Over the previous few years I’ve examined a superb variety of VPN companies for the PC and compiled them into an inventory of one of the best VPN picks. However with every of those evaluations I additionally do intensive VPN testing for Android apps. Whereas some companies are good on any platform, others notably shine when used on Android units, and I’ve curated an inventory of my favorites that will help you discover your best option to your wants.
When figuring out what makes for a superb VPN for Android, I contemplate a number of standards. First, it’s essential that it has full performance on the OS. Additionally, since Wi-Fi will be inconsistent at instances, I take a look at these apps over a number of days to have a look at velocity and consistency of service. Lastly, I thought of the Android app itself and its ease of use, in addition to different issues akin to pricing and the variety of simultaneous units allowed per account. All of those components assist decide the easiest Android VPNs indicated under.
Why you must belief me: PCWorld has been testing pc {hardware}, software program, and companies because the Nineteen Eighties. I’m regularly testing all the main VPNs in the marketplace and plenty of lesser-known companies with the intention to curate an inventory of the easiest VPNs throughout quite a lot of classes. For a extra in-depth information, you possibly can try the article on how we take a look at VPN companies at PCWorld. Beneath you’ll discover my favourite VPNs and extra details about how I take a look at these companies in addition to useful recommendation about what to search for when selecting a VPN to your Android machine by yourself.
With out additional ado, listed below are my suggestions for one of the best VPNs for Android.
Up to date August 13, 2024: Try my newest evaluate of CyberGhost VPN. With tons of servers to select from and a straightforward to make use of Android app, this VPN is ideal for rookies or those that simply need the fundamentals.
NordVPN – Finest VPN for Android total
Execs
- Loaded with tons of VPN configuration choices
- Excellent speeds
- A number of impartial no-logs audits
- Included antivirus and password supervisor
Why I like NordVPN
NordVPN is well one of the crucial common VPN companies round. The corporate affords over 110 nation places with 6,000+ servers. It additionally guarantees that its service will work with Netflix. Whereas it doesn’t supply devoted servers for this objective, as a substitute Netflix is simply imagined to work irrespective of which server you’re on, and in our checks it all the time did.
Nord’s Android app is much like the desktop app in that it has the identical model of map that you should use to pick out a location. The remainder of the app may be very cellular pleasant with a movable carousel of common places, and a full nation listing beneath. The Android app additionally helps Nord’s specialty servers for P2P file sharing, Meshnet, and multi-hop VPNs. NordVPN additionally affords top-notch security measures with ad-blocking, malware safety, plus a brand new password supervisor and hyperlink checker as properly.
NordVPN continues its nice privateness observe file with a fourth profitable audit of its no-logs coverage accomplished earlier this yr. It’s a higher-priced VPN, nevertheless it’s additionally feature-filled, and quick. In our checks, Nord maintained practically 72 % of the bottom web velocity, which additionally makes it the quickest VPN in the marketplace.
Who can purchase NordVPN
Those that have an Android cellphone or different machine and desire a VPN ought to place NordVPN on the prime of their listing. Not solely will you get the nice total options that come from a prime service like NordVPN, however the Android app can be one of the crucial intuitive and easy-to-use I’ve ever seen.
Learn our full NordVPN evaluate
ExpressVPN – Finest VPN for Android runner-up
Execs
- Very easy-to-use app
- Wonderful speeds
Cons
- Logs knowledge switch quantities
- Increased-priced possibility
Why I like ExpressVPN
Combining ease of use with its wonderful speeds, ExpressVPN is a superb alternative for everybody. In my checks, ExpressVPN maintained 72.14 % of the bottom velocity, which is great and earned it a spot amongst our very quickest VPNs. Switching places is as straightforward as tapping on the tile beneath the on/off button on the prime. When the VPN will not be energetic the app background is purple, and when the VPN is related the background turns inexperienced.
ExpressVPN for Android additionally helps cut up tunneling, auto-connect, and a kill swap to assist preserve privateness ought to the VPN connection drop.
This VPN is bit expensive and never fairly as consumer pleasant as NordVPN and that’s why it narrowly missed out on the highest spot. Regardless it’s nonetheless a improbable possibility and comes with large help when you have different non-Android units as properly. Specific VPN prices about $100 for the primary 15 months for the multi-device subscription.
Who can purchase ExpressVPN
As with NordVPN, I feel that ExpressVPN is a prime decide for almost everybody. And since ExpressVPN helps nearly each machine you possibly can think about, it’s a fantastic possibility for many who rock many alternative units with totally different working programs and need to be protected on all of them.
