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8 Best VPNs for Android

Best VPN for Android

You’ve likely come across this page looking for the answer to what’s the best VPN for Android phones. If so, you’re in luck, as you’ve just discovered the most comprehensive guide on the Internet!

We’ve singled out the eight best VPNs for Android mobile and tablet devices. This includes a detailed analysis of each app and speed and performance comparisons. We’ll also cover the most common FAQs, online user reviews, and various other insightful information. So, without wasting any time, let’s get into it!

Best Android VPNs – shortlist:

  1. NordVPN – Best VPN for Android.
  2. Surfshark – Best high-speed VPN for Android.
  3. ExpressVPN – Robust and secure.
  4. Private Internet Access – Huge server network.
  5. IPVanish – Well-balanced.
  6. CyberGhost – Very customizable.
  7. HideMyAss – Great for streaming.
  8. PureVPN – Simple and intuitive.

Test Your VPN Knowledge – Take A Quiz!

Best VPN for Android Comparison

The eight VPNs we’ll discuss in-depth on this page are all quality services with many similarities. However, they also differ in many significant aspects. Before we dig deeper to reveal what each VPN has to offer, we want to highlight a few notable elements as well as our overall rating of each reviewed VPN. Let’s take a closer look:

VPN ServiceRating Supported
Android Version
HeadquartersSimultaneous
Connections
NordVPN4.9/56.0 and laterPanama6
Surfshark4.7/55.0 and laterThe British Virgin IslandsUnlimited
ExpressVPN4.7/55.0 and laterThe British Virgin Islands5
Private Internet Access4.5/55.0 and laterUnited States10
IPVanish4.2/55.0 and laterUnited StatesUnlimited
CyberGhost4.2/55.0 and laterRomania7
HideMyAss4/56.0 and laterThe UK10
PureVPN3.9/55.0 and laterHong Kong10

Top VPNs for Android Speed Comparison

Speed is undoubtedly one of the major aspects of every VPN service, regardless if you’re using it on Android or any other device. The top VPNs we’re comparing on this page all offer above-average connection speeds. That said, some VPNs are naturally better than others. In line with that, you should know how fast a VPN is before deciding if it’s the right choice for you.

For the speed tests in a controlled environment, we used an average network suitable for 1-2 users. When testing, the Android phone was the only device connected to the network. When testing, we connected to nearby VPN servers in neighboring countries. Here are the average results of how each VPN’s Android client performed.

Server ConnectionPingDownload Speed
Base Test Network956.45 Mbps
NordVPN2053.58 Mbps
Surfshark1555.02 Mbps
ExpressVPN1754.11 Mbps
Private Internet Access2254.98 Mbps
IPVanish2552.45 Mbps
CyberGhost2653.67 Mbps
HideMyAss2354.89 Mbps
PureVPN2450.44 Mbps

The Top Android VPN Services

1. NordVPN

🌐 Website:nordvpn.com
🏢 Headquarters:Panama
📍Servers/Countries:5800+ servers in 60 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & CouponsGet 68% off + 3 months extra

NordVPN’s Android app is arguably the best all-around VPN app for mobile devices. It includes all of the necessary features you need for maximum privacy and security. You can count on split tunneling, DNS leak protection, and convenient security tools. These include CyberSec, Dark Web Monitor, and Tapjacking protection.

Looking at the available protocols, there are three options to choose from. You can use the standard OpenVPN (TCP) and OpenVPN (UDP) or explore the capabilities of the NordLynx protocol. The third is a new-generation VPN protocol designed by NordVPN to improve speed and performance.

The NordVPN Android app is extremely easy to navigate, as you have various ways of choosing your preferred server. For starters, you can use a simple and intuitive map to select your server. You can also search all servers alphabetically by country, use the search tab, or take advantage of the “Specialty servers” tab. The latter features a convenient sum up of all P2P, Obfuscated, and Onion Over VPN servers.

When you add to all of this NordVPN’s exceptional reputation and top-quality customer support, it’s clear that this VPN is the complete package. On top of everything, this VPN’s subscription plans are among the most affordable if you go for a long-term option.

Pros

  • Thousands of lightning-fast and well-optimized servers
  • Unblocks all the major streaming sites
  • Fully supports Torrenting and P2P
  • Strict no-logs policy and RAM-disk servers
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • Robust security features and military-grade encryption to protect you from DDoS attacks and other online threats
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Only 6 simultaneous connections
  • No free trial

2. Surfshark

🌐 Website:surfshark.com
🏢 Headquarters:The British Virgin Islands
📍Servers/Countries:3,200+ servers in 100 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & CouponsSave 84% Now!

