Phones and tablets running Android OS are widely used due to their mobility and versatility. With these convenient devices, users can buy goods on the Internet, conduct financial transactions and communicate over social networks.
Confidentiality and security are especially important when doing any of the above, and unfortunately, modern Internet providers and anti-virus software cannot always provide for both of these things, leaving users open to hacker exploits.
One surefire solution is to make use of the best Android VPN applications. They help ensure your anonymity and security on the Internet by transmitting user data in encrypted form through secure servers.
But how does one choose the best VPN application for Android?
When choosing a VPN, it is important to give preference to trusted software from well-known companies. By sticking to this game plan, you will pick a program that will protect your personal information on the network using advanced encryption technologies.
As a result, you can freely visit most websites without worrying that your data may be compromised. Your anonymity will also be guaranteed, since almost all best mobile VPNs on Android can hide the IP addresses of their owners, keeping their location “incognito”.
In order to find the VPN that best suits your personal needs, it is important to pay attention to all of its functionalities. The following features will be an additional plus for any Android VPN:
- compatibility with popular streaming services such as Netflix;
- option to download torrent files at high speed;
- no restrictions on Internet traffic;
- ability to access blocked websites;
- built-in ad blocker;
- protection against data leakage when using public networks such as Wi-Fi.
All of the above functionalities (to a certain extent) are available in the 9 best mobile VPNs for Android OS described in this review. They have been recognized not only by Internet users but also by many leading virtual security analysts.
Norton
The launch of Norton, one of the best Android VPN-clients, took place in 2016. Norton was released by the American company Symantec. When developing its software, Symantec put a lot of emphasis on the security of user data and the incorporation of AES-256 technology, which provides military-grade encryption. However, useful options like DNS and IPv6, which provide data confidentiality while surfing, are not included with this program. This increases the risk of information leakage when using non-American servers.
Price: 39.99$
The provider compensated for the lack of these functions by adding a Kill Switch tool, which is supremely useful because it cuts off your Internet signal when your VPN connection is interrupted. That way, cybercriminals have no chance of stealing your data when the VPN signal is disconnected.
Prices and Plans
Norton offers their services at a very affordable cost. Truly one of the best VPNs for the money, Norton costs only $3.33 per month when you purchase an annual plan. The month-by-month plan by itself is more expensive – $7.99. After purchasing a paid pricing plan, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with one profile. Within 60 days, a full refund is available if you are not satisfied with the services provided.
Interface and Speed
Norton VPN stands out due to its features, convenience, and simplicity. Its interface is minimalistic – the only things users can do are select a desired server and turn the application on or off. In total, Norton offers over 70 servers in more than 25 countries around the world.
The speed of this VPN app differs markedly in different regions. High performance software performed at speeds of up to 40-60 Mbps on American and European servers. However, when connected to Latin American and Asian servers, that speed was reduced to 3-10 Mbps.
What else is there to know about Norton?
As one of the best VPN apps for Android, the Norton app has several key features:
- Access to the streaming platform Netflix is only possible through Canadian servers;
- Downloading torrents is not possible;
- you can purchase a plan with a bank card or e-wallet – cryptocurrency is not accepted.
Like most of the best VPNs for Android phones, Norton does not keep logs of user data. None of the sites that you visit, view and use are saved in Symantec’s logs, which means you can enjoy absolute anonymity from Norton’s service.
Install Norton VPNNord
This provider is often recognized as the best VPN in reviews of many online publications. Nord first appeared on the market in 2019, and it currently offers users the ability to connect to more than 5,000 servers in 60 countries around the world – some of the best numbers on the VPN services market. The service is compatible with all popular operating systems, including Android.
Price: 3.29$
You can enjoy all of the benefits of this software for $3.99 per month with a 2-year subscription. A monthly subscription alone will cost a bit more – $11.95. Users can also choose from a semi-annual and annual pricing plan for $9/month and $6.99/month, respectively. The provider guarantees a refund only within the first 30 days.
How to Use Nord VPN on Android
To get started with this client, you should first visit the provider’s official website. You will then have to create an account and download the installation file to your Android device. Next, install the software following the simple instructions.
After the application appears on the screen of your phone/tablet, you need to either select the appropriate server in your settings or use an automatic connection. If you select “automatic connection”, the VPN will automatically run every time the device is turned on.
We recommend activating the Kill Switch option immediately. It is immensely useful, as it instantly cuts off your Internet connection if there is no VPN-signal. This will prevent your data from leaking into the network.
What does Nord VPN Do on Android?
