5 Best Free VPNs for Australia in 2024: Fast and Secure

It’s tricky finding a trustworthy free VPN that works for Australia. Most free VPNs have negligible security features and can’t protect your data as well as they claim — some even sell your information to third parties for profit. Even the ones with decent security can have restrictions like data limits and slow speeds, making them ineffective for everyday use.

My team and I tested 50+ free VPNs for Australia and found only a few that can keep you safe online. While every 100% free VPN has its limitations, these have decent speeds and work well for various online activities. But the truth is, if you want a reliable service without inconvenient restrictions, your best bet is an affordable premium VPN.

My top recommendation for Australia is ExpressVPN. It offers excellent speeds, unlimited data, and robust security features. With servers worldwide, including 7 locations in Australia, it's possible to access platforms, like 9Now and Stan Sports, from anywhere without delays. While it’s not 100% free, it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Australia in 2024

Best Free VPNs for Australia — Full Analysis (Updated in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — The Fastest VPN to Watch Australian TV Uninterrupted From Anywhere

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2024

Available on:

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Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we’ve tested for Australia. Its proprietary protocol, Lightway, enhances your speed by cutting out all the unnecessary code many protocols have. My colleague in London tested the servers in Sydney, and their speeds dropped by only 28% — this was impressive because Sydney is 10,000+ km away from London. If you’re in Australia, you don’t have to worry about slowdowns, as the drop on nearby servers with ExpressVPN is usually below 10%.

If you're using a long-distance server for privacy, you'll still get a speedy connection

While most 100% free options limit you, you get uncapped data, speeds, and server options with ExpressVPN. This means it’s possible to stream Australian content from anywhere without interruptions. Every server supports P2P, so you can download copyright-free files and play online multiplayer games to your heart’s content. Most free VPNs limit P2P to paid plans.

I also like that ExpressVPN takes your privacy very seriously. It has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and verified by several firms. Plus, it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, meaning it’s under no obligation to share data with any government bodies. Given that Australia is in the 5 Eyes Alliance, this data protection can help you protect your privacy in the country.

The only downside is that ExpressVPN isn’t completely free, and you will have to pay upfront to try it out. However, it’s backed by a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. I personally tested it to make sure it was legitimate. I requested a refund via its 24/7 chat, and it was approved within a few minutes. I got my money back a few days later.

Useful Features

• Strong security features. ExpressVPN has robust security features, like AES 256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. This means that all your online activities in or outside Australia always remain protected.
• RAM-based servers. ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer technology, which means all user data gets deleted on every reboot. You can rest assured that your online activity will not be traced back to you whether you’re in Australia or abroad.
• Split tunneling. This feature lets you pick which apps go through the VPN. For example, you can use the VPN to play games with friends abroad while reading your local Australian news with your regular connection.
• Browser extensions. ExpressVPN provides a lightweight and convenient extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi. This acts as a “remote control” for the full app, so activating it protects your whole device, not just your browser. It’s a really convenient way to safeguard your devices while you’re in Australia.

2. Proton VPN — Completely Free Australia VPN With Unlimited Data

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Proton VPN >

protonvpn.com

While most free VPNs impose caps, Proton VPN is one of the few 100% free Australia VPNs that offers unlimited monthly data. This is a great choice if you need a VPN to protect your privacy while streaming and gaming. I tested its free servers in the Netherlands from Nairobi and could play Roblox for hours without interruptions.

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

Proton VPN also has a built-in kill switch that prevents your data from leaking even if your connection drops unexpectedly. I tested this by swapping servers while browsing; the app blocked my internet until I reconnected. I also liked that you have the option to enable a permanent kill switch that only allows internet use when your VPN is connected.

I really appreciate how little information Proton VPN collects about you. You don't need to enter payment details to use it — just an email. Plus, the free app has no ads at all, and Proton VPN is clear that the free plan is funded by users who pay for the premium plan. So, you don’t have to worry about any trackers keeping an eye on you.

The free version does have a few limitations, though. For example, it doesn’t have Australian servers, so it’s not suitable for securely accessing Australian content from anywhere. You also can’t use the free plan to torrent. However, for basic browsing and gaming, this is one of the better free VPN options out there.

