5 Best Free VPNs for Australia in: While free VPNs come with several limitations, I’ve still found some solid options for Australia that offer good protection for your online privacy against government surveillance. Some of the VPNs I recommend also provide decent streaming support for both Australian and international platforms, along with reliable speeds for various online activities.
That said, I still prefer a premium VPN like ExpressVPN. It boasts top-notch privacy features, an extensive server network with 6 server locations in Australia, and the ability to access a wide range of streaming sites. Plus, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it risk-free. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are part of the same ownership group.
The Amazon FireStick is an incredibly powerful streaming device that has revolutionized the way we watch TV. Even if you don’t own a Smart TV, simply plug the FireStick into any HDMI port, and it instantly transforms your regular TV into a smart one with access to a wide range of streaming services. To take your FireStick experience to the next level, using a VPN is highly recommended. A FireStick VPN helps you bypass geo-restrictions and ISP throttling, ensuring uninterrupted and buffer-free streaming. Using a VPN with FireStick brings significant benefits, and one of the top options is ExpressVPN. This VPN offers excellent performance, strong encryption, and access to global content libraries. No matter where you are, ExpressVPN ensures a seamless, high-speed streaming experience with top-notch privacy protection. Plus, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. If for any reason you're not satisfied (though it’s highly unlikely), you can get a full refund. With ExpressVPN on FireStick, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies without any interruptions or concerns. Experts Recommended:
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Australia
ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for Australia. While it’s not free, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free for a month.
When it comes to privacy, ExpressVPN stands out. Along with standard VPN security features and an independently audited no-logs policy, it also offers the following:
- Privacy-Friendly Jurisdiction: Headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is outside the reach of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (a group of countries that share intelligence data).
- TrustedServer Technology: This VPN exclusively uses RAM-memory servers, meaning all data is erased with every reboot. This prevents the Australian government from retrieving any information, even with a legal warrant, despite local data retention laws.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy: This feature continuously changes your encryption keys, making it virtually impossible for hackers to access your data even if they obtain a previous key. It’s a key feature for Australians concerned about protecting their data from surveillance or cyberattacks.
- Threat Manager: This tool blocks trackers and prevents advertisers and data brokers from targeting you with ads and tracking your online activities in Australia.
- Full Leak Protection: ExpressVPN provides protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. After testing multiple servers across 4 Australian cities, I didn’t encounter any leaks.
ExpressVPN also excels in accessing Australian content with servers in 6 major cities, including Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Woolloomooloo, Adelaide, and Sydney. This allows you to connect to the closest server for reduced ping and faster speeds.
As the best VPN for streaming and torrenting in Australia, ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, 9Now, Presto, and Stan. It also supports torrenting on all servers, including those in Australia, and works seamlessly with popular torrenting apps like BitTorrent.
I appreciate the launch automation feature, which ensures you’re always protected before going online in Australia. You can set ExpressVPN to automatically connect to your last used Australian server when you open the app, and it can even launch on startup.
2. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN with Unlimited Data & High-End Privacy
Proton VPN is an excellent free option for Australians, offering unlimited data and robust privacy features. Based in Switzerland, a country with stringent data privacy laws, Proton VPN ensures that all of its privacy tools, including perfect forward secrecy, full leak protection, and full-disk encryption, are available even to free users. This encryption scrambles all data on the hard drive, preventing access from both Australian authorities and cybercriminals. The best part? You don’t need to provide an email address to access the free plan.
Another standout feature is the permanent kill switch on the free plan, which blocks you from going online without connecting to the VPN first. This protects your data from being exposed to your Australian ISP, government, or any third parties.
While the free plan only offers servers in the US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland, Proton VPN automatically connects you to the fastest available server. You can’t choose the server location, but you can attempt to reconnect to a specific one. The free plan doesn’t officially support streaming, but it occasionally works with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
I also appreciate the connection automations available with the free plan, such as automatically connecting to the fastest server upon app launch and setting the VPN to launch on system boot for total automation.
Proton VPN’s paid plans unlock streaming support, P2P functionality, access to all servers (including those in Australia), and an ad and tracker blocker.
3. hide.me — Many Free Server Locations + Unlimited Data
hide.me is another solid free VPN that offers unlimited data and access to 7 free server locations, including France, Germany, Spain, the US, the UK, and Canada. While it’s nice to have these locations, the free plan has speed limitations, which might impact your online experience. However, hide.me’s privacy features are top-notch, making it a great choice for anonymizing your traffic in Australia.
