The Best VPN Service For Australia 2022

Need the right VPN for you? Choose the best VPN that suits your needs!

• VPN or Virtual Private Network improves online privacy

• Prevents ISP from keeping a record of your activities and seeing them to third party companies

• Provides extra layer of privacy when transferring sensitive information and accessing foreign websites

• Go beyond speed when choosing a VPN, look for extra features; you may not need them all at once but come in handy when you do

• Best VPN is transparent when it comes to its strengths and most importantly, its weaknesses

• Best VPN has readable policies and releases third party audits and transparency reports

• Take advantage of free trials, or opt for short-term subscriptions to try them out first

Best VPN Australia

1. NordVPN

Number of servers: 5,500+ | Server locations: 59 countries | Maximum devices supported: 6 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30-day money back guarantee: Yes

• Pros

  • Easy to understand tools and user interface for beginners

  • Blocks ads, unsafe connections, and malicious sites without additional costs

  • Several server locations

  • Great for user privacy as it does not retain activity logs

  • Use in up to 6 devices simultaneously; average VPN is limited to 5

  • One of the few that offers extra privacy perks like Double VPN encryption that routes your traffic through two servers instead of one like most providers

  • Access to a variety of additional tools and advanced features such as Meshnet

  • Uses WireGuard VPN technology, which is more simple to use and faster

  • Extra features like multi-hop, split tunnelling, and Tor connections

  • Supports Linux operating system

  • Uses difficult-to-crack encryption

  • Fast and stable speeds all around

• Cons

  • Relatively expensive

  • One of its servers was breached in 2019

  • Beta features like Threat Protection reportedly fail to filter all malware

  • Downloading and uploading through BitTorrent network is only available on some servers, but it supports torrenting, unlike other VPNs

  • Configuring advanced features like OpenVPN isn’t newbie-friendly

  • Map-based interface is a bit awkward and cluttered on mobile

  • Price increases on renewal for the yearly and 2-year plans

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • Monthly Plan

    • Complete - 14.19 USD/month

    • Plus - 12.89 USD/month

    • Standard - 11.99 USD/month

  • 1-Year Plan

    • Complete - 7.19 USD/month

    • Plus - 5.89 USD/month

    • Standard - 4.99 USD/month

  • 2-year Plan

    • Complete - 5.89 USD/month

    • Plus - 4.59 USD/month

    • Standard - 3.69 USD/month

  • Payment options: Amazon Pay, Credit cards, cryptocurrency, Google Play, PayPal, Sofort, prepaid card

• Dedicated IP Address

  • Offers static IP addresses for an additional 5.83 USD/month or 70 USD/year

  • Static IP address locations are the United States, the UK, Netherlands, France, and Germany

• No. of Devices

  • Connect up to six devices simultaneously

• Encryption

  • NordLynx (by WireGuard) by default for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows apps

  • OpenVPN is also available, but only as backup

  • IKEv2 is available for iOS and macOS apps only

  • Uses complex 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), one of the most difficult to crack

The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:

• Servers, connections and apps

  • Boasts servers in 59 countries with good geographic diversity

  • Most servers are in the US and the UK but has a sizable mix of servers scattered worldwide

  • Only one server is located in Africa (South Africa)

  • Has servers in locations with internet restrictive laws such as Hong Kong, Turkey, and Vietnam

• Security and privacy

  • Passed audit by international firm PriceWaterhouseCooper headquartered in the UK

  • Being based in Panama with no data retention laws, it does not keep logs of users’ activities

  • Attacker remotely accessed one of NordVPN’s servers in 2019

  • Launched bug-bounty program with cash rewards to researchers who find security flaws in their system

• Performance

  • Smooth set up

  • Securely login through the company’s web portal

  • Likewise, advanced additional features like Meshnet have a friendly user interface

  • Options to connect to fastest server, fastest server in a particular country, or a specific location server

  • Successfully hides ISP information

  • Threat Protection, a beta feature, needs improvement as some malware slip past its screening

  • Overall has excellent web browsing speed

• Streaming

  • Fast streaming speed

  • Unblock Netflix, iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more

  • No trouble loading videos while using the VPN

• Features

  • Free 1TB encrypted cloud storage

  • Password manager

  • Access hidden websites via Tor anonymization network access

  • Split tunnelling to designate which apps or device route their traffic through the VPN connection

  • Threat Protection for blocking malicious sites, trackers, and ads as well as detecting malware

  • Meshnet that routes your traffic to another machine, letting you use that other machine’s IP address

  • Data breach scanner to check if your passwords, email addresses, or credit card details appeared in a leak

  • Kill Switch to prompt system-wide network lock in case VPN connection drops

  • Dark Web Monitor to avoid account information leaks to the dangerous dark web

• Customer support

  • Offers responsive 24/7 live support on the site

  • Non-English customer support available for German and French

  • Customer support using other languages other than English, German, and French is not as accurate as it uses a generic translator

  • Uses practically unbreakable Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption in the exchange of emails with customers to protect account details

• Price

  • Security packages come in three main variations: Complete, Plus, and Standard

  • Subscriptions are available in monthly, yearly, and 2-year plans

  • A bit more expensive than other providers due to its additional, advanced features

• Anything else?

