Best VPN for Android 2021- Which one to get when there are literally hundreds of VPN apps on the Google Play Store. Even though it’s fairly easy to find Android Smartphones supporting octa-core CPU configurations nowadays, but finding the best VPN for Android 2021 can be nothing short of a challenge.
If you’re active in the VPN community, you’ll constantly come across news related to malicious VPNs and bugs. I’m sure you’re aware of the “Stagefright” bug. So, what can you do about it? Well, if you don’t wish to become a victim of Cyberattacks and get rid of geo-restrictions along the way, you will have to invest in premium VPNs. Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN, because it not only offers a speedy service, but is also a true log-less VPN.
- 3,000+ Servers in 94 Countries
- Hard disk free infrastructure (RAM only)
- 256-bit Military-Grade Encryption
- Excellent unblocking capability for Netflix, Hulu & more
- 5 Multi Logins
- Zero-knowledge DNS
I’ve come up with an awesome list of seven (7) secure VPN apps that are not only affordable but also highly rated. And just so you know, I filtered out over 100 VPNs to come up with this list.
- ExpressVPN – Overall the best Android VPN with excellent unblocking capability.
- NordVPN – Best Android VPN for Privacy with 5500+ secure servers.
- Surfshark – Best value VPN for Android with unlimited device connection.
- CyberGhost – Best Android VPN with optimized servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming.
- IPVanish – Fast Android VPN with remote-friendly apps for Kodi
- PIA – Best Android VPN with the largest server network.
- VyprVPN – Best Android VPN for torrenting and streaming.
7 Best VPN for Android 2021
Here are the top picks for the best VPN app for android. The below-listed best Android VPNs are not only affordable but also secure.
Before you go through our best Android VPNs list, just get a glimpse of our video showing these VPNs briefly:
1. ExpressVPN – Best Android VPN App for Streaming
Server: 3,000+ | Countries: 94 | Multi-Login: 5 | Encryption: 256-bit | Google Play Store Rating: 4.1 | Best Price: $6.67/mo
Next up, we have ExpressVPN. This VPN is headquartered in the safe jurisdiction of the British Virgin Island and follows a strict no-logs policy. With a 4.1 stars rating on Google Play Store, there’s a reason why this VPN is so popular. After all, it is one of the finest VPN for streaming services like Netflix, Plex and more.
ExpressVPN also has a massive server network. Currently, it has 3,000+ servers available in 94 countries. With so many servers, you can stream or torrent with ExpressVPN without any restrictions at superfast speeds. As for security features, ExpressVPN comes pre-equipped with tons of features to secure your Android devices. You get options like Kill Switch, Split tunneling, 256-bit encryption, Tor Support and industry benchmark protocols.
If we talk about compatibility, ExpressVPN supports Android 5.0 or higher and is super easy to use no matter what Android device you might have. Speaking of devices, you can use ExpressVPN on your Android Smartphone or even on Android tablets like Nvidia Shield Tablet K1. I also really like their apps supports 12 languages.
But all these features, performance and compatibility come at a price. ExpressVPN starts from $6.67/mo which can be expensive for a lot of VPN consumers. But similar to other Android VPNs, ExpressVPN offers 5 multi logins and 30-days refund policy. Due to its extensive refund policy, it is one of the best free Android VPN that you can use free of cost for 30 days.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN for more information.
- 3000+ Fastest Servers in 94 locations
- 30 Days Money-Back Guarantee
- No Logging Policy
- Based in the British Virgin Islands
- Excellent customer support
- Works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and more
- A bit expensive than other VPNs
- Supports only 5 devices at the same time
2. NordVPN – Secure VPN App for Android
Server: 5,500+ | Countries: 59 | Multi-Login: 6 | Encryption: 256-bit Double Encryption | Google Play Store Rating: 4.3 | Best Price: $4.13/mo
NordVPN is undoubtedly the best in the industry. Based in Panama, NordVPN has a solid 4.3 stars rating on Google Play Store. The reason why I picked NordVPN first is because of all the features it offers. For starters, it follows a strict no-logging policy.
In addition to that, It comes built-in with security features like Kill Switch, AES 256-bit encryption, numerous protocols, CyberSec and leak protection. One thing which makes NordVPN better than other providers is its servers network. At the moment it offers 5,500+ servers in 59 countries equipped with obfuscation technology.
These NordVPN’s servers are perfect for torrenting and binge-watching popular streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more in Ultra HD picture quality. It also comes with a nifty feature called “SmartPlay”, which can automatically pick the best server depending on which media streaming service you wish to access.
