VPN Comparison: ExpressVPN vs AVG

In today's digital landscape, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have experienced a significant surge in popularity as people become increasingly concerned about online privacy. Despite serving diverse users—from remote workers to streaming enthusiasts—many VPN providers continue to market their services with technical terminology that can be overwhelming for the average consumer. The websites of most major VPN companies are filled with specialized language that often requires additional research to understand properly.

To simplify your decision-making process, we've conducted a comprehensive analysis comparing ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN. Our detailed evaluation places these services side by side, examining their key features and explaining how each will impact your everyday internet usage. This consumer-friendly approach ensures you'll have a clear understanding of what you're investing in, regardless of whether you ultimately choose one of these services or continue your search elsewhere.

By breaking down the technical barriers, our comparison equips you with the knowledge to make an informed choice about which VPN best suits your specific needs. Even if neither ExpressVPN nor AVG Secure VPN meets your requirements, this information will serve as a valuable guide for evaluating other VPN options in the future.

While AVG Secure VPN offers a limited 60-day free trial, we'll focus on comparing paid subscriptions for a fair assessment.

ExpressVPN positions itself as a premium service, with monthly subscriptions at $12.95 USD. Customers can reduce costs by committing to longer terms, with the annual plan dropping to $8.32 per month. For those seeking a middle ground, a six-month option is available at $9.99 monthly.

In contrast, AVG Secure VPN presents a more budget-friendly alternative at $4.49 per month for annual subscriptions - nearly half the cost of ExpressVPN's comparable plan. However, AVG doesn't provide significant incentives for multi-year commitments beyond extending the introductory rate.

Both services offer confidence in their product with identical 30-day money-back guarantees, allowing full service testing before making a final commitment.

Current promotions include a 35% discount on ExpressVPN's annual subscription, while AVG Secure VPN offers a substantial 46% reduction on multi-year plans.

Both ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN cater to a wide range of operating systems, but their capabilities differ in several key areas. ExpressVPN stands out with its router compatibility, even providing custom firmware for easier setup. It also offers a command line-based application for Linux users and a dedicated app for Amazon Fire TV, which is not available with AVG Secure VPN.

When it comes to device connections, ExpressVPN allows up to eight devices simultaneously, while AVG Secure VPN supports up to 10 devices per account.

For those concerned about automatic protection, ExpressVPN provides this feature on Android and iOS, ensuring you're connected to the VPN whenever you use an unsecured Wi-Fi network. On the other hand, AVG Secure VPN includes this feature across all platforms, which can be particularly useful if you frequently use a laptop.

Split tunneling, a feature that lets you choose which apps bypass the VPN, is supported by all versions of ExpressVPN. In contrast, AVG Secure VPN only offers this feature on mobile devices.

Another advantage of ExpressVPN is its browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. These extensions allow you to quickly connect or change your location directly from your browser, acting as a convenient control panel for the main app. However, they do not function as standalone VPNs like some other providers' extensions.

When it comes to streaming capabilities, ExpressVPN demonstrates remarkable versatility. The service successfully unlocks numerous regional Netflix libraries and provides access to multiple popular streaming platforms. The only notable exception appears to be BBC iPlayer, which remains challenging for most VPN services to access due to its sophisticated VPN-detection systems.

In contrast, AVG Secure VPN's streaming performance falls short despite having dedicated streaming servers. While users can access Netflix libraries in the US and Germany through specialized servers, the UK-optimized connections fail to unlock British Netflix. However, AVG does manage to provide access to some UK-specific services like ITV Hub and All 4, offering limited streaming capabilities for British content enthusiasts.

For users in China, internet access presents unique challenges due to the extensive government censorship commonly referred to as the Great Firewall. This sophisticated system blocks popular global platforms including Facebook and many VPN services themselves.

ExpressVPN stands among the select few services that maintain functionality within China's restrictive internet environment. The company offers a hidden mirror site accessible via the Tor network, though users must contact customer support for the current address before traveling to China. Experts recommend downloading and installing the application prior to entering the country, as access points can change without notice.

AVG Secure VPN's effectiveness in China has significantly declined since mid-2020. User forums reveal numerous unresolved complaints about connection issues within mainland China, indicating the service can no longer reliably bypass the Great Firewall. This makes AVG an unsuitable choice for travelers or residents requiring consistent VPN access within Chinese borders.

ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN both offer user-friendly applications across desktop and mobile platforms. With ExpressVPN, users enjoy convenient features like instant reconnection to previously used servers. The standout "Smart Location" feature automatically selects optimal nearby city connections for users seeking quick access.

Navigation through ExpressVPN's server network is particularly intuitive, with search functionality and continental categorization making country selection straightforward. The settings interface employs a tab-based organization that presents options in manageable groups, creating an approachable experience that avoids overwhelming users with too many simultaneous choices.

