Avira Phantom VPN Review 2023: Is it Worth Buying?

Inconsistent and Slow on Long Distance Servers

The speed potential of Avira Phantom VPN is reliant on the location of the server. Servers that are situated locally or in nearby proximity provide moderate speed, whereas those situated further away can lead to up to 90% deceleration. Despite the noteworthy decline in speed, streaming activities are not impacted due to the resilient initial connection speed. On the other hand, the performance for gaming and torrenting activities is only acceptable when the server is positioned within a limited distance.

Speed Test Results

While connected to Avira Phantom VPN, I encountered an average download speed of roughly 135.02Mbps, representing a 60% reduction from my standard rate. My initial checks within the UK revealed a respectable base download speed of 344.87 Mbps, an upload speed of 4.81 Mbps, and a ping time of 38 ms. I then made an effort to assess Avira Phantom VPN’s performance in four more places to gauge its global effectiveness.

I analyzed the VPN on a local connection to London and, subsequently, found my download speed to be 161.28mbps, upload speed of 2.98mbps, and ping time of 39ms. Despite the reduced upload speed, this outcome signified the VPN’s capacity to support video streaming.

However, the US proved to be a region of vast decline as my download speed plummeted from 344.87mbps to 148.36mbps, a significant drop, accompanied by the upload speed’s reduction from 4.81mbps to 2.83mbps, substantially hindering file-sharing and online gaming capabilities.

Journeying to France, I discovered a slight improvement in download speed from the London server, resulting in a download speed of 198.73Mbps, an upload speed of 4.16Mbps, and a ping time of 41ms. Despite the decrease in speed, this enhancement ensured an uninterrupted streaming experience.

In Australia, the most profound reduction occurred, with a download speed of 31.73Mbps, an upload speed of 4.81Mbps, and a ping time of 326ms. This slow pace significantly impacted my streaming and torrenting, making these activities difficult to partake in without enduring extensive buffering times.

Overall, while Avira Phantom VPN did cause a significant drop in speed, it did not affect all online activities in the same way. While streaming and online gaming could still be enjoyed with the VPN, torrenting and other high-bandwidth activities would be challenging in some countries with slow speeds. However, the VPN could still be useful in allowing you to access geo-restricted content from different countries.

Server Network — Limited Number of Servers and Server Locations

Avira’s Phantom VPN service is hampered by its limited server coverage, encompassing only slightly more than 30 countries. Despite its website advertising a 1400-strong infrastructure, the mobile and desktop applications only present a meager selection of 51 servers. Consequently, it is apparent that most of the countries catered to by Avira’s VPN offering are supported by a single server.

The continent of Europe possesses a preeminent number of 26 servers, while the United States is in close proximity with 13 servers. Regrettably, Avira’s distribution of servers is meager in Asia, with a total of four, a mere two in South America, and no presence in Africa. Given its modest stature, Avira could benefit from a more equitable allocation of its server network.

When you press the green button that says “Secure my connection,” the VPN automatically connects you to the fastest server based on your location. If you want to choose a different server, click on “Nearest location” and look for the server you want.

The server index encompasses a search algorithm that will facilitate your quest for the server that optimally suits your objectives based on your whereabouts. Additionally, the provider has equipped each server with its corresponding ping time data, enabling you to ascertain which server boasts the quickest response time for activities such as gaming.

Avira offers a free VPN service that allows mobile users to connect to various locations just like its paid version. However, if you are using the application on a desktop computer, your access is limited to the nearest server. CyberGhost impressively upholds a server network that surpasses industry standards by a considerable margin through its extensive geographic distribution across 100+ countries.

Security — Excellent Encryption and Basic Privacy Features

I was initially disappointed by the lack of advanced or customized privacy features, but I found hope in Avira Phantom VPN. Its use of 256-bit encryption in conjunction with the OpenVPN protocol provided the assurance that my data would remain secure while using the VPN.

The security features offered include:

