The best VPNs for Android: Expert tested

Note: The information presented in this table is accurate as of our last publish date, and prices, ratings, and other details may have changed since then.

We use our smartphones to access sensitive information and conduct online transactions more often than ever before, so staying secure on the internet while on the go is essential.

While you might focus your security on laptops and home PCs, you shouldn't forget that your smartphone is often the key to your digital kingdom. You likely use it to access personal email accounts and hubs, work resources, social media, and financial services -- and if you fail to protect it, you may be more at risk of having your accounts compromised.

With the right VPN, you can browse the internet anonymously, access geo-restricted content, and avoid being tracked by advertisers, hackers, and government surveillance.

See also: What is a VPN and why do you need one?

Google's Android operating system is embedded in billions of devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Android functions on a broad range of products, most of which are internet-connected, so it follows that VPN providers support this OS.

An Android VPN service is a virtual private network service that encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and provides you with an anonymous and secure connection while you're using your Android device. These may include smartphones and tablets manufactured by companies including Google, Samsung, and OnePlus.

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of the ZDNET team. We've been talking about various VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

While ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, we can't test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure. 

We analyzed the best VPNs for Android below using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:

• Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags.
• Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, a tablet, a laptop, a desktop, and possibly even a smart TV that you want to connect to a VPN, you'd need a service that allows at least six simultaneous connections.
• Security: There's no point using a VPN unless their security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.
• Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geo-blocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. Given these factors, we ensured that our top recommendations performed well and were unlikely to slow down your connection while you were streaming.
• Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our Android VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive mobile apps. 
• Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety.
• Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee, and many offer mobile users a seven-day trial. 

• Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

When you are selecting your new Android VPN, you need to consider the following factors:

• Price: Weigh the overall cost of your new VPN plan. Try to take advantage of promotions, but ignore countdown timers -- they typically are just marketing tools. While top-notch VPNs can cost upwards of $10 per month, many are available for only a few dollars per month. Many VPN providers will also give you a free seven-day Android trial. We generally recommend that you avoid free VPNs -- with a few exceptions -- as they may sell your data or bombard you with ads.
• Simultaneous connections: If you're paying for a VPN suitable for your Android phone, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as a desktop PC or a laptop. We recommend that you sign up for a plan with support for at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer unlimited connections.
• Speed: Speed is of paramount importance when you want to use a VPN for certain use cases. If you plan to use your new Android VPN for streaming or mobile gaming, choose one with minimal speed loss.
• Contract length: You also need to decide how long you want a VPN for. If you opt for a two-year term, you tend to secure the best prices, but there are other options available. After you've made a selection, you typically get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Support: As with any subscription software, you may come across problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with a support team available.
• Apps: When selecting a VPN, try it out first to ensure you like its accompanying Android app. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but lack a mobile app that is easy to use. 
• Free trial: Don't forget that many VPN providers give you a week to try out their Android VPNs for free. Visit the Google Play Store and download the options you like and find the right app for you.

We do not typically recommend free VPN services due to their general lack of reliability and heavy restrictions. Several free VPNs for Android are, however, supported by premium paid subscriptions and are provided by trustworthy organizations.

These free services are generally safe to use, but they usually have severe data or performance limits, making them useful only as a way to test out the full service.

We recommend Proton VPN's free service, which has no data caps, and Windscribe, a trustworthy free service. That said, Proton VPN restricts your speed, whereas Windscribe imposes a data cap. 

See also: The best free VPNs: Expert tested

The Android operating does have a VPN client that supports PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and IPSec protocols. The client is typically used for accessing private networks, such as when you need a VPN to connect to work resources -- and you will need details provided by an administrator to use it. Most users will not need to enable this function and will, instead, download a VPN mobile app.

Some vendors have built upon the native Android client to offer tailored VPN functions. Samsung is among them, and the company's own VPN solution is available through the Samsung Knox security framework. This service is focused on mobile device management, the enterprise, and developers, rather than consumers. If you're interested, you can check out Samsung's guide to enabling VPN services here.

See also: The best VPN routers you can buy

Most people's phone data runs through a local carrier, which is difficult for hackers to intercept. Generally, you're reasonably safe if you're using your carrier's cellular connection, but carriers have data caps and data carriage fees that can get expensive. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, carriers might charge you for hotspot use.

To avoid extra costs, you can use local Wi-Fi that coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels, and schools often offer for free. Unfortunately, these Wi-Fi hotspots are often open and easy to intercept. Having a VPN on your phone can protect your data when accessing the internet through one of these hotspots. In fact, I recommend never accessing the internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot without an active VPN.

Furthermore, you may want to consider using a VPN to stay secure and to be able to pick your preferred location if you are using your Android device to stream content. 

See also: Best iPhone VPNs

To check if your VPN is safe and working properly, first choose a reputable vendor known to have a strong security background.

The easiest way to check that your VPN is working properly is to compare your IP address before and after enabling a VPN connection. You can find this under your device's settings (typically under Wi-Fi) or by visiting whatismyipaddress.com. If they both display the same IP, your VPN may not be working properly. 

You can also visit dnsleaktest.com to see if any DNS leaks are detected while you are using a VPN, which could be a sign that your information is being leaked.

Finally, be careful with free VPNs offered by unknown or shady companies, especially if they are outside of official app repositories. This could open your device to surveillance or malware.

The easiest way to turn off your VPN on Android is to open the VPN's app and choose to disconnect. Alternatively, you can go to your Android device's settings tab, select network (which may appear as connections or connection settings) and select "VPN." Depending on your device, this may show a list of all apps with VPN profiles. From here, you can change the VPN's settings or turn it off. 

While all these technologies are intended to protect you and your device, they provide different layers of protection. VPNs fundamentally protect data in motion, which is sent to and from the internet. VPN protection is generally provided by encryption, so hackers can't spy on the data while it moves. Some providers also bolt on malware scanners, data breach monitors, and more. 

Anti-malware software protects against malicious software executing on your device. Those apps scan data, monitor running software processes and downloads, and may intercept suspicious activities or downloads. They may also include checking permissions and ensuring apps don't have more control over your device than they need.

A VPN is not a one-size-fits-all solution for mobile security, but it is an important part of overall mobile security hygiene and data protection.

Android VPN services are legal in the US, but the legality of VPNs varies from country to country. It is important to check the laws of your location before using a VPN. Some countries ban their use outright, such as North Korea, Belarus, and Iraq, whereas other countries, including Russia and China, frown upon the use of any VPN that is not state-controlled.

For a list of countries where VPN usage is illegal, check out NordVPN's guide. 

You shouldn't experience any disruption when you receive or place a phone call while you are using a VPN. 

A VPN will not encrypt or protect your phone calls. If you want to mask these forms of communication, you will need another solution, such as a protected Voice over IP (VoIP) service.

Yes, in relation to your IP address. Some VPNs also offer GPS spoofing. If a VPN is working properly, it will assign you a new IP address to make it appear that you are in a different location, which could be in your state, country, or somewhere else in the world. 

There are several other Android VPNs you can consider outside this list. While it isn't possible to highlight every worthy offering, here are a few more of our favorites:

See also: CyberGhost VPN review: A solid VPN for beginners