The Best Free & Premium VPNs for Android

It’s proprietary Lightway protocol is one of the fastest we’ve tested. In our local speed tests ExpressVPN achieved 93Mbps download speed on a 100Mbps connection, a drop of just 7%.

Best Free VPN for Android in 2023: Protect Your Android Device for Free

You can use a VPN to protect yourself when using public WiFi on your Android phone outside your home. If you’re on a budget, keep reading this guide to learn about the best free VPN for Android options that offer excellent streaming, security and speeds.

You carry your phone everywhere — the train, grocery store, cafes, etc. You’ll probably need to use public WiFi at some point, and while free internet is great, it can expose your device to multiple threats. A virtual private network (VPN) can help, and if you don’t have the budget for a paid VPN, we can hook you up with a free VPN for Android.

Key Takeaways: Free Android VPNs

• A good free VPN can help secure your connection, keep your data private and access geoblocked content on your Android device.
• Many freemium VPNs have some restrictions on the free plan, either with available VPN servers, the amount of data you can use and the VPN connection speeds.
• Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Android. However, we also recommend Windscribe, TunnelBear, hide.me and PrivadoVPN.

A VPN encrypts your connection so any data that your Android phone transmits to the internet is always protected. The best free Android VPNs also work on other Android devices, including Android TVs.

The problem is, good free VPNs are hard to come by. Choosing the wrong free VPN service could leave your data vulnerable and even infect your device. We did some research to find the best free VPN providers for Android apps. Keep reading to learn more about the top five free Android VPNs.

03/21/2023 Facts checked
08/08/2023 Facts checked

• Which VPN Is Totally Free for Android?

Proton VPN and hide.me are totally free VPNs that offer unlimited data, though they may restrict access to a few features. If you want access to all features, but don’t mind a stingy data cap, you might consider TunnelBear.

Yes, you might see 100% free VPNs on the internet. However, most are unreliable, slow and dangerous. Instead of using a random service, consider using one of the services we’ve recommended in this guide. We recommend Proton VPN as the best free VPN for Android.

Top Free VPNs for Android

• : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, cash
• : 10
• :
• :
• :
• :

$4.99 / month (save 50%) (All Plans)

• : PayPal, Credit card
• : Unlimited
• :
• :
• :
• :

Average speed
Download Speed 94 Mbps
Upload Speed 9 Mbps
Latency 3 ms
$5.75 / month (save 36%) (All Plans)
Windscribe
$3.33 / month (save 66%) (All Plans)
TunnelBear

• : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin
• : 10
• :
• :
• :
• :

$2.64 / month (save 73%) (All Plans)

• : PayPal, Credit card, Coinbase, SEPA, Discover
• : 10
• :
• :
• :
• :

$4.99 / month (save 37%) (All Plans)
PrivadoVPN

What Makes the Best Free VPN for Android?

Most free VPN services are unreliable, slow and ineffective — especially if they’re on our worst free VPNs list. Searching for a free VPN online gives you a ton of options, but randomly selecting one isn’t the best choice due to numerous security and privacy concerns.

Here are a few services you can trust when you need a free Android VPN:

1. Proton VPN — Unlimited data on three server locations with the free plan
2. Windscribe — Excellent security on 11 server locations and 10GB data
3. TunnelBear — Free servers in over 40 countries but limited to 2GB monthly
4. hide.me — Unlimited data, but only 10GB on eight free country servers
5. PrivadoVPN — Offers 10GB data free on 10 server locations

We tested the best free VPN providers based on various factors. Aside from having a good Android app, the most important factor is security and privacy, especially since this is an area where free VPNs perform terribly. A good VPN should offer VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard, and ciphers like AES-256 and ChaCha20, to secure your VPN connection.

In addition to security, you also need a VPN that offers fast connection speeds. Free VPNs generally offer a limited number of servers on the free version. This means that each VPN server has a higher load, which translates to slower speed. The best free VPNs for Android, however, ensure the negative impact on speed is minimal.

Your free Android VPN should be able to bypass geoblocks on popular streaming services like Netflix, so you can stream content from another country’s library. Unlike paid VPNs, free VPNs don’t have streaming-optimized servers, which means they often fail to bypass geoblocks. However, a few free VPNs manage to bypass geoblocks without a hitch.

An intuitive interface is very important to have. Phone screens don’t offer a lot of real estate, so app interfaces can quickly become crammed if they try to fit in way too many options or buttons. The best VPN apps are creatively designed to make it easier for you to use them.

Free VPNs vs Paid VPNs vs Proxies

VPNs and proxies are used to access geoblocked websites. The problem, though, is that proxies don’t include encryption and are far less effective in bypassing geoblocks, especially on streaming sites, like Netflix, that ban VPN users. Proxies are also painfully slow, don’t let you select a specific server and don’t encrypt your internet connection.

A VPN, on the other hand, offers extra encryption on your internet connection, effectively bypasses geoblocks and keeps you safe online. Encryption ensures your connection is private and not visible to anyone else — not even your ISP. The best VPNs are also fast and let you pick a server.

If you’re on a budget, you can use a free VPN. Most free VPNs aren’t reliable, and many don’t have an Android app. We found five of the best free VPN services you can use for your Android devices.

If you’re looking for the best experience and don’t mind spending a small amount, consider ExpressVPN or NordVPN (read our ExpressVPN review or NordVPN review).

The 5 Best Free VPNs for Android

The VPNs we recommend below are better than most free VPNs out there because these services offer a free plan as a preview to their paid service. This also means you don’t get access to all features as a free user; the free plans are limited in some way for free users.

1. Proton VPN

More details about Proton VPN:

• Pricing: Free, $4.99 per month (two-year plan)
• Provider website:protonvpn.com

• Unlimited free data
• Top-notch user interface
• Secure servers

• Free servers in 3 countries

Proton VPN is the best free Android VPN because it checks all the right boxes — it has an Android app, a strict no-logs policy, and is fast and secure.

With Proton VPN, you get four security protocols including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 and Stealth, along with AES-256 and ChaCha20 ciphers. The app includes a kill switch and split tunneling (a feature that’s only available on Android and Windows). It’s no surprise that Proton VPN is also the best free VPN for Windows.

Proton VPN unblocks all the popular streaming websites, so you can access Netflix U.S. and BBC iPlayer even when you’re not in the U.S. or U.K.

The app has a great, sleek interface with a dark theme that remains intuitive and packs in a ton of detail, even on a phone screen. You can easily access many options from the home screen without being overwhelmed by them.

The only drawback of using Proton VPN’s free version is that you only get access to three server locations — the U.S., Japan and the Netherlands.

Unlimited Data

Unlimited data is Proton VPN’s most attractive feature. Most VPNs restrict data usage on the free version, which means you can’t stream unlimited content. However, with Proton VPN, you can stream all you want without worrying about running out of data.

Sometimes, you might experience slow speeds given the lack of server location options. When many users are using a particular server, the overload will cause speeds to drop. However, you should still be able to stream buffer-free in standard definition with Proton VPN.

Proton VPN’s paid version costs $9.99 when paid monthly, while the annual plan costs $5.99 . The best deal (the two-year plan) cuts the cost to $4.99 per month.

This is still more than premium services like NordVPN. However, if you like Proton VPN’s interface and performance, it might be worth the small investment. If you don’t like the service, you can always claim a full refund using the 30-day money-back guarantee.

