The Best VPN Apps for Android

ExpressVPN’s mobile app is one of the easiest to use, thanks to a more simplified interface than NordVPN and Surfshark.

To connect to a nearby server, simply tap the large power button turns from red to green when a connection is established. To the right of the connect button, there’s also an option to quickly change server location.

At the bottom of the home screen there are multiple tabs for easy navigation between the VPN, Add-ons, and Settings (found under Profile).

The VPN launches and connects almost instantly, which is one of the reasons why it’s our choice for frequent travelers.

ExpressVPN has also expanded its features on Android to include: an ad blocker, malicious website blocker, adult website blocker, split tunneling, auto-connect, and a built-in kill switch.

The app is extremely secure, with open-source software that uses industry-approved AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, and trusted VPN protocols like OpenVPN, along with its own Lightway protocol.

Importantly, the built-in kill switch is superior to NordVPN’s, since it works in tandem with the split tunneling feature, and doesn’t interfere with apps not using the VPN connection.

And in case it wasn’t clear by now, ExpressVPN is trustworthy service that doesn’t log your IP address, browsing activity, or device information. It also doesn’t share your data with third-party advertisers, like so many other Android VPNs do.

On all our Android handheld devices, we connected to an ExpressVPN server in under three seconds, and often in just one. This is extraordinary, and something no other Android VPN can match.

Connecting to nearby server locations, our internet speed fell by only 2%, and over long distances by only 15%.

ExpressVPN and NordVPN go neck-and-neck for speed, and depending on which country you want to connect to, one can be slightly faster than the other.

When it comes to bypassing streaming geo-restrictions, ExpressVPN is the unrivaled champion among VPNs. It unblocked over 95% of the 120 streaming services we tested it with.

Of the most popular content apps, we accessed 18 international Netflix catalogs, all Disney+ regions, many Prime Video countries, JioHotstar, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer.

Beating content geo-blocks has always been a core strength of ExpressVPN, and its prowess in this area has only improved in recent years. It is extremely rare to come across a server that doesn’t work with a content platform.

The same can be said about gaming with the VPN app on your Android smartphone or tablet. Whether it’s PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, or Call of Duty, ExpressVPN’s fast and low-latency server network has never disappointed.

NordVPN’s servers currently cover the most countries out of all VPNs we’ve reviewed: a staggering 127.

Of particular note is the high number of server locations in Africa and Asia, which under-index in most other VPN services, including ExpressVPN and Surfshark.

There are also plenty of city-specific servers to choose from, especially in the United States, although NordVPN counts 27 fewer US VPN locations than ExpressVPN.

The ever-growing expansive server network hasn’t harmed NordVPN’s connection speeds, which continue to remain fast and consistent, regardless of the distance traveled.

On average, our download speed dropped by only 4% connecting to close-by locations, and just 14% on much more distant connections.

These exceptional speeds, combined with reliable unblocking capabilities, really show when trying to beat the geo-restrictions of apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and many more streaming services.

It’s worth seeing these results for yourself by taking advantage of NordVPN’s 3-day free trial available via the Google Play Store.

Compared to ExpressVPN, NordVPN’s Android app is quite busy-looking: there’s a map, a quick connect button, drop-downs to specialty servers and devices, all on the home screen.

Despite the rather cluttered feel to the app, it’s by no means difficult to use. Even if you’re a pure beginner, you shouldn’t have any issues.

What stands out about NordVPN’s Android app is the wide range of settings on offer, which are tucked away in the Profile tab.

In addition to Threat Protection, the VPN’s ad and tracker blocker, you’ll find unique features that’ll further enhance your internet security.

For example, Tapjacking Protection prevents malicious apps from overlaying NordVPN’s app and tricking you into tapping them.

The option to use multi-hop servers, called DoubleVPN, is also handy. It routes your connection through two servers rather one, adding further protection between your device and your destination app or website.

Beyond these extra features, the app uses industry-approved protocols (Nordlynx (WireGuard) and OpenVPN) and therefore corresponding ChaCha20 or AES-256 encryption.

The VPN service also undergoes regular independent security and privacy audits to prove its claims.

One downside to using NordVPN’s Android app is its kill switch. While ExpressVPN and Surfshark built theirs directly into the application, NordVPN uses the standard Android system setting.

The kill switch toggle in the NordVPN app is a simple shortcut to your device’s kill switch, where you can opt for the standard ‘Always-on’ solution, or add the ‘Block connections without VPN’ feature for maximum security.

The problem with using the system setting is that if the VPN connection fails, the kill switch will cut off internet traffic to all apps, even the ones you instructed the VPN to ignore via the Split Tunneling setting.

This happened frequently with the ‘Always-on’ setting enabled, and ever single time with the additional ‘Block connections without VPN’ activated.

Surfshark is one of our favorite VPNs for Android, but the app’s home screen displays a lot of tabs and options which can be slightly overwhelming for beginners.

Interestingly, once you’ve connected to a server location you’ll be prompted to turn off battery optimization as it can slow down your connection, which is a nice touch.

The app gives you an even wider choice of settings than NordVPN, including advanced features like ‘Rotating IP’ and ‘Use small packets.’

The former changes your IP address automatically while keeping your location the same, and the latter improves your connection reliability on unstable or restrictive mobile networks.

