Best VPNs for Android in 2024: Fast and secure

Want privacy on a public WiFi network with your Android phone or access home TV services on vacation? This article recommends the best VPNs for Android.

Whether you own an Android smartphone or tablet, a VPN is a hugely important tool that can give you tons of added freedom and privacy online. The encryption provided by a VPN ensures that your data is safe from prying eyes. This stops your ISP from detecting what websites you visit. 

A VPN for Android lets you bypass region locks, government censorship, or blocks imposed by local network admins, whether at work or in school. You can use a VPN to watch your Netflix account, or any other TV service on vacation. They also come in handy on public transport and other public hotspots. A VPN melts away annoying restrictions, giving you access to content where and when you need it.

The very best Android VPNs have custom apps packed with extra features, such as a kill switch, malware filtering, and ad blocking. In this guide, we recommend the best VPNs for Android to give you privacy and online freedom anywhere in the world.

Our recommendations all have secure Android apps that make connecting and using the VPN easy on any Android smartphone or tablet. To find out more about each VPN and its specific advantages, scroll down for our detailed summaries. 

Our best Android VPNs:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for Android. Has fast servers, a highly reliable Android app, and an excellent server network that works with popular services like Netflix. Solid no-logging policy, and built-in ad blocking. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Best cheap VPN for Android. Lets you install and use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. Solid no-logging policy and reliable encryption. WireGuard protocol is fast for playing Android games and streaming in HD.
3. ExpressVPN: Incredible all-rounder. Fast servers in 105+ countries. Excellent app for Android and has OpenVPN and its proprietary Lightway protocol for even better speeds.
4. CyberGhost VPN: Best Android VPN for beginners. Simple apps with fewer features make this VPN perfect for beginners. Strong security and servers in 100+ countries. Generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
5. Proton VPN: Super secure and has many advanced features. Perfect for users who want to torrent thanks to its port forwarding feature. Strong encryption, obfuscation, MultiHop connections, and SecureCore servers.
6. IPVanish: Impressive speeds for playing Android games. Proprietary network spans 50+ countries. No logging policy and strong encryption. Works with fewer streaming services than our top choices.
7. Atlas VPN: Has fast servers in 44+ countries. Android app is easy to use and comes with ad blocking, malware filtering, and split tunneling. Unlimited simultaneous connections.

Summary Table

The Android VPNs we have recommended all passed rigorous tests, which means that they are all safe to use. We explain more about how we test and recommend Android VPNs later in this guide. For now, you can see the main criteria we used to select the best VPNs below:

• Strong security: We prioritize VPNs for Android that offer robust encryption, multiple protocols, a kill switch, and protection against DNS leaks.
• No-logs policy: Our recommended VPNs for Android have reliable no-logging policies, ensuring that your home IP address, server connections, browsing habits, and data passing through their servers are never tracked or shared.
• Fast speeds: High-speed servers and efficient VPN protocols like OpenVPN UDP and WireGuard ensure optimal performance for working, streaming, video conferencing, gaming, and other data-heavy Android activities.
• Large server network: Our recommended VPNs for Android have servers in multiple regions around the world to let you bypass blocks and get an IP address in a huge number of countries. 
• User-friendly app for Android: These VPNs have well-designed Android apps that make getting privacy and freedom simple on tablets and smartphones. They also have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Firestick, routers, and potentially other devices too. 
• Reliable customer support: Our recommended VPNs for Android offer reliable customer support through live chat, email assistance, guides, FAQs, and other helpful resources for helping Android users.

Best VPN for Android 

Here's our list of the best VPNs for Android:

NordVPN is an impressive VPN that is perfect for Android users seeking a VPN for remote work, enhanced privacy, or accessing home services on vacation. The VPN is based in Panama and has an impeccable reputation with users and reviewers alike. The Android app has a host of advanced features that lets you connect to the internet anywhere free from hackers and surveillance capitalism concerns.

The provider integrates its version of the lightning-fast WireGuard protocol, known as NordLynx. This makes it an excellent option for making private VoIP calls, HD streaming, torrenting, and playing gaming on Android, Windows PC, or even consoles. It works to access home streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, iPlayer, and Hulu from abroad, making it a fantastic option for frequent travelers.

NordVPN apps were designed with beginners in mind and are easy to use on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It is also one of the most feature-packed VPNs on the market, with OpenVPN, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, obfuscated servers, Double VPN, ad blocking, malware filtering, Tor over VPN, and a free Smart DNS service.

