Best VPN for Android 2024: The fastest and most secure VPNs tested by our experts

When choosing the best VPN for Android, you want the perfect balance of speed, accuracy and robust security. We test the top Android VPNs from NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost and Proton VPN.

Android users make up over 70 per cent of the global operating system market. In today’s hyper-connected world, many are concerned with maintaining their online privacy and employ virtual private networks or VPNs. 

The digital landscape is rife with potential threats, heightening the need for a robust shield. The best VPNs for Android are designed to deliver that much-needed layer of security with effective ad blockers and strong privacy protocols and allow Android users to hide their online activities. 

But which VPN is best for your Android device? 

There are reliable free VPN Android apps, but many lack the robust features paid-for apps deliver, so this article focuses on paid services. Our experts have tested Android VPN apps and analysed their security protocols, privacy features and overall performances, allowing you to choose the best one for your needs.

In our testing, each of these VPNs demonstrated excellent levels of security, along with fast download and streaming speeds. All ideal for you mobile VPN needs.

We understand that choosing a VPN provider can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the technology. In this guide, we will examine some of the top providers out there, looking specifically at features such as encryption protocols, server network, connection speed and customer support, to help you make an informed decision on which is the best option for you. 

Specifically, we’ll be looking at NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and Proton VPN, all of which have robust, Android-compatible apps and a range of features that match our criteria for choosing the best VPN for Android devices. Each of these services has something to offer users with specific needs, so we’re confident you’ll find the best provider for your needs.

Here’s what we rate as the best VPNs for Android.

Why we recommend NordVPN:

NordVPN for Android is one of the most popular apps on the store with more than 50 million downloads. The provider is famous for its security, in part thanks to plenty of third-party audited no-logging and the fact it’s based in the privacy-friendly region of Panama. NordVPN offers a huge network of 6,300+ servers across 111 countries all with super secure RAM based storage.

While there are lots of positives, no favourites in the map and a complicated three tier pricing system do offer another side to this otherwise superb Android VPN.

The Android app is fast and I found it to be feature-filled with very little to leave me feeling anything but pleased to pay the price. That includes the helpful Threat Protection Lite which acts as a DNS blocker for ads, malicious websites and trackers. I also liked the pretty original Tapjacking, which tells you if a malicious app adds a screen overlay to trick you into any unintended actions.

What to expect from NordVPN:

The Android app is a little more giving than the iOS equivalent, as it packs in menus that are more easily accessible on the top level, with a single tap to access speciality servers for P2P or Tor services, for example. You also have split tunnelling – automatically switched on for apps that aren’t VPN compatible – which was missing on the iPhone version. Both do feature traffic routing thanks to the Meshnet virtual server system.

Dark Web Monitoring was a welcome service which you can tap into to see if you’ve had any leaks and how they were resolved – not that I came across this in my daily use. It was mostly the basics that NordVPN worked well for, offering an easy quick connect button as well as a map and a list of countries to browse servers.

While there is a device use limit, Meshnet lets you create a private network with up to 60 devices, which is great for secure file sharing, multiplayer gaming, work collaboration and using devices as servers.

The NordLynx protocol is based on WireGuard which means you end up with that perfect blend of super encrypted security with top speeds. Plus this was able to access Netflix and other streaming services with ease across multiple servers.

NordVPN was fast in testing, both locally and at a longer distance on a 394Mbps line. For the UK to US tests it hit 174Mbps down and 66Mbps up. For UK to Australia VPN speed tests it managed 164Mbps down and 40Mbps up – it’s impressive to retain high speeds over such a long distance.

There is a Plus tier which also gives you a data breach scanner, tracker, ad blocker, malware protection and a password manager. Go for the Ultimate option and you also get 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, and cyber insurance too. But for Android alone the basics are more than enough.

Speed test results

NordVPN key features:

Privacy and security: the no logs policy, that’s audited, combined with a killswitch, NordLynx protocol and the double VPN option all make for a perfect score here.

5/5

Speeds and performance: speeds and streaming access, locally and further afield, were absolutely excellent meaning this VPN gives you total freedom while offering consistency you can rely on.

5/5

Streaming and torrenting: Smart DNS combined with a variety of locations that work for streaming and torrenting make for a very capable VPN for anyone looking for use in those areas. Specific servers listed for streaming might be a nice addition though.

5/5

Servers and compatibility: There are over 6,300 servers across 111 countries including double VPN, Onion over VPN and P2P specific search options, making this superb for searching and consistent coverage.

