Best overall
NordVPN
Fast, secure and easy to use: the most balanced option.
- from US$3.09/mo (2-year plan, Basic) — then US$11.59/mo
- 9,400+ / 118 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 10
The Best VPN in Australia 2026
Quick verdict
Best for streaming
ExpressVPN
- from US$3.49/mo (Basic, 2-year plan) — then US$8.33/mo
- 105 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 10–14
Best value
Surfshark
Unlimited devices at a very competitive price.
- from US$1.99/mo (2-year plan (24+3 free), Starter) — then US$6.58/mo
- 3,200+ / 100 countries
Best for privacy
Proton VPN
Based in Switzerland, open-source and audited no-logs.
- Free or from US$2.99/mo (2-year plan, VPN Plus) — then US$6.99/mo
- 17,000+ / 110+ countries
- Simultaneous devices: 10
Best for beginners
CyberGhost
- from US$1.59/mo (2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promo) — then US$4.74/mo
- 9,300+ / 100 countries
- Simultaneous devices: 7
Most configurable
Private Internet Access
- from US$2.19/mo (2-year plan + 2 months) — then US$4.70/mo
- 91 countries
- Unlimited
TABLE
Full comparison
| Product | Price | Servers | Devices | Logs | Jurisdiction | Guarantee | Free | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 RecommendedNordVPN | fromUS$3.09/mo2-year plan, Basicthen US$11.59/mo | 9,400+/ 118 countries | 10 | Audited (6×) | Panama | 30 days | No | Visit site |
| fromUS$3.49/moBasic, 2-year planthen US$8.33/mo | 105 countries | 10–14 | Audited ✓ | British Virgin Islands | 30 days | 7-day trial | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$1.99/mo2-year plan (24+3 free), Starterthen US$6.58/mo | 3,200+/ 100 countries | Unlimited | Audited ✓ | Netherlands | 30 days | 7-day trial | Visit ↗ | |
| Free or fromUS$2.99/mo2-year plan, VPN Plusthen US$6.99/mo | 17,000+/ 110+ countries | 10 | Audited ✓ | Switzerland | 30 days | Yes · unlimited | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$1.59/mo2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promothen US$4.74/mo | 9,300+/ 100 countries | 7 | Audited ✓ | Romania | 45 days | No | Visit ↗ | |
| fromUS$2.19/mo2-year plan + 2 monthsthen US$4.70/mo | 91 countries | Unlimited | Audited ✓ | USA | 30 days | No | Visit ↗ |
fromUS$3.09/mo2-year plan, Basicthen US$11.59/mo
- Servers
- 9,400+/ 118 countries
- Devices
- 10
- Logs
- Audited (6×)
- Jurisdiction
- Panama
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- No
fromUS$3.49/moBasic, 2-year planthen US$8.33/mo
- Servers
- 105 countries
- Devices
- 10–14
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- British Virgin Islands
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- 7-day trial
fromUS$1.99/mo2-year plan (24+3 free), Starterthen US$6.58/mo
- Servers
- 3,200+/ 100 countries
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- Netherlands
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- 7-day trial
Free or fromUS$2.99/mo2-year plan, VPN Plusthen US$6.99/mo
- Servers
- 17,000+/ 110+ countries
- Devices
- 10
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- Switzerland
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- Yes · unlimited
fromUS$1.59/mo2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promothen US$4.74/mo
- Servers
- 9,300+/ 100 countries
- Devices
- 7
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- Romania
- Guarantee
- 45 days
- Free
- No
fromUS$2.19/mo2-year plan + 2 monthsthen US$4.70/mo
- Servers
- 91 countries
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Logs
- Audited ✓
- Jurisdiction
- USA
- Guarantee
- 30 days
- Free
- No
Last verified: July 2026. Prices can change — always check them on the provider’s official website before you buy.
QUIZ
Find your ideal VPN
Answer 4 questions and we'll tell you which one suits you.
Question 1 of 4
What matters most to you?