These features enhance your online security and provide flexibility to bypass restrictions no matter where you go. The robust encryption lets you bypass blocks to stream or use social media at work without fear of being monitored. Also, its Meshnet private tunnel feature for Windows, macOS, and Linux is now free for everyone.

NordVPN has servers in 60+ countries, which gives you plenty of options for IP spoofing. It is also one of the few VPNs that work in China and other highly restrictive countries. A free plan isn’t available. You can try the premium version risk-free for 30 days. 

Nord is surprisingly cheap considering just how feature-packed it is. It allows up to six connections with a single account, making it superb in terms of value. Plus, 24/7 live chat support is available to let you ask questions from anywhere in the world at any time of day.

BEST ANDROID VPN: NordVPN is quick for videoconferencing, streaming, gaming, and downloading files on any Android device. Is available on the Android TV version of the Play Store. Strong encryption and a no-logs policy. Works with popular streaming services. Fully audited and runs on diskless servers. Has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Surfshark is a standout choice if you want a fast, secure, and low-cost VPN for Android. The VPN is highly praised by Android users, and users on other platforms, such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux. It is a brilliant option whether you want to use public WiFi safely, access international game servers, watch foreign streaming platforms or even work remotely without worrying about data theft.

Surfshark offers unlimited connections with every subscription. This lets you share your account with friends and family and, if you are short on cash, you can share the cost of a plan with your buddies. 

Besides offering superb value for money, Surfshark is packed with useful features. It has a no-logs policy that promises never to track anything you do online, WireGuard connections for faster speeds, a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop connections, ad blocking, malware filtering, and a free Smart DNS service.

Surfshark hosts a massive diskless server network that spans 100+ countries. Its privacy policy and network have been audited by a third-party security company. You don’t have to take its privacy claims on faith alone. We tested the VPN rigorously and found it to be completely secure and free from any leaks. 

It works to access popular streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer. This makes it a versatile option for both work and leisure, especially for Android users who want to bypass blocks at work or need to access home services while staying in hotels abroad. You can try Surfshark risk-free to compare it to our top recommendations yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST CHEAP VPN FOR ANDROID: Surfshark offers fast WireGuard connections that are ideal for streaming and playing games on Android. Works to bypass blocks on public WiFi, at work, and in restrictive countries like the UAE and China. Strong encryption, a kill switch, obfuscation, ad blocking, and DNS leak protection. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a reputable VPN provider that was launched in 2009. It is a well-known and trusted service that offers Android users a secure and reliable VPN solution to gain online privacy and security whether at home, at work, or using public WiFi.

The provider has more than 160 server locations across 105+ countries, and that entire network runs on diskless servers that can be erased instantly in an emergency. This makes it a fantastic Android VPN for users who want to access region-locked content or overcome online restrictions imposed by ISPs on behalf of the government, or by local area networks – such as at work or in school.

Express has a solid no-logging policy that has been thoroughly independently audited. The Android app provides AES-256 encryption to secure your data in public WiFi hotspots such as hotels, coffee shops, airports, and beyond. 

Its proprietary Lightway protocol provides exceptional speeds for making video calls, downloading large files, and any other cloud-based applications that require fast speeds. And this VPN was tested and works to watch around 20 different Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and many other popular services around the world.

ExpressVPN’s server network undergoes regular third-party audits and operates on diskless hardware, allowing for the remote erasure of its servers in case of an emergency or if the authorities happen to raid one of its server locations.

With 24/7 live chat support, anybody can get help setting up and trying this VPN risk-free on any Android device. The biggest caveat is that this VPN is a touch more expensive compared to our top choices. However, it remains one of the best all-around VPNs currently available on the market. You can test it yourself using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

SECURE ALL-ROUNDER: ExpressVPN is quick, highly secure, and an impressive all-rounder. Protects your data at home, at work, and on public WiFi. Strong encryption and a kill switch to protect your data on any Android device. Works to access Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and more. Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

CyberGhost VPN is a user-friendly VPN suitable for Android users who are new to VPNs. The VPN packs all the security features you need to gain online privacy on any network while keeping its apps simple enough for beginners.

The VPN provides more than 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, allowing it to avoid server congestion and provide access to IP addresses in a wide range of locations. It is fast enough for downloading files, streaming HD content, and conducting private video calls on any Android smartphone or tablet. 

Despite being easier to use, it still provides the security you need to access restricted VoIP services, international news platforms, and blocked websites in countries with a lot of censorship.

CyberGhost VPN has apps for Android, Windows, Mac, and iOS that have strong encryption, a strict no-logging policy, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. These features safeguard your data when connected to public WiFi networks, and stop you from being tracked at work or at home.

