The best VPNs for Android. TOP 5 proven services

Our assessment

Description

More details

5.0

• The most functional client for Android
• Split tunneling and scheduled connection
• Large selection of locations for virtual location
• Password manager for Android and other applications in your account

Visit nordvpn.com

4.5

• Free trial of premium plan for 7 days
• Automatic selection of the best server
• Built-in ad blocker
• Whitelists for selected applications

Visit surfshark.com

4.5

• Simple and intuitive application interface for Android
• Featured and recommended server lists
• KillSwitch and auto-connection
• Free trial period for 7 days without obligation

Visit the site rusvpn.com

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

— a private network with an encrypted traffic transmission channel. Using a VPN service, no one will know what sites you visit; the traffic is completely protected and confidential. When using public Wi-Fi hotspots, it is recommended to enable traffic encryption to eliminate the risk of identity theft. Another important use of a VPN is bypassing blocks. By changing the location of your IP address, you can easily access sites and applications that for some reason do not work in the country where you are actually located.

Many people are interested in the answer to the question: is it possible to legally use a VPN in Russia? Yes, of course it is possible and necessary! Responsibility for providing access to prohibited resources lies with the “owner of the hardware and software access means,” namely the owners of VPN services. Ordinary users have nothing to fear - the laws of the Russian Federation do not provide for liability for the use of VPN. So, feel free to choose a suitable VPN and install it not only on your smartphone, but also on your laptop/PC with Windows or as an extension for any Internet browser.

Best VPNs for Android – TOP 10

1. NordVPN is the best VPN service for Android
2. Surfshark - the most secure VPN in the world
3. RusVPN – Russian-language VPN for Android
4. Atlas VPN is the cheapest VPN for Android
5. Turbo VPN – universal VPN service
6. VPN Master – universal VPN service
7. VPN Proxy Master Lite – the simplest VPN
8. Hola VPN – VPN for comprehensive protection
9. Secure VPN – install VPN in one click
10. Browsec VPN – VPN with advanced security

• General list (20 pieces)
• Comparison table of services
• Paid vs. Free
• Conclusions and recommendations
• User Feedback/Questions

We recommend!

NordVPN - the best VPN service for Android → detailed review

NordVPN is a bestseller, the best VPN service that works stably on different platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, including as an application for Android and Android TV. Full functionality is available during a 7-day free trial period, which allows you to evaluate the capabilities of the service. The service's subscription-based nature is one sign that it doesn't sell user data to third parties, including advertisers, as some free VPNs have been seen doing.

NordVPN offers users technologies to provide additional security. There is protection against DDoS attacks, and double encryption is used on some servers. If problems arise, you can contact technical support 24/7.

Pros:

• Free trial period for 7 days.
• Different subscription periods - for a month, six months, a year - with an increasing discount.
• Low ping.
• 5000 servers in 60 countries (there are no servers in Russia).
• Built-in ad blocking feature.
• Automatic blocking of dangerous sites, protection against malware.
• P2P technology support.
• Up to 6 simultaneous connections from 1 account.

Minuses:

• Mandatory registration.
• The need to connect a card to access the free trial period.
• High price.

Price:

Free access for seven days for testing. The subscription cost depends on the length of the paid period. 1 month VPN costs 890 rubles per month. A six-month subscription will cost 3,990 rubles - this is already 25% cheaper than paying monthly. If you buy an annual subscription, the savings will be more than 40% - 6190 rubles or 515 rubles per month.

Best VPNs for Android 2022

Content

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1 Best VPNs for Android 2022

2 Best VPNs for Android 2022

3 What is a VPN and why is it needed?

4 Best VPN for Android: Our Top 10 Ranking 4.1 1. CyberGhost is a non-logging Android VPN

4.2 2. AtlasVPN – unblocks anything, anywhere!

4.3 3. Surfshark – Best VPN for Android! Other Android VPNs don't hold a candle

4.4 4. NordVPN is an absolute bestseller for 2022

4.5 5. Hidemy.name – true anonymity!

