| Editor's Rating | |
|---|---|
| Overall | |
| Features | |
| Privacy | |
| Customer Service | |
Positives
- Great security features
- Low resource usage
- Built-in ad blocker
- User-friendly
- Compatible with Chrome extensions
Negatives
- Only available for Windows
- No themes
- No synchronization
Avast has one of the most popular free antiviruses in the world, and in 2018, launched a free Chromium-based web browser: Avast Secure Browser. Avast SafeZone’s successor, which was removed not long before this launch, comes with three main objectives: fast browsing, protecting personal info from malware, phishing, and other threats, and protecting your privacy. To do so, Avast Secure Browser comes with plenty of neat, built-in features that will make sure you can fearlessly surf the internet. However, that also means extensions are limited, and therefore no themes are available, which is a fair trade-off when compared to full protection online. For now, it's only fully available for Windows 8 and onwards, but there is already an early access version for macOS users.
Features & Extensions
Since Avast Secure Browser is a Chromium browser, it’s compatible with most Chrome extensions. It does come with a built-in extension block, but Avast Secure Browser always gives you decision power and will let you install any extension whose source you confirm to be trustworthy. However, extensions that will change this browser’s interface are out of the picture, which means that no themes are allowed. Nevertheless, Avast comes with a handful of features that will respond to almost all users' needs.
Avast Secure Browser comes with a built-in ad blocker, which you can find on the right side of the address tab. It comes enabled by default, but you can disable it anytime without even going into the browser's settings.
Moreover, you also get a video downloader that lets you download videos from any website you are visiting, YouTube included. Unfortunately, this setting is not as visible as the ad blocker, since you will need to click the three dots to open the menu to get to it.
If you have other Avast services installed on your computer, the number of features increases a lot. One example is the ‘bank mode', which opens a virtual computer when you visit websites where you’re dealing with important information – such as online banking. Another example is the Avast Passwords, which integrates this Avast security product into the browser.
Avast Secure Browser Features List
Avast Secure Browser Ad Blocker
Avast Secure Browser Video Downloader
Privacy & Security
Being that Avast is one of the leading global security products, it shines the most when it comes to privacy and security features.
Avast Secure Browser really wants to make sure you surf the internet safely, something you can see by opening the security and privacy center. Besides the ad blocker, you will see that there are various, neat features enabled by default. Some of them are not new to the game and available in other browsers such as anti-phishing, anti-tracking, and HTTPS enforcement. However, Avast goes a little further by also offering a webcam guard and a flash blocker. Surprisingly, though, the well-known Avast Antivirus does not come with the browser by default. Nevertheless, you can easily download and install it from the security and privacy center.
Although Avast goes above and beyond to protect its users’ privacy, it does collect some user data for itself. In the privacy policy, you can find that Avast Secure Browser collects cookies, the number assigned to the browser, IP addresses, and browser extensions. However, you can always solve this problem by installing the Avast SecureLine VPN from the security and privacy center or by opening a private window.
Avast Secure Browser Privacy Settings
Avast Secure Browser Stealth Mode
Platforms
Sadly, Avast Secure Browser is only fully available for Windows, and while there is early access for macOS, Linux and mobile are still out of the picture which is probably why Avast still does not offer synchronization between devices.
As it’s a Chromium browser, the Avast Secure Browser interface is similar to other popular browsers such as Google Chrome and Opera. Tabs appear on the top, followed by the address bar; on the right, you can find the hack check, the ad blocker, the button that leads you to the security and privacy center, and finally, the drop-down menu. Overall, it's user-friendly and follows modern browser norms.
Since Avast blocks most extensions to make sure the browser stays secure, it does not offer much customization. When you go to the Chrome Web Store, themes do appear, but the ones we tried could not be installed. Therefore, the only thing the user can change is whether or not the home button and bookmark bar are shown in the interface or not.
Performance-wise, Avast Secure Browser did great. Not only did it open websites faster than Chrome, but it also used fewer computer resources to function.
