Best VPNs for Android in 2022

Android VPN apps are the perfect tools for online security and privacy protection. And although smartphones, including Android phones, are known to be more secure than computers, they’re not fully threat-proof either.

Some of the dangers include using public wifi – whether it’s browsing the web at airports or performing banking operations on Android device, your browsing history and any other data can be easily accessed, hacked, or stolen. That is unless you use an Android VPN that encrypts and protects your sensitive data, as well as enhances your streaming experience.

To make the process of choosing the best provider easier for you, we tested and picked out the best VPNs for Android for your mobile or tablet device that offer top-notch security and have our seal of approval.

Best 5 Android VPN apps:

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Android overall
2. Surfshark – affordable Android VPN with unlimited connections
3. Atlas VPN – a great affordable VPN for Android
4. PrivateVPN – easy-to-use Android application VPN
5. PureVPN – security-focused VPN service for Android

What makes the best Android VPN app?

• Security. Top-notch security is the first and foremost aspect of every reputable VPN. A powerful Android VPN should provide the next-gen AES-256 encryption, a system-wide kill switch that will keep your Internet data from leaking. Also, excellent VPN services implement the safest tunneling protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2.
• Privacy. A trustworthy VPN will provide a strict no-logs policy which will ensure none of your data is being logged, stored, or compromised. Ideally, the no-logs policy is independently audited regularly by a third party.
• Interface and features. The best Android VPN apps should be easy to navigate and use for every user. An excellent VPN service for Android will have a wide server selection, specialized servers, a decent number of simultaneous connections, great speeds, and a combination of affordable prices.
• Streaming. The best Android VPNs should unlock the geo-blocked libraries you need, as many streaming platforms have their Android applications. Most of the VPNs from our list ensure that.

The best VPNs for Android – our detailed list:

This list features only the best VPNs for Android devices. All you need to do is pick an application that seems to suit your needs, download it, and enjoy all the perks a Virtual Private Network can give you.

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Android

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NordVPN is the best VPN for Android because of its steady balance between security, speed, and functionality. In other words, it suits the needs of any VPN user. Let's see what NordVPN offers to Android users in detail:

Servers. NordVPN has 5500+ servers in 59 countries. And so far we haven’t experienced any lags due to overcrowded server location choices.

Security and privacy. This is one of the safest VPN providers. NordVPN uses RAM-only servers and has been independently audited twice to assure a no-logs policy, also, NordVPN uses the AES-256-CBC cipher. To ensure your security, NordVPN uses multi-hop encryption, so your web traffic is encrypted through multiple servers. It also has a strict no-logs policy to ensure your privacy.

Performance. NordVPN operates on both OpenVPN and NordLynx (a super-fast in-house WireGuard-based protocol). For our testing, we monitored NordLynx speed, which showed just a 13% drop in upload speed, while maintaining a 79% download speed.

Features. NordVPN's app is really easy-to-use and has useful features. You can see the number of available servers and with a single click choose the quickest server location. We found the map layout is pretty useful as well. It allows for quick connection to a necessary area. Also, the Android VPN app comes with Dark Web monitoring features, as well as a kill switch, split tunneling, pausing, cybersec, auto-connect, Meshnet, and threat protection.

Streaming. With NordVPN you can easily access different location streaming site libraries. This VPN unblocks Netflix, Hulu BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more streaming platforms.

If you’d like to try out NordVPN, you can opt for its 7-day free trial or get a premium plan for as low as $3.09/month and protect up to 6 devices. If you’re unhappy with this provider, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To learn more, visit our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – unlimited device coverage

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One of the best and cheapest VPNs for Android, Surfshark is a popular provider due to the wide variety of features, high security, and speed.

Servers. Surfshark VPN offers more than 3200+servers in 95 countries. With so many rotating servers, your online identity is surely protected.

