When you open a page on the web, you will see different kinds of ads populating the web page like banners, pop-ups, side ads, and video ads. Close one and the other pop-ups!
There are many ad blockers in Australia on the app store, but we don’t recommend using one because these apps track users’ online activities and sell data to advertisers in Australia. Did you know, in 2018, Google removed hundreds of ad blockers from its Chrome Store because they were found planting trackers on users’ devices!
What you can do is use an ad-blocking VPN to block ads safely in Australia. Unfortunately, there are not many VPNs out there with ad-blocking features in Australia, but after extensive testing, we bring you the 3 best VPNs with ad blockers in Australia 2022.
Quick Overview – Best VPNs for Ad Blocking In Australia (Avoid Harmful Ads)
- Surfshark – Best VPN for Ad blocking in Australia. It offers 3200+ servers in 100 countries. CleanWeb feature stops ads, malware, and dangerous websites from harming your device at affordable prices. Supporting unlimited simultaneous connections for just AU$3.09/mo (US$ 2.05/mo) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for its Australian users.
- NordVPN – Secure VPN for Ad blocking. It offers 5500+ servers in 60 countries along with the most advanced security features to ensure complete privacy. A strong built-in ad blocker called CyberSec protects you from unwanted ads, malware, and dangerous online threats. You can get 6 simultaneous connections for just AU$5.26/mo (US$ 3.49/mo) with a 30-day refund program for its Australian users.
- Private Internet Access (PIA) – Popular VPN for Ad blocking. It holds one of the largest server networks in the world with 35000+ servers in 84 countries. It offers customizable ad blockers with advanced features but is limited to malware detection. It supports 10 simultaneous connection for only AU$3.06/mo (US$ 2.03/mo) , and a 30-day money-back guarantee for its Australian users.
3 Best VPNs for Blocking Ads In Australia (In-Depth Analysis 2022)
1. Surfshark – Best VPN for Ad blocking in Australia
Key Features:
- 3200+ servers in 100 countries including 91 servers in Australia
- Blocks ads, malware, and phishing attempts with CleanWeb
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- AES-256-Bit military-grade encryption
- Internet kill switch, clean web, and multi-hop
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.3
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox, Chromebook, and Android TV box
- Unblocks: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Channel4, Hotstar, BT-Sports, NBC Live, Spotify, ESPN+, and more
Surfshark is our top recommended VPN in Australia with an ad blocker called CleanWeb. During testing, I found that it blocked banner ads and even video ads on the side on both desktops and mobile phones in Australia.
Surfshark has a database of over 1 million websites infected with malware, and as you click on one, it warns you about it and blocks the content from loading in Australia.
This is extremely useful if you are into torrenting, as torrenting websites constantly get shut down and replaced with malware sites. With Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature, you will only access legitimate P2P sites in Australia.
Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature is turned off by default when you log in to the Australian server. Therefore, when you connect to a server, don’t forget to enable the feature manually.
To do that, go to the “Features” tab, and turn the CleanWeb feature on. Once you turn it on, you will see immediate results – no popups and annoying ads anymore in Australia.
It also offers 3200+ servers in 100 countries including 91 servers in Australia that can easily allow you to stream popular streaming services in Australia such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Channel4, Hotstar, BT–Sports, NBC Live, Spotify, ESPN+, and more.
Surfshark’s headquarter is also located in the British Virgin Islands and offers various top-class security features such as AES-256-Bit encryption, internet kill switch, clean web, secure DNS, and multi-hop to ensure that your identity remains concealed from your ISP and hackers in Australia.
Perhaps the feature which sets Surfshark apart from the rest of the providers is its ability to support unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account in Australia.
This means you can connect your Surfshark account on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Roku, PS4, Xbox, Linux, router, and many other devices simultaneously.
Available for a cost of AU$3.09/mo (US$ 2.05/mo) (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan), every Surfshark premium subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for its Australian users.
To learn more about this provider, check out our Surfshark review.
