Kaida Rylan Updated on Apr 17, 2025
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Try NowFinding a reliable free VPN for Australia can be tricky. Most free VPNs are either too slow for decent streaming or completely fail to work with Australian sites and services. To add to the challenge, Australia's strict data retention laws make it difficult to find a trustworthy service that prioritizes user privacy. Many VPNs also lack servers within Australia, severely limiting their usability.
We tested over 40 free VPNs to find the best free VPNs for Australia that actually work and prioritize your privacy. While these free options come with limitations like data caps, fewer server options, and connection restrictions, they can be a good starting point. However, premium VPNs almost always provide superior performance for streaming, privacy, and speed.
Our top pick for Australia is ExpressVPN. It’s not completely free, but it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you a risk-free chance to experience its blazing speeds, 7 Australian server locations, and military-grade encryption. If you’re serious about protecting your privacy or need unparalleled streaming performance, ExpressVPN is well worth trying.
Whether you're looking for online security, unrestricted access to geo-blocked content, or browsing privacy on Australian networks, VPNs can be your best ally. Here's our in-depth rundown of the best free VPNs for Australia, highlighting their features, benefits, and limitations. We'll also explore why some premium options, like ExpressVPN, could be worth considering.
ExpressVPN stands out as a premium VPN that offers blazing-fast speeds and advanced security. Though it’s not a free VPN Australia service, its 30-day money-back guarantee and 7-day free trial make it risk-free to explore.
Best Feature: Incredible speed across multiple Australian server locations, perfect for streaming and secure browsing.
Server Network: 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including 7 in Australia.
Data & Speeds: Unlimited data and speeds tested at up to 227.91 Mbps.
Free Trial: A 7-day free trial with mobile devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee for all users.
Our team ran extensive tests, including connecting from Texas to Sydney (over 8,500 miles away) and clocked impressive speeds of 182.81 Mbps. Closer connections, like servers in Europe, surpassed these numbers, showcasing ExpressVPN's global performance.
RAM-Only Servers: Ensures all data is wiped with every reboot.
No-Logs Policy: Audited independently by reputable firms like KPMG and Cure53, providing peace of mind.
Automatic Obfuscation: Perfect for safely browsing on public WiFi by disguising VPN traffic as HTTPS, even on restrictive networks.
MediaStreamer: Allows seamless streaming on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, such as some smart TVs and game consoles.
Split Tunneling: Optimize local access for Australian sites while routing other traffic safely through the VPN.
While ExpressVPN isn’t technically free, the 30-day money-back guarantee gives you ample time to experience its unmatched benefits risk-free. Start your trial today.
Unlike most free VPNs in Australia, Proton VPN offers unlimited data, making it ideal for continuous secure browsing. With servers in privacy-friendly countries, it ensures outstanding protection and prevents your data from being exposed.
Best Feature: Unlimited data with no speed throttling.
Server Network: Free servers in 6 global locations, primarily in Japan and the US.
Data & Speeds: Speed tests showed consistent results of up to 211.05 Mbps.
Our testing revealed fast and reliable speeds despite using servers outside of Australia. Though Proton VPN lacks Australian servers in its free version, its Japan and US servers were excellent for HD streaming and everyday browsing.
DNS Leak Protection: Ensures your real location remains hidden.
Stealth Protocol: Bypasses restrictive networks, ideal for public WiFi and secure bank logins.
Kill Switch: Stops all traffic during connection drops to prevent data exposure.
The glaring limitation of Proton VPN's free plan is the absence of Australian servers. Still, its flexibility with nearby servers makes it an excellent option for basic browsing needs.
Whether you're in Sydney or traveling globally, Proton VPN is one of the best free VPN Australia options if you can compromise on server location availability for free plans.
Avira Phantom VPN is a solid free VPN Australia solution, especially for mobile users. The free version grants access to 37 server locations, including Australia, directly from its intuitive mobile app.
Best Feature: Access to Australian servers on mobile.
Server Network: Includes 37 global server locations.
Data & Speeds: Free users receive 500MB/month, which doubles to 1GB with email registration.
With a 57% speed drop on Australia-based servers, this VPN isn’t optimal for heavy streaming or torrenting, but it still works well for casual browsing. It’s especially handy for protecting your data on public WiFi.
Auto Connect: Automatically engages on unsecured networks like public WiFi.
Battery Optimization: Consumes 23% less battery compared to competitors in a 4-hour streaming test.
Streaming and P2P Support: Works reliably for basic streaming on platforms like Netflix and Disney+.
Avira’s free data cap limits its usefulness for intensive users. However, doubling your limit by signing up with an email offers marginal flexibility.
If you're looking for a mobile-first free VPN Australia option with Australian servers, Avira Phantom is a great choice for light-use scenarios.
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Router, Smart TV
Customizable security ensures enhanced privacy in and outside of Australia.
hide.me VPN offers robust security features, including the ability to switch between advanced protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. This flexibility provides a perfect balance between performance and security. Plus, its no-logs policy, independently audited in privacy-friendly Malaysia, ensures your data stays private. Features like IPv6 leak protection and a customizable kill switch add an extra layer of safety, making it an excellent Australian VPN option.
