For safe and secure online browsing, using a paid or free VPN (Virtual Private Network) is essential for strengthening your privacy. Usually, all the VPNs provide an encrypted connection between you and your sites-to-be-visited by hiding your IP addresses and online identity.
What does a VPN do? What is the primary purpose of using it?
You can now browse the internet privately by using the best VPN applications. The best VPNs anonymize your identity, secure you from online threats and gives you access to geographically restricted websites or content.
With an all-time high demand for VPN services, new VPN providers are booming in the market. This ball game provides an easily available lineup of VPN services both for computers and android users. Especially, VPNs for androids are being developed light-weighted, optimized and user-friendly.
Having a tough competition will definitely make it challenging for you to decide which VPN you should go for coming around. That is why we’ve explored the internet to provide you with some best free VPNs for android as well as the best-paid android VPNs.
But, first, you’ve to decide whether you should use a free VPN or try a paid one. So, let’s answer this query first.
Free vs Paid VPN – Which one is right for me?
Before going to pick any VPN, make your mind clear about what reason you will use it. It’s just because in search results, you’ll find an extensive variety of VPNs offering you multiple and different services. But if your main focus is speed and, most importantly, privacy, then I recommend you to choose paid VPNs.
Living in this digital and connected world makes privacy critical for users to remain safe from various hacks. A VPN protects your identity and details by encrypting your online activities, so you should not compromise your privacy by choosing a free VPN for Android.
You’ll find free android VPNs always malware-laden. As the VPN providers are businesses, so you will find limited functionality of free VPNs for Android. They provide weak crackable security, thus makes it easy for hackers to decipher your data. Even some of these free VPNs compromise user’s privacy to generate revenue from it.
Consider Better net VPN that shares user’s data with advertisement companies to turn it into profit by constantly interrupting you with personalized ads. Free VPNs like Hola gives other users access to your connection by putting you and them at the risk of malware.
Whereas paid VPNs always provide you speed-up links with secure and private connections worldwide. There’s no limitation of services in paid VPNs neither do they compromise your security in any way.
So, it’s better to take your money out to avail yourself of the best and secure VPN services to boost your online security and get greater accessibility because paid VPNs are more credible and reliable than free ones.
Best VPNs for Android 2021
VPN downloads for Android have been growing exponentially. As a cellphone is a handy gadget, over 480 million VPN applications were downloaded in mobiles in 2019, and 75% of these VPNs were downloaded via Android phones.
Out of a wide range of VPNs for android, here is a list of best-free VPNs for Android and paid VPN apps for Android for you to choose what best meets your needs.
Best Free VPNs for Android 2021
Let’s first discuss what free VPNs are, how to install them and are they safe or not.
What is a free VPN?
Free VPNs are not completely free. Instead, they are the free versions of those VPNs that offer limited services to its users until they want or use it. But remember, there’s a difference between a free VPN trial and a free VPN itself.
How to install a free VPN on android?
For installing a free VPN on your Android phone, you need to go to mobile settings> Network settings or Wireless Connections> VPN tab. There you will see a “+” sign. Add the VPN by fulfilling the VPN profile and save it. In this way, you can use a VPN on your Android device without even installing any VPN app.
Are free VPNs safe?
Free VPNs should not be your preferred option as you may face privacy issue, slow internet speed, limited features, or other problems while installing or using it. You should better go for paid ones who don’t compromise on their security and features at all.
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What are the Best Free VPNs for Android?
Here is a list of some best and fastest free VPNs for Android that we prepared for you to choose the best free VPN for your use.
ProtonVPN
At this moment, ProtonVPN is the best free Android VPN available in the market. The free version of ProtonVPN offers you no limit of speed, bandwidth or data and functions of Mac, Linux, Android, Windows, iOS and even routers with 256-bit encryption. This is a plus for it.
But as the limitations of free VPNs are concerned, the free version of ProtonVPN can show a drop down of internet speed. Moreover, it gives you access to only 3 servers in 3 different location like US, Japan and Netherlands. You can use just one device at a time on this free android VPN and neither it supports Torrent downloads nor does it give you consistent Netflix access. Go to the Site
TunnelBear
TunnelBear also offers you a reliable and free VPN solution with its free version.
The free version of TunnelBear offers you the best free VPN services for your Android mobiles as you can connect to its servers in all 26 countries freely.
Its interface is recognizable, fun and user-friendly, which allows you easy and quick download and installation of TunnelBear. Go to the Site
The free VPN version doesn’t cap speed and allows you free streaming of Hulu, BBC iPlayer and YouTube. It also allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously and functions on Windows, iOS, Android, Linux and Mac.
But there’s a data limit on this free Android VPN that is “500MB a month”. Also the customer support doesn’t prioritize free users. So before giving it a go, remember it doesn’t support Torrents and Netflix (in many regions).
It is highly recommended to try out the free version before investing in a paid plan as TunnelBear doesn’t offer money-back guarantee.
Windscribe
Windscribe is a decent free VPN for Android that functions on almost all operating systems and allows Torrent downloads.
This free Android VPN version will give you the highest security along with an allowance to connect to 11 servers worldwide. And, the Windscribe servers are pretty fast in their speed-sounds pretty lavish. You don’t have to worry about the limit of connections while using this, as it permits you to connect as many devices as you want.
