In 2020, Avast's subsidiary Jumpshot was caught selling detailed user browsing data collected through Avast products. Jumpshot was shut down and policies were reformed, but the breach of trust is significant.
Avast VPN Review 2026
By ChrisFounder & Lead AnalystSimple VPN with a troubled past
Avast SecureLine VPN is a basic VPN from the antivirus company. Czech Republic jurisdiction is decent, and the apps are straightforward. However, the 2020 Jumpshot scandal -- where Avast's subsidiary sold detailed user browsing data -- casts a long shadow over the brand's privacy credibility.
The VPN itself is functional but unremarkable: basic features, moderate speeds, and limited configurability. Better options exist at the same price point without the privacy baggage.
- Existing Avast security suite users
- Users who want a very simple VPN
Performance Scores
Privacy & Security
Security and Protocols
Avast SecureLine VPN is built around OpenVPN with 256-bit AES encryption, and uses IPsec on Apple platforms where Apple's own framework is the practical choice. The apps include a kill switch and the usual leak protection. Nothing here is unusual, and nothing here is bad.
Avast states that it does not log your activity and does not track the apps you use, the sites you visit or the content you consume. It does not publish an independent audit of that claim, which is the gap that matters most given the company's history.
For how audit evidence and jurisdiction feed our privacy score, see our scoring methodology.
The Jumpshot Problem
In 2020 Avast's subsidiary Jumpshot was found to be selling detailed user browsing data gathered through Avast products. Avast shut Jumpshot down and reformed its policies, and the VPN was not the collection mechanism. But the episode is directly relevant when you are deciding whether to route all of your traffic through this company.
There is a second structural point worth knowing. Avast is now part of Gen Digital, the same parent that owns Norton. If you are choosing between suite VPNs on the grounds of corporate independence, they are not independent of each other. Our Norton VPN review covers the sibling product.
None of this makes the software defective. It does mean the privacy claim rests on the word of a company that has previously monetized user browsing data, without an independent audit to check it. Providers in our best VPNs for privacy guide publish audits and carry no comparable incident.
Speed and Performance
Avast's protocol lineup is conservative, and OpenVPN generally trails WireGuard on raw throughput across the providers we score. If speed is the deciding factor, that is the relevant structural difference rather than anything specific to Avast's network.
We do not run our own speed benchmarks. Our speed score reflects published independent benchmarks and provider-reported figures, applied the same way to every provider in our full VPN rankings.
Streaming and Unblocking
Avast does not market catalog unblocking as a headline feature and does not run dedicated streaming servers, which is typical for a VPN sold alongside antivirus rather than as a standalone product.
If reaching a specific streaming library is the point of the purchase, see our best VPN for streaming guide.
Server Network
Avast describes a network of over 100 server locations, with several cities available in larger markets including the US, UK, Canada, Germany and Italy. City-level choice is useful when you need to appear in a particular region rather than just a particular country.
Avast publishes location counts rather than a raw server total, so the figure is not directly comparable with providers advertising thousands of servers. Check the current location list if a specific country matters to you.
Pricing & Plans
Pros & Cons
- Simple interface
- 10 simultaneous devices
- Czech Republic jurisdiction
- Long-established OpenVPN implementation
- Jumpshot data-selling scandal
- Basic feature set
- No WireGuard listed on Avast's site
- No independent audit
- Privacy reputation damaged
Bottom Line
The Jumpshot scandal makes it hard to recommend Avast VPN for privacy-conscious users. Functional but unremarkable -- better options exist without the trust issues.
Avast VPN FAQ
What was the Avast Jumpshot scandal?
In 2020 it emerged that Jumpshot, an Avast subsidiary, was selling detailed user browsing data collected through Avast products. Avast shut Jumpshot down and changed its policies. The VPN was not the collection mechanism, but the episode is the main reason Avast's privacy claims get less benefit of the doubt than most.
Where is Avast based?
Avast is a Czech company, which is a reasonable jurisdiction with no mandatory VPN data retention regime. Avast is now part of Gen Digital, the US parent that also owns Norton.
Does Avast VPN keep logs?
Avast states it does not log your activity and does not track the apps you use, the websites you visit or the content you consume. There is no published independent audit of that claim.
What protocols does Avast SecureLine VPN use?
OpenVPN with 256-bit AES encryption on most platforms, and IPsec on iOS and macOS. Avast's own site does not list WireGuard, so unlike several higher-ranked providers it is not part of the advertised lineup.
How many devices does Avast VPN cover?
Up to 10 devices on one subscription, across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
Does Avast VPN have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, Avast advertises a 30-day money-back guarantee, and also offers a trial that requires payment details up front. Check what the plan renews at, since the standard renewal rate is higher than the promotional first-term price.
Is Avast VPN good for streaming?
It is not built for it. Avast does not market catalog unblocking or run dedicated streaming servers. See our best VPN for streaming guide if that is your main use case.
Where to Go Next
Builder, tinkerer, privacy advocate. I believe privacy is a right, not a product feature.