Best VPN for Android | Top 14 Free and Paid Apps Reviewed for 2023

The best VPNs for Android help you stay protected while browsing the web by encrypting your internet usage and hiding your IP address. The right VPN allows you to bypass censorship, reduce government surveillance, and stream the content you want, regardless of location.

To discover the best VPN for Android in 2023, we decided to test the leading contenders. We looked at their features, ease of use, level of security, speed, and price to discover the cream of the crop. Here’s our look at the top 14 free and paid Android VPNs you can use to keep your internet browsing private and your activity secure without spending a fortune.

The 14 Best Android VPN Apps for 2023 

Here’s our shortlist of the best Android VPNs for 2023:

1. ExpressVPN — The best Android VPN, with fast connections, multiple layers of privacy protection, and helpful customer service.
2. PureVPN — Very fast service with intuitive apps, P2P optimization, and thousands of servers.
3. IvacyVPN — Budget app that provides buffer-free streaming, smooth torrenting, and traffic prioritization options.
4. Total AV — All-in-one Android security and VPN option with fully featured antivirus and ad-blocking tools.
5. NordVPN — Industry giant with 5,400+ servers in 60 countries and top-class privacy and security features, and no bandwidth limits.
6. AtlasVPN — Excellent service with advanced security features and fast connections that allows unlimited devices.
7. Surfshark — Great solution for families and businesses running fast connections over multiple simultaneous connections.
8. PrivadoVPN — The best free Android VPN, with lots of features and impressive options for beginners.
9. CyberGhost VPN — Powerful provider with a no-logs policy, strong encryption, and great options for prioritizing traffic.
10. IPVanish — Very fast VPN for Android, with advanced security features, split tunneling options, and 40,000+ unique IP addresses
11. VyprVPN — High-speed provider with strong security protocols, a no-logs policy, and consistent services.
12. Proton VPN — A fast, safe, and reliable option with a great free package available.
13. Private Internet Access — Fast, affordable service with powerful encryption and great for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
14. PrivateVPN — A consistent service with great security tools, unlimited bandwidth, and impressive stealth features to bypass geo-restrictions.

Best VPN Apps for Android Devices Reviewed

We’ve reviewed each one below to help you find the best Android VPN for your needs.

1. ExpressVPN — The Best Android VPN

ExpressVPN is one of the longest-standing VPN services, founded in 2009, that constantly updates and improves its service, landing it on the top of our list yet again. It has a user-friendly privacy-focused Android app that takes just a few minutes to set up.

If you like playing games on your phone, you’ll appreciate ExpressVPN’s privacy and DDoS protection and a lower ping since you can connect to locations closer to the network hosts.

While most VPN providers prevent DNS leaks, ExpressVPN goes further as it has 256-bit encrypted, zero-knowledge, and private DNS on all its servers. Thanks to this, ExpressVPN gets to keep all the information in-house, meaning third parties that could exploit your information won’t have a chance to.

Beyond this, ExpressVPN offers an impressive 3,000 servers across 94 countries, and its app is available in 16 countries. As for security, it offers AES 256-bit encryption, secure protocols, such as OpenVPN, and its very own WireGuard-alternative Lightway.

The VPN also contains a kill switch that you can set to activate when your connection to the VPN drops. In addition, ExpressVPN has a dedicated threat manager that blocks apps and sites you browse from communicating with trackers and malicious third parties.

That said, ExpressVPN is compatible with five devices, so you can keep your Android device secure and any Windows, Mac, or iOS device you use. Should you run into any problems, the company has 24/7 customer support available to help you out.

Pros

• Very user-friendly app
• Great security features
• VPN with an excellent reputation

Cons

• More expensive than other VPNs

Pricing

ExpressVPN has three simple pricing plans, and considering the value you get, $6.67 is an absolute bargain:

2. PureVPN — Fast Service with Intuitive Apps

PureVPN is a secure and fast VPN service with numerous security protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and others. It has a global presence with over 6,500 servers across more than 78 countries, allowing you to establish a private connection anywhere.

