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5 Best Free VPN for Windows in Australia With Great Security & Reliability

Last updated: January 12, 2023

William Sams

Are you looking for the best Free VPN for Windows in Australia to receive online security? Read this guide to learn about some amazing recommendations!

Famed for being overpoweringly user-friendly, intuitive, and responsive, Windows is the preferred choice for both: individuals and large corporations.

This is why selecting a VPN for the platform is tough, as you have hundreds of options available. If you opt for FREE (which is ill advised), things get more confusing.

Many free VPNs sell your data to make a profit. This puts you and your information at risk as these companies have no regard for your privacy. And their weak algorithm makes it easier for cybercriminals to hack into your system.

This is why using a free VPN for Windows in Australia comes with certain risks that you must be aware of as the operating system has already been known to be vulnerable.

In this guide, I have tested more than 40 providers and handpicked the best free VPN for PC Windows 10 that will keep you safe and secure online in Australia.

The VPNs on my list either have a freemium version or a genuine money-back guarantee offer that you can use to test the service before fully committing to it.

Among these, I usually recommend ExpressVPN to my Kiwi readers. While it’s not a 100% free VPN for Windows, you can use its 30-day refund policy to test the service.

The provider also has a dedicated app for the platform that is easy to set up and use. It’s also one of the fastest VPNs in the Australia market, which is perfect if you’re looking to stream videos or download large files.

However, there are other great options available as well, so let’s take a look at the best free VPNs for Windows in Australia.

5 Best Free VPN For Windows in Australia: A Quick Glance

Learn how to set up a VPN on Windows!

The Best Free VPN for Windows in Australia: Full Analysis

Here is a list of 5 free VPNs for Windows in 2022, highlighting the duration of trials, their server counts, performance reviews and a whole lot more:

1. ExpressVPN: The Overall Best VPN for Windows in Australia

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Windows in Australia considering the high-end security, blazing fast speed, and handy features it offers. The VPN provides a lightweight Windows client along with other apps for widely-used platforms such as, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, and Firefox.

This provider is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a safe jurisdiction and not a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance. The VPN is also covered by a strict no-logs policy which has also been audited by a third-party company.

Although ExpressVPN is not 100% free, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which you can hack to use it free for 30 days. To get a refund, you can use the 24/7 live chat option.

Upon requesting a refund on the live chat of ExpressVPN, the representative asked me some questions related to user satisfaction and then generated the request, for which I got my money back in 3 business days.

All the ExpressVPN servers run on the RAM infrastructure (TrustedServer Technology), meaning the servers run totally on volatile memory.

And these servers are always rotating, so you’ll get a new IP address every time you connect. Using one of the US servers, I performed the ExpressVPN speed test, and I was amazed to see this VPN reach an average download speed of 93 Mbps and an average upload speed of 8 Mbps.

Accessing the famous streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, ExpressVPN was able to unblock all of these with no buffering issues while streaming in Australia.

ExpressVPN has a state-of-the-art Network Lock kill switch that terminates your internet connection if the VPN drops accidentally.

Similarly, there is a Smart DNS tool called MediaStreamer which gives you a magical experience while watching movies on your favorite platforms.

More features of ExpressVPN include military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, Lightway protocol, Threat Manager, IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection, 5 simultaneous connections, a dedicated router app, and split tunneling.

For more information, visit our detailed ExpressVPN guide!

2. NordVPN: Secure VPN for Windows in Australia

The secure VPN for Windows in Australia, NordVPN, is based in Panama, which is an extremely safe jurisdiction with flexible data retention laws. Also, the region falls out of the reach of the 14 Eyes Alliance.

NordVPN doesn’t offer a freemium version for Windows but you can take advantage of its money-back guarantee to use it free for 30 days. The process of getting a refund is insanely easy. All you need to do is reach out to a customer representative via the live chat option and generate a refund request.

The provider has a strict no-logs policy which has been audited by PwC and most servers of NordVPN work on the RAM infrastructure. There are specialty servers available for users, such as Dedicated IPs, P2P servers, and Onion over VPN for maximized anonymity.