2. NordVPN – Secure VPN for Ad blocking
Key Features:
- 5500+ servers in 60 countries including 190+ servers in Australia
- CyberSec to block ads, phishing attempts, and malware.
- 6 simultaneous connections
- AES-256-Bit military-grade encryption
- Double VPN, onion over VPN, and obfuscated servers
- 30-day money-back policy
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.0
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Firestick, and Android TV box
- Unblocks: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Channel4, YuppTV US, Sling TV, Vudu, and more
NordVPN is a secure VPN in the market with an ad-blocking ability. It comes with a feature called CyberSec that blocks ads and protects the user’s from phishing attacks and malware sites in Australia. It is one of the best ad blockers in Australia.
NordVPN maintains the data of malicious websites, so when you click on one, its CyberSec feature prevents it from loading in Australia. Therefore, if you try to open a site infected with malware, NordVPN will display a warning message and block that site from accessing your data in Australia, thus protecting online security for Australian users.
CyberSec successfully filtered so many pop-ups and side ads on Buzzfeed’s home screen during testing, thus giving a cleaner web page and faster.
Apart from its browser extension, I tested this feature on iOS, Android, and Windows devices and was impressed by the results.
It has a server network of 5500+ servers in 60 countries including 190+ servers in Australia that are fully capable of circumventing geo-restrictions of various streaming services in Australia such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Channel4, YuppTV US, Sling TV, Vudu, and more.
NordVPN comes through its reputation for being one of the most secure VPNs for Australian users as it uses AES-256-Bit encryption, internet kill switch, secure DNS, double VPN, onion over VPN, and obfuscated servers to guarantee ultimate online security and privacy in Australia.
NordVPN single subscription can easily support 6 simultaneous connections in Australia. In addition, the provider can be easily configured on major popular devices such as Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux, router, Roku, Chromebook, Xbox, PS4, and more.
Even when it offers that much, NordVPN only costs AU$5.26/mo (US$ 3.49/mo) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan), and it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for its Australian users.
You can also check out our NordVPN review for more details.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Popular VPN for Ad blocking
Key Features:
- 35000+ servers in 84 countries including 185 servers in Australia
- Blocks ads with MACE
- 10 simultaneous connections
- AES-256-Bit military-grade encryption
- Ad and malware blocking, SOCKS5 proxy, WireGuard protocol
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Trustpilot Rating: 4.3
- Compatible with: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Roku, Chromebook, and more
- Unblocks: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, BFI Player, Crave TV, ORF, Nine, CBS, and more
Private Internet Access (PIA) is another premium VPN offering a built-in ad blocker called MACE. MACE successfully blocks ads, and banners on all devices, including browsers in Australia.
Just like NordVPN and Surfshark, MACE also maintains a database of ad servers that have been flagged before for sharing malware. As a result, it prevents such sites from loading in Australia.
PIA blocked ads on desktop and mobile devices in Australia during testings, but remember that you must download the .apk for Android from PIA’s official website because the app store version doesn’t include an ad blocker in Australia. We found this very odd, but now you know how to get this feature in Australia.
Another interesting thing is that MACE does not work on iOS. After contacting customer support in Australia, I found that PIA removed this ad-blocking feature from its app for iPhones in 2018. But, don’t worry, it was replaced with a Safari Content Blocker, and it effectively blocks ads on iPhones as well in Australia.
Some users on Reddit have complained that the PIA ad-blocking feature in Australia causes serious battery drain, so that is also something you should consider.
PIA VPN offers 35000+ servers in 84 countries including 185 server in Australia. With such an enormous server network, you can easily get unlimited access in Australia for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, BFI Player, Crave TV, ORF, Nine, CBS, and more.
Although its headquarter is located in the United States, rest assured your online privacy and anonymity are completely secure for Australians due to its AES-256-Bit encryption, internet kill switch, and secure DNS feature in Australia.
