Installing a virtual private network on your Android smartphone or tablet is a great way to improve its overall security and privacy. It’ll encrypt your web traffic and hide your Android device’s internet protocol address — which is the unique numerical label assigned to all internet-connected products — so that you can browse the web without internet service providers (ISPs), advertisers, cybercriminals, and other third-parties monitoring your every move online.
Why does that matter? Well, by tracking your browsing habits, ISPs may slow down your internet connection at peak times of the day, while companies can use this information to spam you with unwanted adverts. Then, you have cyber criminals seeking to steal your personal information to sell on the dark web. An Android VPN will make it harder for these different groups to commit these annoying acts, and as a result, you’ll benefit from a much more pleasant and seamless user experience on your Android-powered smartphone or tablet.
By connecting to remote servers located in different parts of the world, you can also use these tools to get around geo-restrictions. That’s great news if you’re an avid streamer or gamer looking to access the latest foreign releases on your Android device or if you want to watch geo-restricted content from your home country when you go abroad.
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There’s certainly no shortage of Android VPNs that will allow you to do all these great things and more. But how do you choose the right provider? Well, the most important things to look out for are the usability of VPN providers’ Android apps, the number of international connections they offer, the speeds of their connections, their ability to unblock top streaming platforms, the choice of VPN protocols available for Android users, and the value for money of their subscriptions. With these factors in mind, we’ve determined Norton VPN to be the best Android VPN of 2024 and have ranked several other of the best Android VPNs.
Pros:
- Impressive cybersecurity features
- 50GB of cloud storage for PCs
- Parental controls
Cons:
- A smaller server network
Free version: No, but there’s a 30-day free trial, Server count: 28 locations, Supported protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec/IKEv2, and Mimic
Looking for a reliable VPN service with lots of extras to strengthen your online security and privacy as an Android user? Then, you’ll definitely want to pay attention to the premium VPN service from cybersecurity giant Norton.
Built on its award-winning antivirus software, Norton VPN Ultimate is capable of blocking malware, viruses, scams, and hacking. It’ll also alert you if cyber criminals list your personal data on the dark web. There’s a password manager for creating, storing, and managing passwords on your Android device, too.
Norton VPN Ultimate has lots of useful features for families. You can set screen time limits and adult content blocks so your children can use their Android devices safely. And you’re able to track the location of their phone, ensuring you can keep track of their location.
As for other features, Norton VPN Ultimate has a strict no-logging policy, a kill switch, split tunneling, banking-grade encryption, 50GB of cloud backup for PCs, support for up to ten devices, servers in 28 locations, and the latest VPN protocols. You can currently buy a Norton VPN Ultimate subscription for $59.99 in the first year, which includes a 60-day money-back guarantee.
A top-tier Android VPN: NordVPN
Pros:
- A large server network
- The superfast NordLynx protocol
- An easy-to-use Android app
- Advanced threat protection
Cons:
- Unlimited connections would be good
Free version: No, Server count: 6800, Supported protocols: NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard
NordVPN is one of the top Android VPNs owing to its easy-to-use apps, a large network of high-speed servers, effective unblocking, and a vast array of features.
On NordVPN’s Android and iOS apps, connecting to the best-available server is super easy thanks to a handy quick-connect button. But there’s also a world map that lets you browse NordVPN’s 6800 international servers, which are located in 113 countries.
You can connect to specialty servers via NordVPN mobile apps, too. These include double VPN servers that route your web traffic through two servers for extra protection, obfuscated servers that use additional layers of encryption to make it more difficult for ISPs and restrictive governments to find out you’re using a VPN service, P2P servers for torrenting, and Onion over VPN connections that use The Onion Router for even greater privacy and security.
Capable of unblocking streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, NordVPN is an excellent VPN for watching movies and TV shows on the go via your Android smartphone. And with the super-fast NordLynx protocol, you shouldn’t experience any buffering.
Other great features include split tunneling for listing which apps you want to be protected by the VPN, a network kill switch that will secure your data when your VPN connection suddenly drops, protection against online threats like malware and web trackers, ad blocking, 24/7 support, support for ten devices, and a 30-day moneyback guarantee. With plans starting at just $3.59 a month, NordVPN offers excellent value for money.
The best cheap Android VPN: Surfshark
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Unlimited connections
- Affordable
- Advanced threat protection
Cons:
- A smaller server network than NordVPN
Free version: No, Server count: 3200, Supported protocols: Wireguard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN
Surfshark is an excellent VPN service for families who want to secure multiple Android devices, as it offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
Surfshark’s Android app is very easy to use, with a blue quick-connect button that finds the best available server. However, you can change this button so that it connects to a server in the nearest country or choose one manually via a locations list.
