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The best Android VPN apps 2023
Staying safe online doesn't stop when you shut your laptop. In fact, for many of us we spend more time on our Android devices than we do our PCs, so picking up the best Android VPN is a must-have for anyone who values their digital privacy.
The best VPN can help protect your identity when connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi and avoid location- and activity-tracking ads. It can even open up a huge range of content streaming opportunities by changing your virtual location and unblocking regional sports streams, TV shows and movies.
When picking the top VPNs for Android, we draw upon hundreds of in-house reviews, alongside our personal experience of using the software on tons of devices. The providers you'll find here will be super simple to use and deliver excellent privacy features, both for Android and on just about any other platform. All you need to do is pick the Android VPN that feels right for you!
Today's top 3 best Android VPNs:
1. ExpressVPN - #1 best Android VPN app
ExpressVPN is out highest-rated VPN overall, and that partly due to its seamless performance on Android. With swift connections, rock-solid privacy features and a simple, well-built app, it's the full premium package. TechRadar readers can also claim 3 months FREE on a 12-month plan, and new users have a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try before you buy.
2. NordVPN - VPN's biggest name is ace on Android
Nord's popularity (counting over 10 million Android users) is not unfounded. It may be a tad clunkier to use than Express's in our view, but it really brings the goods when it comes to security and speed—and it's really well priced, too!
3. Surfshark - simple to use and affordable Android app
This could well be your VPN of choice if you're after something a bit more affordable. Go for its multi-year plan and get the price down to less than $2.50 USD per month. Don't be fooled by the price, though—it's slick, powerful, and outperforms many providers twice the price.
How to choose the best Android VPN app for you
Head to the Play Store on your smartphone and you'll see tons of VPN apps. Beware, though, as many of those are shady free VPNs likely to offer you a poor experience or, in the worse scenario, expose your data with a third-party tracking library - exactly what you are trying to avoid here.
We try and test a ton of services all the times to only select the ones combining tight security and watertight privacy policies. Some providers have now started verifying their apps with the ioXt Alliance, too, giving even more peace of mind.
In terms of functionality, an Android VPN app should be as user-friendly as possible. Ensure it supports your version of Android, with most going back at least to Pie and usually beyond.
It's also worth noting that while you'll find all the below VPN services featured in the Google Play Store, we'd definitely recommend looking into them more closely and signing up directly on their websites to ensure that you get the best possible price.
Also, if you really don't want to pay for a subscription, we highly recommend to check our free VPN guide (don't expect premium performances, though).
Android VPN FAQ
What can I do with an Android VPN?
First thing's first, they act as an excellent first line of defence alongside Android antivirus in protecting yourself when online. As referenced above, the nature of their encrypted tunnelling and ability to keep your IP address secret makes them a wonderful way to keep cyber criminals at bay - no more worrying about online banking and shopping while using unfamiliar networks.
But it's their shapeshifting, geo-spoofing abilities that have made the popularity of Android VPNs explode. The fact you can log into a server in another country elsewhere in the world means that you don't have to miss out on the stuff you'd usually stream to your mobile/tablet when abroad on holiday or business.
And they've proved a great way of getting around blocked websites. Where mobiles are concerned, a fantastic example is using WhatsApp in China, as well as other sites and service. The state may have blocked some of the big hitters, but they can't do anything about it when you use your Android VPN app to make it look like you're in another country entirely!
What devices can I use an Android VPN on?
From your Samsung Galaxy S22 to your Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, Android VPNs are primed and ready to work with all the modern smartphones and tablets running on the OS.
If you're a few generations behind (still using that trusty old Samsung Galaxy Note 8?) then you should generally be covered, too, as the best Android VPN apps go back a fair few iterations. For example, the NordVPN app is compatible with devices still running Marshmallow, while ExpressVPN and Surfshark go even further back to Lollipop.
It's worth noting some Android VPN can even be used as a Smart TV VPN depending on what kind of TV you have, too.
How do I setup a VPN on my Android phone?
First thing's first...it's reeeeeally easy. And you even have two options to choose from.
The first involves you scrolling back up this page, choosing the app that you like the look of best (and don't forget, all these VPNs have free trials, so you really don't have to worry too much about committing) and click the link to go through to the website. From there, you'll be able to select your plan, sign up, download and install. Away you go!
Alternatively, get yourself over to the Play Store and search for your chosen VPN app. But it's worth noting that if you go down this road, you might end up missing out on some of the awesome exclusive pricing and VPN deals that only TechRadar readers can get by clicking through to the provider from our pages.
Should I get a free VPN app for Android?
Even a quick dip into the Play Store menu will show that there are ridiculous amounts of available free apps that you can download. Some will be fine, some will be far from fine, but none will really be excellent.
We'd suggest only going for a freebie if you really don't tend to use your VPN app very much at all. Otherwise, you'll soon bump in to annoying usage restrictions and realise pretty sharpish that free versions only tend to have a handful of servers each (unlike the 5,000+ odd like providers such as NordVPN offer). And when you consider that downloading Surfshark costs less than $2.50 USD per month(opens in new tab), you may as well put your hand in your pocket for one of the very best Android VPNs around.
How can I fake my location on Android?
While all good Android VPN apps will let you change location of your IP address to a server elsewhere, they don't all include fake GPS technology.
In fact, of the big players out there, only Surfshark has an integrated GPS spoofing tool(opens in new tab). That makes it the obvious choice if your main reason for getting a VPN is for use with Pokémon Go or similar mobile games.
What is the ioXt Alliance?
With their spelled out no-logging policies and growing number of independent audits, the challenge VPN companies face is it show that your private web usage is safe in their hands. A new way they have started to do this is by getting certification of their Android apps from the ioXt Alliance(opens in new tab) - an organisation that seeks to build confidence in the Internet of Things.
In order to get the certificate, providers need to show that their Android VPN apps meet eight strict criteria:
- No universal passwords
- Secured interfaces
- Proven cryptography
- Security by default
- Verified software
- Automatic security updates
- Vulnerability reporting program
- Security expiration date
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