I was impressed by NordVPN’s balance between powerful security and simple design.  Whether I connected to a Brisbane server or one overseas, the speed stayed stable. Even when streaming in 4K or joining long video calls, there was no noticeable lag.

Behind that performance is AES-256-bit encryption, the same standard trusted by banks, making any intercepted data unreadable.

I also liked their “Threat Protection”, which quietly blocked ads and malicious links in the background. Their no-logs policy, verified by independent audits, gave me confidence that none of my browsing history was stored or shared.

One of their main drawbacks is the pricing for their monthly plan, which costs more upfront. However, the yearly options are much more affordable and worth the value if you’re serious about privacy.

They have an online chat system and email support, which are responsive, but can feel impersonal if you prefer speaking directly with a representative.

Responsive and reliable

“NordVPN is very reliable and high speed. I use it whenever I go overseas to countries where surveillance is a normal part of society. I did have to reach out to customer service regarding a billing issue and both Renata Estrada & Clara Casado resolved the issue promptly. I mention their name hoping they get rewarded for their excellent customer service. Their good customer service has meant NordVPN has kept a customer.”

Matt. S, Product Review

Consistent support

“I tried another VPN provider and had nothing but problems with connection. With NordVPN, I turn it on, leave it running in the background and forget it, no connection problems, even on a trip to Sardinia last month. Can’t fault it at all.”

Billy McMurray, Trustpilot

ExpressVPN quickly became one of my favorites because it was effortless to use. It offers servers in 90+ countries, making it a go-to for travelers or anyone who needs global access.

I especially liked their TrustedServer technology, which stores data on RAM rather than hard drives, meaning nothing is permanently saved.

It’s one of the most secure options available, paired with AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. If the VPN drops, it instantly disconnects your internet connection.

In day-to-day use, I found the speed remarkably fast, even on distant servers. I could stream, browse, and work without interruptions. The 24/7 live chat was also a highlight, and I always got clear, helpful answers within minutes.

The only real drawback is their pricing, as ExpressVPN sits on the higher end of the market.

Good value 

“It’s a great VPN. Allows me to keep up with my favourite USA TV shows from India, maintain browsing privacy, and circumvent web restrictions when traveling to certain countries that restrict some types of web content. I will say that it doesn’t work all the time, sometimes it can’t connect to certain locations. But usually if that happens I can choose a different location to connect to. Sometimes it slows down my speeds too, but usually it doesn’t. Overall satisfied with the value for money.”

Shawn Agarwal, Trustpilot

Puts customers first

“I managed to create a second account somehow and got billed on two accounts. I thought it would be a total pain to get a refund but no, you just go to the subscription page, click refund and then they get on with it. Really great to see this lack of friction and you’ve got a customer for life because of it.” 

David Hodgson, Trustpilot

Surfshark is one of those rare VPNs that feel both powerful and practical. The standout feature to me was its unlimited device connections, meaning one subscription covers every phone, laptop, and tablet in the house.

Its CleanWeb tool automatically blocks ads and malicious links, while MultiHop routes traffic through two servers instead of one, giving double the protection.

During testing, local speeds in Brisbane were smooth and steady. I streamed HD video and browsed without lag. Surfshark also uses AES-256 encryption and follows a strict no-logs policy, audited by independent experts.

If there’s a tradeoff, it’s that some faraway servers can be slower during peak hours. Regardless, it’s one of the more affordable options in the market, with prices starting at $3.99 per month.

Fast and reliable

“My PS account was hacked twice before I started using Surfshark VPN. Since I started using Surfshark, I feel totally safe online and also able to get a far better streaming experience with my devices. Honestly, I can’t say enough about Surfshark VPN. Top notch.”

Alexander Wallace, Trustpilot

Quick responses

“I had login difficulties, as I had purchased through my Amazon account, which used my Amazon ID rather than my email address. I entered help chat, with Lucian Montgomery who was able to quickly identify the issue and gave clear instructions on how to resolve it. Very grateful.”

Ann Warne, Trustpilot

CyberGhost is a great entry point for anyone new to VPNs. The interface clearly labels servers for streaming or browsing, so you always know which to choose.

Setup was easy, and I appreciate how the app guided me step by step. Behind the simple design is an AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy similar to its competitors.

Speeds were reliable on Brisbane and Sydney servers, and the service worked well with popular streaming platforms. Additionally, with their Smart Rules feature, I could personally customize my VPN’s behavior.

Their 45-day money-back guarantee also gave me time to test without pressure, which is one of the most generous offers out there.

The only issue I found was with their customer support. Responses through their ticket system took longer than expected, especially on weekends.

Great service quality

“So I bought the 2 years + 4 months offer for about $57. It was great having multiple security and privacy features available although I only cared mainly for VPN servers, though more secured options were available in the program. But since I cared more for the VPN only, I saw an even cheaper offer on the mobile Play Store. Although, with only VPN servers provided and not the rest of features, I switched to it which was half the price of the annual subscription in the offer which felt like a steal..”

Youssef Atwa, Trustpilot

Genuine customer care

“Good price and very easy to set up. I like how I can choose a specific vpn for a specific purpose like downloading. Speed doesn’t seem to be affected at all. The kill switch works great, so I don’t have to worry. Also good to know it keeps checking my email for info leaks. The only thing I didn’t like was that it didn’t say what currency the payment was in. I thought it was AU, so I was shocked when I thought it was $56, but actually it was $90+ because the price was actually in USD, which it didn’t say anywhere. So it would’ve been good to have been able to actually choose which currency I could pay in seeing as I’m overseas at the moment.”

Jordan Bottros, Trustpilot

ProtonVPN takes privacy to another level. It’s built by the team behind ProtonMail and is based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws.

I liked their Secure Core feature, which routes your connection through protected servers before reaching the open internet. This makes it much harder for anyone to trace or monitor your data.

Its open-source apps allow independent experts to inspect the code, a level of transparency few VPNs offer. 

They also provide a free plan that offers unlimited data, although servers are limited. Additionally, only paid tiers unlock high-speed streaming and access to their Secure Core feature.

In my experience, speeds were solid across Australia. However, their interface can feel very technical, making it unfriendly for beginners. But it does get easier once you have everything set up.

Runs on legacy setups

“This app runs smoothly on legacy Windows setups, which is rare and valuable trait these days. It’s up to us to decide what “vulnerable” means in context, and for my setup, it’s stable and efficient. I’m docking one star only because support is limited and a few features don’t work as expected, but that’s understandable given the app’s age and target system. Honestly, I’m surprised by the negative reviews. It connects reliably for me, deliver faster speeds than Nord and ExpressVPN, and even works seamlessly with the Supermium browser. For an older app, it holds its ground impressively.”

Jason Hawkins, Trustpilot

Impressive free version

“I’m so impressed with the free version of proton that I’m actually suspicious of the negative reviews. I took a gamble despite the reviews on here and from my experience they definitely don’t sound right. Yes there is a free version that does everything a VPN needs to and more.”

David Chaplin, Trustpilot