Security and privacy. Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption. Also, this VPN works on RAM-only servers, so the user data is not stored on local hard drives and all information is wiped clean forever whenever the VPN server is restarted. This has been ensured by two independent audits that confirmed a no-logs policy. Plus, there’s a kill switch, so if the VPN connection drops your internet will be disabled.

Performance. Surfshark lets you pick from three different VPN protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. And on average, we managed to retain 88% of the original speed.

Features. With Surfshark VPN for Android, you also get GPS spoofing, split tunneling, SmartDNS, double VPN connection, and a threat and ad-blocker. Also, you’ll get a rotating IP and No Borders features. The Surfshark VPN app for Android is very clean and easy-to-use. All features are just a few taps away. You can pick the fastest or nearest country servers with a single click. Or choose from a vast list of servers provided.

Streaming. You can also use Surfshark to watch Netflix: the Android application successfully unblocks a selection of libraries. Other accessible streaming platforms include Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, YouTube, and more

If Surfshark VPN has caught your attention, you can try it out for 7 days for free. If it meets your needs the plan costs $2.21 a month. With one account you can protect an unlimited amount of devices as well. And for your security, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To read more about this VPN provider, visit our Surfshark VPN review.

3. Atlas VPN – a great freemium VPN for Android devices

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Atlas VPN is one of the best VPNs for Android, and not only because it has a freemium version. Just remember, that a free version will have fewer features and lesser security. With a premium Atlas VPN for Android account, you’ll get:

Servers. Atlas VPN has 750+ servers in 37 countries, which is enough for you to have plenty of options.

Security and privacy. Atlas VPN is based in the United States, which is a part of the 5-Eyes alliance. However, Atlas does ensure a no-logs policy, so they don’t collect your personal data. Additionally, it offers AES-256 encryption, so your activity is hidden.

Performance. Atlas uses the WireGuard, one of the fastest protocols on the market, so there’s no surprise why this VPN provider provides solid speeds since the drop was significantly below 10% for upload and just around 20% for download. It also works with IPSec/IKEv2 protocols.

Features. With Atlas VPN for Android, you’ll get a Safe Browser, a system-wide kill switch, a data breach checker, and a tracker blocker. Additionally, you’ll get a split tunneling feature, so you can pick which apps need to go through a VPN. The app itself is really well developed, since Atlas VPN was created as a mobile-first VPN app. It's also easy to navigate this app even if you don’t have much experience with VPN apps.

Streaming. If you’re interested in streaming global content, Atlas unlocks libraries from Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and YouTube.

If you’re eager to get your hands on the Android app of Atlas VPN, you can do it by either dipping your toes with its 7-day free trial or by diving in by investing in a paid one that starts from $2.05 a month (it includes unlimited device coverage). Also, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our Atlas VPN review for more information.

4. PrivateVPN – a simplistic Android application VPN

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The Android app of PrivateVPN looks simple, yet it packs a bunch of features useful to both beginners and advanced users alike. Here’s what you get with PrivateVPN for Android:

Servers. PrivateVPN has 200+ servers in 63 countries. While this isn’t too many servers, there’s still quite enough to cover more than enough locations.

Security and privacy. The Android app is protected by military-grade encryption, lets you choose between two extra secure tunneling protocols (OpenVPN TCP and OpenVPN UDP), and has a no-logs policy.

Performance. PrivateVPN isn’t one of the fastest VPN providers there is. The reason for that could be the lack of WireGuard protocol.

Features. PrivateVPN lets you choose to automatically turn on the VPN on startup. There’s also a kill switch that will allow you to use the internet only when connected to a VPN server and Stealth VPN, an obfuscation feature. PrivateVPN mobile app interface isn’t hard to use or understand, but it can be choppy. The setup is similar to the desktop version, but the level of user experience is lesser..

Streaming. For streaming content, PrivateVPN unlocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Video, and more global content libraries.

While there’s no free version, you can still try the premium plan for 7 days for free. The cheapest subscription option starts from $2.00/month and you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. If you are dissatisfied with this provider, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To learn more, head over to our PrivateVPN review.

