Comparing both VPN providers with privacy, streaming, security, encryption, And Torrenting, Here is a quick statistical overview of both VPN providers.
Features
ExpressVPN
Avast VPN
Encryption Type
Third-Party Audit
Log Policy
Jurisdiction
Smart DNS
Proxy
Users
Dedicated IP
Servers
Double VPN
Ad blocker
Malware Blocker
Password Manager
Bandwidth
Gaming Support
Torrent Support
Streaming Supports
Connection
Downloading
Free Version
China
AES-256
No-logs
British virgin island
4 million
3000+
Unlimited.
5
Allowed
Which will be the best in the comparison of ExpressVPN vs. Avast VPN? Let’s find out.
ExpressVPN has been one of the leading VPN providers in the industry since 2009, while Avast SecureLine VPN was launched in 2013. It is an Avast Antivirus product that usually deals with computer security, antivirus, anti-spam, and other related services. This article will put ExpressVPN and Avast VPN against each other to know which is the best. I’ll disclose my final verdict at the end. By then, I’m sure you can make an informed decision in your quest to find the best VPN among the two.
Both ExpressVPN and Avast VPN’s performance and services vary significantly. To know more about how they both differ, I decided to compare them. To have a fair competition, I set some rules. On a total of 11 factors, both the service providers got evaluated. These include things like privacy, security, speed, streaming abilities, and more.
So, now let’s dive into it and get more insight into the topic.
Quick Comparison
Before kicking off the detailed comparison of ExpressVPN Vs. Avast VPN, let’s first have a general overview of the two service providers:
Factors | Avast VPN | ExpressVPN |
Jurisdiction | Czech Republic | British-Virgin Island |
Number of servers | 700 servers in 34 countries | 3000+ servers in 94 countries |
Encryption | AES-256 GCM | AES-256 GCM |
Speed | Not much fast (Average) | Fast with a 4% reduction |
Operates in China | No | Yes |
Protocols Offered | OpenVPN, IPSec | OpenVPN,IKEv2, Lightway, L2TP/IPSec |
Logging policy | Keeps username, connection time stamp, and data transmitted. | No-logs |
Supports Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
Unblocks Netflix | Yes | Yes |
Simultaneous connections | Up to ten devices | Five devices |
Website | www.avast.com | www.expressvpn.com |
Now, let’s begin the thorough evaluation.
Encryption and Security
ExpressVPN and Avast VPN use the industry’s highest AES-256 bit encryption for data encryption. But the difference lies in their encryption protocols. ExpressVPN uses more security-focused protocols than Avast VPN. It is one main reason why ExpressVPN provides a top-notch level of protection.
Besides using the conventional OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec protocols, ExpressVPN uses its own proprietary ‘’Lightway’’protocol. The recently released protocol maintains high security and speed and is better than OpenVPN. The Lightway protocol comes with two ciphers AES-256 GCM and ChaCha20/Poly1305. It guarantees enhanced security. Also, since its code is shorter than the OpenVPN, it’s easy to audit any potential vulnerability. In contrast, Avast VPN mainly relies on OpenVPN, making it less competitive than its rival.
Avast VPN | ExpressVPN | |
Encryption | AES-256 GCM | AES-256 GCM |
Protocols | OpenVPN, IPSec | OpenVPN,IKEv2, Lightway, L2TP/IPSec |
DNS/IP Leak Protection | Yes | Yes |
Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
Split Tunneling | No | Yes |
Perfect Forward Secrecy | No | Yes |
Obfuscation/Stealth Mode | No | Yes |
Onion over VPN | No | Yes |
Zero-Knowledge DNS | No | Yes |
From the above table, it is pretty clear that ExpressVPN offers a wider range of security-boosting features than Avast VPN. Except for protecting the data from accidental connection drop-off and VPN leaks, Avast VPN doesn’t offer any other advantage. While ExpressVPN does provide many added benefits. Like, it prevents malware and DDoS attacks and also ensures user security over the Tor browser.
So, if you’re looking for a security-enriched service provider, then go with ExpressVPN.
Jurisdiction & Privacy
Two factors are given most consideration, i.e., jurisdiction and logging policy, to check the level of privacy a VPN offers.
ExpressVPN and Avast VPN belong to a safe jurisdiction that is not part of the surveillance alliance group. Also, both the countries don’t have any data retention laws to impose on their users. But, since the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, the mandatory data retention laws in the EU are applicable.
ExpressVPN | Avast VPN |
British Virgin Island | Czech Republic |
ExpressVPN follows a strict no-log policy, whereas Avast VPN also claims the same, but it’s a bit shady. Avast VPN does log data like data transmitted, connection timestamp, and username for 30 days despite claiming a zero-log policy. This raises privacy concerns and makes people doubtful about their service.
In contrast, ExpressVPN is pretty clear about its logging policy. Look what does the company say about this:
To further prove their stance, ExpressVPN audited their log policy. In July 2019, a leading audit firm PWC audited ExpressVPN. In their report, they confirmed that the service provider was not keeping any activity or connection logs.
Besides this, ExpressVPN also accepts payments via bitcoins and keeps your identity anonymous while you buy their service. In contrast, Avast VPN doesn’t offer any anonymous payment methods.
Winner: ExpressVPN
Bypassing Censorship in China
Because of the Chinese government’s strict censorship and internet restrictions, it has become mandatory to use a VPN in China. But, unfortunately, China has blocked access to VPNs. Only VPNs that have advanced security-focused features can bypass the censorship filters.
Fortunately, ExpressVPN works well in China. It uses Stealth Mode that impersonates the VPN traffic as regular traffic and makes it easy for the users to access the internet without getting caught. Besides this, the VPN does have its servers in China and nearby countries. This makes it further possible to use the service without having any connectivity issues.
