Our Verdict

Read our comprehensive AVG VPN review to learn everything about this popular VPN’s features, pricing, benefits and potential disadvantages.

Summary:

In 2015, free antivirus giant AVG purchased Privax, a virtual private network (VPN) provider and mobile privacy firm. Privax is the company behind HideMyAss! (HMA) VPN service, and AVG eventually used the acquisition to spin off its own VPN service, AVG VPN. Sharing the same back end as Avast’s VPN with connective tissue to HMA, AVG VPN can feel like nothing more than a white-label job. While there are some features to like, most users will be better served with other top VPN options.

AVG VPN

AVG VPN
2.5
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Price

INR 249.92 per month (billed annually)

Encryption

AES with 256-bit keys

Number of servers

700

AVG VPN

Price

INR 249.92 per month (billed annually)

Encryption

AES with 256-bit keys

Number of servers

700

Pros & Cons
  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections
  • Available as part of AVG Ultimate, an antivirus and privacy software package
  • No dedicated IP address add-on
  • Lacking unique features
  • Expensive renewal prices
  • Limited server network

Table of Contents


AVG’s VPN At a Glance

AVG VPN extends the functionality of AVG’s antivirus software by allowing you to browse the internet privately and conceal your IP address. It doesn’t have any bandwidth or speed restrictions, so you can use the service across your devices as much as you want.

Although you can purchase AVG VPN as part of a larger AVG subscription, you can also purchase it separately. Here’s what you’ll pay for the initial term:

  • One year: INR 2,999
  • Two years: INR 4,799
  • Three years: INR 7,199

Ten Simultaneous Connections Across Your Devices

Most VPN services allow you to connect up to five devices at once, but AVG VPN offers 10 simultaneous connections. That means you can have 10 devices actively connected to AVG VPN at once. For context, CyberGhost offers seven devices and TorGuard offers eight (both of these services rank among the best VPN providers).

AVG offers apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, so you can use it across your devices without any issues. Unfortunately, AVG doesn’t offer extensions for Firefox or Google Chrome, so you can’t use it on a Chromebook or exclusively through your browser.

Military-Grade Encryption

AVG uses AES-256 encryption for your connection. AES-256 is the cryptographic standard used by the U.S. government for highly sensitive information and is considered by cybersecurity experts to be impossible to crack. In short, AVG VPN comes with the security you need to keep your data safe.

Additionally, AVG doesn’t store activity logs. It logs some basic information about your connection, including timestamps of when you connect and disconnect and amount of data you transfer. It doesn’t log anything about what you do while connected, though, including your original IP address.

Part of AVG Ultimate

As we’ll get to next, AVG VPN doesn’t always measure up against the competition. However, it looks a lot more attractive as part of AVG Ultimate. AVG Ultimate bundles all of AVG’s services under one roof at a discounted price. It includes Internet Security, TuneUp and Secure VPN.

Internet Security is AVG’s antivirus package, and it includes protection for desktop and mobile. Beyond scanning for threats, Internet Security provides webcam protection, real-time threat detection and a firewall.

TuneUp boasts the ability to clean and speed up your devices. It does this by removing unnecessary and extraneous files, as well as updating programs and removing background processes. TuneUp is available on desktop, and AVG includes Cleaner Pro for mobile.

And, of course, there’s AVG VPN. AVG Ultimate is twice the price of AVG VPN alone, and that extra cost is worth it. As part of the security suite, AVG VPN turns from a mediocre VPN provider into a useful security add-on with your antivirus software.


Fine Print

AVG is owned by Avast, which also offers an antivirus and VPN service. AVG VPN shares the same infrastructure as the Avast SecureLine VPN, offering over 700 servers spread across more than 50 locations.

Although you can purchase AVG VPN separately, it’s clear the service is supposed to be a part of a larger antivirus subscription. It’s almost entirely void of features that would separate it in the crowded VPN market, all while asking for the same price as the competition.

NordVPN, for example, offers several specialty servers for different activities online, and Surfshark comes with split tunneling and MultiHop connections. Both of those services are similarly priced.

Critically, AVG doesn’t offer a dedicated IP add-on. That limits uses for business and remote work.


How AVG VPN Stacks Up


AVG VPN TUNNELBEAR PRIVATE INTERNET ACCESS
Price INR 249.92 per month or INR 2,999 for the first year INR 4,954.50 ($59.88) per year or INR 412.88 ($4.99) per month INR 250.83 per month or INR 3,009.93 for the first year
Max Number of Devices 10 5 10
Dedicated IP No No Yes

AVG VPN charges around the same amount as the competition, but a quick look at that competition shows that it doesn’t deliver the same features.

Private Internet Access is cheaper than AVG, and it comes with the same number of simultaneous connections. Importantly, PIA also comes with a dedicated IP address option for business-minded users and a much larger server network, giving you options with where you tunnel.

On the other end of the spectrum, TunnelBear is slightly worse than AVG. It doesn’t offer a dedicated IP add-on and maintains a slim server network. The killer is five simultaneous connections, where PIA and AVG offer 10. That said, TunnelBear is somewhat saved by a limited free plan.

AVG’s strongest point, 10 devices per account, isn’t an impressive enough distinction from other VPNs in its price range.


Is AVG VPN for You or Your Business?

AVG VPN is almost exclusively for personal use. Without a dedicated IP add-on and no multi-user option, you can’t use AVG VPN for business operations. If you’re a freelancer or solopreneur, though, it could work if you’re mainly looking to protect yourself on a public Wi-Fi connection.

AVG offers 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than most other VPN services. That allows you to connect a laptop at the coffee shop, a desktop at the office and phone at home, all at the same time.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does AVG antivirus include a free VPN?

No, AVG antivirus does not have a free VPN. You can purchase its VPN separately for around $60 per year or as part of an AVG Ultimate subscription. If you’re interested in the VPN alone, you can download a seven-day free trial without entering any credit card information.

The free antivirus service and AVG Internet Security do not include the VPN.

Does AVG VPN store logs?

Yes, AVG VPN stores some logs. The service stores connection logs including timestamps and bandwidth usage, but it doesn’t log the websites you visit, which IP addresses you access or what data you transfer.

In January 2020, an investigation by PCMag and Motherboard revealed that AVG’s parent company, Avast, was selling user browsing data and other information. Avast has since closed the subsidiary through which it was selling this data.

What does AVG VPN do?

Anytime you surf the internet, you transmit data from your device to a website’s server. That data can contain personal information, which unsavory third parties could potentially use for nefarious purposes. A VPN, or virtual private network, essentially hides your data by rerouting your data through a privately hosted server before it reaches its destination. That way, it can’t be traced back to you.

Why do I need to use a VPN?

There are many reasons to use a VPN, even in everyday life. While many may associate them with being used strictly for work purposes, they can also be used at home to securely transmit banking credentials, hide personal information from advertisers and even access region-blocked streaming services. A VPN can also provide a layer of security when your device is connected to public Wi-Fi.

How do I connect to a VPN?

The process for connecting to a VPN varies, depending on your device and operating system. Generally, you need to download the VPN’s app or software, enter your username and password and select a server. For more detailed instructions, check out the VPN’s website or contact customer service.