In addition to the Kill Switch function, Nord is equipped with several other helpful features:
- AES-256 technology – encrypts personal data at a military level;
- CyberSec – a function that helps block ads and recognizes malware on the Internet in real time;
- DoubleVPN technology – encrypts Internet traffic twice, passing it through 2 servers at the same time;
- OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2 protocols – transmit all information in encrypted form and hide your real IP address.
Among these benefits, it is also worth noting the ability to watch videos through streaming resources including Netflix, and no restrictions on torrent downloads. You can connect up to 6 gadgets on Android to your paid account.
Install Nord VPNHide.ME
The Hide.Me service distinguishes itself from the competition through the quality work of its technical support, simple interface, and large number of encryption protocols that ensure a high level of user data protection. The developer of this secure VPN service for Android is the Malaysian company eVentureLimited, which offers both paid and free subscription plans.
As a result, you can choose from one of two pricing plans: Plus or Premium. The Plus plan costs $5.42 per month when purchasing a one-year subscription and allows one device to be connected to your account. However, you cannot download more than 75 GB of files. You’ll have to pay $11.67/month for the Premium plan, which allows you to connect up to 5 devices to your account and removes traffic restrictions. As for the free subscription goes, you’ll have access to just 3 servers and up to 2 GB of downloads with this plan.
What is Hide.ME VPN on Android?
Hide.ME has developed a practical and convenient application that encrypts all incoming and outgoing information using AES-256 technology, providing users with military-grade security.
That means you can easily check out using digital money when shopping online with Hide.ME. Even if your passwords, logins and other information fall in the hands of malicious third parties, nothing can come of it since all of your information is rendered in a series of continuous ciphers.
Your data security is totally assured when connecting to all 1,400+ servers in over 50 countries. Speed trackers for each of them reach 40-60 Mbps, which allows you to download torrents without delay and watch streaming videos. This is possible due to the fact that all of the servers belong personally to eVentureLimited.
Other Benefits of this VPN Client
Hide.ME service has a few more advantages:
- availability of OpenVPN, L2TP, IKEv2 and SoftEther protocols – securely encrypt data, even when connected to Wi-Fi;
- unlimited internet traffic;
- 24/7 technical support for clients (you can contact their specialists by e-mail or via online chat);
- the ability to circumvent locked web-portals, including those with overlaid state filters.
When providing its services, the Hide.Me VPN for Android phones does not take into account or store information about user activity. On its website, the provider has stated that they carry out zero logging. This assertion has been regularly confirmed over the course of several audits carried out by leading web-security analysts.
Surfshark VPN
The Surfshark private network was launched in 2018 by a company of the same name located in the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands have no laws regarding mandatory user data logging, so the provider offers its services with total anonymity, concealing your IP address and keeping zero logs.
Price: 2.49$
Confidentiality is guaranteed on all of the company’s 3,200 servers in more than 60 countries. If desired, users can enter the network under the same IP address by choosing the corresponding option in their settings.
What is the Surfshark VPN for Android?
Surfshark helps keep you safe when surfing the web. Once it is downloaded and installed, it can run alongside any OS that is already installed on your device, including Android. As this software is relatively lightweight, it does not affect your device’s performance in any way.
The client assures total user data security thanks to its built-in 256-bit military grade encryption. The presence of this technology makes it impossible for hackers to steal information from the company’s servers.
The Kill Switch and Clean Web features provide even more protection. The Kill Switch instantly cuts off access to the network if it detects that the VPN-connection has been lost, which prevents your personal data from leaking out into the internet. Clean Web helps block ads and recognizes malware on the websites you visit in real time.
Program Cost
Surfshark offers affordable prices for its services. An annual subscription with monthly billing costs just $2.49. By purchasing this plan, you will get both a good VPN for Android and an additional 12 months of free use. No other provider on the market offers a promotion like this at the moment.
The rest of the subscriptions are not as cost-beneficial. Surfshark offers a 1-month subscription for $12.95 and a six-month subscription with a monthly price tag of $6.49. All pricing plans are refundable within 30 days.
What else stands out about this VPN service?
Among the obvious benefits of Surfshark are:
- high speeds when connecting to all servers (except South African ones);
- no download restrictions for torrents;
- unhindered access to Netflix and others streaming services;
- easy installation: download this VPN app from the official Surfshark portal, then click on “Install” and “Run”.
If you have any technical problems, you can contact support via online chat or e-mail.
Install Surfshark VPNAtlas
This TOP Android VPN list would not be complete without mention of the Atlas app, created by American company Peakster Technologies Inc. It appeared on the market as recently as early 2020, but has already become popular all over the world.