The Best Free & Premium VPNs for Android

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He’s tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Fact-checked by JP Jones Additional Testing by Alyx Morley

EXPERT ADVICE: Free Android VPNs are less effective than premium VPN apps. ExpressVPN, the best Android VPN overall, delivers much higher levels of privacy, security, and unblocking. Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days.

There are countless free Android VPN apps in the Google Play Store, but many are unsafe to install and use.

My team and I have uncovered over 100 dangerous free VPNs with security flaws and intrusive permission requests. Some Android VPNs didn’t even hide our IP address, making them useless.

What Is the Best Free VPN for Android in 2023?

Based on our Android-specific tests, the best completely free (safe) Android VPNs are:

1. Proton VPN Free: Best Free VPN for Android
2. Windscribe Free: Best Free Android VPN for Server Locations
3. PrivadoVPN Free: Best Free Android VPN for Streaming
4. ZoogVPN Free: Best Free Android VPN for Beginners

The best free VPN for Android in 2023 is Proton VPN. The VPN’s free Android app provides high levels of internet privacy, security, and freedom with no requirement to register or submit payment details.

Sadly, even the best free Android VPNs are limited compared to premium services. Premium VPNs typically deliver the fastest speeds, have unlimited data allowances, bypass streaming geo-blocks and let you download large files anonymously.

What Is the Overall Best VPN for Android?

The overall best VPN apps for Android are:

1. ExpressVPN: Overall Best VPN for Android
2. NordVPN: Best Android VPN for Streaming
3. Surfshark: Best Cheap VPN for Android

The overall best VPN for Android is ExpressVPN with an Android-specific rating of 9.7/10. The VPN app is highly secure, doesn’t collect web logs, and has an integrated VPN kill switch. ExpressVPN also offers an apk file for added Android compatibility.

Want to Try the Best Android VPN Risk-free? ExpressVPN is our #1 VPN for Android, and thanks to its refund guarantee you can trial it risk-free for 30 days.

Our recommended Android VPNs have native apps for AndroidOS 13.0, 12.0 and older versions. They won’t leak your IP address, won’t log your internet activity, and won’t ask for unnecessary permissions.

Comparison of the Best Android VPNs

The table below compares the highest-rated free and premium Android VPNs for speed, privacy, device limit, monthly data cap, and more.

Top Free & Premium Android VPNs: Summary Test Ratings

Use the table below to see how the top free and premium VPNs for Android performed in our key testing categories:

Why Trust Top10VPN.com?

We’re completely independent and focused on VPN software. We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing Android VPNs using our Android VPN testing process to recommend the best ones.

Here are some of our key Android VPN testing statistics:

Android VPN Apps Tested	150
Total Hours of Testing	30,000+
Weekly Speed Tests	3,000+
Streaming Services Tested Daily	12
IP & DNS Leak Tests Performed	9,500+
How Much We’ve Spent On Testing	$25,000+

Analysis of the Best Free Android VPNs

1 . Proton VPN Free: Best Free VPN for Android

The best free Android VPN with unlimited data, extremely fast speeds & no registration.
Ranked #1 Free VPN for Android

Rated 5 out of 5
Add to compare

Pros

• Unlimited internet data usage
• Free to use without registration
• Fast download speeds
• ‘Always On’ re-connection feature
• Privacy-friendly logging policy
• apk file available for sideloading

Cons

• Only three VPN server locations
• Doesn’t work with Netflix

Overall Android Rating: 7.4/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

Proton VPN Free is the best free VPN for Android due to its extremely fast speeds, excellent technical features, and strict no-logs policy.

Its Android app is intuitive and has most of the same features as the desktop version, including a kill switch and malware blocking.

Proton VPN Free connected quickly to a server in the US.

Intuitive, fast speeds, and no identifying data retained

All of Proton VPN Free’s custom VPN apps are easy to set up and use, and the Android version is no exception.Connections are secured with AES-256 encryption, and the Android app uses the most secure VPN protocol, OpenVPN.

The free VPN service also enforces what is nearly a no-logs policy to further protect your anonymity.

Proton VPN has inbuilt DNS leak protection and a VPN Accelerator.

Enabling the kill switch is simple. As you can see in the image above, the Always-On VPN & Kill Switch will take you through to Android device settings, where you toggle on both options.

Proton VPN Free is also the fastest free VPN for Android. Using our 100Mbps baseline internet connections, we recorded speeds of 98Mbps while connected to a local Proton VPN Free server.

In comparison, Windscribe Free only reaches speeds of 90Mbps on a local connection.

Unlimited free data and access to three countries

As with the vast majority of free VPNs, Proton VPN’s free app won’t stream Netflix, Disney+, Hulu or any other popular streaming platforms.

While Proton VPN Free doesn’t offer the same range of free VPN servers as Windscribe, it’s still a good VPN with a high level of security.

Importantly, it’s the only free VPN in this list with no data cap, so you can use it without worrying about running out of data.

With Proton VPN’s free app, you can use servers in Japan, the Netherlands, and the US as much as you like.

2 . Windscribe Free: Best Free Android VPN for Server Locations

A safe and free VPN that offers servers in 11 countries & unblocks 6 Netflix libraries.

Rated 5 out of 5
Add to compare

Pros

• User-friendly Android application
• No registration or payment details required
• Fast same-country speeds
• Unblocks 6 Netflix regions and BBC iPlayer
• Minimal web usage logs
• Unlimited simultaneous connections

Cons

• 10GB monthly data cap
• No inbuilt kill switch on Android
• Doesn’t unblock US Netflix
• No human live chat available

Overall Android Rating: 6.8/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

Windscribe is the best free VPN for Android for a large amount of server locations. Unlike other free VPNs that greatly limit your number of locations, Windscribe gives you access to servers in 11 countries.

It’s a fast and safe free VPN that requires no registration in order to use it. You also won’t experience any significant speed drops, even while streaming or downloading large files.

Here’s a video of Windscribe Free, showing you how to connect to a server in the UK:

Streams 6 Netflix libraries, Disney+, Hulu & BBC iPlayer

Windscribe Free’s standout feature is its ability to unblock 6 Netflix regions, including the UK, Germany and France.

The ability to unblock streaming platforms, such as BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Hulu, is incredibly rare among free VPNs, which shows just how good Windscribe is.

In our tests, Windscribe Free unblocked the German Netflix library.

Unsurprisingly, the free version of Windscribe is one of the most effective free VPNs for unblocking Netflix we’ve tested.

Windscribe was also very reliable at unblocking US Netflix in the past. However, our latest tests reveal that the free VPN has stopped unblocking the American library.

A very private free VPN

The VPN service collects minimal activity logs, so you can use the internet privately on your Android smartphone or tablet.

Although Windscribe is based in privacy-unfriendly Canada, this privacy-focused logging policy will protect you from Canada’s surveillance laws.

Like all other VPNs in this list, Windscribe’s Android app has a kill switch in the Android device settings. The feature is called Always on VPN and Block connections without VPN.

The VPN secures your web traffic with AES 256-bit encryption, and it doesn’t suffer from IP or DNS leaks.

The free VPN also features extras such as a built-in ad and malware blocker.

