Best VPNs for Android (2023)

last updated

December 18, 2023

written by

David Morelo

We’ve put together some of the best VPNs for Android which means you will be able to connect to the internet securely. This will keep your data away from prying eyes, protect your browsing history and also allow you to access geo-restricted content. When using a VPN on your Android device you will be given an external IP address that will make you appear as though you are surfing the web from a completely different location. Quite impressive hey?

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NordVPN logo

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Best VPN For A Wide Range Of Android Devices

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Best VPN For Privacy

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Best VPN For Customer Service

 

What will a VPN do?

When using a VPN your IP address will appear as though it is in a different location. You can select the location that you want to appear in via the VPN so that nobody knows where you actually are. Meaning,  if you use a VPN with a server in France, then you can appear as though you are in France. Some VPNs can even show the time on your device as though you were actually in that location. However, that is taking it a step too far for those of us who are just looking to surf the web safely.

Your VPN will provide you with an app that you can easily download and install on your device (whether you have an Android tablet, phone or TV). Then you can quickly select the features that you want to deploy as well as switch your VPN on and off.  One of the great things about using a VPN when watching content on Netflix or Youtube is that you will be able to access any content that is blocked in your geographical location.

Why install a VPN on your Android device?

When using public Wifi your data is actually public. Anyone can access your chats or documents that you are sharing via that network. This includes sensitive information and also bank details. Therefore when you begin to think about it, it is quite frankly frightening to think about how people can intercept your connection and find out everything that you are doing.

When using your smartphone it feels very personal, because it is your device that has been configured to your own requirements. Your friends are in there, their details and chats – so you would think that this information is safe in your phone. However, this simply is not the case. If you use your phone via a public wifi network, anyone can gain access to your device and the data therein.

View geo-restricted content

Another reason to install a VPN on your Android device is to unblock geo-restricted content. Did you know that your content is not only changed due to your preferences, it is also blocked or shown depending on the location that you are in. The two major instances that we often talk about are Netflix, who often show more content to their US audience and iPlayer who block the US internet users from accessing their content.

It is easy to see how someone might want to view the BBC iPlayer when they are in the US. Perhaps they are travelling or they have relocated and want to watch their favorite shows. In this situation using a VPN will allow them to unblock the geo-restricted content by using a VPN that is in the desired location. For example, a UK VPN could be used to view BBC iPlayer and a US VPN could be used to view unrestricted Netflix content.

There are many other reasons to use a VPN, such as torrenting, P2P and also wanting to remain anonymous online. Perhaps the most interesting one is to browse the internet without the restrictions that marketers place on you. There are now very sophisticated re-targeting tricks used to change prices of products that you are interested in and also show you just what you want to see. However, if you want to view the internet from a different perspective, you might want to try out a VPN for size.

To save you some legwork we have collated our top 10 favorite VPNs for Android below:

1. NordVPN

One great thing about NordVPN is that they offer a great no obligation 3-day free trial. Meaning you can get up and running with very little risk. Additionally, NordVPN has a strong network of over 5k global servers in 62 countries.

 

They also allow you 6 simultaneous connections (devices) which is just above average. They provide 2 Android clients – one for your Android device and the 2nd for your Android TV. NordVPN automatically selects the fastest and most efficient server to meet your requirements and their apps are created to work seamlessly in the fast-paced modern internet world. Via a clean one-tap interface.

NordVPN Pricing

They also offer a generous full 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can give their Android service a try, and if you are not 100% satisfied you can request your money back. Additionally, NordVPN follows a strict no-logs policy so that you can enjoy privacy anywhere.

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2. Surfshark

I have to recommend Surfshark. Surfshark has made a big impression over the past few years, with more than 1,700 servers across 63 countries. You can protect all of your devices with one account, as unlimited simultaneous device connections are provided. 

 

One of my favourite things about Surfshark is that there is a special Android native kill switch, which comes as an extra to the standard kill switch. What makes this so special is that you are able to determine what traffic to protect, meaning you can safely multitask even if you are using public WiFi. 

You can also stay completely safe when you travel, as the robust obfuscation settings enable you to bypass VPN bans and censorship.

