If you own an Android smartphone or tablet, you might consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), since Android isn’t known for its privacy. A VPN allows you to better secure your connection on public Wi-Fi networks and even stream American Netflix no matter where you are.
Whatever your reasons for using a VPN, you might struggle to choose the right VPN for Android, as there are just so many providers to choose from. That’s why, in this article, I will cover the best VPNs for Android and help you choose the best VPN for Android for your needs.
Quick Overview: The Best Android VPNs
With one of the 5 best VPN’s, you can increase the online security of your Android device. A VPN will hide your online activities by sending them through an encrypted tunnel. Not only will a VPN protect your sensitive data, it will also hide your IP address. Moreover, a VPN on your phone is great for streaming international content on the go.
These are the five best VPN’s according to my research:
Should I Use a VPN on Android?
Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your Android device is a good idea. Think about how much time you spend on your phone. If someone accessed your smartphone’s data, they would know a lot about you. A VPN ensures your online traffic is encrypted, increasing your digital security with an extra layer of safety.
Using a VPN on your smartphone has the following advantages:
- Unblocking: Some sites and services block their content based on your location. For example, Netflix has a different offering of films and TV series in each country. With the help of a VPN, you can bypass these geographical restrictions.
- Privacy: With a VPN, your usual IP address is cloaked and replaced with a different IP address that mirrors the VPN server you’re using. As a result, your online actions are far harder to trace back to your device and identity.
- Avoid censorship: If you visit countries with internet censorship, just as China, where sites like YouTube and Facebook are blocked, you can use a VPN to avoid this censorship.
- Security: Because your internet traffic is encrypted with a VPN, it’s far harder for malicious third parties to access your data. For example, hackers, governments, and internet service providers (ISPs) cannot see what you do online. This is especially important if you regularly connect to public Wi-Fi networks.
The Best VPNs for Android: My Top 5
When deciding on the best VPN for Android, there are ultimately a number of things to consider. This includes the number of VPN servers offered, connection speeds and stability, the security options available, and the price, among other things. I’ll break that all down for you a little later on.
Without further ado, here are the 5 best VPNs for Android:
1. NordVPN: The best overall Android VPN
NordVPN‘s Android app is simple to use and very approachable for VPN newbies. Much like the desktop client, you can select a server by navigating a map. NordVPN’s version of WireGuard, NordLynx, ensures blazing speeds, allowing you to stream and game safely on your smartphone.
I also love that NordVPN has a split tunneling feature, which lets you determine exactly which data should be passed through the VPN connection and which should not. This is very convenient for unblocking international streaming services, while still being able to access local content with other apps.
NordVPN offers advanced security settings, including DNS and WebRTC leak protection, which is great if you want to join online meetings on your phone. NordVPN’s Threat Protection will even keep your Android device safe from ads and malware.
You can support up to 10 connections under one subscription. For most families, that will be sufficient to protect all devices in their household, including smartphones.
What I Like
- User-friendly Android app with map view
- Excellent speed with NordLynx
- Advanced security features
- Threat protection against ads and malware
- 10 simultaneous connections possible
what I Don't Like
- The first login goes through your browser. This requires you to go online unprotected for a short while.
You can find more information about this provider in the NordVPN review. You can give this provider a try risk-free using NordVPN’s money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The best priced Android VPN
Surfshark is a very affordable VPN service. In almost every aspect, their Android app scores very well. The servers are fast, you have a wide choice of server locations in 100 countries, and the VPN software is easy to use.
Advanced security settings, including an ad blocker, will keep your Android device safe. While traveling, you can also profit from Surfshark’s NoBorders mode which is great for bypassing censorship and accessing all online services you use at home.
These same benefits carry across to the mobile application, which is available for iOS, Windows phones, and, of course, Android. It’s also worth mentioning that you can use Surfshark VPN on unlimited devices with just one subscription. So, you can cover the whole family with just one payment each month.
You can stream on your Android devices at a very low price without any drawbacks. Surfshark’s VPN servers are fast enough that you won’t be left staring at a buffering wheel. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Surfshark is typically very good at bypassing geo-blocks, particularly for streaming services.
What I Like
- Great value for money
- User-friendly mobile application
- No Borders mode to bypass censorship
- Supports unlimited devices
- Excellent streaming speeds
What I Don't Like
- A tad slower than NordVPN
Check out our Surfshark review for more information. You can use Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee to test this service risk-free.
