VPNs or Virtual Private Networks help you to stay safe online by making your browsing anonymous (data traffic is encrypted) and protecting your data and your identity from fraudsters.
Experts agree it is usually worth paying for a good quality VPN service. But there are a range of free VPNs available which might suit those who just want temporary access to a secure connection—when using public WiFi, for example.
Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.
A previous version of this story, listed atlasVPN as one of our picks of top VPNs for Australians. As of April 24, 2024, atlasVPN, closed for business, citing cost issues, technological demands and a highly competitive market. If you’re an atlasVPN user, you can read what this means for you and your subscription via the company statement.
With a free VPN you won’t get the range of services you’d get with paid VPNs. You’re likely to be limited to one or two servers, slower speeds and there is usually a cap on data usage, typically around 10 GB a month. For this reason, a free VPN probably won’t suit those who want to stream or for gaming.
It is also important to be aware that with a free VPN your internet activity may be monitored by the provider, you could experience pop-up ads while you’re online and your data could be sold to third-party companies.
Service quality and experience can vary markedly between different free VPNs so using a bit of trial and error and testing different services out can help until you find the best one that suits your needs, or before opting for a paid VPN service.
Related: Best VPNs for Australians
Some providers offer fully free VPN although it is usually a limited service. In many cases you might be offered a time-limited trial or a money-back guarantee with some fee-paying VPNs. But for this you’ll typically have to give credit card details and you’ll be auto-subscribed into the plan unless you cancel within the offer period.
We analysed some of the ‘lifetime’ free VPN services on offer (not just free trials), looking at aspects such as data limits, number of connections and server locations, reputation of the provider as well as the other services and support on offer. For full detail, see our methodology below.
With a broad range of free VPNs to choose from it can be difficult to narrow down your choice. When awarding our Forbes star rating, we stuck to reputable VPN brands with a track record for security and customer service, backed up by a highly regarded fee-paying VPN service.
We used the VPN provider’s own websites to check details around data limits, the number of connections allowed (simultaneous active devices) and server locations as well as if the free VPN offers unblocking of streaming services and any additional features.
A VPN allows you to use the internet by way of secure and encrypted ‘tunnels’, effectively creating a private internet connection so you – and your internet browsing – can’t be tracked. It’s a way to protect your data and your identity online, keeping them safe from fraudsters, for example.
A VPN can also be used to unblock online content or stream TV programmes and films from other geographical regions which otherwise you couldn’t access. But be aware that with this, although unblocking is not illegal, it may break the contract terms of the streaming service.
Related: Best VPNs for Mac Users
Many VPN providers offer a free service alongside their premium or paid-for VPN and the free service will be more limited, with data caps, slow speeds and limited connections, for example. Typically the paid-for VPN will subsidise the free service.
While free VPN may suit some Australian users, for example, those trying out different VPN services or people who just want a temporary VPN while they are using public WiFi in a library or coffee shop, for example, generally free VPN will be too limited for most users.
Be aware that with some free VPN services you’ll get ads and your data might be sold to other companies. If you want to avoid this check the terms and conditions of the free VPN provider or ask if they sell your data.
Related: Best VPNs for Android
There have been issues with some free VPN services and consumers would be wise to tread with caution if they don’t want to pay for VPN. Past research has shown that some free VPNs have contained malware and spyware without users being aware.
Do your research and ensure you’re comfortable with the company you’re using and its track record on security before you sign up.
Many free VPN services will monitor your usage, which feels like it defeats the purpose of using a VPN to some degree. This data could then be sold by the VPN company to other third party companies to then target advertising to you.
Additional research: Anna Rey
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There are lots of good reasons to use a VPN, including:
Yes, it’s 100% legal to use a VPN in the Australia. The only places in the world where VPNs are illegal are the likes of China and North Korea. VPNs are a legitimate way to protect your privacy online and bypass geo-restrictions on certain websites.
However, crimes committed while using a VPN are still crimes. Illegally downloading media could still land you in trouble, and you shouldn’t expect a VPN to shield you from prosecution.
Setting up a VPN is simple. Once you’ve chosen a VPN provider, you set up an account, pay for your subscription—unless you’re opting for a free VPN—and download the app. Once downloaded, you log into the app using the account details you provided and you’re ready to begin.
If you want a good quality VPN with unlimited data and a bigger number of servers, compared to a free VPN, the costs will vary from supplier to supplier.
You can pay for a month’s access at a time, a year’s access or more. Longer subscriptions tend to be more cost effective, but payment is taken up front, which means the initial outlay tends to be higher.
In our list of the best VPNs for 2023, the average price for a 12-month subscription tends to fall in the $80 AUD-$120 AUD region per year.