  • Company merged with Surfshark VPN on February 2022

  • One of its servers was breached in October 2019 but has since invested time and capital into enhancing systems and practices

  • Offers NordLayer VPN for businesses

• Should you get it?

  • Offers all the best features of its competition in a flexible package

  • Advanced features come in handy

  • Web browsing feature Threat Protection can use improvement but is functional

  • Overall, NordVPN remains a competitive choice among the ones available in the market

2. Surfshark – Best cheapest VPN

Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations: 95 countries | Maximum devices supported: unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30-day money back guarantee: Yes

• Pros

  • Large collection of own-brand privacy tools like Surfshark Nexus, Surfshark Alert, and Surfshark Search

  • It has an excellent, well-designed app for a better mobile experience

  • Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously, while the average VPN caps at 5 devices

  • Shared static Servers are accessible without additional costs

  • Passed third-party security and performance audits

  • Has split-tunnelling tools like Bypasser that allows the routing of app or device traffic through an encrypted VPN

  • Has own data breach prevention and email security feature

  • Stylish app that’s easy to use

  • Compatible with Linux

• Cons

  • Pricey monthly plan, and is also one of the most expensive

  • Long-term subscription pricing, and the other packages in general, are a bit confusing because information about them are contained on different pages on the site

  • Speed test results are average compared to competitors

  • Ambiguous provisions in the terms and conditions and privacy policy about logging connection timestamps

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • 1 month 14.44 USD/month

  • 1 year 5.48 USD/month or 65.76 USD/year. The price increases to 77.64 USD/year after the first year

  • 24-month 3.98 USD/month or 95.52 USD for the first 24 months, which reprices to 77.64 USD/year

  • Payment options: Credit cards, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and a variety of cryptocurrencies using either CoinGate or CoinPayments

• Dedicated IP Address

  • Currently doesn’t offer dedicated IPs at the moment but says the feature is already part of their roadmap

  • Alternately, they offer static servers available to Android, Windows, iOS and macOS

  • The only catch with SurfShark’s static IPs is, you share them with everyone else who is using the same server

• No. of Devices

  • Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously

• Encryption

  • Uses OpenVPN encryption protocol as well as WireGuard in Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows apps

  • IKEv2 protocol is also available on Android, iOS and macOS

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• Servers, connections and apps

  • Wide coverage of servers in 95 countries which is above average

  • Has servers in South America and Africa; regions that other providers mostly ignore

  • It also has servers in countries with repressive internet laws such as China, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam

  • Claims that all its servers are physical machines located in Colombia, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands

  • Comes in a stylish app with shades of blue and a smart design that expands and contracts to show more or less information

  • The Android app looks exactly like the iOS version

• Security and privacy

  • Relies on ‘trusted third-party data centers’ that provide physical server infrastructure for them that wipes out if someone removes them

  • Has clear Privacy and Terms of Service

  • Does not log IP addresses, browsing history, amount of bandwidth used, and network traffic

  • It says in its Privacy Policy that it does not log connection timestamp. Still, its terms of services state that they keep and delete them 15 minutes after the connection is terminated to prevent the abuse of the unlimited simultaneous connection feature. These ambiguous provisions are yet to be clarified by Surfshark

  • Does not disclose user information even with national security letters, gag orders, and other government organization warrants

  • Passed audit by German cybersecurity firm Cure53

  • Allows blocking of local network traffic, which is handy for streaming to other devices or accessing through printers

• Performance

  • Clean interface that be resized like a responsive website

  • Smaller version of the app can be opened on the tray

  • Select a server at the country or city level

  • Add a location as “favorite” for future use

• Streaming

  • Fast streaming results

  • Even with IP rotator, a feature to constantly change the network’s IP address, videos loaded do not stutter

• Features

  • Bypasser, a handy tool to customize which apps and devices use the VPN connection

  • Multi-hop connections to create VPN connection to a server and bounce your traffic to a second server

  • Custom DNS service called Smart DNS that reroutes your DNS requests through a proxy server so you can bypass geographical restrictions

  • CleanWeb adblocker

  • Surfshark Alert that warns your account if they have been compromised or an additional cost of 0.99 USD/month. This works very much like HaveIBeenPwned

  • Privacy-respecting search tool called Surfshark Search for an additional cost of 0.99 USD/month

  • SurfShark Nexus is an exclusive innovation that connects to the nearest entry point and provides an IP address of the desired location to exit that ensures the fastest VPN speed

  • Has a Kill Switch feature that prevents your computer from compromising user details should the VPN become disconnected

  • NoBorders Mode to disguise your traffic as normal HTTPS web traffic

  • IP rotator that changes IP address every 10 minutes although there’s no function to change the interval

• Customer support

  • Send a quick question via the site’s live chat feature

  • Also has a responsive customer service email address

  • Replies to queries posted on their Twitter account

• Price

  • Depending on where you buy your subscription, the packages offered by the site tend to change. The differences vary by a few dollars. One tip is to check for coupon codes as they usually offer some for first-time customers

  • Buy add-on features on top of your subscription individually or through a bundle package called SurfShark One. This includes extra features such as Alert, Antivirus, and Search for an additional 1.49 USD/month or 17.88 USD/year, depending on the duration of the subscription purchased

• Anything else?

  • Merged with NordVPN on February 2022 but operates as separate entities with its business plans and infrastructure

• Should you get it?