Apps are available for all compatible devices including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Lightweight extensions are also available for Chrome and Firefox. You can use 6 simultaneous connections at a time with a single subscription plan.

NordVPN uses the military-grade AES 256-bit encryption method and you have your hands on the most advanced protocols such as IKEv2, OpenVPN, and NordLynx, which is a custom NordVPN protocol working on the WireGuard double NAT technology.

Upon performing the NordVPN speed test, I achieved an average download speed of 91 Mbps and an average upload speed of 8 Mbps.

I used plenty of servers to unblock major streaming sites like Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer and was successful in bypassing the geo-blocks in Australia.

Also, the SmartPlay feature allowed me to have an amazing experience while watching my favorite streaming content on the above-mentioned platforms.

More specifications of NordVPN include DNS leak protection, a built-in kill switch, Threat Protection, Obfuscated servers, and split tunneling.

For more information, visit our detailed NordVPN guide!

3. Surfshark: Best Multiple Devices VPN for Windows in Australia

Surfshark is the best multiple devices VPN in Australia offering unlimited simultaneous connections with a single account to cover all the compatible devices including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also set up Surfshark on your Chrome or Firefox browser, or both.

The VPN was previously based in the safest region, BVI. However, in 2020, Surfshark announced its relocation to a different country for business purposes and it is now headquartered in the Netherlands.

Surfshark doesn’t offer a free app for Windows but you can sign up and use the VPN service free for 30 days by taking advantage of the money-back guarantee offer. The process of getting a refund is very easy, you just need to ask for a refund via the 24/7 live chat option.

The provider doesn’t log or track any user data and all of the servers of Surfshark are 100% running on the RAM infrastructure. It also has a strict no-logs policy which has been audited by a third party called Cure53.

While performing the Surfshark speed test, I was astonished by the constant speed at the 80+ mark. The VPN achieved an average download speed of 89 Mbps and an average upload speed of 8 Mbps.

Surfshark has highly-optimized servers that can unblock almost all the geo-restricted streaming content worldwide. Upon testing, I could easily bypass the cranky algorithms of Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more in Australia.

Surfshark is a VPN that is easy on the pocket, just AU$3.69/mo(US$2.49/mo). on the 2-year plan. But in spite of being a budget-friendly VPN, the service doesn’t compromise on it’s quality or features.

This VPN uses the same military-grade AES 256-bit encryption as other big names and it offers advanced protocols like IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.

Handy features like MultiHop, CleanWeb, Whitelister, Camouflage Mode, and NoBorders Mode are also available which contribute in enhancing your online security and keep you anonymous on the open web.

For more information, visit our detailed Surfshark guide!

4. CyberGhost: User-Friendly VPN for Windows in Australia

CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN with an easy-to-navigate app for Windows and other operating systems including Mac, Android, and iOS. The VPN also provides lightweight extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

The provider offers a 24-hour free trial in which you can access all of its premium features except the NoSpy data center which offers in-house CyberGhost servers for maximum anonymity.

However, you can also use the service’s money-back offer. This VPN is one of the few ones that offer a 45-days long money-back guarantee offer. I used CyberGhost for 42 days and asked for a refund via the live chat option. I received my money after 4 business days.

CyberGhost is based in Bucharest, Romania which is not a part of the 14 Eyes Alliance and the VPN also has a strict no-logs policy. However, CyberGhost needs to go through an independent audit since the last one was performed in 2012, almost a decade ago!

Upon testing CyberGhost, I achieved an average download speed of 82 Mbps and an average upload speed of 8 Mbps which allowed me to bypass geo-blocks on famous streaming sites such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more in Australia.

CyberGhost offers a Smart Rules feature that allows you to set rules according to your preference on multiple networks. So whenever you connect to a Wi-Fi network, it automatically works with your set of customized rules configured for that particular network.

More features of CyberGhost include a built-in kill switch, split tunneling, IP & DNS leak protection, Smart DNS, and 7 simultaneous connections.

For more information, visit our detailed CyberGhost guide!

5. ProtonVPN: Free VPN App for Windows in Australia

ProtonVPN offers a free VPN for Windows and other platforms including Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, and even Chromebook. Extensions are also available for Chrome and Firefox.