Server Network: Free servers in 8 locations.
Speeds & Data: Unlimited data with speeds up to 50.37 Mbps.
Unique Feature: Dynamic DNS settings uncommon for free services.
No Australian servers and speeds slow by 80%.
Although free users can only connect one device at a time, hide.me's no-registration policy lets you install it across multiple devices.
hide.me provides live chat support, which remains a rare offering among free VPNs.
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Router, Smart TV
Simple one-click connection interface for beginners.
Hotspot Shield makes VPN usage hassle-free. With features like Hydra Protocol, users enjoy a secure and seamless connection optimized for speed. Although ads appear briefly for free users, this VPN comes with unlimited data to keep browsing uninterrupted. While not an Aus VPN, its nearby Singapore server delivers reliable speeds for Australians.
Server Network: 5 global locations (US, Singapore, and more).
Speeds & Data: Unlimited data with speeds up to 122.04 Mbps.
Unique Feature: Connection analytics for real-time tracking.
Shows ads and lacks some advanced streaming abilities.
Hotspot Shield’s intuitive design and strong encryption make it a favorite among new users exploring a free Australian VPN choice.
Our primary focus was testing each VPN's ability to provide secure connections within Australia's strict data privacy environment. We evaluated server performance with Australian streaming platforms, measuring speeds and connection stability at various times of the day. In addition, we rigorously tested each VPN's security features to ensure they meet the high standards needed for Australian users.
For a more detailed breakdown of how we evaluate VPNs, visit our methodology page. You'll find comprehensive information about our testing process and evaluation criteria, which you can use as the basis for your own VPN testing.
Free VPNs can be especially risky in Australia due to the country's stringent data retention laws. Many free VPNs lack the necessary security features to protect your data from government surveillance and monitoring. While the VPNs I've recommended above have been thoroughly tested for safety, many other free options put your privacy at risk.
Here are the main dangers of using untrusted free VPNs in Australia:
Data Collection and Selling: Many free VPNs collect your browsing history, IP address, and location data to sell to third parties. For example, UFO VPN, a popular free service, leaked millions of user logs in 2020 despite claiming to have a "no-logs" policy.
Weak Security Features: Some free VPNs have known vulnerabilities that expose your data to hackers or surveillance agencies.
Advertiser Tracking: Free VPNs might inject ads or trackers into your web traffic, leading to an invasion of your privacy.
For a fast and secure experience, I recommend ExpressVPN, which has servers in seven Australian cities and provides excellent speeds for streaming local content in HD. While ExpressVPN isn’t entirely free, it offers a 7-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Once you’ve chosen a VPN, connect to the server closest to your location for the best speed. In most cases, selecting a nearby server will ensure a more stable connection.
With your VPN connected, your internet activity is now fully encrypted. You can enjoy a safe and private browsing experience without worrying about surveillance or data breaches.
Avira is the only truly free VPN service that offers Australian servers in its free plan, but only on mobile devices. The desktop app automatically selects the fastest server available. Other VPNs, like ExpressVPN, provide multiple Australian server locations but require a paid subscription (though they offer a money-back guarantee). Free VPNs often connect you to nearby Asia-Pacific servers, which can still offer decent speeds, but not specifically for Australia.
Using a VPN in Australia is legal, but it's important to remember that certain online activities remain illegal, regardless of VPN usage. VPNs must adhere to Australia's data retention laws. While it’s legal to use a VPN for privacy and security purposes, always ensure you’re complying with local laws to avoid any legal issues.
For browser-based protection, Proton VPN and hide.me offer the most reliable free extensions. However, these only encrypt browser traffic, leaving other apps vulnerable. For full protection across your device, it's better to use the complete desktop VPN app.
For mobile devices, Proton VPN is a standout choice, offering unlimited data and reliable security, though it doesn’t have Australian servers. If Australian servers are important, Avira Phantom VPN is another great option, specifically for mobile use.
While most free VPNs struggle to offer consistent, high-quality access to Australian streaming services, some VPNs manage to work with platforms like Netflix, ABC iview, and 7plus. However, they often lack the server capacity and IP refresh rates needed for seamless HD streaming. For the best experience, consider premium VPNs like ExpressVPN, which ensures smooth and reliable access to Australian content.
Navigating Australia’s strict data retention laws can be tricky, and many free VPNs don’t offer the protection and performance needed for a secure online experience. While some of the free VPNs listed above are safe, they come with major limitations such as data caps, limited server networks, and speeds that may not support HD video or gaming.
If you're looking for top-tier performance and security, ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for Australia. Although not free, it provides fast speeds and comprehensive privacy with seven Australian server locations. You can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Kaida Rylan is a Junior Writer specializing in VPN reviews and online security. Passionate about technology and digital privacy, Kaida has been researching and testing VPNs to provide readers with honest, in-depth insights. Kaida holds a Master’s Degree in Communications and a Bachelor’s in Media Studies. Additionally, they completed a cybersecurity certification program and gained experience working at a tech startup. Before joining the VPN industry, Kaida worked as a content creator, tech writer, and digital marketing specialist. In their free time, they enjoy exploring new cybersecurity tools and staying up to date with the latest tech trends.