VPN Comparison and Recommendations

Navigating the vast landscape of VPN providers can be overwhelming for consumers seeking reliable online privacy solutions. The market is saturated with options, and unfortunately, many services make inflated claims about their capabilities that don't hold up under scrutiny.

The challenge of identifying truly effective VPN services amid misleading marketing has become increasingly difficult for the average user. This frustration is compounded by the technical nature of VPN services, making informed decisions nearly impossible without expert guidance.

To address this consumer dilemma, we've conducted comprehensive comparative analysis between two popular options: Surfshark and Avast SecureLine VPN. Our rigorous evaluation process examined eleven critical performance metrics to determine which service delivers superior protection and better overall value.

Our detailed assessment cuts through promotional hype to provide factual insights about each provider's actual capabilities. By systematically comparing these services across multiple dimensions, we've created an objective framework to help you select the VPN that genuinely meets your specific requirements.

When comparing the pricing of Avast SecureLine VPN and Surfshark, it's clear that Surfshark offers a more flexible and cost-effective solution. For those who need a short-term commitment, Surfshark provides a monthly plan at $12.95, which, while slightly on the higher side, is still a viable option. In contrast, Avast does not offer a monthly plan at all, making Surfshark a more attractive choice for travelers or temporary users.

For longer commitments, Surfshark's value becomes even more apparent. A one-year subscription with Surfshark costs $3.99 per month, which is notably $1.50 less than Avast's equivalent plan. This price difference is significant, especially when you consider the quality of service provided by Surfshark.

The two-year plan from Surfshark is where the real savings come in. At just $2.39 per month, and with an extra month included for free, you can secure 25 months of protection for only $59.76. This is a stark contrast to Avast's 2-year plan, which comes at a much steeper price of $105.36. The nearly double cost of Avast, combined with its limited features, makes it a less appealing option overall.

One advantage of Avast is its 60-day free trial, which allows you to test the service without any financial commitment. You will need to provide your payment details, but you won't be charged until the trial period ends, giving you ample time to decide whether to continue.

Surfshark also offers a way to try their service through a 30-day money-back guarantee. While this requires an upfront payment, Surfshark has a solid reputation for honoring its refund policy, ensuring that you can test the service risk-free.

In summary, the best deal for Surfshark is the two-year plan, which slashes the monthly price by over 80%. For Avast, the best deal is the introductory price, which offers a 46% discount.

Winner: Surfshark

Surfshark stands out with a robust set of features, making it a top choice for users. It offers applications for a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Firestick, and Linux, complete with a full graphical user interface. The service also provides browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, enhancing its versatility. For those looking to secure their entire home network, Surfshark can be manually configured on compatible routers, ensuring all devices are protected.

The Surfshark apps come packed with numerous useful functionalities. These include a kill switch, DNS leak protection, a variety of protocols (such as WireGuard and OpenVPN), AES-256 encryption, ad blocking, malware filtering, split tunneling, and obfuscation. Additionally, it offers a unique no-borders mode, designed to bypass stringent firewalls in countries like the UAE and China. The auto-connect feature ensures you stay protected on untrusted networks. A free smart DNS service is also available, which helps in unblocking streaming content on devices such as consoles and smart TVs.

In comparison, Avast SecureLine VPN is more basic. It provides apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, equipped with essential features like DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and an auto-connect function for untrusted Wi-Fi networks. Users can choose from protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Mimic. However, split tunneling is only available in the Android app, limiting its flexibility.

When considering the overall value, Surfshark emerges as the clear winner. It not only offers a broader range of applications and advanced features but also comes at a lower price point, making it an excellent choice for the average home internet user.

One of the primary applications of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) today is to gain access to a wide range of streaming services from around the world. If you're planning a trip and want to keep up with your favorite TV shows or movies, a good VPN can help you bypass geographical restrictions.

We conducted extensive testing on both Avast SecureLine and Surfshark by connecting to servers in different parts of the world. Our tests revealed that Surfshark excelled in securely accessing over a dozen Netflix libraries, including the expansive US catalog.

