5 Best Free VPNs for Australia to Stay Anonymous in 2024
You can’t access your geo-restricted home content while traveling to Australia. Even banking services can be unreachable due to security measures. Using a reliable VPN is the best way to log in to your home services from Australia.
Unfortunately, most free VPNs have limited server networks and some can even infect your device with malware. I extensively tested 25 of the best free VPNs and picked the top ones most suited for Australia.
While free VPNs are budget-friendly, they still have limitations like data caps. That’s why I recommend ExpressVPN as the #1 VPN for Australia due to its best overall performance. You can try it risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Quick Guide: Best Free VPNs for Australia in 2024
- ExpressVPN — ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for Australia as it offers ultra-fast connections, excellent unblocking abilities, and powerful security and privacy.
- CyberGhost — Optimized servers make streaming, torrenting, and gaming seamless in Australia, but its mobile apps lack some specialty connections.
- Proton VPN — Unlimited data lets you binge-watch your favorite shows in Australia without lag, but its unblocking abilities are limited due to few free servers.
- Hotspot Shield — Proprietary obfuscation makes you invisible to prying eyes on Australian networks, but it only offers 1 virtual location on the free plan.
- hide.me — Has the most free servers for easy access to global content, but only if you stay within its 10GB monthly data limit.
Browse privately with ExpressVPN
The Best Free VPNs for Australia (Tested 2024)
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Staying Anonymous in Australia
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries and 5+ locations in Australia
- Uses private DNS, RAM-only servers, military-grade encryption, and a kill switch to keep you anonymous in Australia
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, iOS, Android, routers, and more
- Allows 8 simultaneous connections for encrypting multiple devices in Australia
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for staying anonymous in Australia. It offers lightning-fast speeds, unbreakable security and privacy, and excellent unblocking abilities. With private DNS, ExpressVPN handles your DNS queries privately, keeping your browsing data invisible to third parties. In addition, it protects you with:
- TrustedServer network — uses RAM-only servers that are physically incapable of logging your data to keep it secure from prying eyes in Australia.
- Kill switch — disconnects you from the internet if your device crashes, preventing your Australian IP address from getting exposed to third parties.
- Military-grade encryption — hides your data by encoding it with a powerful cipher so that hackers on Australian networks can’t steal your sensitive data.
- Leak protection — prevents your data from leaking outside the VPN tunnel (all 15 ExpressVPN servers passed my IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests).
- Privacy-friendly location — in the British Virgin Islands ensures that your online activities in Australia aren’t subject to data retention laws.
In my tests, ExpressVPN’s servers in Australia averaged 93Mbps despite the 7,000-mile distance. Its proprietary Lightway protocol minimizes speed loss and latency even on far-flung servers, so you can stream Australian shows like Wentworth, The Heights, and Rake without buffering.
Besides having 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN regularly replaces blacklisted IP addresses to keep up with the latest geo-restrictions. As a result, it can access platforms with the strictest geo-restrictions, including:
| Netflix | HBO Max | Disney+ | Kayo Sports |
| Amazon Prime Video | Hulu | Stan | Foxtel Now |
| Disney+ | BBC iPlayer | BINGE | Shudder |
With ExpressVPN, you can secure up to 8 devices simultaneously in Australia. It took me less than 10 minutes to install it on my PC, MacBook, iPhone, iPad, and Android phone. Tweaking advanced settings like VPN protocols was super easy as all apps have a similar user interface.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN isn’t free and is slightly more expensive than its competitors. However, the value you get with this small additional cost is well worth it. It can be all the difference between secure browsing and compromising your data to unreliable services.
To get a 49% discount, subscribe to ExpressVPN’s 1-year + 3 months plan. You can try it confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I requested my refund via live chat and the agent confirmed it in 2 minutes — I got my money back in just 3 days.
