4 Best Free VPNs for Australia: Safe and Reliable in 2025

Most free VPNs fail to work reliably with Australian services and platforms. They're either too slow for smooth browsing or streaming or get blocked entirely by local websites — and that’s if you’re even lucky enough to find one with Australian servers. Plus, with Australia's strict surveillance laws requiring VPNs to store user data, finding a trustworthy free service is challenging.

We tested over 40 free VPNs to find options that actually work in Australia. While these VPNs maintain your privacy with strong security features, they still have limitations like data caps, fewer server locations, and connection restrictions. Our tests revealed that premium VPNs perform significantly better for streaming and protecting your data. Follow our article to find a free Australia VPN that can meet your requirements despite limitations.

Quick Comparison Table: Free Australia VPN Features

I've compared the essential features of these free VPNs, focusing on what matters most for users in Australia. The table below highlights key aspects like speeds, data limits, and server availability in Australia to help you make an informed choice.

Most Affordable Premium VPN

Our Score: 9.3

While we only recommend safe providers on this page, free VPNs still have limitations. Some can compromise your online privacy and even profit by harvesting and selling your data to third-party advertisers, or worse. Even reputable free VPNs have restrictions, such as data caps, limited server networks, and slow speeds. An affordable premium VPN like Surfshark is a more reliable and secure option. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and prices start from $1.99/month for a long-term option. Plus, it works great for torrenting, streaming, and gaming, and offers unlimited data and unlimited simultaneous device connections.

Our Score: 9.3

Read more about Surfshark

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Visit Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Best Free VPNs for Australia — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data for Interruption-Free Security in Australia

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested September 2025

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Proton VPN >

protonvpn.com

Proton VPN's free plan gives you unlimited data for continuous secure browsing. During our tests, we used over 50GB of data in a week without any throttling or service interruptions. When connected to its nearest server, our speed dropped by only 14%. That’s enough for HD streaming from anywhere. Our tests also revealed that it works with a couple of platforms, like Netflix and 9Now.

While there was some increased load time, it was only a few extra seconds

Proton VPN's security features protect you from Australia's surveillance. It routes your traffic through privacy-friendly countries before reaching your destination. I ran multiple DNS leak tests while connected to different servers, and Proton VPN never exposed my real location or DNS requests.

You get a choice of protocols to optimize your connection. The WireGuard protocol gave us the best speeds during testing, while OpenVPN provided stronger security for banking apps. You also get Stealth for restrictive networks. Plus, there's an on/off kill switch that stopped all internet traffic when I simulated connection drops, preventing any data leaks.

The only downside is that the free plan doesn't include Australian servers. However, Proton VPN's servers in Japan and the US maintained reliable speeds for daily browsing.

Useful Features

• Router support. The free plan only allows you to connect one device at a time. However, you can set it up on your router and simultaneously protect all your devices by connecting to one of the free servers. Not many free VPNs for Australia offer router connections, so this is great to have.
• Simple interface. Proton VPN's free app is clean and intuitive, with easy navigation and clear descriptions of each feature. This makes it effortless to use while you’re in Australia or anywhere else, even if you’re new to VPNs.
• Alternative routing. Automatically finds the fastest path to bypass firewalls and network restrictions on public WiFi.

2. hide.me — Free VPN With Advanced Security Features to Keep You Safe

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

hide.me offers extensive security customization options to protect your data in Australia. You can choose between protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, to balance security and performance. hide.me also has an Automatic setting, which allows the VPN to select the best protocol based on your connection.

hide.me also has custom DNS, which is unusual for a completely free VPN

hide.me is based in the privacy-friendly country of Malaysia, and its strict no-logs policy has been verified by independent security auditors. It offers built-in IPv6 leak protection, which passed all my tests. The customizable kill switch lets you choose which apps automatically disconnect if your VPN connection drops. So you know your data is protected wherever you go in Australia.

While it lacks Australian servers, connecting to the US kept our speeds usable for general browsing. It’s also the slowest option on the list, with a hefty speed loss of 80%. So, it’s not the best option if you have a slow internet connection. It also doesn’t support P2P.

The main limitation, though, is that free users can only connect one device at a time. However, since no registration is required, you can install hide.me on multiple devices and use them separately. Just be aware that you have to reactivate your free account on a monthly basis.

Useful Features

• SoftEther. This proprietary protocol can bypass firewalls and NATs, making it ideal for use in restrictive environments. However, the only drawback is that this protocol is only available on hide.me’s desktop apps, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Live chat. hide.me offers live chat support, which is almost unheard of for free VPNs. You can get all your answers instantly if you encounter any problems with your connection, no matter which Australian time zone you’re in.

3. Avira Phantom VPN — Mobile-Optimized Free VPN With Australian Servers

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome More

Try Avira Phantom VPN >

www.avira.com

Avira Phantom VPN's mobile apps boast an extensive server network. While the desktop version limits you to the nearest server, the Android and iOS apps give you access to 36 global locations, including servers in Australia. During our tests, connecting to a local server reduced our speed by 57%.

