The best Australia VPN in 2024
Stay safer online Down Under and abroad with an Australia VPN
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As part of the Five Eyes Alliance, the Australian government has a serious interest in what people are doing online. Throw in laws demanding ISPs collect user data and restrict certain sites and the cause for an Australia VPN becomes clear.
Using one of the best VPNs while in Australia is a great way to spoof your IP address location and encrypt your data at the same time. On top of that a great VPN can make streaming with sites like Stan, Binge, 7Plus and 10Play much easier.
That's not even to mention the increased protection that a VPN brings when connected to a public Wi-Fi network, particularly useful if you're visiting tourist hotspots.
So whether you're a local or you've spent your life down under, it's well worth getting a VPN, but which one? It can be tricky to choose the best one for you but together with my team of experts, I've evaluated the industry's top dogs to prepare this guide of the best five VPNs for Australia right now.
Best Australia VPNs in 2024 - quick answer
On this page I'll discuss each of my top five picks in detail, but if you're short on time and want a quick answer, I'll cut straight to the chase and present you with my top three choices:
1. The number one Australia VPN: NordVPN
NordVPN is the best Australia VPN on the market today. With more servers than the other two in my shortlist, both worldwide as well as in Australia. In our testing it offered top-tier Netflix unblocking and speeds. There's also an option to bundle in Nord's excellent built in antivirus and ad-blocking tools. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices start from $3.39 per month.
2. The easiest to use Australia VPN: ExpressVPN
While it's more expensive than NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN is second to none when it comes to accessibility. It even has the option for a one-click connection! ExpressVPN has an excellent combination of speed, streaming performance and privacy credentials. Plus, Tom's Guide readers can claim three months of extra protection for free—and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices start at $6.67 per month.
3. A premium product at a bargain price: Surfshark
Surfshark's value for money is second to none, offering class-leading speeds, good overall security, unlimited simultaneous connections, and servers in five Australian cities for less than $2.50 a month. It works with virtually every device type, offers easy-to-use apps across every client, and unblocks any streaming service you point at it. Check out the 30-day money-back guarantee.
The best Australia VPNs today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
To make sure I only recommend what's best for your privacy Down Under—and that you're never left wanting for more power or performance, either—I took into account several factors such as speed, security, unblocking performance, ease of use, and of course, value for money.
I've shortlisted my top five picks for an Australia VPN after hours of thorough research and analysis, as well as after comparing dozens of VPNs side by side. Keep reading as I'll now dig into how each service fared in my testing, the recent test results, and all the features I did (and didn't) like.
NordVPN: the best VPN overall
1. NordVPN
The very best Australia VPN
Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (CLI), routers and more | Number of Australian servers locations: 190+ in 5 cities | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Number of servers: 6,000+ | Server locations: 140 in 110+ countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
✔️ You want the perfect quality-cost mix. NordVPN delivers on every single count, whether that's speed, security, or unblocking, all while being reasonably priced.
✔️ You're a huge Netflix fan. with servers everywhere, including Australia, NordVPN unblocks more Netflix locations than any other provider I've tested.
✔️ You want 360-degree security. NordVPN also comes with built-in malware detection and ad-blocking, as well as more such nifty tools, for complete protection from all cyber threats.
❌ You value simplicity. NordVPN is no doubt powerful but its map-style interface can pose some problems, especially on the smaller screens of mobile phones.
❌ You want a torrenting VPN. Only a few NordVPN servers are configured for P2P sharing, so you'll be better off with ExpressVPN or PIA if you want fast torrent speeds.
NordVPN is an all-around solution that's super fast, private, and a giant when it comes to unblocking both local and foreign content in Australia. While its apps are admittedly not as intuitive as Express's, you'll have a 30-day money-back guarantee to make sure it's the right fit for you.
NordVPN is well-known as a top-class VPN, and if you're after an Australia VPN that's versatile and powerful, it's my top pick. With over 6,000 servers worldwide and 190+ in 5 cities in Australia, there's a good spread to choose from no matter what you want to access.