Apart from the fact that NordVPN is not headquartered under the jurisdiction of the 5-eyes, it is also super easy to use and is compatible with a bunch of Android devices. As long as you have Android 4.4 or above, you can use it on your Android Smartphone, Android boxes, and Chromebook devices. You can also use NordVPN with Android TV. Oh! And I think you’ll also appreciate the fact that it supports nine (9) languages.
Best of all, despite costing only $4.13/mo NordVPN allows you to connect to 6 devices simultaneously. All subscription plans also come with a 30-day NordVPN refund policy. In fact you can find the trick to get Free NordVPN trial.
Read our full review of NordVPN for more information.
- More than 5500 servers worldwide
- Top-notch security and encryption
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Allows P2P
- Easy compatibility with Smart TVs and other devices
- Unblocks Sky TV, HBO, Disney+ and more
- Some servers take too long to connect to
- No customer support on phone
3. Surfshark – Fastest VPN for Android
Server: 3,200+ | Countries: 65 | Multi-Login: Unlimited | Encryption: AES-256-GCM | Google Play Store Rating: 4.3 | Best Price: $2.49/mo
If you’re looking for something that’s super fast but also super affordable, then Surfshark is just what you need. Headquartered in the British Virgin Island just like ExpressVPN, Surfshark has a 4.3 stars Google Play Store rating and really good reviews on Reddit. One of the main reasons why I think you’ll like this Android VPN is because of its speed. In fact, it is recommended as one of the fastest VPN services on VPNRanks.
As for features, Surfshark’s Android app comes builtin with options like CleanWeb, Whitelister, HackLock, BlindSearch and the usual military-grade encryption. Another major thing that Surfshark guarantees, is zero logs which, is super impressive. Surfshark doesn’t offer too many servers, however, its 3200+ servers in 65+ countries are capable of torrenting and unblocking Netflix US.
If we talk about compatibility, Surfshark supports Android 5.0 and up and can be installed on devices like Android Smartphones, Android TV and pretty much on any device that runs Android OS. If you’re a non-native English speaker, Surfshark has you covered there too. It supports 10+ different languages.
As far as pricing is concerned, Surfshark only costs $2.49/mo and can be used on an unlimited number of devices. And just if you’re curious, all Surfshark plans come with a 30-days money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial.
Read our full review of Surfshark for more information.
- 3,200+ servers in over 65 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Keeps no logs
- Works with major streaming platforms
- Fast servers with stable connectivity
- Limited P2P servers for torrenting
- Customer support live chat is inconsistent
4. CyberGhost – Perfect Android VPN for Private Browsing
Server: 6500+ | Countries: 89+ | Multi-Login: 7 | Encryption: 256-bit military-grade | Google Play Store Rating: 4.1 | Best Price: $2.25/mo
CyberGhost is another top tier VPN you can get for your Android device in 2021. With 15-years of industry expertise, it has an overall 4.1 stars rating on Google Play Store. If we talk about its security features, you get Ad-blocker, Malware protection, Data compression among other features.
Similar to other VPNs we’ve looked over so far, CyberGhost is also headquartered in a safe jurisdiction. More specifically, it is based in Romania which is a data retention free jurisdiction. If we talk about its server network, CyberGhost offers 6100+ servers in 89+ countries to help you download torrents and stream any content you could imagine.
As far as app compatibility is concerned, CyberGhost can run on any Android device running OS version 4.1 and up and supports 11 languages. Price-wise it is quite affordable. You can get CyberGhost for as little as $2.25/mo and use it on 7 devices simultaneously.
Read our full review of CyberGhost for more information.
- Provides 6,600+ servers in over 89 countries
- Uses AES-256 encryption
- Allows 7 simultaneous connections
- Good unblocking ability
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- No advanced features
- Occasionally slow server speeds
5. IPVanish – Flexible VPN App for Android Devices
Server: 1,300+ | Countries: 75+ | Multi-Login: 10 | Encryption: 256-bit | Google Play Store Rating: 4.0 | Best Price: $2.62/mo
Next up, we have IPVanish. This VPN provider has a 4.0-star rating on the Google Play Store and comes with some of the best features you can expect from an Android VPN app. Although based in the US, IPVanish guarantees zero data logging. In addition, IPVanish fully supports torrenting and works flawlessly with streaming services.
As for features, IPVanish offers options like Advanced-standard encryption (AES-256), Split-tunneling, IPv6 leak protection and much more. In terms of app compatibility, IPVanish supports any Android device with version 4.0.3 and higher. One thing to really like about IPVanish is its support for four languages like English, Spanish, Indian and Russian.
