Avast VPN is a perfect choice for users who want an easy-to-use protection service for streaming sites. While its specs are relatively ordinary, it packs some unparalleled advantages — for example, a one-click-to-install feature and affordable packages.
Apart from its user-friendliness, the VPN provider offers fast connection speeds on reliable servers. And well, their phone support is one of the biggest highlights of the provider.
ExpressVPN provides superfast connection speeds, a customer live chat support, and tremendous geographic coverage with first-class security. For the reasons, you can seamlessly traverse restricted websites and browse anonymously.
So if you want a VPN that provides optimal support for P2P file-sharing and torrenting in entirety, ExpressVPN is the go-for provider.
How to Choose a VPN
In this article, we put Avast VPN and ExpressVPN against each other, comparing them in several categories.
This review is meant to help you make an informed decision in your quest to find the valuable VPN that ensures you stay anonymous online.
Indeed, when searching for a provider, you want one that impeccably takes care of your privacy needs. Is that all? What about connection speeds? And more?
I am going to walk you through 10 most pertinent features to look for when buying a VPN. Plus, we’ve covered individual performance and score for each VPN in the specific aspects. In the end, we’ll declare the overall winner.
Connection Speed
It’s only fair that your favourite VPN keeps you connected online any time you want. Notwithstanding, top connection speeds are preferred for continuous online travels.
The best VPN provider should keep you posted online from the word go. With considerably fast internet connections, you can download or upload content fast.
According to our tests, both VPNs posted high speeds. But how we did it?
I first tested the average speeds of my internet service provider by connecting without a VPN. Then I tested the speed while connected to each VPN.
I performed all tests on speedtest.net. As expected, the VPN provider with values closer to my ISP’s speeds is considered the best in this category.
Local Connection Speeds (U.S)
These speeds were attained by connecting to the VPN servers located in the U.S. From the test; Avast VPN posted a respectable average connection speed of 81.9 Mbps. ExpressVPN did even better, recording an impressive 95 Mbps.
International Connection Speeds (U.S to the U.K.)
When connected to U.K. servers, Avast VPN averaged a connection speed of 65.7 Mbps. ExpressVPN averaged speeds of 85.6 Mbps.
Connection Speeds Winner: ExpressVPN
Pricing
While it’s hard to point out assertively that one of these two providers is cheap, Avast VPN features different pricing options to choose from, depending on the type of device.
So, for Mac and PC users, you pay $5 per month payable as $59.99 annually. What’s better, you can protect 5devices at $6.67 per month for $79.99 paid annually.
However, that’s what you pay when using Mac or PC devices. For iOS or Android devices, the subscription cost per year is $19.99, with no monthly subscription. Noteworthy, this VPN lets you pay using PayPal, and credit or debit card.
Apart from its 30-day money-back guarantee, Avast VPN offers a 7-day free trial for all devices.
ExpressVPN’s pricing model is a bit straightforward. Users pay $12.95 for the monthly plan, which can be expensive in the long run.
The annual subscription costs $99.95, which is a quite economical option comparing the two subscription plans. And more, the provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Want to sign up? ExpressVPN lets you pay using Bitcoin, PayPal, credit or debit cards, and lots of other methods.
Taking a glance at the annual subscription packages above, for example, it’s pretty evident that ExpressVPN is on the higher side.
Pricing Winner: Avast VPN
Privacy
Privacy is a top-priority feature for both internet buffs and VPN service providers. Both parties are aware of the ever-prying eyes on the internet. And because you’ll be sharing lots of valuable information online, hackers and other unauthorized users will be flying all over to steal or tamper with your logs.
A provider’s privacy protection policy should be clear and user-friendly. Consequently, cross-examine a few “not so obvious” details about the provider before making a purchasing decision.
Avast VPN offers some of the best rock-solid privacy features. While the provider doesn’t keep any activity logs, they record your connection logs: IP address, and data usage, and keep it for up to 30 days. As such, if you won’t need to worry if you are streaming Netflix using public Wi-Fi. However, if you’re torrenting, you might need to use a VPN that doesn’t keep data that can be linked to you.
Of concern also, the provider is located in the Czech Republic, a member of the Five Eyes.
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs to hide your browsing data. Located on the British Virgin Islands, the VPN provider has no legal obligation to retain VPN data logs. For that reason, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any user information.
Both providers, however, come with standard AES-256 bit encryption and several top-notch security protocols, including the most resourceful OpenVPN.
Privacy Winner: ExpressVPN
Features
The ideal VPN provider should perform decently across all key aspects. Avast VPN packs a punch in this department. For starters, it provides you with good connection speeds and performance in general.
A single Avast VPN subscription lets you connect up to five different devices simultaneously. The service provider also secures your browsing using military-grade AES-256-bit encryption, with IPSec and OpenVPN protocols.
Moreover, the DNS-leak protection and exceptional customer support system make the provider an attractive option.
Although the VPN doesn’t come with WebRTC leaks protection, the company is said to be working on it.
ExpressVPN’s famous split tunneling feature helps you separate then devices you’ll use the VPN for, and which ones you won’t. For instance, you can split-tunnel traffic to use only Chrome for VPN and no other apps on the computer. Or the traffic for all other apps may be routed through the VPN except Chrome.
Other key features of ExpressVPN include DNS leak protection, obfuscation, IPv4 and IPv6 leak protection, as well as WebRTC leak protection.
Features Winner: ExpressVPN
Encryption
A VPN protects a user’s online activities against attacks by hackers and other persons of interest.
Both VPNs offer their users the rock-solid AES-256 encryption with OpenVPN and IPSec protocols.
Avast VPN’s DNS leak protection feature as well ensures that your data is always kept under wraps. When connected, the VPN secures your information with Open SSL libraries via UDP ports.
ExpressVPN applies additional protocols for enhanced security. For example, it includes several protocols, like SSTP and L2TP—which lack in Avast VPN.
Other protocols include PPTP, SSTP, and TCP/UDP. Plus, it offers split tunneling for macOS, Windows, Android, and routers.
ExpressVPN servers use unique IP addresses for their DNS queries, with no traffic or DNS leaks.
Encryption Winner: ExpressVPN
Simultaneous Connections
The need for multiple connections is increasingly becoming important for businesses and families around the world. This is attributed mostly to the horde of different devices that connect to the internet. And yes, most users want them connected simultaneously.
If you have several internet users in the house or company, this may be a top consideration. Then again, a VPN’s versatility shouldn’t come at the expense of suave internet connections.
Avast VPN can connect up to 5 devices at once—provided you purchase the Avast VPN multi-device service. Note that the basic plan doesn’t allow you to connect to multiple devices.
Similarly, ExpressVPN’s regular subscription lets you connect up to 5 devices. To connect more than the 5 devices, purchase another subscription separately or use a VPN router.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: Tie
Torrent Support
There’s lots of content sharing going on the internet. No matter you want to download music, videos, games, movies, or other media, torrenting can help you with that.
P2P file sharing is the norm for file sharing, where peers can share different materials in a snap. Torrenting allows you to download bulk files online through the BitTorrent site.
While BitTorrent/P2P sharing comes with massive advantages for its users, you could face the law for sharing copyrighted content. Copyright infringement and piracy, which you could be charged with, are two significant contributors to cybercrimes.
Avast VPN allows torrent downloading in only 8-select servers in 6 geo zones. The VPN’s servers that support P2P activities are visibly marked on the app’s server location screen, so you can easily choose a server to connect.
ExpressVPN allows P2P on all of its servers around the world. Aside from that, the company doesn’t cap data and never throttles connections. This means, with ExpressVPN, you’ll enjoy faster speeds than a VPN with a few torrent-friendly servers.
Torrent Support Winner: ExpressVPN
Global Server Coverage
Generally, the more global servers a VPN provider has, the easier you can slide through the international boundaries to access restricted content.
VPN servers let you access content, including videos, music, and online games from elsewhere.
Avast VPN initially offered minimal global coverage, with servers in only 19 countries (27 cities). Today that has changed: the company now operates in 55 locations across 34 countries, including Canada, Netherlands, the U.S., the U.K., China, Japan, and Singapore.
ExpressVPN has over 3000 spread across more than 160 locations in 94 countries. While the majority of these are physical servers, 3% of them are virtual. This means, with ExpressVPN, you can bypass more geoblocks than when protected with Avast VPN.
Global Server Coverage Winner: ExpressVPN
Multi-Platform Support
If you own multiple devices, for example, computers and mobile devices, then the number of gadgets supported becomes a key consideration. As a consequence, the ideal VPN should support all major platforms and operating systems.
Avast VPN shows modest compatibility, supporting only Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. It can also be installed as a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome. This is a bit disappointing for device enthusiasts but still just enough for most users out there.
ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of platforms. For example, it supports Linux, macOS, Amazon Fire TV, Windows, iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nook, and famed routers. The VPN provider also supports browser extensions, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Multi-Platform Support Winner: ExpressVPN
Customer Support
The services and apps provided by both Avast VPN and ExpressVPN are pretty straightforward. Owing to this, the two VPNs feature reliable and easy-to-contact customer care support in place.
While both VPNs include a helpful FAQ section on their site, ExpressVPN’s is more detailed.
Avast VPN’s customer service comes in a three-fold: a trouble ticketing system, a 24/7 phone support, and a user forum.
The phone support is one of the unique services offered by the VPN, which lacks in many VPN providers. We tested their customer support by dialing the number provided on their website. Surprisingly, we received quick and detailed responses regarding it’s less robust features highlighted in this article.
The ticketing system also works, allowing you to inquire about what’s not clear, or for any technical support. We noticed, within 24 hours of writing, the staff reached out to us with detailed answers to our concerns.
ExpressVPN has excellent customer support, with 24/7 live chat support complemented with troubleshooting guides and instructions to help you set up and use the VPN. Moreover, if you’re still in trouble, you can also reach out to the provider for support via email or just fill a support ticket.
Customer Support Winner: Avast VPN
And the Winner Is…
So, to this end, which is the better option? Avast VPN or ExpressVPN? Well, this is pretty easy to choose, and it’s obvious.
While both VPNs feature reliable servers, with fast connections speeds, ExpressVPN wins in most categories featured in this list. For example, it topped in; connection speed, privacy, encryption, features, torrent support, global server coverage, and multi-platform support.
Whichever way you look at it, ExpressVPN is a robust VPN with exceptional reliability, fast speeds, and top-rated security.
Avast VPN defeated ExpressVPN in pricing, and customer support features hint its potent in the future of the industry.