In addition to Netflix, Surfshark also provided access to a variety of other popular streaming platforms such as Hulu, HBO Max, ESPN, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, ABC, Peacock, DAZN, and BBC iPlayer. This comprehensive coverage makes Surfshark stand out as one of the most impressive streaming VPNs available.

Avast SecureLine, on the other hand, was less reliable for streaming. It only worked for accessing Netflix in the US and Germany, and a few other platforms like CBS, ITV Hub, Hulu, and NBC. However, it failed to provide access to Prime Video, DAZN, HBO Max, ABC, and BBC iPlayer.

Winner: Surfshark

China presents a unique challenge due to its strict internet censorship, which blocks many Western services such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, and even news sites like the BBC and The New York Times. As a result, visitors to China often need a robust VPN to stay connected to their home services and communicate with friends and family.

The Chinese government is highly effective at blocking most VPNs, making it crucial to ensure that your chosen VPN works before traveling to China. Surfshark offers several features designed to help users maintain access to censored services. These include obfuscation for the OpenVPN protocol and a custom "NoBorders" mode, which can be enabled by going to Settings > Advanced > NoBorders .

Unfortunately, Avast SecureLine does not meet the requirements for use in China. Despite claims about its proprietary Mimic protocol, which is supposed to include obfuscation, it does not function effectively in overcoming the Great Firewall.

Winner: Surfshark

VPN Feature Comparison

Installation ease marks both services as top contenders: quick downloads via official sites or app stores'

Minimal storage demands make them compatible with nearly any modern device'

Surfshark packs advanced capabilities while Avast opts for simplicity'

Yet Surfshark’s intuitive interface welcomes newcomers despite this complexity'

Crucially, its toughest security activates automatically for set-and-forget protection'

Beginners needn’t master every feature immediately – versatility grows with time'

Having sophisticated options proves valuable for future needs'

Thus neither service claims outright superiority'

Both deliver accessibility for all user levels'

Avast’s streamlined approach balances Surfshark’s expandable toolkit'

Ultimately they stand equally matched in user-friendliness'

The verdict remains perfectly balanced'

When evaluating the best VPNs, a crucial factor is the extent of their server networks. A broad network not only offers a wider range of IP addresses from various locations but also enhances performance by distributing traffic more evenly, thus avoiding server congestion.

Let's compare two popular options: Surfshark and Avast SecureLine VPN.

Surfshark boasts an impressive network with over 3200 servers in 100 countries. This extensive coverage includes 25 different cities in the United States alone. Such a vast network allows users to access a wide array of region-locked content, including local TV services, sports events, and regional gambling sites.

In contrast, Avast SecureLine VPN has a smaller network, with approximately 700 servers across 33 countries. Despite this, it still provides decent coverage, especially in the US, with servers in 16 different cities. This makes it suitable for accessing state-level services, though it may not be as versatile for more exotic or specific location needs.

Speed is another critical aspect to consider. Our tests, conducted in the US, UK, and Hong Kong, revealed that Surfshark outperforms Avast SecureLine. Surfshark delivered an average download speed of 189 Mbps, while Avast SecureLine lagged behind with an average of 35 Mbps.

Winner: Surfshark

When considering a VPN, the paramount concern is its security. This feature safeguards your data from prying eyes and ensures that your online activities remain private. However, not all VPNs on the market live up to this standard, with many leaking data and offering inadequate protection.

Fortunately, both Surfshark and Avast SecureLine VPN excel in providing robust security. Both services support the widely trusted OpenVPN protocol, which they implement with AES-256 encryption and perfect forward secrecy, ensuring top-notch data security.

Our tests for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks revealed that both Surfshark and Avast SecureLine are completely leak-free. This means that your data remains secure within the encrypted tunnel, protecting you from local networks, ISPs, government agencies, and other potential eavesdroppers.

Both VPNs also handle DNS requests securely, routing them through their own servers and providing DNS leak protection. This ensures that no one can track the websites you visit.