The VPN is registered in Switzerland which has flexible rules and the region is not a part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. The provider also has a strict no-logs policy which means the user traffic is safe.

While the total network size of ProtonVPN is 1,700+ servers in 63 countries, the free version offers servers in the Netherlands, US, and Japan.

Upon testing, I achieved an average download speed of 25 Mbps and an average upload speed of 16 Mbps.

Most free VPNs come with a data cap but that’s not the case with ProtonVPN. All ProtonVPN users can have unlimited data limits whether you’re using the free plan or the paid plan. However, the paid users are given priority at peak times.

There can be difficulties unblocking streaming platforms with the free plan of ProtonVPN. But if you have a paid ProtonVPN plan, you can easily bypass geo-restrictions on famous streaming platforms such as Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and more in Australia.

More features of ProtonVPN include 256-bit AES encryption, a built-in kill switch, DNS leak protection, and Tor over VPN.

Choosing Best Free VPN For Windows in Australia: Points To Consider

If you are an avid reader at BestVPN.co, you might know that we always tell our users to be wary of FREE VPN services in Australia.

Yeah, we know that goes against this guide itself, but we have to cater to the needs of our audience-base – who often have queries about trustworthy FREE services.

So, we only go in-depth into reviewing free providers for you guys out there, but let us clear a few things out, shall we?

Trust and FREE never mix well, especially in the world of SaaS privacy tools. You know why? Because well, how do these free services operate?

Surely, they are not backed by non-profit organizations, and neither do they receive donations. How do they manage to pay for the advertising, bandwidth, websites, and tech support staff? This, my friends, is the real scam.

Obviously, you need to have money to run a service, the last time we checked. So in the world of VPNs, when someone markets themselves as a FREE ‘reliable’ service, do not mind if we laugh at the irony.

Half of these services compromise on your PRIVATE information, selling them to third parties. If not this, you have to suffer from hundreds of irritating ad pop-ups, loaded with viruses/malware.

Then, of course, we have free VPN providers that use Botnets on customer devices, and others that have links to data mining companies.

This is why we at BestVPN.co are paranoid about providers that “claim” they are free. For our users, we do our own research on providers that avoid such deceitfulness.

Before we go into giving suggestions, here are a few factors to consider when selecting a free VPN for Windows in Australia:

• Really free: I’ve made sure that all the VPNs on my list have a totally free version or a trustworthy money-back guarantee offer.
• Compatibility: Whenever you select a VPN in Australia, make sure it offers solid app compatibility. The best free VPN for Windows 10 providers will have a VPN client that works smoothly across all OS versions, be it XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 10.
• P2P/Torrenting: One of the main reasons for anyone to use a VPN is to engage in P2P file sharing. The provider you choose should have an open policy that grants users to download torrents freely while receiving high speeds.
• Protocols Available: The VPN provider you choose for Windows must support a range of protocols. The most basic include IKEv2 and L2TP/IPSec. However, if you want to leverage the best security, it is vital to select a VPN that supports OpenVPN.
• Privacy & Logging: The logging activities of a VPN are crucial to determining the level of anonymity you receive. Be sure that the VPN you choose boasts a no-logging policy. If your VPN records connection information, it defies the entire purpose of using a private network service.
• VPN Servers: The amount of server locations available in multiple countries is crucial for unblocking and accessing the content. Make sure to choose a provider that offers plenty of servers for connection, so that you can enjoy watching your favorite movies/TV shows anytime, anywhere!

Note: It is highly unlikely that you get wider server network with the kind of security mentioned above with a free VPN, we advise you to go for a paid VPN service to get such features and security.

Free VPN for Windows in Australia: There’s Always A Risk

Those who are intelligent will get the gist about free VPNs from the talk above. However, if you are still double-minded, we decided to go a little in-depth. To begin with, if you need a VPN for Windows in Australia, it is imperative to always go with a paid service.

Again, understand that “free” VPNs have to pay for legal fees, tech support staff, websites, advertising, bandwidth, and servers, all of which cost money. “There is no such thing as a free lunch” and all these costs do require a substitute earning model for FREE services.

