If you’re wondering whether AVG Secure VPN or Surfshark is the better choice for your online privacy and security, the answer is pretty clear-cut for most people: Surfshark generally comes out on top, offering a significantly more robust, private, and feature-rich experience for a competitive price. Now, that’s not to say AVG Secure VPN is entirely useless. it has its niche, especially if you’re already deeply invested in the AVG ecosystem. But for most folks looking for solid internet protection, streaming capabilities, and a truly no-logs experience, Surfshark is often the stronger contender. Let’s break down why, comparing everything from how they keep your data safe to how much they cost and what little extras they throw in.
Head-to-Head Showdown: AVG Secure VPN vs. Surfshark
Choosing a VPN can feel like sifting through a stack of technical manuals, but don’t worry, I’ll help you figure out which one makes more sense for your everyday online life. We’re going to put AVG Secure VPN and Surfshark side-by-side and see how they really stack up in 2025.
Quick Overview: Who’s Who?
First off, let’s get acquainted. You probably know AVG from their antivirus software, right? They’ve been around for ages, protecting computers from digital nasties. Their Secure VPN is an extension of that cybersecurity suite, building on their established brand. Think of it as a VPN offered by an antivirus company.
Then there’s Surfshark. These folks started primarily as a VPN service, focusing on privacy and security from day one. They’ve quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the most popular VPNs out there, known for packing a ton of features into an affordable package.
So, one started with antivirus and added a VPN, while the other began with a VPN and has since expanded its security offerings. That difference in origin actually tells us a lot about their strengths and weaknesses. Surfshark VPN Review Australia: Your Ultimate Guide to Online Privacy Down Under
Security & Privacy: What Keeps Your Data Safe?
When it comes to a VPN, how well it keeps your data safe and private is the absolute most important thing. Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty.
Encryption
Both AVG Secure VPN and Surfshark use AES-256 encryption, which is like the industry gold standard. It’s what banks and governments use, so you can generally feel pretty secure that your data is scrambled beyond recognition if someone tries to peek.
Protocols
This is where things start to diverge a bit. VPN protocols are the rules for how your connection is made and secured.
- Surfshark offers a great selection: WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. WireGuard is especially a big deal because it’s known for being fast and secure, giving you a smooth experience.
- AVG Secure VPN also supports OpenVPN and IKEv2, but its WireGuard support is often limited, sometimes only available on Windows and Android. They also have a proprietary “Mimic” protocol. Having WireGuard available across more platforms is a definite plus for Surfshark, ensuring you get those top speeds and security no matter what device you’re on.
Logging Policy: The Real Privacy Test
This is perhaps the biggest differentiator. A VPN’s logging policy tells you what data they collect about your online activities.
- Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited multiple times. These audits are crucial because they verify that Surfshark isn’t keeping records of what you do online, giving you peace of mind. They even operate 100% RAM-only servers, which means data is wiped with every reboot, adding another layer of security.
- AVG Secure VPN, unfortunately, falls short here. While they claim not to keep “usage logs,” they do keep connection logs, which can include things like connection timestamps, the subnet of your original IP address, and how much data you use. This is a pretty big red flag for anyone serious about privacy. Plus, there haven’t been independent audits of their no-logs claims, and they’ve even had a history of sharing user information in the past.
Jurisdiction
Where a VPN company is based matters because it determines the laws they have to follow regarding data retention and surveillance. Is surfshark vpn free
- Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is generally considered a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.
- AVG Secure VPN is based in the Czech Republic. While often considered a decent location, it has reportedly cooperated with surveillance organizations at times, which isn’t ideal for a privacy service. And, as we mentioned, AVG is owned by Avast, a company that has faced scrutiny for privacy practices in the past.
Kill Switch
A kill switch is a must-have VPN feature that automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed.
- Surfshark offers a reliable kill switch across most platforms and even has a unique “Everlink” technology for more stable connections.
- AVG Secure VPN also has a kill switch, but it’s not available on all its apps, notably missing on macOS and iOS. This is a significant drawback for Apple users.
Advanced Security Features
Top-tier VPNs offer more than just the basics.
- Surfshark comes loaded with extras like MultiHop or Double VPN, which routes your traffic through two VPN servers for extra encryption, and Camouflage Mode obfuscation, which makes your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic, helping bypass strict network restrictions. They also have NoBorders mode for censored regions and strong DNS leak protection.
- AVG Secure VPN is pretty basic in comparison, lacking these kinds of advanced features.
Server Network & Global Reach: Where Can You Connect?
The size and spread of a VPN’s server network directly impact your connection speed and your ability to access geo-restricted content.
- Surfshark boasts a massive network of over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. This huge selection means you’ll almost always find a nearby server for optimal speed and a wide range of locations to “virtually” travel to.
- AVG Secure VPN has a much smaller network, with around 700 servers in 36-37 countries. This limited number means fewer options for bypassing geo-restrictions and a higher chance of crowded servers, which can lead to slower speeds.
Speed & Performance: Will It Slow You Down?
Nobody wants a VPN that makes their internet feel like dial-up.
- Surfshark is consistently praised for its fast speeds, especially when using the WireGuard protocol. Many tests show it provides blazing-fast download speeds, even maxing out test lines in some cases. While some Reddit users mentioned slight speed drops on remote servers, overall feedback is very positive.
- AVG Secure VPN offers decent speeds on local connections, with some tests showing good results, especially with its Mimic protocol. However, its speeds can be inconsistent, particularly on remote servers, with significant drops reported. While AVG showed slightly better upload speeds in one comparison, Surfshark generally wins on download speeds, which is more critical for most online activities.