To further enhance its security, Surfshark has transitioned to a diskless server network. These servers operate entirely in RAM, continuously clearing old data as new data flows through. This design not only enhances security but also allows Surfshark to remotely shut down servers if necessary, such as during a raid, thereby maintaining its no-logging policy even in emergencies. Avast SecureLine does not currently use diskless servers.

Additionally, Surfshark has undergone a full third-party audit of its server network and privacy policies, adding an extra layer of trust and transparency. As far as we know, Avast SecureLine has not yet completed any similar third-party audits.

Winner: Surfshark

VPN Comparison Overview

Both Avast SecureLine VPN and Surfshark are located in regions that do not enforce strict data retention laws, allowing them to implement no-logging policies. However, the specifics of their practices and locations differ.

Surfshark operates from the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction known for its stringent privacy laws. This location is far from the reach of invasive surveillance agencies in countries like the US, EU, and UK. The absence of well-funded intelligence agencies further ensures that Surfshark can maintain a robust no-logging policy. This policy has been independently verified by a third-party auditor, confirming that Surfshark does not track or store any user data, including IP addresses, server usage, web browsing activities, or metadata.

On the other hand, Avast SecureLine VPN is based in the Czech Republic, another country without mandatory data retention laws. Nevertheless, Avast's privacy policy raises some concerns. The company uses a single privacy policy for all its services, which can create ambiguity for users regarding what data is collected and processed. According to the policy, Avast collects device-level identifiers for advertising purposes and shares this information with third-party companies such as Google Analytics and AppsFlyer. Additionally, Avast tracks how subscribers use the VPN, including connection log data and partial IP address information. While Avast claims to anonymize part of the user’s IP address, previous studies have shown that re-identifying anonymized data is often possible, leading to potential privacy risks.

Given these points, Surfshark stands out as the more privacy-focused option. Its clear and independently verified no-logging policy, combined with its favorable jurisdiction, makes it a better choice for users prioritizing privacy.

Comparing IP Management and Security Features: Surfshark vs Avast SecureLine VPN

When examining shared IP systems, both services implement dynamic IP allocation where your connection receives different addresses across sessions. This approach enhances privacy by blending your traffic with other users.

Security fundamentals appear similar at first glance - both providers manage DNS requests through their secure servers and implement NAT firewall protection. Neither service supports port forwarding capabilities, which may disappoint users requiring this functionality.

For gamers concerned about DDoS attacks, both services offer baseline protection by masking your actual IP address from potential attackers.

Surfshark distinguishes itself with several advanced features absent in Avast's offering. Its CleanWeb technology provides integrated ad blocking, tracker prevention, and protection against malicious websites. Perhaps most notably, Surfshark offers dedicated static IP addresses for users who need consistent identification for gaming servers or services requiring IP stability.

Network Performance Comparison

Server infrastructure represents a significant difference between these providers. Surfshark maintains an impressive network of over 3,200 servers distributed across 100 countries, providing extensive global coverage. Their WireGuard implementation delivers exceptional performance, with speeds averaging around 200 Mbps in testing.

Avast SecureLine VPN falls considerably behind with servers in just 33 countries. More concerning is its performance limitation, with average speeds of approximately 35 Mbps - roughly one-sixth of Surfshark's capability. This speed differential dramatically impacts activities requiring substantial bandwidth, including modern gaming, high-definition streaming, and video conferencing.

For users prioritizing performance alongside security, this speed disparity represents a critical consideration when choosing between these services.

When considering the support provided to users, both Avast SecureLine and Surfshark offer satisfactory assistance. However, Surfshark stands out with its comprehensive website, which includes a wealth of setup guides, FAQs, and blog posts that not only help with the setup and use of the VPN but also provide valuable insights into online privacy and security.

For direct assistance, both services offer live chat support. While Avast's support team is competent and courteous, they handle inquiries for their antivirus products as well, which can sometimes dilute the focus on VPN-specific issues. In contrast, Surfshark's live chat and email support are top-notch, ensuring 24/7 availability and quick, effective solutions to any problem that may arise.