With 10 simultaneous connections support in Australia, the provider can be easily configured on major popular devices such as Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux, router, Roku, Chromebook, Xbox, PS4, and more.
Even when it offers that much, PIA VPN only costs AU$3.06/mo (US$ 2.03/mo) , and it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for its Australian users.
To learn more about this provider, check out our PIA review.
How ads track your online activities and why it’s dangerous In Australia
You must have noticed that, at times, ads start tracing you as you search for something online in Australia. For example, if you search for blue party dresses, you will start seeing targeted ads for blue dresses in Australia. Well, that’s because ads use different techniques to track your online activities in Australia. Here are the three most popular ways ads track online activities in Australia:
1. Tracking Cookies
A cookie is a file that is your browser. It contains a user ID, session ID, and other useful information. It helps sites function properly, and it also saves your password and other details, so you don’t have to repeat basic tasks for sites you visit most often in Australia. Cookies are unique for each website – meaning they can only be read by the website they belong to in Australia.
Websites download cookies on your browser, but they also download cookies from advertisers that you don’t know about. The cookie can then be read by any website that contains ads from that advertiser in Australia. This way, they can see what you search for online and other online activities in Australia.
2. Tracking Pixels
A tracking pixel is a relatively newer way to track user’s online activities in Australia. It is a small one-pixel dot or an object inserted into a website or in the HTML code of the email. It contains a code triggered as soon as the user clicks on the mail or the website in Australia.
The tracking pixel gives each user a unique ID and tracks online activities in Australia, the device you use, your browser, your location, and the websites you visit in Australia. That’s a lot of information!
3. Browser fingerprinting
Last, but not least, we have another technique browsers use to log data called browser fingerprinting. This technique is used for logging a lot of useful information like the type of browser you use in Australia, plugins installed, language, operating systems, and more. This information may sound generic in Australia, but it is the key to identifying you. Because it allows ads to follow you online everywhere you go online in Australia.
Are third-party ad blockers safe to use In Australia?
No, we don’t recommend using third-party ad blockers in Australia because, unlike VPNs, they log user data. However, a VPN with an ad blocker offers security that third-party programs don’t in Australia. VPNs with ad blockers not only protect you from trackers, malware and advertisers but also secure your online traffic in Australia.
A VPN encrypts your online traffic and masks your real IP address, which prevents hackers, advertisers, and your ISP from knowing your real location, identity, and online activities in Australia. Unfortunately, no ad blocker offers these security and privacy features for Australians. When you enable the VPN, it automatically blocks ads in Australia.
That said, other types of third-party ad blockers in Australia are limited, and they don’t provide the security that a VPN does in Australia.
How to choose the best VPN with an ad Blocker In Australia
The VPNs in Australia mentioned above are the safest options in the market with built-in ad blockers in Australia. But keep in mind not all VPNs with an ad blocker are safe in Australia. So, here are some important considerations when you are choosing the best VPN with an ad blocker in Australia:
- Make sure the ad blocker offered by the VPN actually works in Australia and is not a scam.
- Look for a VPN that also offers malware detection so you can be protected from ads that install malicious apps on your device in Australia.
- Make sure the VPN you choose is compatible with a wide range of devices and allows simultaneous connections so you can protect multiple devices at the same time in Australia.
- Double-check its privacy policy to make sure it doesn’t log any user data.
- Verify its money-back guarantee for Australians so you can try the VPN before actually buying it.
VPNs to avoid fake ad blockers In Australia
There are tons of VPNs in the market with fake ad blockers in Australia that don’t work at all. Here are some services that you should avoid using in Australia:
- PureVPN is a good VPN service, but it claims to have an ad blocker in Australia, but it doesn’t work, and you cannot find it in the app either. When contacted customer support, they confirmed that they don’t have one. So, they are knowingly spreading false information about their service in Australia.
- HolaVPN supposedly offers an ad blocker in its browser extension in Australia. Still, we don’t recommend using it in Australia because, in 2015, it was found selling user data and unused bandwidth to botnets, thus giving hackers access to users’ IP addresses.