Beyond this, PureVPN recently passed a zero-logging audit, which may interest privacy-conscious people as it means the company doesn’t store your information on its servers. It also has DNS and IPv6 leak protection, preventing your ISP, WiFi hotspot owners, and others from logging your browsing history.

To top it off, it has a potent Internet Kill Switch that’ll cut off your Internet connection if you accidentally turn the off to help you stay private. Plus, with the convenient Quick Connect feature on Android, you can continue where you left off after reconnecting without leaking your IP address and location to the services you’re using.

Furthermore, it has a future-proof list of servers with up to 20Gbps connection speed, making its 2-year-long plan a wise investment at just $2.29/month. Plus, you get three months for free as a new customer, allowing you to torrent and stream your favorite content for 27 months while staying safe, thanks to its solid 256-bit AES encryption.

Pros

• Various cheap add-ons
• Intuitive interface
• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

Cons

• Customer support could be better

Pricing

PureVPN offers three pricing plans with a generous 31-day money-back guarantee for all of them:

3. IvacyVPN — Best Budget Option

IvacyVPN is an outstanding pick for users that want to stream their favorite Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and other shows and movies on their Android phone or TV. In addition, it supports other devices, like Windows, iOS, or macOS, and allows for up to ten simultaneous connections.

Beyond device compatibility, PureVPN is ideal for bypassing geo-restricted content in heavily censored regions like Russia, Turkey, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, as it has fast, stable servers in these regions. So, besides allowing you to access restricted content, it prevents your government and ISP from spying on you and throttling your bandwidth.

On top of this, its Secure Downloading feature helps you avoid malicious websites and unsafe APK downloads that could harm your Android device. Besides downloading, you can specify that you want to watch streams or unblock specific regions, and the app will automatically connect you to the best server for the task.

To sweeten the deal further, you can subscribe to IvacyVPN using cryptocurrency, allowing you to stay anonymous from the beginning, and its zero-logging policy ensures your anonymity stays intact down the road.

Pros

• DNS and IPv6 leak protection
• Diverse server locations
• Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

• Some features are only available on Windows

Pricing

You can connect to IvacyVPN’s 5700+ servers in over 100 locations for just a dollar a month — making IvacyVPN the cheapest VPN on our list:

4. TotalAV — All-in-One Internet Security for Android

TotalAV helps you encrypt your connection and extend your anonymity on the go with its intuitive Android app. Once installed, it will automatically secure any open WiFi network you connect to, preventing hackers and snoopers from accessing your information. We’d expect nothing less from a leading antivirus provider.

Besides encrypting your digital footprint, which makes you impossible to track, TotalAV checks your Android for malware and viruses and effectively removes them. In addition, you can use it to increase your device’s speed by cleaning up storage-clogging files.

TotalAV’s VPN is popular as it provides 24/7 protection against malicious apps and games by preventing their installation if it detects harmful files. You can have peace of mind knowing it blocks phishing websites and similar dangerous URLs to prevent you from falling victim to scammers.

Beyond this, the VPN boasts high-speed, secure servers with bank-grade AES 256-bit encryption, and it doesn’t slow your device down, making it a superb option if you want to have your VPN active at all times.

Besides keeping you safe in real-time, TotalAV has an invaluable feature called Data Breach Monitor, which scans the internet for leaks of your information. It’ll notify you if it detects a leak, allowing you to react quickly and protect your online accounts.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly interface
• Powerful encryption methods
• Excellent customer support
• One of the best antiviruses

Cons

• Only one pricing option

Pricing

TotalAV has a single, well-priced subscription plan that provides complete protection:

5. NordVPN — Top-Class Privacy and Security Features

NordVPN is a household name in the VPN market and works well on all Android devices (6.0 to 13.0). When connected, it ensures speed thanks to its speedy NordLynx protocol and a wide array of servers — over 5,300 available across 59 countries.

To get started with NordVPN, download the app from the Google Play store and register for a paid plan. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is great as it means you can use the VPN risk-free.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can choose a server you wish to connect to; you can also hit ‘quick connect,’ and NordVPN will quickly connect you to a relevant server, and your connection will then be encrypted.

It also contains advanced features such as a customizable kill switch which you can set to interrupt your internet connection should your VPN connection drop — which ensures your connection remains private.

