- Longer trial period than NordVPN
- P2P on all servers
- 58 server locations in 36 countries
- Simple app interface
- More connections than NordVPN (10)
- Overall faster speeds than AVG VPN
- Unblocks major streaming services, including Netflix US & UK, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
- 5600+ servers in 60 countries
- Premium security suite
- P2P support on all servers like AVG VPN
AVG Secure VPN is a Czech Republic-based VPN service that started as an antivirus company before diversifying into other fields of cybersecurity.
On the other hand, NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN service company.
Ready to unveil how the two compare? This AVG VPN vs. NordVPN comparison investigates each VPN’s offerings/features and weighs them to determine the overall superior VPN.
In short, you’ll learn how the two VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) differ regarding their server networks, connection speeds, content-unblocking ability, security offerings, and affordability.
| AVG VPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Servers: | 58 server locations in 36 countries | 5600+ servers in 60 countries |
| Speed: | 5.92 Mbps drop | 1.31 Mbps drop |
| Protocols: | WireGuard, Mimic, OpenVPN, IPsec | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Streaming: | Disney+, NRK TV, France.tv, Netflix | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, NRK TV, France.tv, BBC iPlayer |
| Torrenting: | On all servers + no seeding | On all servers + P2P specialty servers + no seeding |
| Gaming: | 44.46 ms ping + 0.7% packet loss | 19.61 ms ping + 0% packet loss |
| Logs: | No-logs policy | Verified no-logs policy |
| Security: | AES 256-bit encryption, AntiTrack, kill switch | Double VPN, Dark Web Monitor, two kill switches, 256-bit AES encryption, Threat Protection |
| Devices: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, routers |
| Simultaneous Connections: | 10 | 6 |
| Customer Support: | 24/7 live chat | 24/7 live chat |
| Best Deal: | Claim Discounts | Claim Offer |
Server Locations
AVG VPN doesn’t state the number of servers it packs, but it promises 56 server locations in 36 countries, far less than NordVPN’s 5600+ servers in 60 countries. So, connecting to a preferred server is easier with NordVPN, and the chances of landing on a nearby server are higher too.
Speaking of server locations, both VPNs boast servers in 16 cities in the US.
Also, they both offer UK servers, with AVG VPN offering servers in 3 UK cities while NordVPN offers servers in 4 UK cities.
Other continents where AVG Secure VPN and NordVPN offer servers include Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. In Africa, both VPN providers have servers in only one country (South Africa), whereas NordVPN offers servers in more countries than AVG VPN in those other continents.
Lastly, NordVPN operates RAM-only based servers, unlike AVG VPN, which uses disk-based servers. Your online session data is wiped off upon turning the RAM-based servers on and off, thus resulting in better performance, improved security and privacy, and fast connection speeds.
Does AVG VPN or NordVPN Work in China?
The Great Firewall of China is commonly known for blocking platforms, sites, and services. Even worse, using VPNs to bypass these restrictions won’t work most often as they’re also blocked.
AVG and NordVPN are no exceptions in this case. The VPNs are also blocked in China, and none has servers in that territory. However, there’s hope in NordVPN, unlike AVG VPN, which doesn’t completely work in China, as confirmed by its customer support.
NordVPN, on the other hand, offers obfuscated servers, which hide the fact that you’re using a VPN by camouflaging your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic.
This works over its OpenVPN (UDP or TCP) connection protocol.
NordVPN has a more extensive server network (5600+ servers in 60 countries) than AVG VPN, which offers 58 server locations in 36 countries. On top of that, NordVPN servers are RAM-only based, promising better performance than AVG VPN disk-based servers. So, NordVPN is the indisputable winner here, given that it can also work in China, unlike AVG VPN.
Is AVG VPN Faster Than NordVPN?
AVG VPN isn’t faster than NordVPN. In fact, NordVPN won multiple speed tests I performed, with AVG VPN trailing behind!
