- Strong commitment to privacy and transparency
- Forward-thinking security enhancements
- Excellent for streaming service content unblocking
- User-friendly app on Android and all other platforms
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
- DNS leaks detected (but immediately addressed)
- Expensive compared to competitors
- Only eight simultaneous connections
- Lots of unique security features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent for streaming
- User-friendly app experience on Android and all other platforms, including Linux
- 14 Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- Blazing-fast internet speeds
- Solid privacy and transparency
- Great for streaming
- User-friendly app on Android and other platforms
- Inconsistent pricing structure
- Not as transparent as other VPN rivals
What's the best VPN for Android right now?
ExpressVPN is currently CNET's top pick as the best Android VPN, thanks to the outstanding performance of its Android app and its commitment to privacy and transparency. The Android app itself is intuitive without compromising on privacy features. Even better, ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol has been redesigned to theoretically improve its speed, so you may be able to stream content smoothly, even on the go. This attention to the mobile experience is why ExpressVPN is currently the best option out there for improving your privacy on mobile using a high-speed VPN. However, ExpressVPN’s price tag is on the premium side of the spectrum.
Surfshark is one of the most wallet-friendly VPNs on our list. Don’t be fooled by the relatively low prices on Surfshark’s yearly plans; there are no cut corners when it comes to privacy features. There are plenty of international server locations to pick from, fast connection speeds and many unique privacy extras. Surfshark offers a premium VPN experience without breaking the bank. Additionally, Surfshark allows an unlimited number of devices to connect simultaneously on a single subscription, making it ideal for Android users with a large number of devices to secure.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN on our list, which makes it invaluable if you want to stream content in 4K on your Android device (or on any other platform, for that matter). Combining blazing-fast speeds with a healthy dose of privacy features, you can’t really go wrong with NordVPN. NordVPN also comes with some other unique utility features, like Meshnet. This allows you to easily transfer files between your devices through NordVPN’s encrypted network, which is a boon for any Android user looking to conveniently transfer files quickly and securely to other devices
| ExpressVPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $13 per month, $100 for the first year (then $117 per year) or $140 total for two years (then $150 per year) | $15 per month, $48 the first year or $60 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $79 per year) | $13 per month, $60 for a year or $81 for two years (one- and two-year plans auto-renew at $140 a year) |
| Server network | 3,000-plus servers in 105 countries | 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries | 7,300-plus servers in 118 countries |
| Average internet speed loss | 18% | 21% | 3% |
| Simultaneous connections | 8 | Unlimited | 10 |
| Supported platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Web browsers, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Web browsers, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Web browsers, Routers |
About Android VPNs
A mobile VPN keeps the internet traffic you send from your Android devices private from your ISP or mobile phone carrier. It does this by creating an encrypted tunnel between your Android device and a VPN server, which all of your data is sent through before it reaches the internet. Anyone snooping on your connection in between these two points sees a string of useless gibberish. Once your traffic is sent to the VPN server, it's decrypted and routed to the rest of the internet as though it originated from the VPN server, which then sends responses back to you. In that way, it works a little bit like a proxy, but with the extra security and privacy added by encryption.
There's several benefits to using a VPN to forward your traffic in addition to encryption. Using a VPN hides the IP tied to your original access point behind the IP address of a VPN server. When you're browsing the internet, each service you interact with records your IP address. If you're using P2P services, this includes other internet users too. Disguising your IP makes it harder for cybercriminals and advertising networks to track you, as your real location is obscured.
VPNs can also help you mitigate some of the downsides of connecting to public networks, like your local coffee shop's Wi-Fi. Running all of your traffic through a VPN with a private DNS stops the Wi-Fi provider from recording which sites you connect to. Aside from the immediate privacy benefits, this also stops your site requests being harvested and used to build marketing profiles. The encryption that hides your traffic means that the Wi-Fi operator can't block the sites you want to visit, either. Best of all, if your traffic can’t be read then it can’t be throttled, meaning you can potentially get better streaming video quality through a VPN.
Of course, VPNs have other benefits than enhancing your privacy too. Connecting to a VPN server changes the IP the rest of the internet sees when you connect to one in that country. This allows you access to geo-restricted content across the world that would otherwise be unavailable. Take streaming services for example. With a VPN, you can watch streaming libraries available from Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus from other countries at the press of a button.