5/5

Pricing and support: There are cheaper VPN options, and the pricing tiers aren’t the simplest, but NordVPN offers good value for money and the Plus and Ultimate tiers are available if you need more features.

3/5

Additional features: Meshnet is genuinely useful, as is the dark web monitoring and various associated protections. Double VPN and speciality server lists also make for a very easy to use provider and the addition of split tunnelling on this Android version is most welcome.

5/5

Overall score: 28/30

Final verdict: 

NordVPN on Android is fast, super secure and very easy to use thanks to an intuitive interface with just the right amount of depth and features. From streaming and browsing to P2P access and secure multi-hop, this offers everything most users could need in a very complete package.

Read our full NordVPN review.

What to expect from Surfshark:

The Surfshark Android app offers a nice simple layout but I was pleased to see that you can dig in further for more advanced features if needed. So there is a quick connect option upfront – which you can personalise – but also the option of connecting to the fastest server as needed, or a specific location.

Other helpful options I was pleased to see on Surfshark’s Android app were static IPs, Multihop locations and even dedicated IP options. Plus protocol picks including WireGuard and a handy No Borders mode ideal for globe-trotting. My favourite was rotating IPs which change your address regularly to make you even harder to locate. Backed by a kill switch, ad and tracking blocking plus full encryption – this left me feeling super secure. Yet it was fast too.

In testing I found speeds were impressive, on a 428Mbps line achieving 183Mbps UK to US server downloads and massive 50Mbps uploads. Pushing that further afield for UK to Australia and speeds stayed high at 167Mbps down and 46Mbps up.

Another feature worth a mention is the Alternative ID which I used to create a fake online version of myself – this gave a fake name, address and email address to keep me accessing everything online, under total anonymity.

Speed test results

Surfshark key features:

Privacy and security: While The Netherlands, Surshark’s HQ, is a Nine Eyes country you do still get some decent security measures. These include an audited no-logs policy, RAM memory, rotating IPs, multi-hop and AES-256 encryption for peace of mind.

3/5

Speeds and performance: Surfshark uses WireGuard to great effect as this is one of the fastest options out there and that applies locally as well as further afield for both download and upload speeds.

5/5

Streaming and torrenting: Surfshark is proud to support P2P and streaming traffic which, in testing, worked well across a broad range of services.

4/5

Servers and compatibility: A massive 3,200 RAM-only servers span over 100 countries meaning you have speed and coverage internationally.

5/5

Pricing and support: Surfshark is affordable compared to all the other options out there plus it offers 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4/5

Additional features: The rotating IP and alternative ID were stand-out features for me, as they offered originality and genuinely useful extras. But you can pay and get more like a private search engine so it’s nice to know extra options are available if needed.

5/5

Overall score: 26/30

Final verdict: 

Surfshark is one of the more affordable VPN options out there yet you still get a very capable Android VPN backed by RAM servers, AES-256 encryption and rapid WireGuard speeds for everything including P2P and streaming traffic.

Read our full SurfShark review.

What to expect from Proton VPN:

The Proton VPN Android app ports across lots of the main features, and I was pleased to see an easily accessible kill switch as well as the ability to search servers via a colourful flag filled map. The ability to have multihop servers setup with traffic routed through privacy-friendly locations was a great touch for anonymity. Plus that AES-256 encryption and audited servers all make for peace of mind. And if that isn’t enough I enjoyed the extra layer of a stealth obfuscation protocol setup using a new encryption key for each connection.

Speed was excellent in testing with the WireGuard protocol activated. On a 431Mb connection I was getting, UK to US, downloads at 107Mbps and uploads at a stand-out 60Mbps. Using a UK to Australia setup I was managing 77Mbps down and 27Mbps up – a big drop further afield then. It’s worth noting the latency ping changes a lot here too, from 130 UK to US up to 265 for UK to Australia connections.

Speed test results

Why we recommend ExpressVPN:

ExpressVPN has been around since VPNs started and as such it has been pushing limits consistently, from RAM-only servers to third-party audited no-logging policies and – of course – the latest Lightway protocols. And the app remains simple despite being feature rich, making it ideal for newbies.

I found that when it comes to streaming this was a very capable app. In fact, I was in China with no connection and a quick trip to the customer support part of the website (using my data connection) had me up and running in mere minutes – very impressive to have that support worldwide and so readily available.

What to expect from ExpressVPN:

The ExpressVPN Android app is minimal, with a quick connect icon as well as the ability to connect to a Smart Location based on where you are for top speeds, or a recent location you connected to. There’s a list of servers but no grouping for specific needs – although customer support can potentially point you in the right direction.