One of the unique features of the free plan is Stealth Guard, which allows you to customize the kill switch by app. This means that you can prevent specific apps from going online unless the VPN is connected, or apply this block to your entire device’s internet connection. Additionally, hide.me is based in Malaysia, which isn’t part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, adding an extra layer of privacy protection. Plus, it doesn’t require you to sign up with your email to use the free plan.
hide.me also includes useful connection automations, like Launch on Startup and Connect on Launch, ensuring your VPN is active whenever you connect to the internet, protecting you from Australia’s surveillance and data retention laws.
Upgrading to the paid plan gives you access to servers in Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth), streaming support for sites like Netflix and Disney+, and faster speeds with unlimited data.
4. TunnelBear — Good Free VPN with Australian Servers
TunnelBear is one of the few free VPNs that offers access to Australian servers, making it a solid choice for accessing Australian content safely.
One of my favorite aspects of TunnelBear’s free plan is that you get access to all 47 server locations, including Australia. The free plan supports streaming, working with services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, 7 Plus, and 10 Play. However, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t support Disney+, unlike ExpressVPN.
TunnelBear provides excellent privacy features for Australian users, including full leak protection and a useful ad blocker for Chrome to prevent tracking by Australian advertisers. The free plan also includes VigilantBear, a kill switch that ensures your connection is protected as soon as you go online in Australia.
Another highlight is how easy it is to connect to TunnelBear’s servers. The app features an interactive map where you can click on a country pin to connect to a server, making it quick and intuitive to find the right location.
The downside is the 2 GB monthly data limit on the free plan, which is only enough for about 3-4 hours of browsing. Additionally, unlike hide.me, TunnelBear requires you to sign up with an email to use the free plan.
TunnelBear’s premium plans offer unlimited data.
5. Avira Phantom VPN — Good for Private Browsing & Streaming from Australia
Avira Phantom VPN is a solid option for Australians looking to protect their privacy while browsing casually. It comes with built-in DNS leak protection and doesn’t require an email for use, which is a nice privacy bonus. The free plan offers 500 MB of data per month, which can be increased to 1 GB by registering.
Avira works with several Netflix libraries, including those from the US, UK, and Australia, and also provides access to Australian streaming services like 9Now. Additionally, it allows torrenting on the free plan, including on its servers in Perth and Sydney.
One feature I really like is the option to automatically connect to a VPN server when an unsecured Wi-Fi network is detected. This is especially helpful when using public Wi-Fi in Australia, ensuring your connection remains secure while accessing sensitive information like online banking or emails.
The free plan connects to a randomly selected server optimized for fast speeds, but it doesn’t allow you to choose a server location on the desktop version. This might be inconvenient if you prefer to manually select a server.
Best VPN For Streaming
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN With the Fastest Speeds for Smooth Streaming
| Best Feature | The fastest speeds we tested, ensuring you can stream, browse, game, and torrent without interruptions |
| Server Network | 3,000 servers in 105 countries give you fast worldwide connections |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | Up to 8, so you can protect your compatible devices under one subscription |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more |
2. NordVPN — Best VPN With the Fastest Speeds for Smooth Streaming
| Best Feature | High security features and fast speeds for a reliable connection |
| Server Network | 5,400 servers in 60 countries for improved accessibility and connection speeds |
| Simultaneous Device Connections | Up to 6 devices, suitable for protecting multiple devices simultaneously |
| Works With | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, DAZN, and more |
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To determine the best free VPNs for Australia, I used a comprehensive testing methodology to evaluate various factors. Here are the specific criteria I considered in making my recommendations:
- Server Availability: I prioritized VPNs with servers in Australia or nearby countries. Having servers in Australia, or in nearby locations like Hong Kong or Japan, helps ensure optimal speeds when using the VPN in Australia. All the VPNs listed here either have Australian servers or ones located close by.
- Security & Privacy Features: Strong security and privacy are essential, especially when using a free VPN. I made sure that each VPN I recommend offers 256-bit AES encryption, kill switches, IP leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. These features are crucial for keeping your online activities completely private and secure from Australian ISPs and government surveillance.
- Speed Performance: While VPNs can slow down your connection due to encryption and routing, I tested each VPN to ensure they maintain fast speeds. Though all the VPNs listed here perform well, ExpressVPN stands out as the fastest option.
- Additional Features: I selected VPNs that offer extra features beyond basic functionality. These include features like split tunneling and built-in ad blockers, which can enhance your online experience and provide additional privacy protections.
- Affordable Paid Plans: For those considering upgrading, I focused on VPNs that offer competitive and affordable premium plans. All the VPNs I recommend have cost-effective options if you decide to opt for a paid subscription.
