The best VPNs for Android devices have to provide excellent security on a small resource footprint. Android devices vary significantly in capabilities, and WireGuard is a must to minimize overhead.
We highly recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for Android devices. This industry stalwart offers an extraordinarily stable service quality. It’s managed to keep speeds up across most servers and doesn’t introduce unnecessary overhead into its apps.
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Either way – there are also many alternatives from which to choose. Android is an excellent mobile platform, and most VPNs highly value Android customers. Surfshark and NordVPN, for example, keep competitors hopping with impressive feature introductions.
Android has become the most popular operating system, but it doesn’t come with extensive built-in security. With all the recent news about government surveillance, mass surveillance, and third-party tracking, you need a VPN to help protect your privacy on the go.
Android devices are also highly targeted by malware attacks. These do everything from target banking services to planting spyware and ransomware. A good Android VPN can help you prevent these from crimping your mobile lifestyle.
If you aren’t sure about the many benefits a VPN can bring or how they work, read our “VPN beginner’s guide” first.
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If you’re looking for the best VPN that works on Android, your search can end here. ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for anyone using an Android device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or Android TV. You get a seamless and consistent cross-platform experience.
Those constantly on the move will find a greater need for security and privacy. This VPN provides that in spades, along with an innovative VPN protocol that seems built for mobile platforms like Android.
We love ExpressVPN for Android for several reasons:
For those who only want a VPN for their Android device, ExpressVPN can be a significant investment. It costs somewhat more than the average VPN. However, keep in mind the quality of the service and the fact that you can also use it on your PC, router, and other devices.
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Excellent
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$2.05 /mo
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"Surfshark VPN combines robust mobile performance with excellent pricing."
Surfshark is excellent for Android devices because it treats all platforms equally. There’s no Operating System (OS) discrimination, and you’ll find a similar desktop and mobile experience. Any device with an Internet connection can use Surfshark.
This VPN is one of the earlier adopters of WireGuard. We consider this the best protocol for VPN users on mobile devices since it’s lightweight, fast, and secure. That makes it a fantastic candidate for Android devices that need to move across multiple data networks constantly.
To learn more about this new technology, read our article “What is WireGuard?”
We love Surfshark VPN for Android for several reasons:
Many Android TV and boxes tend to use outdated versions of the OS. Before you subscribe to Surfshark, make sure your Android TV or box is running on Android version 9 (Pie) at least. You won’t have to worry about this on the mobile device version, though.
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Excellent
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$3.69 /mo
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NordVPN is an excellent VPN for Android, ensuring privacy when you’re on public networks and unlocking restrictions when traveling abroad. It is also ideal for those using Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.
You get instant access to over 5,000 secure servers, ensuring your connection can travel the globe even if you aren’t moving around yourself. Imagine the agility this gives you, spoofing locations anywhere to access all kinds of content.
Here are some of our favorite reasons to use NordVPN on Android:
NordVPN has steadily increased prices over the years. The dollar sign may be moving slowly, but it’s heading upwards. Given inflation and its increasing features, they have a reasonable cause. Please take it as a sign that you must subscribe now and lock in current prices. At least for the next few years.
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Excellent
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$2.03 /mo
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"CyberGhost offers access to what could be one of the largest server pools in the market."
CyberGhost VPN is great for Android devices because it offers many options to improve your Android experience. Whether you want CyberGhost to unblock websites, secure your device or get it away from the prying eyes of like-minded advertisers, it is a viable solution.
Beyond that, the streamlined Android app experience embodies how a great mobile user experience should feel. With a focus on speed, the CyberGhost app feels light and easily usable while providing all the security and anonymity you need.
Here are some of our favorite reasons to use CyberGhost VPN on Android:
With so many servers in the pool, you’re bound to find a few lemons. Experiencing slow connections on some CyberGhost servers isn’t uncommon. However, the many servers also allow you to easily connect to other nearby servers in case of a bad connection.