While the front-end is minimal I did find the app was packing plenty of smarts including a DNS leak checker, ad blocking, tracker stopping, parental controls and an IP address checker. Auto connection was another helpful feature that I had setup to connect whenever I was on an untrusted network – so essentially when I went off my home Wi-Fi. The Android app also features split tunnelling, something lacking on the iOS equivalent. The Keys tool is a welcome addition, allowing you to generate and store all your secure passwords in this one place securely.

In testing, speeds were very good with a 401Mbps line offering UK to US downloads at 162Mbps and uploads storming it at 95Mbps. For UK to Australia connections that only slightly dropped to 141Mbps down and 41Mbps up. So for local and international servers this performed very well.

Speed test results

Privacy and security: Security is a given from ExpressVPN on Android thanks to a kill switch and AES-256 encryption plus those audited no logging policies. Everything is based in the British Virgin Islands too, placing it outside the jurisdiction of most other countries.

5/5

Speeds and performance: ExpressVPN managed fast local connections while maintaining those high speeds even while testing over longer ranges. It also connected in under a second or two, every time, for a very reliable performance.

5/5

Streaming and torrenting: Thanks to smart DNS the streaming performance was above par and that applied across locations and services from Netflix to Disney. ExpressVPN consistently had me connected and at high speeds. I did find location changing was needed sometimes but there was always an alternative local server that worked.

5/5

Servers and compatibility: More than 3,200 servers in 105 countries is a very consistent coverage offering – that said these were the last known numbers and the company no longer publishes these. Device use is limited but with the ability to install on routers, and use multiple devices at once, it works across a wide array of digital options beyond Android.

5/5

Pricing and support: The superb customer support, whenever and wherever you need it, helps to justify the higher than average price. You get what you pay for and that can be felt in the quality of this VPN option and the security it comes with.

3/5

Additional features: The likes of DNS leak testing, IP checking and parental controls all add up to some depth to the features without making the app feel bloated or overly complicated – an excellent blend.

4/5

Overall score: 27/30

Final verdict: 

ExpressVPN for Android is a minimal app that’s easy to use yet it packs in more advanced features like split tunnelling and a kill switch as well as some of the best customer support out there and consistent secure and fast connections. It’s not the cheapest but it certainly justifies the price.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

Why we recommend Cyberghost:

CyberGhost stands out for server numbers, at a massive 11,800 – all RAM-based – but it still spans a pretty standard 100 countries. It’s worth noting that it does not include geo-restricted areas like China, Turkey or UAE.

The CyberGhost Android VPN app is nice and simple to use with a single connect button. But the option to pick by speed, location or even streaming specific servers was a really welcome addition. It leaves you feeling more in control of your connection without actually costing you any more in time, as it’s so well laid out.

For safety I liked the connection checker, kill switch and the fact that the parent company had a recent third-party no logs policy audit that came up positive.

What to expect from CyberGhost:

When it comes to speeds CyberGhost was impressive, with that ‘best speed’ server option often punching well above average. 

Using a 431Mbps connection it was able to manage UK to US down speeds of 169Mbps and 40Mbps upload speeds. Further afield I saw UK to Australia downloads of 180Mbps and uploads of 47Mbps – actually exceeding local connections, impressively.

Streaming servers were easy to find and use and those speeds were indeed fastest to suit video content. So from streaming in 4K to downloading large files, this made for the best possible connection to maximise speeds.

I set up the app to auto connect when accessing insecure, or specific networks, for ease and enjoyed the peace of mind from a 45-day money-back guarantee – more than the competition – which means you really can try before you buy.

Speed test results

Cyberghost key features:

Privacy and security: The combination of RAM-only servers, an audited no logs policy and a kill switch plus leak detection all make for high grade privacy protection. Sure, obfuscation would be welcome too but that’s just extra on top of a more-than-enough for most level of security.

4/5

Speeds and performance: Whether streaming or browsing the speeds were very fast, and that applied to both local servers as well as those further afield – one of the top-end performers here.

5/5

Streaming and torrenting: This is a real streaming-friendly service, not only because of the speeds but also those servers listed specifically for streaming needs which make this an above-and-beyond offering.

5/5

Servers and compatibility: CyberGhost has the most servers of any service, spread out internationally while offering high speeds and secure connections. You are limited to seven devices but that should be plenty for most needs.

5/5

Pricing and support: The 45-day money-back guarantee on the longer plans is a great addition, as is the decent pricing point and the super speedy support service that I got a response from in minutes.

