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Best for privacy
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More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
You can use a virtual private network (VPN) to access Australian servers or to stay anonymous while browsing in Australia. A VPN is a powerful tool for privacy, and this holds true regardless of the country you’re in — or the country you want to look like you’re in. If you need a VPN service to encrypt your traffic in Australia, the best choices are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Proton VPN.
ExpressVPN provides a great (albeit pricey) all-around package, NordVPN offers a more affordable alternative, and Proton VPN is best for privacy-minded users. Any of these three will serve you well, whether you want to access geo-restricted Aussie streaming content or browse privately.
The best VPN provider for Australia should have at least one dedicated Australian server (so you can get an Australia IP address and unblock geo-restrictions), unlimited bandwidth for streaming or file sharing, and unlimited connections for large households.
Additional premium features like split tunneling, specialty servers, and robust encryption can't hurt. And suppose your internet service provider (ISP) is notorious for ISP throttling or limiting your bandwidth. In that case, a secure VPN can help bypass data caps to access streaming content from anywhere.
Our top picks are all outside intelligence-sharing alliances. If you need a VPN to bypass censorship, you don't have to worry about the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes alliance spying on you.
| VPN | 
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| Starting price | Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years) |
| Free version | |||
| Streaming support | Yes — Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more | Yes — Hulu, Netflix (unofficially), Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more | Yes — Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ |
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN | Get NordVPN | Get Proton VPN |
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
ExpressVPN is our pick for the best VPN for Australia. It’s a fantastic VPN with excellent performance, compatibility with many devices and operating systems, and a robust feature set. Plus, ExpressVPN has the most advertised Australian servers, so you have a more extensive in-country network to choose from.
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ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, router software, and smart devices. It also comes with the intelligent DNS MediaStreamer feature, which enables you to connect to the service on devices that aren’t otherwise compatible with VPNs, like smart TVs. This makes ExpressVPN ideal for users who need cross-platform capabilities.
ExpressVPN did well on our performance tests. We run each VPN we review through a series of speed tests and compare the results to our plain internet connection (without a VPN) to see how the service impacts speeds and latency. ExpressVPN saw relatively little change compared to other VPNs.
ExpressVPN’s privacy and no-logs policies are solid as well. It supports streaming from various platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Overall, it’s just a solid VPN with few significant faults.
Finally, ExpressVPN offers outstanding customer support, a top priority for many customers. In our testing, we received a quick and helpful response to our questions, and the agent seemed to go out of their way to help us. Additionally, the support site is thorough and easy to use.
Our biggest complaint with ExpressVPN is the price. It’s one of the more expensive options on the market. Now, while the price is high, the upshot is that you only need to agree to a one-year plan, whereas most other VPN providers with lower prices require two (or even three) year commitments to get that price. The price difference is much less pronounced when comparing other VPN providers' monthly or even one-year options.
Our other main complaint with ExpressVPN is that it doesn’t publish an official server count — only stating that it offers VPN servers in 105 countries. While this isn’t a huge problem in practice, we would appreciate the additional transparency.
| Price range | $6.67–$12.95/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Number of servers | Servers in 105 countries |
| Server locations in Australia | Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Woolloomooloo |
| Number of connected devices | 8 |
| VPN protocol | Lightway, OpenVPN, LT2P/IPsec, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix AU? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get ExpressVPN |
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
NordVPN is an excellent option for users who want a strong VPN but don’t want to pay too much. It’s affordable, but it still packs enough features and performance that you don’t feel you’re sacrificing for the price.
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There’s a lot to like about NordVPN, starting with the price — you can get plans as low as $3.59/mo (billed every two years). In addition to robust security features, such as military-grade AES-256-GCM encryption and a variety of VPN protocols. It also offers comprehensive streaming support, specialty servers, and advanced Threat Protection.
NordVPN is also user-friendly, which is an easy feature to overlook. It won’t necessarily top a feature list, but it makes a huge difference when you use a VPN daily.
Finally, NordVPN has a solid number of Australian servers, which gives users various VPN location choices, including Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. NordVPN can also unblock Australian Netflix, making it ideal for streaming.