Of course, nothing is surprising here, considering NordVPN’s proprietary protocol – NordLynx – is made to offer ultra-fast speeds. The VPN also has the IKEv2 protocol, which shocked me by being even faster than the NordLynx protocol in my speed tests.
Conversely, AVG VPN’s proprietary protocol (Mimic) is considerably faster but not as NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol. Also, AVG VPN offers the WireGuard (for Windows and Android) protocol, which I tested.
The other protocol I tested for both VPNs is OpenVPN, particularly OpenVPN UDP in NordVPN because its OpenVPN TCP is arguably slow since it uses strong encryptions. AVG VPN doesn’t state the OpenVPN version it uses.
So, the comparable protocols I tested were:
- NordLynx (for NordVPN) against WireGuard (for AVG VPN on Windows PC)
- IKEv2 (for NordVPN) against Mimic (for AVG VPN)
- OpenVPN (both VPNs but OpenVPN UDP for NordVPN)
Also, I conducted my test on three servers, which were:
- South Africa (the nearest to my location)
- New York (USA)
- New Zealand (the farthest)
I recorded the fastest speeds over the South African server for both VPNs during these tests. But let’s not let the cat out of the bag yet.
Check the next section for full details!
Speed & Performance Tests
For brevity, the table below compiles all my speed test results on comparable protocols over different VPN servers:
| New York (US) Server | New Zealand Server | South Africa Server | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG VPN (WireGuard) | 11.64 Mbps drop | 12.36 Mbps drop | 9.48 Mbps drop |
| NordVPN (NordLynx) | 5.62 Mbps drop | 8.28 Mbps drop | 3.94 Mbps drop |
| AVG VPN (Mimic) | 9.78 Mbps drop | 15.18 Mbps drop | 5.92 Mbps drop |
| NordVPN (IKEv2) | 4.54 Mbps drop | 5.17 Mbps drop | 1.31 Mbps drop |
| NordVPN (OpenVPN UDP) | 6.73 Mbps drop | 10.24 Mbps drop | 5.80 Mbps drop |
| AVG VPN (OpenVPN) | 13.38 Mbps drop | 9.84 Mbps drop | 7.22 Mbps drop |
My base connection speed was 30 Mbps, and NordVPN recorded 28.69 Mbps on its IKEv2 protocol over the South African server.
Meanwhile, AVG VPN’s highest speed was 24.08 Mbps while connected to its Mimic protocol and South African server.
NordVPN recorded higher speeds than AVG VPN on almost all servers. Meanwhile, AVG VPN’s highest speed couldn’t keep up with NordVPN speeds on NordLynx protocol. So, NordVPN wins here!
Streaming
I tested both VPNs on streaming services such as Hulu, BBC iPlayer, France.tv, NRK, and Disney+.
Here’s how things played out:
| Streaming Service | AVG VPN Access | NordVPN Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu | No | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | No | Yes |
| Disney+ | Yes | Yes |
| NRK | Yes | Yes |
| France.TV | Yes | Yes |
AVG VPN failed to unblock Hulu and BBC iPlayer, most likely because these streaming services have strong VPN detection measures. Even so, the VPN unblocked NRK, France.tv, and Disney Plus. In fact, AVG VPN offers streaming-optimized servers in Germany, the UK, and the USA, which I used to watch “The Lion King” on Disney Plus.
On the other hand, NordVPN handled everything I threw at its servers, unblocking all streaming services I tested without the hassles of switching servers.
I even enjoyed NordVPN’s super-fast speeds and stable connections, which guaranteed 4K and HD video quality without buffering.
On top of that, NordVPN offers a SmartDNS feature that was useful in unblocking “The Fast Saga” via my Samsung Smart TV on HBO Max.
Netflix Tests
I also compared AVG VPN and NordVPN streaming abilities by testing them on various Netflix libraries such as the US, UK, Japan, Belgium, and France.