• AES 256-bit encryption method – Avira Phantom VPN incorporates a highly advanced 256-bit encryption protocol, which includes a collection of cryptographic ciphers that determine the method of data encryption. Although no security measure is completely impervious to hacking attempts, the complexity involved in breaching Avira Phantom VPN’s security measures is incredibly high.
• Encryption Protocols OpenVPN, IPSec, and Wireguard – Avira Phantom VPN utilizes various protocols based on the platform it’s running on. On Windows, the OpenVPN protocol is used, whereas Wireguard is used for Android. However, macOS and iOS users are served with IPSec, which is regarded as less secure when compared to OpenVPN and Wireguard.
• Kill switch – the kill switch function is intended to prevent any incoming or outgoing network traffic if Avira Phantom VPN is unexpectedly disconnected. This feature is only available for the premium version and can only be used on the Windows operating system.
• Block Malicious Sites and Content – Avira Phantom VPN includes a feature that functions similarly to an ad-blocker. Its primary purpose is to obstruct potentially harmful web domains and content. In order to evaluate its effectiveness, I conducted a trial by accessing a website inundated with advertisements and found that the ad blocker successfully achieved its intended objective.
• Auto Connect for Wi-fi Networks – the auto-connect for WiFi feature lets you automatically connect to specific wifi networks with a pre-set VPN connection.
• IP/DNS leak protection – I was glad to see that the VPN offers IP/DNS leak protection. The purpose of IP/DNS leak protection is to keep your online activities private and secure by preventing your IP address and DNS information from being exposed.

I tested Avira’s security measures to make sure they were protecting my IP and DNS from being leaked. I used a tool to check if my personal IP address was hidden while connected to a server in the Netherlands. The test showed that Avira was successful in keeping my IP and DNS private, so my personal information remained secure during the experiment.

Overall, I was satisfied with the VPNs security but not impressed by its lack of extra features, which are becoming a norm for most top VPNs on the market. I expected that a company that has built a reputation on security technology would perform better in this regard.

Privacy — The Privacy Policy Is Vague

Avira Phantom VPN affords a reasonable degree of safeguarding for user confidentiality. Upon my review, I discovered that this VPN refrains from tracing or registering your IP address or online engagements. The sole data it procures pertains to diagnostic information, which you can opt out of, and identifies whether you employ the free or premium version, as well as the volume of data usage.

My further review of the Avira Phantom VPN’s privacy statement revealed that users residing in the United States and Canada obtain the VPN service under American jurisdiction. This legal framework makes the data of VPN users in the US and Canada subject to American laws and gag orders, as well as surveillance from the CIA and NSA.

On the other hand, customers outside of the United States are given the VPN with the protection of German laws, which offers a unique level of legal security. Despite this, Germany has a history of exchanging information with 13 other countries in the 14 Eyes Alliance. Nonetheless, the provider has asserted that it cannot share information that it does not possess.

When you compare the privacy policies of Avira Phantom VPN and ExpressVPN, you realize that the latter has a strict and proven no-logs policy. In addition, Express VPN is not based within the jurisdiction of the 14 Eyes Alliance and is therefore not obligated to share user information with any private or public agencies.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Torrenting — Supports P2P File-Sharing on All Servers

According to Avira’s official website, its Phantom VPN software is compatible with the practice of torrenting. While further information on this topic is not explicitly provided on the site, I personally reached out to their support team and confirmed that all servers are supportive of torrenting activities.

After conducting numerous trials on diverse torrenting platforms, I can unequivocally affirm that the VPN operates optimally. The remarkable efficiency of this system is due to its decent download speed on nearby servers and the incorporation of a kill switch function. These two elements combine to create a highly gratifying solution for safeguarded file-sharing.

While Avira’s Phantom VPN may be technically compatible with torrenting, I suggest using Cyberghost for safer P2P file-sharing. The VPN provides resources on the subject and openly supports torrenting on their service. Better still, it has a strict no-logs policy and TrustedServer technology, which automatically wipes the server after every session.

My colleagues and I discourage engagement in illicit undertakings. We advise that you thoroughly review the statutes and guidelines in your jurisdiction to ensure that you do not contravene any legal mandates.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Does Avira Phantom VPN Work in China? No!

I cannot verify this personally as I am not situated in China, but Avira’s support team corroborated that their service cannot be utilized within China’s borders. Unlike the handful of VPNs capable of circumventing China’s internet censorship protocols, Avira Phantom doesn’t possess obfuscation or stealth mechanisms.

In the event that you require a VPN to facilitate access to content from your country of origin while traveling in China, I highly recommend subscribing to ExpressVPN due to its proven track record of reliable functionality in China. However, it is important to bear in mind that the safeguarding provided by a VPN does not grant you immunity to engage in unlawful activities, and therefore exercising a fundamental degree of prudence when utilizing a VPN in China is advised.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Avira Phantom VPN offers a variety of support options to address your inquiries. Those using the free version will not receive any assistance, while Pro users can select from live chat, online request submission, email, or phone support (available from 9 am to 11 pm MET).

Personally, I found the live chat option to be the most efficient, connecting with an agent within two minutes during business hours. Email responses can take at least one day, which can be inconvenient for quick queries. If you prefer self-help, the offline help section offers tutorials, educational videos, and a FAQ section. Additionally, the provider maintains a community forum.