Fast speeds—likely capable of much faster speeds than your base Internet line—and great unblocking power allow Nord to provide an excellent streaming experience, too. As the best Netflix VPN in my testing, it reliably unblocked every single Netflix region, as well as other streaming sites including Australia's 9Now and 10 Play.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
However, it's when it comes down to privacy that NordVPN really shines, delivering all the essentials plus a couple of really neat extras. One of those is Onion over VPN, which reroutes your traffic over the Tor network for ultimate anonymity. That comes with a speed penalty, but is definitely worth it if you want to stay hidden.
Another is the Double VPN technology which routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, encrypting your data twice. A new great addition is its Meshnet feature. This allows you to create your own secure and encrypted network and connect up to 60 devices. This makes NordVPN the perfect provider for those who want to better secure their workload among multiple users.
Furthermore, NordVPN offers all-in-one security thanks to a slew of privacy-enhancing tools. Nord's protection recently got supercharged with the launch of Threat Protection Pro, an advanced cyber security tool that has the power to block the latest cyber threats, like phishing attacks, web tracking and malware.
In general usage, Nord's an incredibly fast VPN, and in our testing for our NordVPN review, the WireGuard-based NordLynx proved to be secure and lightning quick, reaching impressive peaks of 950 Mbps. That makes it perfect for gaming, streaming, torrenting, and virtually any other possible online activities .
However, while the apps are powerful and work well, the map-interface on mobile can be a bit awkward to use. Although that isn't a deal breaker, it's not nearly as intuitive or simple to use as ExpressVPN. Beyond that, though, there's not much between them, and we highly recommend Nord as an alternative thanks to its modest prices which make it very value for money. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
---|---|---|
Design | Cheerful and intuitive design, but not the most clutter-free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | The map-based interface is quite sleek, but not everybody's preference | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | The fastest I’ve tested, with peak speeds of over 950 Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Unrivaled Netflix performance, and unblocks everything else as well | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Tons of security features for all-around protection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | 24/7 friendly and professional help, plus very helpful articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
ExpressVPN: the best VPN user experience
2. ExpressVPN
The easiest to use Australia VPN
Available on: Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux (command-line only), Routers, almost everything else | Number of Australian server locations: 7 in 6 cities | Simultaneous connections: 8 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations: 160 in 105 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
✔️ You're a beginner. All ExpressVPN apps are powerful yet super simple, with everything very easy to find and understand. Plus, features like the auto-connect and friendly 24/7 support further enhance usability.
✔️ You want access everywhere. Not only does Express has the most vast server network of all VPNs, but it's also present in 7 Aussie cities, which is the highest on the list.
✔️ You need class-leading privacy. ExpressVPN is an extremely private and safe VPN, with regular audits, a reliable no-logs policy, and top-notch encryption.
❌ You're on a strict budget. ExpressVPN delivers good value for its price, but if you're pinching for pennies, consider NordVPN or Surfshark.
❌ You want the complete security suite. Unlike its top rivals, ExpressVPN doesn't offer a built-in antivirus nor extra privacy-enhancing tools.
ExpressVPN is my previous #1 and a delight for both experts and beginners alike. With servers everywhere in the world, quick speeds, solid security, and no-quibble unblocking, it hardly puts a foot wrong. While it's admittedly not a budget choice, you can try it out risk-free thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is a close runner-up to NordVPN, because it, too, does it all—streaming, staying private, perhaps a bit of torrenting or gaming, and more. One of its highlights is its vast server network, spanning across 160 locations worldwide, and as an Australia VPN, it has servers located across six cities Down Under (the most on the list), so you'll have a fine selection to choose from no matter where you are.
Plus, with its excellent streaming performance, you can appear to be located absolutely anywhere and get access to blocked content on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more. Also, its top speeds of around 750 Mbps, while not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, will be more than enough for most users.
▶ Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When it comes to security, Express offers you a ton of top-notch features so that you will be safe no matter what you're doing. These include essentials like a kill switch, split tunneling, and AES-256 encryption, but you'll also get Perfect Forward Secrecy and ExpressVPN's own proprietary WireGuard-based Lightway protocol.
If you're not the techy type, though, ExpressVPN could be just the right service for you. As soon as you launch its easy-to-use app, whether that's from your living room in Perth or the moment you step out of Sydney airport, you'll be protected. The best part is that you can leave the settings as they come on its user-friendly interface and browse safely.
