The best Android VPN services of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

A virtual private network (VPN) service is essential for your privacy, and one compatible with the Android operating system will extend security to your mobile device. A VPN provides encryption, forging a secure tunnel between your Android smartphone and online services. They allow you to browse the internet with a degree of anonymity, to access geo-restricted content, and to avoid tracking by advertisers.

If you’re concerned about a VPN running in the background and draining your battery, don’t be. The best VPNs in the market won’t noticeably impact performance or drastically slow down your speeds.

What is the best Android VPN right now?

NordVPN is our top pick for the best Android VPN right now. It offers capabilities beyond basic VPN services with a high level of security and great speeds. It’s popular, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s worth a try.

ZDNET authorshave tested VPNs for years, during which we’ve tested and compared over a dozenVPNs on their speed, security, the usability of their mobile interfaces, and the server networks on offer. We consider how each VPN performs on Android devices, its price point, and how each vendor approaches security. These are our top recommendations for the best VPNs for Android in 2025.

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Best Android VPNs of 2025

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NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs in the Google Play Store, but that is not why we think it’s the best VPN for Android.

Why we like it: It offers rock-solid performance, speed, and a large server network that carries it across the finish line.

This VPN allows 10 simultaneous connections under one account and has a server network across 111 countries. Its speed is excellent, and you will likely have no problemconnecting to streaming services, includingNetflixorAmazon Fire TV Stick. Although, we would like to see simultaneous connections become unlimited in the future.

NordVPN supports peer-to-peer file sharing, streaming, and various other platforms outside of Android. Its “Onion over VPN” feature removes the need for a separateTor browser. It offers add-ons, including a dedicated IP address,password manager, encrypted cloud storage, cyber protection coverage, and a data breach scanner.

Review:NordVPN

During our testing, NordVPN connected quickly and reliably to servers, although you’ll want to use the Smart Connect feature for the best performance.

Who it’s for: Customers like the speed and stability of the VPN and say support is top-notch, and we agree. This VPN will suit the majority of Android users and as a bonus, it won’t noticeably drain your battery, either.

Prices start at $3.09 per month if you purchase two years of service upfront, $5 per month for a one-year plan, or $13for a month-to-month subscription for basic protection. New users who subscribe to a one- or two-year plan get three free months of access added to their contract term.

Additionally, NordVPN is ZDNET’s pick forthe best school VPN.

If you’re still not 100% sold on choosing NordVPN, you can try it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Who should look elsewhere: One of the downsides of NordVPN is that it does not offer unlimited simultaneous connections. If this is important to you, check out one of our other recommendations.

Also: Best VPN for torrenting in 2025

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Surfshark is the best option for a cheap Android VPN to keep your mobile data secure and mask your activities.

Why we like it: In our speed testing, we found Surfshark’s performance to be reasonable, especially considering its price point. Surfshark is extremely easy to use with a robust server network across 100 countries. It supports unlimited simultaneous connections — an offering we always like to see VPN providers adopt — and should suit many users for day-to-day web surfing.

Also:Best iPhone VPN of 2025

The VPN also offers MultiHop, a feature that creates a more secure connection by routing you through two VPNs. A whitelist function allows apps and devices to bypass the VPN on your Android device. Additional complimentary tools include ad blocking, anti-tracking, andsplit tunneling.

Review:Surfshark VPN

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a budget-friendly VPN for their Android smartphone.

Surfshark is one of themost affordable VPNson the market, with two-year plans starting at $2 per month, plus three months of free access. Yearly plans offer the same number offreemonths and begin at $3.19 per month. One month of access costs $15.45.

A seven-day trial is available for Android devices. Customers like this VPN’s price point, service, and approach to security.

Who should look elsewhere: If speed is crucial, I would recommend ExpressVPN instead.

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ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that made our list due to its high speeds, expansive server network, and user-friendly app for Android devices.

Why we like it: ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, so you can easily find a server to connect to wherever you are. This is one of the largest that VPN providers currently offer.

During our testing, we found that ExpressVPN has some of the fastest and most stable connections andconsistently fast speeds. As a bonus, the Android app is very user-friendly.

In addition to supporting Android 5 and above, ExpressVPN works with various platforms and browser extensions, and an APK is available. Therefore, you should be able to use its app regardless of which devices you own, and you can use this VPN for far more than yourAndroid smartphoneortablet.

Review:ExpressVPN

Who it’s for: Anyone who prioritizes speed in a mobile VPN service.

