Best Android VPN for 2024
Protect your privacy on your mobile device with one of the best VPNs for Android.
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Best Overall VPN
ExpressVPN
- Unmatched transparency
- Top-notch security with no leaks detected
- Excellent for streaming
- Expensive
- Only five simultaneous connections
- Owned by Kape Technologies
ExpressVPN remains our Editors' Choice for best overall VPN in 2024. One of the largest VPN providers globally, the industry titan has been in business since 2009 and is consistently raising the bar for service transparency year after year. In 2022, the company underwent a total of 12 independent security audits.
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we've tested. While most VPNs will cause you to lose half or more of your normal internet speeds, ExpressVPN caused our speeds to dip just 18% in our March and April 2023 speed tests. It also unblocks Netflix and other streaming services more reliably than most other VPNs, and seamlessly surpasses geo-blocking for access to international gaming servers and torrenting sites. ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol's flexible nature allows it to take on both TCP and UDP connections, seamlessly balancing speed and stability. It's a brilliant choice for a default protocol on Android devices since it's so responsive to varying connection types and strengths.
While you can get a better month-to-dollar bargain with ExpressVPN's two-year subscription, we don't recommend anyone purchase any two-year VPN subscriptions at this time due to overall market volatility. ExpressVPN's best plan offers eight simultaneous connections for $100 a year. You can also opt for a $13 per month plan, or pay $60 for six months.
Best Cheap VPN
Surfshark
- Lots of unique security features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- RAM-only server network
- Inconsistent speed performance
- 14 Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- No transparency reports
Surfshark is an excellent Android VPN, and CNET's current Editors' Choice for the best value VPN. It packs a ton of features, is great for streaming, and is the perfect choice if you're on a budget but still want the premium VPN experience.
Surfshark's Android app is clean and simple to use, but it sometimes struggles to connect immediately, which can be frustrating. Otherwise, it's a slick app with a lot of cool features. Once connected, you'll see your connection time and VPN IP address, as well as your location. You also have the option to either disconnect from the VPN server or pause your VPN connection for 5 minutes, 30 minutes, or 2 hours. The Pause feature is useful for instances where you want to temporarily step off the VPN but not risk forgetting to turn the VPN back on. It's also easy to create custom multi-hop connections with any two server combinations from Surfshark's network of over 3,000 servers in 100 countries. Additional features include a kill switch, auto-connect, protocol selection and ad- and tracker-blocking technology. And if you're into streaming content online while on the go, Surfshark is an excellent choice. It's great for streaming Netflix content from multiple Netflix libraries around the world. We were able to easily stream content from Max, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus as well.
Surfshark is a budget-friendly choice that's priced at $48 for the first year of service, then $60 per year for any subsequent years of service. That's significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN, although the monthly price without any discounts or introductory offers is the same at $13 a month. Like other top VPNs, Sufrshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee trial period.
Best Connectivity
NordVPN
- Among the fastest VPNs
- Tons of features
- Diskless RAM-only server infrastructure
- No transparency reports
- Ambiguous corporate structure
- Only six simultaneous connections allowed
NordVPN is one of the most recognized brands in the VPN field. Part of that brand recognition is based on its distinct, straightforward design. Nord's app for Android is just as easy to interact with as its desktop VPN client, with a similar design. It poses no learning difficulties for a first-time user looking to move from desktop to mobile.
Just as the desktop client does, Nord's app opens to a familiar blue-scale landing-screen map where users can opt to either select a country, connect to the fastest server automatically or browse specialty servers like Onion over VPN, Double VPN or those optimized for P2P. Nord gets bonus points for its split-tunneling feature, which allows you to select other apps that you don't want to run through your encrypted VPN connection.
NordVPN's pricing structure is similar to that of its sister company Surfshark, but its longer-term plans are more expensive. A two-year plan carries an introductory price of about $79, but that price increases to a little under $100 annually for each subsequent year of service. We don't recommend committing to a single provider for more than a year at a time, given how fickle the VPN industry tends to be. If you opt for the yearly plan, you'll pay $60 for the first year of service, then just shy of $100 a year for any additional years. NordVPN's monthly plan is a dollar cheaper than Surfshark's, at $12 a month. Like most other VPN services, NordVPN offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee in case you're not satisfied with the service.
