Best Free VPN services for Austria in 2023
Using a VPN in Austria
People in Austria can access the internet easily and safely by utilizing a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. When you use a VPN, you’ll be able to get an IP address from either a local server or an international server. You can conveniently access local Austrian applications and websites using the local IP address. You can also access websites from other countries by choosing a server in your target location.
Overall, there should be no major legal problem when accessing the internet through a VPN in Austria. Users can freely access local websites and international sites using a VPN as long as they do not try to access blocked websites that violate the country’s laws. Doing so may prompt government agencies to monitor the user’s browsing activities.
In case you don't want to read the entire article, here’s a quick summary of the best VPN services according to our independent tests and research:
- NordVPN Best VPN for general work and entertainment purposes. I found it to be reliable, high-speed, and easy to set up, and it's one that I use daily for work.
- ProtonVPN (Free Version) Proton is often referred to as the single most trustworthy company in the VPN business. They focus on security over anything else and offer the best free VPN available. This is the company behind ProtonMail.
- CyberGhost VPN was voted as the best gaming VPN for 2023 and is one of the cheapest VPN services among the whole top 10.
Best Austrian VPN
RANK
BRAND
DEVICES
STATS
DOWNLOAD
1
6
6 simultaneous devices.
- ● Fastest VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 5300+
- ● Countries: 60+
WHY I LIKE NORDVPN NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, making NordVPN an obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever used. NordVPN even accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for extra anonymity.
2
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Cheap VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 65+
WHY I LIKE SURFSHARK: Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection.
3
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Free VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 1713+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PROTONVPN: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and is most known for their e-mail service ProtonMail. They currently offer the safest free VPN services on the market. There is also support for TOR usage and P2P file sharing. I highly recommend ProtonVPN if you are intending to do some extensive online sharing. It goes without saying that Proton does not collect logs of any kind and is completely safe to use.
4
7
7 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Torrent VPN
- ● Servers: 7400+
- ● Countries: 91+
WHY I LIKE CYBERGHOST CyberGhost VPN is the first choice of many other cybersecurity experts, and the reason is clear; they have the most complete VPN service. An incredible number of extra features that are best suited for the more advanced users but also work flawlessly for every-day purposes like P2P-filesharing. Cyberghost VPN also has the longest stretching money-back guarantee at a full 45 days.
5
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Robust/Security focused
- ● Servers: 750+
- ● Countries: 43+
WHY I LIKE ATLAS VPN: Atlas VPN is one of the best new free VPN services. With the free version, you get unlimited data, no ads and zero logging. During my speed tests, Atlas VPN performed very well and could compete with mainstream services. Kill Switch, Ad-blocker, and P2P support all included with a regular subscription, which is incredibly cheap for such a robust service.
6
∞
Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Netflix/Streaming VPN
- ● Servers: 35500+
- ● Countries: 84+
WHY I LIKE PIA VPN: PrivateInternetAccess is at the top of my streaming tests, which is a great combination with their easy-to-use UI, Open-Source software and built in adblocker. PIA is also perfect for those who want to be able to pay with PayPal which for some reason, many other VPN services do not support. 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple Netflix libraries, and extremely affordable are the three main selling points for this VPN service.
7
10
10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best VPN for Gaming and Streaming
- ● Servers: 200+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PRIVATEVPN: PrivateVPN is the strong underdog in the world of VPNs. With a shy number of servers, it is evident that they are focusing on quality over quantity. Overall, PrivateVPN is a very decent choice of VPN, especially if you had enough of the excessive advertising by some of the other more known brands in this list. Setting up the VPN requires extremely little intervention, and you can even pay with Bitcoin.
8
49%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best Mobile VPN app
- ● Servers: 3000+
- ● Countries: 94+
10
77%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
45 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Fastest free VPN
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 80+
11
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Great free VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 26+
12
68%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
10 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best reputation
- ● Servers: 91+
- ● Countries: 17+
14
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
15 day money-back guarantee.