You can install and use CyberGhost VPN on up to seven devices simultaneously, which makes it suitable for most families or power users who own many devices. In our tests, it worked to watch Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+, which makes it great for accessing streaming platforms on vacation. 

The main drawback is that it lacks advanced features, such as obfuscation, split tunneling, and port forwarding. However, it is very cheap and you can test it using its 45-day money-back guarantee.

EASY TO USE: CyberGhost VPN is one of the easiest Android VPNs for beginners. Has a choice of protocols, a kill switch, and a solid no-logging policy. Fast servers in 100+ countries work to access VoIP apps, social media, news outlets, and popular streaming services. Strong encryption protects your personal data on any network. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Proton VPN is a highly advanced VPN based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws that apply to VPNs and other communications providers. It was developed by the team behind ProtonMail – a trusted company previously endorsed by privacy advocates like Edward Snowden.

The VPN is ideal for Android users, as well as people who need an advanced VPN for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux. The VPN prioritizes user privacy and security, offering strong AES-256 encryption, a choice of reliable protocols, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, MultiHop connections, split tunneling, and port forwarding. This makes Proton VPN one of the most comprehensive and feature-rich VPNs currently available.

Servers are available in 71+ countries, offering excellent flexibility, and its MultiHop feature lets you get additional privacy by routing your data through multiple servers. It offers some SecureCore server locations owned and controlled by Proton to provide enhanced protection. 

A single ProtonVPN subscription lets you connect 10 devices simultaneously, which is usually enough for most families and power users. It makes Proton VPN suitable for groups going on vacation together. In our tests, it worked to access popular international streaming services, including Netflix. 

Split tunneling and port forwarding features make it a reliable VPN for torrenting. Live chat is available for paying subscribers only, but you can use the VPN on an unlimited basis using its free plan. Just bear in mind that the free plan only has servers in Japan, Holland, and the US, and doesn’t work to watch streaming services. You will need to upgrade to get access to fast-streaming servers. You can test the premium service using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

HIGHLY ADVANCED: Proton VPN offers a free plan that anybody can use on an Android device on an unlimited basis. Apps are available for all platforms, and the VPN offers high levels of protection for your Android data and apps. Global server network provides excellent speeds. No-log policy and strong encryption. Works with Netflix and has a 30-day money-back guarantee to test it yourself.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

IPVanish is a reliable US-based VPN that has fully audited apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and KODI. The VPN represents excellent value for money because it allows you to install its service on an unlimited number of devices with a single account. You can share your account with friends and family.

IPVanish has over 2,200 servers in 75+ locations, which allows you to get an IP address almost anywhere in the world. The VPN provides fantastic speeds for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. The VPN is extremely popular among people who play games and watch content on KODI thanks to its strong encryption and fast WireGuard protocol.

The only caveat is that while it does work to watch Netflix US, it doesn’t always work with Hulu and other streaming services. With this in mind, we do recommend you test it with your own streaming services using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

The VPN has a solid no-logging policy, which is just as well because it is based in the US (not our favorite place for a VPN due to the presence of the NSA, warrants, and gag orders). That said, the VPN has a decent track record of providing privacy for its users – other than one time when it helped DHS investigate a child abuse case (a decision that most people condone morally, and which was a highly targeted attack that only affected the user in question).

We find the VPN easy to use, and it has all the advanced features most Android users require from a fast VPN, including a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. It completed a full third-party audit of its service.  If you need help with setting up or using the VPN, you can contact its 24/7 live chat support. 

ALLOWS UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS: IPVanish is a fast WireGuard VPN for Android that is often used by KODI users, thanks to its dedicated app. It is a decent option if you want to share your account with friends and family. Has secure servers in 50+ countries. Works with Netflix US and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

Atlas VPN is a decent option for Android users for several reasons. It has both free and paid plans, and you can connect to two locations without spending a dime.

Just bear in mind that the free plan is limited to 10 GB of data each month and will not work to access any popular streaming services. But even with the free plan, you can still benefit from enhanced online privacy when connected to public WiFi networks.

Atlas VPN offers dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and, of course, Android, including Android TV boxes. These apps come equipped with a decent feature set, including DNS leak protection, a kill switch, MultiHop connections, ad blocking, malware filtering, and split tunneling. Considering its affordable subscription cost, we find it very impressive.