Something that disappoints a little is the meagre eight simultaneous connections, so if you're planning on traveling to Australia with a large group, consider Surfshark which comes with unlimited simultaneous connections. Another drawback is ExpressVPN's price. It's expensive. Sure, it's every bit worth the splurge for those who can afford it, but those on a tight budget will find Nord and Surfshark to be better value.
To make up for its slightly steep pricing, you get 3 months of extra protection and 1 year Backblaze cloud storage for free on a 12-month subscription. Overall, I reckon ExpressVPN is one the best Australia VPNs available today, especially for those new to VPNs, but if you're not convinced, you can take advantage of the risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee that comes with every ExpressVPN plan.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
---|---|---|
Design | Clean and intuitive design on all platforms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Ideal for both beginners and experts as it's both simple and configurable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Fast enough for anything you will need it for, but Surfshark and NordVPN are faster | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Unblocks every local and foreign streaming platform with ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Class-leading privacy with regular audits and rock-solid encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | Friendly and professional 24/7 support and a comprehensive set of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Those who can get it won't regret the purchase, but cheaper options are available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
3. Surfshark
Big value meets big performance
Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | Number of Australian server locations: 5 cities | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations: 143 in 100 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
✔️ You want the best budget VPN. Surfshark offers a brilliant combination of features and price, and an overall value that can't be beat.
✔️ You need the fastest Australia VPN. Surfshark is on par with NordVPN as the speediest service in my testing, topping out at 950 Mbps.
✔️ You have tons of devices. Thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections, a single Surfshark subscription can protect all your friends and family members.
❌ You need a reliable kill switch. I noticed some issues with Surfshark's kill switch, and while it's very unlikely to cause any trouble in the real world, ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer bulletproof kill switches.
❌ You're a torrenting fan. Surfshark can torrent effectively, but if that's an important use case of yours, I'd recommend CyberGhost or ExpressVPN.
Surfshark offers a very compelling proposition, with blazing speeds, tons of server locations inside and outside Australia, good security, and fantastic streaming support all wrapped up in some of the most affordable packages I've seen. Put it to the test 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.
If you're after a cheap VPN for Australia, Surfshark could be the best choice for you. For almost half the price of the previous options, you'll get a very similar experience and access to servers in five Aussie cities—this is undoubtedly an incredible bargain pick.
With its simple yet powerful apps and excellent unblocking performance, Surfshark certainly doesn't lack in quality. It even proved itself as the fastest service I've tested during my last round of testing, reaching a staggering top speed of 950 Mbps with WireGuard. On the contrary, though, the OpenVPN protocol delivered only mediocre results.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
In terms of security, Surfshark has got you covered with its top-notch features like DNS leak protection, kill switch, and an AES-256 encryption with MultiHop for extra safety. What's more, it also has split tunnelling for easy access to areas outside the VPN—and the NoBorders mode comes in handy if your current network is facing any restrictions. Surfshark also has some effective features for every time you have to provide your email address and personal information. Its Alternative ID tool is included in all subscriptions and lets users create a randomised identity and email address to sign up for accounts and services, letting you avoid spam and being at risk from data breaches.
It's worth noting, though, that I experienced some kill switch issues when tested in extreme situations in my most recent Surfshark review. These occurred on its Windows app only, so you don't need to worry on mobile—or if you're using Surfshark as a secure Mac VPN.
The provider also shows great commitment for users' privacy, enlarging its security reach across four different tools that can be purchased together with its Surfshark One package. This includes a built-in antivirus, which is something you only typically associate with premium providers like NordVPN.
Another standout Surfshark offering is unlimited simultaneous connections, so with just one Surfshark account, you can protect every single device in your household. Additionally, all Surfshark apps are straightforward to use, with a Quick-connect option, an alphabetically arranged list of servers, and a simple layout, which makes the service a delight for beginners.
For the price, Surfshark offers ridiculous value, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee backing you up while you test the service, there's not a lot to lose.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
---|---|---|
Design | Minimalistic, clean, and intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Everything is easily found and understood, one of the very best for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Fastest service in my testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Effortlessly goes past every streaming service you can think of | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Some kill switch issues on Windows, but everything else works perfectly well | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | 24/7 expert assistance and lots of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Incredibly cheap, the very best for bargain hunters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best of the rest
4. Proton VPN
Super-secure Australia VPN with a free plan
Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (GUI), routers and more | Number of Australian server locations: 80 in 5 cities | Simultaneous connections: 10 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now, 10 play | Number of servers: 2,900+ | Server locations: 85+ in 67 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
✔️ You want a free Australia VPN. Proton's free plan offers unlimited data and access to 100 servers in 3 countries.