ExpressVPN has recently moved to a tiered plan system, and so the old subscription cost of $6.67 per month on a two-year contract has been reduced to $3.49 per month on its basic plan, with four months of free access.

A seven-day trial for Android devices is available. Customers say that while this VPN isn’t the cheapest, it offers excellent speeds, a good server network, and solid customer support. Furthermore, ExpressVPN is ZDNET’s pick for thebest VPN for Chromeoverall.

Who should look elsewhere: If you need unlimited simultaneous connections, consider another of our recommendations, as this VPN provider’s maximum is 14.

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IPVanish markets itself as a click-and-go VPN service, but it’s much more than that. In terms of performance, IPVanish excels with unlimited simultaneous connections and solid transfers.

Why we like it: Overall, IPVanish delivers a solid user experience and VPN service compared to others, although its downside is sometimes lower speed. Now, its server network has expanded from 75 locations to 130 in 103 countries, making it among the largest networks available.

IPVanish also features a variety of protocols and server options, and there are extensive options for configuring the app itself.

Review:IPVanish

Who it’s for: Customers appreciate the support on offer, find the price point reasonable, and consider this VPN easy to set up. We agree and consider this a great choice if you want a set-and-forget VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections.

If you commit to two years, IPVanish offers a discounted plan for $2.19 per month. This increases to $3.33 per month for an annual plan and $13for a month-to-month subscription.

Who should look elsewhere: It doesn’t perform as well as some other competitors when it comes to speed and so if speed loss is of concern — or you plan to continually stream — consider another service.

Note: IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company. For more information, see ourEditorial Guidelines.

IPVanish features: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, Kodi, and routers |Logging: None, except billing data |Locations: 108 countries |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android and iOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.2|Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4.6

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Private Internet Access, also known as PIA, is another solid VPN choice for your Android phone.

Why we like it: It doesn’t have the most attractive user interface, but it is easy to understand. The server selection is reasonable with 91 locations to choose from. Our testing indicates that the speed is what we would call mid-tier, but the VPN connects quickly, and we haven’t experienced unexpected drops or lag.

Review:Private Internet Access

We also appreciate the fact that PIA offers its customers unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can protect as many devices as you wish under one account. Not every VPN provider offers this, but they should.

There is ano-logs policyand as a bonus, PIA supports WireGuard and is open-source, which means that third parties can examine its code and flag any security or privacy issues.

Who it’s for: Anyone who appreciates open source technologies, as this allows third parties to examine its code for privacy or security issues.

Customers generally like the service and its connectivity, but some note issues with customer service. You can sign up for a two-year plan for the equivalent of $2.19 per month with two months free, a six-month plan for $7.50 per month, or one month of access for $12. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Who should look elsewhere: Compared to some other VPN providers, offering 91 countries is quite low. If server location availability is important to you, consider another option.

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Android VPN	Price	Simultaneous connections	Countries	Money-back guarantee	Google Play Store rating
NordVPN	Starts at $3.09 per month	10	111	30 days, seven-day free trial	4.6/5
Surfshark	Starts at $2 per month	Unlimited	100	30 days, seven-day free trial	4.7/5
ExpressVPN	Starts at $3.49 per month	Eight	105	30 days, seven-day free trial	4.7/5
IPVanish	Starts at $2.19 per month	Unlimited	108	30 days, seven-day free trial	4.4/5
PIA	Starts at $2.19 per month	Unlimited	91	30 days, seven-day free trial	4.5/5

Note: The information presented in this table is accurate as of our last publish date, and prices, ratings, and other details may have changed since then.

We use our smartphones to access sensitive information and conduct online transactions more often than ever before, so staying secure on the internet while on the go is essential.

While you might focus your security on laptops and home PCs, you shouldn’t forget that your smartphone is often the key to your digital kingdom. You likely use it to access personal email accounts and hubs, work resources, social media, and financial services — and if you fail to protect it, you may be more at risk of having your accounts compromised.

With the right VPN, you can browse the internet anonymously, access geo-restricted content, and avoid being tracked by advertisers, hackers, and government surveillance.

Google’s Android operating system is embedded in billions of devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Android functions on a broad range of products, most of which are internet-connected, so it follows that VPN providers support this OS.

An Android VPN service is a virtual private network service that encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and provides you with an anonymous and secure connection while you’re using your Android device. These may include smartphones and tablets manufactured by companies including Google, Samsung, and OnePlus.