Best Beginner VPN
IPVanish
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- 24/7 customer support with live chat and phone support
- IPVanish identified during DNS leak tests
- US jurisdiction
- Buggy features with platform limitations
A big win for IPVanish is its fun, configurable interface, which makes it an ideal client for those who are interested in learning how to understand what a VPN does under the hood. 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.
One frustrating issue is that IPVanish's Quick Connect feature doesn't always connect you to the best available server, so you may need to optimize your speeds by connecting manually to a server showing a lighter load. In IPVanish's Android app, you can check the current load of each server by tapping on Locations, selecting Cities and tapping the number next to each city.
IPVanish's yearly plan costs $48 for the first year. The plan increases sharply in price to the regular $90 annual rate for any subsequent years of service. You can also choose a quarterly plan that starts at $13 for the first three-month period and increases to $30 for each three-month billing period afterward. IPVanish's monthly rate is priced at $11 a month, which is about on par with other providers' month-to-month rates. 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 bought a monthly subscription and decided they didn't like the service.
About Android VPNs
As an Android smartphone or tablet user, there's a high probability you're interested in keeping your device safe and your information secure when browsing the internet. A VPN, or virtual private network, can help. Your mobile device, the websites you use and the apps you have installed can all reveal your physical location through your IP address -- and there are always prying eyes wanting that information. Using the best VPN service will hide your location from Google and add an extra layer of protection for your mobile device. Not to mention, your browsing activity and app usage will not be revealed to your ISP or third-party app developers, further solidifying your privacy. A VPN's protection features can keep you safe from data breaches and online surveillance, making you a hard target for hackers.
The experts here at CNET put together a list of the best VPN services by running each product through a thorough testing process to grade the performance quality of these services. This best Android VPNs list focuses on each provider's mobile features and services. CNET tests new VPN apps regularly and ranks them -- so check back routinely to stay informed of new contenders when they arrive.
Read more: You Need to Be Using a VPN on Your Phone. Here's How to Set It Up in Under 10 Minutes
What's the best Android VPN right now?
ExpressVPN is currently CNET's top pick for the best Android VPN, thanks to the outstanding performance of its Android app, along with its commitment to privacy and transparency. The Android app is uncluttered, easy to use and connects immediately. It's the best option for boosting your privacy and streaming content on the go, but it's more expensive than others on this list. That said, the other VPNs listed here are also excellent Android VPNs if ExpressVPN isn't the best fit for you.
How we test Android VPNs
In evaluating 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. We test the performance and reliability of the VPN connection on each of the protocols available in the provider's Android app. We test for leaks and each service's kill switch functionality to ensure it's working as it should. 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 is 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. While Proton VPN's free tier doesn't include access to all of its servers, its ad-blocker tool or advanced privacy features like its Secure Core servers or Tor Over VPN function, there are no usage limits, and the encryption, obfuscation and leak protection is all the same for free users as they are for paid users. Premium plans are priced at $10 per month or $72 per year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee included.
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:
Privacy
The primary consideration for any VPN should be privacy. If your Android VPN is unable to sufficiently protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At a minimum, your VPN should employ industry standard AES 256-bit encryption along with offering basic privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection and a no-logs policy. For critical privacy needs, you'll also want a VPN provider that is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, offers obfuscation and has a RAM-only server architecture. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities, ad and tracker blockers and multihop connections. Also, look for a VPN that undergoes regular third-party security audits, as audits can help bolster trust in the VPN's ability to protect its users' privacy.
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 will have as minimal an impact on your regular internet speeds as possible.
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. Most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can be anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a seven-day free trial with many VPNs when you sign up through the Play Store. So you'll most likely have options to try various Android VPNs risk-free before you decide whether to fully invest in one.
Android VPN FAQs
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