Here’s an overview of my findings!
| Unblocks: | Netflix US? | Netflix UK? | Other Netflix Libraries? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG VPN | Yes | Yes | Netflix JP, BE, FR |
| NordVPN | Yes | Yes | Netflix JP, BE, FR |
Both VPNs unblocked all Netflix libraries I tested. But again, due to NordVPN’s super-fast speed, watching “All Quiet on the Western Front” on Netflix UK in HD resolution was without noticeable lag.
On the other hand, AVG also presented a near-seamless experience on the same title, save minor buffers.
While AVG VPN failed to unblock some of the streaming services I tested (Hulu and BBC iPlayer), NordVPN unblocked all. Furthermore, NordVPN showed no noticeable lag while streaming various Netflix libraries, even though both VPNs unblock all Netflix libraries I tested. So, NordVPN wins this round!
Torrenting
AVG and NordVPN offer P2P-friendly servers, meaning they both support torrenting. However, AVG VPN’s 8 P2P-optimized servers are meager compared to NordVPN’s 4800+ P2P specialty servers. So, getting a nearby P2P suitable server for torrenting is easier with NordVPN.
Thankfully, both VPNs a compatible with multiple torrenting clients, including Utorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Deluge, qBitTorrent, etc.
Moving on, NordVPN offers SOCK5 proxies, something AVG VPN lacks.
So, while both VPNs don’t provide Port Forwarding, you can rely on NordVPN’s SOCK5 proxies to enhance torrent download speeds without compromising your security.
That said, AVG VPN and NordVPN discourage downloading or sharing copyrighted materials over their servers.
Here’s a snippet of AVG VPN’s torrent policy:
And here’s NordVPN take on torrenting copyrighted materials:
All in all, real-life torrent download speeds are essential when choosing a suitable VPN for torrenting. So, see my P2P tests in the next section to compare how the VPNs fared!
P2P Tests
I conducted AVG VPN and NordVPN P2P tests by downloading a 211 MB copyright-free file using the uTorrent client. For uniformity, I connected to a similar server (South Africa) on both VPNs and utilized each VPN’s in-house protocol (NordLynx for NordVPN and Mimic for AVG VPN).
Here’s how things went down!
| Average Download Speed | Max Download Speed | Download Completion Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG VPN | 512.2 KB/s | 695.4 KB/s | 7 minutes, 16 seconds |
| NordVPN | 692.8 KB/s | 940.7 KB/s | 5 minutes, 48 seconds |
There’s no doubt NordVPN is the best choice for torrenting, considering that it scored the highest average and maximum download speeds.
AVG VPN trailed behind, but its average and maximum speeds were also good enough.
Although both VPNs support torrenting, NordVPN’s 4800+ P2P-dedicated servers give it the upper hand compared to AVG VPN’s 8 P2P-optimized servers. So, NordVPN wins this round, backed up by faster download speeds and SOCKS5 proxies offerings to enhance the speeds.
Gaming
AVG VPN and NordVPN are suitable for gaming. However, I did ping and packet loss tests for each VPN to determine the best choice.
Here are my findings:
| Server | Protocol | Ping | Packet Loss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG VPN | Switzerland | Mimic | 44.46 ms | 0.7% |
| NordVPN | Switzerland | NordLynx | 19.61 ms | 0% |
Next, I connected to both VPNs (one at a time) to play one lower-spec game (Gunpoint) and another higher-spec game (A Plague Tale).
Unsurprisingly, NordVPN delivered a fantastic gaming experience with no rubberbanding or lag.
On the flip side, my gaming experience on AVG VPN was also fantastic, despite suffering minor buffers.
NordVPN recorded low ping (19.61 ms) and packet loss (0%) than AVG VPN (44.46 ms and 0.7%). Likewise, NordVPN translates those numbers into smoother, lag-free gameplay. So, NordVPN wins this round.
