⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: Avast VPN ships inside suites priced from $49.99/first yr. PrivadoVPN paid plans start at $1.11/month.
- Best for: Avast VPN suits people already running Avast antivirus. PrivadoVPN suits budget buyers who want a free plan first.
- Key difference: Avast SecureLine VPN servers cover 34 countries. PrivadoVPN’s server network is smaller in count but spans 49 countries.
- Free access: Avast offers a 60 day free trial. PrivadoVPN offers a permanent free version with 10GB every 30 days.
- Our pick: PrivadoVPN for most users, because you can test the free service before any payment information is needed.
One of these two VPN apps came free with your antivirus.
The other one you probably found while hunting for a free VPN.
That gap explains almost everything about Avast VPN vs PrivadoVPN.
Both run a small server network. Neither has passed an independent audit.
But they ask for very different money and offer very different free access.
Overview
This Avast VPN vs PrivadoVPN comparison covers pricing, servers, speed, streaming and security features.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages and public speed tests for both VPN services.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each vpn app.
Those notes sit in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end you will know which one fits your devices and budget.
What is Avast VPN?
Avast SecureLine VPN is the virtual private network built by the Avast antivirus team.
It encrypts your internet connection and hides your real IP address.
Your web traffic moves through a VPN tunnel to one of its servers.
Avast SecureLine VPN servers total around 700 across 34 countries.
The app runs on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Android TV.
You can use Avast SecureLine VPN on ten devices at once.
Many people first meet it bundled with other Avast products.
Avast VPN
A simple vpn service from a household antivirus brand. The 60 day trial is the longest in this comparison. Covers 10 devices on one subscription.
Avast VPN Pricing
Here is what our CSV records for Avast in 2026.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free Antivirus | Free | Basic device protection with no VPN |
| Premium Security | $49.99/first yr | Multi-device security without the VPN tier |
| Ultimate | $49.99/first yr | Buyers who want SecureLine VPN in the bundle |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: Yes, a 60 day free trial. You must add payment information first, and billing starts when the 60 day trial ends.
Money-back guarantee: Avast runs a 30-day refund window on its yearly plans.
📌 Note: Standalone SecureLine subscriptions are sold separately from the suites above. Published standalone rates sit near $4.59 per month on the one-year plan, $4.39 on the three-year plan and $4.29 on the two-year plan, with no monthly option.
⚠️ Warning: Our CSV prices the Avast suites, not the standalone VPN, so the two figures will not match. Check the cart total before you confirm, because trial subscriptions auto-renew at full price.
Key Benefits of Avast VPN
Here is what you actually get:
- 60 Day Free Trial: Two months of full access, longer than most VPN providers give you. Free trials this long are rare.
- Smart VPN Mode: You set rules for when the app should automatically connect or switch off. Smart VPN is handy on a laptop that hops between networks.
- 10 Devices at Once: One subscription covers ten simultaneous connections across multiple platforms.
- Three VPN Protocols: The OpenVPN protocol, WireGuard and the proprietary Mimic protocol are all available.
- Kill Switch: The VPN kill switch cuts your internet if the connection drops, so your IP address stays hidden.
- Public Network Cover: Encryption on a public network blocks man-in-the-middle attacks and stops your ISP profiling your browsing data.
- Price Shield: Masking your location can help you dodge price discrimination when you shop online.
The homepage keeps the pitch short, which fits how simple the app is.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer installed the Windows app and ran it for everyday browsing and streaming. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
The screenshot below shows the same session on the desktop app.
Avast VPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 60 day free trial, longer than most competitors offer
- Beginner-friendly app that is easy to navigate
- Smart VPN mode rules for automatic connection
- Ten devices on a single subscription
❌ Cons
- Around 700 servers in 34 countries limits your options
- No independent audit of the no logs policy
- The 2024 FTC case over Jumpshot data sales still shadows the brand
What is PrivadoVPN?
PrivadoVPN is a Swiss vpn service launched by Privado Networks AG in 2019.
The company sits in Zug, outside the main intelligence-sharing alliances.
Its pitch is simple: a usable free VPN with a paid tier that costs very little.
PrivadoVPN’s servers number about 330 across 49 countries.
The PrivadoVPN app covers Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Fire TV and Android TV.
Free users get 10GB every 30 days on one device.
🏆 Winner: PrivadoVPN
Swiss jurisdiction, a genuinely usable free plan and unlimited data on paid tiers. Ten simultaneous connections included.
PrivadoVPN Pricing
Three paid plans, and the long ones are cheap.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free | $1.11/month | Long-term users who want the lowest rate |
| 12 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free | $1.33/month | Annual buyers who want unlimited data |
| 1 Month Plan | $10.99/month | Short trips and one-off testing |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: Better than a trial. The free plan gives 10GB every 30 days with no card required.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on paid subscriptions.