Useful Features

• WireGuard support. Proton VPN offers WireGuard, one of the fastest VPN protocols with excellent security. When my colleague tested its free Netherlands location from the UK with WireGuard, they had a 7% speed drop. This was really good since the server locations are hundreds of miles away, so you can be sure you’ll still get good speeds using the Japan location from Australia.
• 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, even if you’re new to VPNs.

3. Avira Phantom VPN — Great Free Australia VPN for Android and iOS

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome More

Try Avira Phantom VPN >

www.avira.com

Avira Phantom VPN is one of the best completely free Australia VPNs for mobile devices. The free apps for iOS and Android let you use 37 server locations, including 2 in Australia. This is really generous for a free VPN, as most limit you to a handful of locations. This also enables streaming Australian platforms from anywhere on a smartphone; however, Avira's slower speeds might cause buffering.

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

Avira's desktop app only connects you to one free server that is closest to your location. My friend in Australia tested the Windows app, and it connected them to the server in Perth. While this let them stream Netflix AU in HD, they were a little disappointed they couldn’t choose a server in a more privacy-friendly country for torrenting.

The vpnMentor team does not condone copyright infringement in any way. While you can use a VPN to stream and torrent, using one to stream or torrent copyrighted content is illegal. Always use a VPN responsibly.

Avira Phantom wasn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, but I could still play games without much lag. I connected to its free nearest server (Israel) from my location in Nairobi, and my speeds dropped by about 34%. While this drop might look significant, it’s great for a free VPN.

It’s too bad that Avira only offers up to 1 GB of data per month, which is enough solely for downloading 1 fairly large file. You’ll only get 500 MB of data if you don’t provide your email address, which isn’t ideal if you’re privacy-conscious. However, if you just need a VPN to secure your connection for browsing or checking your emails, this will likely be more than enough.

Useful Features

• Auto Connect. You can set Avira Phantom VPN to connect automatically when it detects an unsecured WiFi network. This will help you to protect your data if you’re on the go in Australia and need to use public WiFi to check your emails or e-banking account.
• 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. hide.me — Entirely Free With Customizable Security to Protect Your Data in Australia

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

hide.me is unique in that it offers a host of customizable security features on its free plan. For example, its kill switch lets you add certain connections to an allowlist, effectively selectively deactivating it on connections that you trust fully without turning it off completely.

It also has an auto connect feature to protect your data on public WiFi

While most free VPNs limit you to 2 protocols, hide.me offers a selection of 5, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and SoftEther. This lets you optimize your connection for speed, security, or a good mix of both.

It offers servers in 8 locations, including the US (East and West), the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Singapore. This would usually make it possible to securely access various streaming platforms from anywhere. However, hide.me's free option doesn't support streaming. Similar to Proton VPN, it lets you use unlimited data per month.

Unfortunately, the free version doesn’t offer Australian servers, so it can’t securely stream Australian content outside the country. However, if you want a surprisingly powerful free VPN to protect your browsing while in Australia, hide.me isn’t a bad choice.

Useful Features

• 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.

5. Hotspot Shield — Intuitive and User-Friendly Free Australia VPN That’s Great for Beginners

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Hotspot Shield's free plan provides a simple VPN experience — perfect for beginners or those needing basic security for light browsing in Australia. Its user-friendly design and automatic server choice make it easy to use without any technical skills. When testing, it took me less than 5 minutes to download and install the app on my Windows laptop and start playing Roblox securely.

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

Like Proton VPN, Hotspot Shield is also one of the few free VPNs that offer unlimited data. I also liked that it supports P2P sharing, so it’s a solid option if you’re looking for a free VPN to protect you while torrenting copyright-free files.

My only worry is that Hotspot Shield logs some data. For free users, it gathers anonymized details like how much data you use, your device, and your operating system. However, this information is aggregated and cannot be used to identify you.

Useful Features

• Catapult Hydra protocol. This is Hotspot Shield’s proprietary protocol that is designed to optimize speed, security, and overall performance. My colleague in the UK had a 24% speed drop on its free US location with Hydra. This is pretty fast, but bear in mind that speeds will be slower from Australia due to the increased distance to the US.

