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Best VPN in Australia

Whether you want increased security, faster speeds or easier access, these are the best VPN services for 2021.

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Tim Falk
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The best VPN in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on expert and customer reviews. For each category, we selected key parameters based on our research and then identified the VPN services with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall VPN: NordVPN

Pros

  • Heaps of privacy features
  • 24/7 support

Cons

  • There are cheaper options available
  • No phone support

Price (RRP): US$3.67 per month (2-year plan)

Buy at NordVPN

Why we chose it

If you're looking for the best VPN for speed, convenience and privacy online, it's hard to go past NordVPN. This popular VPN option is easy to use, offers strong privacy protection and a large server network. And because it boasts stacks of positive ratings from expert reviewers and customers alike, it's our top pick as the best overall VPN.

Developed with a strong focus on online privacy, NordVPN allows you to encrypt your data and conceal your IP address. It has a no-logs policy, which essentially means it doesn't collect or share your data, and also has kill switch functionality to ensure that your data is never exposed to prying eyes.

NordVPN uses split tunnelling to allow you to access local content whenever you want but still make the most of VPN encryption as needed. Advanced features like Double VPN provide an extra layer of security for your data, encrypting it twice, while Onion Over VPN allows you to take advantage of the security and anonymity of The Onion Router (Tor). The service is also available on Android and iOS devices, and you can protect up to 6 devices at the same time from the one account.

In terms of network coverage, NordVPN has over 5,300 servers in 60 countries around the world. In September 2020, the AV-TEST Institute carried out a comparative test of VPN services, finding NordVPN to be the clear winner in terms of download and upload performance in the US, Europe and Asia.

Other features include Chrome and Firefox browser extensions, CyberSec to block malware and ads, and multi-factor authentication to secure your account. And with 24/7 support available, there are lots of good reasons why you should consider choosing NordVPN.

Best free VPN: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • No data limits
  • No credit card details required

Cons

  • Not as many servers as some other providers
  • Can only use one device

Price (RRP): Free (paid plans also available)

Why we chose it

Want to protect your privacy without having to pay for the privilege? We recommend checking out ProtonVPN.

While ProtonVPN offers 3 paid plans, its free plan has a whole lot to offer to anyone searching for no-cost VPN access. Its main attraction is that there are no daily or monthly data limits, unlike most other reputable free VPNs you're likely to come across. This means you can browse the web without having to keep one eye on the screen and the other on your data usage.

Of course, as it's a free offering, you can't expect a huge range of servers to choose from, and ProtonVPN offers 23 servers in 3 countries. You're limited to 1 device only and medium speed levels, but the service is easy to set up and use with a minimum of fuss.

If privacy is a priority for you, you'll probably be pleased to hear that ProtonVPN is headquartered in Switzerland, a country known for valuing discretion and strong privacy laws. The company also has a strict no-logs policy, so you don't have to worry about your data falling into the wrong hands.

Finally, another pleasing aspect of ProtonVPN's free plan is that you can create an account and use the VPN without having to provide your credit card details. That's a big bonus in our book, and another reason why ProtonVPN is well worth a look if you're searching for the best free VPN.

If you'd like to see how ProtonVPN stacks up against a range of other no-cost services, check out our guide to the best free VPNs.

Best cheap VPN: Surfshark

Pros

  • Use on an unlimited number of devices
  • 24/7 support

Cons

  • Some mixed reviews for Android app
  • Much more expensive if you sign up for a 1- or 6-month plan

Price (RRP): From $3.44 per month (2-year plan)

Buy at Surfshark

Why we chose it

It's not free, but Surfshark is the service you should get to know if you're searching for an affordable VPN that offers great bang for your buck.

With over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, Surfshark offers a simple way to protect your online privacy and personal data. Launched in 2018, it allows you to hide your location and browse in private, and one of its biggest selling points is that it can be used on an unlimited number of devices. As well as Windows and Mac operating systems, Surfshark has apps for Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox and more.

Surfshark comes with an ad blocker to minimise browsing disruptions, while 2-factor authentication and a strict no-logs policy provide added peace of mind. There is also an online support centre with plenty of useful information and frequently asked questions, and if you can't find the answer you're looking for, the good news is that 24/7 live chat support is also available.

It's worth noting that to really get the best value for money from Surfshark you'll need to sign up for a 2-year plan. The other options available, 1 month and 6 months, are noticeably more expensive on a per-month cost basis, so those who don't want to commit to a long-term plan might want to consider other options.

However, Surfshark does offer a 100% money-back guarantee that lasts 30 days, so you've got a chance to try the service and then ask for a refund if it's not to your liking.