3/5

Additional features: A kill switch is almost a given these days but it’s still good to see, as is the content blocker for ads, malware and trackers. Split tunnelling is great to see, and there’s also domain fronting support to ensure you get connected even in more difficult situations.

4/5

Overall score: 26/30

Final verdict: 

CyberGhost is fast, vast in its server coverage and is built to support streaming on a whole new level with those specific servers. You pay more than most here but with great support and a longer-than-many money-back guarantee this represents a great way to get into a premium VPN service, where you can see what you get before you commit to that payment fully.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

The prime reason users download an Android VPN is to protect their online identity and encrypt their data. Not all VPNs available on the Google Play Store are trustworthy. Google has introduced badges to highlight whether a VPN service is safe and has been independently audited by a security firm. 

Google’s App Defense Alliance (ADA) – launched in 2019 to protect Android and Google Play Store users from potentially harmful apps – has introduced the Mobile Security Assessment (MASA) to test apps against robust security standards. 

Android users can now look out for the ‘Independent Security Review’ badge in the data security section for Android VPNs. This lets you know it has been verified by Google. 

Dr Phil Legg, Professor of Cyber Security at UWE

Android offers more control and customisation for users, which can be seen as both good and bad if inexperienced. Android devices can install apps from third-party sources, using the “Developer Mode”, meaning that users can install apps from other sources beyond the traditional app store. Of course, this can open up issues if installing untrustworthy software, but can also allow greater user control and customisation of the device. iOS, on the other hand, only allows users to install apps that Apple have approved via their App Store. Arguably, Apple has a much tighter control over what can be installed on iOS devices, whereas Android devices offer greater freedom to their users.

Using a VPN on your Android phone has several benefits. First and foremost, it provides security and ensures privacy when using unsecured public wifi networks, such as those in coffee shops, airports and hotels, which can be easily hacked. By using a VPN, you can encrypt your data and keep your personal information and activities safe from prying eyes.

In addition, some apps, such as banking apps, are best used with a VPN to hide your identity online. This can help prevent hackers from gaining access to your personal and financial information.

Setting up a VPN on your Android phone is very straightforward. First, you’ll need to choose the best one for your needs, then download the app from the Google Play Store. Once you’ve installed the app, you’ll need to create an account and log in. If it’s a paid account, you’ll likely need to enter your payment details before you can get started.

Once your account is sorted, all you need to do to get up and running is select a server location and tap to connect. The whole process should only take a minute or two.

When choosing the best VPN for Android devices, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you should look for a provider that offers fast connection speeds, as slower download and upload speeds can make it difficult to do certain activities, such as download files or stream video content. 

You should also choose a provider with a large fleet of servers in numerous locations around the world. More server options increases the stability, reliability and accuracy of a VPN.

Another consideration is how many people (and devices) will be using your VPN. Some providers cap bandwidth or restrict the number of devices that can connect to the VPN, so if you’re a business or family of heavy internet users, you’ll want a plan that ensures everyone on your network is covered. What’s more, some VPN providers offer a split tunnelling feature that allows you to route some devices on your network through the VPN and others as normal.

Finally, you should choose a provider that offers robust security features. In particular, look for a VPN that uses AES-256 encryption and has an independently audited no-logs policy, to ensure your online activity remains private.

While there are many free VPN for Android apps available on the Google Play Store, you should exercise caution when using them. Many free VPNs fail to offer the same level of security and privacy as paid versions. Some free services also make their money by selling your data to third-party advertisers, which can compromise your privacy. 

There’s also servers and connection quality to consider, as well. Free VPNs typically don’t have a large fleet of servers, so connections can be slow and unstable. It’s generally recommended to choose a paid VPN provider.

If you do still want to try one, then our testers say that the best free VPN for Android is the free version of ProtonVPN. ProtonVPN is a reputable company, so your data should be safe.

Using a VPN for Android can also help you save money when shopping online by allowing you to change your IP address to a location where the product you’re interested in is cheaper. For example, if you’re shopping for a flight, sometimes flights are cheaper if you purchase them in the destination country. With a VPN, you can change your location to try to find cheaper fares. This can help you save money on your purchases and get access to better deals in other markets.

The data in this review is reported from a neutral stance and should be used for informational purposes only. We review free VPN services from the perspective of:

• The quality of the product based on the security it affords the user
• User experience of the application(s)
• Level and quality of customer service

Independent Advisor does not endorse the streaming of content from regions other than where the subscription is held, nor does it endorse the downloading or consumption of illegally pirated content.