Also, NordVPN contains a threat protection feature that blocks ads and malware. In addition, it’ll never log any of your activity. One subscription means you can use the VPN across six different devices, protecting your desktop, mobile device, tablet, and more.

Pros

• Great security features
• Lots of servers to connect to
• Speed of connection ensured with the NordLynx protocol

Cons

• No free plan

Pricing

NordVPN has three plans available, which can be purchased for two years, one year, or month to month. Here’s the pricing for the cheapest option:

6. AtlasVPN — Popular Choice for Unlimited Connections

AtlasVPN offers a comprehensive free plan that lets you connect to three high-speed servers and allows for unlimited connections. Unlocking its full potential costs as little as $1.83/month for a three-year-long subscription, and it nets you three additional months of usage.

AtlasVPN is easy to install and use, and its free version makes it an ideal choice for beginners who want to try its service before committing to a subscription. However, if you wish to have more than 5GB of data per month, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee and try its premium plans risk-free.

This VPN service is ideal for streaming your favorite shows and movies from streaming services like Disney+, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer, and others, thanks to its high-speed WireGuard protocol.

You can use it to unblock websites blocked by your school, government, or employer and download apps blocked in your region. There’s also a split-tunneling feature, which lets you decide which internet traffic you want encrypted by the VPN. For example, you can watch a show on Amazon Video through AtlasVPN while browsing the internet via your regular network.

Pros

• Multi-hop connections
• Great streaming quality
• Affordable plans

Cons

• Too many ads for free users

Pricing

Here are the three subscription options for AtlasVPN:

7. Surfshark — Best Mobile Solution for Families and Businesses

Surfshark is a great Android VPN to consider if you’re after a VPN that connects to unlimited devices with a single subscription. This is particularly useful if you’re looking for a VPN for all your family’s devices.

Surfshark offers the gold standard in encryption with the AES-526 protocol and other advanced security features such as leak protection — which will inform you if your data leaks online anywhere, private DNS, and an in-built feature named CleanWeb.

This will block ads, trackers, and connections to malicious third-party apps and websites. If you use the VPN, you have a wide range of servers to choose from, with 3,200 available across 99 countries — meaning you can stream many services online, no matter your location.

Surfshark also rotates the IP you’re connected to often; this is a great security feature as it makes your Android device harder to detect and your browsing more private.

Finally, it offers a 7-day free trial for Android users and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide to purchase after your free trial.

Pros

• Regular IP rotation
• Impressive security features
• 7-day free trial for Android users
• One of the best VPN apps

Cons

• No free plan after the free trial expires

Pricing

Surfshark offers three pricing plans:

8. PrivadoVPN — Best Free Android VPN

PrivadoVPN has a generous free plan that lets you use up to 10GB of data per month and connect to twelve high-speed servers. Unlike most free VPNs, it also includes an ad-blocker for its free users, allowing you to avoid third-party trackers while browsing. Beyond this, you get IP leak protection and industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption completely free.

The free plan can be activated on 10 devices at a time, which is impressive, and contains a kill switch that’ll cut your connection should the VPN connection drop to ensure you stay safe and secure online. In addition, the company, like other VPN providers, has a zero-log policy, so they won’t store or track your online activity.

You can start with PrivadoVPN by downloading the app from the Google Play Store and using it for free. If you enjoy the free plan and then decide that you want to connect to a wider range of servers, you can look at one of the paid plans.

Pros

• Solid free plan
• Affordable paid plans
• You can connect to 10 devices simultaneously

Cons

• Limited to 10gbs of data on the free plan

Pricing

PrivadoVPN offers these plans:

9. CyberGhost VPN — Powerful Provider with Strong Encryption

CyberGhostVPN offers an impressive 9,753 servers across 91+ countries, with specific servers dedicated to torrenting, gaming, and streaming. These are protected with 256-bit encryption to keep your connection private and a kill switch that’ll activate if your internet connection drops.

Getting started with CyberGhostVPN is easy; simply sign up for a plan on the provider’s website, download the app to your Android device, and connect to a server.

The app is user-friendly; after you’ve logged in and agreed to the company’s privacy policy, you can hit the ‘power’ button to connect you to the best available server relevant to your location.

