Featured Partner Offers
3
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
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A virtual private network, or VPN, can be used to hide your data from hackers and other prying eyes. These networks encrypt your traffic so no one can see your activity.
Not all VPNs are created equal, however, and some can be quite costly. That’s why Forbes Advisor has compiled a list of the best cheap VPNs available today, all of which are priced $80 AUD per year or less. Read on to find the right option for your needs and budget.
Related: Best VPNs for Australians
Featured Partner Offers
On NordVPN’s Secure Website
Plan costs
$7.33 AUD per month or $87.95 for the first year
Number of Servers
5,500
Encryption
AES-256
On Surfshark’s Secure Website
Price
Starting From $3.07 AUD Per Month
Number of Servers
3000+
Encryption
AES with 256 -bit keys
3
Private Internet Access (PIA)
On Private Internet Access’s Secure Website
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
NordVPN is a fast and secure VPN service with a range of additional security features that add plenty of value for Australian users.
On Nord VPN’s Secure website
$65 AUD
30 days
Located in 84 countries
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most popular VPN providers on the Australian market and for good reason. It’s fast, it’s cheap and it’s open source. PIA encrypts your data not just at the transport layer but also at the application layer. This means that even if your VPN connection were to drop, your data would still be protected.
PIA has a strict no-logs policy, and it doesn’t track or store user activity data. Protect up to ten devices with a PIA subscription, which includes Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome and Firefox extensions.
Who should use it:
PIA is best for those who are privacy-conscious and want a VPN with advanced security features.
Read more:
Read our full PIA VPN Review.
$62.70 AUD
(can get two years plus three months for $85.05 AUD, which renews at that price annually after that)
45 days
Located in 91 countries
$62.70 AUD
(can get two years plus three months for $85.05 AUD, which renews at that price annually after that)
45 days
Located in 91 countries
CyberGhost offers one of the most user-friendly experiences in the VPN space. The Romania-based company provides clear and concise privacy rules and maintains a strict no-logs policy. This means it doesn’t record your browsing history, accessed websites, IP address, session duration, bandwidth usage or VPN server connections.
Protect your Windows, iOS, Linux, Mac, Android, gaming consoles, routers and smart TVs. With a subscription, you can safeguard up to seven devices. CyberGhost is fast and boasts features such as over 100 locations in 91 countries, 24/7 customer support, 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch and a 45-day money-back guarantee when choosing a one-year or longer plan.
Who should use it:
CyberGhost is best for those who want an easy-to-use interface and lots of features.
Read more:
Read our full CyberGhost VPN Review.
$79.57 AUD
(renews at $US59.76 ($90 AUD))
30 days
65 countries
Surfshark is one of the most user-friendly VPNs on the Australian market. It’s great for beginners who want a simple interface and don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Protect unlimited devices and receive 24/7 customer support when choosing Surfshark.
It encrypts your traffic with AES-256-GCM, which is higher than the AES-256 encryption used by the U.S. military. It also offers a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch and malware protection.
Who should use it:
Surfshark is best for people who want a simple, user-friendly VPN.
Read more:
Read our full Surfshark VPN review.
$71.99 AUD
(renews at $US89.99 ($136 AUD))
30 days
More than 2,000
$71.99 AUD
(renews at $US89.99 ($136 AUD))
30 days
More than 2,000
IPVanish VPN is a torrent-friendly VPN that makes online safety easy with a simple one-step setup for any device type, so you can be protected no matter how you’re accessing the web. A key selling point is that for just $71.99 AUD (under a current promotion) per year, you can connect an unlimited number of devices with no data cap. It also boasts a large network with over 40,000 IP addresses to protect you from third-party spying.
Who should use it:
IPVanish VPN is the best cheap VPN for those who want the ability to connect to any number of devices with no data caps for a low annual price.
$49.99 AUD
30 days
More than 4,000
Bitdefender is one of the leading providers in the VPN space, offering high-quality protection no matter how you’re using your internet—or where you’re using it. So, whether you’re using your devices for working, gaming, surfing, shopping or streaming at home, in a local cafe or overseas, it has what you need to stay protected and use your devices securely. New users pay just $49.99 AUD for their first year or $8.99 AUD per month with a monthly plan, making it one of the most affordable premium VPNs available in Australia.
