Privacy Tools
VPN Comparison
Detailed comparison of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. See speed tests, privacy features, pricing, and which VPN is best for Australian families.
Privacy & Security Tools for Australian Families
Protect your family's online privacy and security with the right tools. We've tested and compared VPNs, password managers, and parental control software to help you make informed decisions.
Why Privacy Tools Matter
With age verification collecting personal data and increasing online surveillance, protecting your family's privacy has never been more important. The right tools create multiple layers of protection.
Our Tool Categories
1. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)
What they do: Encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address, protecting your family's online privacy from ISPs, advertisers, and data collectors.
Why you need one:
- Age verification will collect personal data — protect your broader online privacy
- Encrypt internet traffic on all devices
- Block trackers and ads
- Secure public Wi-Fi usage
- Protect sensitive family communications
Our top recommendations:
Recommended
NordVPN
From $4.49/month (2-year plan)
Our #1 VPN recommendation for Australian families. Fast, secure, and easy to use with excellent value on long-term plans.
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- Australian servers in 5 cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide)
- CyberSec blocks ads, trackers, and malware
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
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Best Value
Surfshark
From $3.19/month (2-year plan)
Best value for large families with unlimited simultaneous device connections. Affordable without sacrificing security.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections (cover every device)
- Australian servers in 5 cities
- CleanWeb blocks ads and malware
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Cheapest long-term pricing
We may earn a commission from this link at no cost to you.
ExpressVPN
From $8.32/month (12-month plan)
Premium option for families who prioritize speed and reliability. Fastest VPN we tested on Australian servers.
- 8 simultaneous connections
- Australian servers in 4 cities
- TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers)
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Fastest speeds (90-98% of base speed)
We may earn a commission from this link at no cost to you.
See our complete VPN Comparison for detailed reviews, speed tests, and feature comparisons.
2. Password Managers
What they do: Securely store and manage passwords, login credentials, and sensitive documents for your entire family.
Why you need one:
- Organize login credentials for multiple family members
- Store downloaded social media data archives securely
- Generate strong, unique passwords for every account
- Share family account access safely
- Protect against data breaches
Our top recommendations:
1Password
$4.99/month (family plan)
Best overall password manager for families. Excellent security, user-friendly interface, and generous document storage.
- Family plan covers up to 5 people
- 2GB secure document storage per person
- Password autofill across all devices
- Travel Mode hides sensitive vaults
- Emergency access for family members
- Watchtower alerts for breached passwords
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Dashlane
From $4.99/month (family plan)
Feature-rich password manager with excellent security and built-in VPN. Great for families who want all-in-one protection.
- Family plan covers up to 10 people
- 1GB secure file storage per person
- Built-in VPN included
- Dark web monitoring
- Password health reports
- Instant password sharing
We may earn a commission from this link at no cost to you.
NordPass
From $3.69/month (2-year plan)
Password manager from the NordVPN team. Simple, secure, and works seamlessly if you already use NordVPN.
- Family plan covers up to 6 people
- 3GB encrypted file storage per person
- Data Breach Scanner
- Password Health checker
- Biometric authentication
- Zero-knowledge architecture
We may earn a commission from this link at no cost to you.
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3. Parental Control Software
What they do: Monitor and manage your children's device usage, screen time, app access, and online activity across all devices.
Why you might need one:
- Your teen will still use exempt platforms (Discord, gaming, messaging)
- Monitor screen time and app usage
- Block inappropriate content
- Track location for safety
- Receive alerts about concerning activity
Important note: Parental controls work best with open communication. They're tools to support conversations, not replace them.
Our top recommendations:
Qustodio
From $54.95/year (5 devices)
Comprehensive parental control solution for families. Monitor all devices, set screen time limits, and track online activity.
- Monitor iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Kindle
- Screen time limits and schedules
- App blocking and web filtering
- Real-time location tracking
- Activity reports and alerts
- Panic button for emergencies
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Bark
From $5/month per child or $14/month (whole family)
AI-powered monitoring that alerts you to potential dangers (cyberbullying, sexual content, depression). Less invasive than full tracking.
- Monitors text messages, email, social media (30+ platforms)
- AI detects cyberbullying, sexual content, drug references
- Screen time management
- Website and app blocking
- Location check-ins
- Alerts sent to parents only when issues detected
We may earn a commission from this link at no cost to you.
FamilyTime
From $27/year per device
Budget-friendly parental control with all essential features. Great for families new to parental controls.
- Screen time scheduling and limits
- App blocking and content filtering
- Location tracking with geofencing
- Call and SMS monitoring
- SOS panic button
- Web history tracking
We may earn a commission from this link at no cost to you.
Which parental control is right for you?
- Qustodio: Best all-around option with comprehensive features
- Bark: Best for privacy-conscious families (monitors for dangers, doesn't track everything)
- FamilyTime: Best budget option without sacrificing core features
How We Evaluate Tools
We test and evaluate privacy tools based on:
Security & Privacy
- Encryption standards — AES-256 or equivalent
- No-logs policies — Independently audited when possible
- Data collection practices — Minimal is better
- Company jurisdiction — Where they're based and what laws apply
- Track record — History of breaches, transparency reports
Performance
- Speed — For VPNs: impact on internet speed
- Reliability — Uptime, connection stability
- Device compatibility — Works on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux
- Ease of use — Can non-technical family members use it?
Value
- Pricing — Monthly vs annual plans
- Family plans — How many people/devices covered
- Money-back guarantees — Can you try risk-free?
- Customer support — Responsiveness and helpfulness
Real-World Testing
- We test products on Australian internet connections
- We evaluate setup time and user experience
- We contact customer support to test responsiveness
- We verify claims (speed, features, compatibility)
Our Testing Process
We spend 30+ days testing each tool on multiple devices and Australian connections. We don't just read marketing materials — we use these products ourselves and with families.
Recommended Tool Combinations
Budget-Conscious Family
- VPN: Surfshark ($3.19/month — unlimited devices)
- Password Manager: NordPass ($3.69/month — 6 people)
- Parental Control: FamilyTime ($27/year per device)
Total: ~$8/month + $27/year per child's device
Privacy-Focused Family
- VPN: NordVPN ($4.49/month — 10 devices)
- Password Manager: 1Password ($4.99/month — 5 people)
- Parental Control: Bark ($5/month per child)
Total: ~$14-19/month depending on number of children
Premium Protection Family
- VPN: ExpressVPN ($8.32/month — 8 devices)
- Password Manager: Dashlane ($4.99/month — 10 people, includes VPN)
- Parental Control: Qustodio ($54.95/year for 5 devices)
Total: ~$18/month + $55/year
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Protecting Your Family Today
Don't wait until there's a problem. Set up privacy and security tools now:
- Start with a VPN — Protect your entire family's internet traffic
- Add a password manager — Organize credentials and secure documents
- Consider parental controls — If your children need monitoring
Most tools offer 30-day money-back guarantees — try them risk-free.
Continue Learning
Explore more guides to help protect your family's privacy and prepare for the social media ban.
Privacy Guide
Age Verification Guide
Understand ConnectID, facial recognition, government ID upload, and behavioral analysis. Learn what data is collected and how to protect your privacy.
Action Plan
December 10 Checklist
Complete preparation plan for families. Download data, set up messaging apps, and prepare your teen for the transition before December 10, 2025.
Affiliate Disclosure: We earn commissions when you purchase through our links. This helps fund our research and testing. We only recommend tools we've personally tested. See our Affiliate Disclosure for full transparency.