Quick Comparison Table: Best Free VPNs for Australia

All the free VPNs mentioned in this list are dependable and secure. However, they do have some substantial variations that can sway your decision. Here are some of those features:

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Tips for Choosing the Best Free VPN for Australia

I used the criteria below to rank my top picks. Feel free to use this as a checklist to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best free VPN for Australia:

• Server network. I only chose VPNs with a decent global server network, so you don’t have to deal with server overcrowding while online in Australia. I’ve also prioritized VPNs with servers in Australia, as these will offer the best local speeds.
• Strong security and privacy. I only picked VPNs with essential security features, including military-grade encryption and leak protection, to protect your device and personal data in or outside Australia. Plus, I checked their privacy policies to ensure that they don’t store any identifiable user information that Australia could request and share within the 5 Eyes countries.
• Fast speeds. Most free VPNs’ speeds are too slow to allow you to enjoy online activities uninterrupted. I only listed the VPNs that gave me decent speed to browse, game, and torrent in Australia without slowdowns.
• Easy to use. I picked free VPNs that are easy to set up and have native apps for most modern devices. This way, you can use them on any device, even if you’re new to VPNs for Australia.
• Reliable support. I focused on VPNs with efficient customer support to ensure you get timely assistance when protecting your data in Australia — either through chat support, email, or ticketing. Live chat is preferred (for quicker response times), but most free VPNs don’t offer it.

Expert Tip: Are Free VPNs Any Good?

I've tested all the free VPNs listed here and checked their privacy policies to ensure they're safe and reliable. But while these have some advantages, free VPNs typically don’t work as well as their premium counterparts. These downsides range from a disappointing lack of features to serious security issues:

• They have restrictive limits. Compared to premium VPNs, free VPNs offer a very limited service. Most have slow speeds and extreme data caps, which only makes them usable for basic browsing in Australia. Plus, they restrict server options, so it can be hard to find a free VPN with Aussie servers.
• They don’t work with streaming services. Very few free VPNs can securely access Netflix AU, Disney+, Foxtel, and other Australian streaming services from anywhere. Streaming services regularly block VPNs, and free ones often don’t have the resources to get around these blocks to let you watch your local licensed content.
• They can log your data. Many free VPNs make a profit by collecting and selling your data to third parties. Make sure to choose a VPN that has a trustworthy no-logs policy. Ideally, opt for a free VPN that doesn’t sell ad space to third parties on its free app.
• Your data risks being exposed. Free VPNs often lack important security features, like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, which you need to protect your data online. Plus, they often can't update quickly to fix new security flaws, leaving you vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
• Free VPNs can expose you to malware. Some free VPNs have been known to bombard users with malicious ads, which can infect your device and put your privacy at risk.

Free VPNs to Avoid

Unlike the free VPNs for Australia on my list, these free VPNs are dangerous to use. They can share your data with third parties and have had malware and viruses embedded in their apps. The following free VPNs are unsafe and should be avoided:

• Hola VPN. Hola is essentially a P2P network — you share your network with other users on the network. This means that someone else’s traffic might pass through your device, and if they were to do something illegal, you’ll be held accountable since they’re using your IP address.
• TurboVPN. It keeps logs of your data and bombards you with annoying ads.
• Betternet VPN. The VPN lacks essential security features, like an automatic kill switch and leak protection. In addition, it has a weak privacy policy and unreliable speeds.
• Psiphon. It logs a massive amount of data, including connection timestamps, session duration, and even websites you visit.

FAQs on the Best VPNs for Australia

Which free VPNs have servers in Australia?

Avira Phantom VPN is the only 100% free reliable VPN I found that offers Australian servers — but not everyone can access them. On its Windows and Mac apps, the server is automatically selected for you based on your physical location. So, if you’re in (or close to) Australia, then you might get connected to an Australian server. However, its free Android and iOS apps give you access to 2 servers in Australia.

If you need consistent, reliable access to a local server to protect your data in Australia, then I recommend using a premium VPN instead. Our top VPN has a robust money-back guarantee that lets you try it out risk-free.

Is using a VPN legal in Australia?