  • Its generous unlimited simultaneous device connections are a plus

  • Transparent audits are also an indication of a great VPN

  • Its several features are at par with the competition

  • Overall, Surfshark remains to be one of the VPNs to beat

3. expressvpn

Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 94 countries | Maximum devices supported: 5 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes

• Pros

  • Diversely-distributed servers worldwide

  • Strong practices to maintain privacy and security

  • Has impressive split tunnelling features

  • Stylish interface with easy-to-use functions

  • Cheaper than most VPNs

  • Straightforward functions in a simple cost package

  • Passed third-party audits

  • User-friendly with pleasing visuals in contrast to the so-called hacker aesthetic found in most VPNs

  • Includes Speed Test tool to gauge connection

  • Successfully hides IP address and obscure ISP

  • Has Fire TV

• Cons

  • No multi-hop connection features to route traffic through two VPN servers

  • Not as packed with features as its competitors

  • No special add-on features such as dedicated IP addresses or malware and ad blockers

  • No push-button access to Tor anonymization network

  • iOS is missing a lot of features found on the Windows version of the app

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • 12.95 USD/month

  • 9.99 USD/ month for 6 months

  • 8.32 USD/month for 12 months

  • Payment options: Credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and other services such as WebMoney

• Dedicated IP Address

  • Does not provide dedicated or static IPs as it claims to regularly rotate their IP addresses

• No. of Devices

  • Connect up to 5 devices simultaneously

• Encryption

  • Uses OpenVPN and its brand of protocol called Lightway

  • It’s own brand of protocol, but Lightway uses an open-source wolfSSL cryptography library, which is smart as trying to build a new system requires time to polish

  • Lightway and OpenVPN are supported on Android, Linux, Mac, and Windows apps

  • iOS, however, only supports OpenVPN as well as IKEv1/2

  • Windows app supports IKEv2

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• Servers, connections and apps

  • Servers are found across 160 cities in 94 countries

  • Great balance between hardware and virtual servers

  • Several servers in Africa and excellent coverage across South America, which are both underserved and almost completely ignored by most providers

  • Has servers in countries with repressive internet laws such as Turkey and Vietnam

  • App changes color depending on the activation status

  • Apps are identical on iOS and Android

  • iOS, however, lacks Kill Switch nor split tunnelling

• Security and privacy

  • Uses RAM-only servers which do not write information to disk

  • Uses a cryptographic key scheme that assigns unique keys for each server making it harder to impersonate

  • Thorough Privacy Policy

  • Does not sell user data

  • Does not store logs of user activity and originating IP address

  • Collects information like aggregate of data transferred by the user

  • Keeps a log of the most recent date of successful connection

  • Takes note of which VPN location you connect with sans a specific public-facing IP address

  • Information it collects, however, is not enough to identify an individual since these will be identical to other users

  • Main headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, which has no data retention laws

  • Passed audit from British third-party firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers

• Performance

  • Fast and easy downloads

  • No username and password login is required; it uses an activation code found on the customer portal. This can be quite confusing for those who are used to traditional means of logging in, but it’s certainly faster and easier

  • Built around a large on/off button, which makes it easy to activate and tell whether the app is connected to the network or not

  • Choose from a list of countries and cities

• Streaming

  • Fast streaming speed without lags

  • Available for Fire TV and Kindle Fire

  • Instructions for using on Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox devices are also available

  • Play videos without interruptions or buffering

  • More ads when playing video, but the speed is unaffected

• Features

  • Handy Speed Test tool to check the performance of each connection

  • Kill Switch function to prevent your details from leaking should the VPN gets disconnected

  • Flexible Split-Tunneling tool with three options: require all apps to use VPN; segregate specific apps from VPN; or require selected apps to use the VPN

  • Has an auto-connect settings

• Customer support

  • Quickly get in touch via the 24/7 live chat support

  • Provides an extensive troubleshooting database

  • Gives tutorials and instructions on how to set up the app properly

• Price

  • More affordable than most but lacks rare features

  • Does not offer an add-on; the pricing package includes all its available features

• Anything else?

  • Turkish government seized some of its servers during an investigation of Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov’s assassination in 2017

• Should you get it?

  • It doesn’t have the same number of features as the others, but its simple pricing plans already include all that it can offer. This is enough to make up for that if you are after the basic privacy and security features that a VPN can offer

4. Atlas vpn

Number of servers: 750+ | Server locations: 36 countries | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes for premium members only | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes

• Pros

  • The only VPN that offers a feature that rotates IP addresses without having to switch between servers

  • Can block ads and unwanted trackers

  • Relatively new in the market but has remarkable speeds

  • Trimmed-down protocol list that only keeps best, functional ones

  • One of the most affordable VPNs out there

  • Solid privacy and security features

  • Monitors whether your details have been leaked online

  • No-logs service that does not collect data about its users

  • Email support gives fast responses

  • One of the few that offers a limited, free subscription

  • Perks are available for customers on a free plan

  • Several built-in blockers for ads, trackers, and malware

  • Generous data caps for free subscribers

  • User-friendly interface

• Cons

  • Live chat is only available for members who have a premium plan

  • No full third-party audits have been done yet, being a relatively new VPN

  • Pushy, aggressive subscription emails

  • Split-tunneling is only available for Android apps

  • No push-button access to the Tor anonymization network

  • Rents, and does not own its servers, although it claims they fully manage them

  • Switching between servers reportedly lags

  • Limited payment options

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • 1 month 10.99 USD/month for 1 month

