As part of the Five Eyes Alliance, the Australian government takes a keen interest in what people are doing online. On top of this, there are laws demanding ISPs collect user data and restrict certain sites, so it’s important to use an Australia VPN.
Signing up for one of the best VPNs while in Australia is a great way to spoof your IP address location and encrypt your data at the same time. Besides which, a great VPN can make streaming with sites like Stan, 7Plus, 10Play, and Binge much easier.
It’s also worth noting that the increased protection that a VPN provides is especially helpful when connected to a public Wi-Fi network. So it’s ideal if you're visiting tourist hotspots.
Whether you're traveling to Australia or you've spent your life down under, it's well worth getting a VPN. But which one should you pick? It can be tricky to decide on the best one for you but together with my team of experts, I've evaluated the industry's biggest names and have pulled together this guide to the best five VPNs for Australia right now.
Best Australia VPNs in 2025 - quick answer
On this page I'll discuss each of my top five picks in detail, but if you're short on time and want a quick answer, I'll cut straight to the chase and present you with my top three choices:
The best Australia VPNs today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
In order to make sure we're providing you with the best possible recommendations, our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps. We also provide information on how we test, analyze, and rate VPNs, so you know exactly how we're putting these providers to the test.
To make sure I only recommend what's best for your privacy down under – and that you're never left with buyer’s remorse, wishing you had more power or performance – I looked carefully at several factors such as speed, security, unblocking performance, ease of use, and of course, value for money.
I've shortlisted my top five picks for an Australia VPN after hours of thorough research and analysis, as well as after comparing dozens of VPNs side by side. Keep reading as I'll dig into how each service fared in my testing, the latest test results, and all the features I did (and didn't) like.
NordVPN: the best VPN overall
✔️ You’re after the perfect quality-cost mix. No matter what you want from a VPN, NordVPN delivers on all fronts, including speed, security, and unblocking, all for a reasonable price.
✔️ You're a huge Netflix fan. With high-quality servers everywhere, including Australia, NordVPN unblocks more Netflix locations than any other provider I've tested.
✔️ You want complete security. NordVPN also comes with built-in malware detection and ad-blocking, as well as more nifty tools, for complete protection from all cyber threats.
❌ You value simplicity. NordVPN is no doubt powerful but its map-style interface can pose some problems, especially on the smaller screens of mobile phones.
❌ You want a torrenting VPN. Only a few NordVPN servers are configured for P2P sharing, so you'll be better off with ExpressVPN or PIA if you want fast torrent speeds.
NordVPN is a fantastic all-around solution that's lightning-fast, private, and can easily unblock local and foreign content in Australia. While its apps are admittedly not as intuitive as ExpressVPN's, Nord gives you a 30-day money-back guarantee to make sure it's the right fit for you
NordVPN is generally recognized as being one of the best providers around. And if you're after an Australia VPN that's versatile and powerful, it's our top pick. With more than 6,000 servers worldwide and 190+ in five cities in Australia, you’ll have plenty of choice, no matter what you want to access.
Fast speeds—probably faster than you’ll ever need—and great unblocking capabilities allow Nord to provide an excellent streaming experience, too. As the best Netflix VPN I’ve tested, it reliably unblocked every single Netflix region, as well as other streaming sites including Australia's 9Now and 10Play.
▶ Try NordVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
However, it's when it comes down to privacy that NordVPN really shines, as it does a brilliant job of delivering all the essentials as well as a couple of impressive extras. One of those is Onion over VPN, which reroutes your traffic over the Tor network for ultimate anonymity. It can slow your speeds a bit, but is definitely worth it if you want to stay hidden.
It also boasts Double VPN technology, which encrypts your data twice by routing your internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one. Nord has a Meshnet feature, which allows you to create your own secure and encrypted network that you can use to connect up to 60 devices. This makes NordVPN the ideal choice for anyone who wants to better secure their workload among multiple users.