Overall, IPVanish is certainly among the best VPNs for Android you can get. It is fairly inexpensive and you can get it for a monthly price of $2.62/mo. It also accepts bitcoin payments. All of their subscription plans come with a 30-day refund policy and can be used on unlimited devices at the same time.
Read our in-depth IPVanish review 2021 for more information.
- 1600 servers in 75 locations
- A great choice for Kodi devices
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 256-bit military-grade encryption
- Fast speed servers
- US-based VPN
- Doesn’t always work with Hulu or Netflix
6. Private Internet Access – Renowned Android VPN App
Server: 3,390+ | Countries: 44+ | Multi-Login: 10 | Encryption: 256-bit | Google Play Store Rating: 3.7 | Best Price: $2.85/mo
Private Internet Access or PIA is certainly popular in the VPN industry. I mean its Android app has over 1,000,000 downloads. As for Google Play Store rating, PIA VPN has a 3.7 stars rating. That’s slightly lower than some of the other VPNs we’ve looked over up till now, however, its nothing worth complaining about.
Similar to IPVanish, Private Internet Access operates from the US, however, it promises to not keep any user logs. As for features, it comes with Kill Switch, 256-bit encryption and a MACE feature which includes a bunch of cool options like malware, tracker, and Ad-blocker – making it one of the best VPN with adblocker.
If we talk about compatibility, PIA VPN works with on all devices running the latest versions of Android OS. In terms of usability, Private Internet Access is super user friendly and its 35,900+ servers make accessing any blocked service like torrenting and streaming seem like a piece of cake.
Price-wise PIA VPN is quite affordable. Its cheapest plan starts from just $2.69/mo. And with every subscription plan, you get the freedom to secure 10 devices simultaneously along with a 30-days refund policy.
Read our full review of Private Internet Access for more information.
- Good for streaming and torrenting
- 35,000+ servers in 77+ countries
- Offer 30-day money-back guarantee
- Built-in ad blocker
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Based in the U.S (member of 5 eyes)
- Can only unblock some Netflix libraries (US, UK, Canada)
7. VyprVPN – Android VPN App with Chameleon Protocol
Server: 700+ | Countries: 70+ | Multi-Login: 5 | Encryption: 256-bit | Google Play Store Rating: 4.0 | Best Price: $2.50/mo
Last but not least, we have VyprVPN on this list of best VPN for Android. There a lot of reasons to love VyprVPN. For starters, it has a 4.0-star rating on Google Play Store. In addition, it offers a fairly modest server network. At the moment, VyprVPN has some 700+ servers in 70+ countries. Although not a lot but these servers are P2P compatible and can also help access blocked services like BBC iPlayer and more.
But the good thing is, it offers over 200,000 IP addresses which can help you pretty much unblock anything out there. Another thing I really like about VyprVPN is that it is headquartered in Switzerland and boasts a true no-logs policy.
As for features, VyprVPN comes standard with built-in Kill Switch, leak protection, and a unique chameleon protocol that can help you bypass strict firewalls in countries like China. As for compatibility, VyprVPN supports all Android devices running Android 5 (Lollipop), 6 (Marshmallow), 7 (Nougat), 8 (Oreo), 9 (Pie), or 10.
Price-wise VyprVPN is very budget-friendly. Pricings start from just $2.50/month and can be used with 5 devices at the same time. Similar to other VPNs, VyprVPN also boasts a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of VyprVPN for more information.
- Allows P2P
- Works with Netflix. BBC iPlayer and more.
- Chameleon protocol
- Offer 30-day money-back guarantee
- Supports a wide range of Android OS
- A small server network
- Online 5 multi-logins
Quick Features Comparison Table
If you’re still having trouble deciding which VPN to get for your Android device, you can check out the table below to quickly compare the features of all of the VPNs covered in this blog:
| VPN | Speed on 30 Mbps Connection | Money-back Guarantee | Simultaneous Connections | Supports P2P | Compatible Streaming Services | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 27.17 Mbps | 30 days | 5 | Yes | Netflix, Hulu, HBO, DAZN, Sling TV, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer & more | $6.67/mo |
| NordVPN | 24.91 Mbps | 30 days | 6 | Yes | Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV & more | $4.13/mo |
| Surfshark | 27.91 Mbps | 30 days | Unlimited | Yes | Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, CBS & more | $2.49/mo |
| CyberGhost | 17.10 Mbps | 45 days | 7 | Yes | Netflix, Hulu, Sky GO, HBO, Amazon Prime, Eurosport, ESPN, BBC iPlayer & more | $2.25/mo |
| IPVanish | 14.26 Mbps | 7 days | 10 | Yes | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer & more | $3.25/mo |
| PIA VPN | 23.32 Mbps | 30 days | 10 | Yes | Netflix US and UK | $2.85/mo |
| VyprVPN | 22.73 Mbps | 30 days | 5 | Yes | Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer & more | $2.50/mo |
Our Test Methodology for the best Android VPN
As I mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of VPN APK files available on the Google Play Store. However, how do you make sure you get the right one? Well, there are a couple of things you can look out for.