The wide variety of VPN clients on offer from the top-tier VPN providers means that whether you're watching Pulse on the go from your phone, or watching The Residence on your Fire TV Stick, there's a powerful Android VPN client that will cover your device.
So, to find the very best of the best, we've tasked our experts at CNET with assessing the app experience on Android for dozens of VPNs. Their expertise is what we've drawn on to create our list of the best VPNs for Android. Each service has been put through hands-on testing directly on Android devices. We've ran over 250 individual internet speed tests per provider, streamed several hours of videos from apps like Netflix, used each app on Android handsets and pored over privacy policies. We're also taking into account how well these VPN clients perform on other platforms, such as Windows, MacOS, iOS and Linux, as well as on Apple TVs, Amazon Fire TV streamers and Android TV boxes.
Factors to consider in an Android VPN
With so many Android VPN apps available, it can be difficult to choose the right solution. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for Android:
Privacy
No matter which VPN you use, the bare minimum for consideration is that it protects your privacy. Look for a VPN that uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption over the OpenVPN protocol, or ChaCha20 over WireGuard or IKEv2. These protocols have received intense scrutiny from the open-source community and are trusted by thousands of enterprises worldwide, so you can trust them to keep your data away from prying eyes while in transit.
There are also a few privacy features you’ll need to look out for. Most serious providers offer a kill switch, which stops your data from leaking over an insecure connection if you suddenly get cut off from your VPN. Be warned, you’ll need to look carefully -- even if a provider claims it offers a kill switch, it might not offer it for Android. DNS leak protection is also essential -- it stops your device from sending unencrypted website requests so your ISP can’t tell what apps or websites you use and visit. You’ll also want to look for a no-logs policy. It’s vital for your privacy that your provider states clearly that it doesn’t record your internet traffic, like the IP address you’re connecting from or the sites you’re using. Reading through its privacy policy can help, but the best thing to do is look for a VPN that regularly undergoes third-party audits. These audits are one of the best ways to assess whether or not a VPN provider is truly invested in keeping your data private.
If you’re a power user, you may appreciate advanced features like split tunneling, which lets you use a VPN for some traffic but not others. For instance, you can route your Chrome web browser through a VPN for streaming Netflix in a browser, while downloading a game from Steam without a VPN connection for faster speeds, all on the same computer.
For critical privacy needs -- like if you're an investigative journalist, asylum seeker, political activist or concerned torrent-user -- you'll also want a VPN provider that's based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, offers obfuscation and has a RAM-only server architecture. Obfuscation tries to disguise the fact that you’re using a VPN server by changing how the internet traffic looks so an outside observer only sees normal HTTPS browsing traffic. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities for additional encryption, ad and tracker blockers and multihop connections, which encrypt your data more than a single VPN server.
Speed
The speed of your VPN can have a major effect on activities like streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming and general web browsing. To keep things running as smoothly as possible, you'll want to look for a VPN that has as minimal an impact on your regular internet speeds as possible. The fastest VPNs we've tested only drop your internet download speeds by an average of 25%, with the snappiest VPNs delivering a lightning-quick less than 15% average internet download speed loss. Keep in mind that you might end up with a slower speed and worse latency if it’s particularly far away from your current location. It’s worth checking out a VPN provider’s server location list before you commit to make sure there’s a server relatively close to you.
Usability
A good Android VPN should run smoothly and be easy to use regardless of your technical expertise. It should have all of the features you need easily accessible with a tap of your finger. Many Android VPN apps also include an easy way to get in touch with support directly from the device, which can be helpful if you need assistance on the go. Your Android VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably from wherever you are, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from various regions.
Cost
VPN pricing varies greatly from provider to provider, so if you're on a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your Android VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend about $5 to $13 per month for a VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, where prices can range from roughly $30 to $100 per year. Be careful with free VPNs because you may end up putting your privacy at risk instead of protecting it. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN that CNET recommends.
There are a lot of other free VPNs out there, especially on mobile platforms. Unfortunately, it’s very hard to confirm whether most of them have sensible no-logs policies. Especially in the case of completely free VPNs, they tend to monetize your data use by showing you ads or selling your browsing data to marketing companies. In the very worst cases, they’re just spyware apps masquerading as VPNs that hackers use to scoop up your passwords and bank account details for identity theft attacks. You might be tempted to save a few dollars by using a free VPN, but it could end up costing you more than you bargained for.