A 10GB monthly data allowance

Sadly, Windscribe limits its use to 10GB of data each month. While 10GB may not seem a lot, it’s actually a very generous usage allowance among free Android VPNs.

In comparison, Proton VPN Free allows its users unlimited free data.

No live support chat is one major drawback

Windscribe’s customer support needs improving. It doesn’t offer human live support, and instead relies on its chat-bot service ‘Garry,’ which is average.

Luckily, Windscribe’s online resources are useful and answer many troubleshooting queries.

On the whole, the free version of Windscribe VPN is ideal for both VPN beginners and more experienced Android users.

Whether you want to unblock websites and apps, or use the internet more privately and safely, this free VPN doesn’t disappoint.

3 . PrivadoVPN Free: Best Free Android VPN for Streaming

The only top free Android VPN that works with US Netflix.

Rated 0 out of 5
No user reviews
Add to compare

Pros

• Works with US Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Hulu
• Fast free VPN servers
• Privacy-friendly logging policy & Swiss jurisdiction
• Built-in Android kill switch
• All servers allow P2P traffic
• 14 VPN servers in 11 countries

Cons

• 10GB per month data cap

VPN for Android Rating: 5.9/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

PrivadoVPN Free’s user-friendly app, range of servers, and generous 10GB data allowance makes it an excellent choice for VPN beginners.

The key benefit of using PrivadoVPN is that unblocks many popular American streaming apps such as US Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max.

Despite it being a newer service, it has all the basics covered and performs very well in speed and bypassing firewalls. It allows torrenting on all of its free servers.

Works with US Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu

Connected to a server in Chicago, we were able to unblock and play content on Hulu.

PrivadoVPN Free is an excellent VPN for streaming. It unblocked US Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu in our tests.

As the fastest free VPN on this page, you’ll be able to watch geo-blocked content without having to worry about video buffering or lagging.

Plenty of server locations in the EU and US

PrivadoVPN Free gives you access to servers in:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Canada
• France
• India
• Germany
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• US
• UK

However, a major downside is the lack of servers in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Since the further away from the servers you are, the slower your internet will be once you connect.

PrivadoVPN Free is also very good for file sharing. It allows torrenting and P2P traffic on all of its free servers.

Good selection of protocols

PrivadoVPN Free offers AES-256 encryption and a great selection of protocols, including IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.

We also like that it has a kill switch – though this has to be enabled in Android device settings like with other Android VPNs.

During our tests, we didn’t experience any webRTC, IP, or DNS leaks.

10GB of free data and fast speeds

PrivadoVPN Free is a very fast VPN free VPN for Android. We particularly like how fast its download speeds are for torrenting.

Aside from P2P, you can also stream HD content with no lag when connected to a nearby server. It doesn’t bypass geo-blocking, though, if you want to see another country’s content.

PrivadoVPN Free is best suited to you if you’re a VPN beginner that wants an easy-to-use service with decent server coverage, and a reasonable free data allowance.

4 . ZoogVPN Free: Best Free Android VPN for Beginners

A simple yet secure Android VPN app for absolute beginners.

Rated 4 out of 5
Add to compare

Pros

• Quick short-distance VPN speeds
• No payment details required
• No-logs logging policy
• AES-256 encryption
• apk file available

Cons

• 10GB monthly data cap
• Doesn’t unblock streaming apps on Android
• Only five servers available
• One-device limit

Overall Android Rating: 5.1/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

ZoogVPN makes it to our top five free VPNs for Android thanks to its clean, simple app. It also has a robust logging policy and a generous 10GB of free data each month.

ZoogVPN clearly shows the percentage of monthly data you’ve used with a bar.

Five global servers and 10GB of free data

ZoogVPN provides five free VPN server locations: the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, the UK, and the US.

Five doesn’t sound like a lot, but the range of servers makes it a great option if you’re in the EU or in Asia. It’s rare to find a high-quality free VPN with a server in Asia.

Additionally, you have access to two P2P dedicated servers in Amsterdam and Warsaw.

ZoogVPN’s app is easy to navigate.

Although ZoogVPN’s desktop apps unblocked UK streaming services, its free Android app didn’t bypass geo-blocking in our tests on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer.

The free Android app also comes with a generous free 10GB allowance. This is an ample amount for browsing, streaming short videos, and the occasional file sharing.

Sensible logging policy

ZoogVPN is a strictly no-logs VPN service, meaning it doesn’t record your data usage, websites visited, timestamps, or IP address.

Apart from your email address, all other information collected is aggregated, so no users are identifiable.

In addition, ZoogVPN publishes a regular warrant canary where it lists the number of National Security letters, gag orders, warrants or subpoenas it has received. As of writing, it hasn’t received any.

One device per free account

The main downside to ZoogVPN Free is its device policy. You can only register one Android device with a free account.

Having said that, this limitation shouldn’t be an issue if you’re just looking to protect your smartphone.

Overall, ZoogVPN does the job for Android users who need a basic free VPN for casual web browsing. Remember to keep an eye on the 10GB data cap, though.

In-depth Look at the Overall Best Android VPNs

1 . ExpressVPN: Overall Best Android VPN

The outright best Android VPN for speed, security, and streaming.
Ranked #1 out of 55 VPNs for Android

Rated 4.8 out of 5
1,849 reviews
Add to compare

Pros

• Very intuitive Android VPN application
• Fast short & long distance connection speeds
• Integrated VPN kill switch
• No user logs & no IP address leaks
• Unblocks Netflix & other popular streaming apps
• apk file for increased device compatibility

Cons

• Expensive on short subscription plans
• Some servers trigger CAPTCHAs on search engines
• Threat Manager doesn’t block web trackers

Overall Android Rating: 9.6/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

ExpressVPN is the best all-round VPN we’ve tested on Android. It has a great mobile Android app that delivers fast speeds, unblocks many streaming platforms, and allows torrenting in all its server locations.

The VPN is service is highly secure, too. The software secures all mobile connections with AES-256 encryption, and we never suffered an and IP or DNS leak in thousands of security tests.

Unlocks mobile streaming apps

ExpressVPN is a great choice if you want to stream Netflix. In addition to unlocking US and UK Netflix, it streams 10 international Netflix libraries, including Germany and Japan.

On top of this, the VPN unblocks the majority of popular streaming services, including:

• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+
• HBO Max
• Hulu
• US Netflix

While there aren’t dedicated streaming servers, in our experience most VPN servers work to unblock video websites and apps.

Very fast on local and international connections

One of the reasons ExpressVPN is so good for streaming is its extremely fast mobile speeds.

It’s proprietary Lightway protocol is one of the fastest we’ve tested. In our local speed tests ExpressVPN achieved 93Mbps download speed on a 100Mbps connection, a drop of just 7%.

ExpressVPN is fast on long-distance connections, too. We recorded an average download speed of 76Mbps on international connections, a drop of only 24%.

High encryption and an effective kill switch

ExpressVPN uses bank-grade AES-256 encryption, and trusted VPN protocols like OpenVPN and Lightway.

The Android app also includes key security features like a VPN kill switch, which prevents your IP leaking if the VPN cuts out. This feature is rare even among top-tier VPN Android apps.

It says a lot about ExpressVPN that in the decade it’s been operating, the service has never suffered a single security breach.

Compact Android application

ExpressVPN’s Android VPN app is very intuitive to use, with simple clean buttons and easy to access advanced settings.