On top of this, NordVPN offers 360 security thanks to its offering of privacy-enhancing features. Nord's protection has been supercharged with the launch of Threat Protection Pro, an advanced cyber security tool that has the power to block the latest cyber threats, like web tracking, phishing attacks, and malware. Plus, it’s recently launched identity theft insurance for customers on its premium plan.
We’ve consistently found Nord to be one of the fastest VPNs, and in our testing for our NordVPN review, the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol proved to be secure and lightning-quick, reaching peaks of 950 Mbps. So it won’t slow you down if you use it for streaming, gaming, torrenting, or any other online activity.
Nord’s apps are powerful and work well, but the map interface on mobile can be a bit awkward to use. Although this is by no means a deal breaker, it's nowhere near as intuitive or simple to use as ExpressVPN. Overall, though, Nord is definitely the better choice thanks to its modest prices and market-leading security. Try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Cheerful and intuitive design, but not the most clutter-free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | The map-based interface is quite sleek, but not everybody's preference | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | The fastest I’ve tested, with peak speeds of over 950 Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unrivaled Netflix performance, and unblocks everything else as well | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Tons of security features for all-around protection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | 24/7 friendly and professional help, plus very helpful articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
ExpressVPN: the best VPN user experience
✔️ You're a beginner. All ExpressVPN apps are powerful yet simple, with everything easy to navigate and understand. Plus, features like the auto-connect and friendly 24/7 support further enhance usability, making it a great choice if you’re signing up for your first VPN.
✔️ You want access everywhere. Express has a huge fleet of servers and is present in seven Aussie locations, making it a fantastic Australia VPN.
✔️ You need class-leading privacy. ExpressVPN is an extremely private and safe VPN that offers regular audits, a reliable no-logs policy, and top-notch encryption.
❌ You're on a strict budget. ExpressVPN is the most expensive option on this list. So if you're pinching for pennies, consider NordVPN or Surfshark.
❌ You want the complete security suite. Unlike its main rivals, ExpressVPN doesn't include a built-in antivirus or any extra privacy-enhancing tools.
ExpressVPN used to be my number one pick and it’s still a delight to use for both experts and beginners alike. With servers all over the world, fast speeds, strong security, and decent unblocking, it hardly puts a foot wrong. While it's admittedly not the best budget choice, you can try it out risk-free thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN is a worthy opponent to NordVPN, because it, too, does it all—streaming, total privacy, perhaps a bit of torrenting, and more. One of its main selling points is its vast server network, spanning across 148 locations worldwide. As an Australia VPN, it has servers located across six cities down under (the most on the list). So you'll have a fine selection to choose from no matter where you are.
Overall, it’s a decent choice for streaming, as you can appear to be located absolutely anywhere and get access to blocked content on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more. But having said that, we did encounter a few issues unblocking Australian Netflix. So if you want to catch up on your favorite Netflix content from down under, this may not be the best choice for you.
Still, it delivers quick speeds, topping out at around 898 Mbps. So, while not as fast as NordVPN or Surfshark, it will be more than quick enough for most users.
▶ Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When it comes to security, ExpressVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, keeping you safe and providing you with total anonymity. It has all the basics, like a kill switch, split tunneling, and AES-256 encryption. But you'll also get Perfect Forward Secrecy and ExpressVPN's own proprietary WireGuard-based Lightway protocol.
If you're not the techy type, though, ExpressVPN could be just the right service for you. As soon as you launch its easy-to-use app, whether that's from your living room in Perth or the moment you step out of Sydney airport, you'll be protected. The best part is that you can leave the settings as they are and browse safely without having to make any changes.
Unfortunately, an ExpressVPN subscription only comes with eight simultaneous connections, which is disappointing, especially considering the price, So if you're planning on traveling to Australia with a large group, consider Surfshark, which comes with unlimited simultaneous connections.
Another drawback is ExpressVPN's cost. Cpmpared to the other providers on this list, it's expensive. Sure, it's every bit worth the splurge for those who can afford it, but those on a tight budget will definitely find Nord and Surfshark to be better value.