There are several ways to try out a VPN before you buy one, especially if you’re mostly concerned about Android devices. It’s not unusual for a VPN provider to offer some sort of money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the service, which usually covers anywhere between the first week to 45 days of a subscription. Be warned, you should look up the terms beforehand to make sure you’re eligible for a refund. Some providers won’t offer you a refund unless there’s an explicit technical issue with the VPN, whereas others will hand your money back with no questions asked. There’s also the option of trying out a seven-day trial through the Play Store, which most VPN providers offer when you sign up. Again, you need to be savvy here. You’ll be charged through your payment details linked to the Play Store at the end of the free trial period, and depending on the provider, you may be locked into a year-long plan or longer up front. If you’re not happy with the service, make sure you unsubscribe fully and delete the app before your trial period is over.
Streaming
Many folks use a VPN for privacy, but virtual private networks are also great for streaming service geo-unblocking. Because you can make apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer think you're in another location -- like the UK or Canada -- you can watch foreign content libraries. By unlocking international video libraries, you may even be able to save money using a VPN for streaming. For streaming on Android phones, tablets or Android TV boxes, you'll want one of the best VPNs for Netflix so you can catch up on Squid Game and Bridgerton or best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video, which can help you get your Cross fix.
How we test Android VPNs
To evaluate the best VPNs for Android, we run through the features offered on each VPN's Android app and we test them to see how they stack up to similar features offered by other VPN providers. We evaluate the look and feel of the app and the overall usability of the software and we test to see how easy it is to connect to a server and how easy it is to search for and find a specific server to connect to. Additionally, we test the performance and reliability of the VPN connection on each of the protocols available in the provider's Android app. Because privacy is paramount, we test for leaks and assess each service's kill switch functionality to ensure it's working as it should. To gain a sense of speed loss, we run over 250 individual internet speed tests per provider. We test each VPN's ability to circumvent geographical restrictions, and we evaluate each provider's pricing to determine the service's overall value.
Other VPNs we tested
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based open-source VPN provider that is staunchly committed to user privacy. Proton VPN's Android app is easy to use and includes a kill switch that's always on by default, and a VPN Accelerator feature that can boost your VPN speeds. If you're looking for a free VPN, Proton is the only one that CNET recommends.
On Android, you can even change the Proton VPN app icon to a discreet app icon that says Weather, Notes or Calculator, hiding the fact that you have a VPN installed on your mobile device. Alongside its Stealth VPN protocol, which uses obfuscation to mask your VPN usage, Proton is a great choice for folks with serious privacy concerns, like asylum seekers, investigative journalists, paranoid torrenters or political activists. But its exceptional streaming unblocking -- Proton VPN loaded foreign Netflix and Amazon Prime Video libraries that some rivals struggled to show -- gives evidence it's an excellent VPN for streaming or gaming as well. Whether you want to unblock streaming services or have critical privacy needs, Proton VPN is an excellent choice.
Proton VPN doesn’t implement bandwidth limits on its free tier, but it still comes with a few restrictions. Instead of being able to access all 117 countries on its 12,000-plus server network, you’ll only be able to connect to the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland and the United States. You also won’t get access to Proton’s premium features such as Tor over VPN, Secure Core servers or its ad-blocker add-on. That said, it’s still the best free VPN option we’ve seen. Proton VPN takes privacy seriously, so whether you’re on a paid plan or the free version, you’ll get all of the same encryption, leak protection and obfuscation features necessary to keep you safe. If you’re looking to upgrade to the premium plan, the monthly price starts at $10. You’ll pay $60 for the first year or $108 for the first two years. Both of these plans renew yearly at $80 per year and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish
A big win for IPVanish is its fun, configurable interface, which makes it ideal for those interested in learning how to understand what a VPN does under the hood. (IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) In its Android app, IPVanish manages to pack the same extensive suite of digital knobs and dials into a refreshingly clean mobile interface to impressive effect. If you want to do some precision tuning to your VPN connection, IPVanish is a solid bet. With a bevy of switches controlling things like the kill switch, split tunneling, VPN protocol and LAN connection allowance, IPVanish is an app for the methodical tech tweaker who enjoys having exact control over their mobile internet traffic. Its leisurely 44% average speed loss puts it well behind the competition.
IPVanish costs $13 per month, $40 for the first year or $53 total for the first two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $90 annually). At that price, it's hard to recommend considering its sluggish speeds. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but only if you get the yearly plan -- which could be a disappointment to anyone who buys a monthly subscription and decides they don't like the service.