Surfshark offers its Android users over 3,200 servers in more than 65 countries. All servers are P2P friendly and come with private DNS. Even with so many server options at your disposal, navigating through them in your Android Surfshark app is a breeze. This is because you can connect based on the fastest server, nearest country, or search manually. Additionally, you can also take advantage of Static IP and MultiHop options.

When not connected, Surfshark always shows your IP address in-app, effectively prompting you to connect to a VPN server. Below this feature, there’s a VPN kill switch, which is off by default. That said, you can conveniently turn it on just by sliding the bar. The list of available protocols is quite impressive, as you have no less than five options available. These include Wireguard, IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and Shadowsocks.

Some extra features you can take advantage of include the CleanWeb and Whitelister settings. All of these options are available in a very well-packed app that you’ll master within minutes. Not to mention, Surfshark is the fastest VPN for Android. 

Pros

  • A very affordable VPN provider
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Ad-blocking feature
  • Unblocks streaming platforms
  • Ad blocker and malware protection features
  • A fast and light WireGuard protocol
  • Allows split-tunneling and has a multi-hop VPN feature
  • No-log policy and robust security features
  • GPS spoofing on Android devices
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • No free version
  • Does not allow P2P seeding

3. ExpressVPN

🌐 Website:expressvpn.com
🏢 Headquarters:The British Virgin Islands
📍Servers/Countries:3000+ servers in 94 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & Coupons+3 months FREE!

ExpressVPNs Android VPN app has the reputation of being one of the safest and most robust apps of its type. That said, this doesn’t stop it from offering a smooth and enjoyable user experience. The app is very customizable and can be as simple or complex as you choose it to be.

The extensive settings list covers an abundance of options you can tailor. This includes network protection features, split tunneling, and auto-connect settings. Like its biggest competitors, ExpressVPN offers a solid lineup of network protocols. These include OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, Lightway TCP, and Lightway UDP protocols.

Equally important, ExpressVPN has made available a vast 3,000+ server network for its Android users. The server options are neatly spaced into the “Recommended” section and the “All Servers” section. Additionally, the former is divided into several additional categories, such as smart locations and recommended locations. Lastly, you can use the search bar, which also supports a voice search function.

The only slight negative about this service is that it’s a bit pricier than most of its competition. Having said that, if you’re looking for a premium VPN and have the budget for it, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice.

Pros

  • Works with streaming
  • Supports torrenting
  • No-logs policy
  • TrustedServer technology with RAM-only servers
  • Premium security features
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Expensive subscription plans
  • Only 5 simultaneous connections

4. Private Internet Access

🌐 Website:privateinternetaccess.com
🏢 Headquarters:United States
📍Servers/Countries:30000+ servers in 60+ countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & Coupons85% OFF + 3 months FREE!

Private Internet Access has one of the most sophisticated VPN Android apps on the market. The most important security settings in PIA’s Android app include split tunneling and an advanced kill switch. You can also count on powerful encryption standards and a solid list of network protocols. This includes the popular WireGuard protocol.

Besides this, it’s important to know that their app is completely open-source. This means that anybody can inspect it or customize it as they wish. The app is straightforward to set up and offers uncompromising security and a 100% no-logs policy.

Of course, there’s no way of talking about Private Internet Access without mentioning their massive server network. With over 35,000 servers worldwide, PIA offers an unmatched server library. This, along with all of the features we’ve highlighted, makes for an excellent VPN service. Best of all, it comes at a very competitive subscription price, particularly for long-term deals.

Pros

  • Thousands of servers
  • Great for torrenting and P2P
  • Strong security and encryption
  • Block ads, trackers, and malware
  • 10 simultaneous device connections
  • Anonymous payment methods
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Based in the US
  • Not all streaming services can be unblocked

5. IPVanish

🌐 Website:ipvanish.com
🏢 Headquarters:United States
📍Servers/Countries:2200+ servers in 75+ countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & Coupons67% OFF Coupon

IPVanish might not be the most feature-rich or the fastest VPN around. That said, it offers a very well-balanced service with a little bit of everything for the average VPN user. The VPN’s Android app provides three simple protocols – OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, and IKEv2 Beta.

It also comes with convenient features such as split tunneling and a kill switch. There’s even a “Scramble” feature, which is IPVanish’s version of network obfuscation. These features provide more than enough privacy and security than a casual VPN user needs or looks for.