It comes with a full suite of advanced features, too, such as VPN split tunneling.

The ExpressVPN Android app is very similar to the Windows client.

Moreover, the download size of the Android app is impressively small, at just 12MB. This is less than almost every other Android VPN we’ve tested.

Such a small installation file is ideal for users with smartphones with little spare storage.

And if you don’t have access to the Google Play Store, you can use the VPN service’s apk file on devices that don’t support native VPN applications.

2 . NordVPN: Best Android VPN for Streaming

Popular VPN that unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer.

Rated 4.7 out of 5
246 reviews
Add to compare

Pros

• Very fast global VPN speeds
• 5,754 VPN servers in 60 countries
• Regular privacy policy & security audits
• Kill switch plus ad & malware blocker
• Works with Netflix & BBC iPlayer
• apk file available for sideloading

Cons

• PayPal unavailable as a payment method
• Server breach in 2018
• Renews at a more expensive price

Overall Android Rating 9.4/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

NordVPN is a premium VPN app that lets you stream buffer-free, torrent and protect your privacy on Android.

The VPN has secure AES-256 encryption and features popular VPN protocols like OpenVPN and Wireguard.

Smooth mobile streaming

Thanks to NordVPN’s consistent local speeds (an average drop in download speed of just 4% on local connections), it’s a great choice for buffer-free mobile streaming.

There are plenty of options, too. The service unblocks many popular streaming apps, including 12 Netflix libraries, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max.

Fast international speeds

Where NordVPN stands out most, though, is its exceptional fast global speeds. On average, our download speed dropped by only 17% on international connections.

This means if you want to watch US Netflix from Europe, or Japanese Netflix from the US you can expect a much smoother service than from other VPN services, even when streaming in HD and 4K.

User friendly Android app

The NordVPN Android app itself is very intuitive, with an interactive map to show what server you are currently connected to.

Servers are sorted by both location and use, which makes it super easy to find a P2P, obfuscation, or streaming option.

NordVPN’s Android app is user-friendly.

High security but no kill switch

NordVPN doesn’t store any traffic logs whatsoever, and the Android app uses unbroken AES-256 encryption.

The service has also undergone a full independent security audit, which is the best guarantee of network safety.

Sadly, and unlike ExpressVPN, the Android app doesn’t have a kill switch. This is a real shame, and something we hope NordVPN can introduce very soon.

3 . Surfshark: Best Cheap VPN for Android

Very affordable premium Android VPN that unblocks many streaming apps.

Rated 4.1 out of 5
131 reviews
Add to compare

Pros

• Unblocks 10 Netflix libraries
• Works with BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and more
• Android GPS location spoofing tool
• Integrated VPN kill switch
• Doesn’t log personal internet traffic
• apk file for use on Android (TV) boxes

Cons

• No independent logging policy audit
• Delay in connecting to some servers
• Kill switch not enabled by default
• NoBorders mode not reliable in China
• Won’t work with Hulu

Overall Android Rating: 9.2/10

This overall rating is calculated based on the following category ratings. To learn more, read our Android VPN testing methodology.

Surfshark is the most affordable premium VPN for Android. It also offers a 7-day free trial if you sign up via your Android smartphone.

While it doesn’t unblock as many streaming services as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, Surfshark still unblocks an impressive 10 libraries.

Surfshark’s Android app’s unique selling point is its Override GPS location function. This setting spoofs your GPS location, preventing apps using GPS location services from tracking you.

A very affordable VPN for streaming Netflix

Surfshark only costs $2.30 per month on a two-year subscription. This is significantly less than ExpressVPN and NordVPN ( $6.67 and $3.29 per month respectively).

With its servers and fast speeds, you can watch content from 10 Netflix libraries, including:

Also, the VPN can stream Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video, but it can’t unblock Hulu.

Surfshark only collects anonymous server usage logs

Surfshark has a safe logging policy that protects its customers’ internet privacy. The only data the service collects is:

• Aggregated performance data
• Unsuccessful connection attempts
• Frequency of use

None of this information affects your privacy while using the software. This privacy-focused policy ensures Surfshark never stores your activity or IP address.

For security, Surfshark’s Android app has a kill switch and uses the AES-256 encryption cipher, just like ExpressVPN.

A relatively lightweight Android app

The Surfshark Android app is small, only 19MB, but doesn’t compromise on usability or functionalities.

The Surfshark Android app is modern and easy to use.

The app’s interface is very similar to Surfshark’s desktop client, with most of the same features. It includes split tunneling which lets you choose which apps to include or exclude in your VPN tunnel.

The Surfshark app is available from the Google Play Store, or as an apk file to side load the VPN onto Android-based devices with no access to the Play Store.

Are Android VPNs Safe?

Hundreds of millions of people use potentially unsafe free VPNs, and Android may be the platform with the most dangerous free VPNs.

The truth is, you simply can’t trust most free VPN applications with your confidential personal data.

In fact, many free Android VPNs are dangerous because they log your IP address, web activity, and internet usage.

Some free Android VPNs even sell your personal information to advertisers, or report your activity to government agencies and regulators.

After conducting investigations on free Android VPNs, we uncovered an alarming amount with suspicious links to China. Even worse, some VPNs had extremely worryingly security flaws.

We’ve investigated 150 free Android VPN applications and discovered that:

• 85% contained security and privacy flaws
• 25% suffered from data leaks, including IP and DNS
• 39% asked users to grant permission to personal device information
• 52% had various network performance issues

The charts below highlight the extent of dangerous free VPNs currently in circulation:

Our free VPN investigations uncovered a number of common security flaws.

Free Android VPNs to Avoid

Below is a list of the worst Android VPNs we’ve tested and reviewed. We strongly advise you don’t use these VPNs.

Turbo VPN

Overall Ranking: #45 out of 55 VPNs

Overall Rating: 2.2/10 2.2

What we don’t like: We can’t recommend Turbo VPN to Android users as a reliable privacy tool as it goes against everything the VPN industry stands for.

Turbo VPN has very strong links to mainland China. It has recently improved its logging policy – it no longer stores your IP address, just anonymous data – but we still recommend avoiding this VPN.

Snap VPN

Overall Ranking: #47 out of 55 VPNs

Overall Rating: 2.4/10 2.4

What we don’t like: Using Snap VPN on your Android device could well be worse than not using a VPN service at all.

Snap VPN sends your personal data to China, logs too much user information, and it doesn’t disclose the type of encryption it uses.

Thunder VPN

Overall Ranking: #50 out of 55 VPNs

Overall Rating: 2.0/10 2.0

What we don’t like: Thunder VPN is one of the least secure free VPNs for Android we’ve reviewed.

Thunder VPN logs personally-identifiable web data, uses a very outdated connection protocol, and just won’t improve your internet security.

Hola VPN

Overall Ranking: #54 out of 55 VPNs

Overall Rating: 4.1/10 4.1

What we don’t like: Hola Free VPN is one of the worst free VPNs you can use on your Android device.

Hola’s free VPN monitors all your web activity, doesn’t encrypt your connections, and has been caught selling user data on to third-parties.

SuperVPN Free VPN Client

Overall Ranking: #56 out of 55 VPNs

Overall Rating: 2.1/10 2.1

What we don’t like: You must not trust SuperVPN Free VPN Client to keep your Android internet connections safe.