3. Proton VPN: best open-source Android VPN
Proton VPN is a non-profit open-source VPN protected by Swiss privacy laws. It offers strong encryption and fast connections. With servers in 148 countries, Proton VPN offers enough unblocking abilities.
This provider has a user-friendly Android app which also blocks ads and malicious websites. You can see how many ads and websites Proton has blocked and how much data this has saved. I’m also very happy with Proton’s widgets which allow you to control the Android app directly from your home screen.
I should also mention Proton’s default profiles, which are a great addition. For example, you can choose profiles such as ‘Streaming US’, ‘Anti-censorship’ or ‘Maximum security’. This is very convenient, especially for VPN newbies or those who don’t want to get into the technical details themselves.
Proton VPN subscription offers ten simultaneous connections. This means you can protect your smartphone and all other devices in your household. Another plus is that Proton offers a complete security suite. Besides Proton VPN you can use Proton Mail, Proton Pass and Proton Drive.
What I Like
- Open-source and non-profit VPN
- Strong encryption and 'no log' policy
- Excellent streaming speed
- Protection against ads and malicious sites
- 10 simultaneous connections
What I Don't Like
- Live chat is only available for paying customers
- No dedicated IP's
Our Proton VPN review gives you more information about this provider. You can try Proton VPN using the 30-day money-back guarantee, or Proton’s free VPN app.
4. Private Internet Access (PIA): A privacy-oriented VPN with great security options
Private Internet Access (PIA) is an excellent VPN alternative for users looking for a highly secure and privacy-oriented VPN. The company promises not to log your data, including your use of the VPN servers. The company’s ‘no log’ policy has even been proven in court.
What’s more, there’s a kill switch, adblocker, and anti-malware support via the PIA MACE feature. This VPN is a great choice because Android is typically more exposed to potential malware and viruses than iOS. If security is more important than speed to you, give PIA some serious consideration.
PIA’s speeds are great, although they are a bit slower than leading services NordVPN and Surfshark. You can even use this VPN for streaming, as PIA offers servers optimized for streaming. I could unblock Netflix US without any problems during my test run.
This provider offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which is great if you do not only want to protect your Android device, but also other devices such as your laptop or tablet.
What I Like
- Proven 'no log' policy
- Blocks ads, trackers and malware
- Excellent speed for daily use
- Special streaming servers
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
What I Don't Like
- Not as fast as Surfshark and NordVPN
Don’t forget to check out our PIA review. You could also try this VPN provider risk-free using PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. CyberGhost: A strong VPN with dedicated streaming servers
CyberGhost is highly adept at connecting to streaming services from overseas. Typically, you can unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and more with this VPN. There are also dedicated streaming services that have been optimized for streaming connections.
If torrenting is more your thing, there’s also support for BitTorrent and uTorrent, though be wary of remaining on the right side of the law. I recommend checking out the Terms of Service and avoiding torrents that provide illegal downloads.
CyberGhost can protect 7 devices at once. Protecting all the smartphones in your household with one subscription will be a piece of cake. Moreover, CyberGhost offers a free 45 day trial too. You won’t even need a credit card to give it an extended test run.
What I Like
- Can unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more
- Supports torrenting via BitTorrent and uTorrent
- Typically a very fast response from customer service
- 7 simultaneous connections
- 45-day money-back guarantee
What I Don't Like
- Offers below-average OpenVPN speeds
Check out our CyberGhost review for more information.
Comparison Table of the Best Android VPNs
If you are looking for a VPN for your Android device, you have plenty of choices. You will find the 5 best Android VPN apps below. I recommend NordVPN, since this provider offers fast connections and advanced security, which is exactly what you need for your Android phone.
| Editor’s Pick | |||||
| VPN |  |  |  |  |  |
| Score | 9.3 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| Servers | 9000+ | 3000-5000 | 10000+ | Thousands | 5000+ |
| Operating systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, NordLynx | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth | OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPsec | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| Connections | 10 | Unlimited | 10 | Unlimited | 7 |
| Torrent options | |||||
| Netflix | |||||
| Money-back guarantee | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 45 Days |
| Price | $ 3.09 | $ 1.99 | $ 2.99 | $ 1.75 | $ 1.75 |
| Visit NordVPN | Visit Surfshark | Visit Proton VPN | Visit Private Internet Access (PIA) | Visit CyberGhost |
How I Chose the Best Android VPNs
To ensure you’re choosing the best VPN provider for Android, I have listed fast, secure VPN with wide-ranging VPN server locations. Moreover, these VPNs won’t drain your battery.