  • 9.89 USD/month for 1 year billed as 118.69 USD, which reprices to 131.88 USD/year upon renewal

  • 7.69 USD/month for 3 years billed as 276.95 USD, which reprices to 395 USD upon renewal

  • Payment options: Google Pay or PayPal

• Dedicated IP Address

  • Does not offer dedicated IP addresses at the moment

  • Alternatively offers Static IP addresses

• No. of Devices

  • Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously

  • Free subscribers can also connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously

• Encryption

  • Uses IKEv2 and WireGuard, which are supported on all apps

  • Offers military-grade, top-of-the-line encryption

  • WireGuard connections get 256-bit encryption

  • Additionally, IKEv2 get the bonus of SHA-384 and PFS or near-unbreakable data packets

  • Does not support OpenVPN protocol

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• Servers, connections and apps

  • All servers are dedicated hardware servers; does not have virtual servers

  • Awkward interface with smaller text

  • Offers three free server locations to non-paying subscribers

  • Performance is significantly better in US-based servers

  • Some servers outside the US reportedly experience poor connections

  • Switching between servers is slow

  • Quitting the VPN while switching servers will make the app hang

• Security and privacy

  • Does not own its servers, but rather rents them from a third party although they fully manage them

  • Relies on full-encrypted disks to protect its servers

  • Does not log user activity or other data

  • Data is wiped after the VPN disconnects

  • Does not collect IP addresses

  • Does not sell user data as its only source of revenue is customer subscriptions

  • However, it gathers information on app usage and customer devices, such as device model and OS version

  • Uses Ad identifiers which are IDs assigned by app stores to mobile devices

  • Has a warrant canary for showing the number of national security letters, gag orders, and other government warrants it received

  • Complies with legal requests for information but does not store data to share with law enforcement and other government agencies

  • Operates under the legal jurisdiction of the United States, which does not have data retention laws

  • Passed third-party audit from VerSprite but only for iOS app

• Performance

  • Installation is smooth but logging in is a bit confusing

  • No prompt to enter or create a password but it uses the email address used to purchase the service before it sends a redirecting link that logs you in automatically

  • Frequently sends marketing emails, so customers need to uncheck a pre-checked box to avoid signing up for its ‘exclusive offers’ every time they log in

  • Easy to use and understand even for beginners built around a list of available servers

  • If Kill Switch is activated, a warning message pops up whenever the VPN is manually disconnected saying the Kill Switch will also be deactivated

  • Hides IP address and does not leak DNS information

  • Kill Switch feature works but with quirks; while it is initially functional, a known issue disconnects your device altogether from the internet once the VPN is exited

• Streaming

  • Fast video loading without lags

  • US servers perform better than others like Ireland

• Features

  • SafeSwap Servers for rotating IP addresses without having to switch between servers

  • Split tunnelling to choose which devices or apps will use the VPN connection is only available for Android

  • Shows a running tally of ads and trackers it blocked

  • Data Breach Monitor to check if your account details have been compromised, like HaveIBeenPwned

  • Free users can track a single email address using the Data Breach Monitor feature, while paying customers can track as many addresses as they want

  • Kill Switch to prevent data leaks when VPN unexpectedly disconnects

• Customer support

  • Responsive to customer emails

  • 24/7 live chat is only available for members with an active subscription plan

  • Email support is available for everyone

• Price

  • Free subscription is available that is limited to 3 locations but without speed limits and open to use in an unlimited number of devices

  • Free server locations include Los Angeles and New York

  • Free 10GB per month on Windows

  • Android, iOS, and macOS get 2GB per day

  • Payment options do not support cash or cryptocurrency

• Anything else?

  • A trademark of Peakstar Technologies Inc, which is now owned by Nord Security Group of the well-known NordVPN

• Should you get it?

  • It’s a relatively new player but managed to take its spotlight in the game

  • Execution needs more work but what it can offer outweighs what it may lack

  • Basic yet functional, not to mention generous, AtlasVPN deserves a yes

5. Cyberghost vpn

Number of servers: 8,900+ | Server locations: 91 countries | Maximum devices supported: 7 | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes

• Pros

  • Has one of the largest server networks among competitor VPNs

  • Several add-ons available, including an antivirus

  • Speed test results are impressive

  • Offers free ID Guard Monitoring

  • Provides malware and ad blocking

  • Has Split Tunneling feature to exempt specific URLs from traveling through the VPN connection

  • Offers dedicated IP address

  • Get free email monitoring service to alert if an email address shows up in a data breach

  • Has an impressive list of supported apps

• Cons

  • Expensive compared to other VPNs

  • No third-party audit has undergone yet

  • Ambiguous privacy policies

  • No push-button to route to the Tor anonymization network

  • Most features in the Windows version are not in the iOS version

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • 1 month 12.99 USD/month

  • 1 year 4.29 USD/month or 51.48 USD/year

  • 2 years 3.25 USD/month or 78 USD/2 years

  • 3 years 2.29 USD/month or 89.31/3 years

• Dedicated IP Address

  • Offers Dedicated IP addresses in several locations, including Canada, France, Germany, the UK, and the US, for an additional fee of 5 USD/month on top of the subscription fee