Avast's website lacks the same depth of resources found on Surfshark's site, and their email response times tend to be slightly slower, though the difference is minimal. If you prioritize having the best possible customer service, Surfshark is the recommended choice.

Surfshark's Leading VPN Performance

Surfshark emerges as the clear frontrunner in this comprehensive VPN comparison.

When evaluating overall performance, features, and value proposition, Surfshark demonstrates superior capabilities compared to Avast SecureLine VPN.

The distinction becomes particularly evident when examining the extensive server network, advanced security protocols, and user-friendly interface that Surfshark offers to its subscribers.

While Avast SecureLine VPN provides adequate protection for casual users, it simply cannot match the robust feature set and competitive pricing structure that makes Surfshark the preferred choice for discerning VPN users.

Security experts consistently rank Surfshark higher in independent assessments, citing its stronger encryption standards and strict no-logs policy as significant advantages over its competitor. When comparing Avast SecureLine VPN and Surfshark, the latter emerged as the superior choice across multiple categories.

Surfshark excelled in customer support, pricing, gaming, accessibility in China, security, privacy, features, streaming, server performance, and configuration. The only category where both services were on par was setup and interface.

In our evaluation, Surfshark consistently outperformed Avast SecureLine. It offered faster speeds and a better streaming experience. Additionally, it boasted a wider range of features, a more extensive server network, and a greater variety of applications. Furthermore, Surfshark's privacy policy is more robust and transparent.

Despite its numerous advantages, Surfshark also proved to be the more cost-effective option. It offers compatibility with around a dozen Netflix regions, includes ad-blocking for a cleaner online experience, and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. Choosing between these two services is straightforward; Surfshark is the clear winner.

What is a Netflix VPN and How to Get One

A Netflix VPN serves as a digital gateway that enables viewers to bypass geographical restrictions on streaming content, allowing access to shows and movies available exclusively in other countries. By routing internet traffic through servers located in different regions, a Netflix VPN effectively masks the user's actual location, tricking the streaming platform into displaying content catalogs from various international libraries. This technology has become increasingly popular among streaming enthusiasts who wish to explore the full range of global entertainment options rather than being limited to their local Netflix offerings.

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 VPN offers a range of benefits that make it an excellent choice for streaming enthusiasts. 1. High-speed servers are specifically optimized for seamless Netflix streaming, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies without interruptions or buffering. 2. You can connect up to five devices simultaneously, making it easy to stream on multiple platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, and Apple Vision Pro. 3. The exclusive App Mode feature allows you to unlock and enjoy content from multiple regions at the same time, providing a diverse range of streaming options. 4. With lightning-fast connection speeds and no bandwidth limitations, you can say goodbye to throttling and buffering. 5. Your online privacy is protected with top-level security, thanks to the proprietary "ShellGuard" protocol, ensuring your data remains safe. 6. Finally, SafeShell VPN offers a flexible free trial plan, allowing you to experience its robust features, including Netflix unblocked , without any commitment.

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

Unlocking global streaming content has never been easier with SafeShell Netflix VPN , your reliable companion for accessing region-restricted shows and movies. Begin by visiting the SafeShell VPN website where you can select a subscription plan that aligns with your viewing habits and budget constraints. After completing your purchase, download the appropriate application for your device—whether you're using Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android—and follow the installation prompts to set up the software on your system.

Once installation is complete, launch the SafeShell VPN application and log into your account using the credentials created during registration. For optimal Netflix streaming performance, select the APP mode when prompted to choose your connection type. Next, browse through the server list and select a location in your desired region—such as the United States for American content, the United Kingdom for British shows, or Canada for their unique library of programming. Click the connect button and wait for the secure connection to establish.

With SafeShell Netflix VPN now running, open your Netflix application or navigate to the Netflix website in your browser. Sign in with your existing Netflix credentials and you'll immediately notice that the content library has transformed to reflect the region of your selected VPN server. Now you can enjoy previously inaccessible shows and movies without geographical limitations, all while your connection remains protected by SafeShell's secure encryption protocols. Remember that different servers may provide varying streaming speeds, so feel free to experiment with different locations to find the optimal viewing experience.