The desktop interface prioritizes simplicity with a bold, centered quick connect option.

Server selection is organized by continent or specialized use like streaming and P2P,

though users cannot search the entire server roster directly.

Settings adopt a streamlined approach with few options,

each accompanied by clear explanations promoting excellent transparency.

ExpressVPN ensures a uniform design across all its applications. However, certain features like IPv6 leak protection and the ability to use ExpressVPN's DNS servers are not available in the mobile versions. On the other hand, the mobile apps do include an automatic Wi-Fi protection feature. This feature is particularly useful as it enables the app to automatically connect whenever you access an unsecured wireless network, such as those found in airports or coffee shops.

Looking at the mobile application for AVG Secure VPN, users will find that it mirrors the desktop version's capabilities almost entirely. The mobile app includes all core functions, though it's worth noting that the kill switch feature requires manual configuration through your device settings rather than within the app itself. Interestingly, the mobile version actually surpasses its desktop counterpart in one respect by offering split tunneling functionality.

One concerning aspect appears in the Google Play Store listing, where AVG has named their app "AVG Secure VPN – Unlimited VPN, Hotspot VPN Shield." This naming convention appears deliberately designed to capture search traffic from competing services like VPN Unlimited and Hotspot Shield. While this marketing tactic doesn't affect the application's performance or features, it does raise questions about the company's ethics. Such keyword stuffing in app titles is typically associated with less reputable services rather than established cybersecurity brands.

ExpressVPN vs. AVG Secure VPN

When it comes to the geographic coverage of their server networks, ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN present a stark contrast. While ExpressVPN boasts an extensive network with approximately 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries, AVG Secure VPN has not disclosed its total number of servers. However, we do know that AVG Secure VPN's network is significantly smaller, covering only 36 countries. This limited reach can be a drawback for users who require access to a wider range of locations.

In terms of speed, there is a notable disparity between the two services. Users of AVG Secure VPN typically experience average speeds of around 50 Mbps, which is generally sufficient for high-definition streaming, torrenting, and other data-intensive activities. However, this speed may be affected if multiple users are sharing the same connection simultaneously.

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, offers much faster speeds, with recent tests showing an average of 193 Mbps. This makes ExpressVPN one of the fastest VPNs available, capable of handling even the most demanding tasks without any noticeable lag or buffering.

ExpressVPN enables access to geo-restricted content from numerous unique locations

including remote countries like Bhutan and Nepal that rivals typically skip.

This expansive network offers users significantly broader reach for unblocking region-specific services.

Meanwhile, AVG Secure VPN covers key hubs like the US, UK, and Japan

but maintains a surprisingly limited global footprint.

Its inclusion of Russian servers is unusual for budget providers

given Russia's strict data laws requiring server access for authorities.

However, AVG's no-logs policy provides privacy reassurance

despite operating in jurisdictions with heightened surveillance risks.

Location diversity remains ExpressVPN's definitive edge for global content accessibility.

Both VPNs utilize robust 256-bit AES encryption with 4096-bit RSA keys, ensuring uncrackable data protection for your online activities.

ExpressVPN outshines in protocol versatility, supporting IKEv2, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), L2TP, and its proprietary Lightway protocol.

Lightway delivers faster connections and streamlined security audits compared to traditional options.

AVG Secure VPN offers only OpenVPN UDP, limiting user configuration possibilities.

Desktop kill switches function identically on both services, halting data transmission during VPN disruptions.

Mobile implementation differs significantly: ExpressVPN provides native kill switch functionality, while AVG merely instructs users on replicating it through device settings.

ExpressVPN adds cipher-block chaining security, requiring attackers to intercept entire sessions for decryption attempts.

This advanced protection layer further solidifies its technical superiority over AVG Secure VPN.

Customization capabilities clearly favor ExpressVPN through its multi-protocol support and specialized security enhancements.

When it comes to privacy, both ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN have strong no-logging policies. Neither of these services retains any records of the websites you visit or any personally identifiable information. However, they do track the amount of data transferred during each session, which is a common practice.

ExpressVPN has a proven track record of maintaining user anonymity. In one instance, Turkish authorities seized some of their servers as part of a criminal investigation but found no useful information, confirming that the company does not store any personally identifiable data. Furthermore, ExpressVPN's privacy policies have been independently verified by third-party auditors. For those who prioritize anonymity, ExpressVPN offers the option to sign up using Bitcoin and a disposable email address.

On the other hand, AVG Secure VPN requires more personal information during the registration process, such as your full name and zip code. Additionally, since AVG does not accept Bitcoin payments, the name you use for registration must match the one on your credit card or PayPal account, making it difficult to remain anonymous. AVG's privacy policy states that all connection logs are deleted after 30 days.