This Android-only free VPN has a worrying logging policy, has suspicious links to China, and the application is infested with intrusive ads.

Avoid using the VPNs above, and instead consider using the safe free Android VPNs we recommend in this guide.

How to Use a VPN on Android

Setting up and using a free VPN on Android is quick and simple. Here’s a video showing you how to install and set up Windscribe on a Samsung Galaxy S9:

How to install Windscribe on your Android device.

Here’s how to install a VPN on Android:

1. Visit your chosen VPN service’s website and download the Android app directly onto your device.
2. Enable any security features such as ad block or leak protection. If possible, choose the OpenVPN or WireGuard protocol.
3. Choose a VPN server location. The closer the server to your physical location, the faster your VPN speeds will be.
4. Tap Connect and in a matter of seconds you’ll be connected to the VPN server.

If you opt for a free VPN that doesn’t come with a dedicated Android app, follow our VPN setup instructions for Android.

EXPERT ADVICE: Android has implemented its own built-in kill switch, called Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN. Many Android VPNs do not have an in-app kill switch, and instead rely on Android. You can turn on Android’s kill switch by toggling on ‘Always-on VPN’ and ‘Block connections without VPN’ in your device’s settings menu.

Why You Need a VPN on Android

If you want to use the internet securely and privately on your Android, you need a VPN that safeguards your internet security and privacy.

If you don’t use a secure VPN, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can monitor what websites and apps you use, and what files you download.

Moreover, without a VPN you’re vulnerable to hackers and snoopers, particularly when using free public WiFi networks.

Here are four reasons why you should use a secure VPN on Android:

1. Stay Secure on Public WiFi

With almost 550 million public WiFi hotspots globally, free public WiFi has become a staple for millions of people.

But according to a report by Norton, 87% of people admit to taking security risks on public WiFi, such as accessing personal emails and bank accounts.

Other security risks include logging into a work email, sending a work document, and entering credit card details when online shopping.

We recommend making sure that you’re accessing HTTPS websites and using a VPN to stay safe on public WiFi.

2. Protect Yourself from ISP Snooping

Without a VPN enabled, your ISP (internet service provider) can see the websites you visit, the information you enter online, and what you download.

Depending on where you live, it might be legal for your ISP to sell your data. If you’re in a country that’s part of the EU, Canada, or Australia, you don’t have to worry as it’s illegal.

But in the US, it’s been legal for ISPs to sell customer data to third-parties since 2017, when Congress passed a resolution to terminate FCC privacy rules that would have banned the selling of customer data.

3. Unblock Streaming Services

Lots of content on streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and Disney+ is geo-restricted, which means you can’t access certain content based on your location.

For example, 30 Rock is currently available on US Netflix, but it’s unavailable for people in all other countries. If you use a VPN that specializes in unblocking Netflix content, you’ll be able to watch the program from any location at any time.

Depending on your location, you might need to use a VPN to unblock these apps or streaming content.

4. Bypass Online Censorship

In 2021, 48 government states pursued legal or administrative action against technology companies. Though some are legitimate attempts to mitigate online harms, a lot of these laws imposed online censorship and data-collection requirements for private technology companies.

You may have heard of the Great Firewall of China, or censorship in Russia. However, these are not the only countries in which censorship is an issue.

In 2021, Huawei surveillance middleboxes were found in 69 countries. They were being used to censor web content in 17 countries, including Germany, Oman, South Africa, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Italy, and Spain.

How We Test VPNs for Android

When testing VPNs for Android we focus on the aspects of a VPN that are most relevant to Android users.

For Android VPNs specifically, we consider:

1. How intuitive and easy to use the Android application is.
2. How fast it is on Android, and whether or not it will slow down internet speeds.
3. How trustworthy the logging policy is, and what data it retains.
4. What encryption is in use, and if there are any useful security features.
5. How many streaming libraries and services it can unblock, particularly Netflix.
6. Whether P2P traffic is permitted and on how many servers.
7. Just for free VPNs, whether there is a data usage limit per day or per month.

Read on for the specifics on how we assess these criteria, as well as our recommended standards for each one:

1. Android Application: 20%

Minimum Requirement: A bespoke, easy to use Android app.
We Recommend: The above, plus extra features like a kill switch.

Regardless of whether the VPN is free or not, it should at the very least have a functional, bespoke Android app. It shouldn’t just be a lazy copy of the desktop app and it shouldn’t be missing too many features.

Options and buttons should be clearly labeled, with a simple layout and intuitive menus. Ordinarily we consider a VPN kill switch essential. Without it, your IP address could be left exposed should the VPN connection drop. However, they’re rarer on Android than other platforms.

Split tunneling and ad blocking is less common, but equally useful. With split tunneling, you can choose which apps are rerouted by the VPN and which operate outside of it.

You should always make sure that you have downloaded the correct, official version of any Android VPN. Both free and paid VPN apps have many clones on the Google Play Store. Downloading these copies can result in viruses, tapjacking, URL spoofing, or any other manner of sinister side effect. Make sure that you find the official Play Store link or download the apk directly from the VPN service’s website.

2. Speed: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Less than 40% download speed loss on local connections.
We Recommend: Less than 20% download speed loss on local connections, or 40% on distant ones.

Much like a data cap, download speeds have a similar impact when you’re using a VPN.

Whether you’re on WiFi or using cellular data, a VPN will negatively affect your internet speeds. But, most importantly, the best free VPNs will affect them as little as possible.

Our testing has found that many free VPNs offer speeds noticeably slower than their paid app counterparts. That’s why we make sure to manually test the speeds of every VPN we review on a regular basis.

While free VPNs can be slower than the paid ones, our expectations for the bare minimum you should accept remain the same. There’s no reason for a good VPN, free or otherwise, to slow down your internet by more than 40% on a nearby connection. And an ideal one will still slow it by less than 20%.

Something you should bear in mind, however, is the reduced server list of most free VPNs compared to paid VPNs. If your VPN does not offer a server in the country you live in then you will have to accept slower speeds.

Our speed testing process for free Android VPNs is simple. Using a Galaxy S9, we connect to as wide a spread of global servers as we can, and record their speeds via speedtest.net. We compare the figures recorded to the figures with no VPN connected, and see how large the drop-off is. We always use the same 100Mbps wireless office test connection. Download speed is prioritized, but upload and latency is also considered.

We conducted speed tests specifically on a Galaxy S9, so the results may vary from our reviews and other pages, which use speeds on Windows desktop clients.

3. Privacy & Logging Policy: 20%

Minimum Requirement: Minimal aggregated or anonymous usage data collected.

We Recommend: No logs retained whatsoever.

Logging policy is one area where you absolutely do not have to compromise when choosing a free Android VPN. Most trustworthy VPN services use the same core logging policy for both their free and paid product, across all platforms.

One difference you should be aware of, though, is potential additional third party data sharing. Some free apps are subsidized via advertising and data sharing partnerships. We make sure to read through every privacy policy in full detail to make sure that your data isn’t sneakily sold on.

Almost every free mobile VPN which has no paid-for version will fail to meet the standards we set, here. Most free Android VPNs can’t be trusted, and the reason why usually lies within their privacy policy.

You should never download a VPN which stores identifiable, personal usage data. Your full IP address, browser timestamps, and DNS requests are always off limits – no good VPN will collect or store them.