4.6 6. ExpressVPN – multi-platform, speed, torrent downloading

4.7 7. Windscribe – traffic encryption, ad blocking, website unblocking

4.8 8. IntelliVPN – bank-level encryption plus TOR

4.9 9. VyprVPN – Top VPN for Android without registration

4.10 10. SecureVPN – security comes first

5 How we identified the best VPNs for Android

6 Main VPN standards and functionality 6.1 Android VPN tunneling protocols

6.2 Android VPN transport protocols

6.3 Keys and encryption methods

6.4 Access speed

6.5 Simultaneous access on desktop computers and mobile platforms

6.6 Availability of activity log

6.7 Support for access to blocked sites and torrents

6.8 Help Desk Operations

8 Free VPNs for Android

9 Conclusion

10 Surfshark - Best vpn for android 2022

11 Frequently Asked Questions 11.1 Android VPN will increase the speed of your mobile Internet connection?

11.2 Is it legal to use a VPN for Android?

11.3 Which service is best for downloading torrents and watching videos from streaming services?

11.4 Which Android VPNs also work on Windows and iOS?

11.5 Do I need to install the OpenVPN application on my smartphone before installing the application from the provider?

Surfshark - the most secure VPN in the world → detailed review

Surfshark is a reliable VPN provider with a transparent policy and a guarantee of user privacy. You can install an extension for the popular browsers Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. More than 1,000 servers are available in 61 countries to create secure channels. Physical and virtual servers are used for connection; there is support for P2P networks.

With one subscription you can use the service on other devices: computers with Windows, macOS, Linux, smartphones and tablets on iOS. Surfshark is also available on Smart TV. No additional payment required. You can log in to your account and simultaneously launch secure channels on different devices.

Pros:

• Unlimited number of devices on one account.
• Opting out of collecting user information.
• Ability to add applications to the list whose traffic does not need to be allowed through the VPN.
• Additional camouflage technologies that allow you to hide the fact of using a VPN.
• Encrypted via multiple servers for maximum privacy.
• Automatic disconnection from the network when the secure connection is broken.
• Work in countries where the use of VPN is limited, including China.

Minuses:

• Mandatory connection of a bank card to access the test period.
• A small number of servers compared to other niche leaders.
• The fastest server your device connects to by default isn't always the best. You have to search for other options manually.

Price:

You can use the application for free for 7 days without restrictions on functionality. All locations are available for connection; the speed is not adjusted intentionally. After the trial period ends, you must pay for the subscription. A monthly purchase will cost $11.95. A year of using the application costs $71.88 ($5.99/month), two years costs $47.76 ($1.99/month). There are also additional services for identifying email compromises and clearing search results of advertising and recommendations. Cost: $0.99/month.

What is a VPN and why is it needed?

This word refers to technologies that allow users to create connections with resources on top of the main network, in our case, on top of the Internet. By installing a VPN on Android, you can access the Internet from a different IP, hiding your true location. But the main advantage is, of course, the security aspect, which fundamentally distinguishes this technology from, for example, proxy servers. The traffic that is transmitted between your device and the service provider's server is encrypted according to various protocols and using a variety of encryption keys.

Here are the reasons why you need to install a VPN on Android:

✅ Access to content blocked in your country, bypassing restrictions;

✅ The ability to download files in peer-to-peer P2P networks - relevant if you are in countries where there are sanctions for downloading from torrents;

✅ Ability to play online games in another geographical region;

✅ Security and privacy, especially in public Wi-Fi networks;

✅ Ad blocking (not available from all providers);

✅ Saving mobile traffic - some providers provide a compression service for transmitted data;

✅ Protection against hacker attacks, firewall (not all service providers offer additional security);

✅ Protection from surveillance by intelligence agencies.

The last point is debatable; there are many facts suggesting that intelligence agencies can track Android users . But the material in the article is intended for ordinary law-abiding users who are not involved in crime or more terrible matters.

However, it is a fact that VPN is a real salvation for citizens of countries where authorities restrict access to the Internet. Once you find yourself in one of these countries (China, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, India, etc.), you will simply be forced to install a VPN Android application on your phone in order to lead your usual online life at home - communicate on social networks, read Wikipedia or watch movies from online cinemas in your native or foreign language.

RUSVPN – Russian-language VPN for Android → detailed review

RusVPN is a high-quality VPN with serious coverage. There are more than 50 countries in which servers are located, the total number of servers is over 390, and the network continues to grow. Proven VPN protocols are used as the technical basis: OpenVPN and IKEv2. L2TP and PPTP are also supported. The company strictly adheres to the no-logs policy and offers a number of additional services: checking for leaks via WebRTC and DNS, checking for viruses, etc.

On the official website you can choose a VPN for specific tasks - the load on the server, its ping and the distance to it are shown in real time. The Android application has a simple and intuitive interface, completely translated into Russian, the situation with technical support is similar (you don’t have to use a translator).

Pros:

• High connection speed, suitable for any task, including streaming and torrenting.
• There is a sufficient selection of locations, there is an automatic selection of the optimal server.
• Test period – 7 days.
• Technical support understands Russian.
• High level of security and confidentiality.
• Reasonable prices.
• One account can be used on all of your devices.
• The owner operates outside the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation.