Overall, I believe ExpressVPN is one of the best Australia VPNs available today, especially for those new to VPNs. But if you're not convinced, you can take advantage of the risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee that comes with every ExpressVPN plan.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Clean and intuitive design on all platforms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Ideal for both beginners and experts as it's both simple and configurable | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for anything you will need it for, but Surfshark and NordVPN are faster | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocks every local and foreign streaming platform with ease | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Class-leading privacy with regular audits and rock-solid encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Friendly and professional 24/7 support and a comprehensive set of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Those who can get it won't regret the purchase, but cheaper options are available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
✔️ You want a strong VPN without breaking the bank. Surfshark offers an excellent combination of features and price, delivering genuinely great value for money.
✔️ You need the fastest Australia VPN around. Surfshark is on par with NordVPN as the speediest service we’ve tested, topping out at an impressive 950 Mbps.
✔️ You have a lot of devices. Thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections, a single Surfshark subscription can protect all your friends and family members.
❌ You depend on a reliable kill switch. I noticed some issues with Surfshark's kill switch. And while it's very unlikely to cause any trouble in the real world, ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer bulletproof kill switches.
❌ You're a torrenting fan. Surfshark can torrent effectively, but if it’s important to you, I'd recommend CyberGhost or ExpressVPN for torrenting.
Surfshark has a lot to recommend it, with the fastest speed you can find on a VPN, as well as tons of server locations inside and outside Australia. It also boasts good security and fantastic streaming support for some of the cheapest prices around. Put it to the test with its 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself.
If you're after the best cheap VPN for Australia, Surfshark is a perfect choice. For a significantly smaller monthly cost than either of our top two picks, you'll get a very similar experience and access to servers in five Aussie cities.
With its simple yet powerful apps and excellent unblocking performance, Surfshark certainly doesn't skimp on quality. It’s proven itself as the fastest VPN service I've tested during my last round of testing, reaching a staggering top speed of 950 Mbps with WireGuard. On the flip side, though, the OpenVPN protocol delivered only mediocre results.
▶ Try Surfshark with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
When it comes to security, Surfshark has got you covered with its top-notch features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and AES-256 encryption with MultiHop for extra safety. What's more, it also has split tunneling for easy access to areas outside the VPN. And the NoBorders mode comes in handy if your current network is facing any restrictions.
Surfshark’s Alternative ID tool, which is included in all subscriptions, lets users create a randomized identity and email address to sign up for accounts and services. This means you can avoid spam and it prevents you from being at risk from data breaches.
It's worth noting, though, that I experienced some kill switch issues when tested in extreme situations in my most recent Surfshark review. But, these only occurred on the Windows app, so you don't need to worry on mobile—or if you're using Surfshark as a secure Mac VPN.
Despite these occasional hiccups, Surfshark shows great commitment to users' privacy, enlarging its security reach across four different tools that can be purchased together with its Surfshark One package. This includes a built-in antivirus, which is something you only typically associate with premium providers like NordVPN.
Another benefit that makes Surfshark stand out from a lot of its competitors is its unlimited simultaneous connections. So with just one Surfshark account, you can protect every single device in your household. On top of this, all Surfshark apps are straightforward to use, with a Quick-connect option, an alphabetically arranged list of servers, and a simple layout that makes it ideal for beginners.
For the price, Surfshark offers ridiculously good value, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee backing you up while you test the service, there's not a lot to lose.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Minimalistic, clean, and intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Everything is easily found and understood, one of the very best for beginners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fastest service in my testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly goes past every streaming service you can think of | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Some kill switch issues on Windows, but everything else works perfectly well | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | 24/7 expert assistance and lots of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Incredibly cheap, the very best for bargain hunters | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best of the rest
✔️ You want a free Australia VPN. Proton's free plan offers unlimited data and access to 100 servers in five countries, although Australia isn’t included.