✔️ You want open-source apps. All Proton VPN apps are open source, meaning anyone can inspect its code at any time to check for vulnerabilities and verify its claims.
✔️ You need a Linux VPN. unlike most of the competition, Proton VPN comes with a graphical user interface (GUI) on Linux devices.
❌ Speed is your primary requirement. Proton VPN offers decent speeds, but it's nowhere close to the likes of even ExpressVPN, let alone Nord or Surfshark.
❌ You're looking for a bargain. Considering what you're getting, Proton VPN is reasonably priced, but the fact remains that it's more expensive than most of its top rivals.
Proton VPN is well-known as one of the most secure providers, and with tons of servers everywhere in the country as well as superior unblocking, it's just as brilliant for Australia, too. You can take it for a test run with its free plan or try out its paid version with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN, the Swiss-based provider behind one of the largest encrypted email services Proton Mail, is a safe choice when it comes to protecting your privacy inside and outside Australia.
For starters, it boasts a strict no-logs policy together with quality apps all independently audited and open-source. This means that everyone can check the code for any bugs. What's more, I couldn't find any trackers on its website nor apps during my last round of testing.
▶ Try Proton VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN boasts a wide range of excellent security features, too. These include its efficient adblocker, NetShield, two terrific kill switches, powerful encryption, strong protocols to choose from, DNS leak protection, and built-in Tor support for accessing Onion sites.
Even though it offers fewer total servers than its rivals—currently around 2,900 across 67 countries—it boasts a massive fleet of Australia servers with 80 located across five Australian cities. This is considerably more than what Express and Surfshark offer, and together with its class-leading unblocking capabilities, you can enjoy easy access to local Aussie content when you're abroad, as well as geo-restricted international content when in Australia.
One of Proton VPN highlights is its Secure Core servers for extra security. These will reroute your internet traffic through some extra safe servers based in some of the most privacy-friendly countries in the world (Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland) before finally connecting you to your destination.
Talking about speed, its performance was less impressive this time, with peak speeds of just 460 Mbps with WireGuard. However, note that Proton is one of the fastest when using OpenVPN with a top speed of over 350 Mbps. The silver lining here is that it employs a unique VPN Accelerator which is always pushing the service for the best possible connection speeds.
Proton also comes with a completely free VPN with unlimited bandwidth. The free version gives you access to over 100 servers across Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. While you won't be able to benefit from its streaming and torrenting capabilities, it's certainly a good place to start if you want to see if it's the one for you before investing your cash.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
---|---|---|
Design | Dynamic and intuitive design, and the dark mode is very sleek | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | The mobile apps are perfect but the desktop interface could be more straightforward | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Sufficiently fast for every use case, but Surfshark and NordVPN are much faster | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | The paid plan is more or less on par with the top dogs of streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Swiss privacy, open-source apps, and independent audits all ensure complete peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | Tons of helpful guides and quality customer support overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | The free plan packs a punch but the paid plans aren't exactly cheap | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
5. CyberGhost
Torrenting and streaming specialist is excellent in Australia
Available on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux (CLI), routers and more | Number of Australian server locations: 213 in 3 cities | Simultaneous connections: 7 | Streaming sites unblocked: Netflix, Disney, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, ITVX, Channel 4, 9Now | Number of servers: 9,700+ | Server locations: 126 in 100 countries | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
✔️ You're on a budget. Available at a little over $2/month, CyberGhost is neck-and-neck with Surfshark as the best cheap provider for Australia.
✔️ You want a long refund period. CyberGhost comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you 15 more days to decide if you want to buy than the industry standard of 30 days.
✔️ You want to torrent. All 200+ CyberGhost servers Down Under are P2P-optimized, so you can torrent safely when in Australia.
❌ You want to use lots of devices. CyberGhost allows just 7 installations, meaning logging out from one device to use it on another won't be enough, as you'll have to remove it completely from the first device.
❌ You need great reach in Australia. CyberGhost offers the most number of Australia servers, but they only cover 3 Aussie cities, which is the lowest on my list.