Minuses:

• The refund policy is close to Russian legislation (if you have used more than 500 MB of traffic, you should not count on a full refund).
• Without premium, chat with technical support is not available.
• Since the main calculations are in dollars, the price may increase slightly upon conversion.

Price:

Free trial of premium access – 7 days. Next, a subscription is completed. 1 month – 399 rubles, 1 year – 2388 rubles. (199 rubles/month) and the most profitable for 3 years – 4644 rubles. (works out to 129 rubles/month).

When should you use a VPN?

• Whenever you make “too personal” transactions on the Internet - use Internet banking, for example. Using a VPN will greatly improve your online security.
• Whenever you use public Wi-Fi. Most free public networks are vulnerable to hacking, and attackers can do any kind of damage, including stealing your personal information.
• Whenever you don't want someone to track your location, your device's IP address can be used to roughly determine where you are. The VPN will replace your real IP address with its own.
• If you don't want to show your ISP what you're doing online. Your Internet provider (MTS, Megafon, Beeline, etc.) can see your history of visiting web resources, and, in principle, everything you do on the Internet. They can use this information themselves and transfer it to third parties (many earn extra income this way) who will use it for their own purposes. If you use a VPN, your ISP will not be able to track you.

To ensure your own maximum security and privacy, you should always use a secure and reliable VPN on your Android.

Atlas VPN is the cheapest VPN for Android

Atlas VPN is a relative newcomer to the market, but with ambitious ambitions. This is one of the few VPN services that can work in China (despite sanctions and the Great Firewall of China).

The Android application allows you to connect to a VPN for free, but with a speed limit (there is no traffic limit) and only to a small selection of locations. The non-premium app itself will display ads. But the most remarkable feature of the service is low prices at high speeds and sufficient reliability.

Pros:

• There is free access without monthly traffic limits.
• High speeds, suitable for 4K content and torrents.
• It even works in China and allows you to access popular services (HBO, Netflix, YouTube, BBC, etc.).
• Atlas VPN does not set restrictions on the number of devices connected to your account.
• Additional options in the application (Kill Switch, search for personal data leaks).

Minuses:

• There is no Russian language.
• The trial period for premium is only 3 days.
• Without premium, advertisements will be shown and the speed will decrease.

Price:

When subscribing on the official website, the minimum tariff is from $1.39/month (if paid immediately for 3 years - $50.04). If paid monthly – $9.99. For a year – $29.88 (in monthly terms – $2.49). If you pay for a subscription from the Android application, only two options are available: month – 219 rubles, year – 1299 rubles. (works out to 108.25 rubles/month).

Turbo VPN - universal VPN service

Turbo VPN is a completely free application that offers the use of servers in different parts of the world to create a secure channel for traffic. There is a premium tariff that increases the number of available servers and adds new countries, but even without it, the program solves the standard tasks that a VPN faces: bypassing blocks, including those based on geographic boundaries, protecting privacy and confidentiality.

To encrypt data, Turbo VPN uses the OpenVPN and IPsec protocol sets, which you can freely switch between in the settings. There is no technical support, so if problems arise, the only way to solve them is to communicate with the developers through reviews on Google Play. Fortunately, they actually read user messages and respond to them quite quickly.

Pros:

• There is completely free access (with advertising).
• 7 days trial period for the premium plan.
• 6 countries on the free plan and 20 on the premium plan.
• Manually switch between servers when searching for the optimal connection speed.
• Select the connection mode - OpenVPN or IPSec.
• Disable VPN functionality for individual applications.

Minuses:

• A small number of servers available for connection.
• Connect from only one device on a free plan.
• Intrusive banners asking you to upgrade to the paid version.
• Lack of technical support.

Price:

The main features of the application are available for free. There is also a premium tariff, which disables advertising, increases connection speed, removes restrictions on use in different regions of the world, and also makes it possible to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. Cost: 639 rubles per month. When paying annually, the savings are 73%. To test the capabilities of the premium tariff, there is a demo access for 7 days.

Security Master

Provides 500 MB of traffic for free. There are both VIP servers (with lower ping times) and free ones. List of countries:

• Netherlands;
• Germany;
• France;
• Great Britain;
• Canada;
• USA;
• Singapore;
• Japan (VIP only).

No terms of use or privacy policy are provided. There is a website, but it is actually an advertising page aimed at a Russian-speaking audience. In the settings, you can enable auto-connection when you start both the program and the device. There is a nice widget for speed monitoring.

