Best Android VPNs in 2023

While Android devices are generally secure, Android VPN apps are an ideal solution for those who care about data privacy and online security. A VPN will hide your browsing activities and location from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), Google, and other trackers.

Additionally, a VPN keeps you safe when connected to public wifi. This way, no hacker can surprise you with a malicious gift. And if Internet freedom is what you’re after, a top-notch Android VPN can access geo-restricted sites and streaming platforms without trouble.

To help you make the right choice, we researched and tested dozens of mobile VPNs to find the best for your Android device. So, continue reading to find out the best VPN services for Android and everything you need to know to choose the right app for your needs.

Top 5 best VPNs for Android

1. NordVPN – the best VPN for Android phones in 2023
2. Surfshark – affordable Android VPN with unlimited connections
3. Proton VPN – speedy and reliable VPN for Android
4. ExpressVPN – security-focused VPN service for Android devices
5. CyberGhost – easy-to-use Android VPN app

What makes the best Android VPN?

The best Android VPN will depend on your personal needs. If you want to be safer online, you’re going to prioritize security and privacy features. Meanwhile, if you’re in it for entertainment, streaming capabilities may be your deciding factor.

Whatever the case, here are the top aspects you should consider when choosing an Android VPN:

• 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 2023 – 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 app for Android overall

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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 60 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 94% 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.

NordVPN prices start from as low as $3.29/month, allowing to 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 – top Android VPN with 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 100 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 security audits and a recently audited 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 92% 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, the plan prices start at $2.30 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. Proton VPN – fast and reliable VPN for Android devices

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Proton VPN is one of the most ideal VPNs for Android phone because of its vast server fleet and great streaming capabilities. Not to mention the excellent speeds it provides as well as plenty of security features, such as NetShield.

Servers. Proton VPN has X+ servers in X countries – plenty of options to find the optimal performance.

Security and privacy. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland which is considered a privacy-friendly location. It also ensures a strict no-logs policy. It has even been audited by the auditing company Securitum. Plus, the WireGuard tunneling protocol uses the ChaCha20 encryption, while other protocols use AES-256-CBC.

Performance. Proton VPN Android app has plenty of tunneling protocols available. This includes WireGuard, WireGuard TCP, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and Stealth protocols. For the best performance, enable the WireGuard protocol. It showed an average of 16% download and upload speed drop.

Features. With the Android app of Proton VPN, you get the market-standard kill switch feature to prevent data leaks. A recent addition, NetShield, is also available. It blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. Other features include DNS leak protection as well as the split tunneling feature.

Streaming. Proton VPN is a great choice for streaming on your Android device as well. With it, you can access such streaming platforms as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and so on.

The prices of Proton VPN start from $4.99/month. You can also connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. And in case it’s not what you’re looking for, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee available.

Check out our Proton VPN review for more information.

4. ExpressVPN – security-minded VPN for Android

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ExpressVPN offers an easy-to-use VPN for Android that is packed with robust security features.

Servers. While the exact number is unclear, ExpressVPN comes with thousands of servers. The best part is coverage – the provider boasts as many as 94 countries worldwide.

Security and privacy. ExpressVPN is a full-fledged security suite. It comes with renowned AES-256 encryption that is impossible to crack. Furthermore, it offers a proprietary Lightway protocol, which boosts speed without compromising security.

Performance. Speaking of speed, ExpressVPN, on average, managed to retain 54% of the original speed.

Features. ExpressVPN is a feature-rich provider. It comes with a reliable kill switch to protect you from data leaks. The VPN connection is fully customizable through a split tunneling feature, which allows to include or exclude apps or websites routed through a VPN. Furthermore, there’s a Threat Manager that blocks trackers and other malicious activity on your Android device.

Streaming. This provider is great for streaming. It unblocked all major streaming platforms, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and more, during our tests.

ExpressVPN may not be the cheapest, but it definitely provides a lot of value for its price. You can get this VPN starting from 6.67. With the subscription comes 5 simultaneous connections and a money-back guarantee.

5. CyberGhost – Android VPN with good performance and usability

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CyberGhost is another great option for Android devices. It offers a fast and reliable service will plenty of features.

Servers. With CyberGhost, you won’t experience overcrowded servers or struggle to unblock geo-restricted content. The provider offers one of the larger server fleets — 9700 servers in 91 countries.

Security and privacy. CyberGhost is based in a privacy-friendly country, Romania. As a result, the provider follows a strict, independently audited no-logs policy. The Andriod app is further secured with industry-leading WireGuarg protocol that comes with AES-256 encryption.

Performance. While this provider is not the fastest one, it’s fast enough. During our test, CyberGhost retained 65% of the download speed on average.

Features. The Android app comes with several features. The most useful one is a kill switch. It prevents your IP from leaking when the connections drop — keeping you anonymous at all times. Then there’s malware protection to prevent possible infections. Another neat benefit is the built-in ad blocker. It will remove annoying ads and pop-ups to improve your browsing experience.

Streaming. CyberGhost is an excellent choice for streaming. During our tests, it unblocked every single streaming service that we tried. So, with this provider, you’ll be able to stream content easily on HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

CyberGhost is one of the cheapest VPNs out there. Prices start from 2.19. Keep in mind that you get 7 simultaneous connections with each plan, as well as a 45-day money-back guarantee.

6. 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 the fastest VPN provider out there. The reason for that could be the lack of WireGuard protocol. However, it does retain 75% of download speeds on average.

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.

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.

7. PureVPN – security-oriented solution for Android users

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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 device 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 and BBC iPlayer. 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 $2.08 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 tested these Android VPNs

We tested dozens of trustworthy VPN services to see which of them have Android apps at least half as powerful as desktop versions. Here are the main criteria we considered when choosing the top Android VPNs:

• Ease of use. Android VPNs should guarantee a seamless and quick connection experience on top of no browsing interruption. Our chosen VPNs provide you with neatly organized and intuitive apps.
• Speed. While cybersecurity is important, you shouldn’t have to compromise speeds for it. That’s why we used our speed test tool to see which VPNs offer the lowest average speed drops.
• No-logging policy. A reputable VPN for Android shouldn’t collect any of your personal information, including your real IP address. Throughout our testing, we made sure to only include services that offer a strict or audited no-logs policy.
• Security 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 we were looking for.
• Streaming. As Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms have their own Android applications, having a VPN that would access geo-blocked libraries is helpful. Luckily, the VPN services on this list can easily help you with that.

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.

How to set up a VPN on Android

Installing a VPN on Android device 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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What does a VPN do on Android?

VPNs create an extra security layer for your data that’s saved on your Android device and your online activity while browsing on it. By using a VPN, your traffic routes through an encrypted tunnel, and that’s how the requests or your sensitive information becomes unreadable to intruders. However, who would want to know what you’re doing online?

Truth be told, even governmental institutions are curious to find out what your requests are online. Consequently, the government cooperates with your Internet Service Provider, so you already have two pairs of eyes to hide from. Apart from them, there are hackers who might collect your data and sell it to third parties in exchange for money, or they even do that to scam you. This tracking happens not only when you’re using public wifi but also on your home network if it’s not secured with a VPN.

However, a VPN isn’t the only cybersecurity tool that we recommend using. A reputable antivirus and password manager also play a big role in ensuring a secure and private online experience. With them, you can avoid a wider spectrum of cyber threats.

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.

Video review: best Android VPNs

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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