Surfshark Pricing

Like most VPNs, your pricing options are based on the length of the contract. You can purchase one month for $12.95. Another option is to go for a six-month contract, which is priced at $6.49 per month. The most cost-effective solution, though, is the one-year plan, which is charged at $2.49 per month, and you even get an extra 12 months free!

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3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my current favorite VPN for a lot of things and Android is no different. They offer applications for just about every Android device and OS including Android Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow & Lollipop.

You can download their VPN app and run it on Android 9, Android 8, Android 7, Android 6 and even Android 5! Therefore no matter how old your smartphone is ExpressVPN have an app for it. Whatsmore, they offer a full 30-day no-fuss money-back guarantee, you can’t say fairer than that!

 

No matter what sort of Android device that you have, Express VPN will be able to offer you a tailor-made app for all Android tablets and phones.  They offer extensive documentation and videos to guide you through their simple setup process (in the off chance that you get stuck).

ExpressVPN Pricing

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ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a free trial, however, they do provide a 30-day money back guarantee.  Their pricing is done on a monthly basis and reduces depending on how long you sign up for. Here are their three packages.

  • 1 month $12.95 (for the month)
  • 15 months normally $12.95 now just $6.67 per month
  • 6 months $9.99 per month

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4. CyberGhost

With over 3k+ servers around the world and access to the full US Netflix catalogue, CyberGhost is a great host for Android. They offer one-tap connect so that you can activate your CyberGhost VPN and surf the web with full protection with one-click.

For Android users CyberGhost offers:

Unmatched privacy for your Android device

…even when on the go.

You can get started straight away with CyberGhost by downloading one of their specialized Android VPN apps and a neat 1-day free trial. CyberGhost gives you your own Android app (downloadable via the Google Play store) that is tailored to your specific device.

You can easily switch between 3000+ servers in 60+ countries. Their app is simple to use, you can easily surf the web anonymously (within 1-click). This deceptively simple Android VPN provider utilizes a robust 256-AES bit military grade technology.

 

CyberGhost pricing

CyberGhost offers some cost-effective pricing plans. We like their super cheap offer, where you get 18 months for just $2.75. Making them the cheapest commercial Kodi VPN reviewed here. Below I have outlined their three subscription packages:

  • 1 month  $11.99/mo
  • 6 months $4.99
  • 18 months (6 months free) $2.75

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5. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has been up and running for just over a decade and boast 44k+ global users.  When using their Android VPN service you will benefit from the highest level of encryption and an easy to use Android app. PrivateVPN is a pretty decent VPN company that puts customer service up on their list of priorities. They give their users additional peace of mind by offering a money back guarantee and in-house customer service app.

 

By downloading their easy to use Android app you can safely use your smartphone with their Google Play app. Another great point to note about PrivateVPN is that they are based in Sweden and abide by Swedish laws, so you can be sure that when they say no-logs they mean it.

PrivateVPN Pricing

PrivateVPN has one of the most cost-effective month-on-month deal at just $5.48. Plus their current deal means that their annual plan is much more reasonably priced than other providers. They offer a generous 30-day money back guarantee and a free 7-day trial. Below I have written their 3 packages

  • 1 Month – $5.48 p/m
  • 3 Months – $3.75 p/m (billed every 3 months)
  • 36 Months – $2 p/m (billed annually)

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6. SaferVPN

Working across a network of over 700+ servers in 34 international server locations – SaferVPN provides a tidy intuitive Android VPN app so that you can unlock the entire web within one tap.

 

SaferVPN have some great tech to protect their users with world-class bank-level internet security. Their Android app can be downloaded and installed within 3 simple steps.  Plus their users enjoy unlimited bandwidth and automatic public wifi security (which is a handy feature!).

SaferVPN Pricing

SaferVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and are currently offering some great deals on their VPN plans. The only thing I would say about their pricing is that they don’t offer anything shorter than 1 year, in saying that their pricing is super cheap too. Here are their packages:

  • 1 Year – $4.99
  • 2 Years – $2.99
  • 3 Years – $2.29

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7. ProtonVPN

One area where ProtonVPN really excels is with regard to security. This VPN uses IKEv2, OpenVPN, and 256-bit encryption. The company also has a no-logging policy, which means you are guaranteed private and secure browsing. Your traffic will be routed through a number of servers before it leaves the network thanks to the SecureCore server architecture. 