While Surfshark’s network of 3200 servers isn’t as big as the one you get with NordVPN, it offers fast and reliable connection speeds thanks to 10GBps server ports. You can also customize your connection by selecting one of several VPN protocols, including Wireguard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.
With Surfshark CleanWeb, you can protect your Android device from malware, phishing, and intrusive adverts. Another great feature offered by Surfshark is Dynamic Multihop, which will create an impenetrable mobile VPN connection by connecting you to two VPN servers rather than just one. Android users can get access to Surfshark’s GPS spoofing feature to change their device’s location so that their whereabouts can’t be tracked by app providers.
In terms of other features, Surfshark provides split tunneling, a kill switch, obfuscated servers, access to a range of popular streaming sites, a no-logging policy, DNS leak protection to keep your internet activity private, 24/7 customer support, and lots more. You can purchase a Surfshark subscription for as little as $1.99 a month.
A simple mobile VPN: ExpressVPN
Pros:
- 10Gbps servers
- The fast Lightway protocol
- Effective unblocking
- Advanced threat protection
Free version: No, Server count: Over 2,000, Supported protocols: Lightway, OpenVPN, and IPSec/IKEv2
ExpressVPN offers one of the simplest Android VPN apps on the market, allowing users to connect to the fastest server by pressing the large power button. Or you can choose a specific server in 105 countries.
There’s also the ability to create a list of your favorite servers, allowing you to use them time and time again. With most of its servers now running on speeds of 10Gbps, you’ll experience fast and reliable VPN connections on your Android device.
Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has developed its own VPN protocol, which is called Lightway. Available to use on its Android app, Lightway aims to provide a faster and more secure VPN experience while preserving your device’s battery life.
Lightway is a handy feature for streaming addicts, and if you fit into that camp, you’ll be happy to learn that ExpressVPN works with streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, and lots more.
With ExpressVPN installed on your Android phone, you can block adverts and web trackers to enjoy a flawless mobile web browsing experience. ExpressVPN also sports an adult website blocker, allowing parents to keep their children safe online. Other features include robust encryption, a no-logging policy, split tunneling, a built-in kill switch, and 24/7 customer support.
You are, however, limited to eight simultaneous connections – compared to the ten offered by NordVPN. That’s probably fine for individual users, but families looking to secure multiple Android devices may want to consider other options. ExpressVPN currently starts at $4.99 per month for a two-year plan.
Pros:
- A gigantic server network
- Coverage of 50 US states
- Works with popular streaming services
- Advanced threat protection
Cons:
- US jurisdiction isn’t great for privacy
Free version: No, Server count: Around 35,000, Supported protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard
For Android users who spend a lot of time traveling the globe or who simply want an extensive range of international connections for unblocking geo-restricted content from any country, Private Internet Access is worth checking out.
Private Internet Access is thought to operate as many as 35,000 servers in 91 countries and all 50 US states, making it an ideal option for Americans who want to keep their Android device safe and secure in an increasingly dangerous online world.
Its servers also use 10-Gbps network cards for super-fast speeds and are RAM-only so that your data won’t be stored on a physical hard drive. You can choose from two secure, high-speed protocols in the Private Internet Access Android app: OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Thanks to unlimited bandwidth and data, you can browse the web, play games, and stream content as much as you want while using Private Internet Access on your Android device. It also provides secure access to a range of popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Offering protection against malware, web trackers, and adverts, Private Internet Access will ensure your Android device is always secure. Like Surfshark, Private Internet Access boasts unlimited simultaneous connections so you can protect all your devices. With subscriptions starting at just $2.03 a month, this is an ideal VPN service for bargain-seeking Android users. Every subscription comes with 24/7 support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The best free Android VPN: PrivadoVPN
Pros:
- Streaming support
- A wide variety of protocols
- Easy to use
Cons:
- A smaller server network
Free version: Yes, Server count: 13 for the free version, over 300 for premium users, Supported protocols: OpenVPN, Wireguard, and IKEv2.
If you’re considering getting a VPN service for your Android device but aren’t keen on paying for one, you should definitely consider the free tier of Privado VPN. It provides a generous 10GB of free data per month, access to 13 servers, and support for a single simultaneous connection.
Unlike most free VPN services, Privado VPN’s free plan will allow you to access streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN, and BBC iPlayer on your Android phone or tablet. But the reality is that you’ll quickly consume your free Privado data allowance if you stream a lot.