OpenVPN again inside. Registration is quite confusing, but it looks much simpler than in the previous two applications, so if you poke around, you can use fake data. For generation, IMSI, phone number, Android ID and other data unique to the device are used. Apparently, they are transmitted in clear text and are not hashed at all, which, given the unknown affiliation of the service, looks at least suspicious.

Some addresses have an acceptable speed, some are below 1 Mbit/s, and for some it is impossible to measure the speed at all - connecting to any content server is extremely difficult. In addition, the application itself contains a warning that if you try to use P2P, your account will be blocked. About half of the exit addresses are on one or more blacklists. It was not possible to find out the cost of a VIP account.

Summary: The VPN service, although it provides many exit addresses, seems to be the worst of all those described previously. Given the lack of terms of use and privacy policy, coupled with the collection of information such as IMSI, it is not worth using.

VPN Master - universal VPN service

VPN Master is another client for connecting via VPN from the creators of Turbo VPN. Offers a similar control interface, but slightly different features. The main difference is the presence of a built-in tool for testing connection speed. With it, you can measure the speed without connecting through a VPN, and then select the most optimal server. At the same time, the number of available options in the free plan is smaller - only 4.

To transfer data, as with Turbo VPN, you can use OpenVPN or IPSec. There is no technical support as such, but the developers offer to write to them by email in response to reviews on Google Play. However, judging by the reviews and our testing, there are no serious problems - the application works without failures.

Pros:

• Completely free access.
• VPN disabling function for individual applications.
• Selecting a set of protocols for the connection: OpenVPN or IPSec.
• Built-in speed test tool that helps you choose the optimal server for your connection.

Minuses:

• Advertising with sound in the free version.
• A small number of servers in the free version - only 4.
• Connect one device using a free plan.
• No technical support.

Price:

The client can be used free of charge without restrictions. There is also VIP access, which removes ads, increases connection speed and expands the number of servers available for connection. The cost per month is 699 rubles. If you pay for a subscription for 12 months, the savings will be 75%, that is, a month will cost 175 rubles. The premium plan can be used free of charge for 7 days.

FAQ

What devices can the VPN service work on?

Most VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) can work on phones, tablets, computers, TVs and routers. In addition, many services are available as extensions for Google Chrome, Opera and Firefox.

How to install and configure an anonymizer on an Android device

Installing and setting up a VPN on an Android device is quite simple. First, you need to download the selected application from Google Play or the provider’s official website.

Once the program is installed, you can proceed to configuration:

1. Open the “Settings” of your smartphone.
2. On the next screen, click on the “More” or More button.

1. Select VPN item.

1. Click on the “+” icon or the “Add VPN network” button.

1. A window will open in which you need to fill in the data. In the “Network name” line, you can specify any name that is convenient for the user. In the “Type” cell, select the PPTP protocol. And in the “Address” line you need to indicate the address of the VPN server - it is issued by the provider.

VPN Proxy Master Lite - the simplest VPN

VPN Proxy Master Lite is a simple VPN client with a minimalistic interface. When launched, it automatically determines the optimal server taking into account your real location, and then offers to establish a connection in one click. To change the server and increase the connection speed, you need to upgrade to the paid version of the application. It has servers available in Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, USA, India and Canada.

There is no technical support, but the Feedback section is available in the menu, through which you can send a letter to the developers. They also monitor reviews on Google Play and really help resolve issues that arise, giving advice and even step-by-step instructions.

Pros:

• A very simple interface - launched and connected to a pre-selected server.
• Responsive developers who help solve emerging problems.
• Free trial period for 7 days.

Minuses:

• In the free version, you cannot select the country to connect to the VPN.
• The speed on the free plan is limited to 60 Kb/s. This is not enough to play videos normally.
• Video ads with sound turned on and intrusive requests to upgrade to a paid plan.
• To access the trial period of the paid tariff, you need to provide your bank card details.
• High cost of tariffs.

Price:

The application can be used for free without the ability to change the server and get a decent connection speed. To remove ads, improve connection quality and expand the catalog of countries, you need to upgrade to the premium version. The cost of a weekly subscription is 790 rubles, a monthly subscription is 899 rubles, an annual subscription is 2699 rubles.

Betternet for Android

Vkontakte community

Betternet is a program for encrypting network traffic, thanks to which the device anonymously connects to the Internet.

To connect to a virtual network, simply click on the “Connect” button, which is located in the application window. After 2-3 seconds the connection will be completed. To disconnect from the server, click on “Disconnect”.

Peculiarities:

• Provides access to limited resources.
• Keeps real IP address and geolocation secret.
• Hides online transitions from surveillance.
• Does not store user information.
• The program automatically searches for a fast and less busy server and connects you to it itself.
• Protects your Wi-Fi connection from hacker attacks.
• Does not require registration or profile creation.
• It is easy to use due to the lack of additional functions.
• Multilingual.
• If an error occurs, you can report it to the developers.