We think it’s fine if a VPN stores some much more generic or shared information. The total amount of data you use in a month, how many times you’ve connected, or the total number of users connected to a server at one time are all acceptable. Information like this should be deleted every few months at most.

The perfect VPN records no account-tied logs of any kind. There are a few that genuinely offer this, although the collection of anonymized metadata and top-level server statistics is also acceptable.

4. Security & Technical Features: 20%

Minimum Requirement: AES-128 encryption and the IKEv2 VPN protocol.
We Recommend: AES-258 encryption, plus OpenVPN, WireGuard, or a bespoke protocol.

The Google Play Store is filled with hundreds of free apps which claim to be ‘VPNs’, but in reality only act as proxies.

While proxies may change your IP address, they do not encrypt your traffic and DNS requests. It’s important to make sure that your free VPN of choice specifies what encryption it uses.

AES-256 is still the super-secure level to aim for, though AES-128 is perfectly safe as well. It has been the standard for years now and is virtually uncrackable.

So long as OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2 protocols are present then it’s safe. Provider-specific protocols like NordLynx and Lightway are also good choices.

That said, we feel that OpenVPN just edges it out as the more secure protocol. We can also fully recommend WireGuard, a newer protocol, which is faster than both IKEv2 and OpenVPN.

5. Streaming: 10%

Minimum Requirement: Can access at least one Netflix library – ideally US or UK.
We Recommend: Can access other streaming services and additional Netflix libraries.

Streaming is the most popular reason to use a VPN on Android.

We can’t just rely on our testing data from desktop platforms, though. Sometimes a VPN which streams a certain service on Windows won’t be able to on Android, or vice-versa.

We install a VPN on a Samsung Galaxy S9 test handset running the latest version of Android, connect to a server in the desired country, and try to watch a specific streaming service.

The ability to stream the United States Netflix library is a priority due to its popularity. Other Netflix libraries like Germany, Japan, and the UK are also desirable.

We also routinely test for other services like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

6. Torrenting: 10%

Minimum Requirement: Permits P2P activity on a wide choice of servers.
We Recommend: Permits torrenting on all servers, with good P2P bitrate.

Torrenting is popular on Android, but lots of mobile VPNs fall short when compared to their PC alternatives. Data-caps and throttled speeds lead to bad experiences when torrenting.

The best VPNs for torrenting on Android have a bitrate of over 8MiB/s on our 100Mbps connection. They also include a kill switch and never leak IP information.

We put every Android VPN through a torrenting benchmark test, using a test file on a fixed 100Mbps connection. All mobile torrenting tests are carried out with the LibreTorrent client on a Samsung Galaxy S9 test phone.

Ideally, a good mobile torrenting VPN should allow P2P traffic on all servers, or offer clearly marked P2P servers across their whole server network.

Data Cap Penalty: Up to 50% Reduction

Nearly all free VPN services implement a data cap. As with most limitations on free VPNs, this is used to encourage you to upgrade to a paid subscription.

The best free VPNs offer 10GB a month, or 500MB a day for free. This adds up to enough for light streaming throughout the month or a shorter high-intensity period of streaming.

We recommend premium Android VPNs that come with unlimited data. We also look for services that don’t throttle or limit certain types of traffic, such as P2P.

We apply a penalty to the VPN’s overall rating for Android based on its data cap:

• 10GB per month: -20% to the overall rating
• 500MB per day: -25% to the overall rating
• 5GB per month: -30% to the overall rating
• 1GB per month: -35% to the overall rating
• 200MB per day: -40% to the overall rating
• 500MB per month: -50% to the overall rating

Android VPN FAQs

Can I Use a Paid Android VPN for Free?

If you want to use a premium paid VPN on your Android device for free, there are a few ways you can do this without spending a cent.

For example, ExpressVPN offers a seven-day free trial to new Android subscribers.

You can also take advantage of the risk-free money-back guarantees premium VPNs offer. You can use them without restrictions for up to 45 days, and then get your money back.

You will have to subscribe and provide payment details, but you will receive your refund within a few days. Remember to cancel before the refund period is up, though.

How Do Free VPNs Work on Android?

A free VPN works exactly the same on Android as it does on any other operating system.

Instead of your internet traffic being routed to a website via your ISP, it will instead be routed through a secure VPN server first, and then onto your destination website.

Using a free Android VPN will mask your true IP address (the unique identifier of your internet connection), replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to.

This means that as long as your Android VPN is running, and it doesn’t leak your real IP address, your web activity is hidden from your ISP and many other snoopers.

Free VPN providers: Which ones are the best, and are they even worth it?

Opting for a free VPN for Android or any other device isn’t always a great idea. Some providers have bad intentions and will sell your info or your browsing history (or both) to the highest bidder. That’s why we always recommend paying a few bucks per month for a reputable VPN service.

However, a few trustworthy VPN providers offer free plans. They tend to have quite a few limitations in place. Almost all of them give you a monthly data allowance, and some automatically select the location for you. A free virtual private network may be a good option if your VPN needs are pretty basic, though.

We’ve rounded up the best free VPN services for Android you can get, all of which are also available on other platforms. But before we dive into the list, let’s first talk about what VPNs are and why you should use them.

What is a VPN, anyway?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If you already know what a VPN is, how it works, and why you should use it, feel free to skip this section and scroll down to check out the list of the best providers. Everyone else, keep reading.

A VPN — short for a virtual private network — routes your data through its servers and encrypts it before sending it to the website you are visiting. To put it simply, a VPN changes your IP address, making it seem like you’re located somewhere else than you really are. For example, if you live in Germany and connect to the internet via a VPN server in the US, the website you’re visiting will think you’re based in the US.

This has a lot of advantages. One of them is to bypass geo-restrictions put in place by various streaming services. For example, Netflix offers way more content to its US subscribers than those in most other places around the globe. So by connecting online via a US VPN, you can get access to a lot more movies and TV shows.

A VPN also gives you access to popular services like BBC iPlayer, a free streaming service with loads of great content that is only available in the UK. Just connect online via a UK VPN server, visit www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer, and start binge-watching your favorite shows and movies.

Additionally, a VPN gives you complete anonymity online. Using it hides your browsing history from everyone — if the VPN provider has a no-logging policy — including your ISP. Yes, your ISP can see your browsing history if you don’t use a VPN and can sometimes sell it to third parties such as advertisers, which we’ll talk about in more detail later. Additionally, a VPN encrypts your data, which comes in handy when browsing the web on a public network — more on that later on as well.

This is a brief overview of what a VPN is. If you want more details on how it works, check out our dedicated post by clicking here, or just watch our very own Gary Sims explain it in the video below.

The best free VPNs for Android:

• TunnelBear
• Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
• Hotspot Shield VPN
• Avira Phantom VPN

Data limit
2GB per month
200MB per day
500MB per day
500MB per month
10GB per month
2GB per month
2GB per month (10GB if you provide your email)
No-logging policy?
Number of server locations
8 (79 if you pay)
11 (63 if you pay)
3 (68 if you pay)
Supported platforms
Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, TV, and router.
Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, TV boxes, routers, Chrome, and Firefox.
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, TV boxes, routers, Chrome, and Firefox.
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Starting paid prices

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best free VPNs as more launch, or terms change.