1. Android App:
First off, make sure the VPN you’re getting actually offers apps for Android. You should avoid getting VPNs that require manual configurations. It should have apps for various android devices and smartphone models.
2. Security:
Make sure the VPN you’re interested in offers tons of security features, follows a strict no-logs policy, and plenty of simultaneous connections. The best VPN for Android should offer WebRTC, DNS and IP leak protection to keep your connection secure all the time. It should also offer 256-bit encryption, because anything below that is not acceptable.
We also look into VPN’s privacy policy to see if it keeps any user logs. All of the VPNs mentioned above don’t log user data and keep minimal logs like email, password, etc. Additionally, we also look at features like a kill switch, static IP addresses, double encryption and more.
3. Money-back guarantee
The next thing to look for in the best VPN for Android is the subscription plans and money-back guarantee. All of the VPN’s mentioned above offer flexible pricing plans and 30-day money back guarantee so you can test the service for yourself and cancel anytime.
4. Simultaneous connections
Another important thing to consider when selecting the best VPN for Android is to see how many devices it allows on one subscriptions. The VPN should supports a minimum of 5 devices per account so you can secure multiple devices at the same time. Similarly, it should also be compatible with a wide range of platforms and routers.
Why should you avoid free VPN apps for Android?
Even though there are tons of free VPN apps on Google Play Store, I still don’t recommend that you try them. Instead, it’s way better to try VPNs that offer free trials. That’s because free VPNs can actually sell your data to advertisers. This is why you see targeted ads plaguing your web browser and social media apps.
Another reason to avoid free VPNs for Android is that they offer poor features and performance. Most likely, you’re going get stuck with a VPN that barely offers any speed and a limited number of server locations. That being said, there are still very few free VPNs that are somewhat trustworthy. If you like, you can check out our separate article on the best free VPN for Android.
Android VPNs to avoid in 2021
When you search for VPNs on Play Store, it will give you a lot of results with all kinds of VPNs in which most are risky and not trustworthy. Therefore, it’s recommended to stick to the VPNs mentioned above because we have tested these VPNs on our Android devices and ensure you that they are safe. Here are some VPNs that Android users should avoid in 2021:
Hola
Hola is known to use Android devices as exit nodes for other users to pass their traffic. In addition, the provider has a bad history of selling idle bandwidth of users, which in turn greatly affects connection speeds. Additionally, their privacy policy is very unclear and they log a lot of user data. Read our Hola VPN review for more information.
HideMyAss (HMA)
HideMyAss has a bad track record as in 2011, it collaborated with FBI to track a hacker. HMA gave access to its IP addresses and activity logs to FBI, which were used to catch the criminal. It clearly shows that HMA stores user data and is not safe to use for privacy focused activities. Read our HideMyAss VPN review for more details.
Zenmate
Zenmate is not a secure VPN for Android because it is found to leak IP address, DNS and your online traffic. Moreover, it’s privacy policy is unclear that is why it’s best to avoid this VPN service altogether. You can read ourZenmate review for more information.
Best Android VPNs FAQs
When it comes to choosing the best VPN for Android, ExpressVPN tops the list. It features a beautiful and easy-to-use app for Android OS with advanced features like kill switch, split tunneling, and access to over 3000 servers. It also works with popular streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and more.
There are a lot of reasons why you need a VPN for Android smartphones. First, VPNs encrypt your traffic and passes it through a VPN tunnel, which makes it hard to track, thus keeping cybercriminals at bay.
Similarly, with a VPN on Android phone, you can connect to any server location and access streaming sites like Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and more from abroad. You can even use WhatsApp in China.
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark offer 7 day free trial for Android users. You can download the app on your device and test the services free of cost before making a decision about which one you want.
