Last tested: March 2026 — Brisbane, QLD on 100Mbps NBN (FTTP) using WireGuard protocol
Speed Test Results — Australian Servers
All tests conducted on a 100Mbps NBN FTTP connection in Brisbane using the WireGuard protocol (ProtonVPN's recommended protocol). Testing window: 7–9 PM AEST on weeknights during peak hours for realistic results.
| Server Location | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) | Speed Retention |
|---|
| Sydney, AU | 87.3 | 35.6 | 20 | 87% |
| Melbourne, AU | 84.1 | 33.9 | 27 | 84% |
| Brisbane, AU | 90.6 | 37.2 | 10 | 91% |
| Perth, AU | 77.4 | 29.8 | 58 | 77% |
| Singapore | 72.8 | 27.1 | 101 | 73% |
| US West (Los Angeles) | 55.3 | 19.7 | 171 | 55% |
| UK London | 49.8 | 16.9 | 282 | 50% |
Key takeaway: ProtonVPN's speeds are solid but sit slightly behind NordVPN and Surfshark on Australian servers. The difference is most noticeable on international connections — about 5–10% slower to the US and UK. That said, 87% retention on Sydney servers is more than enough for streaming in 4K, video calls, and general browsing. The Secure Core feature does add additional latency (expect 15–20% more) since your traffic routes through an extra server, so only enable it when you need the extra privacy layer.
Note on the free tier: Free servers are limited to the US, Netherlands, and Japan with noticeably slower speeds (typically 15–30 Mbps). Fine for browsing and basic streaming, but you'll want a paid plan for Australian servers and full performance.
Streaming: What Works in Australia
We tested every major streaming platform across two weeks in March 2026 on ProtonVPN's paid Plus plan:
- Netflix AU ✅ — Works on Sydney and Melbourne servers
- Netflix US ✅ — Unlocks US library on most US servers
- Stan ✅ — No issues on Australian servers
- Kayo Sports ✅ — Works on AU servers, including from overseas
- Binge ✅ — Reliable on all AU servers
- Disney+ ✅ — AU and US libraries accessible
- Paramount+ ✅ — Works on AU servers
- 7plus ✅ — Works from overseas with AU server
- 9Now ✅ — Works from overseas with AU server
- ABC iView ✅ — Works from overseas with AU server
ProtonVPN has significantly improved its streaming support over the past two years. All Australian services work reliably, and accessing them from overseas via AU servers is consistent. US Netflix unlocking has also become more reliable — we hit blocks on only one out of eight US servers tested.
Honest note: ProtonVPN's streaming support, while now solid, historically lagged behind NordVPN and Surfshark. We still noticed slightly more server rotation needed for some international libraries (Netflix UK required trying two servers). The free tier does NOT support streaming — this is a paid-plan feature only. Also worth noting: BBC iPlayer was blocked during our testing.
Privacy & Security Deep Dive
Jurisdiction: Switzerland. This is the gold standard for VPN privacy jurisdiction. Swiss privacy laws are among the strongest in the world, the country has no mandatory data retention requirements for VPN services, and it's outside all intelligence-sharing alliances (Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, Fourteen Eyes). Swiss courts have historically sided with privacy in disputes, and the country's political neutrality adds another layer of protection. For Australians subject to our own metadata retention laws, this is as good as it gets.
Logging policy: ProtonVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy. They don't record browsing activity, connection logs, IP addresses, session lengths, or DNS queries. Under Swiss law, even if compelled by a court order, ProtonVPN cannot hand over data it doesn't have. The only information stored is your email address and payment details (and you can pay with Bitcoin or cash to minimise even that).
Audit history: This is where ProtonVPN truly separates itself. All ProtonVPN apps are fully open source — the code is publicly available on GitHub for anyone to inspect. Independent security audits have been conducted by SEC Consult (2019), Securitum (2022), and multiple community audits. The open-source approach means security researchers worldwide can (and do) examine the code continuously. No other major VPN provider offers this level of transparency.
Encryption: AES-256 encryption on all connections. Supported protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), and Stealth (ProtonVPN's custom obfuscation protocol built on TLS). WireGuard uses ChaCha20-Poly1305. The Stealth protocol is specifically designed to bypass VPN blocks and deep packet inspection.
Kill switch: We tested by forcibly terminating the VPN connection. The kill switch activated within 1 second on all platforms, completely blocking internet access until the VPN reconnected. ProtonVPN also offers a "permanent kill switch" option that blocks all non-VPN traffic even when the app is closed — a feature few competitors include.
DNS leak tests: Zero leaks across all tested servers using dnsleaktest.com, ipleak.net, and browserleaks.com. ProtonVPN operates its own DNS servers and supports DNS over HTTPS for additional protection.
