Best VPN for Austria: Simulate an Austrian IP-Address

Ad disclaimer: For links on this page, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider. This supports our work and has no influence on our editorial rating.

Are you missing Austria? You may be able to quell your homesickness with local entertainment from the country's media libraries. Unfortunately, many providers prevent access to this content from abroad meaning that you have to be in Austria to access Austrian content. Luckily, you can bypass these region restrictions with a VPN.

Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee

These help to access the Internet anonymously and browse content with a virtual signature that doesn't necessarily correspond with where you physically are. As such, it becomes possible to digitally show that you're in Austria from anywhere in the world, thus bypassing annoying region restrictions. Two important factors to pay attention to are whether your chosen VPN provider has servers in Austria and if its connection speeds are conducive to video streaming.

Unfortunately, we can't enjoy ATV live streaming from abroad without a VPN.

Why Do You Need a VPN for Austria?

Borrowing an Austrian IP address offers a few advantages:

  • Access to Austrian media libraries
    Austrian media libraries, such as those of ORF or ATV can only offer content to those physically in Austria for licensing reasons. By using a VPN and connecting to an Austrian server, you'll be able to access these media libraries as though you were sitting in a Viennese cafe.

  • Explore streaming services' different content libraries
    You've probably heard of or even use Netflix, but did you know that the films and series available vary from country to country? If there's content that you'd like to watch but is unavailable where you're physically located, you can see if the Austrian versions have it.

  • Free Formula 1 streaming
    Formula 1 racing is rarely shown on free TV or even basic cable. Austrians are a bit luckier: Using ORF's TVTHEK, you can stream Formula 1, but only if you're in Austria, or on a VPN.

If you'd like to access Austria content, a VPN might be a worthwhile investment. However, not every VPN excels in each region, or even country.

Best VPN for Austrian Content

When selecting the best VPNs for accessing Austrian content from our EXPERTE.com VPN review, we took three factors into account: In addition to a good overall score in our VPN ranking, we considered how well the servers performed in Austria, and whether we were able to bypass region restrictions on Austrian media libraries.

We test the performance of the servers from our sample daily, with the results visible under the "Performance" heading. To assess streaming capability, we used the ORF, ServusTV, and ATV media libraries. If looking for further information about the compatibility of each with international streaming platforms, be sure to consult our detailed reviews of the best VPNs for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

Based on these factors, we recommend the following providers:

1.

ProtonVPN

Proton VPN
Proton VPN
(318,371 )
With its open source philosophy and extra security features, Proton VPN targets security-conscious VPN users. But thanks to its user-friendly interface and suitability for streaming, it's worth a look for a wide audience.
open source & external audits
2,900+ servers in 67 countries
great performance
free plan without data limit
not suitable for China
9.1
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
3
Contract Period
0 - 24 months
Black Friday Deal 2024
Proton VPN Free
 $0.00
monthly price
Free forever

ProtonVPN won us over with excellent VPN clients, various features, and high security. Their service also offered our favorite free VPN provider, although it isn't possible to connect to servers in Austria with this.

However, if you're a Plus subscriber, ProtonVPN will allow you to access all sorts of Austrian content. This is because the provider has a total of 16 servers within the country (6 of which are included in the less expensive Basic plan, which isn't suited for streaming). And they don't just get the number of servers right—ProtonVPN comes out on top in our speed test for Austrian servers, and reliably bypasses otherwise restricted content on ORF, ServusTV, and ATV.

Overall, their server network is fairly small compared to those of other providers, and in our general speed test, Proton VPN was in the middle of the pack. This means that there were a few better all-around providers from our sample. All the same, ProtonVPN is our number one recommendation for users looking for the best VPN to stream content from Austria.

  • First place in speed test

  • Reliably bypasses ORF, ServusTV, and ATV region restrictions

  • Good overall score thanks to excellent handling and high security

  • No WireGuard

  • Few support options

Review
9.1
excellent
Check Review
Bedienung & Features
10 / 10
Security & Privacy
10 / 10
Performance
10 / 10
Server Network
8.0 / 10
Support
7.4 / 10
2.