📌 Note: Payment works by card, PayPal or cryptocurrency. The 24-month rate applies to the first term, then renewal moves closer to $3.99 per month.
⚠️ Warning: The headline $1.11 rate is an intro price. Budget for the renewal figure, not the first-term figure.
Key Benefits of PrivadoVPN
Here is where the money goes:
- Real Free Plan: 10GB of data every 30 days and access to 12 free servers. That is why it lands on so many best free VPNs lists.
- Swiss Privacy: Privado Networks AG operates under Swiss law, which keeps online privacy rules strict.
- Unlimited Data on Paid Tiers: Paid plans lift the cap and allow 10 simultaneous connections.
- Streaming That Works: It unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video on both tiers.
- SmartRoute Split Tunneling: The Windows app lets you keep banking sites off the tunnel while Netflix runs through it.
- Extra Protection Layers: Privado Sentry adds optional antivirus with cloud scanning, and PhantomMode holds system-level privacy even when the VPN drops briefly.
- SOCKS5 Proxy: Paid plans include a proxy for faster downloads on specific apps.
The homepage leads with the free plan, which tells you who they are chasing.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer ran the free version first, then the paid tier, across a laptop and two mobile devices. Here is what stood out:
PrivadoVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Free plan gives 10GB every 30 days with 12 free servers
- Swiss base keeps it outside surveillance alliances
- Unblocks US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video
- Ten simultaneous connections on paid plans
- Local servers lose only 8-15% of speed
❌ Cons
- Only 330 servers, against an industry average near 1,600
- No third-party audit of the logging claims
- No 24/7 live chat, so customer support runs on email
Feature Comparison
Ten rounds, side by side. The summary table first, then the detail.
| Feature | Avast VPN | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49.99/first yr | $1.11/month |
| Free Plan | ❌ (60 day trial) | ✅ 10GB/30 days |
| Servers | ~700 in 34 countries | ~330 in 49 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | ✅ 10 | ✅ 10 (1 on free) |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ (not on iOS) |
| Split Tunneling | ❌ | ✅ Windows and Android |
| Independent Audit | ❌ | ❌ |
| Streaming Access | Mixed results | ✅ Netflix, iPlayer, Prime Video |
| 24/7 Live Chat | ✅ | ❌ Email only |
| Best For | Existing Avast users | Budget and free-plan users |
1. Server Network and Server Locations
Avast VPN: Around 700 VPN servers sit in 34 countries. That is a small server network next to the extensive server networks at the top of the market, and it limits your choice of server locations. The upside is that most of them are physical servers in popular regions rather than thin virtual servers.
PrivadoVPN: Fewer boxes, wider map. PrivadoVPN’s server network holds roughly 330 servers, well under the 1,600 average across other VPN services, but it reaches 49 countries and 60 cities. Many VPNs in this price bracket run more extensive server networks, so you trade raw count for country spread. There is no map view either, so picking a VPN server means scrolling a list.
2. Speed and Performance
Avast VPN: Nearby servers hold a fast connection. Distant ones drop hard, which is the pattern reported across public speed tests. If your daily routing stays regional, it behaves like a fast VPN.
PrivadoVPN: Local servers lose only 8-15% of speed. Long-distance hops lose 10-25%, though some test runs recorded an average speed loss near 48% with upload speeds down 58.6% and download speeds down 71.6%. WireGuard hit 830-880 Mbps in better conditions, so protocol choice matters more here than on most VPNs.
⚠️ Warning: Published speed numbers vary wildly between reviewers. Treat them as a range, not a promise, and run your own test on the free plan or the trial.
3. Streaming Services
Avast VPN: It reaches Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, but results have been mixed. Hulu and BBC iPlayer are the two that users most often report failing.
PrivadoVPN: US Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Prime Video all work, and even PrivadoVPN’s free version unblocks US Netflix. Other Netflix libraries are hit and miss: Australia, Canada and Japan stay blocked, and Disney Plus does not open. Streaming capabilities stretch to Ultra HD without buffering on local servers.
4. Security Features and Leak Protection
Avast VPN: AES-256 encryption, a kill switch and DNS leak protection cover the basics, so DNS leaks are handled during everyday online activities. The kill switch cuts you off the moment a VPN connection drops. Your DNS requests stay inside the tunnel. Reviewers keep noting that it has no standout security features beyond that, and WebRTC leak protection still depends on your browser settings.
PrivadoVPN: Same AES-256 baseline, plus a kill switch feature on the Windows app and Android app. The iOS app still lacks it, which is the single biggest hole in the lineup. Servers use disk encryption rather than RAM-only hardware, and there is no multi-hop and no port forwarding.
