Best VPNs for Optus Sport: Watch from anywhere

Want to watch Optus Sport outside of Australia? We explain how to stream unmissable games while on vacation and recommend the best VPNs for Optus Sport.

Optus Sport is a popular streaming service that allows people in Australia to watch the English Premier League, La Liga, FA Women's Super League, J League, and other popular soccer leagues and competitions, including Euro and World Cup qualifiers. This makes Optus a hugely popular streaming plan for soccer fans living down under. Unfortunately, licensing agreements mean that Optus Sport is only available in Australia. If you go on vacation, you will need a VPN for Optus Sport.

By connecting to a VPN server in Australia, you can get a valid IP address there. This makes it easy to watch Optus Sport, Kayo Sports, Ten Play, Stan, and any other Aussie streaming services from the UK, the US, or elsewhere in the world. The VPN's encryption means you can watch Optus Sport on restricted networks within Australia, such as at work or on campus.

The only caveat is that many VPNs have already been blocked by Optus Sport and other popular streaming platforms, including Netflix. This means you must pick a VPN that has been fully tested, and has fast servers suitable for streaming sports, TV shows, and movies in HD without buffering. Keep scrolling to learn how to use a VPN and to find the best VPNs for Optus Sport.

Below you can check out our quick list of the most reliable VPNs compatible with Optus Sport. These VPN services boast fast servers down under that let you log in and stream Optus Sport outside of Australia, at work, or on a restrictive public WiFi hotspot. 

These recommendations provide comprehensive apps for all devices and robust encryption protocols to safeguard your online activities and provide you with watertight online privacy.

Here are the best VPNs for watching Optus Sport on vacation:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Optus Sport. More than 5,500 servers across 60+ countries, including Australia. Ensures optimal streaming speeds. Features a robust no-logs policy, 24/7 support, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Packed with features like a kill switch, obfuscation, and ad blocking.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for Optus Sport. Unlimited connections offer fantastic value. Operates servers in 100+ countries. Compatible with popular streaming platforms like Optus Sport, Kayo Sports, Ten Play, and Netflix. Fast WireGuard protocol is suitable for gaming, HD streaming, and torrenting. Provides 24/7 support.
3. ExpressVPN: Fantastic all rounder. More than 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. Fast proprietary Lightway protocol is perfect for viewing Optus Sport abroad or on restricted networks. Compatible with various international streaming platforms, including Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. Offers 24/7 support.
4. CyberGhost VPN: Connect to over 9,000+ servers in 100+ countries. User-friendly interface with clearly labeled streaming servers. Works with Optus Sport and numerous other Aussie streaming services, including Netflix. Connect seven devices simultaneously. Solid encryption and a no-logs policy.
5. Proton VPN: With servers in 69+ countries, it facilitates access to Optus Sport, Kayo Sports, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Netflix, and other international streaming services. Supports port forwarding which makes it a fantastic option for torrenting. Highly advanced apps for all popular devices.
6. PrivateVPN: Advanced and secure. A highly dependable VPN with around 350+ servers in 63+ countries, including Australia. Works to watch Optus Sport and other popular streaming platforms, including around a dozen Netflix regions. Provides strong encryption, a kill switch, and a solid no-logs policy. 24/7 live chat support.

Summary Table

At BleepingComputer, our commitment to online privacy comes first. We rigorously assess market-leading VPNs to find reliable services able to protect you against tracking, online surveillance, and the threat of hackers.

With a shortlist of reliable VPNs at hand, we test providers with servers down under that work to watch Optus Sport, Kayo Sports, Stan, Ten Play, and other Aussie streaming services.

Later in this guide, we will provide additional info about our VPN testing methodology. For now, here are some of the main features we considered when choosing the best VPNs for Optus Sport:

• Fast servers in Australia that work to watch Optus Sport and other Aussie TV platforms.
• Reliable network of servers worldwide that work to access region-locked TV platforms and other censored websites.
• Fast speeds for streaming Optus Sport, playing games, and torrenting.
• Robust privacy and security features that protect you against online tracking.
• A money-back guarantee to let you try out the VPN on your own devices.
• Access to popular international streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
• Strong encryption and apps that are packed with world-class privacy features, including a kill switch and DNS leak protection.
• Apps for all platforms to let you enjoy privacy on all devices.
• A solid no-logging policy. 
• Reliable customer support, including 24/7 live chat support.
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party.

Best VPNs for Optus Sport: Detailed reviews

All of the VPNs recommended in this guide have been tested with Optus Sport. They are also highly reliable services in terms of security. That said, each VPN has subtle differences and may have some unique features or attributes. We recommend reading the summaries below to pick the best VPN for your needs.