The "Nearest Location” feature automatically connects you to the fastest server nearby

The VPN optimizes its mobile apps for minimal battery drain. We ran a 4-hour streaming test on an iPhone, and Avira used 23% less battery compared to other free VPNs. The app also automatically reconnects when switching between WiFi and mobile data, preventing any accidental data exposure.

The Australian servers support P2P traffic and streaming. Admittedly, Avira Phantom’s speeds aren’t ideal for large downloads, but we could still download a 1.2 GB public domain movie in under 10 minutes. While it worked with a couple of platforms, like Netflix and Disney+, it didn’t work with Prime Video.

The main drawback is that you only get 500MB/month on the free plan. However, registering with your email doubles your data to 1GB, which gives you about 2 hours of secure streaming.

Useful Features

• Basic security features. The free plan includes IP/DNS leak protection and military-grade encryption to keep your data safe in Australia and abroad. Unfortunately, there’s no kill switch.

4. Hotspot Shield — User-Friendly Free VPN That's Great for Beginners

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield's straightforward interface makes VPN protection accessible to anyone. The app features a prominent Connect button and automatically selects the best server location, removing any guesswork for new users.

Use the Auto option to connect to the nearest free server to you

Its Hydra protocol balances security with performance for newer users. The speed loss of 51% is pretty good for a free VP. However, it was better than hide.me. You also get WireGuard and IKEv2. I recommend the latter for mobile devices since it’s good at switching between data sources.

While it doesn't offer Australian servers, connecting to the nearby Singapore location maintained usable speeds in our Hotspot Shield tests. You also get US servers in New York and LA.

The main drawback is that the free version shows ads during connection. However, these only appear briefly and don't interrupt your browsing once you're online. I also appreciated that, unlike many free VPNs, Hotspot Shield gives you unlimited data to experiment with the service.

Useful Features

• Connection analytics. Clear visual indicators show your connection status, speed, and data usage right on the main screen.

Our Methodology for Testing Free VPNs for Australia

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 throughout different times of the day. Each VPN underwent extensive testing of its security features as well.

For a detailed breakdown of how we evaluate VPNs, visit our methodology page. You'll find comprehensive information about our testing process and evaluation criteria. Feel free to use it as the basis for your own testing.

Expert Tip: Most Free VPNs for Australia Aren’t Safe

Free VPNs can be particularly risky in Australia due to the country's strict data retention laws. Many free VPNs lack the security features needed to protect your data from 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 a "no-logs" policy.
• Weak security features. Some free VPNs like Cross VPN have been caught leaking users' real IP addresses through DNS leaks, exposing their online activities. This is especially concerning under Australia's mandatory data retention regime.
• Malware risks. Research has found dangerous malware in many free VPN apps. Betternet, for instance, was discovered to have 13 malware-positive hits in security scans.

The free VPNs I've listed above are different because they follow transparent privacy policies and maintain strong security standards. They're either "freemium" services supported by paid users or offer limited but secure free plans. While they have restrictions, they won't compromise your privacy or security.

FAQs on Free VPNs for Australia

Which free VPNs have servers in Australia?

The only 100% free VPN I recommend with Australian servers in its free version is Avira. The Australian connection is only guaranteed in the mobile app, though, since the desktop app automatically chooses the fastest server for you. Most free VPNs connect you to nearby servers in Asia-Pacific instead, which can still provide decent speeds.

Is using a free VPN legal in Australia?

Using a VPN is legal in Australia, though certain activities remain prohibited regardless of VPN use. The Australian government permits VPN services but requires them to follow local data retention laws. While it’s OK to use a VPN for privacy and security, it’s best to familiarize yourself with local law to ensure you’re not doing anything illegal online.

What's the best free Australia VPN extension for Chrome and browsers?

Proton VPN and hide.me offer the most reliable free protection via browser extensions. However, these extensions only encrypt browser traffic, leaving other apps exposed. For complete device protection, install the full desktop VPN app instead of relying solely on browser add-ons.

What's the best free Australian VPN for iPhone and Android?

Proton VPN offers the most reliable free mobile VPN experience with unlimited data. Though it lacks Australian servers, its mobile apps provide strong security and stable connections through nearby locations. Avira Phantom VPN is another solid choice, offering Australian servers specifically on mobile.

Can I watch Australian Netflix and TV with a free VPN?

Most free VPNs struggle to provide safe, HD access to Australian streaming platforms. However, a couple of the VPNs work with Netflix and a selection of other platforms — still, reliable HD access can be hit or miss. While some might work occasionally with ABC iview or 7plus, they typically lack the server capacity and IP refresh rates needed for smooth streaming.

Get the Best FREE VPN for Australia

Most free VPNs struggle with Australia's strict data retention laws. While I've identified several safe options in this list, they all have significant limitations. Data caps restrict streaming time, server networks are limited, and speeds often can't handle HD video or gaming from Australian locations.

ProtonVPN is my top choice for a free VPN for Australia. It offers unlimited data, good speeds, and can safeguard your online data with robust features. Plus, it can stream HD content with minimal interruptions.