From ensuring privacy to circumventing geographical barriers, the demand for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has been steadily increasing across the globe. In Austria, the trend is not any different. According to 26, a considerable significant number of internet users resort to VPNs. Within this piece, we delve into the crucial reasons behind this widespread adoption and guide you towards the best VPN for Austria.
Are Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) Lawful in Austria?
In Austria, using a VPN for personal purposes is legal, and there are no specific laws prohibiting its use. Individuals can safely access the internet through a VPN without legal repercussions. However, engaging in illegal online activities, such as unauthorized downloading of copyrighted material or hacking, remains illegal irrespective of VPN usage.
Austria has data retention laws that could potentially be used for lawful investigations, but they don’t directly target VPN users. It’s important to review the terms of service of your chosen VPN provider and ensure responsible use, as using a VPN for legitimate purposes like online privacy and security is legal, while using it for illegal activities can lead to serious consequences.
Why Use a VPN in Austria?
There are several reasons motivating Austrians to use VPNs:
- Improved Speed: With an average internet speed of 70 Mbps, VPN usage can lead to a slight reduction (typically around 31%) but often improve overall browsing experience.
- Enhanced Privacy: VPNs provide a digital camouflage, shielding your personal data from prying eyes.
- Access to Geo-restricted Content: By masking your IP address, VPNs enable access to regionally blocked content.
Content Rich Channels In Austria You Can Access via VPN
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Traditional Channels:
- ORF eins: The national public broadcaster of Austria, offering a mix of news, current affairs, documentaries, dramas, and entertainment shows. Popular programs include “Zeit im Bild” (news), “Universum” (documentaries), and “Tatort” (crime drama).
- ORF 2: Another public channel focusing on cultural programming, documentaries, and educational shows. Popular programs include “kulturMontag” (arts and culture), “DokThema” (documentaries), and “Seitenblicke” (lifestyle).
- ATV: A leading commercial channel known for its reality shows, talk shows, and American imports. Popular programs include “Bauer sucht Frau” (reality show), “Talk im Turm” (talk show), and “The Big Bang Theory” (sitcom).
- Puls 4: Another popular commercial channel offering a mix of entertainment shows, comedies, and sports broadcasts. Popular programs include “Austria’s Next Topmodel” (reality show), “Vera Russwurm Show” (comedy), and Bundesliga football matches.
- ServusTV: A private channel focusing on Austrian culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Popular programs include “Bergdoktor” (drama), “Heimatsterne” (music show), and “Mei liaber Österreich” (travel show).
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Streaming Platforms:
- ORF Player: Free streaming platform of the Austrian public broadcaster, offering access to live streams and on-demand content from ORF eins and ORF 2.
- Flimmit: Popular Austrian streaming service with a vast library of Austrian and international movies and TV shows.
- Zappn: Streaming service offering access to live streams and on-demand content from several Austrian private channels, including ATV and Puls 4.
- Netflix: The global giant also has a strong Austrian library with original productions like “Freud” and “Dark”, as well as international hits like “Stranger Things” and “The Crown”.
- Amazon Prime Video: Gaining traction with its original series and movies, Amazon Prime Video offers Austrian productions like “Wir sind Kaiser” and “The Mopes”, as well as international hits like “The Boys” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”.
What to Consider When Selecting a VPN?
The following features are critical to consider when choosing a VPN:
- Encryption Quality: Top-grade encryption ensures optimal data security.
- Server Count: More servers guarantee better speed and connectivity.
- No-logs Policy: A strict no-logs policy ensures the VPN provider isn’t keeping tabs on your online activities.
- Streaming Performance: Your VPN should provide stable, high-quality streams.
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ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a popular virtual private network (VPN) provider known for its strong security, fast speeds, and user-friendly interface.
Pros:
- Strong Security: ExpressVPN uses military-grade encryption protocols and a no-logs policy to protect your online privacy and security. Ideal for online banking, browsing public Wi-Fi, and accessing geo-restricted content.
- Fast Speeds: Boasting a global network of high-speed servers, ExpressVPN ensures reliable and fast connections for streaming, downloading, and browsing.
- Global Server Network: With servers in over 94 countries, you can easily connect to locations worldwide and bypass geo-restrictions on websites and streaming services.
- User-Friendly Interface: ExpressVPN has a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy to use for users of all technical levels.
- Multiple Device Support: Connect multiple devices simultaneously with a single ExpressVPN subscription, suitable for families and individuals using multiple devices.
- 24/7 Customer Support: ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email to assist with any questions or issues.
Cons:
- Price: ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive VPN providers on the market. While its features justify the price for many users, it may not be the best option for budget-conscious consumers.
- Limited Trial Period: Unlike some other VPN providers, ExpressVPN offers a relatively short 30-day money-back guarantee.
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CyberGhost
CyberGhost VPN is a popular virtual private network (VPN) provider known for its affordability, ease of use, and emphasis on privacy.
Pros:
- Strong Security: CyberGhost uses military-grade encryption protocols and a no-logs policy to protect your online privacy and security. Suitable for basic browsing, streaming, and general online activity.
- Large Server Network: Boasting a vast network of servers in over 90 countries, CyberGhost offers flexibility and options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
- Fast Speeds: While not consistently as fast as some premium competitors, CyberGhost generally delivers reliable and sufficient speeds for most online activities.