High demand for the program is based in an array of client-friendly conditions, in particular, the ability to connect to more than 500 servers in 17 countries. Each server boasts fast regional speeds of up to 50-60 Mbps. The only exception is American servers, where the speed drops to 30-40 Mbps, but even these numbers are enough to watch 4K video and download torrents in just a few minutes.
Functionalities
After you download Atlas VPN for Android with a paid subscription (which costs only $1.39 when purchasing a 3-year subscription), you can enjoy all the software’s many benefits and useful features:
- AES-256 protocol. Reliably protects user data with military-grade encryption;
- additional IPSec, IKEv2, and Ipv6 protocols, which provide protection against the majority of web threats, including when connected to public Wi-Fi;
- Kill Switch function, which automatically severs your Internet connection when the VPN-signal is interrupted to keep your data safe from the network;
- SafeBrowse option, which notifies you when you open web-portals infected with malware.
After purchasing a paid plan, you can connect an unlimited number of devices to your account. This functionality is not available with the free version.
Streaming and Torrents
A safe VPN service for Android, Atlas is compatible with the most of the top streaming resources including Netflix, HBO, and Prime. Watching video content on these sites it is possible in 4K format and without traffic restrictions. On top of that, this feature is available in both the paid and free versions.
Torrent support is available on all dedicated servers even if download speeds remain high only for owners of paid plans, reaching an average of 800 Kbps. With the free version, it may take several hours or even days to download one torrent.
Anonymity is guaranteed when uploading files and performing other actions. Atlas does not keep any logs whatsoever or transmit data to government agencies.
HMA
When choosing a top rated VPN for Android, many users prefer this client developed by UK company Hide My Ass. Its key benefit is 100% user data security thanks to AES-256 technology, which is built into the client and guarantees that all information is encrypted at a military level.
HMA also offers OpenVPN, Ipv4, and Ipv6 protocols, which protect users from web threats and conceal their IP addresses completely from outside parties, including their regional provider. As a result, users can enjoy absolute anonymity when surfing the Internet and downloading files.
But how does one use the HMA VPN for Android?
To start using the application, you must first download it from the official website of Hide My Ass. Create an account and enter the activation key that is sent to your registration e-mail.
After your profile becomes available, you should subscribe to one of the available pricing plans and download the application. The most profitable membership costs $2.99 per month provided that you purchase a 3-year subscription.
On Android devices, the download should only take a few seconds. Next, you need to install the program on your device and log in using the same activation key. After starting the program, you can choose the appropriate server in the settings or put your trust in the service, which will select the best option for you. If a portal doesn’t open, you should try to update the IP address.
Benefits of a Private Network
Purchasing a plan with HMA will allow you to enjoy the following features:
- over 1,000 servers in 190 countries around the world;
- no data leaks due to the Kill Switch, a feature that instantly shuts down your Internet connection if your VPN connection is severed;
- the ability to connect to one account to up to 5 devices on Android;
- no logs – the program only keeps track of software glitches and client connection times in order to run general analyses of their work.
The application is also compatible with popular streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC, and Hulu. These websites can be enjoyed at speeds of at up to 10 Gb/sec, which allows you to watch videos without delays. Torrent downloads are also fast, but only if you connect through European servers.
Rus
The VPN service Rus was created in 2017 by a team of Russian developers. Since the firm is registered in the Dominican Republic, users can count on complete anonymity of personal data. According to the laws of the Dominican Republic, web services providers are not allowed to divulge information about their customers. Rus fully adheres to this charter by keeping no logs, and this has been confirmed by numerous audits.
Rus’ software was originally developed as a cross-platform solution, so you can easily complete your VPN app download on Android and install it in just a few clicks. A 3-year subscription will cost $2.99 per month. In the first 30 days, users can seek a refund for users if their traffic has not exceeded 500 megabytes.
Privacy and Security
The Rus VPN applies a suite of standard protocols to protect user data, including OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP. AES-256 technology is also provided, which encrypts all of a user’s internet traffic. Since the encryption takes place on private, remote servers, no one, not even your provider, will be able to find out what you are doing on the Internet.
In case your VPN connection is suddenly interrupted, a Kill Switch option is provided that instantly cuts off the Internet, making it impossible for your data to leak into the network. However, a lack of an ad blocker and built-in antivirus are worth noting as shortcomings. On the basis of these merits, the Rus app is outperformed by many of the best paid VPNs for Android.
Other Characteristics of the Software
Before using Rus VPN, you should consider the following features:
- the app interface is available in Russian only;
- ability to connect to more than 300 servers in 30 countries (of which only 4 are available in the paid plans);
- You can only get in touch with support through their feedback form or e-mail;
- this software can unlock streaming services, including Netflix.