• No. of Devices

  • Generous with 7 simultaneous connections allowed as the average VPN offers 5 while there are a few that does not put a limit

• Encryption

  • Supports WireGuard across all its platforms

  • OpenVPN is supported in all its platforms except macOS

  • IKEv2 is available on Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, and Windows

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• Servers, connections and apps

  • VPN with one of the most-varied server locations

  • Bulk of its servers are in the UK and the US but offers a great global mix

  • Offers better than average connection for servers in Africa and South America which VPN companies often ignore

  • Has servers in regions with repressive internet laws such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam

• Security and privacy

  • Uses antivirus provider Intego, a leading Mac security software but has been underperforming when it comes to detecting Windows malware

  • Impressive list of supported apps include Fire Stick TV, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and various routers

  • Some of its server infrastructures is rented, but the others, such as NoSpy servers, are directly owned

  • Servers are encrypted and run in RAM only without saving data on a hard drive. Even if an attacker steals the physical structures, there would be no data to retrieve

  • Privacy policy is easily understandable

  • Does not store user IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, connection/disconnection timestamps, session duration, bandwidth, or the VPN server

  • However, it collects information on connection attempts

  • No logs of user activity

  • Only generates revenue from customer subscriptions

  • The company has no personal user data so it has no way to comply with legal requests from government entities

  • Records operating system and device model

• Performance

  • Installs smoothly

  • Customers can only log in to up to 7 maximum devices simultaneously. Log out or delete the app if a new device must be added

  • Provides information on a load of specific servers

  • Servers are listed categorically based on location or purpose, such as gaming, torrenting, and streaming

  • Customers can add a specific server to their favorites list for easy access later

• Streaming

  • Fast loading of videos while the VPN is turned on

  • No trouble streaming videos nor buffering observed

• Features

  • NoSpy servers are impenetrable as they are self-owned, self-operated, and built inside the company’s high-security facility in its Romanian headquarters. The feature costs an additional 59.98 USD/year for a monthly subscription. Longer subscriptions get it for free

  • Split Tunneling for choosing which URLs can use the VPN connection

  • Dedicated IP addresses for an additional fee of 5USD/month on top of the subscription

  • ID Guard to keep track of an account or email address that has been compromised on the internet

  • Boxcryptor, which is a cloud storage file encryption service, free for customers who have a one-year subscription or longer

  • Security Suite for Windows for an additional 5.99 USD per month. This includes antivirus protection provided by Intego, a Privacy Guard tool to protect user information from Microsoft and Security Updater, which keeps an eye on the apps that need updating. Take note that it is only compatible with Windows 7 or higher

  • No full third-party audits so far except for an evaluation by AV-Test, a German independent organization that rates antivirus and security suites

  • Kill Switch that prevents the leaking of information should the VPN connection unexpected stops

• Customer support

  • 24/7 live chat is available

  • Technical customer support can be contacted through email

• Price

  • More expensive than the average VPN but is easily justified by its number of advanced features

  • Pricing table is quite straight to the point

  • However, several cool features are only available for an additional cost

• Anything else?

  • Its parent company Kape Technologies PLC, also owns ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access VPN

• Should you get it?

  • While it sits on the list of one of the most expensive, CyberGhost VPN stays to be a solid choice for customers who require a VON for specific needs

  • It also has excellent speed test results

  • It expands a set of security tools to boost value for its high price

6. IPVanish

Number of servers: 2,000+ | Server locations: 75+ countries | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat: Yes | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes on yearly or 2-year plan customers only

• Pros

  • Customers can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, while the average VPN is limited to 5

  • Great geographic diversity of servers

  • Connection settings are advanced and highly customizable to suit every need

  • No restrictions on BitTorrent

  • Offers backup cloud space through SugarSync and LiveDrive for free

  • Has anti-virus protection and anti-tracking tools

• Cons

  • Interface is not as modern in terms of appearance

  • Additional privacy features are not as varied as top competitors

  • No publicly released third-party audits so far

  • No ad blocker feature

  • Limited payment options to credit cards and PayPal

  • No multi-hop feature that bounces connections through a second server to make it harder to track and intercept

  • No push-button access to Tor anonymization network

  • Offers Split-tunneling feature but only for Android devices

  • User interface can be intimidating for newbies

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • Monthly 10.99 USD/month

  • Quarterly 5.32/month billed as 15.96 USD and reprices to 29.99 USD upon renewal

  • Yearly 3.99USD/month billed as 47.89 USD and reprices to 89.99 USD upon renewal

  • Payment options: Credit card, PayPal

• Dedicated IP Address

  • No Dedicated IP feature as it does not want to “risk having web traffic associated with a single user”

• No. of Devices

  • Unlimited number of devices can connect simultaneously

• Encryption

  • Uses OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPSec and WireGuard protocols

  • Supports WireGuard and IKEv2 on all platforms

  • OpenVPN is supported on all platforms except iOS

  • IPSec protocol is only supported on iOS and macOS

• The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:

• Servers, connections and apps

  • Offers servers in Africa and South America continents which VPN providers often ignore

  • Servers are available in regions with oppressive internet laws, such as China, Turkey, and Russia