The service offers a solid number of over 1,900 servers in more than 75 locations. You can browse the servers by scrolling up and down the list or using the in-app search bar. Additionally, a convenient filter allows you to sort the servers by country, city, server, or ping. 

Pros

  • Servers in lots of locations
  • Works with Netflix
  • Unlimited connections
  • Allows torrenting
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Average Speeds
  • Keeps connection logs, but deletes after ending the session

6. CyberGhost

🌐 Website:cyberghostvpn.com
🏢 Headquarters:Romania
📍Servers/Countries:9600+ servers in 91 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & Coupons82% OFF +2 months FREE!

CyberGhost offers an impressive 6,000+ servers in 88 countries worldwide. In the Android app, you can access all of them through several different methods. You can use the search bar or browse servers by country. There is also a super-nifty “Streaming” tab. It covers all servers suitable for streaming, as well as the streaming sites these servers work on.

Examining the “Settings” part of the app, there are a lot of features available. This part of the app is divided into three sections – General, VPN, and Wi-Fi. The first tab offers general support and troubleshooting solutions. The third tab covers a handful of Wi-Fi Security settings. The second, and most interesting tab, includes a long list of features and settings you can customize.

The app supports split tunneling settings and allows you to set up a dedicated IP address. It features a convenient connection checker and content blocker features. This helps make for a more secure experience.

You can also set your preferred VPN protocol, although there are only two options to pick from – OpenVPN and WireGuard. This aside, CyberGhost offers a very customizable VPN app suited even for the more advanced VPN user.

Pros

  • Good for streaming and torrenting
  • WireGuard protocol available
  • No Logs
  • Offers Dedicated IP option
  • Free browser extension
  • Torrenting-friendly
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • No third-party audits
  • Messy app’s interface

7. HideMyAss

🌐 Website:hidemyass.com
🏢 Headquarters:United States
📍Servers/Countries:1080+ servers in 210 locations
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyNo
💸 Deals & Coupons73% Discount

HideMyAss offers a well spread out network of over 1080 servers in more than 210 countries worldwide. Speaking of the latter number, no other VPN comes close. More importantly, HideMyAss offers servers that can support up to 20 Gbps speeds. This makes HideMyAss a great VPN for Android gaming and streaming .

Going down the list of in-app features, HideMyAss supports a good deal of options. You can count on a reliable kill switch and an IPv6, IPv4, and DNS leak shield. The service even recently introduced a split tunneling feature for Android devices.

Regarding available protocols, you can switch between OpenVPN TCP and OpenVPN UDP. Overall, HideMyAss deservedly takes one of the top spots when talking about Android VPNs. Great for speed chasers, but also decently priced and with solid security features.

Pros

  • Apps for all plarforms and OS
  • Shuffles IP addresses for extra security
  • Split-tunneling
  • Affordable subscription prices
  • A free 7-day trial
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Unclear logging policy
  • Doesn’t unblock Netflix
  • Mediocre speeds

8. PureVPN

🌐 Website:purevpn.com
🏢 Headquarters:The British Virgin Islands
📍Servers/Countries:6500+ servers in 78 countries
₿ Accepts CryptocurrencyYes
💸 Deals & Coupons83% OFF Now!

PureVPN is one of the veterans in the business, as it’s been in the industry for fourteen years. During that time, it has always stayed among the very best in the business. It has also catered to the same audience – casual VPN users and beginners looking for a straightforward and streamlined app.

With PureVPN, you shouldn’t expect overly sophisticated features like some of the other VPNs we’ve discussed. That said, there’s still a good set of supported settings. This includes split tunneling and advanced auto protocol selection. Speaking of protocols, you can switch between OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and SSTP.

Although it’s pretty simplistic, it still supports an impressively large server base. It comprises over 6,500 servers in more than 140 countries. It’s affordable and offers around-the-clock customer support. Overall, PureVPN makes VPN use uncomplicated, easy, and intuitive. 

Pros

  • Full P2P support
  • Allows port forwarding
  • Strong encryption and kill switch feature
  • 10 simultaneous connections
  • Free browser extension
  • Has cheap dedicated IP addresses
  • 31-day money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Speeds may vary
  • Sometimes can not unblock streaming services

How to Install a VPN on Android?

If you’re a less tech-savvy user, installing and setting up a VPN for Android might seem like a daunting task. That said, there’s no reason to worry. To make this process simple and straightforward, we’ll show you how to do it using NordVPN as an example. Here’s how to set up a VPN on Android:

  1. Download the NordVPN app from Google Play.
  2. Wait for the installation to finish and open up the NordVPN app. 
  3. Sign up with the service. 
  4. Choose the most suitable server and connect!