What will you mainly use it for?
How much do you want to spend?
How tech-savvy are you?
Your ideal pick is:
ANALYSIS
An honest breakdown of all 6: the good, the bad, and who each one is for.
#1 · Best overall
NordVPN
from
US$3.09/mo (2-year plan, Basic) — then US$11.59/mo
NordVPN is the best-known VPN and one of the fastest thanks to its NordLynx protocol. It combines solid security, a repeatedly audited no-logs policy, and one of the largest server networks on the market.
- Among the fastest VPNs (NordLynx protocol)
- No-logs policy independently audited 6 times
- Panama jurisdiction, outside surveillance alliances
- Easy-to-use apps for all devices
- The price rises on renewal after the first term
- The standalone monthly plan is expensive
- No free plan
#2 · Best for streaming
ExpressVPN
from
US$3.49/mo (Basic, 2-year plan) — then US$8.33/mo
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN known for being among the fastest (Lightway protocol) and for its strong security track record. It's based in the British Virgin Islands, uses RAM-only servers (TrustedServer), and is owned by Kape Technologies. Its main drawback is the price: it's one of the most expensive on the market.
- Among the fastest VPNs (Lightway protocol)
- No-logs audited and proven in real life (2017)
- RAM-only servers (TrustedServer) in 105 countries
- Excellent for streaming and very easy to use
- One of the most expensive VPNs on the market
- No free plan
- Owned by Kape (formerly Crossrider, with an adware past)
#3 · Best value
Surfshark
from
US$1.99/mo (2-year plan (24+3 free), Starter) — then US$6.58/mo
Surfshark is one of the cheapest and fastest premium VPNs, known for allowing unlimited devices with a single account. Since 2022 it belongs to the Nord Security group, though it operates independently, and it has an audited no-logs policy.
- Unlimited devices with a single subscription
- Among the fastest VPNs in independent tests
- Very competitive long-term pricing
- No-logs policy audited (Deloitte)
- The standalone monthly plan is expensive
- The price rises considerably on renewal
- Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes alliance)
#4 · Best for privacy
Proton VPN
Free or from
US$2.99/mo (2-year plan, VPN Plus) — then US$6.99/mo
Proton VPN is the privacy-focused VPN created in Switzerland by the Proton Mail team. It stands out for its Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, an audited no-logs policy, and for offering the only genuine free plan with unlimited data.
- The only free plan with unlimited data, no ads, and no logs
- Swiss jurisdiction, one of the most privacy-friendly
- Open-source apps and an independently audited no-logs policy
- Renewal price stays the same (no hike like others)
- Speed slightly below the leaders in some tests
- The free plan has few servers and a single device
- No servers optimized for gaming
#5 · Best for beginners
CyberGhost
from
US$1.59/mo (2-year plan (26 months, +4 free), current promo) — then US$4.74/mo
CyberGhost is an affordable, easy-to-use VPN heavily geared toward streaming thanks to its optimized servers. It's based in Romania, uses RAM-only servers, and is owned by Kape Technologies. It stands out for offering the longest money-back guarantee in the industry: 45 days.
- The longest money-back guarantee in the industry (45 days)
- Servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P
- Very easy to use and affordable
- Romania jurisdiction with RAM-only servers
- Only 7 simultaneous devices (fewer than most)
- Speed can be inconsistent on far-away servers
- Owned by Kape (formerly Crossrider, with an adware past)
#6 · Most configurable
PIA
from
US$2.19/mo (2-year plan + 2 months) — then US$4.70/mo
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a very affordable and customizable VPN, ideal for torrenting and technically minded users. Its apps are open-source and its no-logs policy has even been proven in court. It's based in the US and owned by Kape Technologies.
- Unlimited devices with a single subscription
- No-logs audited and proven in court
- Open-source and highly customizable apps
- Excellent for torrenting (P2P on all servers)
- Based in the US (Five Eyes alliance)
- The app can be complex for beginners
- Inconsistent speed on very distant servers
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is using a VPN legal in Australia?