How to set up an Android VPN

Once you’ve chosen the VPN you want to install, go to the Google Play Store and search for it. In most cases, you can download the VPN app directly from the Google Play Store, but you may have to download it from the VPN provider’s site. If this is the case, please make sure you trust the vendor and domain.

For this example, we will be downloading and installing ExpressVPN on a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

vpn screenshot expressvpn mobile — Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

After downloading the app, you can install it, but you may have to provide the VPN with specific device permissions. Open it and log in to the service with the username/email and password you created when you subscribed.

vpn screenshot expressvpn mobile 3 — Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

In rare cases, you may have to set up a VPN service on your device manually. Most VPN providers have extensive FAQ sections on their sites with details on how to complete a manual setup. It’s best to reference those instructions for the specific VPN you’re using, and to contact support if you have any issues.

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of the ZDNET team. We’ve been talking about various VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

While ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, we can’t test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure.

We analyzed the best VPNs for Android below using the following criteria to help you make an informed decision:

Performance:Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags.
Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, a tablet, a laptop, a desktop, and possibly even a smart TV that you want to connect to a VPN, you’d need a service that allows at least six simultaneous connections.
Security: There’s no point using a VPN unless their security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.
Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
Geo-blocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. Given these factors, we ensured that our top recommendations performed well and were unlikely to slow down your connection while you were streaming.
Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our Android VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive mobile apps.
Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.
Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee, and many offer mobile users a seven-day trial.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

Choose this Android VPN…	If you want…
NordVPN	A do-it-all secure VPN. NordVPN is a versatile and reliable VPN service that offers high-speed connections and advanced security features for protecting your online privacy.
Surfshark	To pay less. Surfshark is an affordable VPN option that provides a range of useful features, including unlimited simultaneous connections, ad blocking, anti-tracking, and split tunneling.
ExpressVPN	A user-friendly, simple and speedy app. ExpressVPN is known for its easy-to-use interface and simple, user-friendly app that allows you to connect quickly and easily to servers around the world.
IPVanish	A plug-and-play Android VPN service. IPVanish is designed to be easy to set up and use, with unlimited connections and fast connection speeds for streaming and downloading.
PIA	An open-source Android VPN. Private Internet Access provides a user-friendly Android app, stable speeds and connectivity, and is open-source — meaning third parties can examine its code for security issues.

When you are selecting your new Android VPN, you need to consider the following factors:

Price: Weigh the overall cost of your new VPN plan. Try to take advantage of promotions, but ignore countdown timers — they typically are just marketing tools. While top-notch VPNs can cost upwards of $10 per month, many are available for only a few dollars per month. Many VPN providers will also give you a free seven-day Android trial. We generally recommend that you avoid free VPNs — with a few exceptions — as they may sell your data or bombard you with ads.
Simultaneous connections: If you’re paying for a VPN suitable for your Android phone, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as a desktop PC or a laptop. We recommend that you sign up for a plan with support for at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer unlimited connections.
Speed: Speed is of paramount importance when you want to use a VPN for certain use cases. If you plan to use your new Android VPN for streaming or mobile gaming, choose one with minimal speed loss.
Contract length: You also need to decide how long you want a VPN for. If you opt for a two-year term, you tend to secure the best prices, but there are other options available. After you’ve made a selection, you typically get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Support: As with any subscription software, you may come across problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with a support team available.
Apps: When selecting a VPN, try it out first to ensure you like its accompanying Android app. Some VPNs, for example, have great desktop software but lack a mobile app that is easy to use.
Free trial: Don’t forget that many VPN providers give you a week to try out their Android VPNs for free. Visit the Google Play Store and download the options you like and find the right app for you.

Latest news

ExpressVPN launched EventVPN, a free service based on an advertising model.
ProtonVPN passed its fourth independent security and no-logs policy audit with flying colors.
A surging wave of Akira ransomware is targeting SonicWall VPN deployments.

We do not typically recommend free VPN services due to their general lack of reliability and heavy restrictions. Several free VPNs for Android are, however, supported by premium paid subscriptions and are provided by trustworthy organizations.

These free services are generally safe to use, but they usually have severe data or performance limits, making them useful only as a way to test out the full service.

We recommend Proton VPN’s free service, which has no data caps, and Windscribe, a trustworthy free service. That said, Proton VPN restricts your speed, whereas Windscribe imposes a data cap.

The Android operating does have a VPN client that supports PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and IPSec protocols. The client is typically used for accessing private networks, such as when you need a VPN to connect to work resources— and you will need details provided by an administrator to use it. Most users will not need to enable this function and will, instead, download a VPN mobile app.

