7 Best VPNs to watch Stan abroad (outside of Australia)

Like most major streaming platforms, Stan is geo-blocked. That’s a problem for international travelers who simply want to keep watching their favorite shows during a vacation abroad. This service isn’t normally available outside of Australia, but you can regain access by connecting to one of your VPN’s Australian servers.

VPNs work by encrypting your traffic and sending it through a server in another country. In addition to stopping your ISP from seeing what you get up to online, this changes your IP address, which is what Stan uses to determine your location. By using an Australian server, you’ll be able to spoof your IP address and unblock Stan from outside of Australia.

Now, not every VPN is capable of unblocking Stan. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Below, you’ll find a quick overview of the best VPNs for streaming Stan abroad:

Best VPNs to watch Stan abroad:

1. NordVPN Our top pick for watching Stan outside Australia. Nearly 200 servers in Australia for watching Stan abroad. Also works with Netflix and Amazon Prime. Includes no-logs policy and 24/7 support. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for streaming Stan.
2. Surfshark The best budget VPN for watching Stan abroad. Great streaming abilities, a strong set of security tools, and no limit on how many devices you can connect. Also includes 24/7 support over live chat.
3. Total VPN An extremely straightforward, newcomer-friendly VPN. Works well with Aussie platforms like Stan and refuses to keep logs of your activities.
4. ExpressVPN Fast servers in five Australian cities. Great for Stan, Netflix, and 7plus. Offers 24/7 live chat support. Secure with encryption.
5. IPVanish This fast and reliable VPN can protect every device you own at once. Works really well with Stan and similar services. Boasts a large network, a total lack of connection limits, and a proven no-logs policy.
6. CyberGhost A beginner-friendly provider boasting great speeds, a huge network, and a wide range of security features. Has servers specifically designed for unblocking Stan while traveling abroad.
7. PrivateVPN Enables streaming of Stan, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. Easy-to-use apps and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. No-logs policy.

The best VPNs to watch Stan: compared

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for streaming Stan.

Our criteria for the best Stan VPNs

It pays to think carefully about which VPN you use. After all, most can’t access Stan and some of the services that can are lacking in speed, security, or customer support. When researching the best VPNs for Stan, our team performed hands-on testing, carefully checking what they had to offer in the five key areas below:

• Speed: If you want to watch Stan’s 4K content, you’ll need a VPN that’s fast enough. We speed-tested each provider while connected it to its servers in Australia (using a 250 Mbps connection for the best results).
• Network suitability: We looked for providers with plenty of Australian server locations and that could reliably unblock Stan (and other Aussie services like Foxtel and 10Play) outside Australia.
• Security and privacy: The best VPNs keep your online activities safe from interested third parties. We only recommend services that offer robust security features like unbreakable encryption, no-logs policies, and leak protection.
• Ease of use: Not everyone has experience with VPN software, which is why we prioritise providers that have user-friendly services. All in all, we consider almost a dozen relevant criteria including whether they have task-specific servers, 24/7 support, and generous connection limits.
• Value for money: While we all like a good deal, that doesn’t mean just choosing the cheapest provider. We evaluated providers against several different value-for-money metrics to find those that get you the most bang for your buck.

You can read about the full testing process later in the article, where we’ll also explore what the results mean for the average Stan user. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

The best VPNs for watching Stan overseas

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to watch Stan abroad (outside Australia):

1. NordVPN

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NordVPN is our number one VPN for accessing Stan from anywhere. This veteran provider has 190+ servers in Australia and over 8,000 worldwide. It’s an excellent VPN for streaming since it works with platforms such as Stan, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. It also works well with other Australian streaming platforms, such as 10Play and 9Now. Up to 10 devices can be connected at the same time and there’s 24/7 support via live chat.

In our speed tests, which involved us connecting to a server in Australia, NordVPN was the fastest VPN overall and achieved an impressive average of 210.16 Mbps (our connection without a VPN was 250 Mbps). This makes NordVPN more than suitable for streaming Stan’s 4K content on several devices simultaneously and fast enough for any other tasks you throw at it.