Best VPN for Windows / Best VPN for Mac: ExpressVPN

Pros

  • Fast
  • Servers in 94 countries

Cons

Price (RRP): From $3.44 per month (2-year plan)

Buy at ExpressVPN

Why we chose it

If NordVPN is the best overall option, ExpressVPN is not very far behind. This popular VPN service is widely mentioned by expert reviewers across the web as one of the best options around. It boasts a huge network of servers, offers fast average speeds and has a no-logs policy. ExpressVPN is also available on Windows and Mac operating systems as well as on smartphones and via browser extensions, so it's definitely worth checking out if you're searching for the best VPN for Windows or MacOS.

One of the headline features of ExpressVPN is its large server network. With over 3,000 servers and over 160 server locations in 94 countries, its network is certainly widespread.

ExpressVPN is easy to set up and use, offering fast access from computers, tablets, smartphones and routers. Strong encryption ensures that your data stays private, and ExpressVPN says it doesn't keep any activity or connection logs.

If you have any questions about how it works, 24-hour live chat and email support are available, plus there's an online support centre with a range of tutorials and answers to frequently asked questions.

The one area where ExpressVPN falls short is in terms of price – there are certainly plenty of cheaper options available if sticking to a tight budget is one of your top priorities. However, plenty of reviewers point out that it's hard to put a price on quality, and because ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can also apply for a refund if you're unsatisfied with its performance.

So regardless of whether you're on a PC or a Mac, ExpressVPN is well worth a look.

Best VPN for Netflix: PureVPN

Pros

  • 24/7 customer support
  • Large server network

Cons

  • Some complaints about quality of customer service
  • Some mixed reviews for Android app

Price (RRP): From US$2.91 per month (2-year plan)

Buy at PureVPN

Why we chose it

Do you want to access geoblocked content on US Netflix or other overseas streaming services? You might want to see what some of the other category winners on this page have to offer in terms of Netflix streaming, but there are lots of good reasons why you should check out PureVPN too.

This long-standing VPN service offers a large server network, the security of 256-bit encryption and a no-logs policy, plus 24/7 support. It has also picked up its fair share of positive reviews, so PureVPN is our pick as the best VPN for Netflix.

It all starts with a network of more than 6,500 servers that spans over 140 countries. PureVPN uses IPv6 leak protection to prevent your IP address being exposed, and DNS leak protection to ensure that your online activities remain private. This service also uses 256-bit encryption and has a strict no-logs policy, providing added peace of mind to those who value their online privacy.

The PureVPN app works on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices, while it also supports Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge extensions. The service also claims to make it easy to access content on US Netflix as well as other countries like Canada, the UK and Japan. And because you get 10 simultaneous VPN connections, there are plenty of viewing possibilities to explore.

So if you're searching for a VPN you can use to access overseas content on Netflix, there are plenty of good reasons why PureVPN is well worth a closer look.

Best VPN for Android: CyberGhost

Pros

  • 24/7 live support
  • Large server network

Cons

  • There are higher-rated VPNs in the Google Play store
  • Monthly price more than doubles if you choose a 6-month plan instead of a 2-year plan

Price (RRP): $3.07 per month (2-year plan)

Buy at CyberGhost

Why we chose it

Want mobile VPN access from an Android device? CyberGhost is our pick as the best VPN for Android.

Headquartered in Romania, CyberGhost offers an extensive server network, 24/7 live support, and the ability to use up to 7 devices. It has picked up a stack of positive customer reviews too, including an average of 4.8/5 from over 13,000 Trustpilot reviews and an average of 4.2/5 from over 31,000 Google Play reviews. That's why it's well worth a look if you're searching for a reliable VPN for your Android phone or tablet.

CyberGhost has a large network of over 7,300 servers spread across 91 countries. This includes 2 locations and over 230 servers in Australia, and 11 locations and more than 1,200 servers in the US. Dedicated streaming servers are available, and several reviewers report impressive test speeds while using the service.

You can simultaneously connect up to 7 devices with CyberGhost; as well as Android, the service has apps for iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, XBox, PlayStation, Apple TV and more. It uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data, and the company also has a no-logs policy for those particularly concerned about privacy.

Another of the main selling points of CyberGhost is that it has a 45-day money-back guarantee, whereas most other providers' money-back offers max out at around the 30-day mark. This gives you a little extra time to test out CyberGhost's app and features, and decide whether or not it's right for you.