As such, they will make it necessary for you to watch silly adverts, and others may even sell your private data to marketers. There is also no way to confirm whether the service is a governmental agency that wants to access encrypted data.

You could also mistakenly sign up with a service that on the backend is actually a bunch of hackers, looking to steal your data and possibly your identity. In short, what we are trying to say is that the risks associated with “free” VPNs are plenty.

If you want to receive the best value, security, reliability, speeds, and support, it is imperative to go for a paid service, as they do not suffer from things like:

• Session/Connection Logging: Most free VPNs will log your IP address, time stamps, pages visited, etc. When you purchase a paid plan, you have a contract with the VPN (they are bound to fulfill).
• Bandwidth Caps: Most free VPNs will set a data cap, which means you can only use 500 MB to 1 GB for a whole month. Paid services impose no such restrictions.
• Poor Speeds: Majority of the free VPN providers will set bandwidth caps. This limits users to receive speeds ranging from 1-3mbps. Paid services offer unlimited bandwidth speed.
• No Torrenting: Many VPN services that block Torrenting on free plans will allow them on paid plans. For torrenting, you need fast speed and bandwidth, which a free VPN doesn’t offer.
• Limited Servers: Most free VPNs will have a limited selection of servers available ranging anywhere from one to ten, and these servers will usually be very crowded.

Disappointed? you must be, it is advised to pay some dollars to secure your self online, you can check out our cheap VPN services blog

How to Setup Free VPN on Windows in Australia

Free VPN for Windows in Australia: FAQs

Which VPN is totally free for Windows in Australia?

ProtonVPN offers a totally free version for Windows in Australia. It has a network of 1700 servers in 63 countries from which you can connect to the US, Netherlands, and Japan with the free version. There are no data caps and you can have 1 simultaneous connection.

Is Windows built-in VPN good?

The Windows 10 VPN is a good option if you want to connect to your Workplace through an encrypted VPN.

Moreover, you can also obtain the connection details from your third-party VPN provider and connect through the Windows 10 VPN instead of installing the native VPN client.

However, it is difficult to change your server location while using the Windows 10 built-in VPN. Plus, you won’t be able to take advantage of features like Split Tunneling and Kill Switch that commercial VPNs offer.

Do I need a VPN with Windows 10 in Australia?

Yes, a VPN is a must-have tool to encrypt your online traffic and hide it from your ISP or other third parties monitoring. Also, you can geo-spoof your location to bypass region restrictions to access your favorite content while residing in Australia.

How do I set up a free VPN on Windows 10 in Australia?

Step 1: Click on the Windows Start button and go to Settings.

Step 2: In the Windows Settings tab, select “Network & Internet”.

Step 3: Click on “VPN” on the left panel.

Step 4: Click on “Add a VPN connection” on the right panel.

Step 5: A dialog box will open. Enter necessary details in the correct fields.

• VPN Provider: Windows (built-in).
• Connection name: Enter a connection name of your choice.
• Server name of address: Provided by your VPN service.
• VPN type: Choose a VPN protocol (if you’re not sure, select “Automatic”).
• Type of sign-in info: Select your preferred sign-in method.
• Click on “Save”.

Step 6: Connect to your newly created VPN network.

Does Windows 11 have built-in VPN?

Yes, Windows 11 does have a built-in VPN. However, you need to get a server yourself as Microsoft doesn’t provide one.

Wrapping Things Up

We have said it time and time again, but I guess another time will not hurt. BestVPN.co strictly advises against signing up with free providers.

The ones mentioned above are one of the top-tier premium services that have a free trial or a trustworthy money-back offer, which can be considered less of a threat in comparison to others selling scam services in the garb offering free VPN services.

From our list, ExpressVPN wins as the best free VPN for Windows in Australia as the provider offers top-of-the-line security, blazing fast speed, and a decent server network covering 160 locations. However, if you think the price is high, I suggest going for the budget-friendly Surfshark.

We try being as accurate as possible with our reviews, putting hours and days into our research and analysis. However, if you think there are better solutions, do not hesitate to drop a comment below!