Having a VPN up and running on your Android phone is like having an extra layer of security for your device. A good VPN not only hides your location but also ensures your browsing data stays secure.
Do NOT be tempted by free VPNs; they’re free for a reason and it’s because they’re not very good and, in some cases, are downright dangerous.
Best VPN For Android
The main thing here is speed and privacy; ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, averaging around 98.71Mbps download speeds. Combine this with its advanced AES-256-bit encryption and the fact it uses the OpenVPN protocol and you’re in a very good place with respect to user experience and privacy.
Based in Panama, NordVPN has a strict no-logging policy, so none of your data or browsing sessions are stored, save for your account information and payment details – but that’s fine, you need them to run it! NordVPN runs on the OpenVPN protocol and features double AES-256-bit encryption, which is the very same standard used by the US government to keep all its secrets locked away from public view. In terms of security and privacy, this is about as good as it gets.
PureVPN has been bulking up its service over the years, adding in more speed and better security. In 2019, the company officially announced that it is now 100% no-log, meaning none of your activity is tracked when using PureVPN. PureVPN is also one of the cheapest no-log VPN providers around; price has always been one of PureVPN’s main USPs. You can pick up 12-month plans for as little as $5.75 a month (or $69 a year), giving you unlimited access across a variety of devices – including mobile and PC.
It’s not quite as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but it does feature similar encryption technologies – AES-256-bit and OpenVPN protocols. SurfShark VPN does not keep any logs of your activities inside its VPN, and it is very open about this fact. You can easily access P2P and torrenting sites, as well as different regional versions of Netflix. SurfShark VPN is a decent option, but if you’re going to go with any VPN in 2019, you’re 100% better off with a more established player like NordVPN, as you get better speeds.
I’ve used a BUNCH of VPNs over the years. Too many to recall right now. Only a few were any good, though. And these ones are the best options if you’re looking for a cheap VPN that doesn’t suck. The best of which are included (in order) in the table above.
My preferred choice for VPN on my Android phone these days is NordVPN. Why? Because it’s brilliant. And it doesn’t cost too much either (you can grab two year’s worth of coverage for just $3.29 a month).
If you want to trial a month in order to see how you get on, it’ll cost you $11.95.
They accept PayPal and Crypto Currency too. Handy if, like me, you don’t use credit cards.
NordVPN Key Features
- There are many benefits of going with NordVPN but for me the following highlights kind of tell you everything you need to know.
- Access 6000+ servers worldwide
- No logs policy
- Connect 6 devices at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee
With this type of VPN up and running on your phone, you’ll be protected from hackers, malware, and even annoying pop-up ads.
Bottom line: it is about WAY more than simply switching your location from, say, the UK and the US so you can access US-only content.
There’s a myriad of added security benefits you get on top of this and it is these things that make NordVPN truly one of the best VPNs in the business right now
NordVPN for iPhone and Android (And Also Mac and PC)
If you go with NordVPN, you will not only be able to do your Android phone but also any iOS-powered devices you have – like an iPad – as well as your PC and/or Mac.
You get up to six devices covered when you sign up, so you should be able to get everything secured pretty easily. I have A LOT of tech in my home, but I still didn’t manage to use all six of the NordVPN installs.
Unblock The Web With A VPN
My preferred choice for VPN on my Android phone these days is NordVPN. Why? Because it’s brilliant. And it doesn’t cost too much either (you can grab two year’s worth of coverage for just $3.29 a month).
If you travel a lot, you’ll know all too well the pain and frustration of not being able to access content from your home country. It’s super annoying, especially if you’re already paying for it. Using a VPN gets around this by tricking your device into thinking it is back home. This way you can download and watch whatever you like – regardless of where you are.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a VPN – one for ALL your devices – and you’re struggling to decide on a service provider, I would 100% recommend NordVPN. I’ve been using it for over 12 months now and it hasn’t messed up once. The prices are also REALLY good too. Especially when you consider the amount of stuff you get included.
Why You Should 100% AVOID Free VPNs…
When something is free, there is always a hidden cost. With apps, it’s adverts and in-app purchases. Online, free content is made possible by adverts as well. But when it comes to VPNs, free comes with WAY more caveats – and most are pretty sinister.
For instance, did you know that around 84% of free VPNs tested were found to leak their customers’ IP addresses? Not good. Then there was the whole Hola VPN scandal, whereby Hola VPN was using its customers as endpoints to expand its bandwidth. Again, not good.
Free VPNs are basically more dangerous than NOT using a VPN. They’re not secure, they don’t protect you, and the owners – usually Chinese or Russian companies – will actively use and sell your data to the highest bidders. You do not want this. And this is why we ALWAYS recommend you go with a VPN like NordVPN, which uses military-grade encryption and security features.
If you value your privacy and want to keep your data and online activity hidden, you simply cannot trust free VPNs. Even for things like torrenting and accessing overseas content like HULU or Netflix. Your personal data is worth billions to companies and hackers, so make sure you’re protecting it appropriately. Use only the best, premium VPNs like the ones included inside our best VPN table.
As noted throughout this post, the #1 VPN for Android – and all platforms – right now is NordVPN. It uses military-grade encryption, the same stuff the US government uses to protect its top-secret files, so you’re in very good hands with it installed on your Android phone and home network.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: What is The Best VPN For Android?
We have tested hundreds of VPNs over the past several years, and the best option right now – for speed, security, and ease of use – is ExpressVPN. Coming in second would be NordVPN and then, in third place, PureVPN.
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Q: Can I Use A VPN on My Android Phone?
Yes, you can easily install a VPN on ANY Android phone. The easiest way to install a VPN is by signing up with a VPN network – ExpressVPN, for instance, is our #1 pick – and then downloading its app from the Google Play Store and logging in with your credentials.
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Q: Which VPN is cheapest?
You can get plenty of free VPNs, but you REALLY do not want to use these – they’ll sell your data on to third parties and/or advertisers. And nobody wants that. Instead, use a cheaper, premium VPN. Right now, PureVPN has the lowest prices on the market. PureVPN is 100% no-logs too, so your data and browsing activity is completely anonymous.
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Q: Are Free VPNs Safe?
No, free VPNs are not safe to use. The entire point of a VPN is to give you a secure connection to the web. A free VPN will use your data and sell it onto a third party – advertisers, for instance. Free VPNs also SUCK when it comes to performance. Basically, a free VPN isn’t worth it. Just go with a proper VPN and keep your data secure.
Richard Goodwin has been working as a tech journalist for over 10 years. He is the editor and owner of KnowYourMobile. He has a personal blog too – Optimal Sauce – and you can subscribe to his weekly newsletter for tech HERE and blogging-related stuff HERE
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