When I researched the best Android VPN apps, these are the factors that I took into consideration.
- Privacy: It’s crucial that a VPN provider does not keep any logs, otherwise your data could be stored. All VPNs on my list have a strict ‘no logs’ policy that has been independently audited.
- Security: The encryption protocols of a VPN often determine how difficult it is to crack an encrypted file. I prefer the WireGuard protocol for mobile use since it is a secure protocol which can handle network changes quickly. All VPNs on this list support WireGuard or variants of WireGuard, such as NordVPN’s NordLynx.
- Connection speed: Speed is essential when using a VPN on the go, whether streaming, downloading, or for everyday use. VPNs can slightly reduce your speed, but with the best VPNs, you won’t even notice.
- Ease of use: In listing the best VPNs for Android, I’ve focused on VPNs that are user-friendly and approachable for all users. You could download any one of them directly from the Google Play Store and start using them.
- Server choice and location: If you use a VPN to get around geographical restrictions, it’s important to have access to a broad range of VPN servers. Moreover, VPNs with a large server network offer better speeds. That’s why I have selected VPNs with extensive worldwide networks.
- Additional features: VPNs sometimes offer additional options that make it easier to surf securely, such as ad blockers, malware protection or split tunneling. I have tested the additional security features the VPNs in this list offer.
- Subscription cost: In addition to the quality of the VPN service, it is also good to see if the VPN subscription fits your budget. That’s why I have considered price as a factor in choosing the top five VPNs.
Free Android VPNs vs. Paid VPNs for Android
While there are several good-quality free VPN apps for Android, most aren’t suitable for long-term use or for streaming. Many free VPN services have limitations on speed, data, or server locations. The data limit will not even allow you to watch an entire movie.
Moreover, in the Google Play Store you can find a lot of free VPNs that aren’t safe. They could contain malware or sell your data to others. That’s why I usually recommend Android users paid plans. Premium providers offer unlimited data and faster speeds while keeping your data safe with military-grade encryption.
All Android VPN apps in my list have at least a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you use this guarantee, you can try these VPNs for about a month without any financial risk. If you are not satisfied, you can easily get your money back.
Do you want to know more? Check out our article about NordVPN’s free trial.
In Summary: The Best VPN for Android
Based on the criteria I mentioned before, I would recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for Android. NordVPN’s fast connections will ensure you won’t even notice you are using a VPN, while NordVPN’s advanced security features will protect your data while you’re travelling. You can even unblock Netflix US and other streaming services on your phone.
If you’d like to know more, including how to install a VPN without the Google Play Store, you can consult our full article: “Installing a VPN on Android.”
Got more questions about the best VPNs for Android? Check out our FAQ section to find an answer to your question. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to leave us a comment below.
Based on aspects such as usability, price, security, speed, privacy, and extra features, I would recommend NordVPN for Android. This provider offers a user-friendly Android app with many additional security features. Not only will NordVPN encrypt your traffic and hide your IP, NordVPN’s Threat Protection will also protect you from malware, trackers and ads.
There are 100% free VPN’s for Android, but not all of them are safe. Most trustworthy free VPNs have limitations, such as speed caps or data caps. If you are looking for a trustworthy free VPN without a data limit, the free version of Proton VPN might be what you are looking for.
Installing a VPN app on Android is fairly straightforward if you’re using the Google Play Store:
- Choose a VPN provider, such as our best VPN for Android, NordVPN, then create a subscription.
- Download the VPN app.
- Sign into your account in the app.
- Choose a VPN server and connect to it.
A VPN secures the data connection that runs between you and the internet. This means that all your data is encrypted. This data cannot be decrypted by hackers, even if it’s intercepted. This encrypted, virtual tunnel keeps your data safe. Furthermore, a VPN hides your IP address and takes on a different IP address (that of the VPN server). This ensures extra anonymity online.
Because of the extra security measures, a VPN allows you to use the internet more securely and anonymously. In addition, a VPN allows you to bypass censorship in countries where certain sites are inaccessible. This same principle of circumventing censorship can also be used to unblock the content database of the American version of Netflix, for example.
I was planning on using Atlas VPN for my phone and currently choosing between Atlas and Hotspot Shield, but it is not listed as one of your recommendations. I believe it is pretty new. Are you planning on writing a review on them anytime soon?
We'll definitely look into this. In the meantime, you might want to take a look at other VPNs that offer free services. We've got the best of them listed right here. If we end up liking Atlas, the provider might even join that list soon.