Privacy
AVG VPN is based in the Czech Republic, while NordVPN is based in Panama. Thankfully, these locations have no strict data retention laws that are invasive to user privacy. In addition, the Czech Republic and Panama aren’t members of the 14-eye surveillance alliance. Hence, they can’t be compelled to share your data.
On the upside, NordVPN respects user privacy more than AVG VPN during sign-up.
For instance, no identifiable information, such as your name, is needed when signing into NordVPN. Instead, you require only your email.
But with AVG VPN, you might need to give up your location and postal code.
Furthermore, NordVPN accepts cryptocurrency payments to protect users’ financial privacy, unlike AVG VPN. Thus, you can distance yourself from the NordVPN subscription by paying in Bitcoin, Dash, Ethereum, Dogecoin, etc.
I also inspected the providers’ privacy policies, and NordVPN is honest about what minimal, non-personal data it collects during signup and usage.
AVG VPN also collects some user data, but it’s more severe than NordVPN records.
For example, AVG admits to collecting connection timestamps, transmitted data volume information, and more.
Logging Policies
AVG VPN and NordVPN have strict no-logs policies, meaning they don’t record your IP address, server location, or traffic logs. Even so, AVG VPN keeps connection logs, unlike NordVPN, which leaves a question mark on its user privacy protection claims.
| Traffic Logs? | Connection Logs? | IP Address? | Server Location? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVG VPN | No | Yes | No | No |
| NordVPN | No | No | No | No |
Another AVG VPN sore point is that there’s no available information justifying verification or auditing of its no-logs policy.
In contrast, NordVPN’s no-logs policy has undergone three audits by some of the “Big Four” auditors, namely PwC and Deloitte, consistently verifying that NordVPN doesn’t log user data. On top of that, the VPN has also undergone penetration and course code audits by leading cybersecurity firms such as VerSprite and Cure5.
NordVPN’s no-logs policy has undergone several third-party independent audits, unlike AVG VPN’s no-logs policy, which hasn’t been audited. Also, unlike AVG VPN, NordVPN accepts cryptocurrency payment methods and doesn’t ask for user-identifiable info when signing up. So, NordVPN is the winner for offering better privacy!
Security
AVG VPN and NordVPN utilize industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption to protect user data against snoopers, ISPs, hackers, government, and other third-party pryings.
But to be sure, I tested the encryption technology in both VPNs using Wireshark.
I got gibberish in both tests, meaning anyone prying on you doesn’t see your sensitive online activities, but gets only indecipherable texts.
Here’s NordVPN’s encryption test result:
And AVG VPN’s:
Moving on, both VPNs offer an internet kill switch to prevent IP and DNS leaks in case the VPN connection drops. Thankfully, NordVPN has an additional app kill switch, which applies to only selected apps.
Another similarity is that both AVG VPN and NordVPN offer IP/DNS leak protection which I tested using a US server for both VPNs.
AVG VPN didn’t expose my actual IP address:
Likewise, NordVPN successfully passed the IP/DNS leak test:
Proprietary Protocols
To ensure user data is airtightly protected, each VPN has an in-house protocol that offers robust encryptions.
The in-house protocol on AVG VPN is called Mimic, which mimics, as its name echoes, your VPN internet traffic to appear as regular HTTPS traffic.
That way, you can freely and securely browse the internet, especially when VPN restrictions in highly security-sensitive countries block other AVG VPN protocols.
However, this isn’t enough to guarantee the VPN works in China.
NordVPN counters that with NordLynx, an advanced version of the WireGuard protocol, to ensure faster speeds and smoother performance without compromising security.
Extra Security Features
In the quest to be the best VPN in the market, both VPNs offer additional and unique security features. For instance, AVG Secure VPN features an AntiTrack feature, which erases your trackable data, disguises your online footprints, and instantly blocks trackers.
Meanwhile, NordVPN has a similar feature, Threat Protection, which defends you against malware attacks and trackers. On top of that, Threat Protection also offers ad blocking, which could serve you a cleaner web version and keep you safe from adware.
