Which VPN Is Best for Australia in 2025?
After testing dozens of VPN services over the past decade from my Melbourne office, I'm frequently asked "which vpn is best for australia." The answer isn't straightforward because the "best" VPN depends on your specific needs—streaming, privacy, speed, or price. However, I can provide expert analysis based on extensive testing to help you choose the right service for your situation.
For Australian users, certain factors matter more than for users in other countries. Our geographic isolation means server locations significantly impact performance. Our metadata retention laws make privacy policies crucial. Our love of international streaming content means we need services that reliably bypass geo-blocks. Through rigorous testing, I've identified the top VPN services that excel for Australian conditions.
Quick Recommendation
What is the best VPN to use in Australia? For most Australians, I recommend ExpressVPN for its excellent speed and streaming reliability, NordVPN for best value with strong security, or ProtonVPN for maximum privacy. Each excels in different areas detailed below.
Testing Methodology: How I Evaluate VPN Services
Before diving into specific services, it's important to understand my testing approach. I don't simply repeat marketing claims or rank services by affiliate commissions. My methodology includes:
- Speed Testing: Measuring download/upload speeds from Australian locations to various VPN servers using standardised testing protocols
- Streaming Tests: Verifying access to Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and Australian services like Stan and Kayo
- Privacy Analysis: Examining privacy policies, jurisdiction, logging practices, and independent security audits
- Security Testing: Checking for DNS leaks, IP leaks, encryption standards, and kill switch reliability
- Usability Assessment: Evaluating app interfaces, customer support quality, and ease of setup across devices
- Australian Server Testing: Specifically testing performance of Australian servers for overseas travelers
Top VPN Services for Australia: Detailed Analysis
1. ExpressVPN: Best Overall for Australian Users
Is Express VPN Safe? Absolutely. ExpressVPN is one of the safest, most reliable VPN services available to Australians. Based in the British Virgin Islands (strong privacy jurisdiction), ExpressVPN has undergone independent security audits and maintains a strict no-logging policy verified by real-world tests.
Why ExpressVPN Excels for Australians
- Speed: Consistently fastest speeds in my Australian testing, typically reducing baseline speeds by only 10-15%
- Server Locations: Multiple server locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane plus 94 countries worldwide
- Streaming: Reliably accesses Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and other geo-restricted services
- Protocols: Proprietary Lightway protocol offers excellent speed and security, plus OpenVPN and IKEv2
- Apps: Intuitive apps for all platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and routers
- Customer Support: 24/7 live chat support with knowledgeable representatives
ExpressVPN Limitations
- Price: More expensive than competitors (typically AUD $12-15/month, cheaper with annual plans)
- Simultaneous Connections: Allows 5 devices simultaneously (some competitors offer unlimited)
Best For
Australians prioritising speed and streaming reliability who don't mind paying premium prices for premium service. Ideal for remote workers, frequent travelers, and streaming enthusiasts.
2. NordVPN: Best Value for Australian Users
Is Nord VPN Good? Yes, NordVPN is excellent for Australians seeking strong security and good performance at reasonable prices. With a strict no-logs policy (independently audited), strong encryption, and extensive server network, NordVPN delivers exceptional value.
Why NordVPN Excels for Australians
- Value: Significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN on long-term plans (often around AUD $5-7/month on 2-year plans)
- Server Network: Over 5,000 servers globally including multiple Australian locations
- Security Features: Double VPN, Onion over VPN, CyberSec (malware blocking), and strict no-logs policy
- Simultaneous Connections: Allows 6 devices simultaneously
- Streaming: Reliably accesses most streaming services, though occasionally requires trying different servers
- NordLynx Protocol: Based on WireGuard, offers excellent speed and security
NordVPN Limitations
- Speed Consistency: Some servers experience congestion during peak times
- Interface: Can be overwhelming for beginners with many advanced features
Best For
Budget-conscious Australians who want strong security and good performance without premium pricing. Excellent for privacy-focused users and those wanting advanced security features.
3. ProtonVPN: Best Privacy-Focused Option
Is Proton VPN Good? Yes, ProtonVPN is excellent for Australians prioritising privacy above all else. Created by the team behind ProtonMail (secure email service), ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws) and maintains exceptional transparency about their operations.