There is also a paid version of Betternet. It differs from free ones in the absence of advertising and the ability to choose your own IP address. See the full review of the utility here.

Hola VPN - VPN for comprehensive protection

Hola VPN is an application of one of the most famous VPN services. Offers a non-standard approach to connection. If in other clients you establish a general connection and can exclude some applications from the list, then here in the Hola interface you select the program that you want to run through the VPN and the country of connection. You can also go to sites by first selecting a server in another country - the client uses its own browser for this.

The free version has servers in dozens of countries around the world. The list is indeed very large, almost a complete listing of states around the world in alphabetical order. The premium version of the application adds servers in the US and UK with increased connection speeds, advanced security tools and support for video streaming on all sites.

Pros:

• An original approach to launching a VPN - the connection is configured for each application separately.
• Built-in browser for navigating to websites via VPN.
• A huge number of countries with servers available for connection.
• Upgrading to premium access unlocks advanced servers in the US and UK with high speeds and additional security tools.

Minuses:

• Not suitable for everyone - sometimes it's inconvenient to assign your own VPN channel to each application.
• The premium version requires registration.
• High cost of subscription to a paid plan.
• Only 3 days of the test period with the need to provide bank card details.

Price:

Hola VPN works for free without restrictions. Ads appear rarely, so they don’t bother you at all. It makes sense to buy premium only to increase the speed and quality of the connection. The cost of a monthly Plus subscription is 990 rubles, a six-month subscription is 4190 rubles (saving 29%), an annual subscription is 6699 rubles (saving 43%).

TouchVPN

TouchVPN provides VPN access through the following countries:

• Sweden;
• Great Britain;
• Japan;
• Denmark;
• France;
• USA;
• Canada.

As in the previous application, there is a large round button that turns on the VPN. However, in addition to this button, on the main screen there is also the ability to select a country. On a tablet, TouchVPN didn’t want to launch in landscape mode, so I switched it to vertical mode (it’s aimed at phones), so I had to deploy it using the app to force the screen to rotate. The VPN is stated to be completely free, without any trial periods, and works only through advertising. Unlike SuperVPN, the app at least has a website, terms of use, and privacy policy.

In the settings (which can be accessed by “pulling” the left edge of the screen) you can enable scanning for unsecured networks, auto-breaking the connection when going into standby mode, and changing the theme.

TouchVPN Settings

OpenVPN with a certificate and login-password is used inside. Authentication data is generated based on many values ​​(including values ​​taken from Google services, so if you have firmware without these services, you won’t be able to use TouchVPN). While the end user still only needs to click a button to connect, the overall internal sign-up process is much more confusing than the previous app.

But there is a strange thing with the traffic exit addresses: almost not a single address corresponds to the country on the list. For example, if “USA” is selected, the address will be in Brazil, “Canada” will be in the USA, and so on. At least three addresses are on one or two blacklists; however, this is not so critical. The speed is above 2 Mbit/s everywhere, videos from YouTube are played quite decently and without jerks. There is no trial period as such, but annoying advertisements pop up from time to time. In addition, premium accounts are mentioned in the text of the terms of use and in the decompiled bytecode, but there is no information on how to obtain them.

In general, the service makes a good impression, the protection against fraudulent accounts is built in such a way that it is difficult to find the ends right away, but it remains unclear how it pays off. In addition, there are several but, one of which is the discrepancy between exit points and countries.

Orbot

Orbot - Tor for Android. Can be used either separately or in conjunction with the Orfox browser. There are fewer settings than the desktop Tor Browser Bundle, but it is possible to select a Tor exit node (this feature is considered obsolete in the configuration file descriptions). In addition, there is an experimental possibility of using Tor in VPN mode - the mode, however, is intended only to bypass firewalls, and not to provide anonymity. If you have root in Tor, you can wrap all outgoing traffic.

Secure VPN - install VPN in one click

Secure VPN is another very simple VPN client. By default, the optimal server is automatically selected at startup. You can connect to it immediately or select another available country. The free plan includes Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the USA. When purchasing premium, France, India, Japan, Singapore, Canada, Great Britain, Australia and Korea are added to them.

In the settings you can configure automatic connection to the VPN when you launch the application. There is also a feature for managing exceptions, through which you can select programs that do not use a VPN. To solve problems that arise, you can use the feedback form in the application menu or contact the developers through Google Play.

