The best VPN for Android
Overview
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Table of Contents
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Many people resist the urge to get a decent VPN for their Android phone or tablet. Why bother with an extra app just to get online?
Over time, however, the scenarios in which you might need a VPN become more common. You could need to check what a site looks like from another geolocation, or test something that isn't available in your country. What often acts as the final straw is being unable to watch some of your favourite TV shows while travelling.
What is a VPN?
VPNs provide protection for your data and identity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. All of your activity is untraceable and secure because everything passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats.
Do you need a VPN for your Android?
Investing in a VPN is one of the best ways to ensure your safety and anonymity online. VPNs are important tools in the fight against scammers and cybercriminals, meaning you can use your Android device safe in the knowledge that you're secure from these threats.
VPNs can also be used to unlock streaming services from around the world, including the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, connect to a server from another country in order to spoof your IP to another address, and then head to your preferred streaming site. This process tricks the site into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all that great content that is normally blocked. If you stream on your Android, you could benefit from a VPN.
Should you use free VPNs?
The good news is that there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs out there, plus free trials with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. The bad news is that there tends to always be a catch.
With free versions of popular VPNs, you normally get limited data usage. These plans will work fine if you aren't really online, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading anything, this simply isn't going to work. Free trials come with everything you get in a paid plan, but don't tend to last very long. So you'll be all set for a short time, but this isn't really a long-term solution.
What is the best VPN for Android?
Choosing a VPN provider is both easy and incredibly difficult. There are a lot of options to consider, but it's very hard to test how reliable they are in different scenarios. So below, you'll find a list of some VPNs that are just plain good. We've checked out everything on offer and highlighted a selection of the best providers, including popular names like PureVPN and CyberGhost VPN.
These are the best VPNs for Android in 2025.
ExpressVPN
Best For Streaming
The Good & The Bad
- Reliable unblocking of top streaming sites
- Good connections speeds
- Large and diverse network of servers
- There are cheaper options out there
Why We Like It
Read our full review of Express VPN.
ExpressVPN provides users with access to a formidable number of servers, great security, unlimited bandwidth, and much more. It's one of the most expensive services, but it's also one of the bst, particularly if you stream on your Android device.
ExpressVPN can reliably unblock all the top streaming sites. It can be set up at the router level so you can stream your favourite shows and movies on all sorts of different devices without having to install separate apps.
Details
PureVPN
Best For Customisation
The Good & The Bad
- Customisable modes
- Private connection possibilities
- Protection against viruses and ads
- The modes can actually be limiting
Why We Like It
PureVPN is different to other virtual private network services, due to its customisable nature.
Your connection is based on what 'mode' you select. Some of the options include streaming, 'internet freedom', privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP modes.
Some Android users might actually find this a bit limiting, but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in, and that's the most important thing. The dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face, too.
PureVPN also has many of the other features you expect to get from a VPN, such as the ability to change your location, and in-built protections against malware, viruses, and ads.
Details
Tunnelbear
Best For Beginners
The Good & The Bad
- Simple
- Fun animation
- Friendly user-interface
- Only get 500MB for free
Why We Like It
Read our full review of TunnelBear.
TunnelBear's main selling point is simplicity and ease of use, and it delivers. After downloading the app, all you need to do is create an account (only your email address and password is needed), confirm the registration via email, and you're good to go. The animation of a bear actually tunneling from one place to another is pretty great, too.
The app is free, but it only gets you a monthly 500MB, which will be enough for a little bit of work but definitely won't do for video streaming. If you want more, you can get a paid account with unlimited data.
Details
NordVPN
Best For Security
The Good & The Bad
- One of the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs
- Fast servers
- Can connect six devices
- Doesn't log activities
- It's expensive
Why We Like It
Read our full review of NordVPN.
NordVPN has a reputation for being amongst the sturdiest, most reliable VPNs out there. NordVPN has fast servers that are also not on any blacklists. You should be able to stream Hulu or Netlfix shows in several European countries without any issues.
NordVPN says it offers over 5,000 servers worldwide. It lets you connect six devices at the same time, and it claims to keep no logs of your activities. INordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs, with a wide range of advanced security features that combine to protect your data and identity.
Details
CyberGhost VPN
Best For Simplicity
The Good & The Bad
- Great security features
- Easy to use with Android
- Generous money-back guarantee
- Speeds can drop
Why We Like It
Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.
Cyberghost VPN has a really simple interface with easy-to-understand terminology explaining all of its features. It keeps things easy and focuses on strong security features. It’s very fast to set up and has intuitive apps for a variety of popular devices.
CyberGhost might be easy to use but that doesn't mean it's not on par with other options on this list. Users have access to 3,600 servers in over 60 locations around the world, with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. This makes for reliable streaming, but some users have said connections can be slower than with other VPN offerings.
Details
ProtonVPN
Best For Free
The Good & The Bad
- Impressive free version
- Shielded by Swiss laws
- Kill-switch
- Small network
- Not the fastest speeds
Why We Like It
ProtonVPN offers users a lot of choice, with three different annual plans, as well as a free service.
Android users can choose from ProtonVPN's Basic, Plus, and Visionary annual plans, with each one offering a different package of features.
ProtonVPN has a lot of advantages over the competition. It's Switzerland-based for a start, meaning your data is shielded by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the strongest in the world. ProtonVPN also has a no logs policy meaning none of your data can be revealed to third parties. Other than that you are also getting a kill-switch, DNS leak prevention, and more.
The Basic plan provides access to servers all around the world, on two devices, with high speeds and peer-to-peer networking.
Details
Topics Android Cybersecurity Streaming
Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