Special features:
- Secure Core: Routes traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before reaching the exit server. This means even if the exit server were compromised, your real IP would still be hidden behind the Secure Core server. Essential for high-threat users
- NetShield: DNS-based ad, malware, and tracker blocking. Three levels: off, block malware only, or block malware + ads + trackers. Works system-wide
- Stealth Protocol: Custom protocol designed to make VPN traffic indistinguishable from regular HTTPS. Effective for bypassing restrictive networks and ISP throttling
- Tor over VPN: Built-in Tor support without needing the Tor browser — connect to a Tor server and browse .onion sites directly
- Port Forwarding: Available on paid plans for P2P performance optimisation
- VPN Accelerator: Proton's technology to improve speeds on long-distance connections by up to 400%
App Experience
ProtonVPN's apps have a distinctive look — clean, slightly utilitarian, with a green-and-dark colour scheme that matches the broader Proton ecosystem. The home screen shows a world map with connection lines and your current server. It's functional rather than flashy, which suits the privacy-focused user base.
Clicks to connect: One click on "Quick Connect" gets you on the fastest server. Selecting a specific country or Secure Core route takes two clicks. The interface is straightforward — no confusion about what's happening.
Server selection: Servers are listed by country with load indicators (percentage of current capacity). You can filter by features: Secure Core, P2P, Tor, and Streaming. Free servers are clearly marked and separated from Plus servers. Each server shows its load, which helps you pick less congested options.
Settings: Comprehensive without being overwhelming. Protocol selection (WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth), kill switch (standard and permanent), split tunnelling, NetShield ad blocking levels, auto-connect preferences, and port forwarding. The "Profiles" feature lets you save custom connection configurations — handy if you regularly switch between streaming, torrenting, and privacy setups.
Mobile vs desktop: The mobile apps are clean and well-designed. Android gets the full feature set including split tunnelling and the Stealth protocol. iOS is slightly more limited (Apple restrictions), but the core functionality is all there. One nice touch: the apps integrate seamlessly if you use other Proton services — ProtonMail, ProtonDrive, ProtonCalendar — creating a unified privacy ecosystem.
Pricing Breakdown
All prices in AUD, current as of March 2026:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Total Cost | Savings |
|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | — |
| Monthly (Plus) | $9.99/mo | $9.99 | — |
| 1-Year (Plus) | $4.99/mo | $59.88 | 50% off |
| 2-Year (Plus) | $3.99/mo | $95.76 | 60% off |
Free tier: ProtonVPN's free tier is genuinely usable — no data limits, no ads, and decent speeds on servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan. It doesn't include Australian servers, streaming support, or advanced features like Secure Core and NetShield, but for basic privacy browsing it's legitimate. No other VPN in our top 3 offers this.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days on all paid plans. Proton uses a prorated refund system for unused time, which is processed within 5–7 business days.
Payment methods: Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and cash (yes, you can mail them cash — peak privacy). The Bitcoin option is notable for maximum anonymity.
Value perspective: ProtonVPN is the most expensive in our top 3, but you're paying for genuine privacy credentials and open-source transparency. Proton also offers the Proton Unlimited bundle ($9.99/mo on 2yr) which includes ProtonMail, ProtonDrive (500GB), ProtonCalendar, and ProtonPass — excellent value if you want to go all-in on the Proton ecosystem.
Who Should Use This VPN
Best for:
- Privacy-first users: If your primary motivation for a VPN is genuine privacy rather than streaming, ProtonVPN's Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, and Secure Core routing are unmatched
- Journalists, activists, and whistleblowers: Secure Core, Tor integration, and the ability to pay with Bitcoin or cash make ProtonVPN the most secure option for high-risk users
- Proton ecosystem users: If you already use ProtonMail or ProtonDrive, ProtonVPN integrates seamlessly and the Unlimited bundle is strong value
- Try-before-you-buy users: The genuinely functional free tier lets you test the service with zero commitment — no other top-tier VPN offers this
Not ideal for:
- Budget users with many devices: At $3.99/month with 10 device connections, it can't compete with Surfshark's unlimited devices at $2.19/month
- Speed-obsessed users: NordVPN's NordLynx delivers slightly faster speeds on Australian and international servers. The difference matters most for competitive gaming or very large downloads
How It Compares
In our Australian top 3, ProtonVPN is the privacy specialist. It sacrifices a few percentage points of speed and costs a bit more than the competition, but what you get in return — Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source apps, Secure Core routing, and the backing of the ProtonMail team — is unmatched. NordVPN beats it on speed and streaming breadth, Surfshark beats it on price and device count, but neither can touch ProtonVPN's privacy credentials.
The free tier is also a genuine differentiator. No other VPN in our top 3 lets you use the product indefinitely without paying. It's a confident move from a company that believes its product sells itself.
For detailed comparisons, see NordVPN vs ProtonVPN for Australians and Surfshark vs ProtonVPN breakdown.