Pros:

• A simple interface that allows you to establish a connection in one click.
• Unobtrusive advertising in the free version.
• Ability to fine-tune the list of programs that will use VPN.
• Automatic connection when the application starts and notifications about its operation.

Minuses:

• Low connection speed on the free plan.
• Small selection of countries.
• The interface and capabilities are almost completely identical to Thunder VPN, as if it were one client with different names.

Price:

The main features of the application are available for free. When you purchase a VIP plan, you get a faster connection, expanded server geography, and disabling advertising. A weekly subscription costs 479 rubles, a monthly subscription costs 799 rubles, and an annual subscription costs 4,790 rubles.

NORDVPN

NORDVPN has many interesting and useful additional features.
Simple software with a wide range of additional functions. For example, here it is possible to use split tunneling. This is splitting your connection so that the VPN only works for one task or application. For example, you can watch Netflix over a VPN but still use Google search on your regular connection.

NordVPN has an additional secure browsing feature called CyberSec, which detects malicious sites and software and blocks pop-ups. There is also an automatic connection option and a safety switch.

You can use NordVPN for free for the first three months, and then for a six-month plan you will have to pay $3.30 per month.

Browsec VPN - VPN with advanced security

Browsec VPN is an application from a well-known VPN service. In free mode, it offers to connect to an encrypted channel through servers in three countries. The connection speed is low, but it is enough to load sites with text content. If you need to watch videos or download files via VPN, then it will be much more effective to immediately switch to premium access: you will save both time and nerves.

Among the distinctive features of Browsec VPN is the “Persistent VPN” function, which allows you to forget about the need to connect to a private channel. This is convenient if you constantly surf the Internet via a VPN. It is also possible to configure the list of applications that will use the secure channel.

Pros:

• “Permanent VPN” function - the connection is restored even after the phone is rebooted.
• A large number of available servers when upgrading to a premium plan.
• Adequate price for a premium subscription.
• High connection speed on premium thanks to a dedicated server pool.

Minuses:

• Registration is required to activate your account.
• In the free version, only three countries with low connection speeds are available: the Netherlands, Singapore, and the USA.
• The need to connect a bank card to access the 7-day trial period.

Price:

The application is free to use, but a small selection of countries to connect to and low data transfer speeds greatly limit its scope of application. For comfortable work, you need a premium tariff, which costs 299 rubles per month or 2399 rubles if you pay for a subscription for a year (33% savings). Premium adds several dozen servers in different countries, increases connection speed, and makes support a priority.

Proxy server

A proxy is a technology that, just like a VPN service, helps you quickly change your IP address. The main difference between them is that a VPN is a special Internet setting that is a secure communication channel to which no one can connect.

A proxy server allows you to redirect traffic through a local network or the Internet. In order to find out how to change the IP address of an Android phone, you need to find a list of servers on the Internet, and then configure the operating system correctly.

First you need to go to the “Settings” menu item and select the “Wireless Networks” section. Next, select the network and find the “Advanced” submenu. In order to set up a proxy server, click on the “Manual” button and enter the IP and port data that you found on the site. After that, click the “Connect” button.

Source

General list (20 pieces)

PREMIUM SERVICES (RECOMMENDED)
1. Safe, fast and functional. High-quality support, its own infrastructure of related services

   Our review

2. Any number of devices per account, high speeds, filtering of ads and viruses, reasonable prices

   Our review

3. Everything is the same as the market leaders, only technical support in the native Russian language

   Our review

4. The most necessary functionality, but at the most reasonable prices, there are no restrictions on the number of devices

   Our review

AVERAGE (WITH NUANCES)
1. Turbo VPN

   High speeds, strong encryption, but not in the best jurisdiction, weak client for PC, although very functional for Android

   Our review

2. VPN Master

   Convenient application, additional features (for example, phone booster), but high prices for subscription from a smartphone

   Our review

3. VPN Proxy

   Completely free access, although servers are often busy, special privacy policy (different from premium version)

   Our review

4. Hola VPN

   Network based on P2P (peer-to-peer) principles, free access, but you should understand that someone can use your traffic

   Our review

5. Secure VPN

   Convenient phone subscription plans, choice of VPN apps and other benefits, but no PC/Mac apps

   Our review

6. Browsec VPN

   Functional client for Android, reasonable prices, sufficient security, there are applications for different platforms

   Our review

DO NOT RECOMMEND (AND DO NOT TRY)
1. VPN 360

   Only mobile devices are supported, there are many complaints about the speed and quality of work

   Our review

2. FreeVPN

   Slow performance, users are shown a lot of ads, privacy policy is questionable, no PC support

   Our review

3. X-VPN

   Not the best jurisdiction, many complaints about advertising and connection speed

   Our review

4. VPNhub

   Positions itself as free, collects statistics, shows a lot of advertising, does not have the most transparent privacy policy, does not support all Android devices

   Our review

5. Touch VPN

   Another free VPN without technical support, with low speeds and a weak protocol

   Our review

6. Master Secure Turbo VPN

   Service organized by one developer, no guarantees, provided “as is”

   Our review

7. SuperVPN Free

   With so many installations, the application does not even have its own website, personal data is collected, and advertising is shown.