NordVPN is a fantastic option for watching Optus Sport and popular Aussie services from abroad or on restrictive networks within Australia. NordVPN provides subscribers with swift servers in over 60 countries, including 190+ servers within Australia. NordLynx is the VPN’s proprietary protocol and is fantastic for streaming HD sports, or for gaming, torrenting, and making secure video calls without buffering.

NordVPN delivers unlimited bandwidth across six simultaneous connections, which is usually enough coverage for power users or families. Apps for all popular devices mean you can use NordVPN to gain privacy on smartphones, tablets, Windows and Mac laptops and desktop computers, Firestick devices, Linux machines, and other devices such as routers and smart TVs.

Servers for P2P traffic are ideal for torrenting, and you can access the dark web via Tor Over VPN servers for added security. It has streaming-optimized servers that work with popular international services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and many more.

NordVPN is highly secure and has been independently audited, meaning you don't have to take any of its privacy claims on faith alone. The VPN has a solid no-logging policy, and it runs on a proprietary network of diskless servers that can be erased remotely in an emergency. 

Users can connect with a choice of protocols, including OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption. We tested the VPN and it was free of DNS leaks and had a reliable system-wide kill switch. This ensures your privacy whether you use the internet at home, work, or on a public WiFi hotspot. 

The apps also provide you with ad blocking and malware protection to further increase your online security. You can get help with using the VPN via 24/7 live chat and test it risk-free on your devices thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Superb value for money.

BEST VPN FOR OPTUS SPORT: Blazing-fast NordLynx protocol ensures uninterrupted streaming. Easy access to Optus Sport from abroad or on restrictive networks. Effortlessly unlocks Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and more. Robust encryption and a kill switch ensure rock-solid security. Allows torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee for you to test its features hassle-free.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is an impressive VPN that offers incredibly good value for money. A subscription starts at just $2.00 per month and allows unlimited device connections to over 3,000 servers spanning across 100+ countries, including servers in Australia for Optus Sport. This makes it a fantastic option for people who own many devices – or for anybody who wants a VPN, they can share with friends and family.

In addition to Aussie TV platforms like Optus and Kayo Sports, Surfshark can access more than 20 Netflix libraries, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and plenty of other international services. In our most recent tests, Surfshark’s download speeds averaged 189 Mbps. This is an impressive benchmark that ensures seamless streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

Surfshark comes with a kill switch, a choice of protocols, strong encryption, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, a robust no-logs policy, and diskless servers that run in RAM. It completed a third-party audit of its apps. It also includes a Smart DNS feature and a CleanWeb feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware – making it even better value for money.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Plus, Surfshark offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Live chat is available around the clock and you can try the VPN yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

RELIABLE AND CHEAP: Surfshark offers almost unbeatable value for money for streaming Optus Sport, Kayo Sports, Stan, and other popular Aussie services. Works to access international streaming services consistently. Fast WireGuard connections. Allows torrenting. User-friendly apps for all popular platforms include a kill switch. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick. You can get an IP addresses across 94+ countries, including Australia to watch Optus Sport on vacation, at work, or on campus.

The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is great in terms of privacy. As you might expect the VPN has a solid no-logging policy and a network of diskless servers that have been independently audited. Connections are protected by solid DNS leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch, ensuring your online activities remain secure at all times. 

You also get a complimentary Smart DNS service (MediaStreamer) that facilitates access to US Netflix and other American TV platforms on smart TVs and game consoles. This makes it a great option for watching US TV services in Australia.

ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin payments and has a site on the dark web if you prefer anonymous signup. It is a touch expensive, and you can only connect eight devices at once. However, it is fast thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol, and it is fantastic for watching TV and torrenting in Australia or while on vacation. You can get help at any time of day thanks to its 24/7 live chat.

SUPERB ALL ROUNDER: ExpressVPN has a massive server network that works to access Aussie services, over a dozen Netflix regions, and many other popular platforms. Reliable kill switch. Lightway protocol is fast for gaming, torrenting, and streaming. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost VPN is a particularly good choice for beginners and non-techy computer users who want to gain online privacy and access to Aussie services as easily as possible. It has apps for all popular devices, and it clearly labels its servers by use purpose – including streaming servers for each country.

The VPN is super-fast thanks to the WireGuard protocol. It can access not only Aussie services like Stan, Foxtel, and Optus Sport, but also international services like Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and many more.

CyberGhost VPN's applications come with robust encryption, a strict no-logs policy, DNS leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. You can gain online privacy and security whether you are at home, on public WiFi, or at work.

CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is great in terms of privacy due to its lack of mandatory data retention. It does support P2P connections for torrenting, but it doesn't have split tunneling or port forwarding. Round-the-clock live chat support is available on its website. Connect up to seven devices at once. It has a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

CHEAP SUBSCRIPTIONS: CyberGhost VPN is perfect for beginners who want to gain online privacy and access international services. Bypasses blocks in most countries, and is private enough to watch Optus at work or on campus. Has more than 9,000 servers worldwide. Solid no-logging policy and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

Proton VPN is a super-techy VPN that is perfect for Aussie internet users who want as many advanced features as possible. The VPN was developed in Switzerland by the team behind ProtonMail. It is a highly trusted service that works to gain watertight online privacy no matter where you connect to the internet.

The VPN has servers in 69+ countries, including Australia, to watch Optus Sport, Kayo Sports, and other popular Australian TV platforms. Plus, in our tests, Proton VPN worked to access various Netflix regions, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and a bunch of other popular services. The WireGuard protocol gives it superb speeds for streaming.

Although it does have a free plan, the free servers are located in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands. Those servers will not access streaming platforms like Netflix. If you want to stream, you need a paid account.  

The best thing about Proton VPN is that it comes packed with advanced features, including obfuscation, split tunneling, MultiHop connections, and port forwarding. This makes it the best option for torrenting privately in Australia.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Live chat support is available on its website for members. The biggest caveat is that it is a touch expensive.

BEST FOR TORRENTING: Proton VPN has many advanced features that make it great for advanced users. It is a touch pricey, but it is popular with people who torrent. Works to access many streaming services, including Optus Sport, but we recommend testing it with your streaming accounts to be sure it works with all of them. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

PrivateVPN rounds off our list of the best VPNs for Optus Sports. It is based in Sweden, has a solid no-logs policy, and runs on a proprietary network.

The VPN has a pretty small network of approximately 250 servers in 63+ countries. Those servers are adept at accessing international streaming services. For example, the Aussie servers work to watch Optus Sport or Stan on vacation. It also works to watch over a dozen Netflix regions, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and others.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. They come with DNS leak protection, OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption, obfuscation, and a dependable kill switch. It’s perfect for torrenting thanks to its port forwarding feature. However, it doesn’t have split tunneling.

Live chat support is available 24/7 on its website, and we found the VPN to be very easy to use. The main drawback is that it isn't the fastest VPN on this list. However, it is cheap and it works for streaming in HD without any issues. You can test it using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

GREAT RELIABILITY: PrivateVPN has reliable apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android that have obfuscation and strong AES encryption. Works with Netflix, Optus Sport, Kayo, Stan, and many others. Includes a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and port forwarding features. Excellent for torrenting. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Optus Sport VPN testing methodology

Picking the right VPN can feel like navigating a maze of options. There are dozens of VPN brands to pick from, and they don't all deliver on their promises. At BleepingComputer, we value privacy and data security above all else. We only recommend reliable VPNs that protect your privacy above all else.

You can find out more about how we test and recommend VPNs in our methodology guide. To summarize, we test each VPN to ensure it has reliable encryption that can secure your data against online tracking and surveillance. We also check the privacy policy, carry out speed evaluations, and ensure the VPN has servers in Australia that work with Optus Sport.

This method ensures that in addition to being suitable for streaming Optus, the VPN carries out its primary function of being a privacy and online security tool. Below, we've outlined the key factors we used to pick the best VPNs for Optus Sport.

• Robust security and privacy: We only recommend VPNs that prioritize data security. All the VPNs for Optus Sport in this article offer strong encryption, advanced protocols, kill switches, and DNS leak protection to ensure your online activities remain secure and private.
• Privacy protection: Each VPN in this guide adheres to a no-logs policy. They never collect or share any data related to your IP address, server connections, or browsing habits.
• High-speed servers: We tested the market to find reliable VPNs that offer fast Tier 1 networks with connections that are suited to streaming, gaming, and torrenting. This translates to smooth access to Optus Sport and other Australian TV services from anywhere.
• Global network: We recommend VPNs that have large, versatile server networks. Our recommendations can access popular international streaming services, social media VoIP apps, and anything else that takes your fancy.   
• Apps for all platforms: The VPNs we recommend for Optus Sport work to stream on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firesticks. Some work on routers, some on Linux, and others offer browser extensions.
• Customer support: All our recommendations have live chat support to help you at any time of day.

In addition to these important features, our top three picks must also meet two other criteria. Firstly, they must all have completed third-party audits of their policies, apps, and networks. This guarantees that the VPN is working as advertised and provides transparency and complete trust in the security provided by those services. 