While NordVPN is affordable, it’s not the lowest price for a VPN provider. Surfshark, for example, is about a dollar per month cheaper. NordVPN also has a more limited count for simultaneous connections than providers like Surfshark or Private Internet Access, which offer unlimited simultaneous connections. You can only connect 10 devices at a time, which can be limiting for large households. Finally, while there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s no free plan with NordVPN, which would be nice to see.
| Price range | $3.59–$15.99/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Number of servers | 6,200+ servers in 111 countries |
| Server locations in Australia | Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, NordLynx, IKEv2/IPsec |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix AU? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN |
Easy to use
A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
Proton VPN is ideal for users who prioritize privacy over other features. It's based in Switzerland, a country not part of any global information-sharing alliances. The company is also known for its focus on privacy — it’s the maker of the highly secure Proton Mail. Although VPNs are legal, they aim to hide your activity, so maximum privacy and a neutral headquarters location are ideal.
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We appreciate Proton VPN's heavy focus on privacy. From its neutral home base in Switzerland to its strict no-logs policy, Proton is designed to keep your browsing secure.
In fact, Proton’s no-logs policy has been tested in court. It’s also subject to regular audits, which it passes with flying colors. The headquarters in Switzerland doesn’t hurt—Swiss privacy laws are among the best in the world from a user’s perspective.
Proton VPN also offers a custom VPN protocol aptly named Stealth, which is explicitly geared towards privacy. The protocol is designed to overcome internet censorship and VPN blocks so you can surf privately, no matter your location.
Finally, on the security feature front, Proton offers a built-in kill switch, Always-on VPN (automatically reconnects if the VPN connection drops), and Tor over VPN, which enables you to connect to the Tor network without installing additional browsers or other software.
Proton VPN isn’t a one-trick pony, though. It’s got excellent streaming support, several Australian servers, and even a free plan with no data limit. None of the other options offer free plans — just free trials. The Proton VPN free plan lets you use the VPN on a single device with servers in the Netherlands, the U.S., and Japan. The free plan has no data limit, so you can use it as much as you like.
The biggest downside of Proton VPN is its cost — it’s definitely on the pricier side, especially compared to NordVPN. Its starting price is Free compared to Nord's $3.59/mo (billed every two years).
Proton's free plan also has its limits. Although there are five server locations, they're selected automatically. It also doesn't have the same capabilities as the premium version, as it lacks streaming and additional features like NetShield.
| Price range | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Free version | Yes |
| Number of servers | 8,100+ servers in 112 countries |
| Server locations in Australia | Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix AU? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN |
The VPN market is packed with excellent options. Based on our testing and research, we can recommend three more VPNs for Australia.
Surfshark: Surfshark VPN is another extremely affordable option. It offers fast speeds, unlimited simultaneous connections, and 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. All Surfshark plans include CleanWeb (a premium ad blocker), a 7-day free trial for Android, iOS, and macOS devices, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review
Using a VPN in Australia is as simple as using one in most countries.
It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Australian Netflix. It offers excellent streaming support, performance, privacy features, and a good selection of Australian servers.
You can also consider NordVPN for an affordable VPN with robust encryption and fast connection speeds.
Proton VPN is one of the best free VPNs for Australia, primarily because it has no data limits. Typically, free VPN services are somewhat limited (to get you to upgrade).
However, Proton offers a highly robust free plan with no data limits, which we appreciate. You can still upgrade if you want access to more advanced features.
While Proton is one of the best free VPNs, it's better to avoid free VPN services and opt for reputable, cheap VPNs instead. You'll get solid encryption without worrying about if your data is being leaked or sold.
ExpressVPN has servers in more Australian cities than the other VPN services we reviewed. These locations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Woolloomooloo.
This allows users to spread their traffic to different locations and obtain an Australian IP address.
You may not technically need a VPN, but if you want to ensure maximum online privacy, using one is a good idea. VPNs help prevent tracking of your activities and help ensure that prying eyes can’t see your history online.
While it’s not as necessary as it might be in some countries with tougher surveillance laws, using a VPN is still smart from a security perspective.
Our picks for the best VPNs for Australia are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Proton VPN. ExpressVPN offers a fantastic all-around experience, NordVPN is better for the budget-conscious, and Proton VPN is for those who value privacy above all else. Any of these three will make for an excellent day-to-day VPN experience in Australia (and anywhere else, too).
If none of these options work for you, consider our runners-up: CyberGhost, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access. Although they didn’t make the top three, they still have much to offer.
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
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