ProtonVPN pricing 

In terms of pricing, there are four different plans for you to choose from. The first option to consider is the free plan. As you would expect from any free plan, it is fairly limited. However, it is one of the better free options out there. The paid solutions available are as follows:

  • Basic – This will set you back 4 EUR per month, offering two VPN connections and servers across 50 countries. 
  • Plus – This is the most popular option, costing 8 EUR per month. It delivers high speeds, TOR over VPN, SecureCore VPN, and other beneficial features.
  • Visionary – This plan costs 24 EUR per month. You will get a ProtonMail Visionary account and 10 VPN connections.

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8. IPVanish

Another VPN that works effectively with Android devices is IPVanish. IPVanish has a network of more than 1,600 servers, delivering fast speeds across more than 75 countries. 

 

The IPVanish app for Android is very straightforward and easy-to-use. The fastest server will automatically be recommended to you thanks to the useful API Load Balancing feature.

IPVanish also protects your data using military-grade 256-bit encryption. It provides IPv6 leak protection and keeps a strict no-logs policy. Nevertheless, one drawback is that there is not an automatic kill switch in the Android application, so you will need to keep a close eye on your connection status to stop data leaks. 

IPVanish pricing 

There are three different plans available to you, based on contract length. The first option, which is the most expensive, is to pay monthly, which will set you back $4.49 per month. Next, there is a three-month plan, which costs $4.04 per month. Finally, there is a one-year option, which will save you 76 per cent per year, as it only costs $2.92 per month.

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9. VyprVPN

VyprVPN works effectively with Android devices. It provides a wide range of security features, which are packed into an app that is simple and easy-to-use. It has an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, no logs, and 256-bit encryption.

 

Users in restrictive parts of the world, like Russia and China, can utilize VyprVPN without detection due to the use of Proprietary Charmelon technology, which will scramble the OpenVPN metadata to make it appear like standard traffic under deep packet inspection. 

This also helps the VPN to bypass VPN blocks and geo-restrictions. I was able to stream BBC iPlayer, Netflix US, and other leading streaming services. 

VyprVPN pricing 

You have the option of a Standard Plan or a Premium Plan when using VyprVPN. The standard plan costs £6.90 per month. The premium plan costs £9.25 per month. This boasts the proprietary Chameleon protocol mentioned earlier, as well as additional connections.

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10. Private Internet Access

With over one-million downloads so far, Private Internet Access is certainly a popular choice for Android. It uses an automatic kill switch and 256-bit encryption to protect your devices. A strict no-logs policy in place and all Android-specific user updates are tracked via the Play Store.

 

One thing I did notice is that 128-bit encryption is used by default on the app, so make sure you head to the ‘settings’ part of the app to select the higher encryption. 

Some of the other features worth mentioning include the malware blocker and ad tracker. You can also unblock all of the popular streaming websites, apart from BBC iPlayer, which can be a bit temperamental.

Private Internet Access Pricing

There are three different options to choose from. The most expensive plan is the monthly plan, which costs £9.99 per month. The yearly plan is considerably cheaper, costing £2.71 per month. However, the cheapest of them all is the three-year plan. With this plan, you pay £65 upfront for the three years, which equates to £1.81 per month. This will save you 82% when compared with the monthly plan.

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Free VPN Services for Android

There are many services that offer a free service alongside a paid solution. However, these services are normally very limited. Bandwidth is often restricted, so streaming content will not be an option and also there are often inferior levels of security deployed. Therefore if you want to try out a free VPN service, it would be a good idea to refrain from sending private information. If you want to transmit more sensitive data, then opt for the paid solution that will afford you a far greater level of privacy and protection.

Will a VPN slow down my Android device?

It is possible that using a VPN will slow down any device. However, the best way to speed things up is to access the internet via broadband rather than your mobile phone network. This should help you to be able to get the most out of your VPN service.

In Conclusion

When using any device to connect to the internet it is important to secure your connection with a VPN. When using any Android device you can install easy to use VPN apps for as little as $2 per month to give you peace of mind that your data is kept safe from prying eyes when you are online. Whether you have an Android TV, tablet or smartphone it is a good move to install a VPN to unblock content, secure your connection and surf the web freely.

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