- User-Friendly Interface: Similar to ExpressVPN, CyberGhost offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to use, even for less tech-savvy users.
- Multiple Device Support: Connect up to 7 devices simultaneously with a single CyberGhost subscription, making it a great choice for families and individuals with multiple devices.
- Affordable Price: CyberGhost is a very cost-effective VPN option, offering monthly and annual plans at competitive prices.
- Additional Features: CyberGhost boasts features like ad blocking, malware protection, and Wi-Fi protection, adding another layer of security and convenience.
Cons:
- Privacy Concerns: While CyberGhost claims a no-logs policy, they are located in Romania, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union’s data retention laws. This might raise privacy concerns for some users.
- Limited Streaming Capabilities: Although it can bypass some geo-restrictions, CyberGhost might not be the most reliable option for accessing all streaming services in all regions.
- Customer Support: While available, customer support might not be as readily accessible or comprehensive as with some other top-tier providers.
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NordVPN
NordVPN is a leading virtual private network (VPN) provider renowned for its robust security, impressive speed, and extensive global network.
Pros:
- Top-Tier Security: NordVPN utilizes military-grade encryption protocols, a strict no-logs policy, and advanced features like double VPN and Onion over VPN to safeguard your online privacy and security.
- Blazing Speeds: NordVPN consistently shines in speed tests, providing reliable and fast connections for streaming, downloading, and browsing. With dedicated P2P servers, it’s also a popular choice for torrenting.
- Massive Server Network: Boasting over 5500 servers in 60 countries, NordVPN offers incredible flexibility and access to geo-restricted content worldwide.
- Advanced Features: NordVPN doesn’t hold back on innovative features, including threat protection, kill switch, split tunneling, and Meshnet, further enhancing your digital security and convenience.
- Multiple Device Support: Connect up to 6 devices simultaneously with a single NordVPN subscription, catering to multi-device users.
- Strict Privacy Practices: NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, outside the jurisdiction of major data retention alliances, and has undergone independent audits to solidify its commitment to privacy.
Cons:
- Higher Price Point: Compared to some competitors, NordVPN falls on the pricier end of the spectrum, although its feature set justifies the cost for many users.
- Complex Interface: While still user-friendly, NordVPN’s interface may appear slightly more intricate than some basic VPN options, requiring a bit more familiarity to navigate all its features.
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SurfShark
Surfshark is a rising star in the VPN world, often lauded for its affordability, user-friendly interface, and focus on privacy.
Pros:
- Exceptional Value: SurfShark packs a punch for its price, offering a comprehensive feature set at a competitive cost, making it a budget-friendly option for privacy-conscious users.
- Unlimited Simultaneous Connections: Unlike many competitors, SurfShark allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, ideal for families and device-heavy users.
- User-Friendly Interface: Similar to CyberGhost and NordVPN, SurfShark boasts a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and use, even for tech novices.
- Solid Security: SurfShark utilizes military-grade encryption protocols, a no-logs policy, and additional features like CleanWeb (ad blocker) and kill switch to safeguard your online activities.
- Global Server Network: Although smaller than NordVPN, SurfShark still offers a respectable network of servers in over 65 countries, providing sufficient options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
- CleanSurf Feature: This unique feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware, adding an extra layer of protection and streamlining your browsing experience.
Cons:
- Speeds: While generally good, SurfShark’s speeds might not consistently match the blazing fast performance of top-tier competitors like NordVPN, especially in certain regions.
- Server Network Stability: With a rapidly expanding network, some users report occasional connection drops or inconsistencies, although these reports are becoming less frequent.
- Limited Advanced Features: Compared to premium options like NordVPN, SurfShark might lack advanced features like double VPN or Onion over VPN for users seeking ultimate security.
Comparing Top VPN Services in Austria
Let’s dive into a comparative analysis of some leading VPN services:
Pricing (as low as) | Money back | Network Coverage | Multi login | |
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ExpressVPN | $6.67/m | 30 – days | Servers in 94+ Countries | 8 Connections |
Cyberghost | $2.19/m | 45 – days | Servers in 91+ Countries | 7 Connections |
Nord VPN | $3.19/m | 30 – days | Servers in 60+ Countries | 6 Connections |
SurfShark | $2.49/m | 30 – days | Servers in 100+ Countries | unlimited |
VPN Usage Trends in Austria: Demographic Insights and Preferences
In Austria, VPN usage is frequent with 17% of users using VPN services daily and 39% weekly. With 64% using VPNs on mobile and 49% on smartphones, VPNs are a secure solution for using cellular data, adopted by 60% of users.
The most significant VPN user base is within the 24% aged 18-24, followed by 30% aged 25-34, and 29% aged 35-49. Males make up a significant 57% of VPN users in Austria.
Regarding locality, Vienna records the highest VPN usage, commanding a market share of 20%, followed by Graz with a market share of 8%. The top reasons for adopting VPNs are enhanced speed (55%) and affordable pricing (43%).
Conclusion
In conclusion, VPNs’ legality, affordability, and enhancement of internet speed and privacy make them a sought-after tool among Austrian internet users. Whether for daily browsing or improved streaming experience, a VPN is undoubtedly a sensible and rewarding investment for anyone mindful of their digital footprint.