Furthermore, NordVPN brings a Dark Web Monitor, which scours the dark web to notify you if any personal data linked to your monitored email address is leaked.
AVG VPN and NordVPN have solid security features like AES 256 encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. Both VPNs also offer in-house protocols to ensure tightly secure connections. However, NordVPN wins with more security add-ons like the Dark Web Monitor and Threat Protection, which AVG VPN lacks.
Devices & Connections
AVG VPN and NordVPN are compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS Operating Systems. However, AVG VPN doesn’t support Linux devices like NordVPN.
In addition, both VPNs are compatible with Android TV, but NordVPN pushes ahead by supporting other unique platforms like Kindle Fire, Xbox, Raspberry Pi, and FireTV.
Also, unlike AVG Secure VPN, NordVPN is router-compatible.
Thankfully, the VPN is compatible with router firmware like AsusWRT, OpenWRT, Tomato, DD-WRT, etc.
Likewise, setting NordVPN up on a router count as one device (out of its offered six connections), and you can connect unlimited devices to that router!
Another big win for NordVPN is that it provides Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions, all missing on AVG VPN. Instead, AVG VPN offers a unique browser (AVG Secure Browser) that you can use for secure browsing.
| AVG VPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible OS? | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, Kindle Fire, Xbox, Raspberry Pi |
| Smart TVs? | Android TV | Android TV, FireTV + SmartDNS |
| Router Support? | No | Yes (Manual configuration) |
| Browser Extensions? | No | Chrome, Firefox, and Edge |
In contrast, AVG VPN surpasses NordVPN’s six simultaneous connections by offering 10.
NordVPN and AVG VPN are compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS units, while NordVPN also supports Linux, routers, and Smart TVs. Likewise, NordVPN offers Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions, unlike AVG VPN. So, despite having fewer connections than AVG VPN, NordVPN also takes the lead here!
Split Tunneling
Unlike AVG Secure VPN, NordVPN features split tunneling to use the VPN on selected apps, leaving other apps to run on the direct internet.
In other words, you enjoy VPN protection on selected apps and a regular speedy connection without a VPN influence on the other apps.
Unfortunately, you can’t get NordVPN split tunneling on its iOS and macOS apps, but it’s available on Android TV, Windows, and Android apps.
Dedicated IPs
NordVPN offers dedicated IPs, which AVG VPN users won’t get.
These dedicated IPs have several security advantages over shared IPs, including secure online payments.
Also, dedicated IPs help you avoid being blacklisted from accessing some services/websites due to overused shared servers. Lastly, dedicated IPs deliver a smooth and uninterrupted browsing experience by minimizing internet distractions such as CAPTCHA authentications.
NordVPN offers split tunneling on Android TV, Windows, and Android apps, unlike AVG VPN. It also packs dedicated IPs as a paid add-on, which is missing on AVG VPN. So, NordVPN wins this category.
Customer Support
Both AVG VPN and NordVPN have 24/7 live chat.
I tested each VPN’s live chat by contacting respective agents, and it was faster to connect to NordVPN agents. Even so, the NordVPN chatbot delayed the process before linking me to an agent.
Meanwhile, AVG VPN’s live chat doesn’t have a chatbot. Instead, I kept waiting on the screen before connecting to their agent automatically.
Furthermore, getting detailed responses to my query on NordVPN was quicker and easier.
For AVG VPN, there were prolonged delays in getting responses.
Sadly, the delays worsened when the first agent couldn’t handle my query, forcing me to request another agent!
Both VPN providers also offer email and FAQ channels for alternative customer support, while AVG VPN includes the option to reach out via toll-free numbers.
Also, they both have a resourceful help center whereby you can search your query and get answers from thousands of written resources.
Finally, NordVPN has an official YouTube channel hosting tricks, tips, interviews, tutorials, and the latest cybersecurity news to educate and inform users.