Customer Service
Avast Secure Browser customer service is included in the overall Avast customer support. Although it's not great, it's what one would expect from a company that offers a vast array of services and an entirely free browser. There is no live chat, but there is a comprehensive FAQ dedicated to the browser service, and it's not hard to find it since the website is well organized. Moreover, if you can't find the answer you are looking for, you can always submit a ticket to the Avast team or visit its forum where there is a thread specifically for the Avast Secure Browser. On top of that, you can also get in touch through Avast’s social media channels, which include Facebook and Twitter.
Bottom Line
Avast Secure Browser is indeed safe and secure to use. Although it isn't compatible with themes, something that constrains customization, almost everything you need is built in within the browser. Not only does it offer adblocking, anti-phishing, anti-tracking, and HTTPS enforcement, it goes even further by providing a webcam guard and flash blocker as well. Avast Secure Browser does collect some personal data for itself, but you can always install Avast's VPN on the side or open a private window to solve that problem. The only major problem with Avast Secure Browser is how it only fully works with Windows, but macOS users can download early access, supporting the idea that Avast wants to eventually reach all platforms.
Daniel (Best Reviews Team) says
Hello Zoran! Thanks for your comment. If we understood correctly, you’re speaking about the shortcuts that appear at Avast Secure Browser’s Homepage, right?
Avast Secure Browser is able to show these shortcuts by looking at your browser history (even when they’re added manually). So, when you fully clear your browsing data, those shortcuts disappear. Consequently, if you have the habit of clearing your history every week, this may be the reason why your shortcuts are always disappearing. The culprit can also be a third-party program that you’ve scheduled to clear your browser data every week.
To maintain the shortcuts you’ve manually added to the browser, you’ll have to uncheck the cookies option when clearing your browser data. Bear in mind that this option will still delete all shortcuts created by your browsing history – if you want to keep those as well, you need to uncheck the option of deleting the browser history.
If this doesn’t work, we recommend saving your bookmarks and doing a clean install of the software. Don’t forget to download the latest version of the browser on Secure Avast Browser’s website, as the may problem may result from a bug of an older version.
Let us know if this fix has worked for you – if not, we’ll try to find another workaround. Happy browsing!
Zoran says
Just one problem but frustrating. About every 6 – 7 days browser deleting shortcuts I add and add shortcuts (some ?) wish. I think it is not bug but intentional. Why?
Daniel (Best Reviews Team) says
Hello DigSec88, thank you for your comment. We’re happy to know that you’re enjoying Avast Secure Browser. You’re completely correct. Avast is mainly known for its security suite and antivirus, but its browser is also one of the best on the market. It’s straightforward to use and comes with various security features that you won’t find in the competition.
@DigSec88 says
Bank Mode creates a sand-boxed Virtual Machine! Who else has a browser that does that? It is recognized that Linux, Qubes and other OS’s are more secure than Windows but for non-technical users, what could be easier than simply installing the Avast anti-virus suite, including the secure browser. Best of all, it has a free version!
Jorjor24 says
A good product that gives confidence, operates quickly and smoothly, and Bank Mode adds a valuable extra security but I can’t recommend it in a Windows 10 upgrade environment (4GB HP laptop). I was happy with Secure Browser, and used Bank Mode regularly without problems. After an upgrade to Windows10 I re-installed the latest version (included with Avast antivirus) and since then I find it freezes randomly after 15 to 20 minutes use, often during a select and copy text operation. It usually either recovers in a few minutes, or takes just as long to close and restart. Switching to another window and back often brings it back into operation for a few more minutes. It may work better under a clean install of Windows 10, which I have not tried yet.
Janet says
I’m thrilled with this browser. It’s faster and just as thorough as any browsers I’ve used in the past. I love Avast!
Joe Dunkin says
Avast charged me automatically for double coverage for single and multiple coverage which I did not want and cannot get cancelled except for one year in the future.
Rick Sims says
We have been using this browser in-house for sometime and are advising our business clients to utilise this platform. Clients that have made the transition and utilise its features have a much increased confidence in the browser over other offerings. The built in ad-blocker is particularly popular.