Yes, using a VPN is legal in Australia. No laws prevent the use of VPNs there, and we recommend using a VPN in Australia as it’s part of the intelligence-sharing 5 Eyes Alliance.

Your online activities are what determines the legality of using a VPN. For example, it's illegal to use a VPN to download copyrighted content, and doing so could lead to serious repercussions. The team at vpnMentor does not condone illegal activities, so please check your local laws to avoid facing serious consequences if you’re not sure.

Can I get a free trial of a premium VPN in Australia?

Yes, some premium VPNs offer free trials, so you can try them out before committing to a subscription. If they don’t have a free trial, then almost all premium VPNs offer a money-back guarantee, so you can try them out without risk. The only drawback is you have to pay upfront and ask for a refund within the guarantee period.

Do free VPNs for Australia work with the Chrome browser?

Yes, free VPNs can work with Chrome in Australia. However, free VPN Chrome extensions often only secure your browser's activities, leaving your other online activities exposed. Most free VPNs are also slow and barely have any security features to protect your data online. You’ll need to use a full VPN app from a reputable provider to secure your entire device.

Some free Chrome extensions may inject ads or malware into your web pages, while others collect your browsing data and sell it to third-party advertisers. Plus, it’s unlikely you’ll find a free VPN Chrome extension that offers servers in Australia.

Can I use a proxy instead of a VPN to watch Australian TV?

Yes, but I don’t recommend it. While proxies can stream Australian TV in standard quality from anywhere, a VPN is a much better option.

A proxy server masks your IP address, but it doesn't encrypt your internet traffic like a VPN does. This means that your online activities can still be monitored by your ISP or any other third party that may be interested in your data. Plus, proxies often have limited server options and can be unreliable, leading to buffering and other streaming issues.

You can also use the Tor browser, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to stream, as your speeds will be significantly reduced.

What is the best free Australian VPN for iPhone?

All the VPNs listed are good options for iPhone and Mac in Australia. It just depends on what you want to use the VPN for. If you need a server in Australia to use local services safely, then a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee is more reliable. Free VPNs tend to limit your data usage to a few gigabytes per month.

Premium VPNs have plenty of Australian servers and are ideal for intensive internet use. However, if you’re simply concerned about protecting your online privacy, then any of the free VPNs for Australia in this article are great options.

Can I watch Netflix Australia using a free VPN?

Probably not, as most free VPNs don’t work with Netflix and other Australian streaming services. Free VPNs often have limited server options and bandwidth, which can lead to slower streaming speeds and lower video quality. Plus, Netflix employs sophisticated technology to detect and block VPNs, and free VPNs are usually the first to get blocked due to their limited resources to circumvent such measures.

The most reliable way to watch Netflix Australia from anywhere and in HD is with a low-cost premium VPN that has servers worldwide. On top of working more reliably with streaming services, our top recommendation offers more servers in Australia for faster streaming speeds.

Are free Australia VPNs safe for online banking?

No, free VPNs are not generally considered safe for online banking. They often have limited security features, which can put your financial information at risk. It’s always safer to use a trusted premium VPN, like our top recommended app, to access your online bank accounts in Australia. Its military-grade encryption, kill switch, and leak protection ensure your banking data stays safe.

Some free VPNs might even log your online activity and personal information to sell to third parties for advertising purposes. This compromises your privacy and can lead to targeted phishing attacks or fraud.

How do I know if my free Australia VPN is working?

There is an easy and quick way. Open a free IP checker tool, and take note of your current IP address. Then, launch your VPN and connect to a server nearby to your location in Australia. Refresh your IP checker tool, and if the IP displayed is different, you’re connected to your VPN, and it is working.

Get the Best Free VPN for Australia

Many free VPNs for Australia are unsafe and may even actively exploit you. This can be due to the lack of security features needed to mask your IP. Even those that are secure typically have limited server networks and data — making it difficult to do anything bandwidth-intensive online.

While not 100% free, ExpressVPN is my top choice for Australia. It has a vast global server network and doesn’t limit data, so it's possible to access Australian TV from anywhere without restrictions. Plus, it has robust security and privacy features to protect your data against hackers and snoops. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out without risking your data.

Can’t find a suitable free VPN? Here are the best premium alternatives…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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