The best VPNs for Android keep your online activity on your Android devices private from your ISP or mobile phone carrier. With a VPN enabled, all of your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through a secure server, so your ISP and wireless carrier can't tell what apps you use or what websites you visit. By the same merit, apps and websites can't glean information about you, like your true IP address or general location. To pick the best of the best for Android, we performed extensive hands-on assessments on features and performance, including over 250 individual internet speed tests, streaming hours of videos various streaming platforms and checking for DNS leaks. We tried Android apps on phones and tablets to determine the best Android VPNs, but we also used apps on other operating systems, including iOS, Windows, MacOS, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV to make sure the user experience holds across platforms.
VPN DEALS OF THE WEEK
What's the best VPN for Android in 2025?
ExpressVPN is currently CNET's top pick as the best Android VPN, thanks to the outstanding performance of its Android app and its commitment to privacy and transparency. The Android app is intuitive without compromising on privacy features. Even better, ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol has been recoded to improve its speeds, security and overall performance -- so you can stay private and stream content smoothly, even on the go. However, ExpressVPN’s price tag is near the highest end of the spectrum.
Surfshark is one of the most wallet-friendly Android VPNs on our list. Don’t be fooled by the relatively low prices on Surfshark’s annual plans; there are no corners cut when it comes to privacy features. There are plenty of international server locations to pick from, fast connection speeds and many unique privacy extras. Surfshark offers a premium VPN experience without breaking the bank. Additionally, Surfshark allows an unlimited number of devices to connect simultaneously on a single subscription, making it ideal for Android users with a large number of other devices.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN for Android, which makes it invaluable if you want to stream content on your Android device (or on any other platform, for that matter). NordVPN also comes with some other unique utility features such as Meshnet. This allows you to easily transfer files between your devices through NordVPN’s encrypted network, which is a boon for any Android user looking to conveniently transfer files quickly and securely. In July 2025, NordVPN rolled out a scam call protection feature in its Android app, boosting its privacy and security offerings for Android users.
| ExpressVPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $13 per month, $75 total for the first 15 months (then $100 per year) or $98 total for the first 28 months (then $100 per year) | $15 per month, $48 total for the first 15 months or $54 total for the first 27 months (one- and two-year plans renew at $79 per year) | $13 per month, $70 for the first 15 months or $81 for the first 27 months (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year) |
| Server network | 3,000-plus servers in 105 countries | 4,500-plus servers in 100 countries | 7,800-plus servers in 126 countries |
| Average internet speed loss | 18% | 21% | 3% |
| Simultaneous connections | 10 | Unlimited | 10 |
| Supported platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Web browsers, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Web browsers, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Web browsers, Routers |
The best Android VPN of 2025
Best VPN Service Overall
ExpressVPN
Pros
- Strong commitment to privacy and transparency
- Forward-thinking security enhancements
- Excellent for streaming on the go
- Slick, user-friendly Android app
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
Cons
- Expensive
- No multihop connections
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Android, and a provider that demonstrates a steadfast commitment to privacy and transparency. It’s a safe choice for privacy-conscious VPN users, and also a fantastic option for casual users because it’s extremely simple to use, fast and excellent for streaming on Android devices.
Why we like it
With ExpressVPN, you’ll get a simple Android app interface, making ExpressVPN an ideal choice for beginners. In addition to Android, ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux iOS, Apple TV, Android TV and Fire TV Stick. ExpressVPN’s streaming performance is impressive. We were able to access content from popular streaming sites like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max and Amazon Prime Video on Android and across all other devices we tested. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN, which should be enough for most users.
You’ll want fast speeds for streaming and other data-heavy activities like gaming and video calls. Thankfully, ExpressVPN delivers. We measured an 18% average speed loss in our latest speed tests with ExpressVPN.
If you have heightened privacy needs, you’ll appreciate ExpressVPN’s approach to transparency and user privacy. The provider leads the industry with 23 independent audits since 2018 and sets a standard by consistently rolling out innovative privacy improvements. ExpressVPN has kept pace with post-quantum security standards, offering quantum-resistant encryption on its Lightway and WireGuard protocols. IP Shuffle is another helpful feature that works in the background and changes your IP address each time you load a website, which helps make it even more difficult to track you online. ExpressVPN’s kill switch works as advertised and we encountered no leaks in our latest tests. ExpressVPN's TrustedServer technology takes the RAM-only server infrastructure to the next level by reinstalling the entire server stack in addition to wiping any data with every reboot.