The main drawback is that the ‘soft’ kill switch leaks during reconnection, so if you are torrenting, we advise that you pause your downloads until the VPN has fully connected again.  Thanks to its native WireGuard implementation, Atlas VPN is fast, and it works to watch streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and many others. This makes it a decent all-rounder. You can try it using its 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Best of all, you can connect this VPN to an unlimited number of devices, which makes it fantastic value for money. Plus, it has live chat that is reserved for paying subscribers only, which ensures that agents are always ready to help (and aren't busy helping people with the generous free plan).

SUPERB ALL ROUNDER: Atlas VPN operates servers in over 40 countries. WireGuard connections are perfect for streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Apps come with DNS leak protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, MultiHop, and a native ad blocker. 30-day money-back guarantee to try it yourself.

Read our full review of Atlas VPN.

VPN testing methodology

To select the top VPNs for Android devices, we prioritized privacy and security. At BleepingComputer, we consider the encryption and other security features provided by a VPN, including its privacy policy and the way it handles user data, to be of utmost importance. 

In addition to being reliable and secure, our recommended Android VPNs are versatile and good at doing the things that users desire from a VPN: making video calls, playing Android games, downloading torrents, watching HD streams, etc.

For a detailed understanding of our testing and VPN recommendation process, you can refer to our detailed testing methodology guide. It explains exactly how we test and recommend VPNs. Below, we have highlighted some of the key features we considered when recommending Android VPNs:

• Privacy and security: We prioritized VPNs with robust encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation for data protection and a greater level of security.
• No-logs policy: Our recommendations never track your web visits, or keep any personal data that can be used to ascertain who you are or what you did online at a later date for maximum privacy.
• Fast connection speeds: We recommended VPNs that have plenty of fast servers, and speedy protocols such as OpenVPN UDP and WireGuard. This makes them great for gaming, streaming, making VoIP calls, and other data-intensive tasks. Download speeds should be impressive, with no connection issues and excellent performance.
• Reliable support: Not everyone is a seasoned VPN veteran. Our recommendations understand that beginners may need help and provide FAQs, setup guides, and live chat support to help you at any time of the day. 
• Unrestricted access: We recommended VPNs with large global server networks that have been tried and tested to access popular streaming platforms, games, internet banking, and other international services that people want to access securely. 
• Value for money: We looked for secure VPNs that offer the features home users want at a price that is either fair or an absolute steal. Some of our recommendations even have a basic free plan to test the VPN on Android without paying a dime.
• Third-party audits: Our top three recommendations must have completed third-party audits that verify the security of their services and the validity of their privacy claims.
• Diskless servers: Our top three recommendations have a network of diskless servers that run on RAM. This allows the VPN to remotely erase any server in an emergency.
• Apps for all devices: Our recommendations have an excellent standalone app for Android – as well as apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Firesticks, and more. Plus, you can use the VPN on multiple devices with a single subscription.

How to use a VPN on Android

All the Android VPNs we have recommended in this guide have custom apps that you can download from the Google Play Store. Just follow the steps below:

1. Choose a VPN for Android from this list. We recommend NordVPN because it is extremely reliable, and secure, and provides exceptional speeds for Android users.
2. Click our link to navigate to your preferred Android VPN’s website.
3. Subscribe to the VPN. You can pick the subscription period that best suits your needs.
4. Download the VPN app from the Google Play Store.
5. Install the VPN and log in using your credentials.
6. Choose a VPN server from the list and click ‘Connect’.

When the VPN connection goes green and you see a little key symbol at the top of your Android screen, this means that the VPN is active.

Android VPN FAQs

Is it safe to use a free VPN for Android?

The vast majority of free VPNs available on Google Play or other app stores are dangerous. Most free VPNs have invasive privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data and sell it to create a revenue stream. 

These free VPNs monitor your web visits for profiling purposes and sell your online habits to marketing companies and data brokers, which is the polar opposite of what a VPN is supposed to do. 

Many free VPNs have also been found to suffer from IP and DNS leaks, to have app and server vulnerabilities, and even to lie about the level of protection they provide. Some free VPNs were found to lack encryption altogether, which means using them gives you a false sense of security. Plus, free VPNs were also found to conceal spyware in their apps.

If you intend to use a free VPN for Android, we strongly recommend that you stick to one of our recommendations. Using a randomly selected free VPN from Google Play could expose you to very serious risks that put your data and the health of your devices at risk.

Should I set up a VPN manually on Android?

Although Android devices come with VPN functionality built into it, we generally recommend against subscribing to a VPN that requires you to connect manually using the native VPN client.