CyberGhost is a fast and reliable VPN that boasts a massive selection of servers in Australia. It's not only incredibly cheap but also rammed with features and customizability—plus with a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee, it’s an ideal pick for those who need a longer test run before committing.
CyberGhost is my final pick for an Australia VPN, and as I mentioned in my in-depth CyberGhost review, the service strikes a sweet spot between great value and powerful features. For just over $2 a month, you get an audited no-logs policy, decent download speeds of 760 Mbps, loads of features, as well as speedy live chat support.
Thanks to a recent upgrade, CyberGhost now offers over 9,700 across 100 countries, putting it on par with the big three in terms of reach. However, one of its biggest draws as an Australia VPN is the huge choice of speedy servers Down Under—a total of 213 servers located in three cities in Australia. Plus, nearly all of its servers have been optimized for P2P traffic, making CyberGhost an excellent choice as a torrenting VPN.
▶ Try CyberGhost with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Possibly the best feature of CyberGhost is its server filtering function. In-app, you can pick what you want to watch—Netflix, for example. Then you can choose a country (say, Australia), and CyberGhost will automatically show you which server will function best as a Netflix VPN for that location. It's a super smart system that makes it very easy to watch what you want.
At this point, you'd be wondering why CyberGhost isn't higher up on my list. That's because it offers just 7 simultaneous connections, which is one of the lowest I've seen, ever.
Next, it failed to bypass geo-restrictions on the popular Aussie streaming platform 10 play—although it reliably unblocked all Netflix libraries and everything else, too. Still, for a clean sweep of streaming services, I'd point you towards one of the four options above.
Overall, though, CyberGhost is an excellent service which I'm perfectly happy to recommend. Sure, the apps aren't quite as polished as the competition's, but if you take into account the incredibly low price of the three-year plan, it's a sacrifice many would be willing to make. What's even better is that CyberGhost offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have ample time to decide if it's the right fit for you.
Feature | Comments | Rating |
---|---|---|
Design | Fun and intuitive design, and even beginners can customize it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | The interface is easy to navigate, which makes it ideal for both newbies and experts | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Performance | Very good speeds but not the fastest around | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Unblocking | Unblocked everything except the Aussie 10 play in my recent testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Security and privacy | Reliable privacy and security, with a Deloitte audit, ad blocker, and anti-tracking tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Customer support | The support agents are quite helpful but they could be more consistent | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Excellent value for money with the best-in-class 45-day money-back guarantee | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to pick an Australia VPN
When out shopping for a good Australia VPN, make sure the provider has an ample number of servers spread evenly across the country. For instance, while providers like CyberGhost offer tons of servers Down Under, they're not present in as many cities as, say, NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Servers in Australia are also important if you're a streaming head and would like to access local content in the region. For access to geo-restricted international content, opt for providers with strong unblocking capabilities, which can reliably and effortlessly unblock big-name streaming sites such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and iPlayer.
As I mentioned before, Aussie ISPs work hard to snoop on your online activities. This means that your chosen Australia VPN must boast rock-solid privacy. Make sure that all security essentials, such a clear-cut no-logs policy, a reliable kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and leak protection are in place and working smoothly. Additionally, if your needs require you to, look for providers with advanced security features such as split tunneling, port forwarding, obfuscated servers, etc.
The next most important consideration is the number of devices you want to protect. While 8-10 simultaneous connections are going to be more than enough for most individuals and even families, if you want to use the VPN on tons of devices, look towards providers with unlimited simultaneous connections—such as Surfshark.
If you're a beginner, you'll be better off with a VPN that offers easy-to-use and similar apps across platforms. At the same time, the customer support should be top-notch, too, irrespective of your expertise level. Friendly 24/7 support and an in-depth knowledge hub will ensure quick help in case you run into any issues.
Last but not least, the price of the VPN provider will play a crucial role. While free VPNs may seem like the obvious choice if you're on a budget, they're almost always stripped of important functionalities found in their paid counterparts.
Now, the best part is you can get a fully-featured premium Australia VPN for a budget-friendly price. There are quite a few quality bargain picks available today, and more or less all of them come with a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try the service out risk-free before committing.