ExpressVPN is a well-rounded VPN and one of the very best you can buy. But the catch is that you’ll pay a premium. The monthly subscription plan costs $13 per month, which is pretty standard across the industry. If you choose the yearly subscription, you’ll pay $75 total for the first 15 months (renewing at $100 per year) or $98 total for the first 28 months (renewing at $100 per year). ExpressVPN offers a a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have the opportunity to try the service before fully committing.
- Also featured in: Best VPN Service, Best VPN for iPhone
Best cheap VPN
Surfshark
Pros
- Lots of unique privacy features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent for streaming Netflix, Disney Plus and others on the go
- User-friendly app experience on Android
Cons
- 14 Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- Recent significant increase to renewal prices
Surfshark is a solid option for anyone looking for a premium Android VPN experience for a cheaper price than ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Surfshark offers an impressive roster of useful premium features that deliver a lot of value. It can’t quite match NordVPN’s speed or ExpressVPN’s overall privacy position, but it comes remarkably close at a cheaper price. All in all, Surfshark is a top-notch VPN for Android that demonstrates consistent improvement year after year.
Why we like it
Surfshark’s Android app is slick and simple to use, as are the apps it offers on other platforms including Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV and Android TV. Surfshark’s streaming experience was solid on Android, expertly unblocking content on popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus and Max. Its overall performance is in line with what we would expect from a top-tier VPN service, and it offers unlimited simultaneous connections while most VPNs limit you to 10 or fewer.
We’re impressed with Surfshark’s consistently fast speeds over the past few years, with an average speed loss hovering in the high-teens. We measured an average speed loss of 21% in our 2025 speed tests -- which is technically slower than previous years, but shouldn’t result in a noticeable difference in practice. Surfshark’s network of over 3,200 servers across 100 different countries is large, but somewhat smaller than those provided by ExpressVPN (105 countries), Proton VPN (126 countries) and NordVPN (126 countries). A large network of servers like what Surfshark offers can help ensure fast speeds and stable connections by minimizing congestion and offering more options for more users to connect to servers nearby their physical location.
In addition to standard VPN privacy features on Android, Surfshark includes a few unique features that help it stand out from the pack. Dynamic Multihop lets you tunnel through any two server locations of your choosing for an added layer of privacy, and Rotating IP switches your IP address every few minutes, making it harder to track you online. Surfshark’s Alternative ID lets you generate an alter-ego complete with full name, birthdate, physical address, and email address that you can use online without divulging your true identity. Another unique feature that Surfshark offers on Android is the ability to override your GPS location, which can help you unblock streaming content -- like sports or local broadcasts -- on services that rely on GPS to detect your location. You also have the option to use smaller IP packets on Android if you're experiencing issues on your mobile network.
Surfshark includes post-quantum protections on its WireGuard protocol to protect against potential future threats from quantum computers. Even though Surfshark is still playing catch-up in terms of transparency, we’re encouraged by company representatives telling us that the company is committing to annual third-party audits.
While Surfshark’s $15.45 per month rate makes it one of the most expensive monthly subscription prices in the industry, pricing for its longer-term plans is reasonable. The yearly plan costs a total of $48 for the first 15 months, while the two-year plan costs a total of $54 for the first 27 months, with both the annual and two-year plans renewing at $79 per year. Surfshark’s renewal prices increased this year, but its overall price is still significantly cheaper than expensive VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Like many other VPNs, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with the service.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Windows, Best VPN for Fire TV
Best VPN for Speed
NordVPN
Pros
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Solid privacy and transparency
- Great for streaming Netflix, Hulu and other services on Android
- User-friendly Android app
Cons
- Exorbitant renewal pricing
- Limited split-tunneling control on Android
NordVPN is the fastest Android VPN, making it a great choice for people who need fast speeds for video streaming, mobile gaming or lag-free Zoom calls on their Android devices. It also offers a handful of privacy-boosting options and some innovative features such as Meshnet. While Express remains slightly ahead in privacy and transparency, and other VPNs offer cheaper long-term prices, NordVPN still provides an impressive all-around service that continues to improve. In July 2025, NordVPN released a scam call protection feature on Android, making it an even more compelling mobile VPN.
Why we like it
In our testing, NordVPN was an excellent choice for streaming on Android, effortlessly unblocking content on popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Max. Additionally, we had no issues watching BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, Hulu, Crunchyroll and several other regional streaming services.
With a sizable roster of 7,800-plus servers across 126 countries, NordVPN is excellent for international travel -- its global reach is slightly more than Proton VPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN. Although NordVPN doesn't allow for unlimited simultaneous connections like Surfshark does, its 10 simultaneous device allowance should still be plenty for most people.