NordVPN

Best Overall 2024
NordVPN
NordVPN
(1,010,047 )
NordVPN is our number one VPN because it combines speed, ease-of-use, and functionality in a slick package that's also pretty affordable.
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
10
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
NordVPN 2-year plan
 $3.09
monthly price
30 days money-back guarantee

NordVPN took first place overall in our VPN review. They offer what we consider the best overall package, combining user-friendliness, high performance, top security, and plenty of features. In our general speed test, NordVPN emerged on top, with the provider picking up points for extra features such as different server categories and integrated malware protection. We also like their elegant app which includes a scrollable world map.

Of their more than 5,400 servers worldwide, 33 are located in Austria. In our Austrian speed test, NordVPN came in just behind Proton VPN, while also reliably bypassing region restrictions on ORF, ServusTV, and ATV.

  • Excellent speeds

  • 33 Servers in Austria

  • Reliably accesses otherwise blocked content on ORF, Servus TV, and ATV

  • Few protocol options

  • Server network could cover more countries

Review
9.4
excellent
Check Review
Performance
10 / 10
Support
9.4 / 10
Bedienung & Features
9.4 / 10
Security & Privacy
9.4 / 10
Server Network
8.6 / 10
3.

Surfshark

Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN
(236,165 )
Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers on the market, but it's a lot more than a great budget option: the relatively new VPN boasts strong protection, many features, and a great support with 24/7 live chat.
3,200+ servers in 100 countries
unlimited number of devices
many apps (Linux, FireTV, ...)
cheap 24-month plan
expensive monthly plan
8.8
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
3
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
Surfshark 24 months
 $1.99
monthly price
Get 83% Discount

Surfshark claimed a very respectable 3rd place in our overall comparison, as well as EXPERTE.com's award for the VPN with the best price-performance ratio, delivering great value at a low cost. In comparison to the 4th place VPN on this list, you'll pay less than one-third as much per month. For that, you'll get excellent performance and an intuitive app loaded with features.

Surfshark's server network isn't as extensive as those of its higher-ranking competition, however, it still manages to offer an impressive 3,200 servers in 65 countries. There's only one location in Austria (we don't know exactly how many servers are available). That being said, Surfshark's speeds are excellent, and we were able to bypass region restrictions on Austrian media libraries without issue.

  • Best price-performance ratio

  • Excellent speeds

  • Reliably bypasses otherwise blocked content on ORF, ServusTV, and ATV

  • Last independent audit completed in 2018

Review
8.8
good
Check Review
Performance
10 / 10
Bedienung & Features
9.4 / 10
Support
8.6 / 10
Server Network
8.0 / 10
Security & Privacy
8.0 / 10
4.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
(767,886 )
ExpressVPN can impress with a strong performance, a huge server network, and excellently designed applications, but this quality also comes at a higher price.
3,000+ servers
160 cities in 94 countries
reliable performance
good for streaming
secure browser extensions
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
ExpressVPN 12 Months
 $6.67
monthly price
30 days money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is significantly more expensive than many of the other services in our sample, however, you will get what feels like a premium VPN. Their platform delivers excellent performance, a high-quality app, and a huge server network. That being said, in light of their high subscription fees, ExpressVPN could offer some additional features. All told, their service doesn't really offer more than the basics.

ExpressVPN ranked 4th in the Austrian speed test, and we were able to access content from the country's media libraries without any problems. There is only one location in Austria, but Express VPN doesn't reveal the number of servers this represents.

If you want to access Austrian content and are willing to pay a bit more for a high-quality, complete VPN package, ExpressVPN is a decent choice.

  • Excellent performance

  • Huge server network

  • Reliably bypasses region restrictions on ORF, ServusTV, and ATV

  • Comparatively expensive

Review
9.4
excellent
Check Review
Performance
10 / 10
Support
9.4 / 10
Server Network
9.4 / 10
Security & Privacy
9.4 / 10
Bedienung & Features
8.6 / 10
5.