Both ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN employ a shared address allocation system, where all users on the same server are assigned the same IP address. This approach enhances privacy, as it becomes nearly impossible to identify which specific user accessed a particular site. Neither service maintains traffic logs, so this feature mainly serves to provide an additional sense of security.

Neither ExpressVPN nor AVG Secure VPN offers the option for a static or dedicated IP address. ExpressVPN explains that they regularly rotate their servers' IP addresses, making it impractical to provide dedicated IPs. For most users, having a personal IP address is not essential, so this limitation is generally not a significant drawback.

When it comes to customer support, both ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN provide a wealth of resources through their extensive knowledge bases. These platforms are easily searchable, making it convenient for users to find the information they need.

For immediate assistance, both services offer 24/7 live chat support. However, it's worth noting that this feature is not available to free AVG Secure VPN users.

One unique aspect of AVG Secure VPN is its provision of phone support, which is not commonly found among major VPN providers. They have dedicated helplines in the US, UK, and Australia. While this can be a plus, many users often turn to AVG’s support forum. Unfortunately, the staff responses in the forum sometimes miss the mark, addressing unrelated issues and overlooking the primary concerns raised by users.

In contrast, ExpressVPN adheres to a more standard support model. If live chat is unavailable, you can reach out via email or submit a ticket. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers video guides on their official YouTube channel, providing step-by-step instructions that can be followed at home. When it comes to choosing a VPN service, the comparison between ExpressVPN and AVG Secure VPN reveals significant differences in quality and performance.

AVG Secure VPN, despite coming from a well-established internet security company, falls short in several key areas. While it does offer acceptable speeds and basic security features across a decent server network, the overall experience feels disjointed and lacks polish. This patchwork approach undermines user confidence in the service.

The value proposition becomes even more questionable considering AVG requires annual commitments to access customer support features that competitors provide without such restrictions. For a paid service, these limitations are difficult to justify, especially when more refined alternatives exist in the market.

In contrast, ExpressVPN stands out as a comprehensive solution that excels across multiple dimensions. Its impressive speed capabilities are matched by robust security protocols and an exceptional ability to bypass regional restrictions on various streaming platforms. The service shines with its responsive customer support options, compatibility with torrenting activities, and even functionality in highly restricted internet environments like China.

For most users seeking a reliable and versatile VPN service, ExpressVPN clearly emerges as the superior choice, offering a polished experience that AVG's offering simply cannot match in its current state.

What is a Netflix VPN and How to Get One

A Netflix VPN is a tool that enables viewers to bypass geographical restrictions and access a broader range of content on the platform. By connecting to servers in various countries, users can effectively change their virtual location, unlocking movies and TV shows that are otherwise unavailable in their region.

Why Choose SafeShell as Your Netflix VPN?

If people want to access region-restricted content by Netflix VPN, they may want to consider the SafeShell VPN. This advanced tool is designed to provide a seamless and secure streaming experience, making it an excellent choice for those looking to unlock Netflix unblocked content.

One of the key advantages of SafeShell VPN is its high-speed servers, which are specifically optimized for Netflix. These servers ensure that you can stream your favorite shows and movies without any interruptions or buffering. Additionally, SafeShell VPN allows you to connect up to five devices simultaneously, supporting a wide range of operating systems such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, and even Apple Vision Pro. This means you can enjoy your content on any device you prefer, whether it's your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV.

Another standout feature is the exclusive App Mode, which lets you access and enjoy content from multiple regions at the same time. This provides a diverse and unrestricted entertainment experience. Moreover, SafeShell VPN offers lightning-fast connection speeds with no bandwidth limitations, ensuring that your streaming, downloading, and browsing activities are smooth and efficient. The top-level security provided by the proprietary "ShellGuard" protocol ensures that your online privacy is protected, giving you peace of mind while you enjoy your favorite content. With a flexible free trial plan, users can explore these robust features without any commitment, making it an even more attractive option.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Watch Netflix with SafeShell VPN

To begin accessing global Netflix libraries with SafeShell Netflix VPN , first ensure you have an active subscription by selecting a suitable plan on their official website and completing the payment process. Next, download the SafeShell VPN application tailored for your specific operating system (Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android) directly from their platform and follow the straightforward installation prompts.

After launching the SafeShell app and logging into your account, navigate to the mode selection interface where choosing APP mode is strongly advised for optimal Netflix streaming performance.

Then, pick a VPN server located in your desired content region—such as the United States or United Kingdom—from their extensive server list and establish a secure connection. Finally, open your Netflix application or website, sign in to your account, and immediately enjoy the unlocked regional catalog corresponding to your chosen SafeShell VPN server location.