  • None of its servers is in virtual locations

  • Uses virtual servers but claims to control its underlying hardware

  • Servers are fully encrypted

• Security and privacy

  • Clear privacy policy with strongly detailed key assurances

  • Does not monitor or log user activity

  • User information is not sold or rented

  • Collects aggregated anonymous data like VPN connection duration

  • Apps create local logs, but company claims to have no access to this information

  • Deploys two-factor authentication internally and approval requirement from multiple individuals for code changes to prevent unauthorized access

  • No third-party audit yet

  • Does not issue transparency reports like warrant canary to details interactions with legal and government entities

  • Does not leak DNS information

• Performance

  • No browser plugins, unlike many competitors

  • Supports app for Amazon Fire TV

  • Pull-down menus let customers select the country, city, or specific server to use

  • Servers are sorted by the “Best Available” option available

• Streaming

  • No trouble loading videos

  • No significant buffering on streaming videos

• Features

  • Vipre anti-virus protection and anti-tracking tools add-ons

  • Free backup and sync cloud storage through SugarSync and LiveDrive

  • Kill Switch to avoid blocking access to the web unless the VPN is connected

• Customer support

  • 24/7 live chat is available

  • Phone support is available

  • Customers can also reach out through email

• Price

  • Costs slightly above average

  • Base prices are changed upon renewal for yearly and 2-year subscription plans

• Anything else?

  • Customer email support is not very responsive despite having a dedicated team responding to queries

• Should you get it?

  • Its arsenal of extra features is not as wide as its competitors, but IPVanish still provides value for money with its robust network of servers, speed, and unlimited simultaneous connections, perfect for device-heavy households who are after privacy

7. Proton vpn

Number of servers: 1,746+ | Server locations: 64 countries | Maximum devices supported: 10 | 24/7 live chat: No, chat support is only available on office hours CEST | 30 day money back guarantee: Yes

• Pros

  • Generous features for free subscribers

  • Paid subscription is a bang for the buck with numerous privacy tools

  • Customer support is access

  • Speed test results are impressive

  • Free server locations for non-paying subscribers

  • Only account creation is needed to access free VPN, which includes the rest of the Proton product line (Drive, Calendar, Mail)

  • No data limitations for free subscribers

  • No 24/7 live chat support which is only available from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm

• Cons

  • Awkward layout on Chrome

  • Pricing structure is a bit complicated, attributed to its large add-on offerings. Customers are advised to smartly plan which subscriptions and add-ons to include

• Prices (per month, per year)

  • 1 month 9.99 USD/month

  • 1 year 5.99 USD/month or 71.88 USD for the first year, which reprices to 119.88 USD upon renewal

  • 2 years 4.99 USD/month or 119.76 for the first 2 years, which reprices to 239.76 USD upon renewal

• Dedicated IP Address

  • Does not offer a dedicated IP address at the moment

• No. of Devices

  • Paying subscribers can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is generous considering that the average VPN limits up to 5

• Encryption

  • Uses OpenVPN and IKEv2 in all its Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows apps

  • WireGuard is supported across platforms

• The paragraph needs to cover each of the below:

• Servers, connections and apps

  • Free subscribers can use up to 3 server locations in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US

  • Has servers in South America and Africa which are continents often ignored by VPN companies, as well as India and Ukraine

  • Actively seeks feedback from customers on which server locations to add

  • Several servers are available in countries with repressive internet laws, such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam

• Security and privacy

  • Servers are kept in physically-secured facilities such as an old military base

  • Uses full-disk encryption, so any seized server would be inaccessible

  • Does not log user activity or IP addresses

  • Operates in Geneva, Switzerland and responds to requests for information from an approved Swiss court order. However, the company claims they will have little to no information to provide as they do not keep significant records of their users

  • Its apps are open-sourced, so any researcher can have access to verify any potential vulnerabilities

  • It manages a bug bounty program and pays researchers for information

  • Passed a security policy audit from third-party Securities

• Performance

  • Installation is smooth and easy

  • Works on Linux

  • Interface design has a good balance between style and ease of use

  • Some free users experienced differences in speed, which is mainly attributed to free servers being crowded. This, in turn, correlates to faster premium servers, although the company does not limit speed regardless of the subscription plan

• Streaming

  • Easily load a video even when the VPN is turned on

• Features

  • Proton Mail for encrypting emails and files for keeping conversations private

  • Proton Drive cloud-based storage

  • Proton Calendar scheduling tool

  • Free subscribers can connect one device at a time

  • Multi-hop “Secure Core” servers that defend against privacy threats by passing connections through multiple servers

  • Push-button connection to Tor anonymization network

  • Netshield ad and malware blocker

  • Kill Switch to prevent the leaking of data should the VPN unexpectedly disconnects

  • Split tunneling to designate which apps or devices route their traffic through the VPN connection

• Customer support

  • No 24/7 live chat support as it is only accessible during office hours in the CEST

  • Email is available all the time but the reply window varies on the query

  • Customers may also send a support form available on the website

• Price

  • Pricing packages and their add-ons can be overwhelming and confusing due to their many offerings

  • It has many advanced features

• Anything else?

  • Legacy subscribers, or those who are already paying customers before the price plan reprices upon renewal, may keep their original base plan cost

• Should you get it?

  • It has strong privacy policies and a wide collection of features. Its free offerings are also generous. A recent change in its pricing plans made subscription a bit complicated but understandable with the variety of add-ons it offers. With these, Proton VPN is a smart and flexible choice

Best Of The Rest List

These VPNs fell outside the top three in the 2022 comparison, but each may still suit a specific need.

