The Best VPNs for Android Devices
Our top picks for the best Android VPNs have a lot in common. They are all mobile-first VPNs that offer great privacy features and are easy to use. However, there are some important differences between the picks that make them stand out from the rest.
Our top 5 VPNs for Android are:
- NordVPN
- PrivateInternetAccess
- CyberGhost
- Hotspot Shield VPN
- Windscribe
That’s why we took it upon ourselves to do it selflessly, and here we’ve rounded up our best VPNs for Android devices that will keep you safe on public Wi-Fi, keep your banking information safe, avoid ad tracking, and access even more streaming content while you’re at it.
Here is the list of the best VPNs for Android devices
NordVPN
NordVPN is a very popular VPN app with over 10 million downloads and a strong Google Play rating. It has some notable strengths, including ‘Double VPN’ technology that passes your connection through two separate VPN servers, instead of just one, for an added layer of security. The service also has a ‘zero logs’ policy (audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers), meaning it does not track a user’s online activity. ..
NordVPN is a great choice for those looking for a VPN that offers great security and privacy features as well as easy-to-use apps. The NordVPN app has many good features, like automatic connection when joining Wi-Fi networks and fast NordLynx protocol, making it easy to use. There is also 24/7 customer support available through the app. If you need to disable the VPN temporarily, NordVPN has an easy kill switch feature that you can access in the settings. ..
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN on Android because it is fast, secure, and easy to use. It has a clean, simple interface and tons of servers in every location.
Netflix on the go is a great way to get all of your favorite shows and movies without having to leave your comfortable living room. The Express app has all of the same features as the desktop client, but it also has some great features that aren’t found on other VPNs. For example, you can switch between a selection of protocols and activate a kill switch to protect you if your connection fails. You can also split the tunnel if you want to choose which apps to route through the VPN.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is one of the few VPNs that have developed a mobile app that rivals their desktop app. The mobile app offers the same features as the desktop app, with the exception of some features that are not available on mobile devices. CyberGhost allows users to choose between OpenVPN and WireGuard, with an option to automatically connect whenever a smartphone is using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. ..
The app has a few extras like its content blocker and split tunneling, which are both handy features. The app also has a kill switch, which is a nice addition.
surfshark
Surfshark is a great VPN for many reasons, but it definitely doesn’t have the best quality. Their Android app is also very simple and easy to use, which makes it easier for users to access all of their features.
In a crowded market, Surfshark is giving something truly original a try. It’s the only Android VPN app we’ve seen that includes a GPS spoof feature, allowing it to return the coordinates of the chosen VPN server. Not something everyone will use, but a practical feature if you want, for example, to get a fake GPS location to play Pokemon Go.
Private Internet access
The Auto-Connect feature is amazing! It makes it so easy to stay connected without having to worry about your phone constantly connecting and disconnecting. The kill switch is also a great feature, as it will keep you from having to worry about your phone dying or going out of range. The favorites list is also a great feature, as it makes it easy to keep track of what you have been working on without having to remember every single thing. The connection status details are also very helpful, as they show you how many times your phone has connected and how long it has been connected for. Lastly, the vibrate function is very helpful in indicating when you are connected or not.
Despite all the negative reviews of PIA, the app is still quite simple to use and has a large on/off button. The performance has been good, and the privacy policy is supportive. The subscription is affordable, no matter which plan you choose. However, some Android users have found that recent updates have had a negative impact on their experience with the app.
IPVanish
IPVanish offers incredibly fast speeds. I tested 6 locations around the world, including one in my location (Costa Rica) — plus Australia, Japan, Italy, UK, Brazil, and US. The fastest server I recorded was in my country, giving me 32 Mbps. Even the farthest server I tested (Japan) was 15 Mbps, 3 times what you need to stream in HD. You won’t have to deal with long loading times or buffering while connected to your Android.
The Android app is highly intuitive and provides information and flexibility to customize your experience. It displays each server’s ping and load percentage (how full it is), so you know which connection is the fastest available. I found your Quick Connect feature useful; it automatically selects the fastest server for your location.
private VPN
PrivateVPN is a great way to watch streaming services on your Android device. It worked with every streaming service I tried, and I was able to watch Fatherhood without any buffering or loading times. It even labeled the best servers for streaming so I could stream smoothly.
The Android TV platform offers great speeds and port forwarding for content. It also has a consistent quality, making it great for streaming on your Android device.
PrivateVPN is a VPN service that masks your VPN usage, allowing you to use it on restrictive networks. I contacted PrivateVPN live customer support to make sure this is true; in 1 minute the agent confirmed that it works in these countries. ..
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is unique in that it owns its own server network, which adds an extra layer of security to your data. This feature is loved because it makes you feel more confident that your personal and Android data is well protected. As an added guarantee, VyprVPN follows an audited no-log policy and is headquartered in Switzerland. Switzerland is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance, meaning they are not required by law to provide user data even if government agencies request it. You can be confident that your information will be protected from third-party interference. ..
Chameleon VPN hides your VPN usage so it works in countries like China and Turkey – I even verified this with a live agent. usually, obfuscation (or scrambling) slows down your connection, but that didn’t happen when I tested Chameleon. You can easily enable public WiFi protection and its Block malicious websites feature with VyprVPN’s intuitive app. I found Block Malicious Sites unique – it protects your Android in case you accidentally come across a fake website intended to steal your data or infect your device.
Proton VPN
ProtonVPN is a privacy-protective VPN service that has been active in promoting Internet freedom for years. Founder and CEO Pavel Durov also created ProtonMail, a free, encrypted email platform, which is used by many people to protect their privacy. ProtonVPN has also been actively campaigning to avoid restrictive laws in its home Switzerland base.
ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused VPN service that is open source and independently audited. This makes their security practices more transparent, and it also means that their users can be sure that their data is being protected. The service has been scanned for vulnerabilities on multiple occasions, which makes it clear that ProtonVPN takes privacy seriously.
I experienced poor speeds on my Android with the free plan; however, their paid plan is noticeably slower. I tested it on 3 free server locations: Japan, Netherlands and USA. Each displayed a 96-98% full load percentage and my speeds were only 2 Mbps.
Final note
Best VPNs for Android Devices
- NordVPN
- PrivateInternetAccess
- CyberGhost
- Hotspot Shield VPN
- Windscribe VPN