5. PureVPN – security-oriented solution for Android

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The PureVPN app for Android is great. It’s more developed than the Windows counterpart and offers rather solid features and great security for the price it comes for. With PureVPN for Android, you’ll get:

Servers. PureVPN offers 6500 servers in 78 countries. So you’ll easily find the wanted server location for your connection and not experience lags from overcrowded servers.

Security and privacy. PureVPN has recently upped its security with a new feature, Always-On Audit. Additionally, it uses AES-256 encryption, so your data is hidden and secure from online threats.

Performance. PureVPN offers impressive speeds with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, the tunneling protocol perfect for mobile devices. So you will not be disappointed with PureVPN's performance.

Features. The Android app offers different server modes (Stream, Internet Freedom, Security/Privacy, and File Sharing), split tunneling, and personalized server selection, where you can choose to connect to the servers that the users had a good experience with. The PureVPN app for Android is the most feature-rich out of all its variations. Its interface is easy to use and is attractive to users, with both a quick connect option and a list of servers to choose from.

Streaming. PureVPN unblocks various streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and DAZN. So you’ll be able to enjoy all the movies blocked in your region.

In terms of pricing, PureVPN offers a 7-day subscription for just $0.99 or a 24-month one for as low as $1.99 a month and has 10 simultaneous connections. Additionally, PureVPN offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

If you wish to learn more, here’s our PureVPN review.

How we selected and tested these Android VPNs

Listed below are the features we expect a good Android VPN to have. So you can pick the best VPN for you for the best price range.

• Tunneling protocols. Unfortunately, the selection of tunneling protocols for Android VPN apps is usually smaller than the one for Windows or macOS. However, our shortlisted providers offer a pretty good variety. More so, after our testing, it is clear that providers which offer WireGuard (NordVPN or Surfshark) work the smoothest.
• Requirements. Usually, it’s the Windows version that gets all the neat features that the VPN provider advertises left and right. Meanwhile, mobile apps get only the basics. To select only the best VPN services for Android, we looked for Android apps that are easy to navigate and include a similar variety of features that can be found on the Windows version.
• Logging policy. As VPNs are all about privacy, you have to make sure that the one you’re about to download offers a no-logs policy. In other words, a reputable VPN for Android won’t collect any personal information, including your real IP address. Throughout our testing, we were happy to discover that providers like NordVPN and Surfshark, do not collect any personal data or log your activities online.
• Extra features. While Android VPNs aren’t known for a wide selection of features, having a few can be pretty helpful. A kill switch, split tunneling, Dark Web monitoring, numerous protocols, specialized servers, and an ad blocker are some of the things you should look for.
• Speed. Having good speeds is essential when you use a VPN on mobile. We tested these providers to select the best VPNs for Android, we ran multiple speed tests while using different tunneling protocols like WireGuard or IKEv2, which are perfect for smartphones.
• Streaming. As Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms have their own Android applications, it’s important to have a VPN that would unlock the geo-blocked libraries you need. Luckily, we’ve discovered that most VPN providers on this list can easily help you with that.
• Simultaneous connections. Let’s admit it – the more simultaneous connections a VPN offers, the cheaper it becomes in the long run. We selected VPNs that offered more than 5 simultaneous connections, so you could cover more devices that you own. The clear standouts were those providers that offered unlimited device coverage with a single account (like in the case of Surfshark).
• Price. All of the best VPNs for Android on this list are incredibly cheap. We’re not saying that an expensive VPN is a bad VPN – but it’s always nice to spend as little as possible if you can get away with it.

Why do I need a VPN on an Android device?