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Unlimited Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming in Australia
Key Features:
- Has servers in 3 Australian cities and 11,800+ servers in 100 countries
- Includes NoSpy servers, Perfect Forward Secrecy, military-grade encryption, and a kill switch
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
- Secure up to 7 simultaneous connections on Australian networks
- Try it risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s optimized servers offer fast streaming, torrenting, and gaming in Australia. They’re categorized for streaming, downloading, and gaming, each for its respective category. For instance, each streaming server is designed to unblock a particular platform like Netflix Australia. The torrenting servers are optimized for P2P file sharing for quick downloads.
On average, optimized servers were 11% faster than CyberGhost’s regular ones. Even its normal 11,800+ servers in 100 countries are great for data-intensive tasks. Connections in Sydney and Melbourne averaged 85Mbps, and I streamed Animals of Australia on YouTube in UHD without lag. With its extensive network, CyberGhost can access:
| Stan | Foxtel Now | Acorn TV Australia | SBS On Demand |
| BINGE | 10play | DocPlay | 7 Plus |
| Kayo Sports | Netflix Australia | ABC iView | 9Now |
With WiFi protection, CyberGhost secures you on unsecured Australian networks in airports and local cafes. It automatically encrypts your device when you join a new or known WiFi, ensuring that your online activities remain private. Additionally, it protects you with:
- NoSpy servers — are located in CyberGhost’s private data center in privacy-friendly Romania to prevent third-party data mismanagement.
- Military-grade encryption — hides your data from Australian hackers with a 256-bit cipher used by military agencies to protect confidential information.
- Malware blocker — blocks malicious ads, websites, and trackers for safe browsing on up to 7 devices simultaneously on the Australian web.
- Leak protection — prevents your Australian IP address and web traffic from getting exposed to third parties.
While CyberGhost’s mobile apps lack specialized servers for torrenting and gaming, I use my desktop for those activities. Thankfully, the Android and iOS apps have streaming servers, so watching content on my phone is seamless.
CyberGhost is one of the most affordable monthly VPNs, but I recommend its 2-year + 2 months plan as it offers a 83% discount. Although it’s not exactly free, you can try CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee. I got my refund in 5 business days after submitting a request via live chat support.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Proton VPN — No Data Caps for Unlimited Streaming in Australia
Key Features:
- 20+ free servers in 3 countries, including the US, Japan, and the Netherlands
- Protects your Australian IP address with IP leak protection, military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch
- Supports 1 device connection at a time on the free plan
- Works on popular platforms like Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
- Offers fast customer support via email and an online knowledge base
Proton VPN’s unrestricted data offers unlimited browsing in Australia. Most free VPNs bombard you with distracting ads for infinite data, while others have data caps. With Proton VPN, you won’t have to worry about rationing daily usage and can enjoy ad-free surfing in Australia.
I didn’t face bandwidth limitations on any of Proton VPN’s free servers and streamed Please Like Me and Glitch without buffering. Despite the 7,000-mile distance, the US server gave me speeds of 76Mbps. However, I turned on the Accelerator feature to boost my connection and averaged 84Mbps.
Besides its privacy-friendly location in Switzerland, Proton VPN has a verified zero-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers. It also keeps you safe in Australia with:
- DNS and IP leak protection — ensures your real IP address and DNS queries remain hidden from prying eyes in Australia.
- Kill switch — automatically cuts off internet access during lost VPN connections even though all servers I tested remained perfectly stable.
- Military-grade encryption — makes your Australian web traffic invisible by encrypting it with a 256-bit cipher.
Having servers in only 3 countries might prove difficult to access home content. However, the US, Japan, and the Netherlands are all good for streaming, as most global platforms are available there.
To get access to its full network with 10Gbps server ports, you can upgrade to Proton VPN’s 2-year + 6 months plan for just $4.49 a month. It offers a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free before committing. I was reimbursed in 7 days for the remainder of my subscription.