The native VPN client is basic and does not have any useful advanced features. If you subscribe to a VPN service that requires a manual connection using the Android VPN client, you are missing out on many useful features.

The VPNs we have recommended in this guide have all developed custom Android VPN applications that you can download from Google Play. These apps have a nice front end that makes choosing a server and connecting to the VPN easy to navigate. 

Those custom apps also provide you with a number of additional features that the native Android VPN client doesn't have. This includes the popular OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, and privacy features like a kill switch, split tunneling, obfuscation, ad blocking, MultiHop connections, and protection against malicious sites.

If you are paying for an Android VPN in 2023, you really ought to get a properly designed app that makes the task of connecting to server locations easy, and that provides these reliable protocols and the strong encryption they are known for.

Why do I need a VPN for Android?

A VPN is an online privacy tool that protects your data and the health of your devices. When you connect to a VPN, it encrypts all the data coming and going from your Android smartphone or tablet. 

This encryption stops public WiFi hotspot providers, Local Area Networks (such as a work network or school network), and Internet Service Providers from being able to track the websites you visit.

An Android VPN prevents your data from being intercepted by hackers when you use public WiFi and gives you the peace of mind to connect to public WiFi without fear of being victimized by an Evil Twin Attack.

A VPN conceals your IP address from the websites and services you use. This helps to protect you against hackers who may try to uncover your home IP address in order to probe your network for vulnerabilities. It also allows you to pretend to be in a different location, which opens the door to accessing locally blocked or region-locked content.

Below, we have included a list of useful things you can do with a VPN for Android:

• Access region blocked streaming services and live TV broadcasts. You can use a VPN to access Netflix or any other service you subscribe to while on vacation.
• Improve your online security by using encryption to protect your sensitive data from hackers, identity thieves, and other malicious data snoops. This is important when accessing accounts, using internet banking, or using online shopping services when connected to any public network, for example.
• Gain online privacy: With a VPN, your online activities are protected from surveillance at the hands of ISPs, public WiFi providers, government snoops, local area networks, ISPs, and businesses that try to track you online.
• Access blocked websites: By connecting to a VPN server in a different location, you can bypass censorship and access geo-restricted content, such as streaming services, social media platforms, and news websites.
• Use public WiFi safely: A VPN stops WiFi hotspots from tracking you and protects you against the threat of badly implemented security, evil twins, and other vulnerabilities that can expose you to hackers.
• Torrent safely: A VPN stops other peers from seeing your IP address and encrypts your connection to stop your ISP and other eavesdroppers from monitoring your downloads. 
• Prevent bandwidth throttling: Some ISPs deliberately slow down certain types of internet traffic, such as when streaming or torrenting. A VPN stops your ISP from detecting your activities, which stops them from throttling you and keeps your internet running quickly. 
• Access foreign game servers and purchase games cheaper: Games are often cheaper or unavailable in some countries. With a VPN, you can access a different version of Google Play to access restricted Android apps or to purchase games or other apps cheaper.
• Stay safe when traveling: Using public WiFi networks abroad or even in your own city can expose you to the risk of hackers. Using a VPN lets you connect to public WiFi on public transport, in airports, coffee shops, hotels, or anywhere else, without fear of being hacked.

Can I access Netflix with a VPN for Android?

Yes. By connecting to a VPN server back home, you can get a valid IP address that will work to watch your Netflix account on vacation. The important thing to remember is that most VPNs have been blocked by Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, and other popular international streaming services. Stick to recommended VPNs with fast servers that work for streaming.

Can I bypass blocks at work and in school with an Android VPN?

Yes. An Android VPN lets you overcome restrictions at work and in school by encrypting your internet traffic and changing your IP address. When you activate a VPN on your Android device and connect to a VPN server, your online data is secured through encryption, making it difficult for network administrators to monitor your internet activities.

Additionally, Android VPNs allow you to connect to servers in different locations worldwide. This feature is useful for bypassing geographical restrictions, such as accessing websites or services that are only available in specific regions - but also works to make you appear to be outside of the school or work network. 

However, it's crucial to be aware of workplace or school network policies. Some organizations may have rules against using VPNs on their networks without permission. Violating these policies could result in disciplinary actions, so you must consider whether it is safe to use a VPN and stick to recommended VPNs only.

Some advanced network administrators may also attempt to block VPN traffic, which means you will need a reputable VPN service that employs technologies to make VPN traffic less detectable. All the VPNs in this guide are secure to use at work, but we urge you to remember that you use a VPN at your own risk and should only do so in your downtime.