Who should use it:
Because it’s a solid VPN for just about any use, it’s a good option for everyone—especially those who work remotely and want a versatile VPN.
Read more:
Read our full Bitdefender review.
Company | Company – Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating – Image | One-Year Plan Price | Money-Back Guarantee | Server locations | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Private Internet Access | 4.5 | $65 AUD | 30 days | Located in 84 countries | Learn More | On Private Internet Access’ Website | |||
CyberGhost | 4.0 | $62.70 AUD | 45 days | Located in 91 countries | Learn More | On CyberGhost’s Website | |||
Surfshark | 4.0 | $79.67 AUD(renews at $90 AUD) | 30 days | 65 countries | Learn More | On Surfshark’s Website | |||
IPVanish | 3.7 | $71.99 AUD (renews at $136 AUD) | 30 days | More than 2,000 | Learn More | On IPVanish’s Website | |||
Bitdefender Premium VPN | 3.1 | $49.99 AUD | 30 days | More than 4,000 | Learn More | On Bitdefender’s Website |
To find the best cheap VPNs, we first looked at 17 different providers across 35 data points to narrow it down to the top options. They were assessed according to the following criteria:
We then weighted each criterion based on how important it is to a cheap VPN. For example, price is more important than customer support because you’re looking for a cheap VPN, not the best customer support. After scoring each provider, we ranked the scores to get our final rankings. Our Australian-based editorial team then provided an additional layer of editorial analysis eliminating any VPNs priced above $80 AUD in their first year.
When looking for a cheap VPN, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure the provider has a no-logs policy. This means it won’t store or track your data, which is important for privacy.
You’ll also want to make sure the provider has a kill switch. This is a security feature that prevents your traffic from being exposed if your connection drops.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the provider offers malware protection. This is important because VPNs are a popular target for malware and hackers.
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a tool that allows you to change your IP address and encrypt your traffic. This makes it difficult for your ISP or government to track and block your traffic.
VPNs are also a great way to unblock websites and streaming services that are blocked in your country. They can also improve your online security and privacy.
One thing to keep in mind when looking for a cheap VPN is that you may experience some speed loss. This is because the encryption process used by VPNs slows down your traffic. However, the loss is usually minimal and won’t affect most activities, such as browsing the internet or streaming video.
Featured Partner Offers
On NordVPN’s Secure Website
Plan costs
$7.33 AUD per month or $87.95 for the first year
Number of Servers
5,500
Encryption
AES-256
On Surfshark’s Secure Website
Price
Starting From $3.07 AUD Per Month
Number of Servers
3000+
Encryption
AES with 256 -bit keys
3
Private Internet Access (PIA)
On Private Internet Access’s Secure Website
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best VPN for you depends on your needs and budget.
A cheap VPN is a great option for those on a budget. However, you may experience some speed loss when using a cheap VPN. Additionally, cheap VPNs may not have all the features that more expensive options have. But, overall, a cheap VPN is a great option if you’re looking to improve your online security and privacy on a budget.
No matter the price of your VPN, there are many with encryption as strict as what the U.S. military uses, which is AES-256 encryption. Go with any of the providers on our list and you’ll have secure encryption.
One of the most popular use cases for VPNs is accessing streaming content in other territories, such as Netflix in the UK. If a VPN offers service locations in a given country, there’s a good chance that you can access geo-restricted content. However, some streaming services do have anti-VPN measures in place, so your mileage may vary.
Technically, you can set up and host your own VPN on your home computer. It’s not the best idea to do so though, because you’ll miss out on the main reasons to use a VPN. Connecting to a third-party VPN can change your location, which lets you access otherwise blocked content, and you won’t be masking your location with a VPN. Plus, a VPN requires a bit of bandwidth, which you likely don’t have with your home internet connection.
Kathy Haan, MBA is a former financial advisor-turned-writer and business coach. For over a decade, she’s helped small business owners make money online. When she’s not trying out the latest tech or travel blogging with her family, you can find her curling up with a good novel.
Kelly is an SMB Editor specializing in starting and marketing new ventures. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she manages a column at Inc. Magazine.