Image: Michael Crider/IDG
Over the past few years we’ve tested a good number of VPN services for the PC and compiled them into a list of our best VPN picks. But we’ve also done extensive VPN testing for Android apps, checking for performance, privacy policies, and extra features to see which service comes out on top on Google’s mobile OS. While some services are good on any platform, others particularly shine when used on Android devices, and we’ve curated a list of our recommendations to help you choose.
When determining the best VPNs for Android, we consider several criteria. First, it’s crucial that it is a top performer on the OS. Also, since Wi-Fi can be inconsistent at times, we test these apps over the course of three days, running a total of 15 tests each day (three times for each test country location) to look at speed and consistency of service. Finally, we considered the Android app itself and its ease of use, as well as other things such as pricing and the number of simultaneous devices allowed per account.
Without further ado, here are our recommendations for the best VPNs for Android.
NordVPN – Best Android VPN overall
Pros
- Great feature set
- Excellent speeds
- No-logs policy
- Attractive and intuitive interface
Price When Reviewed:
Free
Why we like NordVPN
NordVPN is easily one of the most popular VPN services around. The company offers over 60 country locations with 5,000+ servers. It also promises that its service will work with Netflix. While it doesn’t offer dedicated servers for this, instead, Netflix is just supposed to work no matter which server you’re on, and in our tests it always did.
Its Android app is similar to the desktop app in that it has the same style of map that you can use to select a location. The rest of the app is very mobile friendly with a movable carousel of popular locations, and a full country list underneath. The Android app also supports Nord’s specialty servers for P2P file sharing, Meshnet, and double-hop VPNs. NordVPN also offers top-notch security features with ad-blocking and malware protection as well.
NordVPN has a thrice-verified no-logs policy and good track-record for both privacy and security. It’s a higher-priced VPN, but it’s also feature-filled, and fast. In our tests, Nord maintained nearly 73 percent of the base internet speed, which is outstanding.
Who should buy NordVPN
Those who have an Android phone or other device and want a VPN should place NordVPN at the top of their list. Not only will you get the great overall features that come from a top service like NordVPN, but the Android app is also one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use we’ve ever seen.
Read our full NordVPN review
ExpressVPN – Best Android VPN runner-up
Pros
- Very easy-to-use app
- Excellent speeds
Cons
- Logs data transfer amounts
- Higher-priced option
Price When Reviewed:
Free
Why we like ExpressVPN
Combining ease of use with its excellent speeds, ExpressVPN is a great choice for everyone. In our tests, ExpressVPN maintained 72.14 percent of the base speed, which is excellent and earned it a spot among our very fastest VPNs. Switching locations is as easy as tapping on the tile underneath the on/off button at the top. When the VPN is not active the app background is red, and when the VPN is connected the background turns green.
ExpressVPN for Android also supports split tunneling, auto-connect, and a kill switch to help maintain privacy should the VPN connection drop.
This VPN is bit pricey and not quite as user friendly as NordVPN and that’s why it narrowly missed out on the top spot. Regardless it’s still a fantastic option and comes with wide support if you have other non-Android devices as well. Express VPN costs about $100 for the first 15 months for the multi-device subscription.
Who should buy ExpressVPN
Just like NordVPN, we think that ExpressVPN is a top pick for just about everyone. And since ExpressVPN supports just about every device you can imagine, it’s a great option for those who rock many different devices with different operating systems and want to be protected on all of them.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
CyberGhost – Best Android VPN for rookies
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Independently verified no-log policy
- Seriously impressive server spread
Cons
- Lacks some common features such as multi-hop and double VPN
- Server speeds are hit-or-miss, especially in Asia
Price When Reviewed:
Free
Why we like CyberGhost VPN
Another good choice for newcomers is CyberGhost from Kape Technologies. This VPN has a very intuitive and friendly design. It has a simple on/off button at the top of the app, and underneath that is the tile where you can pick the country location. Tapping on the country location option takes you to a list where you can choose a connection based on the country, or you can choose a streaming location, or choose from your own favorites list. In our tests, CyberGhost maintained decent enough speeds to do most activities you would want with a VPN such as web browsing and streaming.
That’s about all there is to this app, which makes it an excellent option for first timers. For the full program CyberGhost charges $56.94 for a single year, or you can pay by the month for $12.99.
Who should buy CyberGhost VPN
VPN newbies and beginners will love how easy CyberGhost’s Android app is to use. Plus, the price is cheaper than some alternatives, which means you won’t have to worry about paying extra for niche features that you may never use.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Mullvad – Best Android VPN for privacy
Pros
- Excellent privacy measures
- Best option for pseudo-anonymity
Cons
- Not as many extra features as other options
- Not guaranteed to work with Netflix
Price When Reviewed:
Free
Why we like Mullvad VPN
It’s no surprise to see Mullvad as our top choice for privacy. It’s simply unbeatable when it comes to staying as anonymous and private online as possible while using a VPN. Unlike most other services, Mullvad doesn’t even ask for your email address. Instead, it generates a random account number and then you use that to log in and pay for the service. The service will also accept cash, as well as Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit card giving you an even wider number of options to stay as anonymous as possible.
