Our Pick Of The Best Cheap VPNs For Australians

Contributor,  Editor

Updated: Jul 6, 2023, 4:15pm

Johanna Leggatt
editor

Reviewed By

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here. Read our advice disclaimer here.

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

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The Best Cheap VPNs of 2024

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On Nord VPN’s Secure website


BEST FOR TECH-SAVVY USERS

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

One-Year Plan Price

$65 AUD

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

Located in 84 countries

Private Internet Access
Learn More

On Private Internet Access’ Website

One-Year Plan Price

$65 AUD

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

Located in 84 countries

Why We Picked It

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.

Pros & Cons
  • Includes ad blocking
  • Accepts cryptocurrency and third-party gift cards for total anonymity
  • Advanced split tunnelling
  • Laypeople may not get the full benefit of PIA’s potential because it takes coding knowledge

BEST FOR PLUG-AND-PLAY SOLUTIONS

CyberGhost

CyberGhost
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Six-Month Plan Price

$62.70 AUD

(can get two years plus three months for $85.05 AUD, which renews at that price annually after that)

Money-Back Guarantee

45 days

Server locations

Located in 91 countries

CyberGhost
Learn More

On CyberGhost's Website

Six-Month Plan Price

$62.70 AUD

(can get two years plus three months for $85.05 AUD, which renews at that price annually after that)

Money-Back Guarantee

45 days

Server locations

Located in 91 countries

Why We Picked It

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.

Pros & Cons
  • Over 100 locations in 91 countries
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Connect up to seven devices
  • Pricier than competition
  • Does not offer a one-year plan initially
  • Some CyberGhost reviews express concerns about parent company

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

Surfshark

Surfshark
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

One-Year Plan Price

$79.57 AUD

(renews at $US59.76 ($90 AUD))

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

65 countries

Surfshark
Learn More

On Surfshark's Website

One-Year Plan Price

$79.57 AUD

(renews at $US59.76 ($90 AUD))

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

65 countries

Why We Picked It

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.

Pros & Cons
  • Over 3,200 server locations in 65 countries
  • Unlimited devices
  • Change your IP address
  • Can make your connection slow on mobile
  • Charges more at renewal

BEST FOR UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS

IPVanish

IPVanish
3.7
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

One-Year Plan Price

$71.99 AUD

(renews at $US89.99 ($136 AUD))

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

More than 2,000

IPVanish

One-Year Plan Price

$71.99 AUD

(renews at $US89.99 ($136 AUD))

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

More than 2,000

Why We Picked It

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.

Pros & Cons
  • Free 30-day trial and competitively priced plans
  • No limit on connections
  • Over 75 VPN locations and over 40,000 IP addresses
  • Anonymous IP addresses
  • Wi-Fi hotspot shield
  • Local network protection
  • Not as many server locations as some of its top competitors
  • No dedicated IP address
  • Not the best for streaming

BEST FOR REMOTE WORKERS

Bitdefender Premium VPN

Bitdefender Premium VPN
3.1
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

One-Year Plan Price

$49.99 AUD

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

More than 4,000

Bitdefender Premium VPN
Learn More

On Bitdefender's Website

One-Year Plan Price

$49.99 AUD

Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

Server locations

More than 4,000

Why We Picked It

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.

Pros & Cons
  • Low introductory pricing
  • Over 4,000 servers in over 49 countries
  • Access geo-restricted web content (e.g., YouTube)
  • No logs
  • No ISP throttling
  • Single tunnelling protocol
  • Doesn’t unblock all streaming services (e.g., Netflix or Hulu)

Forbes Advisor Ratings


Company Forbes Advisor Rating One-Year Plan Price Money-Back Guarantee Server locations LEARN MORE
Private Internet Access private_internet_access_logo_Horizontal 4.5 4.5-removebg-preview $65 AUD 30 days Located in 84 countries Learn More On Private Internet Access’ Website
CyberGhost cyberghostbig-100729130-large-e1619425567489 4.0 4.5-removebg-preview $62.70 AUD 45 days Located in 91 countries Learn More On CyberGhost’s Website
Surfshark Surfshark-1-removebg-preview 4.0 4.5-removebg-preview-1 $79.67 AUD(renews at $90 AUD) 30 days 65 countries Learn More On Surfshark’s Website
IPVanish ipvanish-text-logo-horizontal-e1623745927829 3.7 3.5-removebg-preview $71.99 AUD (renews at $136 AUD) 30 days More than 2,000 Learn More On IPVanish’s Website
Bitdefender Premium VPN bitdefender-removebg-preview 3.1 3-removebg-preview $49.99 AUD 30 days More than 4,000 Learn More On Bitdefender’s Website

Methodology

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:

  • Price: We looked at the price of each provider’s one-year plan.
  • Free trial: While rare for VPN services, we noted which provider offers a free trial.
  • Money-back guarantee: If the provider offers a money-back guarantee, how long is it?
  • Server locations: We looked at the number of server locations each provider offers.
  • Number of devices: How many devices can you use with one subscription? Can you use the VPN on your phone?
  • Encryption: What type of encryption does the provider use?
  • No-logs policy : Does the provider have a no-logs policy?
  • Kill switch: A kill switch is a must-have security feature for any VPN. It prevents your traffic from being exposed if your connection drops.
  • Malware protection: Does the provider offer malware protection?
  • Customer support: How can you contact support, and what are its hours?

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.


What Makes a Good, Cheap VPN?

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.


What Does a VPN Do?

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.


How Does a Cheap VPN Affect Your Speed?

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.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best VPN?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best VPN for you depends on your needs and budget.

Is a cheap VPN worth it?

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.

Are cheap VPNs secure?

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.

Can I use a VPN in Australia for overseas streaming services?

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.

Can I host my own VPN?

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.


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