Free vs. Paid VPNs for Australia
The free VPNs listed here offer essential security and privacy features to protect your data, such as a no-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch—standard industry features. Some free options also provide advanced protections like full leak encryption, perfect forward secrecy, RAM-only servers, and full-disk encryption.
However, free VPNs generally lack several key features that premium options provide. For instance, they often have smaller server networks, limited data, fewer device connections, and restricted streaming and torrenting support. Speed is another common limitation.
For example, both hide.me and Proton VPN offer unlimited data, but only allow a single device connection and have fewer than 10 server locations. TunnelBear, on the other hand, provides access to its full server network, but the free plan limits you to just 2 GB of data per month.
In comparison, upgrading to a premium VPN unlocks unlimited data, faster speeds, access to all server locations, support for up to 10+ devices, and enhanced features like ad blockers and split-tunneling. Plus, most paid VPNs come with money-back guarantees, allowing you to try them risk-free.
Overall, while free VPNs can be decent for casual use, premium VPNs offer better value and far more benefits.
| Features | Free VPNs | Paid VPNs |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | No | Yes |
| Access to All Servers | (limited server options) | (full server network) |
| Fast Speeds | No | Yes |
| Unlimited Data | (often limited, e.g., 500 MB/month) | Yes |
| Streaming Support | No | Yes |
| P2P Support | No | Yes |
| 24/7 Customer Support | No | Yes |
| Multiple Simultaneous Connections | (usually 1 device) | (up to 10+ devices) |
| Multiple Protocol Options | No | Yes |
| Ad Blocker | (limited or unavailable) | (if available) |
| Double VPN | No | (if available) |
The 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances and What It Means for Your Data
The 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances is an intelligence-sharing agreement between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries share electronic data, such as emails, phone calls, and web traffic, to enhance security efforts.
For Australians, this alliance can have significant consequences. Local laws, such as the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act and the Assistance and Access Act, require internet companies to store user data for up to two years and make it accessible to government agencies. This data can then be shared with other countries in the alliance, increasing the likelihood that personal information will be tracked and analyzed. As a result, online activities become more vulnerable to surveillance.
A VPN helps protect your privacy in two key ways: encryption and IP masking. Encryption scrambles your internet traffic, making it unreadable to ISPs and government agencies in Australia—even when using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking or checking emails. IP masking hides your real location, making it more difficult for websites or surveillance programs to track you. Together, these features enable you to stay anonymous online and avoid Australia’s data retention laws.
Best VPN For Firestick Free Trial
Best overall VPN with a free trial
ExpressVPN
Privacy protection and transparency
Show our expert takeFree VPNs for Australia to Avoid
- SuperVPN: This VPN has a poor track record of logging user data, including IP addresses, browser types, email addresses, and operating systems. It also suffered a significant data leak in the past and lacks essential security features.
- TouchVPN: Despite offering a large free server network, TouchVPN logs sensitive data, including browsing activity and IP addresses, making it unreliable for privacy protection.
- TurboVPN: The privacy policy of TurboVPN is unclear. It doesn’t specify whether it logs your IP address, raising concerns about its data privacy practices.
- TuxlerVPN: TuxlerVPN collects information such as your contact details, browser type, and browsing activity, and shares this data with third parties for business purposes.
- AceVPN: Although AceVPN provides DNS leak protection, it lacks a kill switch and only offers 20 server locations, with just one server supporting P2P traffic. Additionally, it requires manual setup as it doesn’t offer apps.
These VPNs pose significant privacy risks and should be avoided if you want to protect your data effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free VPN for Australia?
My top pick for a completely free VPN in Australia is Proton VPN. Its free plan provides unlimited data, access to servers in 5 countries, and strong privacy protections.
However, if you’re looking for the best overall VPN for Australia, I recommend ExpressVPN. While it doesn’t have a free plan, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try all of its features, including super-fast servers in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, perfect for browsing, streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
Which free VPNs for Australia have browser extensions?
All the VPNs on this list offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Additionally, ExpressVPN has an extension for Microsoft Edge.
Are free VPNs legal in Australia?
Yes, using a VPN to protect your data is completely legal in Australia. However, it’s important to note that using a VPN for illegal activities is against the law. We always recommend following all applicable laws and regulations.
Do free VPNs work with Netflix Australia?
Unfortunately, most free VPNs do not work with Netflix Australia. Many free VPNs don’t support streaming on their free plans, and the ones that do often don’t provide access to Australian servers or impose strict data limits.
For the best experience with Netflix Australia, I recommend using a paid VPN like ExpressVPN, which offers excellent security, fast speeds, and reliable access to Netflix Australia.
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