NordVPN offers easy to use apps, with interfaces that are actually quite straightforward given how much customization this service allows. There are even specialty servers designed for tasks like torrenting safely, bypassing strict online censorship, or accessing the dark web.

NordVPN takes your security seriously and it shows. To begin with, it uses 256-bit AES encryption to shield your activities. This is supplemented by protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, a kill switch, and an audited zero-logs policy. You can also let certain apps pass through the VPN unencrypted, enable automatic ad and tracker-blocking, or switch to the censorship-beating NordWhisper protocol (which is an alternative to the older, slower obfuscated servers).

NordVPN offers apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV. There are also browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Routers require manual configuration.

BEST VPN FOR STAN:NordVPN is our first choice VPN for Stan. Has 190+ servers in Australia. Allows up to 10 connections. Works with Stan, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer. Strong security offering with a no-logs policy and specialty servers. 24/7 customer support. Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

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Surfshark is the best budget VPN for streaming Stan abroad. There are 4,500 servers to choose from, spanning 100+ countries, with Australian locations like Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney. As such, this is a fantastic option for streaming Aussie TV from anywhere. Better still, Surfshark is one of the few VPNs on the market that doesn’t have a connection limit. We found it to be very newcomer-friendly but staff are on-hand 24 hours per day via live chat, just in case.

So what kind of performance can you expect from this provider? To find out, we tested its speeds three times using its servers in Australia (morning, noon, and night). Note that we used a 250 Mbps connection since that’s the household average in the United States, so represents typical speeds for most of our readers. Let’s see those results:

Overall, Surfshark was 61 Mbps quicker than the combined average speed of the other tested providers. It’s fast enough for streaming 1080p content with no noticeable interruptions or dips in quality.

Surfshark protects your data with 256-bit AES encryption as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection. You’ll also find a kill switch, plus a no-logs policy ensures your personal information is kept private. There are several more advanced features too, such as its combined ad and tracker-blocker, a rotating IP address setting, a NoBorders mode for beating strict digital censorship, and split tunneling support which lets you choose which apps are allowed to pass through unencrypted.

Surfshark offers apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV/Fire Stick. You can also find browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Linux and routers require manual installation.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is fast, affordable, and reliable,. It lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Securely access Stan as well as Netflix. Features 24/7 live chat support and a no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

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Total VPN has a sizeable network, with roughly 1,800 servers in 80+ countries, including Australia. Its apps are very newcomer-friendly, with no clutter whatsoever. As if that wasn’t enough, it works with virtually every major streaming platform, including Netflix, Stan, and SBS On Demand (though it won’t help you browse safely in high-censorship countries like China). Users can connect up to five devices at the same time, and 24/7 assistance is available via email.

Our next challenge was seeing if Total VPN was actually quick enough to provide a decent streaming experience. With this in mind, we tested its Australian servers three times (in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon) on our 250 Mbps test connection. Let’s take a look at those results:

Delivering an average speed of 169.91 Mbps, Total VPN was the third-fastest provider we saw, after NordVPN and Surfshark. This is well above the minimum required speeds for watching 4K content, and realistically, you’re unlikely to notice any playback issues even during evenings or weekends. There was around 10 Mbps of difference between its fastest and slowest results, which is well within normal limits.

This provider ensures that your online activities are kept private. It uses 256-bit AES encryption (which would take thousands of years to crack), a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops unexpectedly, and protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, plus a no-logs policy. There aren’t a ton of advanced features, but Total VPN does have a stealth protocol named Hydra as well as split tunneling support.

Total VPN has its own apps for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. At the time of writing, Linux systems and routers are not supported.

SPEEDY AND SECURE:Total VPN works flawlessly with Stan and most other Australian streaming platforms. Takes your privacy seriously and provides a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans (or 14 days for anything shorter).

For more details, read our complete Total VPN review.

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4. ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN is known for its exceptional streaming ability. It has no issues accessing stubborn platforms like Stan, 7plus, and ABC iView from abroad. There are servers in 105 countries, with clusters in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. Thanks to its newly-reworked pricing structure, this service is more affordable than ever before and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on the Basic plan. Staff are ready to help, 24 hours per day, via live chat.