   Our review

8. VPN Private

   No support for other platforms, the application collects data and shows a lot of advertising, frequent connection dropouts

   Our review

9. GoingVPN

   The privacy policy explicitly states that the owners cooperate with law enforcement agencies upon requests; there are applications only for mobile devices

   Our review

10. Speed ​​VPN-Fast

    The owners reserve the right to share your data with third parties, frequent complaints about the quality of connections and low speed

    Our review

SuperVPN

The strangest choice seems to be SuperVPN. There are a lot of advertisements, among which there was something strange: a little girl in clothes was standing on the table. There was a 12+ badge. What was advertised? I'm afraid it's something illegal.

SuperVPN offers a 60-day trial period with the ability to turn off ads for money. Connects quickly, but some SuperVPN is not super.

Comparison table of the best VPN apps on Android

To make it easier to understand the capabilities of the applications, we have compiled a summary table with the main characteristics.

The cost of tariffs is indicated for monthly payment. Thunder VPN, VPN Proxy Master and Secure VPN also offer the option to pay for a weekly subscription, but this is rather an exception to the rule.

Paid vs. Free – which VPN to choose?

Users of Android smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes and even SMART TVs are the largest audience in the world of mobile operating systems. It is logical that to attract new users, many VPN services offer free plans, and sometimes completely free access to their infrastructure. But you should understand that you will definitely have to pay for free cheese in a mousetrap. And if this is not real money, then it may be your personal data resold to third parties, or additional advertising units. Since all your traffic will potentially pass through the VPN, it is difficult to even imagine what data attackers will be able to collect about you. This could include everything from banking passwords to all your online accounts.

Is it worth free access to blocked sites or streaming services abroad? Of course not. You shouldn’t trust your traffic to the first person you meet; even among paid services you still need to look for those who can provide the required level of confidentiality. We definitely don’t recommend saving on VPN.

FAQ

Android VPN will increase the speed of your mobile internet connection?

No never.

Is it legal to use a VPN for Android?

In Russia - for now, yes. But everything can change. there have also been no cases of foreigners being persecuted for using Android VPNs

Which service is best for downloading torrents and watching videos from streaming services?

We recommend NordVPN.

Which Android VPNs also work on Windows and iOS?

Almost all services on our list have applications for Windows and iOS. Login details are the same as VPN for Android (multi-platform services).

Conclusions and recommendations

There are many VPN clients on Google Play, so it can be easy to get confused when first exploring the options. To make things a little easier for you, we've rounded up the 10 best apps for Android:

1. Surfshark is a secure VPN that cares about user privacy and successfully bypasses blocking. Allows you to create a list of applications whose traffic does not go through a secure channel.
2. NordVPN is the best app with a large selection of servers around the world and additional features like protection against malicious files and ad blocking. Free testing mode for 7 days.
3. RusVPN is a reliable service from a Russian team, provides all the necessary functions and sufficient security, with a bonus Russian-language interface and technical support.
4. Atlas VPN - there is free access without time limits, with premium you get maximum speed, any number of devices in your account and no advertising.
5. TurboVPN is a good client with servers in two dozen countries and the ability to choose a set of protocols for encrypting traffic.
6. VPN Master is a high-quality client with a built-in tool for measuring connection speed, allowing you to independently select the appropriate server.
7. VPN Proxy Master Lite is a client with a minimalistic interface that automatically detects the optimal server. You can change your connection country only after purchasing a premium subscription.
8. Hola VPN is an application with a non-standard approach in which you enable and configure VPN for each application individually. Also has a built-in browser.
9. Secure VPN is a client that is very similar to Thunder VPN in terms of functionality, interface and cost of services. The quality of work is similar.
10. Browsec VPN is a client with a small selection of countries and low connection speeds on the free plan. The only one of them all offers the “Always On VPN” feature, which restores the connection even after the phone is rebooted.

The functionality of the applications is approximately the same. The number of countries and servers available for connection, the technology for building a virtual network, and little things like the presence/absence of an automatic connection when starting the client may differ. It is important that all of the clients listed work by performing basic tasks: protecting privacy and confidentiality, as well as providing additional security tools.