Unfortunately, AVG Secure VPN doesn’t have a YouTube channel now!
Both VPNs offer multiple customer support modes, including 24/7 live chat, FAQs, and email. NordVPN and AVG VPN also offer information-rich help centers with written guides to help users. So, it could’ve been a tie here, but NordVPN edges ahead with an official YouTube channel housing tons of tutorial videos, hence the winner!
Usability
NordVPN and AVG VPN offer user-friendly native apps for beginners and skilled users. For instance, you can use the server search option on both VPNs to find a desired server quickly.
Furthermore, navigating the VPN settings is easier for both VPNs.
In fact, each VPN’s setting options feature small descriptions to guide users.
Finally, I tested Windows apps for both AVG VPN and NordVPN, and they were equally easy/faster to open and connect to servers. Likewise, Android apps for both VPNs were similarly easy to navigate.
This round is a win-win situation for AVG VPN and NordVPN since they offer user-friendly native apps. It’s easier and faster to connect to servers on both VPNs, and they both make their interfaces beginner-friendly.
Price & Value
Although the price difference isn’t huge, NordVPN subscription plans are more affordable than AVG VPN plans.
Here are NordVPN pricing plans:
And here are AVG VPN prices and plans:
Not only is NordVPN affordable, but it also accepts more payment methods, including credit cards, AmazonPay, PayPal, cash, Sofort, prepaid debit cards, and cryptocurrency. Conversely, AVG VPN allows debit cards, credit cards, and PayPal but doesn’t accept cryptocurrencies.
On the upside, AVG VPN offers a more extended free trial—60 days.
Meanwhile, NordVPN doesn’t have free trials but provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have more days to test AVG VPN’s features risk-free.
NordVPN wins this category because it offers more affordable pricing than AVG VPN. Also, the VPN accepts multiple payment options, unlike AVG VPN, which doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments.
NordVPN vs. AVG VPN (Overview Table)
| AVG VPN | NordVPN | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Servers: | 58 server locations in 36 countries | 5600+ servers in 60 countries | NordVPN |
| Speed: | 5.92 Mbps drop | 1.31 Mbps drop | NordVPN |
| Protocols: | WireGuard, Mimic, OpenVPN, IPsec, | Nordlynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Tie |
| Streaming: | Disney+, NRK, France.tv, Netflix | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, NRK, France.tv, BBC iPlayer | NordVPN |
| Torrenting: | On all servers + no seeding | On all servers + P2P specialty servers + no seeding | NordVPN |
| Gaming: | 44.46 ms ping + 0.7% packet loss | 19.61 ms ping + 0% packet loss | NordVPN |
| Logs: | No-logs policy | Verified no-logs policy | NordVPN |
| Security: | AES 256-bit encryption, AntiTrack, kill switch | Double VPN, Dark Web Monitor, two kill switches, 256-bit AES encryption, Threat Protection | NordVPN |
| Devices: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, routers (Manual) | NordVPN |
| Simultaneous Connections: | 10 | 6 | AVG VPN |
| Customer Support: | 24/7 live chat | 24/7 live chat | Tie |
| Best Deal: | Claim Discounts | Claim Offer |
AVG vs. NordVPN: Who Wins?
NordVPN wins in most test categories, offering an extensive VPN server network, solid security techniques, unmatched speeds, and impeccable content-unblocking abilities. Also, NordVPN’s prices and plans are more pocket-friendly than AVG VPN’s.
On the upside, AVG VPN offers more connections than NordVPN, but both VPNs have excellent customer care support equally well.
Therefore, deciding which VPN best matches your priorities is up to you.
And when you choose, grab these AVG VPN discounts, or NordVPN deals to save more, depending on which VPN you commit to!
Protect private web traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. All plans are covered by a no-hassle 100% money-back guarantee for your first 30 days of service.