Why ProtonVPN Excels for Australians
- Privacy: Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, independently audited, and proven no-logging policy
- Transparency: Publishes detailed transparency reports about government requests
- Security: Secure Core architecture routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries
- Free Tier: Offers a genuinely useful free tier (though with speed and server limitations)
- NetShield: Built-in ad blocker and malware protection
- Unlimited Devices: Premium plans allow unlimited simultaneous connections
ProtonVPN Limitations
- Speed: Slower than ExpressVPN and NordVPN in Australian testing
- Streaming: Works with major services but less reliable than ExpressVPN
- Limited Australian Servers: Fewer Australian server locations than competitors
Best For
Privacy-conscious Australians willing to trade some speed for maximum privacy protection. Ideal for journalists, activists, or anyone with heightened privacy concerns.
4. Surfshark: Best Budget Option with Unlimited Devices
Surfshark offers excellent value for Australian users needing to protect numerous devices simultaneously. Despite being relatively new, Surfshark has quickly established itself as a reliable, feature-rich service at budget prices.
Why Surfshark Excels for Australians
- Price: Extremely affordable on long-term plans (often AUD $3-5/month)
- Unlimited Devices: No limit on simultaneous connections—protect entire household
- Features: CleanWeb (ad blocker), MultiHop (double VPN), and Camouflage Mode
- Streaming: Reliably accesses Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other services
- Server Locations: Multiple Australian servers plus 65+ countries
- 24/7 Support: Live chat support available around the clock
Surfshark Limitations
- Speed Variability: Performance varies significantly between servers
- Company History: Relatively new compared to established competitors
Best For
Families or individuals with many devices seeking affordable protection for unlimited devices. Excellent value for budget-conscious Australians.
5. CyberGhost: Best for Beginners
CyberGhost offers user-friendly apps with clearly labeled servers for specific purposes (streaming, torrenting, privacy), making it ideal for Australians new to VPN technology.
Why CyberGhost Excels for Australians
- Usability: Extremely intuitive interface perfect for beginners
- Specialized Servers: Clearly labeled servers optimized for specific activities
- Server Count: Over 9,000 servers worldwide including Australian locations
- Simultaneous Connections: Allows 7 devices simultaneously
- Price: Affordable on long-term plans (similar pricing to NordVPN)
- Streaming: Dedicated streaming servers for Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, etc.
CyberGhost Limitations
- Speed: Slower than top competitors on some servers
- Jurisdiction: Based in Romania (EU), subject to EU data retention laws
- Short-Term Plans: Month-to-month plan is expensive; best value on long-term commitments
Best For
Australians new to VPNs who want clearly labeled, easy-to-use servers for specific activities like streaming or privacy.
Comparison Table: Key Features for Australian Users
| Service | Best For | Australian Servers | Speed Rating | Price (Monthly) | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Speed & Streaming | Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | AUD $12-15 | 5 |
| NordVPN | Value & Security | Multiple locations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | AUD $5-7 | 6 |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy | Limited locations | ⭐⭐⭐ | AUD $7-10 | Unlimited |
| Surfshark | Budget & Unlimited | Multiple locations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | AUD $3-5 | Unlimited |
| CyberGhost | Beginners | Multiple locations | ⭐⭐⭐ | AUD $4-6 | 7 |
Specific Use Cases: Which VPN for Your Needs?
Best VPN for Streaming from Australia
Winner: ExpressVPN
For accessing Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and other geo-restricted streaming services, ExpressVPN consistently performs best. Fast speeds prevent buffering, and reliable server connections mean you spend less time troubleshooting and more time watching.
Best VPN for Privacy-Conscious Australians
Winner: ProtonVPN
If privacy is your absolute priority and you're willing to sacrifice some speed, ProtonVPN's Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, Secure Core architecture, and transparency reports make it the clear privacy champion.
Best VPN for Families and Multiple Devices
Winner: Surfshark
With unlimited simultaneous connections and budget pricing, Surfshark protects every device in your household—smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs—without per-device costs.
Best VPN for Remote Workers in Australia
Winner: ExpressVPN or NordVPN
Both offer reliable connections, strong security, and good speeds essential for remote work. ExpressVPN's stability makes it ideal for video conferences, whilst NordVPN's additional security features suit those handling sensitive business data.
