending if we have to balance a company with an almost clean record to one with a sullied one. NordVPN has our vote here.

NordVPN vs. Avast VPN: Which Is Best?

Even setting privacy concerns aside, NordVPN is our favorite VPN. Though Avast isn’t a bad VPN, NordVPN is cheaper and has more features. We only see why you’d go with Avast SecureLine VPN if you hate NordVPN’s interface or if you got an exceptionally good deal when signing up to Avast Antivirus. Even then, we’d remain a little leery of Avast.