Best VPNs for Android: 5 top picks for phones and tablets

Who should use NordVPN?

The best overall VPN for Android needs to come with all of the tools needed to browse online anonymously. Privacy is important, to be sure, but so are speeds, extra features, server network size, and ease of use. NordVPN has it all, and that’s why it’s my top choice for VPNs and a truly solid option for any smartphone or tablet user.

Nord has the most features of any VPN on the market, with tools that will appeal to power users as well as an easy-to-use Android app that is intuitive and straightforward even for beginners. The service also carries out regular independent audits and uses RAM-only diskless servers for increased security, so the privacy-conscious user can rest assured their data will remain anonymous.

If speed is a priority, NordVPN is the way to go as well. Speeds in my testing averaged 72 percent of the base internet speed across all servers, which makes it the fastest VPN I’ve ever tested.

NordVPN: Further considerations

NordVPN’s Android app is very easy to use with well thought-out and simplified controls compared to Windows. It offers a ton of different features including access to the TOR network over VPN, multi-hop connections, Meshnet file sharing network, a security suite complete with ad- and malware-blocking, and Nord’s latest password manager and link-checker safety tool. Also, there will be no problems accessing any streaming service while using NordVPN and it has an extensive server network to connect to all over the world.

The main downside is that NordVPN’s pricing is a bit expensive compared to many other VPN services. Even with the discounts offered by long-term plans, it can still seem pricey. You get what you pay for though, and in this case, it’s a heck of a lot of features.

Read our full NordVPN review

Who should use ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is another great option for any Android user. VPN novices will find that they can easily download the software, choose their server location, connect, and be on their way. But more advanced users will be able to choose from features such as split-tunneling, protocol optimization, kill switch, and more.

Plus, ExpressVPN has one of the most expansive device support networks I’ve ever seen. So the VPN can not only be used for Android or Windows, but across practically any and all platforms no matter what device you’re trying to protect — with up to eight simultaneous device connections.

The only reason it placed a close second is due to NordVPN providing a few more features and slightly edging it out on speed. Still, you can’t go wrong if you decide to go with ExpressVPN as your VPN of choice.

ExpressVPN: Further considerations

ExpressVPN takes privacy and security seriously with all diskless, RAM-only servers, meaning no data is ever stored long-term. Plus, the service is regularly bringing in third-party auditors to validate its privacy credentials.

It also comes with a smart DNS feature for set-top boxes, consoles, and more. It’s even begun branching out to take a more holistic approach to security for users, adding ad- and tracker-blocking and, most recently, a password manager to the service, as well.

It’s not the cheapest VPN out there, but it recently revamped its membership structure providing more flexibility for users to determine what features they are willing to pay for. No matter the membership tier you’ll still get excellent value for your money.

Read our full ExpressVPN review

Who should use Mullvad?

It should come as no surprise that Mullvad is our pick for Best Android VPN for Privacy. I’ve never seen another VPN that actively resists knowing who you are the way Mullvad does. Mullvad doesn’t ask for anything when you sign up, not your email address, name, or other contact info. Instead it assigns a random account number that acts as your identifier and login. The service accepts payments using standard methods such as credit cards and PayPal, but you can also mail your payment in cash to remain as private as possible. Mullvad has a no-logging policy and doesn’t collect any identifying metadata from your usage.

Mullvad is all about maximizing privacy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a more than capable VPN for any user. But the ultra-privacy conscious Android user will find the most to like in its anonymized payment system, commitment to not collecting user data of any kind, and strong internal privacy practices.

Mullvad: Further considerations

Beyond just privacy, Mullvad is also fast, ranking among our top five for speeds. Additionally, it offers a standardized fee across all plan lengths. While this makes it very affordable month-to-month, it does lose value in the long run compared to other top VPNs that offer significantly reduced prices with longer plan lengths.

I also found that it doesn’t always unblock streaming services, so users who want their VPN to access location-restricted content may want to take that into consideration before subscribing.

Read our full Mullvad review

Who should use Proton VPN?

Whether you opt for the free or paid version, Proton VPN is a good choice for any Android user. The free version will of course appeal to those on a tight budget, but it’s also a great option for those who just need a VPN to do quick online tasks safely and securely.

Many free VPNs, especially free smartphone VPNs, have either unreasonable limitations or they’re loaded with annoying ads. Thankfully, Proton VPN serves no ads and the restrictions are fairly light compared to other services. For no cost at all, you’ll get a one-device connection limit and access to five servers located around the world. In my testing I also found that speeds were very good even with the free version, ranking in the top 10 of all VPNs — paid or free. And since there are no monthly data limits on Proton’s free VPN version, it’s also a great option to stream content while using a VPN — just be aware, the free servers don’t promise to work with Netflix like some of Proton’s paid servers do.

Overall, you get a lot for paying nothing and this easily makes it our favorite free VPN for Android.

Proton VPN: Further considerations

The paid VPN is also a great option for Android users. Proton offers an entire suite of useful apps which integrate nicely with each other and are all open source. The monthly price for the premium version does come in at the expensive side though, so I would recommend trying out the free version first before you upgrade.

The company also has an excellent privacy track record and takes transparency very seriously. Both the premium and free versions have undergone multiple independent audits confirming the company’s no-logs policy.

Read our full ProtonVPN review

Who should use CyberGhost?

Using a VPN while travelling means that you want variety and wide coverage in the server locations. CyberGhost provides both by offering a staggering 11,500+ servers for users to connect to, which is more than twice as many as most other VPNs on this list. Plus, unlike some competitors, these servers aren’t all concentrated in the U.S. or Europe, either. Not only does it provide a huge server count, but the server spread is vast, totaling 100+ countries all across the world. CyberGhost even recommends optimized servers to users for various needs such as gaming, streaming, and torrenting.

Due to its wealth of servers and locations, CyberGhost is one of the best options for finding a server no matter where you are in the world. For those who travel a lot or just need access to a diverse and vast server spread, CyberGhost should be high on your list.

CyberGhost: Further considerations

CyberGhost also has a well-designed Android app that is intuitive and easy to use, even when tweaking settings. It lacks some of the power-user features that other VPNs on this list provide such as multi-hop and IP rotation, but that shouldn’t be a big deal to the average user.

In my testing I found that some of the servers were faster than others, with servers located in Europe having excellent speeds and servers in Asia not fairing as well. But overall, the speeds are good enough to do everyday web browsing, streaming, etc. CyberGhost recently began the process of upgrading its servers to 10Gbps as well, so speeds should only increase in the future.

Read our full CyberGhost VPN review