The real question is whether ExpressVPN is fast enough for streaming. After all, nobody wants to wait while Australian Survivor buffers. We tested this VPN’s Aussie servers at multiple times of day to see just how quick it was. You’ll find our results in the table below:

In our speed tests, ExpressVPN performed solidly. Results varied by just over 22 Mbps, and the overall average was 115.23 Mbps. This is comfortably fast enough for streaming Stan from abroad — even in 4K.

ExpressVPN protects your privacy using 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch. This secure VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and doesn’t store any activity or connection logs. It also automatically obfuscates your traffic if it realizes you’re in a country with extreme censorship, and includes a built-in ad and tracker blocker to deal with some of the web’s biggest annoyances.

It’s worth knowing that this VPN provider accepts many different payment methods, including Bitcoin. Another new addition is the release of their free version, EventVPN, though this is more aimed at people looking for protection than streaming.

ExpressVPN apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Further, this VPN has its own router firmware, and extensions for Chrome and Firefox. ExpressVPN includes a MediaStreamer Smart DNS service that enables you to watch geo-restricted content on VPN-incompatible devices.

EXCELLENT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is great for Stan thanks to its fast, reliable Australian servers and strong streaming potential. Offers a wide range of user-friendly apps and 24/7 live chat support. Secure VPN with encryption and kill switch. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. IPVanish

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IPVanish has worked hard to expand its network and improve its streaming ability. This provider now owns and operates more than 3,200 servers in over 100 countries, with dozens of servers in Australia. This beginner-friendly VPN works perfectly with Stan, as well as other Aussie platforms like 7 Plus and Foxtel. Better still, you can secure every device you own with a single account and there’s 24/7 assistance over live chat.

This VPN is a regular fixture in our industry-wide speed tests. However, we wanted to see how quick its Australian servers were, specifically. That’s why we tested them at various times of day using a typical 250 Mbps connection. IPVanish delivered an average speed of 144.31 Mbps, which is well above what’s needed for 4K streaming. That said, we’d prefer if speeds were a little more consistent throughout the day.

IPVanish is a strong choice if you’re concerned about digital privacy too. It keeps your browsing habits hidden using AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and automatic DNS and IPv6 leak protection. This provider doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has been audited to prove it. It even includes extra features like OpenVPN obfuscation, multi-hop servers, ad and tracker-blocking, and a tool that checks whether links are safe to open.

IPVanish apps are available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Further, it can be manually installed on Linux systems and a wide range of wireless routers. The newly-introduced Advanced plan lets you bundle the VPN with cloud storage and a remote-access browser for a little more each month.

STREAM WITHOUT LIMITS:IPVanish secures every device you own simultaneously. It’s fast and has a major security focus, plus a true zero-logs policy, allowing you to watch Stan from anywhere safely. Better still, IPVanish comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.

Check out our in-depth IPVanish review.

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6. CyberGhost

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CyberGhost is one of the most beginner-friendly VPNs on the market. Its network covers an impressive 100+ countries, with lots of servers to choose from in Australia. There’s no guesswork required either, since this VPN tells you which servers are best for unblocking popular streaming apps like Stan, 9Now, and Netflix abroad. Users can connect seven devices at the same time, and customer support is provided via a 24/7 live chat service on CyberGhost’s website.

Let’s talk a little bit about performance. CyberGhost’s Australian servers achieved an average speed of 131.57 Mbps on a 250 Mbps connection. That’s a pretty good result, roughly nine times faster than is required for 4K streaming. You’ll be able to download a 1 GB file in about a minute, so it’s great for torrenting too.

There’s minimal setup required as most of CyberGhost’s security features come pre-configured. These include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, plus a feature that blocks ads and malware automatically. This VPN also offers a smart rules feature that determines when it’ll connect on its own, and which server it’ll use. Most importantly, CyberGhost refuses to keep any logs that could identify you. 

CyberGhost has apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Further, it can be manually installed on supported home routers.

GREAT FIRST VPN:CyberGhost is quick, effective, and easy to use. Boasts high speeds and strong security features. What’s more, it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full CyberGhost review.