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN
(5,364 )
anonymous registration/ payment
independently audited
solid Performance
small network
few features
7.3
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
2
Contract Period
1 month
Mullvad Flatrate
 $5.55
monthly price

Mullvad VPN didn't make it into the upper echelon of our comprehensive VPN review, mainly due to its relatively small server network, lack of features, and rather disappointing support. On the other hand, its solid performance and excellent security standards, which include regular external audits, did impress us.

Out of Mulllvad VPN's more than 700 servers, 10 are in Austria, or more specifically, Vienna. In the Austrian speed test, these came in 5th, just behind ExpressVPN, largely attributable to their significantly weaker upload speeds. On the plus side, we were able to access Austrian media libraries without any problems.

  • Reliably bypasses ORF, ServusTV, and ATV region restrictions

  • Registration and payment possible without providing personal data

  • Submits to independent security audits

  • Small server network

Review
7.3
good
Check Review
Security & Privacy
10 / 10
Performance
8.0 / 10
Support
6.6 / 10
Bedienung & Features
6.6 / 10
Server Network
5.4 / 10

How to Stream Austrian Content With a VPN

You've selected a VPN provider? There's not much left to do before you can circumvent Austrian region restrictions. Here, we'll show you how to do this using the top service from our assessment, NordVPN*:

Step 1: Install and open your provider's VPN client.

You can find and download all apps NordVPN offers in the user area of your account.

Step 2: Scroll through the country list for Austria, and click or tap on the server to establish a VPN connection.

Look for an Austrian server in the list or on the map.

Step 3: Now that you're connected to an Austrian server, you should be able to access streaming content or media libraries as though you were in the country.

How We Tested

We signed up for a premium subscription with all 27 providers from our sample, making it possible to extensively test the features of each. Reviews were divided into several sections, all of which are briefly described below:

Installation and Features

A VPN client makes it possible to access the provider's server network, so it should be intuitive and inconspicuous. In addition to how easy a platform was to use, we also looked for a balanced set of features. We value VPN services that seamlessly combine foolproof operation with advanced settings and features.

Server Network

There are two important numbers when it comes to a server network: How many servers it includes, and how many countries it has a presence in? Of course, when evaluating the best VPN services for Austria, we looked specifically at the number of servers for the Alpine country.

Performance

In our speed test, we measure performance based on connections to servers in the US and Germany. For Austria, we tested the performance of each provider's Austrian servers. The Top 10 at the time of our review can be found here:

1.
Proton VPN
155.0 Mbit/s
Download
23.3 Mbit/s
Upload
2.
NordVPN
145.7 Mbit/s
Download
29.9 Mbit/s
Upload
3.
Surfshark
144.8 Mbit/s
Download
29.2 Mbit/s
Upload
4.
ExpressVPN
133.9 Mbit/s
Download
24.5 Mbit/s
Upload
5.
Mullvad
138.6 Mbit/s
Download
6.6 Mbit/s
Upload
6.
PureVPN
122.0 Mbit/s
Download
14.0 Mbit/s
Upload
7.
PrivateVPN
129.0 Mbit/s
Download
6.3 Mbit/s
Upload
8.
TorGuard
121.0 Mbit/s
Download
12.8 Mbit/s
Upload
9.
Private Internet Access
118.4 Mbit/s
Download
13.5 Mbit/s
Upload
10.
VyprVPN
112.1 Mbit/s
Download
13.0 Mbit/s
Upload

When grading performance, it's equally important to consider the provider's streaming capability. The following table shows which providers from our sample were able to access region-restricted content from which Austrian media libraries.

Provider

ORF TVThek

ServusTV Mediathek

ATV Mediathek

ProtonVPN

NordVPN

Surfshark

ExpressVPN

Mullvad

PureVPN

PrivateVPN

TorGuard

Private Internet Access

✓ (slow)

✓ (slow)

✓ (slow)

VyprVPN

Security and Privacy

VPNs promise the moon when it comes to their users' privacy. For that reason, we take a closer look at each's privacy policies and practices to reveal whether there are any causes for concern. Of course, we also pay attention to the services' overall security profiles, from VPN protocols to encryption.

