This article has been just updated: January 16, 2024

It’s very likely that there are thousands of VPN service providers offering their services to customers around the globe. But only a small handful of them can be described as popular, and even fewer are as popular as NordVPN, Avast SecureLine VPN, and PureVPN.

That’s why we’ve decided to put these three VPN services against one another to see which one of them deserves your money the most.

 

Security

Let’s kick off this three-way comparison with the most important aspect of a VPN service: security.

nord vpn

Many people don’t realize that a VPN service can be truly secure only if it’s based in a country that has no mandatory data retention laws and does not participate in the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes alliances. One such country is Panama, which is where you can find the company behind NordVPN, Tefinkom & Co., S.A.

pure vpnPureVPN is based in Hong Kong, which also doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws, but it’s important to keep in mind that the country is falling under greater and greater influence of China. It’s quite possible that China is already monitoring all ISPs in Hong Kong in secret, and there’s very little the Hong Kong government could do about it even if they knew.

avast vpnAvast SecureLine VPN is based in the Czech Republic, which is a member of the European Union. The Czech Republic has “focused cooperation” on computer network exploitation with the Five Eyes, along with Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungry, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey.

Winner: NordVPN

 

Features

Because all VPN services work more or less the same, they try to stand out by offering various features, starting with multi-platform support. These days, most VPN users expect to securely connect to the internet not just from their computers but also from their mobile devices.

nordvpnWith NordVPN, you can establish up to 6 simultaneous connections, and the NordVPN app works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. It’s also possible to get NordVPN working on Tomato and DD-WRT-flashed routers, but don’t expect it to be as easy as installing an app.

PureVPN also offers apps for all popular platforms, including Windows, Android, Android TV, macOS, iOS, Kodi, and Amazon Fire TV. An applet for DD-WRT routers is available as well, and so are browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

nordvpn vs purevpn

Avast SecureLine VPN has by far the worst platform coverage, offering apps only for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Hopefully, Avast will add support for other platforms in the near future because it’s really lagging behind NordVPN and PureVPN.

Winner: NordVPN and PureVPN

 

Speed

What good is a VPN service if it makes your internet unusable? If you’re an online gamer, streamer, content creator, freelancer, or just someone who doesn’t enjoy waiting for websites to load, you should choose a VPN service with an excellent global coverage so you’re always close to a fast VPN server and your latency doesn’t hit three-digit numbers.

NordVPN obliterates both PureVPN and Avast Secureline VPN when it comes to coverage, allowing you to choose from over 5,100 NordVPN servers in 62 countries to enjoy the fastest VPN experience possible. During our testing, we’ve been able to nearly max out our 100 Mbps connection.

PureVPN has around 2000 servers in over 140 countries. The number of servers doesn’t sound like much compared with NordVPN, but that’s only because NordVPN is one of the largest VPN service providers out there. However, PureVPN makes up for it with its fantastic coverage.pure vpn servers comparison

Avast Secureline VPN doesn’t share their actual server numbers, but we’ve estimated that it has less than 100 servers in around 30 countries. That’s not too bad, but it’s safe to say that Avast Secureline VPN is a different league compared with NordVPN and PureVPN, and we don’t mean it in a good way.

Winner: NordVPN

 

Pricing

NordVPN has a reputation for providing an affordable VPN service with state-of-the-art features and near-flawless reliability. Its prices start at just $2.99 a month with a 3-year contract, and a 1-month plan costs $11.95 per month.

All new NordVPN customers receive a 30-day money-back guarantee and can connect up to 6 devices at the same time with a single subscription.Nord vpn pricing

PureVPN is also very affordable, with prices starting at $3.33 per month with a 1-year contract. If you decide to pay on a monthly basis, the price goes up to $10.95.

It looks like PureVPN wants to one-up NordVPN because it offers a 31-day money-back guarantee. We don’t think the extra day matters very much, but it’s a nice bonus regardless. However, one PureVPN account can be used only on 5 devices at the same time.purevpn vs nordvpn

Avast Secureline VPN costs only $19.99 a year for a single mobile device, but the price becomes much less pleasant once you move beyond mobile VPN. It costs $59.99 to secure a single PC or Mac, and a family plan that lets you secure up to 5 devices costs $79.99 a year, which is approximately $6.66 a month.

nordvpn comparison

Winner: NordVPN

 

Customer Support

NordVPN offers basic customer support. You get email support and a fairly comprehensive support library. There’s also a live chat, which comes in handy when you don’t have time to wait for NordVPN to answer support emails, which usually happens within 24 hours.

PureVPN is comparable to NordVPN when it comes to customer support, offering a trouble ticket system, a searchable knowledge base, as well as 24/7 live support chat. That’s also a reason why it has five stars on Trustpilot.

What may surprise you then is that Avast Secureline VPN offers even better customer support then PureVPN. It’s one of only a few VPN providers we know that can be reached via a phone support number (844-340-9251). In addition to the phone support number, Avast Secureline VPN also offers a comprehensive support library, a user forum, and a support ticket system, making it a clear winner in this category.

Winner: Avast Secureline VPN

 

Verdict

NordVPN emerged as a clear winner of this three-way comparison, beating both PureVPN and Avast Secureline VPN with its excellent global coverage, fantastic speeds, and extremely affordable prices. PureVPN has ended up in the second place, leaving the last place to Avast Secureline VPN, which impressed us only with its customer support.