Alongside ease of use and impressive security features, it offers a generous 7-day free trial and a 45-day money-back guarantee. The company has a no-log policy, so you know they won’t record your internet activity.

Pros

• Easy-to-use app
• A wide array of servers to connect to
• Generous free trial and money-back guarantee

Cons

• Limited customer support options

Pricing

CyberGhostVPN offers a free 7-day free trial and three plans:

10. IPVanish — Fast VPN for Android

IPVanish is a popular US-owned Android VPN with over 2,000 servers across 75+ countries that can connect users to over 40,000 unique IP addresses. It offers AES 256 encryption and secure protocols like IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. The VPN will work with all Android devices using Android 5.1+.

IPVanish also contains advanced security features such as split tunneling, so you can select which apps you want the VPN to be filtered through, a kill switch, SOCKS5 proxy, and built-in DNS leak protection.

Setting it up on your Android device is straightforward. Subscribe to the app through Google Play to start a free trial, download it, open IPVanish, login, and press ‘connect’ on the server you wish to connect to.

IPVanish also offers a 7-day free trial for all their plans and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros

• Secure protocols offered
• Solid free trial and guarantee period
• Advanced security features

Cons

• Limited customer support options

Pricing

IPVanish has three plans and is currently offering a 72% discount on all of their plans. Here they are:

11. VyprVPN — High-Speed Provider for Unblocking Geo-Restrictions

No one likes confusing payment terms or plans when they purchase a piece of software or app, and VyprVPN has considered this with their pricing structure. The company has two plans available for customers, and both are pretty affordable.

As for VyprVPN, there are some impressive basic and more advanced features. The provider offers 96 servers worldwide; the VPN can connect 10 devices simultaneously. In addition, the VPN has split tunneling available, so you can choose which apps are filtered through the VPN.

Alongside these features, VyprVPN has strong DNS leak protection and a strict no-log policy (which has been publicly audited), which means the company doesn’t store your browsing activity, and personal information is safe. Other features to be aware of include the following:

• A killswitch
• Public wifi protection
• 24/7 customer support
• IP address protection.

Pros

• An impressive budget Android VPN
• Publicly audited no log policy
• VPN can be used simultaneously on 10 devices

Cons

• No multi-year plans are available

Pricing

VyprVPN has two plans available:

12. Proton VPN — Fast, Reliable Option With a Free Plan

The second VPN on our list offering a forever free plan is Proton VPN. Customers can access 100+ in the US, Netherlands, and Japan servers on the free plan. It also includes NetShield technology which will block ads and other Proton products such as Proton mail, Calendar, and Drive.

If you’re looking for a broader range of features, consider one of Proton VPN’s paid plans.

The plus and premium plans give you access to 1,900+ servers across 65 countries, a VPN accelerator that can increase your VPN speeds by up to 400%, AES-256 encryption, the ability to use the VPN on 10 devices simultaneously, a kill switch, and more.

As mentioned, you can get started with Proton VPN’s free plan so you can test it out risk-free, and if it’s to your liking and you want access to a wider array of features, you can consider a paid plan.

The only potential downside is the customer support options. You’ll only have access to email support on the free plan, while the paid plans offer priority support and live chat.

Pros

• Comprehensive free plan
• Fast Android VPN
• The free plan offers servers in multiple locations
• Advance security features available on paid plans
• Other Proton products with free and paid plans

Cons

• Customer support options are limited

Pricing

Proton VPN has three plans available:

13. Private Internet Access — One of the Easiest-to-Use Apps

Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the most secure VPNs available today. The company has specifically built this VPN with security in mind, and its features show this.

The VPN offers speedy 10Gbps servers spread across 84 countries and provides a dedicated app for all Android devices. In addition, PIA can be connected to up to 10 devices at a time, which is a substantial amount.

The company has a no-log policy, so your browsing history or information will not be logged. When you connect to a server, your connection becomes encrypted, so your ISP can’t detect what you’re doing online.

PIA also contains features that block ads, trackers, and malicious third-party websites and offer various encryption protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard.

