Crammed with advanced features and functionality
10GB free data allowance
Good value with very flexible plans
Unlimited simultaneous connections
No security audit or 24/7 live chat support (but coming soon)
Apps might intimidate newbies with their many options
Subscribe if:
✔️ You need a free VPN with a bigger network: unlike Proton VPN, Windscribe offers 11 countries to choose from on its free servers.You want to pretend you're in Antarctica: that's right, Windscribe has a fake Antarctica server, so you can pretend to be a penguin accessing international content.You are a dissidents: an exclusive of Android apps, Windescribe Decoy Mode seeks to help dissidents avoid detection in extreme situations.
Don't subscribe if:
❌ You need a longer trial period: Windscribe allows for a refund only within 3 days of purchase and if must have used less than 10GB.You want an audited VPN: Windscribe is open source, so anyone can audit, but it has yet to commit to a proper, independent third-party audit.❌ You appreciate affordability: it's a great service, but even Windscribe's cheapest premium plan just doesn't offer the same value for money as the likes of Surfshark.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Windscribe
Another service that keeps improving, we've found Windscribe to have addressed some of the issues that were holding it back in the past. This makes it a fairly new entry in our best Android VPN guide.
If you are used to the Windscribe interface on a Windows browser, you won't find any differences: the distinct background flag, the big On/Off button, details on your new IP, and the preferred protocol.
▶ Try Windscribe for free today.
In terms of features, all Windscibe apps are crammed with advanced functionality that, perhaps, most users will never make use of. These include its R.O.B.E.R.T. system that blocks IP addresses and domains of your choice on all devices, static IPs option, port forwarding, and split tunneling. A nice addition to Android apps only is its Decoy Mode which helps dissidents avoid detection in extreme situations. We've even tested its tracker and malware-blocking system and found it really effective.
The provider offers only the best in terms of VPN protocols (WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN) supporting strong AES-256 encryption and stealth technologies to avoid VPN blocks . It doesn't keep any identifying logs and, even though its security infrastructure hasn't been audited yet, its apps are all open-source so anyone can check its code for vulnerabilities. What's more, we couldn't find any trackers on its website or Android apps last time we checked.
Windscribe unlocked almost all the main streaming platforms during our last test. However, it failed to do so with ITV, C4, 9Now, and 10 Play. It also unlocked only the US Netflix catalog. Its connection speeds seriously improved, though, placing itself alongside the likes of Nord and Surfshark among the fastest VPNs thanks to peaks of 950+Mbps when connected to the WireGuard protocol.
Even though it isn't active yet, 24/7 live chat support is on its way. This means that users struggling to work out the many features included in Windscribe Android apps will still need to rely on its website tutorials for a bit longer.
Overall, Windscribe is still a bit behind its competitors in accommodating any type of users, from experts to newcomers. However, it also comes with a powerful and feature-packed free VPN with 10GB of data allowance and unlimited connections included. But remember, you have to upgrade to a paid plan if you want to use its streaming VPN function.
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Windscribe test results: Attributes Notes Rating Design Generally simple, but quite cluttered ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ease of use Intuitive, but may feel complicated for beginners ⭐⭐⭐ Performance Pretty average for WireGuard ⭐⭐⭐ Unblocking Decent unblocking, but couldn't access Amazon Prime in our tests ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Security and privacy Robust and open-source, but lacking an independent audit ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Customer support No live chat, but helpful on-site content and quick responses to emails ⭐⭐⭐ Price We always love free plans, but the premium plan is quite expensive ⭐⭐⭐
How to choose the best Android VPN 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 worst 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 time to only select the ones that combine 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 VPN services in our list 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.
How we test VPNs Testing VPNs is tricky. There are lots of variables involved in the process that can influence results – think tracking performance across different locations, different device types, and even protocols. Plus, a VPN's speeds can change throughout the day and over time, which means that one standalone test just won't be enough to get an accurate picture.
With that in mind, we've put together a gauntlet of tests for the Android VPNs we evaluate. With the results in hand, we can pinpoint which VPNs are worth your time and money – and which ones aren't worth the risk.
Features : first things first, we need to do our homework. This involves visiting the provider site to see what features are available (including any Android-specific tools), the size and scope of the server network, and which VPN protocols the service uses. All of these aspects are used to compare the VPN to its competitors and inform our later tests.Privacy and security: we want to ensure that any VPN we recommend has your Android's privacy in mind – which is why we dig into its encryption methods and protocols. We perform a number of proprietary tests here, too, to check that the kill switch and DNS leak protection features are working as they should. This is also where we'll check out any independent security audits. However, if the VPN hasn't invited auditors to comb through its privacy policy, it's a big red flag.Performance: to get a clear picture of a VPN's speed, we test it with a variety of devices using a 1 Gbps internet connection. Then, we'll record the connection speeds multiple times throughout the day – and at regular points in the rest of the year. We'll also take note of the VPN's connection times, benchmark DNS queries, and generally get a feel for how the VPN performs during day-to-day use on an Android device.Unblocking: today's top VPNs can bypass blocks and unblock in-demand streaming platforms. We'll see if they can access the likes of Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and smaller region-specific services,Support: if you need help getting set up or configuring your settings, it's good to know that help is at hand. That's why we'll dig into the VPN's customer support – like live chat and email tickets. We're looking for speedy replies that thoroughly address our concerns and answer our questions. If the provider has a well-organized support site, that's a bonus, too.Meet the team Meet the experts behind our Android VPN guide:
Andreas Theodorou
Editor-in-Chief, TechRadar VPN A privacy purist at heart, Andreas is a VPN expert who believes that the best VPN doesn't have to be the most expensive – it's about what's right for you. He tests Windows and Android VPN apps, picks apart privacy policies, and investigates the technical security of VPNs behind the scenes to uncover whether they're actually secure, or just saying they are. View author page
Mike is head-geek and has been our lead tester for years – he's responsible for our speed analysis, stream unblocking tests, and functionality testing. He'll find out if a kill switch won't hold up under stress, or whether or not your IP address is likely to leak out. Mike is always peeking behind the curtain to see how a VPN app is coded to unveil the truth of a VPN's build quality. He also tests VPN apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire stick, and Roku. View author page
Best Android VPN FAQs What can I do with an Android VPN? An Android VPN acts as an excellent first line of defense alongside Android antivirus in protecting yourself when online. The nature of their encrypted tunneling and ability to keep your IP address secret makes them a wonderful way to keep cybercriminals 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 services. 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 S24 to your f avorite Android tablets, 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 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 VPNs can even be used as a Smart TV VPN depending on what kind of TV you have, too.
(Image credit: ExpressVPN) How do I setup a VPN on my Android phone? First things first, it's really easy. And you even have two options to choose from to set up a VPN on your Android phone.
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 clicking 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? A free VPN is handy in a pinch, but it can't match premium providers when it comes to the quality and quantity of features. You'll also need to deal with limitations – think puny monthly data caps, bandwidth limits, and a smaller pool of servers to choose from.
There are tons of free services on the Play Store but it's better to avoid the majority of them. Some are lightweight versions of full services, designed to tempt you into upgrading, and others are simply scams that are hungry for your identifiable information. Stick to our recommended free services – or check out Surfshark if you want a premium VPN without the premium price tag.
How can I fake my location on Android? While all good Android VPN apps will let you change the 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 . 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 the certification of their Android apps from the ioXt Alliance – an organization 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
Edited by River helps take care of cybersecurity content on TechRadar—ranging from breaking news pieces, reviews, and buying guides.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