Alongside the industry-standard NordLynx (WireGuard-based) and OpenVPN VPN protocols, Nord offers its proprietary obfuscation-oriented NordWhisper on Android, which disguises your VPN traffic as traditional web traffic to bypass firewalls and hide your VPN use. NordWhisper could be helpful in situations like on school Wi-Fi, or any other situation where the network you’re on doesn’t play nicely with VPNs. You’ll get double VPN (which routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one) and Onion over VPN servers (which use Tor) to make it even more difficult to trace your traffic back to its source. Meshnet lets you create a virtual local network of PCs, mobile devices and streaming devices for secure file sharing or hosting LAN parties. NordVPN's audited no-logs policy helps add peace of mind, and we detected no DNS leaks during our latest tests.
Initially, NordVPN offers decent value at $13 per month, $70 total for the first 15 months or $81 total for the first 27 months. However, the annual and two-year plans renew at an astronomical $140 per year, which is considerably more than the $79 to $80 that Surfshark and Proton VPN renew for. Despite its exorbitant renewal price, NordVPN is a superb VPN for everyone from streaming fanatics to people with critical privacy needs. If you're not satisfied with the service, your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Streaming, Best VPN for Netflix
ExpressVPN has cutting-edge privacy and security features and is a recipient of a CNET Editor’s Choice award. It’s extremely simple to use, fast and excellent for streaming. Right now, you can get 61% off when you sign up for a two-year subscription, plus four free months on any of ExpressVPN’s three subscription tiers.
Factors to consider in an Android VPN
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
No matter which VPN you use on Android or any other device, the bare minimum for consideration is that it protects your privacy. Look for a VPN that uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption over the OpenVPN protocol, or ChaCha20 over WireGuard or IKEv2. These protocols have received intense scrutiny from the open-source community and are widely trusted, so you can rely on them to keep your data private.
There are also a few privacy features you’ll need to look out for. Any serious VPN provider will offer a kill switch, which kills your internet connection if you suddenly get cut off from your VPN, keeping your IP address and online activity private. You’ll also want to look for DNS leak protection and an audited no-logs policy. Independent audits are one of the best ways to assess whether a VPN provider is truly committed to keeping your data private. It's also important to review your VPN's privacy policy, which should be easy to understand and include clear language related to data collection and sharing. If you’re a power user, you may appreciate advanced features like split tunneling, which lets you use a VPN for some traffic but not others.
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 based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and offers obfuscation. Obfuscation works to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN by disguising your VPN traffic as normal HTTPS browsing traffic. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities for an extra layer of privacy, ad and tracker blockers and multihop connections, which encrypt your traffic twice through two separate VPN servers rather than just one.
Speed
ExpressVPN, Nord VPN and Surfshark are among the fastest VPNs we tested.
Your VPN's speed performance can have a major effect on activities like streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming and general web browsing. To keep things running smoothly, you'll want to look for a VPN that has as minimal an impact on your regular internet speeds as possible. A fast VPN should only drop your internet download speeds by an average of 25% or less, with the fastest VPN we tested dropping our speeds by a mere 3%. Keep in mind that you might end up with slower speeds and worse latency if you're connecting to a server that's far away from your current location. It’s worth checking out a VPN provider’s server location list before you commit to make sure there’s a server relatively close to you.
Usability
A good Android VPN should run smoothly and be easy to use, regardless of your technical expertise. It should have all of the features you need easily accessible with a tap of your finger. Many Android VPN apps also include an easy way to get in touch with support directly from the device, which can be helpful if you need assistance on the go. Your Android VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably from wherever you are, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from various regions.
Cost
VPN prices can vary greatly from on provider to another, 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 about $5 to $15 per month for a VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, where introductory prices range from roughly $30 to $100 for the first year and renewal prices come in around $50 to $150 annually. Be careful with free VPNs because you may end up putting your privacy at risk instead of protecting it. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN that CNET recommends.
There are a lot of other free VPNs out there, especially on mobile platforms. But it’s very hard to confirm whether most of them have sensible no-logs policies. Especially in the case of completely free VPNs, they tend to monetize your data use by showing you ads or selling your browsing data to marketing companies. In the very worst cases, they’re just spyware apps masquerading as VPNs that hackers use to scoop up your passwords and bank account details for identity theft attacks. You might be tempted to save a few dollars by using a free VPN, but it could end up costing you more than you bargained for.
