The Best VPNs for Australia According to Reddit

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become essential tools for enhancing online privacy, circumventing geo-restrictions, and securing internet connections. In Australia, where concerns over data retention laws and internet censorship have increased, choosing the right VPN service is particularly significant. And when it comes to unfiltered opinions and real user experiences, the vibrant community of Reddit often serves as a treasure trove of insights.

In this quite long guide :-), we’re pooling wisdom from various subreddit discussions to compile a list of the best VPNs for Australia, as lauded by real Reddit users. We’ll explore each recommended VPN in detail, considering factors such as speed, security, server locations, and customer support.

Let’s dive in and find out what the savviest surfers of the internet have to say.

Importance of VPN for Australian Internet Users

Before we get to the rankings, it’s important to understand why VPNs are so critical for Australian users.

• Privacy Concerns: With Australia’s data retention laws, ISPs are required to keep metadata for two years. This metadata can include everything from your IP address to details of your online activities.
• Geo-Restrictions: Many Australians face limitations accessing content from overseas. VPNs help bypass such restrictions by allowing users to connect to servers in different countries.
• Security: Public Wi-Fi networks pose significant security risks. VPNs encrypt your data, making it much harder for malicious actors to snoop on your activities.

With these pressing reasons in mind, let’s see which VPNs Reddit users recommend the most.

The Best VPNs for Australia: Reddit’s Top Picks

Reddit’s format of upvotes and downvotes, combined with knowledgeable tech communities, makes it an ideal place to gauge user satisfaction. The following VPNs have received high praise across various Reddit threads and have therefore made it onto our list.

ExpressVPN: The Speed Leader

ExpressVPN consistently tops Reddit’s recommendations for multiple reasons, but chiefly for its speed. With servers in 94 countries, including multiple locations in Australia, you won’t sacrifice speed for security.

Key Features:

• Lightning-fast speeds
• Robust security with 256-bit AES encryption
• Network Lock kill switch
• Split tunneling
• No-logging policy verified by independent audits
• 24/7 live chat support

What Redditors Say: Users often praise ExpressVPN for its intuitive interface and reliable unblocking capabilities. Many Australian users note they can stream US Netflix and access international content without facing buffering issues.

“[ExpressVPN] has been solid for me. I use it to watch Netflix and other streaming services and never had a problem with speed. It’s not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for.” — Redditor

NordVPN: Top Notch Security

Security-savvy Reddit users frequently recommend NordVPN, especially after the service ramped up its security measures following a well-publicized server breach in 2018.

Key Features:

• Double VPN for extra security layer
• CyberSec feature to block ads and malware
• Strict no-logs policy
• Automatic kill switch
• Onion Over VPN for Tor users
• 24/7 customer support

What Redditors Say: The consensus on Reddit is that NordVPN is a great choice for those who prioritize privacy. Redditors also commend its consistent performance and the company’s transparency regarding security.

“NordVPN gets my vote, especially after they’ve made all those security improvements. I feel safer using it, plus it’s pretty fast.” — Redditor

Surfshark: Best Value for Money

For Australian users seeking an affordable yet robust VPN solution, Surfshark appears to be a crowd favorite, offering unlimited simultaneous connections.

Key Features:

• Unlimited simultaneous device support
• CleanWeb ad-blocking
• Whitelister split-tunneling feature
• Camouflage Mode
• NoBorders mode to use in restrictive regions
• 24/7 support via live chat

What Redditors Say: Reddit users applaud Surfshark for its competitive pricing and multi-device support, making it a great option for households or individuals with multiple gadgets.

“Surfshark is honestly a steal for its price. I’ve had no issues connecting to different servers, and the fact that I can have it on all my devices is fantastic.” — Redditor

Private Internet Access (PIA): The Customization King

Many Redditors who like to have more control over their VPN settings tend to prefer Private Internet Access (PIA).

Key Features:

• Detailed setting customization
• MACE feature to block ads, trackers, and malware
• Open-source software
• 10 simultaneous connections
• Proven no-log policy

What Redditors Say: PIA’s customizability is often mentioned in Reddit discussions, with many users appreciating the freedom to tweak their VPN experience to their exact preferences.

“PIA works great in Australia. I’ve customized it exactly to my liking, and the fact that it’s open-source gives it huge credibility in my book.” — Redditor

CyberGhost: User-Friendly and Reliable

CyberGhost is well-regarded by Reddit users who value a simple and user-friendly interface without compromising on features.

Key Features:

• User-friendly apps for all major platforms
• Automatic kill switch
• Up to 7 simultaneous connections
• 45-day money-back guarantee
• Dedicated profiles for streaming and torrenting

What Redditors Say: The ease of use and reliable customer service are points often highlighted by Redditors when recommending CyberGhost, especially for VPN newbies.

“CyberGhost has been super easy for me as someone new to VPNs. Plus, their servers are fast, and their support team is always there to help.” — Redditor

ProtonVPN: Privacy-First Pioneer

With a pedigree rooted in online security — stemming from the same team behind the privacy-centric email service ProtonMail — ProtonVPN is a favorite for privacy-conscious Redditors.

Key Features:

• Strong focus on privacy and security
• Secure Core servers to defend against network-based attacks
• No-logs policy
• Open-source and independently audited
• Free version available with unlimited bandwidth

What Redditors Say: Reddit users who are particularly focused on privacy often recommend ProtonVPN for its transparent policies and robust security measures.

“If you care about privacy, ProtonVPN is the way to go. It’s got the solid backing of the ProtonMail team and you can really trust them.” — Redditor

Source: https://bezpiecznyvpn.pl/

What to Consider When Choosing a VPN for Australia

Once you’ve soaked in the wisdom from Reddit, there are several factors to consider to ensure you pick the best VPN for your needs in Australia.

Speed: When connecting to a VPN, a drop in speed is inevitable. Look for VPNs with a reputation for providing fast connection speeds.

Security and Privacy: Choose a VPN that offers strong encryption (like AES-256), has a solid no-logs policy, and extra security features such as an automatic kill switch.

Server Network: A vast server network allows you to access content from around the globe. Make sure the VPN has enough servers in Australia for optimal speeds.

P2P Support: If you’re into torrenting, confirm that the VPN allows P2P sharing and has optimized servers for it.

Ability to Bypass Geo-Restrictions: To access content restricted to the US, UK, or other regions, you need a VPN that reliably bypasses geo-restrictions.

User-Friendliness: You don’t want to spend hours configuring your VPN — choose one that’s easy to set up and use.

Customer Support: Look for VPNs with responsive customer support, ideally with 24/7 availability and multiple channels such as live chat or email.

Cost: Lastly, weigh the features each VPN offers against its subscription cost to ensure you’re getting value for money.

Conclusion: Redditor-Approved VPNs for Down Under

Virtual Private Networks are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the best VPN for someone else might not be the best for you. It’s essential to match your specific needs with the features that each VPN service offers.

We’ve poured over countless Reddit threads, user reviews, and expert opinions to bring you this curated list of the best VPNs for Australia, according to the discerning users of Reddit. Whether it’s ExpressVPN’s unmatched speed, NordVPN’s impenetrable security, or Surfshark’s incredible value, there’s a VPN on this list to suit your needs.

Remember, investing in a reliable VPN service not only protects your online privacy but also broadens your horizons in the vast world of the internet. As with all things online, continue to do your due diligence and stay informed. Happy and safe surfing!