Astrill VPN is one of the most expensive consumer VPNs on the market, and it makes no apologies for it. Based in the Seychelles and built with a laser focus on bypassing internet censorship, Astrill has earned a devoted following among expats and travellers in China, the Middle East, and other regions with heavy internet restrictions. Its proprietary StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols are specifically engineered to evade deep packet inspection — and they work remarkably well.
For the average Australian user, however, Astrill VPN is a tough sell. At approximately $12.50 per month even on an annual plan, it costs three to four times more than comparable services. The server network is decent but not exceptional, the apps feel dated compared to modern competitors, and the 5-device connection limit is below average. There's no free tier and no trial — just a 7-day money-back window.
Where Astrill justifies its existence is in its censorship-bypassing capability. If you're an Australian travelling to or living in China, Astrill is consistently rated as one of the most reliable VPNs for maintaining internet access behind the Great Firewall. The OpenWeb protocol provides fast, obfuscated connections that work when other VPNs fail entirely.
Privacy-wise, Astrill operates under Seychelles jurisdiction, which has no data retention laws. The company claims a no-logs policy but has not undergone an independent audit. For most Australians, there are better-value options for everyday VPN use — but for the specific niche of censorship circumvention, Astrill remains one of the best tools available. See how it compares in our full VPN rankings.