Mullvad promises it won’t track your browsing habits (as all the services in this roundup do), and it has good speeds. In our tests, Mullvad for Android maintained around 57 percent of the base speed. That’s not as good as some of the other services, but it’s definitely good enough for most uses. Mullvad charges €5 per month, which at this writing was a little over $5.
Who should buy Mullvad VPN
If privacy is your number one concern while using a VPN than you can’t go wrong with Mullvad. Your anonymity will remain intact from the time you sign up and pay for the service all the way through your time using the service. It may not have all of the fancy features of our top picks on this list, but you can rest assured your privacy will always be Mullvad’s top priority.
Read our full Mullvad review
ProtonVPN – Best VPN for privacy runner-up
Pros
- Good speeds, but not as good as on Windows
- Lots of features
Price When Reviewed:
Free
Why we like ProtonVPN
If Mullvad isn’t your speed then another solid choice for privacy is ProtonVPN. This service is just one part of a larger suite of services that includes ProtonMail, ProtonCalendar, and ProtonDrive. You don’t have to subscribe to everything as ProtonVPN is available as a standalone service, though you can get a deal with ProtonMail if you like. In our tests, ProtonVPN maintained around 56 percent of the base speed. It has a wide number of country choices, its privacy policy makes all the right promises, and it supports Netflix streaming, TOR over VPN, and P2P on specific servers. It also has a security feature called Secure Core that you can read about on the company’s site. ProtonVPN charges $71.88 for the first year.
Who should buy ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is another great option for the privacy-conscious. The only real difference between this and Mullvad VPN is that you will need to register with an email address and provide an address upon sign-up. Apart from that though, ProtonVPN does a superb job of protecting your anonymity and privacy.
Read our full ProtonVPN review
How we tested
We use the same approach on Android as we do on Windows. We picked five country locations and tested each location three times on three separate days. Then we took the average global performance of the VPN as an average, and then compared that to the average base speed. Then we represented the difference as a percentage. The reason we do that as opposed to showing actual megabytes-per-second scores is that those numbers can change based on so many factors such as your ISP, equipment, and time of day. What we really need to know is how much speed we lose when connected to the VPN (it’s always a loss). That is an experience that is more likely to translate across various setups as opposed to specific speeds.
What to look for in a VPN
To get the most out of a VPN you need to consider a few factors. First, you want something that respects your privacy and logs as much information as you’re comfortable with. If that means no data at all then something like Mullvad or ProtonVPN is best for you. If you don’t mind a little logging and your primary concern is speed or Netflix support then there are many VPNs that will suit that purpose. Speed is also a concern since you want to make sure the service can support whatever it is you want to do, be it streaming video, gaming, or just browsing the web. Going with a known quantity is also critical since VPNs are handling such important, and personal, data you need to know who’s behind the company and what their reputation is—reading reviews will help with that. Finally, after all that, consider pricing and what best suits your budget. Keep those tips in mind and you’re likely to find an excellent VPN service that’s right for you.
That’s it for our roundup of the top five Android VPNs. If you want to take a look at more VPN services check out PCWorld’s complete VPN roundup. While the reviews are focused on PC, almost all of the services we’ve covered offer an Android app as well.
If you’re interested in also using a VPN with your other devices (which we highly recommend), check out some of our additional best VPN roundups to learn more:
- Best VPN for Amazon Fire Stick
- Best free VPN
- Best VPN for gaming
- Best VPN for streaming Netflix
FAQ
1.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, otherwise known as a virtual private network, disguises your identity and encrypts your internet traffic while browsing. In addition, you can connect to VPN servers all across the world. So if you want to access location restricted content like streaming services, you can connect to the appropriate country’s server and gain access to that country’s specific content.
2.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN effectively hides your IP address by redirecting it through a remote server hosted by the VPN company. If anyone is watching, the VPN server then appears to be the source of your data instead of yourself. These remote servers can be located both in your own country as well as in different countries around the world. Additionally, your network traffic from your computer to the VPN is encrypted adding an extra layer of privacy.
If you are connected to a VPN while browsing the internet, the VPN will act as a kind of middleman between your computer and a website. When your computer sends a request to the VPN, it then passes it along to a website. The website in return, sends its response back to the VPN, which forwards it via a secure connection all the way to your computer.
3.
Are VPNs legal to use?
Yes! In the United States as well as most countries, using a VPN is legal. You may find that certain websites try to block VPN connections, but they are still okay to use. You should know though, while using a VPN is legal, some of the activities done while using a VPN might be illegal. Activities such as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are both illegal with and without a VPN.