There are several ways to try out a VPN before you buy one, especially if you’re mostly concerned about Android devices. It’s not unusual for a VPN provider to offer some sort of money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the service, which usually covers anywhere between the first week to 45 days of a subscription. Be warned, you should look up the terms beforehand to make sure you’re eligible for a refund. Some providers won’t offer you a refund unless there’s an explicit technical issue with the VPN, whereas others will hand your money back with no questions asked. There’s also the option of trying out a seven-day trial through the Play Store, which most VPN providers offer when you sign up. Again, you need to be savvy here. You’ll be charged through your payment details linked to the Play Store at the end of the free trial period, and depending on the provider, you may be locked into a year-long plan or longer up front. If you’re not happy with the service, make sure you unsubscribe fully and delete the app before your trial period is over.
Streaming
While VPNs are privacy tools first and foremost, they're also great for unblocking geo-restricted streaming content. Because you can make apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer register your connection as originating in another location, you can watch foreign content libraries, and maybe even save money using a VPN for streaming. For streaming on Android phones, tablets or Android TV boxes, you may want to consider one of the best VPNs for Netflix or best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video.
How we test Android VPNs
To evaluate the best VPNs for Android, we run through the features offered on each VPN's Android app and test them over the course of several weeks to see how they stack up to similar features offered by other VPN providers.
Speed
To gain a sense of the VPN's speed performance, we run over 250 individual internet speed tests per provider, including testing speeds to different countries and on different protocols. Then we calculate the average speed lost while connected to each VPN.
Usability and features
We evaluate the look and feel of the app and the overall usability of the software, and we test to see how easy it is to connect to a server and how easy it is to search for and find a specific server to connect to. Additionally, we test the performance and reliability of the VPN connection on each of the protocols available in the provider's Android app.
Privacy
Because privacy is paramount, we test for leaks and assess each service's privacy features, including its kill switch functionality to ensure everything is working as it should on Android. We also pore through privacy policies to look for potential red flags.
Value
We evaluate each provider's prices to determine the service's overall value. Ideally, we like to see easy access to 24/7 live support directly from the Android app interface, so people can get the help they need while on the go. We also take into consideration overall performance and features that go above and beyond the standard on Android and set a VPN provider apart from the pack.
Other VPNs we tested
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based open-source VPN provider that is staunchly committed to user privacy. Proton VPN's Android app is easy to use and includes a kill switch that's always on by default, and a VPN Accelerator feature that the company says can boost your VPN speeds up to 400%. If you're looking for a free VPN, Proton is the only one that CNET recommends.
On Android, you can even change the Proton VPN app icon to a discreet app icon that says Weather, Notes or Calculator, hiding the fact that you have a VPN installed on your mobile device. Alongside its Stealth VPN protocol, which uses obfuscation to mask your VPN usage, Proton is a great choice for anyone with serious privacy concerns, like asylum seekers, investigative journalists or political activists. But it's an excellent VPN for streaming or gaming as well. Whether you want to unblock streaming services or have critical privacy needs, Proton VPN is an excellent choice.
Proton VPN doesn’t implement bandwidth limits on its free tier, but it still comes with a few restrictions. Instead of being able to access servers in all 126 countries on its 13,600-plus server network, you’ll only be able to connect to the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Canada, Norway, Singapore, Poland and the US. You also won’t get access to Proton’s premium features such as Tor over VPN, Secure Core servers or its ad-blocker add-on. If you’re looking to upgrade to the premium plan, the monthly price starts at $10. You’ll pay $48 for the first year or $72 for the first two years. Both of these plans renew yearly at $80 per year and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish
IPVanish is a decent VPN for Android that delivers a satisfactory mobile app experience for beginners. (Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) IPVanish's Android app includes features like a kill switch, split tunneling, protocol selection (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), threat protection and a direct connection to 24/7 customer support. The VPN offers servers in 111 countries, making it an intriguing choice for travel and international streaming. However, the 44% average speed loss we measured in our most recent speed tests puts it well behind the competition.
IPVanish costs $13 per month, $40 for the first year or $52 total for the first two years. The introductory pricing on the longer-term plans is mostly fair for what you get because it has a large server network and unlimited simultaneous connection allowance. But the annual and two-year plans renew at $90 per year after the initial billing period. At those prices, it's extremely difficult to recommend IPVanish considering its sluggish speeds, unremarkable feature set and average overall performance.
IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but only if you get the annual or two-year plan, which could be a disappointment to anyone who buys a monthly subscription and decides they don't like the service.
