With so many Android VPN apps, it can be difficult to choose the right solution. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for Android:
privacy
Regardless of which VPN you use on Android or any other device, the minimum consideration is to protect your privacy. Find VPNs that use industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption on OpenVPN protocol, or via Chacha20 on VireGuard or Ikev2. These protocols have been scrutinized by the open source community and are trusted by thousands of businesses around the world, so you can trust them to keep your data private.
There are some privacy features you need to be aware of. Any serious VPN provider will offer kill switches that can prevent your data from leaking if you are suddenly cut off by a VPN. Note that you need to look carefully – even if the provider claims it provides a kill switch, it may not be available for Android. DNS leak protection is also essential – it can prevent your device from sending unencrypted website requests, so your ISP can't tell you which apps or websites to use. You also need to look for an audited ban policy. For your privacy, your provider makes it clear that it does not record your online activity when connected to the server, but auditing can help these claims increase credibility. Independent audits are one of the best ways to evaluate whether VPN providers are truly investing in keeping data private. It is also important to view a VPN’s privacy policy, which should be easy to understand and include clear language related to data collection and sharing.
If you are a power user, you might like advanced features like Split Tunneling, which allows you to use a VPN for certain traffic instead of others. For example, you can stream Netflix in your browser via VPN while downloading VPN-free connections from Steam for faster speeds, all of which can download games on the same computer.
For critical privacy needs, for example, if you are an investigative journalist, asylum seeker, political activist, or torrent user of attention – you also need a VPN provider based on a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that can provide obfuscation and have a certain server architecture. Obfuscation helps hide the fact that you are using a VPN to use a VPN by forging VPN traffic as plain HTTPS browsing traffic. Other privacy features to note include on-home VPN functionality to provide additional privacy, AD and tracker blockers, and multiple desktop connections that encrypt traffic twice through two separate VPN servers, rather than just one.
speed
The speed performance of a VPN can have a significant impact on activities such as streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming, and general web browsing. To make things go smoothly, you need to look for a VPN that has the least impact on your regular internet speed. Fast VPNs can only reduce your Internet download speed by 25% or less on average, while the fastest VPNs we tested have only reduced speed by 3%. Remember that if you connect to a server that is far from your current location, you may end up with slower speeds and poorer latency. Before submitting servers that are relatively close to it, it is worth checking the VPN provider's list of server locations.
Availability
A good Android VPN should run smoothly and is easy to use regardless of your technical expertise. It should have all the features you need to easily access. Many Android VPN apps also include an easy way to get support directly from your device, which may help if you need help on the go. Your Android VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably from where you can connect easily and reliably, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from various regions.
cost
VPN pricing varies by provider, so if you have a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of Android VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend about $5 to $115 on your VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can choose an annual subscription, where introductory prices range from about $30 to $100 in the first year, and renewal prices are about $50 to $150 per year. Use a free VPN with caution, as you may end up putting your privacy at risk rather than protecting it. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN recommended by CNET.
There are many other free VPNs out there, especially on mobile platforms. Unfortunately, it is difficult to confirm whether most of them have a wise prohibition policy. Especially in the case of completely free VPNs, they tend to monetize your data usage by showing you ads or selling browsing data to marketing companies. In very bad situations, they are just spyware applications for VPNs that disguise themselves as hackers, which are used to sc passwords and bank account details for an identity theft attack. You might be tempted to save a few dollars by using a free VPN, but it may end up costing you more than you bargain.
Before you buy, there are several ways to try a VPN, especially if you are primarily focused on Android devices. If you are not happy with this service, a VPN provider can offer some kind of currency guarantee, which usually covers the first week to 45 days of your subscription, which is not uncommon. Please note that you should look up the terms in advance to ensure you are eligible for a refund. Unless there is a clear technical issue with a VPN, some providers won't offer you a refund, while others will not ask any questions. There is also an option to have a 7-day trial through the Play Store, which most VPN providers will offer when you sign up. Again, you need to be smart here. You will charge for payment details linked to the Play Store at the end of the free trial period, and depending on the provider, you may lock in a plan for one year or longer. If you are not satisfied with the service, make sure to completely unsubscribe and delete the app before the trial period ends.
flow
While VPNs are a privacy tool first, they are also great for uncovering geo-restricted streaming content. Because you can make apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer, think you are in another location (such as the UK or Canada), you can watch a library of foreign content and even save money with a VPN. For streaming on an Android phone, tablet or Android TV box, you may want to consider one of the best VPNs for Netflix or the best VPN for Amazon Prime videos.