Learn our full ExpressVPN evaluate
CyberGhost – Finest Android VPN for rookies
Execs
- Independently verified no-log coverage
- Critically spectacular server unfold
- Beneficiant 45-day money-back assure
Cons
- Server speeds will be hit-or-miss
- Lacks some additional security measures supplied by rivals
Why I like CyberGhost VPN
One other good selection for newcomers is CyberGhost from Kape Applied sciences. This VPN’s Android app has a really intuitive and pleasant design. It has a easy on/off button on the prime of the app, and beneath that’s the tile the place you possibly can decide the nation location. Tapping on the nation location possibility takes you to an inventory the place you possibly can select a connection primarily based on the nation, or you possibly can select between servers optimized for streaming, gaming, or torrenting. In my checks, CyberGhost maintained respectable sufficient speeds to do most actions you’ll need with a VPN akin to net shopping and streaming.
Just lately CyberGhost has added extra options akin to split-tunneling to the app, however they aren’t essential to device round with in the event you simply need the fundamentals. In any other case, that’s about all there’s to this app, which makes it a superb possibility for first-timers. CyberGhost affords plans by the month, for one yr, or two years, with longer-term plans being way more inexpensive.
Who can purchase CyberGhost VPN
VPN newbies and rookies will love how straightforward CyberGhost’s Android app is to make use of. Plus, the value is cheaper than some alternate options, which suggests you gained’t have to fret about paying additional for area of interest options that you could be by no means use.
Learn our full CyberGhost VPN evaluate
Mullvad – Finest Android VPN for privateness
Execs
- Wonderful privateness measures
- Best choice for pseudo-anonymity
Cons
- Not as many additional options as different choices
- Not assured to work with Netflix
Why I like Mullvad VPN
It’s no shock to see Mullvad as our best choice for privateness. It’s merely unbeatable relating to staying as nameless and personal on-line as potential whereas utilizing a VPN. In contrast to most different companies, Mullvad doesn’t even ask to your e mail deal with. As an alternative, it generates a random account quantity and you then use that to log in and pay for the service. The service may even settle for money, in addition to Bitcoin, PayPal, and bank card, providing you with a good wider variety of choices to remain as nameless as potential.
Mullvad guarantees it gained’t observe your shopping habits (as all of the companies on this roundup do), and it has good speeds. In our checks, Mullvad for Android maintained round 57 % of the bottom velocity. That’s not so good as a few of the different companies, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly adequate for many makes use of. Mullvad fees €5 per thirty days, which at this writing was a bit of over $5.
Who can purchase Mullvad VPN
If privateness is your number-one concern whereas utilizing a VPN than you possibly can’t go fallacious with Mullvad. Your anonymity will stay intact from the time you join and pay for the service all through your time utilizing the service. It might not have all the fancy options of our prime picks on this listing, however you possibly can relaxation assured your privateness will all the time be Mullvad’s prime precedence.
Learn our full Mullvad evaluate
ProtonVPN – Finest VPN for privateness runner-up
Execs
- Wonderful free plan
- Nice privateness instruments
- Dependable and clear no-logs coverage
Why I like ProtonVPN
If Mullvad isn’t your velocity, then one other strong alternative for privateness is ProtonVPN. This service is only one half of a bigger suite of companies that features ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar, and ProtonDrive. You don’t need to subscribe to all the pieces since ProtonVPN is offered as a standalone service, although a subscription to the premium plan additionally nets you entry to ProtonDrive as properly.
In our checks, ProtonVPN maintained round 57 % of the bottom velocity. It has a large variety of nation selections, its privateness coverage makes all the proper guarantees, and it helps Netflix streaming, TOR over VPN, and P2P on most servers. It additionally affords multi-hop connections through its Safe Core characteristic — a welcomed additional layer of obfuscation for the privacy-conscious. ProtonVPN’s month-to-month subscriptions are on the excessive finish at about $10 per thirty days, however long-term subscription plans make it extra inexpensive.
Who can purchase ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is one other nice possibility for the privacy-conscious. The one actual distinction between this and Mullvad VPN is that you’ll want to register with an e mail deal with and funds can’t be finished in nameless money transactions. Aside from that although, ProtonVPN comes from a extremely respected firm and does an excellent job of defending your anonymity and privateness.
Learn our full ProtonVPN evaluate
How I examined
I choose VPNs on quite a lot of standards together with server community, connection speeds, privateness protections, ease-of-use, further options, and value. For a extra detailed information on how I take a look at, try PCWorld’s information on how we take a look at VPN companies. I take the identical strategy on Android as I do on Home windows.