Some vendors have built upon the native Android client to offer tailored VPN functions. Samsung is among them, and the company’s own VPN solution is available through the Samsung Knox security framework. This service is focused on mobile device management, the enterprise, and developers, rather than consumers. If you’re interested, you can check out Samsung’s guide to enabling VPN services here.

See also: The best VPN routers you can buy

Most people’s phone data runs through a local carrier, which is difficult for hackers to intercept. Generally, you’re reasonably safe if you’re using your carrier’s cellular connection, but carriers have data caps and data carriage fees that can get expensive. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, carriers might charge you for hotspot use.

To avoid extra costs, you can use local Wi-Fi that coffee shops, airport lounges, hotels, and schools often offer for free. Unfortunately, these Wi-Fi hotspots are often open and easy to intercept. Having a VPN on your phone can protect your data when accessing the internet through one of these hotspots. In fact, I recommend never accessing the internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot without an active VPN.

Furthermore, you may want to consider using a VPN to stay secure and to be able to pick your preferred location if you are using your Android device to stream content.

See also: Best iPhone VPNs

To check if your VPN is safe and working properly, first choose a reputable vendor known to have a strong security background.

The easiest way to check that your VPN is working properly is to compare your IP address before and after enabling a VPN connection. You can find this under your device’s settings (typically under Wi-Fi) or by visiting whatismyipaddress.com. If they both display the same IP, your VPN may not be working properly.

You can also visit dnsleaktest.com to see if any DNS leaks are detected while you are using a VPN, which could be a sign that your information is being leaked.

Finally, be careful with free VPNs offered by unknown or shady companies, especially if they are outside of official app repositories. This could open your device to surveillance or malware.

The easiest way to turn off your VPN on Android is to open the VPN’s app and choose to disconnect. Alternatively, you can go to your Android device’s settings tab, select network (which may appear as connections or connection settings) and select “VPN.” Depending on your device, this may show a list of all apps with VPN profiles. From here, you can change the VPN’s settings or turn it off.

While all these technologies are intended to protect you and your device, they provide different layers of protection. VPNs fundamentally protect data in motion, which is sent to and from the internet. VPN protection is generally provided by encryption, so hackers can’t spy on the data while it moves. Some providers also bolt on malware scanners, data breach monitors, and more.

Anti-malware software protects against malicious software executing on your device. Those apps scan data, monitor running software processes and downloads, and may intercept suspicious activities or downloads. They may also include checking permissions and ensuring apps don’t have more control over your device than they need.

Also: Best free software uninstaller

A VPN is not a one-size-fits-all solution for mobile security, but it is an important part of overall mobile security hygiene and data protection.

Android VPN services are legal in the US, but the legality of VPNs varies from country to country. It is important to check the laws of your location before using a VPN. Some countries ban their use outright, such as North Korea, Belarus, and Iraq, whereas other countries, including Russia and China, frown upon the use of any VPN that is not state-controlled.

For a list of countries where VPN usage is illegal, check out NordVPN’s guide. Furthermore, take a peak at our comprehensive research on the best travel VPNs.

You shouldn’t experience any disruption when you receive or place a phone call while you are using a VPN.

A VPN will not encrypt or protect your phone calls. If you want to mask these forms of communication, you will need another solution, such as a protected Voice over IP (VoIP) service.

Yes, in relation to your IP address. Some VPNs also offer GPS spoofing. If a VPN is working properly, it will assign you a new IP address to make it appear that you are in a different location, which could be in your state, country, or somewhere else in the world.

Latest updates

September 2025: In ZDNET’s September update, we performed editorial and layout changes. We also updated our top picks and alternative options.

Alternative Android VPNs to consider

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CyberGhost is a great alternative to consider if you want a click-and-go mobile VPN while you’re on the go.

It’s fast and cheap, starting at $2.19 per month. The service is a reliable option for streaming with specialized servers assigned to the task.

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Proton VPN provides end-to-end encryption, strong privacy policies, and a range of advanced security features.

Free or paid plans are available, with entry-level options now only $3 per month.

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Windscribe is a robust, fast VPN that is great for accessing geo-locked streaming services.

Free or custom plans are available, and this VPN is one of only a handful of free VPN services we recommend.

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If you’ve enjoyed our best Android VPNs guide, consider our top mobile VPN picks, the best VPNs overall, and our favorite Apple iPhone VPNs.

The best Android VPN services of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

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