Main VPN standards and functionality

Providers providing Android VPN services must meet certain standards generally accepted in the market. What does the client expect from the service provider? Confidentiality, security, connection speed, quick response from support staff.

Android VPN Tunneling Protocols

The tunneling protocol is the basis of the Virtual Private Network technology, a set of instructions on which software runs that provides a secure encrypted connection between the device (client) and the network (server).

Today there are several most common protocols:

• PPTP is the oldest protocol developed by Microsoft since time immemorial. Supported on all OS and devices, unfortunately, the main drawback is weak traffic protection, 128-bit encryption. At the same time, this is the least resource-intensive and stable protocol.
• L2TP/IPSec is also an ancient protocol, widespread and used by many last-mile Internet providers. Its disadvantage is the low connection speed. Like PPTP, it is quite easy to block. Compromised, after several information leaks indicating that US intelligence agencies have access to this protocol (if that is important to you).
• IKEv2 – developed by Cisco and Microsoft, natively used in most operating systems, quite high-speed, fast automatic reconnection.
• SSTP is a reliable protocol that is well compatible with Windows and, alas, difficult to implement on an Android VPN.
• OpenVPN is considered by many experts to be the best protocol today, 256-bit encryption. Free, open source, used by most VPN service providers. Slightly inferior in speed to the above-mentioned protocols when working in conjunction with the TCP transport protocol.

Android VPN Transport Protocols

This is the method by which encrypted information is transmitted through a virtual tunnel. There are two most common transport protocols – UDP and TCP. The first is faster, but the reason for this is that the packets of transmitted information are not confirmed for integrity.

VPN Android providers offer a choice between these protocols. Please note that some of your cable or mobile internet providers block UDP connections. If the Internet is unstable, it is recommended to use TCP.

Keys and encryption methods

In general, more than one article could be written about VPN encryption methods and algorithms. For the purposes of this, let's say that an encryption key is a string of bits used on the device and server to encrypt/decrypt data. The encryption key itself is unique, the length is measured in bits. Different tunneling protocols use different key lengths. For example, PPTP has a 128-bit key, while OpenVPN uses a 256-bit key, making it more secure. Among providers today, the AES 256-bit encryption method is common.

Access speed

Alas, miracles do not happen; using an Android VPN in any case leads to a decrease in connection speed by several percent. After all, in any case, your encrypted and protected traffic passes through the remote server of the service provider. It should be noted that the speed depends both on the channel and performance of this server, and on your device, as well as on your geographic location. By connecting from Russia to a server in Belarus or Lithuania, you can obviously expect higher speeds than when working through equipment located in South America or the USA.

Simultaneous access on desktop computers and mobile platforms

Serious Virtual Private Network providers provide their services both for mobile platforms (VPN Android) and for personal computers. That is, by paying once, you will be able to use the received password/login on your home computer. VPN applications for Windows, Linux and other operating systems are offered by providers for download and installation.

Availability of activity log

Another important Android VPN option. Some providers keep a log of user activity on their side, that is, a temporary log of his connections. The activity log can be provided to intelligence agencies upon their request.

And some do not conduct such surveillance or swear that they do not, such as CYBERGHOSTVPN. But you need to understand that even if the provider claims that their main office is located in a country that is outside the jurisdiction of, for example, the United States, then their servers may still be located in this country, which means that FBI agents or agents will have access to them NSA.

In general, the question of how honest service providers are with their users is one of the most painful ones. We can only say one thing - do not do illegal things on the Internet, even through the phone. But when you want to use a VPN for Android simply to watch movies from pirated cinemas, bypass blocks or download torrents, then the likelihood that the intelligence services will be interested in you is negligible.

Supports access to blocked sites and torrents

Recently, due to the proliferation of streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ or Hulu, many Android VPN providers have begun to emphasize that they allow you to watch streaming video from anywhere in the world. Indeed, some services, for example Netflix, block some content from certain countries for commercial reasons.

For fans of Russian streaming services such as Okko or Amediateka, this problem is also very relevant - access to the film libraries of these channels is closed outside the Russian Federation.

VPN for Android is the solution to this problem. The same applies to P2P networks (downloading torrents). The service provider often dedicates servers within their apps that are specifically designed for torrenting and streaming, and sometimes online gaming.

Help Desk Operations

The best VPN provider for Android is the one whose support you don't have to rely on. That is, everything works well, without delays or problems. If the user needs help, he contacts technical support. Serious and reputable providers maintain a fairly large staff of consultants. When selecting the best services above, we paid attention to the efficiency and competence of these services.