The flip side is that ‘Use small packets’ will slow down your download speed, because the device will have to process many more data “labels.” Make sure you toggle the setting off before streaming video content.

Surfshark’s unique selling point is its Override GPS location feature. This spoofs your GPS location, preventing apps from detecting your real location.

While the set up process involves several steps, once up and running ‘Override GPS location’ works by matching your GPS coordinates with your VPN IP location.

This allows you to unblock apps that force you to use ‘Location Services’ in order to access some, if not all, of their features.

We found ‘Override GPS location’ particularly useful with gaming apps with location-based gameplay, like Pokémon GO, Monster Hunter Now and Jurassic World Alive.

On the streaming front, we successfully used the function to unblock many GPS-restricted apps such as ESPN+, NBA League Pass, and even Australia’s Kayo Sports from overseas.

It’s not all roses, though. Compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN, Surfshark is noticeably slower especially connecting to more distant server locations.

Connecting internationally, we measured an average 4% speed reduction, and this was with ‘Use small packets’ mode toggled off.

While this speed slowdown won’t affect streaming quality much on fiber optic and 5G connections, you will notice more of an impact on slower mobile networks.

The time it actually takes to connect to a server was also surprisingly slow on mobile. This is a flaw we’ve noticed in all of Surfshark’s apps, however it’s been more pronounced on Android.

Unlike way too many free Android VPNs in the Google Play Store, Proton VPN takes your internet privacy and security very seriously.

Proton VPN is a proven no-logs VPN that doesn’t collect personally-identifiable activity data, and secures your connections with AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption via the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols.

Proton VPN’s kill switch works similarly to NordVPN’s, although the app actively pushes you to a more aggressive system block, which will however break any app exclusions set via Split Tunneling.

These privacy and security protections have been rigorously tested and verified by multiple independent audits.

And to add further transparency and legitimacy, Proton VPN was one of the first services to open source its software, including its Android app. Its code is therefore open for scrutiny and bug-reporting.

Proton VPN’s free app is quick and easy to use. All you need to do install the app from the Play Store and tap on “Continue as guest” to use the VPN without registering.

The “Continue as guest” option isn’t available straight away, though. On first launch, you’ll need to close down the app, and then re-open it for the option to appear.

The app is simple and designed for you to connect to a VPN server as quickly as possible. The home screen displays a prominent ‘Connect’ button that connects you to the fastest (nearest) server location.

As with all secure free VPNs, Proton VPN imposes restrictions to encourage users to upgrade to its paid service.

The most evident limitation is that you can’t manually connect to any of the free 10 countries on offer. Frustratingly, the app automatically connects you to the “fastest” available free server.

The choice of settings is also very slim, with very few features on offer. Options like split tunneling, NetShield (ad, tracker, and malware blocker), and VPN accelerator are all paywalled.

Plus, the VPN actively blocks any P2P traffic on all its free servers.

All in all, Proton VPN is a fantastic choice for ongoing unlimited protection, but useless for bypassing streaming geo-blocks and P2P downloads.

While rather dated-looking, Windscribe’s Android app is simple and easy to use: tap on the large button to connect to a nearby server, and the flag of your chosen country will display in the background.

The free VPN servers in Canada and the US are conveniently placed at the top of the list, but the rest are annoyingly buried in the server list. It would be better if they were grouped together.

We occasionally got pop-up prompts to invite friends for an extra 1GB per month, which got annoying over time, but it’s also a good way to get additional free data.

Other than that, Windscribe’s Android app has good usability and comes with a rich selection of useful free settings, split into three main categories.

In ‘Appearance’ you can choose between light or dark mode, set custom images to show you’re connected to the VPN, and even adjust haptic feedback.

In ‘Connection Settings’ you can configure split tunneling and auto-connect. For improved mobile gaming and video-calling, you also get an MTU adjustment as well as a GPS spoofing setting, like with Surfshark, but for free!

Finally, there’s also an IP blocker (called R.O.B.E.R.T) that can block websites known for ads and trackers, social networks, porn, gambling, clickbait, or custom websites you choose.

Windscribe’s standout feature is its ability to unblock geo-restricted apps, including multiple Netflix regions on its free servers.

This is partly thanks to a healthy free server network covering locations in Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

The big difference compared to Proton VPN is that you can switch between these free server locations as much as you like.

This ability to beat geo-blocks on apps like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Prime Video or Hulu, is incredibly rare among free VPNs.

While Windscribe’s free service can’t match ExpressVPN’s or NordVPN’s unblocking success, and fails with the likes of JioHotstar and American Netflix, what it can access is nevertheless remarkable.

We’re also amazed how the VPN’s Stealth protocols (included for free) still bypass the strictest of firewalls, such as the Great Firewall of China, 85% of the time.

Unlike subscription-based VPNs, free VPNs usually enforce a restrictive monthly data cap, and Windscribe is no different, limiting users to 10GB per month.

This amounts roughly to four hours of HD and two of 4K streaming time. If you’re a heavy internet user or streamer, you may run out of data fairly quickly.

The free VPN is also slower than some of its rivals, including Proton VPN. While it will also depend on your internet connection, we did experience some buffering and blurriness when streaming live content.