FAQ

NordVPN offers a wide array of servers, robust security features, and is known for its strong stance on privacy. Avast SecureLine VPN is designed for ease of use and integrates seamlessly with other Avast products. PureVPN is recognized for its variety of features and supports a broad range of devices. All have unique attributes, like NordVPN’s Double VPN and Onion over VPN, Avast’s focus on streaming, and PureVPN’s enterprise solutions.

While all three VPN providers take security seriously, NordVPN is often rated higher in security due to its additional features like Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and a strict no-logs policy. It also uses advanced encryption standards, has passed independent audits, and operates under the jurisdiction of Panama, which has favorable privacy laws.

NordVPN boasts a vast network with over 5,000 servers worldwide. Meanwhile, PureVPN offers more than 6,500 servers, but Avast SecureLine VPN has a smaller network, with around 700 servers. A larger server count often means better speed and reliability due to less crowding and more locations to choose from.

Yes, NordVPN, Avast SecureLine VPN, and PureVPN all provide a kill switch feature, which ensures that your internet connection is immediately cut off if the VPN connection drops, preventing any data leaks.

NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy that has been audited and verified. PureVPN claims a no-log policy but has faced scrutiny in the past for user data handover to authorities. Avast SecureLine VPN states it does not log user activities but does collect some session data. Users concerned with privacy often prefer VPNs with no-logs policies.

Price comparisons can be complex due to frequent promotions and different subscription lengths. Generally, NordVPN might appear slightly higher priced but often offers more features. PureVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN are competitively priced, with Avast sometimes being the most budget-friendly option, especially when bundled with other Avast products.

NordVPN is consistently rated highly for speed, thanks especially to its NordLynx protocol. PureVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN also deliver good speed performance, but they may lag behind NordVPN, particularly in certain regions or during peak hours.

All three VPNs offer compatibility with a range of devices and platforms. NordVPN and PureVPN stand out with extensive device support, from routers to smart TVs. Avast SecureLine VPN is also multi-device friendly, but it may have fewer options compared to the other two.

Due to China’s severe restrictions, not all VPNs work effectively. PureVPN and NordVPN offer dedicated features to bypass the Great Firewall, with varying success rates. Avast SecureLine VPN, however, is less reliable in this aspect and may not consistently work in China.

NordVPN provides 24/7 live chat and email support with a strong reputation for helpful and responsive service. PureVPN also offers 24/7 live chat support, while Avast SecureLine VPN provides support through a ticketing system and a comprehensive FAQ, which may not be as immediate as live support options.

Yes, PureVPN and NordVPN both offer dedicated IP address options for an additional cost, which can be useful for maintaining a consistent online presence or avoiding blacklists. Avast SecureLine VPN, on the other hand, does not currently provide this feature.

All three VPNs claim to allow streaming of content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and others. However, NordVPN is particularly known for its reliable streaming capabilities thanks to its SmartPlay technology, while Avast SecureLine VPN and PureVPN may encounter streaming issues occasionally.

NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to try the service risk-free. Similarly, PureVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN extend money-back guarantees, typically for 30 days, giving users ample time to test out the VPN services.

NordVPN features a sleek and intuitive interface across all devices, earning high marks for user experience. Avast SecureLine VPN is designed with simplicity in mind, ideal for those already familiar with Avast’s suite of products. PureVPN’s interface is fairly user-friendly, though it may not be as polished as NordVPN’s.

NordVPN supports P2P file-sharing on dedicated servers and offers optimized performance for torrenting. PureVPN also allows P2P traffic, while Avast SecureLine VPN permits it on some servers. When torrenting, users should prioritize VPNs that offer strong security and privacy features.

All three VPN providers utilize AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard for top-level security. NordVPN combines this with its NordLynx protocol for enhanced security and speed, while Avast SecureLine VPN and PureVPN use OpenVPN and other protocol options.

NordVPN stands out with features such as CyberSec, which blocks malicious sites and ads, Double VPN for an extra layer of encryption, and Onion over VPN for Tor users. These specialized features contribute to a more secure and private browsing experience.

All three VPNs provide mobile apps compatible with iOS and Android devices, offering a seamless user experience. NordVPN’s mobile app is celebrated for its design and ease of use, closely resembling the desktop application. PureVPN and Avast SecureLine VPN have decent mobile apps, but may not offer all the features found on their desktop counterparts.

NordVPN has a strong presence with servers in over 60 countries, offering wide global coverage. PureVPN’s network spans over 140 countries, giving it an expansive reach. In contrast, Avast SecureLine VPN‘s server locations are more concentrated in popular regions, which may limit variety but suffices for many users.

NordVPN has undergone several independent audits to verify its no-logs policy and security practices. PureVPN has had its no-log policy audited but faced questions in the past regarding its adherence. Avast SecureLine VPN has not publicized any independent audits specifically for their VPN service.

Yes, promotional discounts and deals are common for all three VPN providers, particularly during holiday seasons or special sale events. Interested users should keep an eye on the official websites of NordVPN, Avast SecureLine VPN, and PureVPN for the latest offers.