✔️ You want open source apps. All Proton VPN apps are open source, so you can inspect the code at any time to check for vulnerabilities and verify its claims.
✔️ You need a Linux VPN. Unlike a lot of providers, Proton VPN comes with a graphical user interface (GUI) on Linux devices.
❌ You're new to VPNs. Proton VPN's apps may be a little complex for absolute beginners.
❌ You're on a tight budget. Considering what you're getting, Proton VPN is reasonably priced, but it's undeniably more expensive than most of its top rivals.
Proton VPN has a reputation of being one of the most secure providers. Plus, with a good selection of servers down under, as well as superior unblocking, it's just as brilliant for Australia. You can take it for a test run with its free plan or try out its paid version with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN, the Swiss-based provider behind one of the largest encrypted email services Proton Mail, is a safe choice when it comes to protecting your privacy inside and outside Australia.
For starters, it's one of the most private VPNs, boasting a strict no-logs policy together with quality apps which are all independently audited and open-source. This means that everyone can check the code for any bugs. What's more, I couldn't find any trackers on its website or apps during my last round of testing.
▶ Try Proton VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Proton VPN boasts a wide range of excellent security features, too. These include its efficient adblocker, NetShield, two terrific kill switches, strong protocols to choose from, DNS leak protection, powerful encryption, and built-in Tor support for accessing Onion sites.
Until recently, Proton VPN had a pretty modest fleet of servers, but it’s now more than caught up with the competition by initially doubling its network size to over 8,000 servers, then increasing its server count futher to over 9,000. So, it’s no surprise that Proton has plenty of Australian servers to choose from.
This, combined with its class-leading unblocking capabilities, means it's one of the best streaming VPNs, allowing you to enjoy easy access to local Aussie content when you're abroad, as well as geo-restricted international content when in Australia.
One of the main benefits of Proton VPN is its Secure Core servers that give you extra security. These will reroute your internet traffic through some extra safe servers based in some of the most privacy-friendly countries in the world (Switzerland, Sweden, or Iceland) before finally connecting you to your destination.
Talking about speed, its performance actually matched up to top providers NordVPN or Surfshark, maxing out our WireGuard testing at over 950 Mbps. However, its speeds on OpenVPN have dipped to 220 Mbps, although that still places it as one of the fastest providers. The silver lining here is that it employs a unique VPN Accelerator which is always pushing the service for the best possible connection speeds.
Proton also comes with one of the best free VPNs with unlimited bandwidth. The free version gives you access to servers across Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the US. While you won't be able to benefit from its streaming and torrenting capabilities, it's certainly a good place to start if you want to see if it's the one for you before investing your cash.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Dynamic and intuitive design, and the dark mode is very sleek | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | The mobile apps are perfect but the desktop interface could be more straightforward | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Sufficiently fast for every use case, but Surfshark and NordVPN are much faster | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | The paid plan is more or less on par with the top dogs of streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Swiss privacy, open-source apps, and independent audits all ensure complete peace of mind | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Tons of helpful guides and quality customer support overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | The free plan packs a punch but the paid plans aren't exactly cheap | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You're on a budget. With prices starting at just over $2/month, CyberGhost is neck-and-neck with Surfshark as the best cheap provider for Australia.
✔️ You want a long refund period. CyberGhost comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, giving you 15 more days to decide if you want to buy than the industry standard of 30 days.
✔️ You want to torrent. All 200+ CyberGhost servers down under are P2P-optimized, so you can torrent safely when in Australia.
❌ You want to use lots of devices. CyberGhost allows just seven simultaneous connections, meaning logging out from one device to use it on another won't be enough, as you'll have to remove it completely from the first device.
❌ You need great reach in Australia. CyberGhost offers the highest number of Australian servers, but they only cover three Aussie cities, which is the lowest on my list.
CyberGhost is a fast and reliable VPN that boasts an impressive selection of servers in Australia. It's not only incredibly cheap but also rammed with features and customization options. Plus with a whopping 45-day money-back guarantee, it’s an ideal pick for those who need a longer test run before committing.