• Atlas VPN: Atlas VPN appealed to users looking for affordable streaming support and unlimited device connections. Limited live chat, fewer independent audits, and inconsistent server speeds kept it from placing higher.

• CyberGhost VPN: CyberGhost VPN offered a large server network, dedicated IP options, and support for several device types. Its higher price and differences between the Windows and iOS apps were its main drawbacks.

• IPVanish: IPVanish worked well for households that needed unlimited simultaneous connections. It also had flexible settings and broad server coverage, although its privacy tools were less extensive than those of the top picks.

• Proton VPN: Proton VPN combined open-source apps and Secure Core servers with a free plan that had no data limit. Paid plans supported up to 10 devices, while the pricing structure and limited live chat hours made the service less convenient.

What Is A VPN? / What Does a VPN Do? / How Do VPNs Work?

A virtual private network, or VPN, creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. Your internet traffic passes through that server, so websites see its IP address instead of the public IP address linked to your device.

After you connect, the VPN app encrypts the data leaving your device and sends it through a protected tunnel. The server forwards your request and returns the response through the same connection.

Why Use A VPN In Australia?

A VPN can reduce how much of your browsing traffic your internet service provider can view. Australian telecommunications providers must keep certain types of metadata for at least two years, though a VPN does not erase those records or make you anonymous.

You can also connect to an Australian server while overseas or choose one in another country. A VPN adds protection on shared networks, but you should still use secure websites, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication.

What Makes A Good VPN In Australia?

Look for a VPN with reliable Australian servers, modern encryption, a kill switch, clear privacy terms, and apps for your main devices. Independent security audits can also show whether the provider follows its stated privacy practices.

A large server count does not always mean better performance. Local speeds, connection reliability, streaming access, device limits, customer support, renewal prices, and useful locations matter more.

What is the best VPN for 2022?

NordVPN ranked first for speed and privacy in the website's original 2022 comparison. The review praised its reliable performance, privacy features, streaming support, and simple apps.

That result reflects the 2022 comparison only. A current ranking would need new tests because prices, server networks, device limits, features, and provider policies can change.

What's the Fastest VPN?

NordVPN is the fastest VPN featured in this comparison. The service delivers excellent browsing speeds, fast streaming, and smooth video playback without loading problems.

VPN speed can vary based on the server location, protocol, network load, and your base internet connection. For a fair comparison, test each VPN from the same device, connection, and location.

What Can I Use A VPN For?

You can use a VPN to encrypt your connection, mask your public IP address, access a private work network, or add protection on shared Wi-Fi. It may also help you reach a website or service blocked by a school, office, hotel, or other local network.

VPNs are also used for streaming, gaming, file sharing, and accessing familiar services while traveling. Websites and streaming platforms can detect or block VPN traffic, so access is never guaranteed.

What Are the Limitations of a VPN?

A VPN does not make you completely anonymous. Websites can still recognize you through account logins, cookies, browser fingerprints, and information you provide. Your VPN company may also know your real IP address.

It also does not replace antivirus software, secure passwords, two-factor authentication, or regular software updates. A VPN may slow your connection, and some banks, games, websites, and streaming services block known VPN servers.

What’s the difference between a proxy and a VPN?

A proxy routes traffic from a selected browser or app through another server. The destination sees the proxy server's IP address, but many basic proxies do not encrypt the connection or protect traffic from other apps.

A full VPN usually encrypts traffic from your entire device before routing it through a VPN server. Some browser products sold as VPNs are actually proxies, so check whether the service protects only browser activity or your device's full connection.

How do I get the best VPN?

First, decide what you need the VPN for. Privacy, streaming, travel, gaming, torrenting, and remote work may require different features, so a large discount or server count should not decide your choice.

Compare privacy policies, independent audits, protocols, server locations, device limits, customer support, and renewal prices. Test the service with a free trial, monthly plan, or refund period before choosing a long subscription.

When is the best time to buy a VPN?

There is no single best month to buy a VPN because providers run promotions throughout the year. Longer subscriptions often have lower introductory monthly prices, while shorter plans make it easier to switch.

Check the total first-term cost, renewal price, and refund terms before subscribing. A large opening discount may save little if the price rises sharply at renewal.

How To Use a VPN

Open the VPN app, sign in, and choose a server. A nearby server will usually give you better speed, while one in another country changes the location linked to your visible IP address.

Keep the VPN connected on shared networks or whenever you want more privacy. Turn on the kill switch if the app includes one, and disconnect only when the VPN stops a website, app, or service from working properly.

Which VPNs work with Netflix?

The original 2022 comparison listed NordVPN and Surfshark as options for Netflix and other streaming services. Current results can vary by server, country, device, and Netflix plan, so no provider can promise permanent access.

Netflix may show an error when it detects a VPN or proxy. VPNs are not supported for live events or ad-supported Netflix plans, so you may need to change servers or turn off the VPN to keep watching.

Which Is the Best Free VPN?

Among the free services included in the comparison, Proton VPN offers the strongest option. Its free plan supports one device and has no advertisements, data limit, or fixed time limit.

The plan includes fewer server choices and does not guarantee access to streaming services. Proton VPN also selects the free server for you and may apply a cooldown when you switch servers.