Next, our top three picks must run on diskless servers. Servers that run in RAM can be erased by pulling the plug, and no personal data is ever stored on a hard disk.

How to watch Optus Sport with a VPN 

As long as you pick one of the VPNs recommended in this guide, you can watch Optus Sport on vacation abroad. Many VPNs have already been blocked, so we tested the market to find reliable VPNs with fast servers down under. 

Using a VPN to watch Optus Sport is very straightforward. However, if you are a beginner and aren't sure how to use a VPN, we explain the entire process below.

How to use a VPN to watch Optus Sport on vacation or a restricted network in Australia:

1. Choose a VPN for Optus Sport. Our top choice is NordVPN, boasting fast servers in Australia that effectively unlock Optus Sport. Alternatively, Surfshark offers a cost-effective solution and ExpressVPN stands out as a versatile option, especially when you opt for a longer discounted plan.
2. Download the VPN app onto your streaming devices. Our recommended VPNs offer dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Firestick to let you watch Optus Sport on vacation on any tablet, smartphone, or laptop.
3. Install and log in to the VPN app. Download desktop apps from your VPN’s website, and mobile apps from your device’s app store.
4. Choose a server in Australia and click Connect to get a valid IP address in Australia.
5. Head over to the Optus Sport website and log in. You will now be able to stream your account on vacation, traveling for work, or on any restrictive network within Australia. 

If you have any trouble streaming Optus Sport using your VPN, we recommend that you clear the cookies and cache in your browser. Trackers left in your browser can undermine your VPN by revealing your location. Once these have been cleared your VPN will work smoothly to watch Australian TV from abroad.

Optus Sport VPN FAQs

Can I watch Optus Sport using a free VPN?

No. Although a few trustworthy free VPN plans are available, they are not suitable for streaming Aussie TV. We know of no reliable, secure VPNs that have a free plan with servers in Australia. 

The limitations of free VPNs entail slow speeds, download limits, and purposefully implemented blocks on streaming platforms like Optus Sport and Netflix. You cannot use the free servers for streaming.

We strongly recommend avoiding the vast majority of free VPNs. Many free VPNs have invasive privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data and sell it to third parties. 

Besides these privacy risks, free VPNs have also been found to lack encryption, have app and server vulnerabilities, suffer from leaks, and even conceal spyware in their apps. This makes using most free VPNs a risk to the health of your data and devices.

Why is Optus Sport blocked overseas?

Optus Sport is a sports streaming service that licenses its content to the Australian market. To adhere to the licensing contracts it agrees with sports leagues, it must track user locations and restrict streaming to viewers within Australia.

Using a VPN helps conceal your location, providing an IP address in Australia while traveling for work or on vacation. This bypasses region locks, letting you watch Optus Sport content from anywhere. 

Do I need a fast VPN to watch Optus Sport?

Yes. There are many competing VPNs to pick from but they are not all created equally. Many VPNs cut corners by renting cheap servers. They also have only a few servers in each location, which leads to congestion and makes the VPN very slow.

The VPNs we have recommended to watch Optus Sport have fast servers in Australia suitable for streaming and other data-intensive tasks such as gaming or making video calls. Our recommendations also have fast protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, which offer speedy connections that let you stream without buffering. 

Can I watch Optus Sport at work or in school with a VPN?

Yes. If your employer, college, or university has blocked streaming services like Optus Sport, you can use a VPN to regain access. By connecting to a VPN server in Australia you can bypass any blocks implemented by the WiFi network’s administrator. 

Many employers block access to streaming platforms like Optus or Netflix to prevent distractions, but thanks to the encryption provided by a reliable VPN, you can regain access to any website or internet with complete privacy.

Our recommended VPNs work to bypass gaming blocks, social media blocks, streaming blocks, and other restrictions. However, while a VPN can protect your privacy online, it can't stop your boss from walking up behind you.

For this reason, we tend to recommend sticking to using a VPN on your personal devices and only during legitimate breaks.

What can I watch on Optus Sport?

Optus Sport is an Australian sports streaming network primarily dedicated to broadcasting football (soccer). It is the best place to stream the UK’s Premier League and also broadcasts matches from various other soccer leagues from around the world. Below we have included a list of soccer leagues available to stream on Optus Sport:

• English Premier League 
• La Liga 
• Women's Super League
• Premier League Asia Trophy 
• J-League
• K League
• DFB-Pokal
• DFB-Pokal Frauen
• Copa América 
• UEFA European Championship 
• CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 
• UEFA European Championship Qualifiers
• UEFA World Cup Qualifiers
• UEFA Nations League
• UEFA Women's Euro