Best VPN for Australian Travelers Overseas
Winner: ExpressVPN
With servers in 94 countries and reliable Australian servers for accessing home services, ExpressVPN's global coverage and consistent performance make it ideal for frequent travelers.
What to Avoid: VPN Services Not Recommended for Australians
Not all VPN services are created equal. Based on my testing, I advise Australians to avoid:
Free VPN Services
Free VPNs often:
- Log and sell your browsing data to advertisers
- Inject advertisements into your browsing
- Offer severely limited speeds and data caps
- Provide weak encryption or security vulnerabilities
- Fail to protect your privacy (defeating the purpose)
Exception: ProtonVPN's free tier is legitimate and doesn't sell your data, though it has speed and server limitations.
VPNs with Poor Privacy Policies
Avoid services that:
- Log your browsing history or online activities
- Are based in countries with invasive surveillance laws
- Have been caught lying about their logging practices
- Refuse independent security audits
- Have unclear ownership or operations
VPNs with Consistently Slow Speeds
Some budget VPNs offer low prices but unusably slow speeds from Australian locations. If a VPN reduces your connection speed by more than 50%, it's not worth using regardless of price.
Key Considerations for Australian VPN Users
Server Locations Matter
For maximum speed, connect to servers geographically close to your Australian location. Sydney and Melbourne servers typically offer the fastest connections for Australian users. However, you'll want access to servers in countries whose content you want to access (US for Netflix, UK for BBC, etc.).
Protocol Selection Impacts Performance
Choose WireGuard or proprietary fast protocols (like ExpressVPN's Lightway) for best performance. OpenVPN offers excellent security but slower speeds. IKEv2 works well on mobile devices for its quick reconnection capability.
Jurisdiction and Privacy Laws
VPN services based in countries outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliances offer better privacy protection. Switzerland, Panama, and British Virgin Islands are considered privacy-friendly jurisdictions.
Money-Back Guarantees
Reputable VPN services offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Use this period to thoroughly test performance from your Australian location before committing long-term.
How to Test VPNs for Australian Conditions
When evaluating VPN services, conduct these tests:
- Speed Test: Use speedtest.net without VPN, then with VPN connected to various servers. Compare results.
- Streaming Test: Try accessing Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and other geo-restricted services you want to use.
- Leak Test: Visit ipleak.net whilst connected to verify no DNS or IP leaks.
- Kill Switch Test: Manually disconnect your internet whilst VPN is connected. Verify that internet access stops (confirming kill switch works).
- Australian Server Test: If you travel internationally, test Australian servers for accessing home services.
Pricing Strategies: Getting the Best Value
VPN pricing varies significantly based on subscription length:
Monthly Plans
Most expensive option (typically AUD $12-20/month). Only suitable if you need VPN temporarily.
Annual Plans
Moderate savings (typically 40-50% off monthly pricing). Good balance of commitment and value.
Multi-Year Plans
Best value (typically 70-80% off monthly pricing). Recommended if you've tested the service and know it works for you.
Discount Opportunities
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales (November)
- New Year promotions (January)
- Special promotional codes from tech websites
- Student discounts (some providers offer these)
Choosing Your VPN
After extensive testing from Australian locations, here's my straightforward advice:
My Top Pick for Most Australians
ExpressVPN offers the best overall experience for Australian users. Yes, it's more expensive, but the combination of speed, reliability, streaming performance, and security justifies the premium. For most Australians, the superior experience is worth the extra cost.
Best Value Alternative
NordVPN provides excellent security and good performance at significantly lower prices. If budget is a concern and you don't mind occasionally troubleshooting server connections, NordVPN offers outstanding value.
Privacy Champion
ProtonVPN is unmatched for privacy-focused users. If protecting your privacy is more important than maximum speed or streaming reliability, ProtonVPN's transparency and security features make it the clear choice.
Ultimately, the "best" VPN for you depends on your priorities—speed, privacy, price, or streaming. All three of my top recommendations (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, ProtonVPN) are excellent choices that will serve Australian users well. Choose based on which factors matter most to your specific situation.
Whichever service you choose, use the money-back guarantee period to thoroughly test it from your location in Australia. Verify it delivers the speed, streaming access, and security features you need before committing to a long-term subscription.
— Mia Wexford, IT Security Specialist