It’s 2026 and I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the internet isn’t the place it used to be. Every site and every platform is trying to get your data, your details, your browsing habits, and whatever other information you haven’t got locked down. Every move you make online is tracked, catalogued and fed back to you for marketing purposes. Everyone is at it. Even the Australian government’s after ya data now. So what’s a digital native to do other than resort to a VPN?
If you wanna take back your online privacy, you’ve gotta start by choosing a strong virtual private network. (Did you know that’s what VPN stands for? You can impress your IT guy with that one, you’re welcome.) A VPN is used to hide your online identity or location away from prying eyes, be they marketers looking for cookies or platforms that geoblock their content. This nifty tool is one of the last remaining ways to use the internet without Zuck, Bezos or Big Daddy Google sucking down every last detail of your digital life.
But which one should you choose? We’ve rounded up the five best VPNs in Australia for 2026 if you need a little help.
The 5 Best VPNs In Australia 2026
NordVPN
NordVPN is the name you’ve probably heard across a thousand YouTube videos, and that’s because it’s one of the most popular and feature-rich VPN packages around. NordVPN has double-layered, independently audited and secure encryption, and private DNS functionality if you want to ratchet security up to maximum.
Ever gone on holiday, tried to log into Netflix and be told you’re in the wrong country? The combination of NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature and its extensive worldwide network will get you right around that. It’s also quick no matter which device you use it, from a desktop to your smartphone, which VPN specialists love. There’s a built-in antivirus and a password manager to help protect your accounts from hacker intrusion, too.
Price: The Plus subscription covers all your bases and will set you back less than $20 a month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don’t love it, which we’ll take in lieu of a free trial.
Best for: People who want a complete set-and-forget solution.
Pros:
- As complete a package as you’ll find.
- Strong security.
- Loads of features.
- Runs fast.
Cons:
- Limited availability in certain very small countries. Always check before you travel!
- Slightly pricier than other competitors, but you get a lot of VPN for the money.
Proton VPN
Your IT guy’s favourite VPN, because it’s open source. Proton VPN sets itself apart by making its central app as user-friendly as possible. Its security package is fully featured, with ad blocker, malware blocker, port forwarding, and split tunneling. It also has one of the strongest free tiers we’ve seen among any of the big VPN makers.
Price: There’s a free option if you’re after a super basic VPN. Otherwise, plans start from $4.79 a month.
Best for: Anyone who can’t figure out a computer more complex than the TV remote.
Pros:
- Extremely user friendly app experience.
- One best and cleanest VPN apps on mobile.
- Loads of customer support options if you can’t figure out how to do something.
Cons:
- Not as fast as it could be, occasionally poor latency scores.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the other VPN you’ve probably heard about on YouTube if you’ve been busy researching. It’s another competitor in the all-in-one internet security package space, taking after the big dogs like NordVPN by cramming a ton of VPN features into a single, sprawling package. It’s fast, feature-rich and can access any overseas Netflix library you like.
Surfshark is also one of the more ethical and transparent names in the game, committing to frequent third-party audits and then presenting that information in an easily digestible quarterly transparency report.
However, if there’s one dent in Surfshark’s armour, it’s that it is the most expensive VPN package of the lot.
Price: Plans start from $2.99 a month.
Who it’s for: People who want access to the biggest libraries of streaming media possible.
Pros:
- Extremely transparent data policies.
- Huge collection of features.
- No blocks on international Netflix libraries.
- Very quick.
Cons:
- Priciest of the lot.
- Server network is slightly smaller than other providers.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost isn’t as sprawling as some of its contemporaries, but as a VPN, it’s got it where it counts. Though it features no multi-hop connections, its security measures are perfectly in-line with industry standards and its feature set, with kill switch, NoSpy servers and split tunnelling, is good. Its vast international server network also allows it to run extremely quickly, no matter where you are or are trying to connect to.
One thing that CyberGhost has over its competitors is that it supports more Smart TV platforms than just about anyone else. This makes it the clear choice for constant streamers who prefer to watch Netflix on the big screen.
Price: Plans start from $3.04 a month.
Who it’s for: Netflix heads who want to watch on their Smart TV.
Pros:
- Best overall support for Smart TVs.
- Huge global network very useful for frequent travellers.
Cons:
- Pricey per-month subscription.
- Not quite as many added features compared to its competitors.
- No free tier.
ExpressVPN
On paper, ExpressVPN is another provider with just about everything you could want from a VPN package — its security is strong, its server spread is large and wide, and quick. It’s a great package for a first-time VPN user or those who just want fast, effective location spoofing for Netflix.
It’s only on very close analysis that a handful of cracks begin to appear. It’s slightly pricier month-to-month than some of its competitors, and like Cyber Ghost, it features no multi-hop connections. Its ad blocker is also a bit on the wobbly side.
Price: Plans start from $2.79 a month.
Who it’s for: Great for first-timer VPN users or those who just want location spoofing.
Pros:
- Strong privacy tech.
- Huge spread of servers across the globe.
- Very quick indeed.
Cons:
- A little exey.
- The ad blocking is a bit how-ya-goin’.
Hopefully this list gives you a better idea of what to look for when choosing a personal VPN solution. From the big dogs like NordVPN to the smaller, open-source apps, there’s something for everyone.
Image credit: ___ / Stefan Coders / Pexels
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