When connecting to private servers, Rus VPN provides enough speed to watch videos without lagging. Traffic volume isn’t tracked either, so users can use streaming websites and download torrents without restrictions.
Hola
One of the best VPNs for phones is the Israeli software solution Hola, which stands among the competition for several reasons. First of all, it provides special services – unlike the rest of the VPNs on this list, it does not allocate servers for connection, and instead invites users to exchange IP addresses in exchange for the ability to use a shared web-net.
Simply put, by choosing Hola VPN, you provide other participants with access to your home Internet, and in return have the ability to connect to a server in any country in the world that is of interest to you.
Personal Data Security
Considering the peculiarities of a peer-to-peer VPN such as Hola, it cannot be called anonymous or safe by a long shot. All of your personal information is in plain sight, as users exchange access to their home Internet with each other. With this approach, your data and IP address will always be visible to other network members.
To ensure anonymity and security, you need to buy a Premium account, and there are 4 available plans. The cheapest one costs $2.99 per month with a 3-year subscription. Payments can be made by credit card or Pay Pal, and refunds are issued within 30 days of purchase.
What else is there to know about Hola?
This peer-to-peer VPN service has a few more features that are important to keep in mind:
- downloading torrents is not available;
- no ability to visit Netflix or other streaming platforms that are instantly blocked off when they see a peer-to-peer VPN;
- frequent drops in speed due to high network congestion (according to the company Hole, the number of Hola users exceeds 40 million);
- lack of a Kill Switch function – this forces you to manually from disconnect the Internet if you lose your VPN connection to avoid data leakage.
Thus, Hola cannot be considered a 100% good Android VPN, due to the fact that all its participants are vulnerable to Internet scammers. On the other hand, this service is a great way to quickly change your IP address and gain access to websites blocked in your country.
VPN Unlimited
This application was developed by New York company KeepSolid. Immediately after its launch, this software solution became a top VPN for Android. Users and experts praised the program’s multifunctionality, user-friendly interface and great server network with over 1,200 servers in 80 countries.
Price: 3.99$
To evaluate all the functionality of this VPN-service for Android, we recommend purchasing a 3-year subscription at $2.78 per month. The provider also offers a lifetime license for $199.99, which is a unique offering on the VPN market.
Main Technical Characteristics
KeepSolid encrypts all information on private servers, which makes user data inaccessible to online scammers. Additional protection is provided using Openvom, IKEv2, and IPSec protocols, and users can select the protocol they want in the software’s settings.
For even more security, VPN Unlimited offers a proprietary application tool – KeepSolidWise, which passes all Internet traffic through TCP 443 private ports, rendering it unreadable to outsiders. These useful functions are provided for any device running on Android.
Key Benefits of a Private Network
VPN Unlimited is often recognized as one of the best on the market due to a number of technical benefits:
- good compatibility with known streaming resources including Netflix;
- Support of torrents (only on certain servers);
- unlimited Internet traffic;
- access to rare servers in American cities and regions;
- uninterrupted work anywhere in the world, including in Asian countries, where the majority of VPNs are not supported.
On its official portal, the company KeepSolid declares that it keeps zero logs. The only data that it records is technical information about the time of users’ connection, the devices from which they entered the network, and any glitches that occurred while the software was working. The provider needs this information for general analysis and improvement of their service.
Install VPN UnlimitedPanda VPN
PandaVPN is a software that encapsulates all you need for your android. It comes with several servers including Russia and China which are rare in this space. The VPN has been here for a while and it continues to increase in popularity over the years.
Price: 2.49$
Here is a VPN that may not be fancy but does everything you want for your Android. It contains no data leaks which is great for surfing the web. You will be able to get in for $2.49 per month which is a good value for money. A subscription license extends to five devices so if you have multiple Androids, it will come in handy.
Extensive Servers and Great Security
The VPN extends to several countries and you can find up to 70 different locations. One standout feature is the inclusion of China and Russia. Gamers who would love to access those areas would find this software very useful. It surprisingly also has a Japanese server. Although you could choose to opt for the smart connect which automatically picks the best for you.
The software comes fully loaded with an effective 256-bit AES security encryption. If you are familiar with VPNs and other softwares like this, you will know that this is the best in the industry. It clears out the worries of your private information being leaked.
Great for Torrenting and Unblocking websites
PandaVPN may not be the fastest of VPNs but it gets the job done. There are selective servers that help you to get torrents and get them at a fairly decent speed. While some claim that it is quite slow for this purpose, others claim that it gets the job done fine. It depends on your preference.
Unblocking a couple of websites also works fine with PandaVPN. You can use other countries’ servers to access files and websites that are not available in yours. The kill switch makes it impossible to track you if your connection goes off.
Install Panda VPN