Yes — completely legal. Around 18% of Australians already use one for privacy on public Wi-Fi, security and keeping their browsing away from their ISP. The relevant legal context is data retention: Australian ISPs must store connection metadata for two years under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act — a key reason privacy-conscious Australians use VPNs. What stays illegal is anything illegal without a VPN; the tool doesn't change the law.
Can Australian police track VPN?
Not by reading the traffic — encryption holds. Australian agencies do have strong legal powers (metadata retention, the TOLA 'assistance and access' framework), so what matters is what your provider can hand over: an audited no-logs VPN has no browsing history to give, and Australia's mandatory ISP metadata stops at 'you connected to a VPN'. Identification through accounts, payments and devices remains possible — a VPN protects everyday privacy, not criminal activity.
What exactly does a VPN do?
Two things: it encrypts your internet traffic so nobody on your network or at your ISP can read it, and it replaces your IP address with the server's, hiding your location from websites. That protects you on public Wi-Fi, limits tracking and keeps browsing history away from your provider (and its two-year metadata logs). It doesn't make you anonymous, block malware or make illegal things legal.
What are the disadvantages of using VPN?
Honestly: some speed loss (5–20% with a good provider — and more noticeable on long routes from Australia to US/EU servers), subscription cost, occasional blocks from streaming and banking services, and shifted trust — from your ISP to the VPN vendor, which is why audited no-logs policies decide our ranking. Local servers in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth keep everyday browsing fast.
Which VPN is free for Australia?
Proton VPN Free is the only genuinely free VPN we recommend: no data cap, no ads, no activity logs — limited to one device and a few server countries (Australian servers need a paid plan). Everything else 'free' either caps you hard or monetises your data; an academic analysis of free VPN apps found many leak or sell it. Free and trustworthy: Proton. Otherwise: Surfshark at A$3.19/month is the cheap honest route.
How do I turn on VPN?
Install your provider's app, sign in, press the connect button — every leader here auto-picks the fastest server (usually Sydney or Melbourne locally). On iPhone and Android you approve a one-time system prompt for the VPN profile. Most providers also run on routers for whole-home coverage. Enable auto-connect and it's set-and-forget.
Is a VPS better than a VPN?
Different tools: a VPS is a server you rent to host things; a VPN is a privacy tunnel for your traffic. You can build a DIY VPN on a VPS, but you lose what makes commercial VPNs useful — thousands of shared servers, audited no-logs policies, streaming support and easy apps. For privacy, a proper VPN service is the right tool.
METHOD
How we make this comparison
-
Research-based analysis
We analyze each VPN using official information, independent audits, and tests published by specialized sources. We don't rely on the brands' marketing, but on verifiable data.
-
Honest about the downsides
We always mention each provider's weak points, not just the good. If a VPN has a serious drawback (price, jurisdiction, limits), you'll read it here.
-
Commissions don't affect the order
We may earn a commission if you subscribe through our links, but that doesn't change our ratings or the order of the comparison. We recommend what we'd recommend to a friend.
-
We update every few months
We review this comparison every few months so the prices and data stay correct. You'll see the date of the last update at the top.
— Arne, Cryvor
BUYING GUIDE
How to choose a VPN
Choosing a VPN depends above all on what you need it for. If privacy is your priority, look at the provider's jurisdiction and whether their no-logs policy has been independently audited. For streaming, optimized servers and good speed matter most. If you're looking to save money, long-term plans typically cost between $2 and $5 per month — far less than paying month to month.
It's also worth checking how many devices you can connect at once, whether there's a money-back guarantee, and which security protocols are supported. Every VPN in this comparison encrypts your connection and hides your IP; the differences lie in the balance of speed, price, privacy, and ease of use.
Our general recommendation is NordVPN NordVPN Visit website → View profile → for its all-round balance, but the best choice is always the one that fits your specific needs.
Click a logo to visit its site
MORE GUIDES
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