CyberGhost is my final pick for an Australia VPN. And as I mentioned in my in-depth CyberGhost review, the service finds a sweet spot between great value and powerful features. For just over $2 a month, you get a powerful VPN with an audited no-logs policy, excellent speeds, and loads of features, as well as speedy live chat support.
Thanks to a recent upgrade, CyberGhost now offers over 11,000 servers across 100 countries, putting it on par with the big three in terms of reach. However, one of its biggest draws as an Australia VPN is the huge choice of speedy servers down under—a total of 272 servers located in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Plus, nearly all of its servers have been optimized for P2P traffic, making CyberGhost an ideal choice as one of the best torrenting VPNs.
▶ Try CyberGhost with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Possibly the best feature of CyberGhost is its server filtering function. In-app, you can pick what you want to watch – Netflix, for example. Then you can choose a country (say, Australia), and CyberGhost will automatically show you which server will function best as a Netflix VPN for that location. It's a super smart system that makes it very easy to watch what you want.
At this point, you'd be wondering why CyberGhost isn't higher up on my list. That's because it offers just seven simultaneous connections, which is one of the lowest I've seen, ever.
Next, it failed to bypass geo-restrictions on the popular Aussie streaming platform 10Play – although it reliably unblocked all Netflix libraries and everything else, too. Still, for a clean sweep of streaming services, I'd point you towards one of the four options above.
Overall, though, CyberGhost is an excellent service which I'm perfectly happy to recommend. Sure, the apps aren't quite as polished as the competition's, but if you take into account the incredibly low price of the three-year plan, it's a sacrifice many would be willing to make.
What's even better is that CyberGhost offers an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee, so you'll have ample time to decide if it's the right fit for you.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fun and intuitive design, and even beginners can customize it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | The interface is easy to navigate, which makes it ideal for both newbies and experts | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Very good speeds but not the fastest around | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Unblocked everything except the Aussie 10 play in my recent testing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Reliable privacy and security, with a Deloitte audit, ad blocker, and anti-tracking tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | The support agents are quite helpful but they could be more consistent | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Excellent value for money with the best-in-class 45-day money-back guarantee | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to pick an Australia VPN
When out shopping for a good Australia VPN, make sure the provider has an ample number of servers spread evenly across the country. For instance, while providers like CyberGhost offer tons of servers Down Under, they're not present in as many cities as, say, NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Servers in Australia are also important if you're a streaming head and would like to access local content in the region. For access to geo-restricted international content, opt for providers with strong unblocking capabilities, which can reliably and effortlessly unblock big-name streaming sites such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and iPlayer.
As I mentioned before, Aussie ISPs work hard to snoop on your online activities. This means that your chosen Australia VPN must boast rock-solid privacy. Make sure that all security essentials, such a clear-cut no-logs policy, a reliable kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and leak protection are in place and working smoothly. Additionally, if your needs require you to, look for providers with advanced security features such as split tunneling, port forwarding, obfuscated servers, etc.
The next most important consideration is the number of devices you want to protect. While 8-10 simultaneous connections are going to be more than enough for most individuals and even families, if you want to use the VPN on tons of devices, look towards providers with unlimited simultaneous connections—such as Surfshark.
If you're a beginner, you'll be better off with a VPN that offers easy-to-use and similar apps across platforms. At the same time, the customer support should be top-notch, too, irrespective of your expertise level. Friendly 24/7 support and an in-depth knowledge hub will ensure quick help in case you run into any issues.
Last but not least, the price of the VPN provider will play a crucial role. While free VPNs may seem like the obvious choice if you're on a budget, they're almost always stripped of important functionalities found in their paid counterparts.
Now, the best part is you can get a fully-featured premium Australia VPN for a budget-friendly price. There are quite a few quality bargain picks available today, and more or less all of them come with a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can try the service out risk-free before committing.