How we test Australia VPNs
We follow our in-depth VPN testing methodology here at Tom's Guide and begin our investigation at the provider’s website, where we comb through its privacy policies and any claims it makes. Then we try to gauge how transparent and honest the VPN's data collection and handling policies are, and whether or not it uses any tracking cookies on its website.
Next, we download its Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux apps and test every single one of them. We evaluate core security features such as the kill switch and leak protection, as well as any other features the provider offers, including split tunneling, double VPN, and more. This is also where we’ll play around with the interface of the app and its settings menu to evaluate its ease of use.
We conduct region-specific tests as well. For example, we verified the number of Australia servers and locations in a VPN's network before preparing this guide. While the apps are installed, we count every server location and even verify that the servers there work.
For speed testing, we use two locations and a total of over a hundred tests (using multiple speed test websites, encryption protocols, settings, etc.) to ensure the speeds we finally note down are super accurate. Then we throw multiple big-name streaming services, including those from Australia, at the provider to check its unblocking capabilities.
Lastly, to make sure that our results are at all times relevant and accurate—and that we always only recommend the top performers—our in-house experts review dozens of VPNs every 6 months and tweak all of our VPN reviews and buying guides accordingly.
Best Australia VPN FAQs
Which is the best VPN to use in Australia?
NordVPN is the #1 Australia VPN according to my testing because it delivers on every single count—meaning it’ll be the perfect pick for most users, without a shadow of a doubt. It boasts a massive 190+ servers in the country and allows you easy access to both local and international content from top streaming sites. Furthermore, you get all-in-one security with a built-in antivirus and ad-blocking as well as the fastest speeds in the industry all for a very reasonable price.
An alternative to my top pick is ExpressVPN. It's present in 7 Aussies cities, and 160 locations worldwide, which is the widest coverage I've seen in my testing. Plus, Express is the best VPN for beginners thanks to easy-to-use apps and class-leading customer support. My third pick, Surfshark, is tailor-made for those on a tight budget as it packs some of the most sought-after VPN offerings in the most value-for-money service right now.
Are VPNs safe?
The best VPN services are all extremely safe to use, as my team of experts and I have shortlisted them after thorough testing. However, it's important to note that not all VPNs are created equal, and there are many unreliable providers that track your IP and keep logs of your internet activities.
To find out for yourself whether a VPN is reliable, make sure it has a strict no-logs policy, supports the most popular and secure encryption protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), and offers essential security features like a kill switch and leak protection. Additionally, regular audits by independent third parties are super crucial, too, as they are a stamp of reliability and therefore ensure complete peace of mind.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
It depends on where you are and what you use the VPN for. In most countries around the world, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN for legitimate purposes like protecting your privacy, while it's illegal to use it for unlawful purposes such as downloading copyrighted content.
However, North Korea, Iraq, and Turkmenistan, to suppress dissidents and maintain online censorship, have completely banned all VPNs within their borders. Next, China and Russia only allow government-approved providers, and Turkey, while not as strict, still blocks access to the sites or servers of VPN providers that don't follow its rules.
Depending on the legality of VPNs and general laws in these countries, you can face heavy fines or even jail time if you're caught using a VPN for use cases restricted by the government. This is why we recommend that you read beforehand what you may or may not be permitted to use a VPN for if you're headed to one of these countries.
Can VPNs be tracked?
A VPN can be tracked if it has a DNS leak, which would then expose your DNS queries, browsing history, and maybe even your device’s IP address to prying eyes. However, this shouldn't be an issue with most high-quality VPNs, which are all super secure—plus spotting a DNS leak is very straightforward.
The best VPNs are masters at spoofing your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, which anonymizes you on the internet and makes it impossible for snoopers to read your data. It's worth noting, though, that while ISPs won't be able to see the contents of your internet connection, they may still see that you're using a VPN. If you want to hide the fact that you're using a VPN (some privacy-invasive governments have made it mandatory for ISPs to report the use of VPNs), use providers that offer obfuscated servers.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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Olivia joined Tom's Guide in October 2023 as part of the core Future Tech Software team, and is the Commissioning Editor for Tech Software. With a background in cybersecurity, Olivia stays up-to-date with all things cyber and creates content across TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. She is particularly interested in threat intelligence, detection and response, data security, fraud prevention and the ever-evolving threat landscape.
- Krishi ChowdharyContributor