Android phones and tablets are at just as much risk as any other device for snooping, surveillance, and cybercrime. To help you combat these dangers, we’ve put together these five best VPNs for Android so you can surf more securely.
Mullvad VPN
What to Look for in the Best Android VPN
To help you stay safe online, we’ve put together a selection of the best VPNs for Android, culled from our overall ranking of thebest VPNs. The first criterion is naturally whether the app works well on Android, without any bugs or other issues. After testing each of them for my reviews, I can say that I encountered few, if any, issues with these providers.
Secondly, I wanted to ensure that each app was easy to use, without awkwardly placed buttons or confusing interfaces. VPNs are straightforward apps, no need to overcomplicate them.
Finally, I tried to keep specific demands in mind, like a service that’s particularly cheap, or even free. The end result is a list of five VPNs that will do a great job on Android devices and that will, hopefully, meet your specific needs.
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Easy to use
Interesting bundles
Let’s kick off withExpressVPN, in many ways the best VPN out there and especially suited for Android devices since the interface is the same across all devices—a simple app that is operated with one big button. As I explain in myExpressVPN review, I like the simplicity of this setup and wish more VPNs had it.
Besides looking good, ExpressVPN is also powerful, allowing you to access the web securely from your Android without losing too much speed. I also like how open ExpressVPN is about its technology, explaining how itsTrustedServer technologykeeps you anonymous and publishing the results of its annual audits.
However, ExpressVPN has a downside: its price, which is pretty steep at $100 per year. While you do get a password manager, and U.S. residents also get protection against identity theft, it’s still a lot of money for a VPN. While I feel it’s worth it, there are cheaper options on the market.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is fast, easy to use, and will keep you secure no matter your location.
Interface issues
Some performance issues
If you want to spend a little less,Private Internet Access, usually called PIA, is a great option. At only $80 for three years, it’s a steal, and you renew at that price too—so if you still want to spend less on a quality VPN after three years, there’s no problem.
That said, as much as I like PIA, it’s not perfect. You’re paying less, and you’re getting less. As I discuss in myPrivate Internet Access review, while PIA is perfectly secure, it’s not as fast as industry leaders, nor does it get through to streaming services like Netflix as well as ExpressVPN or even Proton VPN do.
My biggest issue with PIA, though, is its interface, which is quite clunky and takes up a lot more on-screen real estate than I consider necessary. Still, for all its flaws, you can’t beat the price. If your main concern is securing your Android device while sparing your wallet, PIA is worth looking into.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a low-cost VPN that offers excellent speeds and keeps latency to a minimum. If you’re looking for a secure and reliable service with an affordable price.
Some interface issues
Private
Great bundles
If your main concern when choosing a VPN for your tablet or phone is performance, you may want to giveProton VPNsome consideration. While testing for myProton VPN review, I quickly found that it lost very little speed, rivalling ExpressVPN, no mean feat and something I explore further in my article comparingProton VPN vs. ExpressVPN.
Proton VPN has plenty to offer besides speed. The company behind it is well known for its excellent privacy practices, and it offers special servers for those who need tocircumvent censorship restrictions. Thismakes it ideal for anybody who wants to access the news from countries that restrict access.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a fast and secure service, that comes with a strong reputation for privacy.
Free up to 10GB
Lots of customizability in plans
Free plan only has a few servers
Even better than paying very little is not paying at all, which is where thebest free VPN,Windscribe, comes in. While there are plenty of free VPNs out there, only a handful are any good (with plenty beingeven worse than no VPNat all), and of these Windscribe is the best by far.
As I explain in my fullWindscribe review, Windscribe lets you use up to 10GB for free, if you confirm your email address. You only get access to a handful of servers, but the bandwidth cap keeps speeds high enough for use, and you can even use them for Netflix. Though you may chafe at the limit, I guess that’s the price of free.
If you like Windscribe, upgrading is a pretty good deal at $70 per month. Though it’s no PIA, you get a solid, privately owned VPN that does well with Netflix, has good security, and a decent interface. It’s all you need for your Android device.
Windscribe
Windscribe is a reliable free VPN that offers good speeds and lets you access streaming servers even on the free plan.
No long-term plans
Anonymous
Fast
If privacy is your main concern when using your Android phone, I suggest tryingMullvad. This Sweden-based provider (the name means “mole” in Swedish) has a strong reputation for privacy, backed up with transparent protocols that make it very easyto trust the service. Though privacy can never be guaranteed, Mullvad comes pretty close.
I also like the way the app works. As I explain in myMullvad review, it’s the same on all OSes, offering a simple interface with just a few buttons to control it. Mullvad is also extremely fast, with most tests showing a loss of just a few percent of your total speed.
You want complete privacy? you’re able to send Mullvad an envelope with cash and your payment token to pay for your account, so they’ll never have your personal information.
FAQ
Do Android phones have a built-in VPN?
Yes, Android phones feature a built-in VPN client for PTTP, L2TP, and IPSec protocols, but users still need to get information from their administrator before connecting to a virtual network. And many paid VPN services offer greater security protocols than those built into Android.
Do I need a VPN for my Android phone?
If you frequently use public Wi-Fi, investing in a VPN service for your Android phone is a really smart idea. Even if you only use your home Wi-Fi network, a VPN is still a great investment for total privacy and security from your ISP and others.
Can I use my PC VPN on my Android phone?
You can certainly use the same VPN service for your PC and your Android phone. While many VPN services offer cross-platform, simultaneous support for multiple devices, some don’t. You’ll need to verify which devices and systems the VPN service will cover before purchasing.