This three-step guide is everything you need to set up any Android VPN service. Other than that, the top eight VPNs we’ve discussed above all offer extensive information on using a VPN on Android phones. In this regard, you don’t have to worry about any unsolvable issues when using any of the above-recommended apps.

Best VPN for Android – Reddit Reviews and Comments

When writing reviews and pages of this type, we often like to delve into tech forums and different commentary sites. This helps us gain an insight into what the general user base thinks. For this, one of our go-to places is the Reddit VPN community
Going by the information in the comment sections related to Android and mobile VPNs, Reddit users have their favorites. VPN enthusiasts primarily recommend NordVPN and ExpressVPN as the top options. Closely behind are services like Surfshark and PIA.

Top-rated VPN for Android – Combing Through VPN Play Store Reviews

The title of the best VPN app for Android isn’t a popularity contest by any means. That said, looking into customer reviews is a good way to determine the quality of a service based on user feedback. With that in mind, let’s check out each VPNs rating in Google Play Store:

VPN ServiceUser Review RatingNumber of Reviews
ExpressVPN4.4/5208,000+ Reviews
NordVPN4.3/5429,000+ Reviews
Private Internet Access4.3/541,00+ Reviews
Surfshark4.2/532,000+ Reviews
IPVanish4.1/514,000+ Reviews
CyberGhost4.1/5124,000+ Reviews
HideMyAss4.1/549,000+ Reviews
PureVPN3.8/529,000+ Reviews

Looking at the table above, ExpressVPN and NordVPN have a big advantage over the rest of the competition. While ExpressVPN has a slight edge in the user review ratings, NordVPN is the more popular option going by pure numbers alone. 

Best Android VPN FAQs

What’s the best VPN for Android gaming?

For gamers looking for a fast and stable VPN service, there are three suitable options – ExpressVPN, PIA, and Cyberghost. With either of these three, you can rely on lag-free and smooth Android gaming. So, whether you’re looking for the best VPN for android PUBG Mobile or any other game, you’ll always be covered.

What’s the best VPN for Android Netflix streaming?

If you’re looking for the best VPN for streaming on Android, we recommend NordVPN and ExpressVPN. The two VPNs rank highly in terms of both speed and unblocking performance. Regardless of which two you choose, you can count on smooth and enjoyable streaming on your Android.

Can I use a free VPN for Android?

No, we recommend you avoid using a free VPN for Android phones. Free VPNs are generally less safe and can’t offer the same quality of service as premium VPNs. Moreover, many VPNs are downright scams that just exploit user information. With that in mind, you should always stick with trusted, tested, and premium VPNs.

Is it safe to use a VPN on Android?

If you’re wondering if a VPN is safe for Android, the answer is – yes. If you use a high-quality and good VPN for Android, you have nothing to worry about. Again, it primarily depends on the VPN you choose. The eight best Android VPN services we’ve discussed above are all tested, safe, and entirely reliable.

What’s the best VPN for Android in India?

After comparing all featured services, we’ve determined that IPVanish is the best choice for Indian VPN users. While it might not be the best VPN for Android to unblock sites worldwide, it works great for online users from India. This is because it comes with great network privacy and security features.

What’s the best VPN for Android to increase Internet speed?

If network speed and performance are the most important aspects for you, we recommend Surfshark as the best and fastest VPN for Android. It currently offers the fastest and most consistent speeds. Other VPN services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN come close, but Surfshark still reigns supreme.

What is the best cheap VPN for Android?

If you’re buying a VPN on a budget, look no further than Surfshark. Although it has a relatively expensive monthly plan, if you’re willing to commit to a long-term deal, you can get the cheapest VPN for Android. You can get a two-year plan for only about a couple of bucks per month.

Best VPN For Android Devices – Summing It Up

Hopefully, the information we’ve shared with you on this detailed page has helped you find the answer to what’s the best VPN for Android. In the end, the answer to this question is a subjective one. 

The information and comparisons we’ve highlighted should only assist you in choosing the best VPN based on your preferences. Ultimately, the difference is in the nuances, as all eight VPNs we’ve featured on this page are trustworthy, secure, and reliable.

If you can’t decide which VPN you should sign up with, we recommend NordVPN. It is the top VPN for Android overall, based on all of our combined criteria. NordVPN is safe, powerful, and affordable. Plus, it offers an excellent 30-day money-back guarantee, so you don’t have to risk a single cent to try out their services.

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