While VPN is largely used for unblocking geo-restricted streaming services, it can go a long way in protecting your privacy and security. VPN apps on Android can block public Wi-Fi threats, ISP tracking, malware, in-app ads and much more. So, in this article, I have tested and curated a list of 8 best VPNs for Android which are reliable, secure and offer great protection. On that note, let's explore the list and find a top VPN suitable for your use case.
My Top 3 Picks for Best VPN Apps for Android in 2026
Having tested over 20 VPN apps across different use cases, I've narrowed down this list of the best VPN apps for Android to a total of eight. If I have to pick my three favourite ones, it has to be these:
- Proton VPN
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
Proton VPN is simply the best Android VPN for both free and paid users as it offers a usable free tier without compromising on security or privacy. If you want a premium VPN app on your Android phone, you can check out NordVPN. As for streaming, I'd recommend getting a subscription of ExpressVPN as it offers multiple connections simultaneously.
Overview of the Best VPN Apps for Android
| Android VPNs | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Free VPN service, great privacy and performance | Free, Rs. 2,868 per year |
| NordVPN | Best premium VPN, top-notch coverage and performance | Rs. 2,499 per year |
| ExpressVPN | Best VPN for streaming, supports up to 8 devices | Rs. 3,999 per year |
| Mullvad | Best Android VPN for maximum anonymity on the web | Rs. 490 per month |
| Windscribe | 10 GB free quota under the free plan | Free, Rs. 6,400 per year |
| Surfshark | Cheapest VPN on Android | Rs. 2,950 per year |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | Best for customisation, expanded network coverage | Rs. 4,350 per year |
| CyberGhost | Best VPN for streaming | Rs. 4,250 per year |
How I Tested the Best VPN for Android?
To find the best VPNs on Android, I started my search on the Google Play Store. Free VPN apps have flooded the Store, but I only selected those VPNs which have been verified by Google. It means that these apps meet a global security standard set by App Defense Alliance. These VPN apps go through additional security checks, including security certification from an independent party.
Next, I installed these VPN apps on my Samsung Galaxy S23 and tested them thoroughly. I connected each VPN to a virtual server and checked the bandwidth, latency and security features. I also checked global coverage, number of servers and countries, where these services are headquartered and more. Finally, I compiled a list of 8 best VPNs for Android which made the cut.
Best VPN Apps for Android in 2026
We have added the best free VPN for Android along with VPN apps for streaming, privacy, customisation and more. Let's start with Proton VPN and learn about all these services in detail.
Proton VPN – Best Free VPN for Android
Proton VPN is my number one recommendation for anyone looking for a free, secure and reliable VPN on Android. It's fully open-source and has been independently audited by security researchers. On top of that, the Proton VPN app has been verified by Google on the Play Store. The free plan offers unlimited data and you don't need to create an account.
In addition, it doesn't put any restrictions on the bandwidth. Under the free version, you get access to 10 server locations from major regions around the world. Apart from that, the app doesn't serve any ads and you get advanced features like Secure Core, support for WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, split tunnelling and more. The only catch is that you can't manually choose the server location.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best free VPN, unlimited data, 19,400 servers | Can't select server manually under free version |
| Open-source and no ads | |
| 10 free servers from major regions |
Pricing: Free, Rs. 2,868 per year
NordVPN – Best Premium VPN for Android
NordVPN is a premium VPN for Android and it offers one of the best services in the industry, be it performance, global coverage or security features. Its proprietary NordLynx protocol doesn't reduce download speeds. In fact, NordVPN is a great choice for streaming on Android as it works with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and more.
In terms of security too, it offers AES-256 encryption and comes with built-in WireGuard support. NordVPN has a long-stated no-logs policy, which is great. Currently, it has over 8,900 servers in more than 178 countries and it's headquartered in Panama. Put simply, if you are ready to pay for a VPN, go with NordVPN for your Android device.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast performance and great coverage | 10 device limit |
| Android app is excellent | No free plan |
| Unlocks nearly all streaming services |
Pricing: Rs. 2,499 per year
ExpressVPN – Best Android VPN for Travelling
Similar to NordVPN, ExpressVPN is a premium VPN app for Android and it's headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, which doesn't have a data retention law. ExpressVPN is more user-friendly and it offers a lightweight app on Android. You get unparalleled speed and coverage across 170 countries worldwide with more than 3,000 servers.
