Best VPN For Android | Secure Your Phones From Threats

In this buying guide, You will learn about the importance of VPN for android and I have listed the best VPN for your android. I will also help in choosing the best one among them and have given the VPN Android setup guides in steps. 

This is an unbiased article and all the VPNs listed here are personally used and tested by me. The VPNs listed are all reliable and work well with Android.


OVERVIEW

The Android operating system is installed in most of the smartphones in the world and it has billions of active users every day. Though Google's Android operating system is secure it is not an exception from the prying eyes of the hackers. 

In order to safeguard your android device from malicious attacks and to unblock good streaming content which is geo-restricted, you need the help of a VPN. 

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VPN is a private network that has the ability to mask your IP address and improve your online anonymity thus enhancing privacy. Since your IP address is spoofed using VPN no one can monitor your online activity. 

VPNs generally use a set of protocols which it can easily give security and privacy to your device in which it is installed.


WHY DO YOU NEED A VPN FOR ANDROID

Imagine a situation where you go to a restaurant and use the free public Wi-Fi available there. After eating you do the payment online using your android device. 

But you suddenly notice that your amount is not paid to the restaurant and a huge amount has been deducted from your account, which means the hackers or any third party has hacked your account while you were using the public Wi-Fi which was available at the restaurant. 

So whenever you use the public Wi-Fi your information is at risk. It is a terrible thing if the hackers hack your bank credentials, your private information, pictures, contact details, etc from your android phone. So you could avoid this situation if you had installed a VPN in your device.

A VPN aka Virtual Private Network not only protects your device from hackers but it gives you safe internet access. It also encrypts your data and improves your security and privacy using best security protocols like PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec.

It also helps in spoofing your IP address and gives the ability to change your location and enjoy watching many web streaming content available.


BENEFITS OF USING A VPN FOR ANDROID

Apart from protecting your information from hackers and improving your privacy, there are so many benefits present for the VPN users. Let's take a look.

Unblock web streaming content

If you are from the US and if you use Netflix US then you can watch only the content allocated for your location. Say for example you can't enjoy Netflix India content because of geo-restriction. But you can simply overcome this by using the best VPN for Android devices. 

Why I'm mentioning the VPN for android is because not all VPN are capable of unblocking web streaming content for you. Don't worry, the VPNs which I have listed in this article are some of the best ones which can simply unblock any web streaming content.

Online anonymity

If you are a person who is concerned more about your privacy then you must have a VPN installed in your android device. Even when you use incognito mode in your device your browsing history can be tracked by your Internet Service Provider. 

So a VPN can help you to avoid this by masking your IP and encrypting your data thus no third party can monitor what you surf online.

Remote control

The greatest advantage of using a VPN is in case of a company is that you can easily access information remotely from anyplace ie. even from your home, and you don't have to worry about security since the VPN can take care of it. 

So the access to important data remotely can simply increase the productivity of the company which is something amazing.

Buying cheap tickets

One of the biggest secrets that many people are not aware of using a VPN is that flight tickets can be bought at a cheap price. Yes, you heard it right. By changing your location you can book flight tickets where they are available at a cheap price. 

But you have to do some research to find out in which country the ticket price is available at a low price before booking it.

Avoid throttling problem

Despite your good connection, you might get irked when the throttling and buffering problems occur while watching your favorite shows online. Nobody wants it to happen because it can irritate you and test your patience to an extreme level. 

So in order to avoid this, have a VPN installed in your android device and it will help you to give a stable connection.


5 BEST VPN FOR ANDROID

There are some criteria that the Best VPN for android must satisfy in order to prove its reliability and worth. Just like that, you can’t opt for a VPN that is available in the market without doing any kind of research.

So when you choose the Best VPN for Android device, see to it that it has the following features are present: 

  1. 1
    The number of servers present across the world.
  2. 2
    The security and privacy features like logging and data retention policies.
  3. 3
    A dedicated VPN android application which is user-friendly.
  4. 4
    Number of simultaneous connections it can support.

Don’t worry my list of Best VPN for Android satisfies the above mentioned things completely. So now let's take a look at the Best VPN for android listed below:

1. ExpressVPN

VPN for Android

ExpressVPN

Servers: 3000+

Countries:
94

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Supported Device: 
5

devices

Works With:

Netflix, BBC IPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, HBO & More

Pros

  • Kill switch for Android
  • Zero logging policy.
  • Unique Trusted Server technology.
  • 3,000+ high-speed servers
  • Unlimited Bandwidth.

Cons

  • Expensive than others.

The ExpressVPN tops my list of best VPN for android mainly for the amazing features it gives its users. I have personally used and tested this VPN and Yes, it works brilliantly in my android device.