With a best VPN for Android, you can change your IP address, but not all VPN’s can help you fake your GPS location. In fact, for now, only Surfshark allows GPS spoofing, where it not only masks your IP address, but also your GPS location, making it impossible to track you.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to use a VPN on your Android phone. A quality VPN for Android will let you connect to any server location you want and help browse the internet on your phone securely. It can also help you access blocked sites and content from abroad.
Yes, you can use your Android VPN on your laptop. All of the VPN’s mentioned above allow a minimum of 5 simultaneous connections, so you can connect it to your Android phone and laptop at the same time. Additionally, these VPN’s are compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and more, so you won’t have any issues using your Android VPN on your laptop.
Follow these steps below to set up a VPN on your Android TV box:
- Subscribe to a VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN; best VPN for streaming)
- Download and install the VPN app on your Android TV Box.
- Log in using your account details
- Find the server you want to connect to and click connect.
- Once the connection is established, you can access geo-restricted sites and more on your Android TV box.
Wrapping up!
Even though Android Smartphones and devices have gotten way powerful, they’re still susceptible to online threats and have to deal with the same geo-blocks as any other device. This is where using a VPN on your Android device can seriously pay off.
The fact of the matter is that, if you haven’t started using a VPN on your Android device, you’re seriously missing out. In order to unleash the full potential of your device, check out my list of best VPN for Android and reclaim your online freedom. So which one you are going to pick? Let me know your top VPN for Android in the comments below.
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Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Glad you enjoyed it.
Cheers.
Any information about free VPN’s? Are free VPNs safe to use? I wanna get Atlasvpn, looks good on paper but it seems like there is little information on the internet.
Hey Veronica,
You can try ProtonVPN which is free to use. It offers 3 server locations in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands and offers 8 servers in total. ProtonVPN also offers unlimited bandwidth which I guess you might prefer. I suggest reading the ProtonVPN review if you’re interested: https://wordpress-144839-1418219.cloudwaysapps.com/vpn-reviews/protonvpn/
I’ve been using Proton for the last 6 months to access social media at the office until it stopped working. Then I came across Atlas VPN which works surprisingly well and is way faster, so I’m sticking with it.
Hey Elijah,
I haven’t personally tested Atlas VPN, however, the fact that you’re using it over Proton, makes me really want to test it out for myself.
What VPN can I use in China for my Android device?
Hey Tris,
Good question. If you don’t mind paying a bit extra, suggest you go for ExpressVPN. It’ll cost you $6.67 a month, however, you do get much better support and obviously much better speeds.
I’ve used Express but now I use NordVPN. I would say both of them are industry leaders. Don’t know about other VPNs.
Yes, Loha. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are undoubtedly the industry leaders in the VPN industry and this is the reason why they are listed in our top 5 best Android VPN providers’ list. There are other VPN providers that are equally better in performance. These include PureVPN, PrivateVPN, and Ivacy.
Received emails from att Uverse warning illegal use. I have Showbox and Kodi on tablet galaxy Does a VPN allow me to continue use show box and Kodi with no problem. New to VPN do not fully understand what it does. Am I safe with a VPN?
Hello Geneo,
A VPN completely encrypts your online activity, thus making your identity anonymous to others (i.e. the government and your Internet Service Provider). Not only that, but a VPN will also protect you against cybercriminals. If you use Kodi third-party add-ons or watch movies in Torrents, then you can get one of the 5 best VPN providers that are available in this guide. Remember, whenever you watch copyright material for free, you got to have a VPN or else you risk your online privacy.
Thanks for the good writeup. It actually used to be a leisure account it. Glance complicated to far introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how could we be in contact?
Hello,
Thanks for your feedback. We also mentioned this information in the 4th paragraph. But you’re right we did not mention it in the first paragraph.
Well, I have experienced only a couple of VPN services for my mobile including MPN and Norton service, unfortunately, it wasn’t the smooth experience I thought initially. However, still looking for a VPN that works for a long time and more importantly with quick browsing. Looking forward to give NordVPN a try, hoping for a good experience this time!
Hey Curtis,
Yes, you should really go with NordVPN as it is the fastest VPN in the industry. Hoping you have a good experience using NordVPN.
Ivacy app on the google play store doesn’t work with Android no matter what they tell you. What tech support solution? Download the app from someplace off the google play store. If you’re trying to be safe and secure you really should not go around installing apps from unknown sources. The whole thing is a little suspicious, I’ll be trying to get a refund.
Hey Hans,
Try installing it from their website. This worked for me. If it doesn’t, then let us know. We’ll figure it out to run it for you.