Beyond this, it also gives each new customer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPN risk-free. Finally, PIA offers excellent customer support, with support agents available 24/7 to help you with any issues you experience.

Pros

• Range of security features
• Generous money-back guarantee
• Speedy servers

Cons

• Can be intimidating for first-time users

Pricing

There are three PIA pricing plans available:

14. PrivateVPN — Consistent Service with Great Security Tools

Living up to its name, PrivateVPN is an Android VPN with military-grade 2048-bit encryption with AES-256. This level of encryption means your internet activity is secure and private. It’s also subject to Swedish privacy laws, which means the company keeps no traffic logs, which keeps your activity secure.

The VPN is easy to use. All you need to do is create an account on the PrivateVPN website or download the app and create an account through the app. After downloading the app, you can hit the ‘power’ button and connect to a relevant server.

You can then press ‘change’ to connect to a server in a different location. PrivateVPN has 200 servers in 63 countries, and the company also prioritizes internet speed with its server offerings — making PrivateVPN an excellent choice for streaming or gaming.

In addition, PrivateVPN has great support available; if you contact the company, you can speak directly to their in-house developers, which is excellent if you have a problem you need to solve.

Pros

• High level of encryption
• Servers prioritized by speed
• Excellent customer support is available

Cons

• A limited number of servers compared to other VPNs

Pricing

PrivateVPN has three pricing plans available:

Best VPN Android – Top 14 Compared

Here’s a quick comparison of the market’s best VPNs for Android:

Why Should I Use a VPN On My Android Device?

There are a lot of benefits to using a VPN on your Android device, the main ones being a more secure internet connection and increased privacy when browsing the web.

In addition, VPNs encrypt your device’s internet connection, making it difficult for your ISP, trackers, and malicious third parties to spy on your internet activity. They also help keep your private data and personal information secure from potential leaks and cyber attacks and allow you to access a wide range of services, such as apps, websites, and services, by bypassing geo-restrictions.

This means you can consume content from different countries no matter where you are and access a broader range of streaming services and websites. Connecting to specific servers can also improve your internet speed, particularly if you’re experiencing network congestion in your local area.

Most VPN providers offer very easy-to-use apps for Android. Every VPN we’ve looked at offers an app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, and many offer a free trial and generous money-back guarantees so you can test out most VPNs risk-free.

What’s the Best Free VPN for Android? Free Vs. Paid VPNs

The best free VPN for Android is PrivadoVPN. It gives customers 10Gbps of free data, much more than the amount offered by other free VPNs such as TunnelBear. It also offers a wide range of servers and all the security features you get with PrivadoVPN’s paid plans.

That said, overall, though, paid VPNs are better than free VPNs. They offer more comprehensive security features, a wider range of servers, better levels of encryption, and faster connection speeds. Some free VPNs (none we reviewed) have also been known to sell user data and lack adequate security features.

Also, many VPNs we’ve reviewed have free trials available, and most have a money-back guarantee period, so you can try each provider risk-free for a while.

How We Ranked the Best Android VPN Apps 

We considered a wide range of factors to come to test and rank the best Android VPNs, here’s a breakdown of the criteria we considered:

Performance

We had to consider the overall performance of each Android VPN we tested. Performance goes beyond just measuring the speed of connection a VPN offers; it’s equally important for the VPN to be easy to use, provide top-notch security, and doesn’t cause your Android device to decline in performance.

ExpressVPN offers its users all these things, alongside a wide variety of servers in many locations, excellent connection speeds, the highest level encryption properties available, and a very user-friendly app. All these factors contributed to our decision to call it the best Android VPN.

Number of Servers and Location

The number of servers and server locations was an important factor in our decision-making. If a VPN provider has VPNs across a wide range of locations, then you have more choice in terms of location when it comes to the server you connect to.

This is particularly important for streaming content, bypassing government censorship, and visiting certain websites. Typically, the closer the server you connect to your physical location, the quicker it will be. The more servers a VPN provider offers, the greater the likelihood of a server close to your physical location.