The connection speed depends mainly on the number of servers your VPN has all over the world. Since ExpressVPN has 3000 servers in over 94 countries you won’t face any problem regarding the internet connection and it greatly avoids throttling and does not slow down your connection.

Your information that is your online surfing data is encrypted and sent over the internet so it easily escapes from the prying eyes of the hackers and any third party who tries to snoop your device.

It also has a trusted server technology which ensures that all the servers are secure and the software's are up to date.

The only complaint from my side is that this VPN for Android is very expensive very compared to the other VPN service providers. Other than that it is the most popular VPN service and it gives a user friendly Android application for its users which is simply to use and install. 

2. NordVPN

Servers: 5700+

Countries:
60+

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Supported Device:
6

devices

Works With:

Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, Amazon prime & more.

Pros

  • Supports all Android versions
  • Kill switch for Android
  • Automatic Kill Switch.
  • DNS leak protection.

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer full PayPal support in all countries.    

The second best VPN for android is the NordVPN. The NordVPN is one of the best VPNs available in the market which you can easily get at cheap subscription fees.

Having more than 5700+ servers located in 59 countries gives fast connection and unlimited bandwidth helps you to enjoy streaming without any kind of buffering at HD quality.

The biggest strength of this VPN is double encryption where your information is passed through one server and it sends encrypted data to the second server in order to ensure supreme security.

So this ensures that your data is safe and secure since the double encryption method makes it hard for the hackers, adware, trackers to monitor what you do online.

Its android application has a high rating with millions of downloads.This application also has an ad blocker which helps in removing the annoying ads while you use the application.

3. SurfShark

VPN for Android

SurfShark

Servers: 1700+

Countries:
60+

Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Supported Device:
6

devices

Works With:

Netflix, BBC IPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime

Pros

  • Strict no logs policy.
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Android native kill switch
  • It offers strong obfuscation settings for Android

Cons

  • Poor email support

Though this VPN is new to the VPN market it is winning hearts with its excellent features. For an android device it has a great collection of security tools thus it ends in giving supreme protection to your device.

This VPN provides a dedicated android app which is both easy to use and install. If you get easily annoyed with ads then don't worry this VPN has its own inbuilt ad and malware blocker.

Surfshark is one among the VPNs which can simply unblock the famous web streaming contents from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu or more and you can enjoy watching them without buffering at HD quality.

The best part about this VPN is that it provides unlimited simultaneous connections which is best suited for large families. But sometimes you may notice some variation in connection speed and this is due to the small network it has.

Surfshark really cares about your privacy and security so they use features like kill switch, multihop, 256 bit AES encryption protocol and DNS option which as a whole gives you ultimate protection to your device.

4. CyberGhost

VPN for Android

CyberGhost

Servers: 6400

Countries:
89+

Money-back guarantee: 45 days

Supported Device:
7

devices

Works With:

Netflix, BBC IPlayer, Disney+

Pros

  • Follows strict no logs policy.
  • 6,000+ high-speed servers
  • Automatic Kill Switch.
  • Split tunneling - Can connect upto 6 device.
  • Advances security features for android

Cons

  • Moderate customer support

CyberGhost is best known to bypass geo-blocks and provide secure access through the internet. It supports 7 simultaneous connections.

You can enjoy safe P2P torrenting while using this VPN and shield all your personal data from the prying eyes of hackers by hiding your IP address. This will also help you to protect your online identity.

Since it uses military-grade encryption your data is safe and secure and no one can monitor what you do online and thus your privacy is enhanced using this VPN. It also uses a strict no-log policy so they will not be any trace regarding your online activities.

Having access to 6400+ servers worldwide you don't have to worry about the connection speed. The unlimited bandwidth avoids buffering so it allows you to enjoy your favourite streaming content at high quality.

5. IPVanish

VPN for Android

IPVanish

Servers: 1400+

Countries:
75+

Money-back guarantee: 7 days

Supported Device:
10

devices

Works With:

Vudu, ESPN, DAZN, HBO Go, Netflix, Sling TV

Pros

  • Unblocks popular streaming services.
  • 256-bit encryption
  • Zero logging policy.
  • 24/7 via live chat

Cons

  • Lacks automatic kil switch
  • Limited Free Trial.

IPVanish provides a very fast connection to its users. With 1400+ servers across 60 countries this can give you stable speed and it does not slow down your internet connection and gives enough speed to enjoy streaming services at 4K quality.

This VPN is an excellent choice for torrenting and Netflix but it fails to unblock the BBC iPlayer, which is considered as a demerit but other than that it provides super amazing security features.

It helps in masking your IP address and changes your location to the desired country using its 40000+ IP addresses.

It works on all major platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, Linux etc. and it has custom applications for all these popular operating systems.

It provides security using features like DNS Leak Blocking, First-party DNS, IPV6 Leak Blocking and Supports TCP Port 443 and VPN kill switch. So I believe that the IPVanish VPN is the best VPN in terms of giving security to your android device.


SET UP GUIDES FOR ANDROID VPN

The simplest and easiest way to set up an Android VPN is by installing the best VPN from the google play store. But there are some circumstances present where you cannot install a VPN directly by downloading from the play store to your android device.

So in this guide I will give you the different methods of installing a VPN on your android device. 

How To Install a VPN on Android

VPN for Android

Method 1: How to set up a VPN on your Android device?

  • You need to choose the best VPN from the above list and subscribe to its service.
  • You have to search for the VPN application to which you have subscribed in the google play store or use the link provided by the VPN service provider to download the VPN application.
  • Read through the agreement and then accept the app's permissions.
  • Then the application will be downloaded into your Android device.
Note: Your VPN application mainly requires access to your Wi-Fi settings, so give access to that.

Method 2: How to set up a VPN on Android using Open VPN?

This is a method of setting up a VPN on the android device using OpenVPN, an industry Standard VPN protocol which is open-source and it will help in installing a VPN application on your android device.

So follow the below instruction to configure the OpenVPN on your Android device.

  • You need to download the OpenVPN configuration files from your VPN provider’s website. Unzip and transfer the files to a folder on your android device after downloading. 
Note: If you face any difficulties while downloading these files contact your VPN provider's live chat support.
  • After downloading install and run the OpenVPN for Android.
  • After installing the OpenVPN click on the '+' symbol which is on the top right corner of the screen to Add Profile and name it and click 'Import'.
  • Then go to the folder where you have saved the unzipped files and click on the server.
  • Once the files are imported click on the tick icon to continue.
  • Now, you will see a server name under the profiles tab. So to start the VPN you just have to touch it.
Note: You can just import many .ovpn files for as many servers you would like to have.

You can simply prevent the IPv6 DNS leaks by just configuring the OpenVPN on your Android device to correctly route all the IPv6 traffic over the VPN.

To do this follow the below-given steps:

  1. 1
    Go to the profiles tab of the OpenVPN for android and click on the edit tab.
  2. 2
    Then tick the checkbox 'Use default route' of IPv6. And also see to that the IPv4 protection is also enabled.

Method 3: How to install a VPN for Android devices with the .apk file?

Sometimes downloading the .apk file is the last method left for you to install the VPN on an android device. Most of the VPNs provide their users with .apk files of their software so that you can easily download it on your device.

Note: Downloading an application outside a play store has security risks. So try to get the .apk file from a reliable source. You can get it from your VPN service provider also.
  1. 1
    You need to download an android file manager application in the first step.
  2. 2
    Then Download the VPNs .apk file directly to your android device, from the web using a browser.
  3. 3
    Find the downloaded file on your file explorer and click on 'Install'.
  4. 4
    Once the application is installed you can simply open it.

VPN for Android

FAQS OF USING AN ANDROID VPN

1. What kind of user information is tracked or logged by the VPN?

The only information which is tracked or logged by the VPN from its users is the technical information which is related to the VPN connection in order to maintain stability and performance of the VPN service to the users and it is also kept securely.

2. Does a VPN impact speed?

The answer is mostly it won’t. Sometimes you might experience slow internet connection while using VPN and this is because your VPN data encryption process might impact your speed but even this can be avoided while using the best VPN. The other reason might be due to your ISP trying to slow down your connection speed.

3. How is a VPN different to a proxy service?

A proxy service will simply help you in changing your IP address and it does not hide your IP address. But a VPN helps in masking your IP address and gives the ability to change the location and improves online anonymity.

4. Is it difficult to set up a VPN?

No not at all. Most of the VPN service providers give simple and easy setup instructions for its users. Some even give step by step setup procedures which anyone can follow to install a VPN in their device.

The setup guide which I have given in this article is applicable for all the best VPNs which I have mentioned in the above list.


WRAPPING UP

So after testing many VPNs available in the market I have just handpicked 5 best VPN for Android and listed them above. My choice of VPN for android is ExpressVPN.

You might have wondered why you need a VPN for Android devices but I hope after reading my article you would have the answer which is not only convincing but also reliable. Now it's your turn to choose your best VPN for Android which satisfies both your expectations and budget.

Now tell me which VPN you have chosen for your android device in the comment section. Happy Reading!!! 

Tony
 

Tony is a web security expert with 12+ years of experience in the industry. He has worked as a network engineer in one of the top MNCs. He blogs at Spacecraftforall.com and shares a lot of useful info on VPN and cybersecurity.

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