• Pros Good speed test results. Free version available. • Cons Confusing pricing structure. Few servers and few server locations. No stand-out features. • Bottom Line Avast SecureLine offers VPN security and solid speed test scores, but it's hampered by a lack of features and servers, as well as convoluted pricing.

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A virtual private network, or VPN, adds an additional layer of security to your internet connection. Avast SecureLine VPN has the pedigree of a leading antivirus company behind it, and it produced some impressive speed test scores in testing. But it comes up short of the thanks to an expensive and inflexible pricing plan and unimpressive server infrastructure. It has the core of a good service, but one that needs fleshing out. Instead, I recommend Editors' Choice winner NordVPN, which offers a powerful yet friendly product, and co-winner Private Internet Access, which has the most robust VPN collection of VPN servers I've yet reviewed. That encrypted tunnel also masks your web activities from your internet service provider.

That's handy, especially since Congress recently gave the green light for anonymized user data. VPNs can also be used to circumvent internet restrictions, either imposed by oppressive governments or, say, the BBC making sure that only UK citizens can stream videos. That's because a VPN can connect to servers located in places other than your actual, physical location. If your local government blocks certain websites, a VPN will tunnel out to another country where you can access the internet freely.

A VPN also hides your IP address, since your web traffic appears to be coming from the VPN server and not your computer. Note that it's up to you to research local laws and terms of service before using a VPN. All that said, using a VPN doesn't guard against all dangers. Malicious ads, malware, and other network attacks can still harm your computer and steal personal information. I highly recommend using software to keep your computer protected from all angles. Pricing and Features When I first looked at SecureLine, I was dismayed to find that it didn't offer a multi-device pricing tier.

Thankfully, Avast has since loosened up and rolled out a pricing scheme that is far better for consumers. For $79.99 a year, you can secure up to five devices on any platform.

At checkout, you can also select a two- or three-year plan for $149.99 or $219.99, respectively. It's not until the checkout screen that you also see a monthly billing option for $8.99. If you don't feel the need to secure all the devices in your house, you can settle for Avast's device-specific plans.

It costs $5.99 per month to secure one PC with Avast, or $59.99 per year. To secure five PCs, which is the industry average, you'll have to pay $79.99 per year. There are other combinations of PCs and billing cycles to explore. The Mac-only version costs $59.99 per year, or $7.99 per month, to secure five devices. The Android-only package is $19.99 per year, or $2.99 per month, for five devices. The iOS-only version similarly costs $19.99 per year, or $2.99 per month, for five devices.

Interestingly, if you opt to add,, or plans to your PC plan, they cost only $9.99 per year or $2.99 per month. If you select the Mac version, mobile plans are still full price but the PC version is reduced to $29.99. While I appreciate the variety of pricing options Avast allows, it can be a challenge to understand. Most other services are more flexible—with twice yearly or even quarterly subscriptions—and easier to understand. Is the most flexible, even offering a low-cost $3.99 weekly plan that's ideal for vacations.

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If you're not willing to pay up right away, SecureLine has a seven-day free trial period that is mercifully ad-free and mostly free of irritating upsell reminders. However, there are totally out there, such as the browser plug-in for Hotspot Shield Elite. I noticed that if I tried to buy a subscription through the SecureLine client after my trial period ended, the price was a specially discounted $39.99. The average monthly price among the ten best VPN services fluctuates, but is between $10 and $11. Editors' Choice Winner Private Internet Access comes in significantly below that threshold, at $6.95 per month., on the other hand, is also an Editors' Choice winner but costs $11.95 per month. It justifies that expense with unique features like double encryption servers and access to the Tor anonymization network via VPN.