How we test Australia VPNs
We follow our in-depth VPN testing methodology here at Tom's Guide and begin our investigation at the provider’s website, where we comb through its privacy policies and any claims it makes. Then we try to gauge how transparent and honest the VPN's data collection and handling policies are, and whether or not it uses any tracking cookies on its website.
Next, we download its Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux apps and test every single one of them. We evaluate core security features such as the kill switch and leak protection, as well as any other features the provider offers, including split tunneling, double VPN, and more. This is also where we’ll play around with the interface of the app and its settings menu to evaluate its ease of use.
We conduct region-specific tests as well. For example, we verified the number of Australia servers and locations in a VPN's network before preparing this guide. While the apps are installed, we count every server location and even verify that the servers there work.
For speed testing, we use two locations and a total of over a hundred tests (using multiple speed test websites, encryption protocols, settings, etc.) to ensure the speeds we finally note down are super accurate. Then we throw multiple big-name streaming services, including those from Australia, at the provider to check its unblocking capabilities.
Lastly, to make sure that our results are at all times relevant and accurate—and that we always only recommend the top performers—our in-house experts review dozens of VPNs every 6 months and tweak all of our VPN reviews and buying guides accordingly.
Best Australia VPN FAQs
Which is the best VPN to use in Australia?
NordVPN is the #1 Australia VPN according to my testing because it delivers on every single count—meaning it’ll be the perfect pick for most users, without a shadow of a doubt. It boasts a massive 190+ servers in the country and allows you easy access to both local and international content from top streaming sites. Furthermore, you get all-in-one security with a built-in antivirus and ad-blocking as well as the fastest speeds in the industry all for a very reasonable price.
An alternative to my top pick is ExpressVPN. It's present in 7 Aussies cities, and 160 locations worldwide, which is the widest coverage I've seen in my testing. Plus, Express is the best VPN for beginners thanks to easy-to-use apps and class-leading customer support. My third pick, Surfshark, is tailor-made for those on a tight budget as it packs some of the most sought-after VPN offerings in the most value-for-money service right now.
Are VPNs safe?
The best VPN services are all extremely safe to use, as my team of experts and I have shortlisted them after thorough testing. However, it's important to note that not all VPNs are created equal, and there are many unreliable providers that track your IP and keep logs of your internet activities.
To find out for yourself whether a VPN is reliable, make sure it has a strict no-logs policy, supports the most popular and secure encryption protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), and offers essential security features like a kill switch and leak protection. Additionally, regular audits by independent third parties are super crucial, too, as they are a stamp of reliability and therefore ensure complete peace of mind.
Is it legal to use a VPN?
It depends on where you are and what you use the VPN for. In most countries around the world, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN for legitimate purposes like protecting your privacy, while it's illegal to use it for unlawful purposes such as downloading copyrighted content.
However, North Korea, Iraq, and Turkmenistan, to suppress dissidents and maintain online censorship, have completely banned all VPNs within their borders. Next, China and Russia only allow government-approved providers, and Turkey, while not as strict, still blocks access to the sites or servers of VPN providers that don't follow its rules.
Depending on the legality of VPNs and general laws in these countries, you can face heavy fines or even jail time if you're caught using a VPN for use cases restricted by the government. This is why we recommend that you read beforehand what you may or may not be permitted to use a VPN for if you're headed to one of these countries.
Can VPNs be tracked?
A VPN can be tracked if it has a DNS leak, which would then expose your DNS queries, browsing history, and maybe even your device’s IP address to prying eyes. However, this shouldn't be an issue with most high-quality VPNs, which are all super secure—plus spotting a DNS leak is very straightforward.
The best VPNs are masters at spoofing your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, which anonymizes you on the internet and makes it impossible for snoopers to read your data. It's worth noting, though, that while ISPs won't be able to see the contents of your internet connection, they may still see that you're using a VPN. If you want to hide the fact that you're using a VPN (some privacy-invasive governments have made it mandatory for ISPs to report the use of VPNs), use providers that offer obfuscated servers.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