5. VPN Protocols
Avast VPN: You get the OpenVPN protocol, WireGuard and Mimic protocol, an in-house option built to look like ordinary web traffic. Mimic is the reason to pick this app in a restrictive network.
PrivadoVPN: OpenVPN and IKEv2 cover compatibility, WireGuard covers speed. Multiple security protocols are switchable from the settings menu, and manual selection beats auto-pick in most sessions.
6. Privacy, Logging and Independent Audits
Avast VPN: Based in the Czech Republic, outside the data-sharing alliances, with a no logs policy that records timestamps, data volume and connection details but no identifiable information. There is no independent audit. The history matters here: the Jumpshot subsidiary sold antivirus user data without consent, and in February 2024 the FTC ordered a $16.5 million payment over that privacy failure.
PrivadoVPN: A strict no logs policy on paper: no browsing history, no traffic destination, no IP addresses, no DNS queries. Neither service sits among the best VPNs on transparency, and more security auditing would help both. It still collects email addresses and device identifiers, may hold some records indefinitely, and publishes no transparency report or warrant canary. Like Avast, it has never been audited by a third party. Privado Sentry adds malware protection that blocks malicious websites before they load.
7. Apps, Platforms and Ease of Use
Avast VPN: Native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Android TV, all beginner-friendly. Browser extensions come from the wider Avast lineup rather than the VPN itself. One recurring complaint: people find it installed after an Avast antivirus update they did not read closely.
PrivadoVPN: The same clean layout across mobile apps and desktop, recently redesigned to be easier to read. Two small annoyances: the Windows window will not resize, and connection times can lag on some platforms.
8. Split Tunneling, Smart VPN Mode and Routing
Avast VPN: No split tunneling, but Smart VPN mode fills part of the gap. You write rules so the app can automatically connect on public Wi Fi and stand down on your home network. Some users report the rules misfiring.
PrivadoVPN: SmartRoute handles split tunneling on Windows, and the Android app has it too. It is missing on iOS and macOS. The auto connect toggle grabs the fastest VPN server at launch.
Paid plans add one more routing trick worth knowing about.
9. Free Access and Customer Support
Avast VPN: The 60 day free trial is the longest here and runs on every supported platform. It needs a card up front. Support runs through live chat and a large help centre, though several users describe the responses as unhelpful.
PrivadoVPN: The free plan never expires, though free users get one device and 10GB. Speed on the free tier matches the paid tier, sometimes beating it. Support is the weak spot: email and a thin help site, with no 24/7 live chat.
💡 Pro Tip: If you only need a VPN for a short trip, the free service covers a week of light use. Save your card details for later.
10. Pricing & Cost
Here are both price lists next to each other.
| Tier | Avast VPN | PrivadoVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Antivirus (no VPN) | 10GB every 30 days |
| Entry paid | Premium Security $49.99/first yr | 24 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free, $1.11/month |
| Mid paid | Ultimate $49.99/first yr | 12 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 free, $1.33/month |
| Monthly | ❌ Not offered | 1 Month Plan $10.99/month |
Avast VPN: You are buying a security suite that happens to include a VPN. That is fine value if you wanted the antivirus anyway, and poor value if you only wanted the tunnel.
PrivadoVPN: The 24-month rate undercuts nearly every paid VPN on the market. The monthly plan at $10.99 is ordinary, so the value only appears if you commit.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest price | PrivadoVPN | $1.11/month on 24 months |
| A free VPN, not a trial | PrivadoVPN | 10GB every 30 days, no card |
| Antivirus in the same bill | Avast VPN | Ships inside Avast suites |
| Two months of full testing | Avast VPN | 60 day free trial |
| Split tunneling | PrivadoVPN | SmartRoute on Windows |
| Live chat support | Avast VPN | PrivadoVPN is email only |
| A protocol for blocked networks | Avast VPN | Mimic protocol |
💰 Your Budget
A year of PrivadoVPN costs less than a takeaway coffee run. Avast only makes sense if the antivirus is part of the purchase.
🔌 Your Devices
Both cover ten devices on paid plans, including Android TV. If you rely on the iOS app for a kill switch, Avast is the safer pick.
📺 Your Streaming Habits
PrivadoVPN opens more streaming services reliably, especially BBC iPlayer, and its VPN connection holds up through long sessions. Neither one advertises streaming optimised servers the way bigger brands do.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Both apps are built for beginners and hide the technical settings well. Neither will satisfy someone who wants port forwarding or multi-hop.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Avast gives 60 days but asks for a card. PrivadoVPN gives less data forever and asks for nothing.