- OperaVPN is a VPN service by Opera browser and has a browser extension with an ad-blocking feature in Australia. But after a thorough review of its privacy policy, we discovered that it logs personal information and other data to send targeted ads to Australian users.
Can I use a free VPN with an ad blocker In Australia?
You might find a free VPN with ad blockers or free ad-blocking tools online in Australia, but we don’t recommend using one because of safety issues and performance limitations in Australia.
Most free VPNs log users’ online activities and sell their private data to advertisers in Australia. This is a clear violation of the user’s right to privacy as you will be subjected to targeted ads in Australia. Even if you find a free VPN with an ad blocker in Australia, it will come with performance issues. For example, most free VPNs limit free data to a maximum of 10 GB per month, offering limited servers in Australia. Therefore, you will get extremely slow speeds which will make the VPN useless in Australia.
Similarly, most free Ad-blockers also don’t protect your data online like a VPN. Therefore, we recommend sticking to top-tier VPNs with ad blockers in Australia like Surfhark. You can try Surfshark free for 30 days using its money-back guarantee and enjoy an ad-free browsing experience in Australia.
How can I install a VPN with an ad blocker In Australia?
The best VPNs with ad blockers in Australia are easy to install on a wide range of devices. Follow these steps to install a VPN with an Ab Blocker in Australia:
- Subscribe to a VPN with Ab blocking features in Australia (we recommend using Surfshark for blocking ads, malware attacks, and phishing sites)
- Download and install the VPN app on your device and log in using your credentials.
- Go to settings and enable the CleanWeb feature
- Connect to a server location of your choice
- Enjoy an ad-free browsing experience!
Best VPNs with Ad blockers In Australia: FAQs
What’s the best VPN with an ad blocker In Australia for Android and iPhone?
After testing these VPNs, we recommend Surfshark as the best VPN with an ad blocker in Australia for Android and iPhone devices. The mobile apps of Surfshark contain the CleanWeb feature, unlike most VPNs that offer limited features for mobile apps in Australia.
What’s the best VPN with an ad blocker in Australia for Browsers?
Surfshark is the best VPN with an ad blocker in Australia that works on all major browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and other browsers. During testing, its CleanWeb feature effectively blocked ads on these browsers, including Microsoft Edge.
It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its Australian users so that you can try Surfshark’s CleanWeb ad blocker free for 30 days. If you don’t like the service, you can cancel and get a refund in Australia.
Which Australian VPN blocks ads on Hulu?
Unfortunately, VPNs in Australia cannot help you block ads on Hulu because Hulu has advanced VPN detection features, and it prevents it from disabling ads on the site. As a result, you can access Hulu with VPNs but cannot disable ads. We could bypass geo-restrictions and access Hulu during testing, but its ad blocker was of no help in Australia.
However, you don’t have to worry about Hulu ads, as it is legitimate like YouTube, so that it won’t harm your device in Australia. You need to sit through commercials.
Does ExpressVPN have an ad blocker in Australia?
No, ExpressVPN doesn’t have an in-built ad blocker in Australia. But you can use third-party ad blockers in Australia with it if you want. ExpressVPN recommends some ad blockers that are safe to use in Australia. Or you can use Surfshark which has its own ad blocker in Australia.
Final Thoughts
The internet is getting cluttered with intrusive ads, trackers, and all sorts of malware and pop-ups. Go to any website, and your screen will be cluttered with ads everywhere in the background, which is distracting and annoying in Australia.
In this fight against advertisers, using one of the best VPNs with ad blockers in Australia is the only secure option.
Unlike third-party ad-blockers in Australia, VPNs don’t log any user activity, so when you are online, your data will be secured with military-grade encryption in Australia.
The three recommended VPNs in Australia above have powerful ad blocking for Australian users and act as a great defense against annoying ads in Australia.
Also read: Opera VPN review