TunnelBear free VPN

TunnelBear

The TunnelBear free VPN for Android, which McAfee owns, gets you 2GB of monthly data. It’s super simple to use and doesn’t require a credit card to sign up. You can choose between servers in 47 countries, including the US, Germany, Australia, India, and more.

TunnelBear has a strict no-logging policy for peace of mind and isn’t ad-supported despite being free (hooray). It offers additional free data valid for the month to those who tweet about the provider, download the TunnelBear app on their PC, or invite a friend who then signs up for the service. Unused data does not roll over to the next month.

You’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan if you need more data than 2GB per month. Pricing starts at $3.33 per month if you prepay for three years.

The nitty-gritty:

• Free data allowance: 2GB per month
• Server selection: Manual — 47 locations available
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $3.33 per month

Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection

The free VPN by Kaspersky works like a charm but has its limitations, like the rest of the services on this list. It offers 200MB of data daily, which translates to about 6GB per month. That’s not bad, considering it’s free, but the service still isn’t suitable for power users. Unfortunately, there’s no option to score additional free data.

There are many server locations available, but you can’t choose which ones to connect to using a free plan — the service will choose “the closest server” automatically. The app is easy to use, allowing you to start browsing anonymously with just a simple tap. Signing up for the VPN is a breeze, and prices are pretty accessible.

The nitty-gritty:

• Free data allowance: 200MB per day
• Server selection: Automatic – Over 90 locations available
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $6.99 per month or $23.99 per year

Hotspot Shield free VPN for Android

Hotspot Shield

A few things make Hotspot Shield one of the best free VPN services for Android you can get. It offers 500MB of data per day or around 15GB per month. That’s not enough for heavy usage, but it is more than what you get with most other free virtual private networks. The good news is you can continue using the service if you don’t mind watching some ads.

It’s also super easy to get started, as you don’t have to share your email address or your credit card info with the provider. Just download the app on your device, tap Connect, and you’re ready to go. The major drawback is that you can’t select the server you want to connect to — the app will do that for you automatically. There are also ads present in the Android app, which is annoying.

Like the rest of the services on this list, Hotspot Shield has a no-logging policy. It also offers paid plans starting at $7.99 monthly to eliminate the ads and the rest of the limitations.

The nitty-gritty:

• Data allowance: 500MB per day
• Server selection: Automatic — 80+ locations available
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $7.99 per month

Avira Phantom free VPN for Android

Avira’s Phantom free VPN Android service offers a monthly data allowance of 500MB. However, the service allows you to connect to any 37 locations available, unlike some competition that automatically selects the server.

The sign-up process is hassle-free. Just download the app, select a location, and then turn on the VPN to start browsing anonymously — no need to share personal data with the provider. The free version offers everything you get with a premium plan, with a couple of exceptions. There’s no kill switch available for disabling internet access if the VPN connection drops and you don’t get any tech support.

The nitty-gritty:

• Data allowance: 500MB per month
• Server selection: Manual — 37 locations available
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $10 per month

Hide.me

This Android VPN limits you to 10GB of data per month, which is quite generous. Eight server locations are available: Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Singapore, France, Germany, the UK, and the US. The list extends to 79 locations if you decide to pay, though.

Hide.me promises it won’t log your activities, giving you peace of mind that the provider won’t sell your data to the highest bidder. It’s easy to set up and start using without the need to share your credit card info. All these things combined make it one of the best free VPN services to use.

If you need more data, there are a few paid plans to choose from. Pricing starts at $2.59 per month and goes all the way up to $9.95 per month, depending on the length of the subscription.

The nitty-gritty:

• Data allowance: 10GB per month
• Server selection: Manual — eight available (79 if you pay)
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $2.59 per month

Speedify free VPN for Android

Speedify offers 2GB of free data per month and can only be used on one device. It’s easy to set up, as you don’t even need an account. Download the app, connect, and you’re ready to go.

The service can automatically connect you to the fastest VPN server based on location, or you can select the server. Like the rest of the VPNs on this list, Speedify promises a no-logging policy, meaning it provides total anonymity online.

If 2GB per month isn’t enough for you, the company also offers paid plans with unlimited data. Pricing is set at $14.99 per month, but you can get it down to just $7.49 per month if you opt for a year plan.

The nitty-gritty:

• Free data allowance: 2GB per month
• Server selection: Manual — 50 locations available
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $4.99 per month

Windscribe VPN

Windscribe

Windscribe is quite a generous free VPN, offering 10GB of data per month. But only if you share your email address with the provider. If you don’t, you’ll have to do with just 2GB of data per month.

You have the option of manually selecting the server you want to connect to. There are plenty of them to choose from — there are servers in 11 different countries on the free plan. There are also loads of great features available, including Split Tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps go over the VPN.

If you like using Windscribe but don’t like the data limits, you’ll need to step up to a paid plan. A monthly subscription will set you back $9, but you can get the price down to $5.75 per month if you prepay for the entire year. Also, a paid subscription is the only way to access servers in “Fake Antarctica.”

The nitty-gritty:

• Free data allowance: 2 or 10GB per month
• Server selection: Manual — 11 locations available (63 if you pay)
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at $5.75 per month

ProtonVPN

Proton VPN

The last provider on our best free VPN list is ProtonVPN, which stands out because it doesn’t have data or speed limits. You can browse anonymously online with your Android phone or any other device for as long as you want. Three locations are available: the Netherlands, Japan, and the US.

Setting up the VPN is easy, although you have to make an account. The Android app doesn’t contain any ads, regardless of whether you’re on a free or paid plan. ProtonVPN has a strict no-logging policy and can only be used by a single device at a time by free users. Paid plans start at 4.99€ per month and go all the way up to 11.49€ per month.

The nitty-gritty:

• Data allowance: Unlimited
• Server selection: Manual — three available (68 if you pay)
• No-logging policy: Yes
• Paid plans: Start at 4.99€ per month

Are free VPNs even safe?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Yes and no — it depends on the provider you choose. Using one of the VPNs listed above is probably safe, although we can’t make any guarantees. However, many sketchy VPN providers out there should be avoided at all costs.

The reason is that some will try to make money from you somehow. Running a VPN service is expensive, and the provider has to make money one way or another. So if it is not making it via subscription fees, it could be making it either via ads (which is understandable but annoying) or by selling your info or your browsing history to the highest bidder. Basically, a free VPN provider might be doing the exact thing it should be protecting you from.

To put things into perspective, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) reviewed 283 VPN apps on the Play Store a few years back and found frightening results. 18% of the VPNs didn’t encrypt data, while 75% used third-party tracking libraries. Yikes! That just goes to show that you have to be careful about which free VPN service you opt for.

Research is key when deciding whether or not a particular VPN is trustworthy. Do some digging online and check out what various publications and users say about it. Also, ensure the company isn’t based in a country with a bad track record on online privacy, like China or Russia. You could never be sure if a VPN is sticking to its promises, but research will at least give you some peace of mind.

Which platforms do free VPNs support?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

In addition to Android, all the free VPNs on this list also support Windows, Mac, and iOS devices. Some also support Linux and offer extensions for various browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

Can I install a free VPN on my TV or gaming console?

VPNs don’t play well with TVs. While you can download and use them on some smart TVs, most don’t support them. The same goes for gaming consoles like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. However, there are hacks you can use to get around these restrictions.