Pace checks are stored so simple as potential. I common the connections between totally different world places for any given VPN after which examine them to a baseline web velocity to get a superb image of the general connection speeds. I completely analysis and analyze the privateness insurance policies and histories of every VPN and word any excellent discrepancies or knowledge assortment points.
Expertise and ease-of-use are subjective, however I attempt my greatest to offer an correct illustration of the way it feels to work with the VPN. And eventually, I decide the worth of the service primarily based upon its worth and extra options in comparison with the business common that will help you acquire an correct image of what you’ll get to your cash.
What to search for in a VPN for Android
One of many first issues you must search for when purchasing round for a VPN is the variety of servers and places. It’s troublesome to evaluate any VPN by only one characteristic, however a semi-reliable strategy to inform if a VPN is even value your time is to have a look at the server community. Something with 1,000 or extra servers and 30 or extra nation places will do.
The subsequent factor to contemplate is a VPN’s velocity. This can be tough to do because you aren’t probably to have the ability to take a look at connection speeds with out paying to make use of the service. Studying evaluations on-line gives you a normal estimate. Search for evaluations, like ours, that provide you with a relative common of connection speeds relatively than direct Mbps velocity comparisons.
You’ll additionally need to learn up on a VPN’s privateness protections. Does it have a no-logs coverage? Has it undergone any impartial audits of its servers? The place is the VPN firm positioned? All of those gives you an concept of whether or not or not a VPN is clear with its knowledge assortment insurance policies and if it’s topic to authorities knowledge sharing necessities.
Different components you’ll need to think about are the general ease-of-use, consumer expertise, and any further options. A few of these options, akin to split-tunneling and kill switches, will be extraordinarily helpful for sure functions and may sway your subscription resolution by some means.
Lastly, as with all subscription companies, you’ll need to evaluate the value of a VPN service. Would you like a month-to-month or yearly subscription? Some prime VPNs may be expensive month-to-month, however truly grow to be fairly inexpensive with long-term plans.
That’s it for this roundup of the highest Android VPNs. In order for you to check out extra VPN companies try PCWorld’s greatest VPN roundup. Whereas the evaluations are centered on PC, nearly all the companies I’ve lined supply an Android app as properly.
FAQ
What’s a VPN?
A VPN, in any other case generally known as a digital personal community, disguises your identification and encrypts your web visitors whereas shopping. As well as, you possibly can hook up with VPN servers all internationally. So if you wish to entry location restricted content material like streaming companies, you possibly can hook up with the suitable nation’s server and acquire entry to that nation’s particular content material.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN successfully hides your IP deal with by redirecting it by way of a distant server hosted by the VPN firm. If anybody is watching, the VPN server then seems to be the supply of your knowledge as a substitute of your self. These distant servers will be positioned each in your individual nation in addition to in several international locations world wide. Moreover, your community visitors out of your pc to the VPN is encrypted including an additional layer of privateness.
In case you are related to a VPN whereas shopping the web, the VPN will act as a type of intermediary between your pc and an internet site. When your pc sends a request to the VPN, it then passes it alongside to an internet site. The web site in return, sends its response again to the VPN, which forwards it through a safe connection all the best way to your pc.
Are VPNs authorized to make use of?
Sure! In america in addition to most international locations, utilizing a VPN is authorized. It’s possible you’ll discover that sure web sites attempt to block VPN connections, however they’re nonetheless okay to make use of. You must know although, whereas utilizing a VPN is authorized, a few of the actions finished whereas utilizing a VPN may be unlawful. Actions akin to downloading pirated copyrighted content material or accessing darkish net markets are each unlawful with and with out a VPN.
Are there variations between Home windows VPN apps and Android VPN apps?
Normally the core performance of 1 service’s VPN stays the identical between its Home windows and Android apps. That being stated, oftentimes there are variations between the 2 regarding the options supplied and consumer expertise.
For instance, options widespread in Home windows apps akin to multi-hop, kill-switch performance, and customized DNS configuration might not all the time be accessible in the identical service’s Android app. Whereas options such cut up tunneling and IKEv2 protocol help might solely be accessible on Android. This often comes right down to compatibility points and developer assets. Moreover, you’re prone to discover variations within the interface and total consumer expertise between apps on the 2 working programs. Usually the Home windows app will show extra data, which is then omitted from the Android app on account of display screen dimension restrictions.
Once more, this shouldn’t have an effect on the core performance of the VPN with both app, that means that customers can select the model that most closely fits their wants primarily based on their very own utilization necessities and machine preferences.