🛟 Support Options
Avast has live chat, Privado does not. Complaints exist on both sides, so judge by response speed rather than channel count.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from Avast VPN to PrivadoVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A permanent free plan and a far lower paid price
- Split tunneling, a SOCKS5 proxy and more server locations
- Swiss jurisdiction instead of a brand with an FTC record
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The Mimic protocol and the 60 day free trial
- A kill switch on iOS
- Round-the-clock live chat
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel auto-renewal in your Avast account, then uninstall the app
- Install PrivadoVPN and start on the free tier
- Set your protocol to WireGuard and turn on the kill switch
🔄 Switching from PrivadoVPN to Avast VPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- More servers overall and antivirus in the same subscription
- Smart VPN rules and the Mimic protocol
- A kill switch that works on iPhone
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The free plan and the $1.11 price point
- Split tunneling and the SOCKS5 proxy
- Reliable BBC iPlayer access
📋 How to switch:
- Request a refund within 30 days if you just paid
- Start the 60 day trial and note the renewal date
- Build your Smart VPN rules before you rely on it
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
We focused on home use across Windows, Android and iOS. We did not run long stress tests, test router installs, or check performance from the Middle East and other under-served regions. Business licensing and dedicated torrenting servers also sit outside this comparison. Figures reflect the September 2026 apps, and VPN companies change their networks often.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | PrivadoVPN |
| 🌍 Server Network | Tie |
| ⚡ Speed | PrivadoVPN |
| 📺 Streaming | PrivadoVPN |
| 🔒 Security Features | Avast VPN |
| 🕵️ Privacy Record | PrivadoVPN |
| 👶 Ease of Use | Tie |
| 🛟 Support | Avast VPN |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | PrivadoVPN |
🏆 WINNER: PRIVADOVPN
PrivadoVPN wins 4 of 8 categories and ties 2 more.
Best for: budget buyers, free VPN users, streaming on a cap
These two are not really fighting over the same buyer. Avast VPN is a feature inside a security suite, and it behaves like one: safe, plain, priced as part of a bundle.
PrivadoVPN is a standalone product that competes on price and on a free plan most rivals cannot match. Neither is a good VPN choice for anyone who demands an audited no logs policy, because neither has one.
If you already pay for Avast antivirus, keep the VPN that came with it. Everyone else should start with Privado’s free tier and upgrade only if the cap bites.
More of Avast VPN Compared
Here is how it lands against the rest of the market:
Avast VPN wins on: longer trial window, simpler first-run setup, bundled antivirus
NordVPN wins on: thousands of servers, completed third-party audits, multi-hop routing
Avast VPN wins on: trial length, suite pricing for families, Android TV simplicity
ExpressVPN wins on: long-distance speed, 100+ country coverage, audited infrastructure
Avast VPN vs Surfshark
Avast VPN wins on: Mimic protocol, live chat quality, antivirus integration
Surfshark wins on: unlimited devices, cheaper long plans, wider streaming unblocking
Avast VPN wins on: protocol choice, Smart VPN rules, trial generosity
McAfee VPN wins on: identity monitoring extras, cheaper renewal terms, tighter mobile bundling
More of PrivadoVPN Compared
And how the Swiss option stacks up elsewhere:
PrivadoVPN vs Proton VPN
PrivadoVPN wins on: lower entry price, 10GB free allowance, SOCKS5 proxy access
Proton VPN wins on: published audits, secure core routing, unlimited free data
PrivadoVPN vs CyberGhost
PrivadoVPN wins on: free tier, Swiss base, cheaper two-year rate
CyberGhost wins on: server count, purpose-built streaming lists, 45-day refunds
PrivadoVPN vs Private Internet Access
PrivadoVPN wins on: free plan, simpler interface, Swiss jurisdiction
Private Internet Access wins on: court-tested no-logs claim, port forwarding, huge server fleet
PrivadoVPN vs FastestVPN
PrivadoVPN wins on: free plan quality, streaming reliability, app polish
FastestVPN wins on: lifetime licences, cheaper one-off cost, more add-on bundles
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Avast VPN actually work?
Yes. It encrypts your connection, hides your originating IP address and holds speed well on nearby servers. Distant servers slow down noticeably, and some streaming sites still block it.
Is Avast SecureLine VPN free?
No. There is a 60 day free trial that needs card details up front, then billing starts automatically. The free antivirus tier does not include the tunnel.
Is PrivadoVPN completely free?
The free tier is real and permanent: 10GB every 30 days, 12 servers, one device, no card needed. Unlimited data and ten connections need a paid plan.
Does PrivadoVPN work with Netflix?
US Netflix works on both tiers, along with BBC iPlayer and Prime Video. Australian, Canadian and Japanese catalogues stay blocked, and Disney Plus does not open.
Which one is safer to use?
Both use AES-256 and neither has an independent audit. Swiss jurisdiction and a cleaner history give PrivadoVPN the edge for online security and privacy-first buyers.
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