One of them is to install a VPN on your router, which will then protect every device on the network, including TVs, gaming consoles, computers, and tablets. That means you don’t have to install a VPN app on every device you use anymore. Having a VPN on your router protects your device as soon as you go online.

However, not all VPNs support this feature. From the providers on our list, the only ones that do are Hide.me, Windscribe, and ProtonVPN. Additionally, you need a supported router as well. But even if you have one, we don’t recommend installing a free VPN on it just to protect your TV or gaming console. The reason is that the data limits offered by free VPN providers are too low for you to play games or watch content online frequently — we’ll talk about this more in the next section. Installing a VPN on a router makes much more sense if you have a paid subscription.

Do free VPNs work with Chromecast or Fire TV Stick?

David Imel / Android Authority

You’re probably wondering why you should go through all the trouble of installing a VPN on your router just to get access to more Netflix shows via your TV app if you can just cast the shows from your phone to the TV via a Google Chromecast. The problem is that VPNs and Chromecasts don’t play well together. While your phone is connected to a VPN, your Chromecast is not, so the two can’t communicate with each other. The way to get around this is to connect both the devices to the same VPN server, which you can do by installing a VPN on your router.

Things are slightly different for Amazon’s Fire TV Stick since the device doesn’t need to be paired with a phone. All you have to do is download a VPN app to the Fire TV Stick, switch it on, and you’re ready to go. The free VPN providers on this list that offer an app for the Fire TV Stick are Hotspot Shield, Hide.me, and Windscribe.

It’s a similar story with the latest Chromecast with Google TV, since it has a user interface, offers access to the Play Store, and doesn’t need to be paired with a mobile device to work.

Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Sure, you can, but you have to keep data limits in mind. If you want to watch an hour or more of Netflix or any other video streaming service per day, a free VPN likely isn’t for you. As explained in our “How much data does Netflix use” post, you’ll burn through around 300MB of data per hour when streaming at just 480p. When watching 4K content, the data usage per hour jumps to as much as 11.5GB. If you go down the middle and opt for Full HD (1080p) streaming, expect to use around 3GB per hour.

Netflix can use as much as 11.5GB of data per hour.

By comparing those numbers with the data limits set in place by free VPN providers, you can quickly figure out that free VPNs aren’t the best for Netflix, at least most of the time. Speed may be questionable for some providers. This may translate to a bad Netflix experience, as the video may stop and buffer multiple times while you’re watching it. Instead, it might make more sense to use a paid VPN such as NordVPN for Netflix.

You also have to consider that many free VPNs will automatically select your location, which means they are more or less useless for Netflix. You would have to opt for a provider that offers manual server selection — like Windscribe, for example — so you can connect to a US server to get access to a larger library of content.

Another thing to remember is that Netflix doesn’t like it when people visit its website via a VPN. The service constantly blocks VPN servers once it identifies them, so the one you go with may not work. This applies to both free as well as paid VPN providers, however.

Will a free VPN keep me safe on public networks?

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Like a paid VPN, a free one should keep you safe when using public networks in places like restaurants, hotels, and airports.

The problem with public networks is that they aren’t very secure. It’s relatively easy for someone with the right equipment to capture the packets of data that go from your device to the router, allowing them to see exactly what you’re doing online. If the website you’re visiting uses a protocol called Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the hacker can see your login details if you sign in and everything else you do on a website.

To protect your data, using a VPN on public networks is a great idea.

For that reason, using a VPN on public networks is a great idea since the service encrypts your data so the hacker can’t see your online activities. You can read more about this in our “How easy is it to capture data on public free Wi-Fi?” article written by the professor himself, Gary Sims.

However, it’s worth mentioning that hackers can’t see what you do online when visiting websites with encrypted connections (HTTPS). A VPN may not be required in this case, but you’ll always have to check whether a website is secure or not. If the connection is secure, you’ll see a green padlock in the address bar of your browser. Most popular websites offer encrypted connections these days, but not all of them.

Unfortunately, there’s no padlock visible when it comes to Android apps, making it much harder to figure out whether a connection is encrypted. So, using a VPN is a good idea in a case like this.

Will a free VPN hide my activity from my ISP?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

As already mentioned, your ISP can see the websites you visit and exactly what you do on them, provided they don’t have an encrypted connection. If you’re on an encrypted connection (HTTPS), your ISP can still see the websites you visit, but it can’t see what you do on them. For example, it sees you visited YouTube but doesn’t know which videos you watched. By using a VPN, your ISP will see nothing.

That means if the government comes knocking on their door demanding to see your browsing history, it’s out of luck. But you probably don’t do anything illegal online, so this shouldn’t be too big of a concern to you.

A more significant issue is that ISPs in the US can sell your browsing data to third parties like advertisers, which is a big no-no in my book. So by using a VPN, you can ensure your ISP won’t be making any extra money off you.

It’s essential to remember that while your ISP won’t see your browsing history anymore if you use a VPN, the VPN provider could. All the major VPN companies promise they don’t log your activities, so this shouldn’t be a concern. But then again, there’s no way you can check if that’s true.

It’s a lot easier to believe this claim if it’s coming from a reputable VPN that charges for its services than the one that doesn’t. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, if the VPN provider isn’t making money from subscriptions, it might be selling your data.

Free vs paid VPN: Which one is right for me?

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If you’re not a power user and only need an Android VPN now and then for some light browsing at home and on public networks, a free VPN will do you just fine. But if you want to use a VPN to watch content on streaming services, regularly download stuff from the internet, and keep browsing history private at all times, a paid VPN is the way to go. Simple as that.

There’s a third option as well. If you only need a VPN for a week or so to test it out, you could just sign up for a free trial. Not all providers offer it, but some do. This will get you unlimited data, likely faster speeds than free VPNs, and you won’t have to worry about the provider selling your personal data as much. Just cancel your subscription if you don’t need the VPN after the free trial. To keep using it, pay the subscription fee at the end of the trial and remain anonymous online.

If, after reading this article, you’ve decided to skip free VPNs altogether and don’t care much about free trials, check out the three paid providers we recommend, along with their prices, below:

• ExpressVPN — from $6.67 to $12.95 per month
• NordVPN — from $3.49 to $14.99 per month
• Ivacy — from $1.33 to $9.95 per month

To learn more about good VPN providers, check out our guides for the best VPNs for gaming, torrenting, and Netflix.

FAQs

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It’s a service that routes your data through its servers and encrypts it before sending it to the website you are visiting. A VPN can mask your IP address, geographical data, and other information. This will ensure a secure connection to the internet, as well as offer the ability to fake your location.

Are there free VPNs?

Yes, some VPN service providers offer free access to their tools. That said, these usually come with some limitations. You may have data limits, speed limits, as well as restricted access to servers, among other things.

Are free VPNs safe?

Not always! When considering a free VPN, you must consider that money must be made somehow. If there is no sustainable source of income elsewhere, the company offering free VPN services may skimp out on important factors like security. Some of them may log your data and sell it, some may not have very secure systems, and so on.

Which is the best free VPN out there?

The answer to this question is relative, of course. If we had to choose, we would say ProtonVPN is likely the best free option out there, simply because it’s the only free VPN service that offers truly unlimited data and speeds at no cost. The only downside is that you need to create an account, which means providing some of your info.