The company also says that it doesn't log any activity to protect user privacy. While it doesn't offer a free plan, if you choose to get the paid subscription, you can connect up to 8 devices at once. Basically, with a single subscription, you can use the VPN on multiple devices, including an Android phone.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean and user-friendly Android app | A bit expensive |
| Delivers excellent speeds | No multi-hop feature |
| Global coverage, servers in 105 countries |
Pricing: Rs. 3,999 per year
Mullvad – Best Android VPN for Privacy
If you are looking for an Android VPN that collects absolutely zero personal information, then you must check out Mullvad. It's the most privacy-focused VPN out there, which is headquartered in Sweden. You just download the app, sign up using a 16-digit account number without divulging your name or email. For improved security, it only uses the WireGuard protocol with always-on kill switch support.
That said, keep in mind that Mullvad is not built for streaming and it can't unblock services like Netflix. You also get around 600 servers in 50 countries, which is much lower than the competition. However, for a strict no-logs service, there is no better Android VPN than Mullvad.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best Android VPN for privacy and security | Smaller server network |
| Offers complete anonymity | Not meant for streaming services |
| Strict no-logs policy |
Pricing: Rs. 490 per month
Windscribe – Another Great Free Android VPN
In my opinion, Windscribe is an underrated VPN on Android and more users should know about it. Windscribe offers 10GB of free data per month with servers across 15 countries. I have used its free service in the past and it's ad-free and pretty fast without much latency. And if you choose to get the paid version, it unlocks servers from more than 69 countries.
On top of that, you get unlimited data and device connections, which is not available on other Android VPN apps. That said, Windscribe falls under Canada's jurisdiction (part of Five Eyes), but its stance on security and privacy has earned trust among users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 10 GB free quota per month | Paid plan is expensive |
| No server limitation | Canadian jurisdiction |
| Servers available in 69 countries |
Pricing: Free, Rs. 6,400 per year
Surfshark – Best Budget VPN for Android
Surfshark ranks among the best VPNs for Android solely because it brings insane value to the table. Among all the premium VPNs, it's one of the cheapest Android VPNs you can get and the performance is also really good. You get access to 4,500 servers across 100 countries and the bandwidth is actually better than many paid VPNs out there. Not to forget, you can share it with your entire household.
The app also maintains that it doesn't log user data and supports advanced protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Sure, there is no free plan, but you get a 7-day free trial to try the service before getting the paid subscription. I would suggest users getting the two-year plan, which makes the service much cheaper.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cheapest premium VPN on Android | No free plan |
| Unlimited device connections | |
| Excellent for unblocking streaming services |
Pricing: Rs. 2,950 per year
Private Internet Access (PIA) – Best Android VPN for Customisation
Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the oldest VPN services and it still offers a large number of servers on Android. It has a large network of over 35,000 servers across 91 countries, so for global coverage, there is no better VPN app than PIA. On top of that, PIA offers a lot for tinkering options. You can choose the encryption, configure split tunnelling, assign IP address and set up automation rules too.
As for general consumers, with the PIA VPN, you can stream content from Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more. The only caveat is that it's based in the US, which could raise concerns among privacy-conscious users. However, the app is fully open-source and PIA maintains that it has a strict no-logs policy.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Oldest VPN available on Android | Based in the US |
| Large network of servers, 35,000+ servers | |
| Open-source |
Pricing: Rs. 4,350 per year
CyberGhost – Best Android VPN for Streaming
CyberGhost is our final recommendation if you are still looking for the best VPN for Android. It has more than 11,000 servers in 100 countries and supports streaming too. It can unblock Netflix from other regions, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ and more. The best part is that CyberGhost offers NoSpy servers, which are wholly owned by CyberGhost in a secure Romanian data centre.
Note that there is no free plan, but you can get a 7-day free trial to test the VPN performance. After that, you can get the paid subscription and you can enroll all your household devices as it offers up to 7 connections. In case, you don't like the service, CyberGhost offers 45-day money-back guarantee as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great Android VPN for streaming | Poor app design |
| NoSpy servers for anonymity | A bit expensive |
| 11,000 servers |
Pricing: Rs. 4,250 per year
And that wraps up our list of best VPNs for Android. I would suggest users stop installing free VPN apps from the Play Store. Most of them harvest your personal user data, which risks your privacy and security. In case you don't know if such an app is active on your phone, you can spot and remove the key icon on your Android phone with ease. If you want want to use a free VPN on Android, go with Proton VPN or Windscribe, which are tried-and-tested services.
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