That said, using the free version of Privado VPN won’t compromise the security of your Android device — something you might experience with a less trusted free VPN – thanks to features like IP masking, a no-logging policy, point-to-point encryption, and robust VPN protocols. These include protocols like Open VPN, Wireguard, and IKEv2.
Privado VPN’s Android has an easy-to-navigate interface – you simply click the keyhole icon to connect to the fastest VPN server. By signing up for a premium plan, you can access advanced features such as unlimited data, a larger server network, online threat protection, ad blocking, parental controls, unlimited devices, and more. They start at $1.11 per month.
Pros:
- The free plan provides unlimited data and bandwidth
- The super-fast Hydra protocol
Cons:
- The premium plan is quite expensive
Free version: Yes, Server count: 1800, Supported protocols: Hydra, WireGuard, and IKEv2
Hotspot Shield is another reliable VPN provider that offers a wide array of features for Android users. To begin using one of its 1800 international servers, just hit the “connect” button in the official Hotspot Shield Android app.
With VPN servers in over 80 countries and over 35 cities globally, Hotspot Shield will let you unblock geo-restricted content on your Android phone or tablet in any corner of the globe. When it comes to streaming, Hotspot Shield supports platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, and Twitch. You get unlimited bandwidth and support for up to ten devices, too.
A standout feature of Hotspot Shield is its self-developed Hydra VPN protocol, which is among the fastest and most secure on the market. You can, however, opt for an alternative protocol such as WireGuard or IKEv2. Thanks to military-grade encryption, Hotspot Shield will provide your Android device with an additional layer of protection against malware, phishing, and other online security threats.
Another highlight of Hotspot Shield is its free subscription, which impressively provides unlimited data and bandwidth. To get more features, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan. But at $6.66 a month, it’s pretty costly compared to other premium VPN services. That said, you can request a full refund within 45 days of taking out a premium Hotspot Shield plan, which is pretty long.
Should I use a VPN on Android phones?
Overall, using a VPN on an Android phone or tablet will provide it with an additional layer of security. It’ll hide your internet protocol address and online activity from third parties like internet service providers, hackers, government agencies, and advertisers, allowing you to browse the web on your Android device privately and securely.
Because VPNs use strong encryption, you’ll also be able to connect your Android device to public Wi-Fi networks without worrying about cyber criminals intercepting your internet traffic and data via insecure networks.
Along with the security and privacy benefits of Android VPNs, they can help improve the speed of mobile streaming and gaming by tackling an issue called internet throttling. This is when broadband companies intentionally slow your internet speeds at peak internet usage times or limit your bandwidth usage. But with a VPN installed, your broadband company can’t track your web browsing habits and throttle your connection, which would otherwise result in laggy streaming and gaming on your Android device.
By using an Android VPN, you’ll be able to connect to VPN servers in all parts of the world to unblock geo-restricted content. That’s a huge plus if you spend a lot of time streaming content on your Android device and want to access TV content that isn’t available in your country or content from back home when you’re abroad.
What does a VPN on Android do?
With an Android VPN, your internet traffic will be routed through an encrypted connection between your Android device and a remote VPN server. Bypassing your internet service provider, this process will encrypt your web browsing data and conceal your IP address so you can access the web on your Android device in a private and secure manner. But, again, VPNs aren’t just security tools — they can help Android users get more out of their devices by circumventing geo-restrictions, preventing bandwidth throttling, and lots more.
When should a VPN not be used?
Although VPNs are powerful tools for Android users, there are some instances where using them isn’t recommended.
If you want to use a VPN service to access online banking securely, you may need to think again. Due to security restrictions around foreign IP addresses, your bank could end up blocking your bank account if you try accessing it via an international VPN server.
Despite tackling bandwidth throttling, VPNs may actually make your internet speeds slower because of the power demands of their encryption and data routing processes. These may also drain your Android device’s battery life.
There can also be legal repercussions for VPN usage, with many countries banning or restricting them. Notable examples include Russia, North Korea, and China. In these countries, using a VPN could land you in prison or result in you being slapped with a hefty fine. The silver lining is that, in the vast majority of countries, using a VPN isn’t illegal.
That being said, using a VPN to access copyrighted online content could cause legal issues. And many streaming platforms prohibit their usage in their terms of agreement, so your account could potentially be banned if you’re caught using one of these services.
It’s also important to remember that installing a VPN on your Android device won’t automatically make it immune to every online threat. Android VPNs are more effective when used with other cybersecurity tools, like antivirus software.
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