Since Avast VPN lacks the Stealth Mode and has a small server network, it doesn’t operate in China.
Winner: ExpressVPN
Server Location
ExpressVPN has a vast server than Avast VPN.
ExpressVPN | Avast VPN |
3000+ servers in 94 countries | 700 servers in 34 countries |
Avast server network is minimal and can cause connectivity issues. In comparison, ExpressVPN has its server network covering most countries, so it’s more recommended to use.
Compatibility With Other Devices and Operating Systems
ExpressVPN is more compatible with other devices, platforms, and operating systems than Avast VPN.
Here’s a look at the VPN’s compatibility:
ExpressVPN | Avast VPN | |
Windows | Yes | Yes |
iOS | Yes | Yes |
macOS | Yes | Yes |
Android | Yes | Yes |
Linux | Yes | No |
Routers | Yes | No |
Since ExpressVPN can be installed on routers, you can easily use it on streaming devices and games. At the same time, Avast VPN doesn’t work on Linux or offer any manual configuration for routers, making it a wrong choice for games consoles and streaming devices.
Winner: ExpressVPN
Simultaneous Connections
ExpressVPN allows to connect up to five devices with a single VPN account, while Avast allows ten devices which isn’t something to appreciate. After five device connections, the VPN speed starts to decrease that impacts the overall VPN performance. So, here again, ExpressVPN wins.
ExpressVPN | Avast VPN |
Five devices | Up to Ten devices |
Speed Test Result
Although both the service provider claims to provide fast speed, I decided to run a speed test on multiple servers to test their claims.
ExpressVPN speeds were fast and consistent on both local and international servers. On global servers (the UK and Australia), the speed reduction was minimal and didn’t cause any connection lags. But, when I tested Avast VPN, I was highly disappointed. The website took a long time to load, and there were frequent connection lags and buffering while watching any online video.
As a whole, ExpressVPN offers a faster, consistent, and reliable connection speed than Avast VPN.
Streaming Abilities
One fundamental reason for using a VPN is to watch the geo-blocked content from various streaming services. To know which VPN is compatible with more streaming channels, I conducted a test. The table below shows the test results.
Streaming Channel | ExpressVPN | Avast VPN |
Netflix | Yes | Yes |
BBC iPlayer | No | No |
Amazon Prime | Yes | Yes |
Disney Plus | Yes | Yes |
Hulu | Yes | No |
ExpressVPN was quite impressive on Netflix. It unblocked more Netflix libraries than Avast VPN. Both the service providers failed to unblock BBC iPlayer despite having servers in the UK. But, as a whole, ExpressVPN is a more preferred choice when it comes to streaming because its server network and speeds are much better than the Avast VPN.
Torrenting & Downloading
Both the service providers support P2P file-sharing and torrenting, but ExpressVPN is undoubtedly the best choice for torrenting.
ExpressVPN offers more than 160 dedicated P2P servers, while Avast VPN only has eight servers for torrenting. Moreover, while downloading torrents, speed and security are crucial elements to consider. From the above test and security analysis result, it is clear that Avast VPN doesn’t offer the same security level nor fast speed as ExpressVPN. So, again ExpressVPN is a safer option to download torrents.
Customer Support
Both ExpressVPN and Avast VPN offer multiple options to connect to their support team. Avast VPN provides both customer and business support which many other VPNs don’t. It also uses the old-school methodology and has telephonic support but lacks the 24/7 live chat option to provide quick responses to customers’ queries.
In comparison, ExpressVPN offers help to their customers through the live chat option, which a few users don’t find compelling. You can also find several online video tutorials on their site. These videos prove to be of great value, especially when setting up your VPN on your device.
Besides this, both VPNs have FAQs and blog sections that update the users about any recent change the service will own.
ExpressVPN | Avast VPN | |
24/7 Live Chat Option | Yes | No |
Email Support | Yes | Yes |
Telephonic Support | No | Yes |
Website Guides | Yes | Yes |
Video Tutorials | Yes | No |
Winner: ExpressVPN
Payment and Pricing Insights
Both the service providers offer different subscription plans and prices. Have a look:
Subscription Plan | ExpressVPN | Avast VPN |
One Month | $12.95 per month | $8.99 per month |
Six Months | $9.99 per month | Not Available |
One Year | Not Available | $4.99 per month |
Fifteen Months | $6.67 per month | Not Available |
Two Years | Not Available | $3.99 per month |
The prices of Avast VPN are much lower than ExpressVPN. Unlike ExpressVPN, Avast VPN offers a yearly subscription plan to get more out of it.
If we talk about payment methods, Avast has a limited payment acceptance option than ExpressVPN. It only accepts payments via PayPal or credit/debit card, whereas ExpressVPN offers the following payment options:
- Bitcoin
- Credit/Debit card
- PayPal
- Union Pay
While Avast VPN offers a seven-day free trial, ExpressVPN offers this free trial to specific mobile devices. But, both the VPNs do promise a 30-day money-back guarantee to their users. ExpressVPN doesn’t provide any cancellation form, and you need to contact their customer support team to ask for a refund. But, Avast VPN offers a request form that you need to fill to proceed with your refund request.
Final Verdict: Who’s the Winner?
Towards the end of our detailed comparison between ExpressVPN Vs. Avast VPN, ExpressVPN has won in most categories. ExpressVPN is reliable, and fast, provides enhanced privacy and security than Avast VPN. Besides this, it is more feature-packed than its rival.
The only thing that is impressive about Avast VPN is its price and customer support. But, its sluggish connection speed and shady privacy policy make it a poor choice for anyone who wants complete anonymity over the web. If you ever had experience using any of these service providers, do let us know below in the comment section.