With so many Android VPN apps available, 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
The primary consideration for any VPN should be privacy. If your Android VPN cannot sufficiently protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At the very least, your VPN should use industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption over OpenVPN protocolor ChaCha20 over WireGuard or IKEv2. You'll also want basic privacy protections like a kill switch (which completely terminates your internet connection in the event of an unexpected VPN shutdown), DNS leak protection (to hide your public IP address), and a no-logs policy (proving that your VPN provider doesn't record the websites you visit or apps you use while connected to a VPN server). Power users may appreciate advanced features like split tunneling, which lets you use a VPN for some traffic but not others—for example, you can route your Chrome web browser through a VPN to stream Netflix in a browser. while downloading a game from Steam without a VPN connection for faster speeds, all on the same computer.
For critical privacy needs—like if you're an investigative journalist, asylum seeker, political activist, or concerned torrent user—you'll also want a VPN provider that's located in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, offers obfuscation, and has a server architecture with RAM only. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities for additional encryption, ad and tracker blockers, and multihop connections, which encrypt your data across more than one VPN server. Also, look for a VPN that undergoes regular third-party security checks, such as revisions can help boost confidence in a VPN's ability to protect its users' privacy.
Speed
The speed of your VPN can have a big impact on activities like streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming, and general web browsing. To keep things running as smoothly as possible, you'll want to look for a VPN that will have as minimal an impact on your regular internet speed as possible. The fastest VPNs we've tested only reduce internet download speeds by 25%, with the fastest VPNs delivering lightning-fast speeds of less than 15% average internet download speed loss.
Usability
A good Android VPN should run smoothly and be easy to use regardless of your technical expertise. It should have all the features you need, easily accessible at the touch of a finger. Many Android VPN apps also include an easy way to contact support directly from the device, which can be useful if you need help on the go. Your Android VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can easily and securely connect from wherever you are, and it should help you access geo-restricted content from different regions.
Price
VPN prices vary widely from provider to provider, so if you're on a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your Android VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend around $5 to $13 per month for a VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, where prices can range from approximately $30 to $100 per year. Be careful with free VPNs as they may endanger your privacy rather than protect it. Proton VPN is currently the only one free vpn that CNET recommends. Most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can be anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a seven-day free trial with many VPNs when you sign up through the Play Store. So you'll likely have options to try different Android VPNs risk-free before deciding whether to fully invest in one.
Streaming
Many people use VPNs for privacy, but virtual private networks are also great for geo-unblocking a streaming service. Because you can make apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer think you're in a different location — like the UK or Canada — you can watch libraries of foreign content. By unlocking international video libraries, you might even be able to save money using VPN for streaming. For streaming to Android phones, tablets, or Android TV boxes, you'll want one of these best VPNs for Netflix so you can reach Squid Game and Bridgerton or best VPNs for Amazon Prime Videowhich can help you fix your Cross.