Best VPN for iPhone: IPVanish

IPVanish

Pros

  • Servers in over 75 locations
  • 24/7 live chat and phone support

Cons

  • Price increases after first year
  • App might be a little complicated for some people’s liking

Price (RRP): US$3.75 per month (1-year plan)

IPVanish Website

Why we chose it

There are lots of good-quality VPN services available for iPhone users, but IPVanish is our pick of the lot. This popular VPN allows you to connect unlimited devices, offers servers in over 75 locations around the world, and also provides the convenience of 24/7 live chat and phone support.

It's come in for plenty of glowing feedback from tech reviewers too, while its iPhone app has a 4.5/5 rating from over 75,000 ratings in the App Store. As a result of all these factors, IPVanish takes the win here as the best VPN for iPhone.

IPVanish offers the choice of a monthly or a yearly plan, with both options allowing you to enjoy private Internet access for unlimited devices. The service supports a wide range of VPN connection protocols including WireGuard, and has over 50 servers in Australia. In total, its network spans over 40,000 IP addresses and more than 1,900 servers in 75-plus locations.

You can also use IPVanish on a wide range of devices other than your iPhone. It also offers apps for Windows, Mac, Chrome and Android devices, with 256-bit encryption used to protect your data from prying eyes.

IPVanish also says it doesn't collect any traffic or activity logs, but it does offer a 30-day trial option of its yearly plan. We were also pleased to note that 24/7 support is available via live chat, phone and email, providing added peace of mind for anyone new to the world of VPNs.

Best Chrome VPN extension: ExpressVPN

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • 24/7 support

Cons

  • You need an ExpressVPN subscription
  • There are plenty of cheaper options available

Price (RRP): From US$8.32 per month (1-year plan)

Buy at ExpressVPN

Why we chose it

Looking for a Chrome browser extension that makes it easy to access a VPN? We recommend checking out this offering from ExpressVPN.

It offers a host of advantages to web users thanks to its ease of use, large server network and 24/7 customer support. The Chrome extension also has an average score of 4.6/5 from over 1,700 ratings on the Chrome Web Store, while ExpressVPN's apps have picked up plenty of rave reviews across the web. With this in mind, ExpressVPN takes the win here as the best Chrome VPN browser extension.

Before going any further, we should point out that you'll need an ExpressVPN subscription in order to use this Chrome extension. ExpressVPN prices its service at the higher end of the spectrum, so if you're just looking for a free and simple extension to help you browse privately, you might want to consider other options.

That said, ExpressVPN's offering has plenty of useful features for any web user. It provides instant access to your VPN with one click, and offers all the protection you'd expect from the ExpressVPN app.

The extension prevents HTML5 geolocation from revealing where you're located, and it also blocks WebRTC so that websites can't discover your IP address. This is combined with all the features that ExpressVPN has to offer, such as a network of over 3,000 servers spread across 94 countries and a privacy policy ensuring that it doesn't collect activity logs or connection logs.

Finally, you also get 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, so there's certainly a lot to like about this handy Chrome extension.

Best VPN for gaming: Hotspot Shield

Pros

  • Large server network
  • Fast connection speeds and easy to use

Cons

  • Not the cheapest
  • Some reviewers mention session logging concerns

Price (RRP): From $11.99 per month (1-year plan)

Buy at Hotspot Shield

Why we chose it

The last inclusion on our list of the best VPNs in Australia is Hotspot Shield, a service that offers a number of features that should put a smile on any gamer's face.

Hotspot Shield offers fast connection speeds, an impressive network of servers, and is dead simple to use. So if you're searching for the best VPN for gaming, this popular option is our top pick.

With a network of more than 1,800 servers in over 80 countries worldwide (including 35 cities), Hotspot Shield offers plenty of connection options. The company's proprietary Hydra protocol ensures fast and secure connections, with Hotspot Shield regularly a strong performer in speed tests which is crucial for anyone who wants to enjoy lagless gaming.

Simple to set up and use straight away, Hotspot Shield is available on Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, smart TVs and more. You can connect up to 5 devices from the one account, and there is unlimited bandwidth so you can play, stream and browse online as much as you want.

Malware protection is an added bonus, and Hotspot Shield claims not to log any data or activity that could be used to identify you. The service is also backed by 24/7 live chat and email support, which is a big plus, and has a 45-day refund policy if you decide it's not right for you.

So if you're a gamer with a need for speed, Hotspot Shield is one VPN service you'll definitely want to get to know a little better.

Methodology

25+
Brands considered
9
Best products chosen
  • We considered over 25 leading VPN services.
  • We chose our top picks based on expert and customer reviews.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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