Streaming & Entertainment: Unblock Your Favorite Shows
One of the most popular reasons people get a VPN is to access content not available in their region, like different Netflix libraries. Supercharge Your Apple Experience: A Deep Dive into Surfshark VPN
- Surfshark is a heavy hitter for streaming. It’s excellent at unblocking a wide array of services, including various Netflix libraries, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. User reviews consistently highlight its effectiveness here.
- AVG Secure VPN struggles significantly in this area. While it might sometimes work with US Netflix and BBC iPlayer, it generally fails to unblock other major streaming platforms like Hulu, Max, and Prime Video. If streaming geo-restricted content is a priority for you, AVG Secure VPN just won’t cut it.
Torrenting P2P: Safe & Sound?
For those who engage in peer-to-peer file sharing torrenting, VPN security and speed are key.
- Both VPNs technically support torrenting.
- Surfshark allows P2P on all its servers and is considered a good option due to its no-logs policy, strong encryption, and good speeds.
- AVG Secure VPN supports torrenting on P2P-optimized servers and offers decent download speeds. However, its concerning logging policy makes it a less secure choice for torrenting where anonymity is paramount. Remember, privacy while torrenting is not just about speed, it’s about making sure your activity can’t be traced back to you.
Device Compatibility & Simultaneous Connections: Covering All Your Gadgets
In a world full of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs, you need a VPN that can protect all your devices.
- This is another area where Surfshark shines with its unlimited simultaneous connections. You can protect every device you own, and even share it with your family, all under one subscription. It also offers wide platform support, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, browser extensions Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV, Apple TV, and can be set up on routers.
- AVG Secure VPN offers support for 10 simultaneous connections, which is better than the industry average of 5-6, but it’s still not unlimited. Its device support is more limited, covering Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It notably lacks browser extensions, Linux, or dedicated router support.
Pricing & Value for Money: What’s the Real Cost?
At the end of the day, we all want good value for our money.
- Surfshark is known for its competitive and affordable pricing, especially on longer-term plans. It’s often cheaper than many other top VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, while offering unlimited connections and a wealth of features. They typically offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also get bundles like “Surfshark One” which includes antivirus and other tools.
- AVG Secure VPN is generally more expensive than Surfshark, especially considering its more limited feature set. Their shortest plan is usually one year. While AVG offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and sometimes a 60-day trial, the value for money is not as strong.
User Experience & Customer Support: Easy to Use?
A VPN should be easy to use, even if you’re not a tech wizard.
- Surfshark gets high marks for its user-friendly and slick app interface across all platforms. It’s intuitive and easy to navigate for both beginners and advanced users. Their customer support includes 24/7 live chat, which is super helpful if you run into any issues.
- AVG Secure VPN also has easy-to-use and attractive apps with a straightforward interface, which makes sense given its simpler feature set. They offer 24/7 customer support through live chat.
Unique Features & Extras: Beyond the Basics
Sometimes it’s the little things, or the big extra tools, that make a difference. NordVPN vs Surfshark: The Ultimate Showdown for Your Digital Privacy
- Surfshark is packed with unique features:
- CleanWeb: An excellent ad, tracker, and malware blocker that cleans up your browsing experience.
- Bypasser Split Tunneling: Lets you choose which apps or websites use the VPN and which bypass it. This is great if you need to access local network resources while still protecting other traffic. Surfshark is one of the few to offer this on macOS and iOS.
- Rotating IP: Changes your IP address every few minutes without disconnecting from the VPN, making you even harder to track.
- Alternative ID: Helps you generate a new online identity and email to stay more private.
- Antivirus, Alert, and Search: Available as part of their “Surfshark One” bundle, offering a more complete security suite.
- AVG Secure VPN is much more bare-bones. Its main extra feature is Wi-Fi Threat Shield on Android, which automatically turns on the VPN when you connect to suspicious public Wi-Fi networks. Beyond that, its feature set is quite limited compared to Surfshark. AVG also doesn’t have a built-in ad blocker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AVG Secure VPN actually good?
AVG Secure VPN is a decent, straightforward VPN for basic tasks like protecting your IP address and some torrenting, especially if you’re already an AVG antivirus user. However, it’s generally not considered good enough to compete with top-tier VPNs like Surfshark due to its questionable logging policy, small server network, limited streaming capabilities, and lack of advanced features.
Is Surfshark VPN safe to use?
Yes, Surfshark VPN is safe and reliable. It uses strong AES-256 encryption, supports secure VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, and has an independently audited no-logs policy. It also includes important security features like a kill switch, MultiHop, and DNS leak protection, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure.
Does AVG VPN keep logs?
Yes, AVG Secure VPN does keep some connection logs. While they state they don’t keep “usage logs” what you do online, their privacy policy indicates they collect connection timestamps, the subnet of your original IP address, and bandwidth usage. This is concerning for privacy-conscious users and is one of its main drawbacks compared to VPNs with strict, audited no-logs policies. Surfshark vpn on asus router
How many servers does Surfshark have compared to AVG Secure VPN?
Surfshark has a significantly larger server network with over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. In contrast, AVG Secure VPN has a much smaller network of approximately 700 servers across 36-37 countries. This gives Surfshark a major advantage in speed, reliability, and geo-unblocking capabilities.
Is Surfshark faster than AVG VPN?
Generally, yes, Surfshark is faster than AVG Secure VPN, especially for download speeds and when utilizing the WireGuard protocol. While AVG can offer decent local speeds, its performance often becomes inconsistent and slower on remote servers. For most users, Surfshark provides a more consistently fast and reliable connection.
Can I use Surfshark on unlimited devices?
Yes, a single Surfshark subscription allows for unlimited simultaneous connections. This is one of its standout features, making it an excellent choice for individuals with many devices or for families who want to protect all their gadgets under one account.
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