But its free version limits your important features availability. It restricts your data use to 2G, and it doesn’t support Netflix. The biggest downside is that this software is not easy to use likewise other VPN services. Go to the Site
Best Paid Android VPN apps in 2021
Let’s explore some of the best-paid VPN services that are worth your money.
ExpressVPN
Developed in 2009, ExpressVPN leads the VPN speed race with a secured and fast setup. In addition, it offers several advanced offers and possesses a strong track record of having a zero-log trusted policy which never does sacrifice on user’s privacy.
ExpressVPN is like an all-around solution for all your needs, whether if it’s speed, secure networking, privacy or internet freedom. Moreover, it offers an incredible “Kill switch” feature that doesn’t allow data leakage even if the VPN connection gets failed at times.
Its 256-bit encryption is supported by multiple advanced security protocols, which allow you to secure up to 5 devices with just one subscription. In addition, after installing ExpressVPN on your Android gadgets, your online activities are log-free with public Wi-Fi and IP leak protection.
Moreover, it has a network of fast servers across 94 countries that support P2P activities. Finally, and not least, it allows users to pay through digital currencies for its plans and services- the best of all till yet.
Using ExpressVPN will not cost you much as its budget-friendly best plan offers you to invest $7 a month to avail an annual package with 3 months free of cost. In addition, all Android users can get a free 7 day trial of experiencing ExpressVPN services with a 30-days money-back guarantee. Go to the Site
If you got stuck in any difficulty or problem, there is a detailed FAQ guide for its users along with how-to video tutorials and 24/7 active customer support.
So, if you want to have the best Android VPN experience, ExpressVPN should be your first pick. Explore the other features/functionality in this in-depth ExpressVPN review.
Surfshark
If you want to run your entire home or office gadgets on VPN, then you should go for Surfshark as it allows you unlimited and fast device support.
Surfshark allows you to whitelist applications and websites to bypass VPN sided with blocked tracking, ad-blocking, antimalware and app support. You can run this VPN on iOS gadgets, Android, Mac, Windows, Fire TV, other routers and as well as on Games consoles but with DNS settings.
The most useful feature of this VPN service is that you can use it in three different modes. Its Camouflage mode will hide your VPN activities; Multihop mode allows you to hide from different countries’ trials by jumping your connections, and NoBorders mode permits you using Surfshark even in restricted areas.
Surfshark is the only Android VPN that includes a GPS spoofing feature and will definitely sound like music to your ears. This feature enables you to prevent Android applications from accessing your physical location over the location of your server. Go to the Site
Surfshark is generous as it allows you to use its VPN services for 30 days as a trial. But when it comes to pricing and plans, it is a bit expensive as it’s “the best” 2-year plan that will cost you $2.49 in just a month.
NordVPN
NordVPN majors in security, by providing you with an exceptional suite of features. It is one of the most recognized VPN brand that generously allows six secured connections at a time. Which includes; dedicated IP option, zero-log strategy, kill switch feature, ad-blocking, double VPN for better security, and the availability to VPN into Tor.
The cons of NordVPN seem minor in front of its strengths as its Android application provides you a long list of useful features. Which includes split tunnelling, shield for Cybersec malware, auto-connection to VPN on joining a Wi-Fi, fast NordLynx protocol, P2P servers and all-time live chat customer support. Go to the Site
Its subscription plan for 2 years will charge $3.75 in a month while a 1-year subscription plan costs $4.92 per month and monthly plan charges $11.95- not cheaper. So, try it before committing to any other VPN!
IPVanish
What makes IPVanish an ideal to its users is its fun user interface. And if you’re out here to find Netflix-friendly VPN, then again, IPVanish is your ideal client due to its multiplatform flexibility.
If you are a media person or news lover then go for it without hesitation. IPVanish support to Kodi is one of its phenomenal features that enables you to have access to media worldwide.
IPVanish is also a preferred choice to experts because it allows them to download the VPN with an APK file. And for Android users, it’s the best Android VPN guide to test it out because of its regular application updates, visual-oriented interface, split tunnelling, kill switch feature, beta support for IKEv2 and most notably, Scramble feature.
This Scramble feature will assist you in avoiding VPN detection by the websites especially when you want access to geo-restricted content. Unlike other VPNs, IPVanish warns you before proceeding to block the ads. Go to the Site
If you want your VPN to show download and upload rates in graphical representation with real-time scrolling, then there’s no better option than IPVanish available.
Costing $10 in a month, this VPN is one of the best places for Android users to try surfing on with 7-days trial, unlimited connections and money-back guarantee.
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield has both premium and free versions for its android users. Yet, it is considered one of the best VPNs is its premium app.
Both the free and premium services are available in one application but when you upgrade yourself to one of its premium users; it will give you worth having smartphone security.
One of its pros is you can find Hotspot Shield Windows 10 version even on smaller mobile screens. On the other hand, it means you can still enjoy incredible UX, automatic connection, and many other features on your Android gadgets. Go to the Site
Its Catapult Hydra protocol will allow you to run this VPN in the background without experiencing any effects on the overall phone’s performance.
Hotspot’s multi-year plan is the best available option that will cost you just $2.49 in a month for whole 3 years. So, it’s a strong recommendation to give a go when streaming VPNs is concerned.
Final Verdict:
Although free VPNs provide you with some free but limited services, but they are not what you need at all. You should better go with a premium VPN by experiencing its free trial first.