How VPNs Protect Your Privacy & How They Don’t

A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server. This limits what your internet service provider or someone monitoring the local network can read. It also masks your public IP address from the websites you visit.

A VPN does not remove cookies, hide information you submit, or stop a service from recognizing your account. It also shifts some trust from your internet provider to the VPN company, so ownership, privacy terms, audits, and logging practices matter.

5 Reasons Why You Need a VPN

A VPN can protect traffic on shared networks, limit what your internet provider can see, and mask your public IP address. It can also provide secure access to a private work network.

You may also use a VPN to reach familiar services while traveling or access websites blocked by a local network. Whether you need one depends on your online habits, the networks you use, and how much privacy you expect.

Types of VPN Services

Consumer VPNs are made for individual users. They send internet traffic through the provider's servers and are commonly used for privacy, travel, streaming, and changing the IP address shown to websites.

Businesses may use remote-access VPNs to connect employees to internal systems. Site-to-site VPNs create a secure connection between separate offices or company networks.

How To Set Up a VPN

On most devices, install the provider's official app, sign in, approve the required network permissions, and choose a server. The app manages the encryption and connection settings for you.

Routers, company networks, and devices without a supported app may need manual setup. Follow the provider's instructions and enter the correct protocol, server address, login details, and any required certificate or security key.

VPN Servers and Locations

A VPN server receives your encrypted traffic and forwards it to the internet. Websites see the server's public IP address and approximate location instead of the IP address linked to your home, workplace, or mobile connection.

Nearby servers usually offer lower latency and faster speeds. Servers farther away may respond more slowly, so look for reliable locations near the regions you use and clear labels for physical and virtual servers.

Methodology

The VPN comparison covered speed, reliability, privacy practices, and Australian server access. Streaming performance, device support, pricing, and customer service were also part of the review. Independent audits, kill switch performance, stable connections, and value for Australian users had the greatest effect on the rankings. The results reflect how each VPN provider performed in 2022. Before subscribing, check the current server network, device limit, renewal price, refund terms, and streaming support.

FAQs

Is it illegal to use a VPN in Australia?

No, VPN use is legal in Australia. You must still follow Australian law and the terms of each website or service you use.

Is Australia blocking VPNs?

No, Australia does not generally block VPN services. Australian authorities may still require internet providers to block certain websites or online services.

Is NordVPN safe for online banking?

NordVPN can help protect online banking by encrypting your connection, especially on public Wi-Fi. Use a server in your home country, turn on multifactor authentication, and keep your banking app and device up to date.

Can an email be traced if you use a VPN?

Yes, an email may still be traced when you use a VPN. A VPN can mask your public IP address, but it does not hide your email account, message details, or other records.

Can the government tell that you are using a VPN?

Yes, your ISP or a government agency may still see that you are connected to a VPN server. The encrypted VPN tunnel can hide the content of your traffic from your ISP.

Will Netflix ban you for using a VPN?

Netflix does not say that it bans accounts solely for VPN use. It may limit the titles you can watch or stop playback until you turn off the VPN.

What happens if Netflix catches you using a VPN?

Netflix may show a VPN or proxy error and ask you to turn off the VPN. It may also limit available titles, while live events and ad-supported plans may not work.

Why does Netflix block VPNs?

Netflix blocks some VPN connections because film and show rights vary by country. A VPN can make your device appear to be elsewhere, so Netflix restricts it to enforce regional licensing terms.

Are there privacy risks when using a free VPN?

Yes, some free VPNs pose privacy risks because they collect device or usage data. The 2022 review reported that Atlas VPN collected this type of data, while Proton VPN did not log user activity or IP addresses.

Do free VPNs spy on you?

No, not every free VPN spies on its users, but some collect usage or device data. Check the provider's logging and privacy terms before you sign up.

What is the safest free VPN?

Among the free VPNs in the 2022 review, Proton VPN had the strongest privacy features. The review cited its no-logs policy, open-source apps, security audit, Secure Core servers, and plan with no data limit.

What other security tools should you use with a VPN?

Use antivirus software and a password manager with your VPN. Ad and malware blockers, breach alerts, and encrypted cloud storage can provide more protection.

Can you use one VPN subscription on all your devices?

It depends on the VPN provider and how many devices you own. The 2022 guide listed five simultaneous connections for ExpressVPN, six for NordVPN, seven for CyberGhost VPN, 10 for Proton VPN, and unlimited connections for Surfshark, Atlas VPN, and IPVanish.

Final thoughts

A VPN can improve your privacy and protect your connection on shared networks. It can also help you access familiar services while traveling. Compare speed, security, server locations, device limits, and renewal prices before choosing a provider, and keep using strong passwords and updated software.

About the Author

Secret Travel Guide is an independent travel publication built for people who prefer to plan their own trips rather than book a package holiday. Its guides grew out of a simple frustration: inspiration is easy to find, but concrete answers about where to go and how much time each place deserves are not. Every article aims to close that gap with clearly mapped highlights, realistic routes, and practical detail on what to watch out for, alongside honest hotel and restaurant recommendations drawn from first-hand travel. Maps and videos support the written guides so readers can see a destination before committing to it. The goal throughout is to help travellers make informed decisions and experience a country, its people, and its culture on their own terms.