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$2.03 /mo
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AtlasVPN for Android is a free VPN app that lets you browse the Internet anonymously and securely. Well, it’s not entirely free since the premium version unlocks more servers and features. Still, you get to test the app’s basic functionality for as long as you want.
Don’t mistake AtlasVPN for the “free” VPNs in the market. Many of those increase your risk rather than keep you safe from digital threats. AtlasVPN earns money through the confidence that once you try the service, you’ll sign up for a paid account.
Here are some of our favorite reasons to use AtlasVPN on Android:
For those leery of trusting new privacy apps, AtlasVPN may not be suitable. It’s considered a new kid on the block. The one saving grace is that it’s successful enough to get acquired by Nord Security, giving it some extra street cred.
Choosing a VPN for your Android device isn’t the same as for other platforms. Although most VPNs are multi-platform capable, some work better on Android than others. These simple guidelines can go a long way in helping you select the best VPN for your Android device (or even the best iPhone VPN).
One of the most critical aspects of a VPN is speed. Mobile networks can be complex, and selecting a VPN that is agile enough to perform well on all networks is best. An important point to look out for is WireGuard support since this excellent VPN protocol is lightweight and fast.
The security needs of Android devices are greater than those of other mobile platforms since Android is more open to malware. In addition to the standard encryption that protects all traffic from your VPN server to the internet, look for Android VPNs that offer extra features like threat protection and ad blocking.
Look for apps with a good user interface. This factor is essential because some VPNs will take a design for another platform and port it into a mobile format. However, Android apps need specific design language to ensure your experience is consistent and smooth.
A good VPN company should be able to answer your questions quickly and efficiently even if you contact them from the mobile app. Look for a VPN that offers multiple support options, including email, live chat, or even phone.
When looking for the best Android VPN, you should consider how much it costs. It would help if you thought about whether you want this only for your Android device or everything you use. You may want to consider a more cost-effective VPN subscription if it’s only for Android.
Thanks to Android’s app system, setting up your VPN on your device is usually a straightforward process. However, the process is slightly different on mobile compared to other devices. You first need to download the VPN app via the play store and install it like a regular app.
Once downloaded, launch the app. Most of the time, there will be an option to subscribe or start a free trial from within the app. Once you’ve subscribed (or started the trial), you can sign in to the VPN app on your device.
From that point, the experience is mostly on autopilot. The best Android VPN apps offer a ready-to-go, one-tap experience. Just tap “connect” and the VPN will choose a server, then protect your mobile connection. It’s that easy.
Here’s the recap of our best VPN for Android:
The three VPN brands we hold dearly close for Android devices are ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN. They all have extensive Android capabilities and market exposure. However, there are other decent alternatives.
Choosing the best VPN for your Android device involves lots more than just hoping it works on Google’s mobile OS. When choosing your Android VPN, always remember that you should consider your specific device and needs. Then you can pick the best option for your device, and it should run as smoothly as a purring EV car engine.
We highly recommend either ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN for Android users. These three VPN brands offer excellent features that make them ideal for mobile device users. They also have superior performance and frequently introduce updates and upgrades.
You can use a free VPN on Android, provided you find a reputable service provider. It’s important to understand that many free apps pose an inherently higher risk of carrying malware and privacy threats. One good free VPN with a freemium model is AtlasVPN.
Android does not include a built-in VPN service. However, it can support native VPN installations, and you can, of course, use a VPN app on most Android devices. Remember that Android devices come in many forms, so choose a lightweight VPN where possible.
Using a VPN on Android phones is essential since many of us neglect mobile devices’ security. Many Android VPNs have value-added features like ad, tracker, and malware blockers. Some, like Surfshark and NordVPN, significantly increase threat protection.
Although you can use a VPN on Android purely on WiFi, it’s not practical. Any data communication on mobile networks will need a data plan from your service provider. Without that, you can only rely on public WiFi, free or otherwise.