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7. PrivateVPN

Unblocks stanTested Nov 2025

PrivateVPN is one of the better VPNs for streaming Stan outside Australia. The provider works with a range of Australian and international streaming platforms despite having a relatively small network of approximately 200 servers. These are all owned and managed in-house, which means fewer people have access to your data; always a good thing from a privacy perspective. You can connect 10 devices at the same time and if you need help, live chat is available during European business hours.

PrivateVPN has servers in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. For this article, we carried out speed tests while connected to the provider’s server in Sydney and Perth. As you can see from the chart below, the results were a fair bit slower than with the other providers. That said, the average download speed of 28.81 Mbps easily meets the 15 Mbps minimum speed requirement for streaming Stan in 4K. 

This VPN’s apps are easy to use, but they’re packed with a surprising number of security features. For instance, PrivateVPN offers adjustable encryption (either 128bit or 256-bit AES), a customizable kill switch, and automatic protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There’s a stealth mode capable of beating the world’s strictest online censorship too, meaning this VPN is perfect for streaming Stan in places like China or the UAE. PrivateVPN doesn’t keep any logs and offers static IP addresses at no extra cost.

You can use PrivateVPN via the apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, manual installation is required for both Linux and routers.

SECURE SERVERS:PrivateVPN has servers in four Australian cities for streaming Stan. Beginner-friendly apps and up to 10 simultaneous connections. Live chat support. Uses encryption and a no-logs policy to protect your data. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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How to watch Stan outside Australia with a VPN

Whichever VPN you choose, the steps to watch Stan abroad are the same. Here’s what you need to do in just a few simple steps:

1. Choose one of the VPNs listed above, all of which are able to unblock Stan – we recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the appropriate VPN software for your operating system. All of the above VPNs provide apps for desktop and mobile, while some also offer browser extensions.
3. Install the VPN app or browser extension and open it before connecting to a server in Australia to obtain an Aussie IP address.
4. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. This is very important as it ensures Stan forgets your original IP address and location.
5. Go to Stan via the website or one of the apps. Select your preferred content, which you should now find to be unblocked!

Still having problems with Stan? We strongly recommend you try more than one Australian server. Be sure to clear your browser’s cache and cookies each time you do so. Alternatively, contact your VPN’s customer support for further guidance.

What to watch on Stan

Stan offers unlimited access to TV shows and movies. If we were to list all the best movies on Stan, we would be here a while. So, here is a small selection of what’s on Stan now:

• Love Island
• Power Book IV: Force
• Married at First Sight USA
• Fawlty Towers
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood
• The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
• Robin Hood
• RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
• He Had It Coming
• Trigger Point

Watch live sports on Stan

It’s possible to stream live sports on Stan if you purchase the Stan Sport addon. This costs $20 AUD per month on top of your $12 monthly Stan subscription and unfortunately, there’s no free trial period. Still, if you’re interested in live streaming sports, this is one package you won’t want to miss. Here’s a quick rundown of some of what’s airing on Stan Sport at the time of writing:

• English Premier League football
• UEFA Conference League
• National Womens’ Soccer League
• Rugby Nations Series
• Australian Open Tennis
• European World Cup Qualifiers
• World Sevens Series
• Premiership Rugby
• Professional Fighter’s League
• UCI Cycling Urban World Championships
• Australian Superbike Championship
• World Rally Championship
• TCR World Tour

Using a free VPN to watch Stan abroad

Unfortunately, most free VPNs won’t work with Stan, and even if they did, we’d still advise against using them for a number of reasons. To begin with, these services are often extremely slow and impose monthly bandwidth limits. You might be able to watch Stan abroad, but not for long, and only at low resolutions, with a decent amount of waiting for your content to buffer. This is in part due to the fact that free VPNs have too many users and too few servers. Indeed, many free VPNs also engage in bandwidth throttling.

However, free VPNs don’t just struggle with performance. A VPN should protect your online privacy by encrypting your data. Unfortunately, many free VPNs don’t use encryption and lack security features such as an automatic kill switch. It’s important to use a secure VPN that has a strict no-logs policy to ensure your personal information remains private. This is rarely the case with free VPNs, some of which have been known to log your data and sell it to third parties.

Streaming Stan with a VPN: Your questions answered