- ★ Great adblocker included
- ★ Servers: 1800+
- ★ Countries: 20+
15
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices simultaneously
- ● Unlimited usage
- ● 50+ locations
16
70%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Unlimited traffic
- ● Up to 1 Gbps
- ● Free trial
17
85%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Unlimited bandwidth
- ● Countries: 60+
19
$5.00 /user
14 day free trial/money-back guarantee.
- ● Simple Cloud VPN Setup
- ● Site-to-site VPN Tunneling
- ● Easy Server & User Management
21
67%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices
- ● Locations: 65+
- ● 24/7 live support
22
80%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Countries: 20+
- ● P2P Optimization
23
66%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
Basic, advanced, and pro plans.
- ● Countries: 22+
- ● Locations: 36+
- ● 24/7 live support
24
79%
DISCOUNT
DISCOUNT
30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best multi-device VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 200+
Best Free Austria VPNs
| Free VPN | Average Rating | Logs | Netflix | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windscribe VPN | 79,83% | No | Yes* | 10 |
| Hotspot Shield VPN | 77,14% | No* | No | 1 |
| ProtonVPN | 76,37% | No | No* | 3 |
| TunnelBear VPN | 71,50% | No | No | 34 |
| FlyVPN | 59% | Yes | Yes | 13 |
| Hola Free VPN | 55,75% | Yes | No | 1 |
| Opera VPN | 52,83% | No | Yes | 4 |
How to choose the best VPN for Austria?
There are several VPN service providers in Austria to choose from. When it comes to selecting the right providers, there are a number of factors to consider based on your needs and browsing objectives.
Good VPN providers in most major countries, including Austria, usually have a huge array of server options. They should also be able to provide access to a number of geo-restricted websites.
VPN providers must also have servers that are fast and have minimal downtime. To keep your online activities secure, VPN service providers should have strong encryption and authentication setups.
It’s also a good idea to choose a VPN provider that enables multiple simultaneous connections to their network. They should also be able to provide dependable and timely customer service.
Another thing to think about is the price. Compare the prices and features of various VPN providers to see who can provide the best value for your money. ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and VyprVPN are some of the best VPNs to use in Austria. This is based on expert and user feedback.
How Austria’s Internet Censorship Works
Austria’s laws protect freedom of speech and the press, both online and offline. The government generally upholds these rights. There are no reports of heavy government censorship on internet access in the country. The government also does not spy on email or internet activities of private citizens without getting legal approval.
However, government officials can still prohibit access to certain websites that go against the law such as those that contain harmful images and hateful content. They can prevent people from accessing these flagged websites by working on closing these sites and asking the internet service providers in Austria to block their connection to them.
Several websites that violated copyright laws have also been targeted for closure. File sharing sites such as The Pirate Bay and isoHunt were among these websites. However, heavy criticism from the media and the absence of a formal procedure prevented the censorship action.
Are VPNs legal in Austria?
In Austria, using a VPN service is perfectly legal. There is already a wide selection of well-reviewed and reliable VPN service providers in the country. These VPN providers help Austrian residents to secure their data and provide fast connections for various browsing activities. They also allow their subscribers to access local and international sites.
However, accessing websites that violate Austrian laws might catch the attention of Austrian authorities. Even if they are not heavily censoring the internet, they are still hunting for any illegal content online that violates the country’s laws.
Can you get in trouble for using a VPN in Austria?
Using a VPN in Austria will not get you in trouble. However, even if you will use a VPN to mask your IP address, you should stay away from websites that violate the law such as those that promote racism, hate, violence, and other incendiary content. There is also a high probability that the authorities will be monitoring the web activities of those who are trying to access these illegal sites.
What sites are blocked in Austria?
The majority of blocked websites in Austria are those that have been flagged by authorities for violating the country’s laws. Websites that feature the neo-Nazi ideology, child abuse images, illegal products, and other prohibited content are usually blocked as per the request from the authorities.
Meanwhile, some international entertainment sites such as German TV stations and the U.S. Netflix have geoblocks that were set by broadcasters due to regional licensing limitations. Those who are trying to access these sites using local Austrian IP addresses without the coverage of a VPN service will not be able to do so.