When it comes to security and online privacy, Android owners actually need a VPN more than PC users. Here’s why:

• Wifi dangers. You may connect to public wifi on various occasions – while waiting for your burger at McDonald’s or simply texting your friends at the mall. Using public hotspots can pose certain risks, such as personal data leakage or even malware distribution. By encrypting your traffic, a VPN will prevent such dangers from happening.
• Streaming possibilities. You might actually need a VPN even if all you do is sit at home. That’s because you can use a VPN to broaden your Netflix movie selection. VPNs like Surfshark or NordVPN work with the Netflix app, letting you watch the content you previously couldn’t.
• Accessing content. Another reason for using the best VPN for Android is bypassing various blocks imposed by your country. For example, if you live (or travel) somewhere where YouTube is blocked, a VPN can be a real lifesaver. Of course, you should first check if a VPN is legal in your region in the first place.

Top Android VPNs compared

To really see how the listed VPN providers differ amongst themselves and what most important features they offer, we provide you a comparison table. This way it will be easier to pick the best provider for you.

Winner

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How to set up a VPN on Android

Installing a VPN on Android is a piece of cake. It’s even easier than installing one on your computer, as you don’t even need to follow the instructions on the installation wizard.

So, this is how you install a VPN on Android:

1. Go to the Google Play Store and search for a VPN provider, our recommendation is NordVPN.

2. Tap the green Install button to download the VPN app.

3. Launch the app and log into your account or sign up for a new one (in this case, you'll need to also pick a plan).

4. Choose the region you want to connect to. That's it!

You may also go to Settings and explore the features and connection options available to you.

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Is it safe to use a VPN on my Android?

Yes, it’s not only safe to have a VPN on your Android device – it’s actually preferable.

Of course, to stay safe, you need to use (and I can’t stress this enough) a reputable VPN service. That is, a no-logs VPN audited by an independent company. Otherwise, you might actually increase your online security risks by using a VPN.

Luckily, all the best Android VPN services featured on this list (together with any other VPN mentioned on our website) are completely safe. No logging, no scams, no third-party data buyers. Only pure protection.

However, if you’ve just browsed through Google Play, stumbled upon a nice-looking VPN, and are tempted to try it, leave a comment under this article and we’ll tell you whether the program is truly safe for your Android.

Can I leave my Android VPN on all the time?

Yes, you can leave your Android VPN on at all times if you’re in need of privacy. Keeping the VPN on will make sure that your real IP address doesn’t get accidentally exposed. Also, your ISP won’t be able to see your browsing history, which is another great plus.

However, you should keep in mind that certain applications might need your real location (or at least your real country) to function properly (like Tinder or Uber Eats).

Also, remember that a VPN, like any other application, uses your phone’s battery. In other words, you might need to charge your phone a bit more frequently if you leave your VPN on all the time.

Are free Android VPN apps worth it?

While free Android VPNs may be an attractive option, they will always lose against the premium options. While you might get decent speed or even a variety of servers, the drawbacks are too significant.

Some of those drawbacks include malicious ads or selling data. Since the provider cannot make money from your subscription, they can seek it in malicious ways. Additionally, there can be trackers that can collect your personal data or log your location. And, you can’t be certain if the free VPN isn’t outdated and won’t cause more cyber threats to you.

An alternative to a free VPN is a freemium version of a premium VPN provider. Our most trusted freemium VPN providers are Atlas VPN and ProtonVPN. The providers offer completely free plans. However, limited data caps, a small server fleet, and no possibility of unrestricted browsing is the price you end up paying. This means that streaming and torrenting will be really difficult.

Overall, free Android VPNs are not worth it. So, we encourage choosing a freemium provider, or selecting a premium VPN and trying it out during the free trial. Our top premium pics with 7-day free trials are NordVPN and Surfshark.

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Conclusion

In a nutshell, Android VPNs can help you to enhance your digital security and provide you bulletproof privacy. And since we often use our mobile devices to connect to public wifi or perform banking operations, using a VPN on your Android device is a must. Without it, public hotspots become breeding grounds for hacks and data leaks.

However, while many VPNs may seem similar on the outside, not all of them ensure first-class privacy protection and security. NordVPN is our top pick for Android devices. It offers the best balance between security, speed, and functionality.

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