4. Hotspot Shield — Proprietary Obfuscation Can Access Global Streaming Platforms From Australia
Key Features:
- Has servers in Singapore, the UK, and the US on the free plan
- Offers in-built leak protection, a no-logs policy, and military-grade encryption
- Natively supports major platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Protects 1 device at a time, which is enough for most people traveling to Australia
- Customer support options only include FAQ guides on the free plan
Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Hydra Catapult protocol uses in-built obfuscation to get past anti-VPN detectors. It disguises your data as regular non-VPN traffic so that home platforms don’t notice you’re using a VPN. Besides obfuscation, Hotspot Shield includes:
- DNS and IP leak protection — prevents your DNS queries and real IP address from being exposed during your stay in Australia.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy — generates unique encryption keys for each session in Australia, securing previous and future communications if one key is compromised.
- Military-grade encryption — protects your data from unauthorized access to safeguard your identity in Australia.
My speeds averaged 75Mbps with the Hydra Catapult protocol with no drops during my 2 hours of testing. I attended a Google Meets work meeting on the US server and got crystal-clear video and audio quality with no drops throughout the session.
I wished Hotspot Shield had more than just 1 virtual server in the US. You can’t access most streaming sites with that but at least logging in to your home Netflix US library won’t be a problem. Plus, you’ll have unlimited data for binge-watching your favorite shows.
You can subscribe to Hotspot Shield’s 3-year plan at just $2.99 a month to access its full network 1,800+ servers in 80 countries. You’ll have 45 days to try the VPN risk-free to see if it’s worth it. I submitted my refund request via email, got a confirmation in just 30 minutes, and received my money the next day.
Get Hotspot Shield for Australia
5. hide.me — Most Server Locations for Unblocking Versatile Content in Australia
Key Features:
- 8 free server locations in Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, the UK, and the US
- Keeps you secure in Australia with a strict no-logs policy, IP leak protection, and military-grade encryption
- Has native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and more
- Protects 1 device at a time on the free plan
- Offers email support to free users
Hide.me’s 8 free server locations can access most global sites from Australia than any other free VPN on this list. All servers remained stable during my tests and I never experienced overcrowding. They have a 1Gbps bandwidth to ensure all users get reliable connections.
I got speeds of 73Mbps and a maximum ping of 100ms on distant servers in the US. While this isn’t the best score, it’s decent for playing fast-paced games like Call of Duty: Warzone with your friends abroad and never miss a headshot. Hide.me also has:
- Stealth Guard — masks your internet traffic to appear as non-VPN data, making it easier to access home content from Australia.
- Auto Connect — encrypts your traffic automatically when you go online in Australia.
- Secure protocols — like WireGuard and OpenVPN are available on all its apps, with a “fallback configuration” to protect your data if the primary protocol malfunctions.
Hide.me’s server flexibility is tied to its 10GB monthly data limit. If you exceed it, you can’t pick a server and the app will randomly choose one for you. However, the data cap is good enough for casual browsing and occasional streaming and refreshes every month.
To get unlimited data and unlock its 2,400+ servers in 55 countries, you can buy hide.me’s 2-year + 2 months plan for a 73% discount with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I emailed the support team explaining why I was unsubscribing and got my refund in a week.
Easy Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for Australia
| VPN | Servers in countries | Unlimited data | Simultaneous devices | Maximum speed drops | Money-Back Guarantee |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries | ✔ | 8 | 7% | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | 11,800+ servers in 100 countries | ✔ | 7 | 15% | 45 days |
| Proton VPN | 20+ servers in 3 countries | ✔ | 1 | 24% | 30 days |
| Hotspot Shield | 1 virtual server in the US | ✔ | 1 | 25% | 45 days |
| hide.me | Free servers in 8 countries | 10GB/month | 1 | 27% | 30 days |
3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in Australia
- Download a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for Australia because of its powerful unblocking potential, blazing-fast speeds, and excellent security and privacy features.
- Connect to a server. Choose a server from the list and hit the Connect button. Free VPNs have limited options, so pick a nearby connection for the best performance.
- That’s it! Now you can browse the web anonymously in Australia.
How I Tested and Ranked the Best Free VPNs for Australia
To find the best free VPNs for Australia, I extensively tested and judged each contender on the following criteria:
- Server network — I picked VPNs with servers in high-coverage locations like the US for accessing most global platforms.