Do any free VPNs work in Austria?
It is possible to use a free VPN in Austria. As an example, the Urban VPN is available for non-commercial use in Austria. It is powered by Urban VPN’s support group (Peer-to-Peer) VPN. Users who are part of this community assist one another in unblocking access to most websites by making available their network resources. In Austria, Hide.me also offers a limited-feature free VPN service. A free version of Windscribe’s paid service is also available. The plan includes 10 GB of free data per month.
There are other free VPN providers to choose from in Austria. However, their speeds and security settings aren’t always guaranteed. They don’t have many server choices, either. They usually have higher rates of disconnection and offer little ongoing support. It would be prudent for you to choose only those that have received high ratings on user review pages.
Why is my VPN slow in Austria?
VPN service slowdowns can be caused by a number of factors. VPNs encrypt the internet traffic and send it to a secure server. As a result of these additional steps that must be completed before you can access the internet, the service can cause a lag in your connection.
A slowdown can also be caused by the distance between you and the VPN server of your choice. Your connection must travel a longer distance to and from your destination if you select a server that is located farther away. As a result, lags in upload and download can occur.
The problem can also be caused by a VPN server that is nearly full. Some servers are also limited in capacity, allowing only a certain number of users to connect. As you approach the user limit, you can see lags or interruptions in your connection.
Some websites can also trigger VPN lags by attempting to block VPN users’ access. The problem may also be caused by a Google DNS configuration. Using a free VPN may also trigger a slow connection. Many free VPNs purposefully slow down your connection speed to conserve bandwidth for their paying customers.
Thoroughly check your smartphone also to see if it has a lot of background applications running as these apps can cause lags in your VPN. Your VPN speed can also be dragged by junk objects and unwanted programs.
How to unblock Google, YouTube, and more in Austria?
Well-known websites such as Google and YouTube can be accessed without difficulty in Austria. If you’re having trouble accessing websites, you can use a VPN to mask your IP and location. The VPN can mask and protect your internet activities while also masking your true location, depending on the VPN server you use.
You may use a web proxy network or server to avoid country-level restrictions. These proxy servers can let you change your server’s location. This way, there is a high chance that the website will think that you are from their target service location.
A SmartDNS service can also be used to mask your location and route your traffic via multiple servers, similar to how proxy servers function. This method, on the other hand, is considerably quicker because it does not require encryption. However, websites from huge entertainment companies might be able to detect the use of this service and block any access attempt.
What To Do If Your VPN Isn’t Working in Austria
Make sure your main internet connection is up and running if your VPN isn’t working. It is also a good idea to use a reputable VPN service provider to ensure that the servers you’re connected to are secure, reliable, and fast. They can also provide quick and dependable customer support if you have issues with your VPN services.
You may also use self-service checks to ensure that your networking setup is in working order. Use the command prompt and log in as the administrator to release or renew the IPConfig.
You can also check to see if the problem is the result of a DNS setup. To check whether your internet connection is up and running, ping an external IP address (for example, 8.8.8.8). Your internet link should be perfect if you get responses from a ping. Something is interfering with the VPN’s service if there is no answer or a request timeout error occurs.
Next, check your DNS settings in your network connections menu. Enable the “Obtain IP Address and Obtain DNS Server Auto” options in the Properties tab to ensure that your device can represent the settings directly from your modem or router. Set up OpenDNS to repair your DNS if the connection continues to be a problem.
Check the option settings on your Ethernet adapter to make sure they’re set to the recommended values. Try the following OpenDNS codes as your backup DNS server and preferred DNS server (208.67.220.220 and 208.67.222.222).
You can also check your underlying connection or try connecting to a different server location. Another choice is to change your VPN protocol. The protocols OpenVPN TCP, L2TP, and PPTP are recommended. Another choice is to change your DNS server configuration and adjust your proxy settings.
If the steps above don’t work, contact your ISP or VPN provider’s helpdesk. If the problem persists, you can consider changing your VPN provider to one that provides a better service.
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- Best VPN services for Taiwan (Get a Taiwanese IP Address)
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