An Android phone is currently one of the most widely used smartphones. As a result, they try malware attacks more frequently and are often singled out as malevolent threat actors. While using a virtual private network (VPN) is a great approach to increase your security, not all free VPNs are trustworthy.
As a result, we looked over a lot of tools and only chose the most trustworthy and safe ones. With the help of our best free VPNs for Android, you can prevent data tracking, protect your identity, and access barred or forbidden content on the internet.
Prepare for Android: Here is a list of the top VPN providers for Android in 2024 and 2025 that you can trust. To benefit from untraceable communication and remote access to any website or streaming service, you may quickly install one of these on your device.
Best Free VPN For Android In 2024:
- PrivadoVPN
- Express VPN
- Nord VPN
- Surfshark
- CyberGhost
- IPVanish
- Atlas VPN
- Ivacy VPN
- Vypr VPN
- Proton VPN
- Hotspot Shield VPN
1. PrivadoVPN:
PrivadoVPN has made a significant impression in its short time in business by providing customers with cutting-edge security and fast connections at cheap prices. They provide a variety of subscription choices, including unlimited bandwidth and up to ten simultaneous connections, as well as a free membership that provides consumers with 10GB of data per month and allows them to connect to the network with up to one device at a time.
Naturally, they use 256-bit AES encryption, and they just announced new features to protect you from viruses and keep your surfing experience secure and clutter-free. PrivadoVPN users benefit from the world’s highest consumer protection legislation because the firm is located in Switzerland.
2. Express VPN:
Both ExpressVPN and its Android app have several advantageous features. The specialized software contains numerous advanced capabilities despite being rather basic and easy to use.
If you have used ExpressVPN for desktops before, you won’t notice any modifications since there is an obvious On/Off button for connecting and a simple list of websites to choose from. The service provides 3,000 of them in 94 different countries, with the app available in 16 different languages.
There’s also a kill switch, split tunneling, unsafe network detection, and a menu of privacy-focused options to bolster security. ExpressVPN boasts AES 256-bit encryption, its proprietary WireGuard-based Lightway, and security methods including OpenVPN. Its 420–630 Mbps speed test results were consistent and good, especially when the Lightway protocol was applied. While traveling, it also made it possible for us to watch the local sports programming.
3. Nord VPN:
With one of the best Google Play ratings and more than 50 million installations to date, NordVPN is without a doubt the most popular and well-known Android VPN software in our roundup. The map display on the server is undoubtedly disliked by users, however a more traditional list layout is an option. Furthermore, new modifications have made the map more thumb-friendly.
Even if the above-mentioned great features don’t instantly improve your online privacy, at least its strict “zero logs” policy makes sure that no user behavior is monitored. The ioXt Alliance has certified this event to support Android. When it comes to getting around streaming restrictions and unblocking websites, Nord’s total strength is virtually unrivaled. Because it annoys all of the main streaming services—Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer—it’s a great choice for Android streamers in general.
4. Surfshark:
Because of its competitive cost, which places it among the finest cheap VPNs available right now, Surfshark is a popular choice for many people. But cheap doesn’t necessarily mean inferior quality. And its Android app is no different. Unlike a lot of other carriers, Surfshark seldom ever updates its mobile user interface. It suggests that security features that are easy to get, such as a dedicated kill switch, split tunneling, and an integrated virus blocker, are possible.
In addition to the industry-standard AES-256 encryption and the previously described features, Surfshark additionally provides its own private DNS. It also boasts privacy audits, having had its servers examined by Cure53. Actually, Surfshark won the most recent round of tests for unblocking if you’re seeking for a Netflix VPN. Netflix may be cracking down on IP addresses used by VPNs, but Surfshark was still able to connect to Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.
5. CyberGhost:
Even now, some VPN providers ignore their mobile apps, which makes users’ mobile experiences worse than their laptop experiences. This isn’t the case with CyberGhost, though, since it’s clear that a lot of work went into producing an Android VPN that’s comparable to what you can get on a PC. This means that your Android VPN program will include all of the services that the provider offers.
Users value the app’s extra features, which go beyond the necessities. One such feature is the Content Blocker, which is a helpful addition to any Android antivirus software you may already have and blocks websites that might lead you to malware and trackers. This tool also allows split tunneling, and although it doesn’t have a dedicated kill switch, you may still obtain one by following this easy method. CyberGhost has more than 8,800 servers dispersed over 91 nations, which might offer excellent connection speeds. One of the finest VPNs, CyberGhost, attained speeds between 830 and 850Mbps in the most recent testing.
6. IPVanish:
IPVanish seems like a plug-and-play solution, but it’s actually a flexible and strong tool. I feel that by doing this, the company is devaluing itself. There’s more to IPVanish than meets the eye, even if it might seem like a very ordinary VPN at first. IPVanish’s user interface offers a wide selection of servers, strong performance visualizations, and useful status information. In terms of protocols, there are several options. Its app also provides an extensive range of customization options.
When examining its operation, the internet speed was crazily quick and the transfer performance appeared powerful. The inability to conceal the fact that we are connecting using a VPN is one security vulnerability. However, the data transit was secure. If you don’t have to hide the fact that you’re going to be using a VPN, IPVanish is a reputable service with an easy-to-use UI. Additionally, unlike many VPNs that provide low pricing for a two-year commitment, IPVanish only offers a cheap one-year plan before price increases.
7. Atlas VPN:
Atlas VPN is yet another excellent free VPN for Android devices. But keep in mind that there is a 5GB monthly fee, so if you plan to view or download a lot of data, you might want to think about the subscription option.