- Speed — I ran multiple speed tests using various protocols and selected the free VPNs that gave me minimal drops on distant servers.
- Security and privacy — all free VPNs on my list have military-grade 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy.
- Unlimited data — I chose free VPNs with no monthly data limit, so you can stream your favorite shows from Australia.
- Customer support — you should get a free VPN that offers reliable support channels like email or live chat for easy troubleshooting.
Stream in Australia with ExpressVPN
Warning! 3 Free VPNs to Avoid and Why
Free VPNs may seem like a good way to protect your online privacy and access geo-restricted content, but they often come with hidden risks and dangers. Here are 3 free VPNs that you should avoid at all costs.
1. HolaVPN
HolaVPN is a peer-to-peer VPN service that uses the bandwidth of its users to create a network of proxy servers. Using HolaVPN allows other users to access the internet through your device, exposing you to malware, hacking, and identity theft. HolaVPN also sells your idle bandwidth to third-party companies, which can use it for malicious purposes.
2. HoxxVPN
HoxxVPN logs and shares your data like your IP address, browsing history, and location with third parties. It also uses weak encryption and has many IP leaks, which can compromise your online anonymity and safety.
3. SuperVPN
SuperVPN is a free VPN app claiming unlimited bandwidth, but it’s a scam and contains malware that can infect your device with adware, spyware, ransomware, and other threats. It also has a backdoor that allows hackers to access your device remotely and steal your personal information, such as your passwords, credit card details, photos, and more.
FAQs on the Best Free VPNs for Australia
Is using a VPN legal in Australia?
Yes, but you can’t use a VPN for illegal activities like downloading copyrighted content. As long as you don’t violate any laws, you can use the top-listed VPNs on this list in Australia. A VPN routes your data through an encrypted tunnel and hides your browsing activities in Australia from prying eyes.
Can I use a proxy in Australia instead of a VPN?
Yes, but using a reliable VPN from my quick guide is much better. While a proxy spoofs your location, many of them don’t encrypt your data. This leaves your data vulnerable to interception. In contrast, top VPNs have military-grade encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy for near-perfect anonymity on the Australian web.
Why do I need a VPN in Australia?
With cyber threats on the rise in Australia, you can shield your invaluable data from hackers with a VPN on my list. A VPN uses a military-grade cipher to hide your browsing activities from third parties. It also assigns you a different country’s IP address, so you can access your home content during your stay in Australia.
Which free VPNs have servers in Australia?
Which free VPNs for Australia have browser extensions?
All free VPNs on my list have browser extensions on Chrome and Firefox. Hotspot Shield only has it for Chrome, whereas ExpressVPN additionally supports Microsoft Edge. Note that a VPN’s extension only encrypts your browser traffic, not your entire device.
What’s the best free VPN for Australia?
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Australia. Besides unlimited data, it provides excellent speeds even on distant servers for lag-free streaming and fast torrenting. It even has a speed booster that improves your connections and latency. In comparison, other free VPNs are relatively slower.
How do I check if my VPN works?
You can use this online IP address checker tool to see if your VPN has changed your IP address. Compare it with the one provided by the VPN. If they match, your VPN is working correctly. Additionally, you can perform a DNS leak test to ensure your DNS requests are also going through the VPN server.
Is it safe to use a free VPN for streaming, torrenting, and online banking in Australia?
It’s generally not, but the free VPNs I’ve picked are decent for such activities. However, I’d still recommend a premium VPN like CyberGhost as it offers a 1-day free trial for Windows and Mac apps. In addition, you can use it free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee.
Get a Free VPN (That Works) for Australia Today!
Given the limitations and risks of most free VPNs, finding one for Australia is daunting. Even those that are safe have server limitations, overcrowded networks, and poor unblocking abilities. After rigorously testing nearly all popular free contenders, I’ve picked the best ones to stay anonymous in Australia.
Despite their decent performance, you shouldn’t expect free VPNs to be at par with paid options. ExpressVPN is my #1 recommendation for Australia due to its best overall performance in terms of unblocking, speeds, security, and privacy.