Customer Support

So far as customer support is concerned, we value two things: A solid help center that is full-text searchable and contains informative guides, as well as straightforward ways to contact support staff directly. Every service should offer email support, but live chat is even better. When contacting providers via email, we expect a response within 24 hours.

Overall Result

These Top 5 are the best VPN services when it comes to accessing otherwise region-restricted content from Austria; each allows you to take a "virtual trip" to the Alps when you can't be there in person. If you're already in Austria (or anywhere else in the world) and are simply looking for a reliable VPN provider, here's a ranking of the best providers from our EXPERTE.com VPN review:

1.
NordVPN
9.4
Review
excellent
2.
ExpressVPN
9.4
Review
excellent
3.
Proton VPN
9.1
Review
excellent
4.
Surfshark
8.8
Review
good
5.
HideMyAss!
8.6
Review
good
6.
hide.me
8.4
Review
good
7.
Private Internet Access
8.2
Review
good
8.
CyberGhost
7.8
Review
good
9.
PureVPN
7.8
Review
good
10.
Windscribe
7.8
Review
good
11.
Mozilla VPN
7.6
Review
good
12.
VyprVPN
7.6
Review
good
13.
Hotspot Shield
7.5
Review
good
14.
IPVanish
7.4
Review
good
15.
Mullvad
7.3
Review
good
16.
VPN Unlimited
7.3
Review
good
17.
Bitdefender
7.2
Review
good
18.
PrivateVPN
7.2
Review
good
19.
TorGuard
7.2
Review
good
20.
TunnelBear
7.1
Review
good
21.
Avast
6.8
Review
satisfactory
22.
PrivadoVPN
6.8
Review
satisfactory
23.
Perfect Privacy
6.6
Review
satisfactory
24.
Avira
6.4
Review
satisfactory
25.
VeePN
6.1
Review
satisfactory

Conclusion

If you're not in Austria, but want an uncomplicated (and legal) way to access Austrian content, a VPN service is the most practical solution. However, not every VPN can reliably bypass geoblocking on platforms such as ORF TVthek or ServusTV. The Top 5 VPN providers from our list will help bring you closer to Austria, even if you're on the other side of the world, by enabling access to region-restricted content.

You can find detailed reviews of individual providers in our EXPERTE.com VPN review.

FAQs

Why should I use a VPN to access Austrian content?

If you're not in Austria, you won't have access to some of the country's media libraries due to geo-blocking; this includes some ORF and ServusTV content. A VPN makes it possible to bypass these region restrictions.

Which VPN is best for Austria?

ProtonVPN came out on top in EXPERTE.com's review of the best VPNs for Austria. This is due to their good scores in our overall test and reliable streaming performance for ORF, ServusTV, and ATV's media libraries. They also took first place in our speed test for Austria. NordVPN and Surfshark come in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

Is VPN use legal in Austria?

Yes, it's legal to use a VPN in Austria. Depending on the provider, you're probably violating the media libraries' terms of service (which are designed to prevent access from abroad, usually for licensing reasons). In the worst-case scenario, your access could be blocked; however, we aren't aware of any such cases.

Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee
Author (German Version): Martin Gschwentner
Martin has been a freelance writer in the B2B sector for more than eight years, specializing in technical case studies for tech companies like Google Cloud. He lives in London, where he runs his own company, GSCRIBE, focusing on customer success stories and employer branding. At EXPERTE, he shares his knowledge about software and strategies that help freelancers and self-employed professionals optimize their business processes and work more efficiently.
Translation: Lisa Torelli-Sauer
* Ad disclaimer: For links marked with an asterisk, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider. The commission has no influence on our editorial rating.
Continue Reading
Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
6,300+ servers, 111 countries
excellent performance
no logs
10 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee