You have your desktop and your computer linked up to a top VPN, but what about your Android? Most of us use a mobile device the majority of the time we’re online, and if you’ve protected your computer but left your mobile device unsecured, that’s a bit like locking your doors only to leave the windows open.
Thankfully, these days there is no shortage of VPN plans that can help secure your Android device, giving you an extra layer of security and a little peace of mind. Not only that, these Android VPN plans are very affordable and come loaded with features.
Here are our top VPNs for Android, so take a look and see which one is right for you.
1. ExpressVPN
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Servers in 136 cities and 87 countries
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Fast speed across usage and protocols
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24/7 customer service, email and live chat
Intuitive, powerful and easy to use, ExpressVPN has one of the best Android VPN options on the market. It’s designed to work right out of the box; and comes complete with a smart locations feature that chooses the fastest server possible based on your location when you log on. You’ll also benefit from all of the same ExpressVPN features for desktops and laptops. OpenVPN is the default security protocol; and the more than 100 servers in 78 countries are all optimized for speed and come with 99.99% uptime and unlimited bandwidth.
Read our expert ExpressVPN review
2. NordVPN
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Up to 6 simultaneous connections
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No logging
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Double encryption
One of the best-rated apps on the Google Play store, NordVPN’s Android app is intuitive and beautifully designed. The service has a firm zero logging policy, and all your data is encrypted using OpenVPN as standard. Best of all? It’s as user-friendly as it gets. Just download, install and that’s it. You’re all done.
Read our expert NordVPN review
3. CyberGhost
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Military-grade encryption
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Unlimited bandwidth
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Anti-fingerprinting system
Cyberghost’s mobile apps promise to give you some of the best security on the market, with what the company says is the strongest “military grade encryption” on the market. The Android app allows you to determine which WiFi networks you’d like the security system to work for, and automatically sends you instant feedback about blocked malware, online tracking, and other parameters. Cyberghost also offers industry-leading speed on their servers.
Read our expert CyberGhost review
4. PureVPN
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Great value yearly plan
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Unlimited bandwidth universally
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Split tunneling
PureVPN boasts one of the most fully-featured VPN Android apps around. It has four modes - stream, internet freedom, security, and file-sharing - which allow you to quickly adjust the VPN’s settings depending on what you want to do online. Even better, you can sync your preferences across all of your Android devices. This ensures a seamless experience, whether you’re on the go with your smartphone or at home on the couch with your tablet.
Read our expert PureVPN review
5. Hotspot Shield
- Free tier
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Anti-malware protection
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Up to 5 simultaneous connections
Hotspot Shield’s tagline is that it offers the most trust privacy solution anywhere. That may be up for debate, but Hotspot undoubtedly offers great value for money, as well as anti-malware and ad blocker protection, unlimited bandwidth and access to faster premium servers.
Read our expert Hotspot Shield review
How to Choose the Best VPN for Android
Usability: The best VPNs are as meticulously designed on the backend as they are simple to use on the front end. If you’re unfamiliar or less savvy with VPNs, it’s wise to consider one of the more popular, highly-rated providers such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. These VPNs have mastered both their desktop and mobile apps to give users of all experience levels the chance to easily install and use the VPN on their Android.
Privacy: These days, most of us use our phones to pay bills, make purchases, and check our bank accounts. So if you’ve noticed that your Android is becoming increasingly like your personal computer, you’ll want to treat it as such. That means finding a VPN with solid encryption and reliable performance so that it doesn’t crash or fail when you’re out and about and more exposed to nefarious elements.
Speed and performance: It’s safe to assume that your Android is with you wherever you go. Which is why it makes sense that the VPN for your Android should have access to a large server network, which can provide faster and more reliable service, to say nothing of more options for streaming or accessing content unavailable in your location. Some of the more well-known VPN companies offer thousands of servers across the world. When searching for an Android VPN, check out the provider’s network and make sure the amount and location of the servers are adequate for your needs.
How to Download and Install a VPN on Your Android
The easiest and quickest way is through the app. Most Android VPN providers have apps that you can find for free on Google Play. Simply download the app and follow the instructions. Typically, the steps are as follows:
- Download and open the app
- Enter your log-in information when prompted
- Connect to a server. Most apps will suggest the best server for you to use, though you can select one manually if you prefer by simply scrolling down the list.
And that’s it. Downloading and setting up a VPN on your Android should take no more than a few minutes.
Conclusion
As you can see, getting a VPN software for your Android device is extremely important to ensuring your data and personal details remain secure. Luckily you have several amazing providers that each offer unique features and tools to choose from. If you want to read more about any of the providers we discussed above, view our expert reviews here.