Furthermore, the free Android app allows you to connect to three locations: the USA (New York), the USA (Los Angeles), and the Netherlands (Amsterdam). In addition, if the VPN connection is lost, a kill switch will protect your privacy. However, only one device may be connected to your account at once. Meanwhile, the full Android edition offers access to more than 750 servers in 37 different areas, along with features like a data breach detector and a tracker blocker. Atlas VPN is extremely safe thanks to its AES-256 encryption, secure tunneling methods like WireGuard + IKEv2, and a dependable no-logs policy.
8. Ivacy VPN:
Ivacy VPN appears to be a solid option with a good range of servers. This firm offers reliable information security, despite its streaming difficulties. Because of this supplier’s superior AES-256-bit encryption, your data is secure and hidden. The Android app also provides access to numerous ports, split tunneling, and protocol selection features.
Considering that this is a fairly basic version—especially in comparison to the Windows version—it is quite easy to use. Because Ivacy VPN doesn’t employ the fastest and safest WireGuard protocol, you can experience minor speed drops. Not everything about an Android app should be considered feature-light. When it came to streaming, they managed to access the US Netflix library, but other territories encountered some issues.
9. Vypr VPN:
While it’s important to bear in mind that VyprVPN does maintain certain records on authentication servers and data consumption, overall, it’s a feature-rich VPN located in Switzerland, a country with strict laws protecting privacy. Furthermore, VyprVPN has top-notch security features that make it possible to employ a number of encryption algorithms, such as the internal Chameleon system, which further obscures user data.
Users should be advised that VyprVPN only offers locations in Europe, North America, and Asia. If you are outside of these areas, your connection may likely be less dependable and slower. The VyprVPN app for Android is exactly as sleek and as user-friendly as the apps for other platforms. It’s easy to start the application, and using it is fun instead of frustrating. Though a bit more expensive than other VPNs, VyprVPN provides a feature-rich VPN service with superior usability and strong security.
10. Proton VPN:
In the last year or so, Proton VPN has been a strong contender for one of the greatest VPNs, earning a place on this list of the top Android VPNs. The service is a great option if you’re looking for a free VPN that is secure. For increased independence and access to an excellent streaming service with an unblocking history, P2P dedicated servers, and quick speeds, upgrade to its Plus membership.
Another negative for Proton VPN is that their phone applications are more feature-rich than typical. In addition to its Quick Connect function, you may use its Secured Technology platform, which routes you through many servers for improved security against network assaults. Expected split tunneling in addition to Netshield and a kill switch. Outstanding Swiss privacy standards are already in place for Proton VPN, a Swiss company. Additional features include IPv6 and DNS leak prevention. Proton offers AES-256-GCM encryption and HMAC-384 for authentication.
11. Hotspot Shield VPN:
Though it’s not the most well-known VPN provider, Hotspot Shield offers a few benefits when it comes to free Android VPNs. However, as the free version may only be used for one connection and has a 500MB daily usage cap, the premium version is advised. In terms of speed, Hotspot Shield offers you the option of using either the Catapult Hydra or IKEv2 protocols, so the prices are reasonable for a free solution.
However, you are unable to fully utilize the features of these protocols due to the data restriction. Moreover, none of the websites are optimized for P2P, yet torrenting is also not forbidden. This free plan offers fewer features than other free plans. Yes, you do get features like IP leak protection, kill switch, and split tunneling. that does make your personal information more secure. It also encrypts your data using the untraceable AES-128-CBC cipher.
Conclusion
As you are already aware, there are security and privacy risks in the technological age, even in a world where everything you could ever need is available. Without a doubt, VPNs contribute to security, but it’s important to select the finest one.
The top VPNs for Android were covered in this post; they aren’t ranked haphazardly; rather, they are ranked based on security and dependability. Moreover, a 100% money-back guarantee is available for you to evaluate their effectiveness.
FAQs
1. Which VPN for Android works best for you?
For you to select the finest VPN service, objective performance may not matter as much as personal taste. Since many VPNs offer 30-day money-back guarantees, your best bet is to test one out and see whether you enjoy it.
2. How did they choose these Android VPNs?
They gave serious consideration to the best VPNs for Android in order to help you make an educated decision.
Kill switch: This function automatically logs you off the internet in the event that your VPN connection fails.
Regions: While having more servers is ideal, where they are located matters as well. Do the countries you wish to connect through have VPN servers?
Platforms: Most VPNs come with native apps for the most popular operating systems, but you should still confirm that your VPN is compatible with your gadgets.
3. Are all Android smartphones supported by these apps?
Many Android-powered devices are not running the latest Android upgrades and do not have an update path. Some vendors occasionally sell even brand-new smartphones running older (and far more vulnerable) versions of Android.
However, these VPNs continue to support Android OS versions five and six. Most users probably use a version that is fully supported by native VPN apps. Certain service providers could support earlier versions of Android that need manual installation.
You might have to contact customer care to find out if earlier versions are compatible and to obtain detailed installation instructions. Because of this, try your download as soon as possible after purchase and make the most of the money-back guarantees.
4. How can I set up a VPN on an Android phone?
It’s not too hard to install a VPN on your Android phone. Start by launching the Google Play app store and searching for the VPN that you want to install. The VPN app is often available through the Google Store, but in rare occasions, you might also need to download it from the VPN provider’s website. Once the app has been downloaded, you may launch it and use your registered login and password to log in to the website.
You won’t often need to manually set up a VPN service on your device. Most VPN providers include thorough FAQ sections with instructions on how to complete a manual setup on their websites. It is imperative that you review those instructions specifically for the VPN you are using, and contact assistance if you run into any issues.