Security Features

Its security features are perhaps even more important than speed when judging a good VPN. Here are the security features we considered:

• Encryption — The best VPNs offer 256-bit encryption, try and find a VPN that provides this level of encryption, such as ExpressVPN.
• Logging policy — A reputable VPN provider should offer a zero log policy; luckily, most VPN providers do but keep an eye on this when selecting a VPN.
• Killswitch — It’s important that a VPN provider offers a kill switch and cuts your wifi connection should the VPN drop. This helps keep your connection secure and private at all times.
• Ad blocking software — A good VPN should block ads, malicious third parties, and trackers and keep your data secure.

These are the core security features a VPN should contain. ExpressVPN contains all these features, plus split tunneling, Private DNS, obfuscated servers, and more.

Value for Money

Of course, we had the price of each VPN we reviewed and whether it provided value for money. The good news is that there are VPN options available for all budgets. If you’re looking for a free VPN, consider PrivadoVPN; if you have a larger budget and want a more premium VPN, consider ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

ExpressVPN ticks many boxes when it comes to value for money; three plans are available with prices from as low as $6.67/month, all the features you need in a VPN, and a solid 30-day money-back guarantee.

Customer Support

A reputable VPN provider should offer good customer support options. Most VPN providers offer guides on how to set up their VPN with various platforms, including Android, and various customer support options, including live chat and email support.

The VPN providers we reviewed whose customer support stands out are ExpressVPN, IvacyVPN, and NordVPN. ExpressVPN offers all customers live chat support, email support, and an in-depth knowledge base full of articles that help you use the app.

In addition, ExpressVPN has customer support agents available 24/7, which is impressive as it means you can solve any problem with the app quickly. At the same time, PrivateVPN offers customers the chance to speak directly to their in-house development team.

How to Use An Android VPN App – Step-by-Step Guide

Using an Android VPN is pretty straightforward. Here are the steps you should follow to set up a VPN on your Android phone:

• Step 1 — Download the VPN app from the Google Play Store.
• Step 2 — Install the app on your Android device
• Step 3 — Open the app, and log in
• Step 4 — Choose a server to connect to

After you’ve done this, your connection will be encrypted, and you can start browsing the web privately and securely with your VPN for mobile.

Are there Downsides to Using a VPN for Android?

Getting a VPN is a great solution for being able to access the internet securely and privately. VPN services also allow you to access content blocked in your region and to evade bandwidth throttling. Despite all these advantages, though, there are some drawbacks to using a VPN.

As you might expect, there is a financial cost to using the best VPN services – though they are often fairly affordable, and many come with features like password managers and antivirus tools. Free options tend to be fairly limited, though, and disreputable providers may even try to steal your bandwidth or spy on your internet activity.

There’s also the fact that VPN use is restricted or prohibited in some countries, which users should be aware of before signing up. Users should also be wary of leaving tracks online even when using VPNs, whether through logging into services or transferring files.

Lastly, turning a VPN service on may also have a minor impact on your connection speed – though several providers are noted for delivering blazing-fast connections.

More Resources and VPN Guides

Our team of VPN experts have also put together a number of other guides on the best VPNs for a range of use cases, including:

• The best VPN for iPhone
• The fastest VPN service
• The best VPN for business
• The best Linux VPN
• The best VPN for Reddit
• The best VPN for the UK
• The best VPN for India
• The best VPN for the UAE
• The best VPN service for Malaysia
• ExpressVPN – everything you need to know
• PureVPN – an in-depth review
• CyberGhost complete review

Conclusion – What’s the Best VPN for Android in 2023? ExpressVPN

Our list of the best VPNs for Android in 2023 includes both paid and free VPNs to suit various needs and budgets. If you’re after the best free Android VPN, we recommend PrivadoVPN.

However, our top recommendation for the best Android VPN is undoubtedly ExpressVPN, arguably the best mobile VPN overall. It scores highly in all areas and has a generous 30-day free trial to test it out risk-free. Get started with ExpressVPN today.

Android VPN FAQs

Are Android VPNs safe?

Yes, Android VPNs are safe to use. All the VPNs we’ve looked at are trustworthy providers with thousands of customers worldwide. We highly recommend using a VPN to increase your security and online privacy. However, ensure you thoroughly review the VPN provider by reading online reviews and, ideally, testing it out with a free trial before committing to a purchase.