Best VPNs for Android

Android users know what they like. They prefer the Google ecosystem for the most part, and they like being able to load apps that might not have made it through the golden gates of the Apple ecosystem. With an Android phone, you can install apps you made yourself and side-load them or find more unusual apps in the Google Play store.

Because of this slightly more open architecture, there is also an opportunity for security issues—hackers might make an app that can steal your credit card information but looks perfectly legitimate. Fortunately, a VPN app can help protect you from harmful sites and secure your connection on the fly at all times. If you try to visit a website that is known for stealing private information, the VPN might alert you.

In surveying the best VPN providers, a few stuck out because they are easy to find in the app store, provide clear instructions, and are highly rated by VPN users.

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1: TunnelBear

A top VPN service pick for its clean interface and ease of use on Android.

TunnelBear is one of those Android apps that just makes sense. It’s easy to find in the app store, and users have raved about it over and over. Once you install the VPN, the interface is clear and efficient for securing your network access—just like Android itself. We liked being able to find functions easily and not wade through complex settings when needing to set up a VPN connection.

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Who is TunnelBear best for?

• Easy to find in the Google Play store
• Clear instructions and interface
• Excellent user reviews

Want to know more? Read our full-length TunnelBear review.

2: CyberGhost

A top pick overall, especially with Android users.

CyberGhost is one of the best VPN apps in general—it runs efficiently and reliably on all platforms, but on Android it is even more useful and clean. You can find features you want quickly, and CyberGhost does a good job of explaining the benefits of the app both on their own website and in the app store descriptions.

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What does CyberGhost offer?

• Clear instructions for the app
• Highly rated by users
• One of the best VPN service providers overall

Want to know more? Read our full-length CyberGhost review.

3: ExpressVPN

This virtual private network pops right up in the Google Play store and is a top-rated app overall.

One of our top picks for VPN compared to all of the other candidates, ExpressVPN is also a good match for Android users (both on phones and tablets but also on smart televisions and other devices powered by Android). The client provides a seven-day trial for Android users, so you can test out all of the features to secure your online privacy. Users seem to love it based on the Google Play store rating of 4-stars even after thousands and thousands of reviews.

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What does ExpressVPN offer?

• Trial version for Android
• Excellent user reviews
• Top VPN service overall

Want to know more? Read our full-length ExpressVPN review.

What do Android users look for in a VPN?

A virtual private network is a good match for any Android user, mostly because those who prefer the Google ecosystem are perhaps a little more willing to take risks. (Apple locks down the iPhone to a much greater extent, especially when it comes to media apps.) With a VPN, you can try that funky new app you found on some random website and trust that the encryption from the VPN is protecting your connection from hackers and criminals.

Every app is protected

Even though the VPN looks like a single app, it actually protects every app on your phone. The idea is that the VPN client adds encryption to your connection, so no matter how you surf the web—media streaming, managing your social media, chatting in Slack—the encrypted connection is always secure and private. This all happens on the fly as you use your phone in the background.

Comes with a clean interface

Google has radically improved the Android operating system in recent years, making it look and function in a way that is more obvious and efficient. Google espouses a clean and trim interface, so we wanted to recommend VPN services that are just as efficient. It means you can find even the advanced features you need without the clutter or chaos of a confusing app that looks like it was designed more for laptops and desktops.

Final thoughts

Android users like to find advanced features easily and trust the security is always working. These VPN providers match up, letting you swap out your IP address, secure your home internet connection, and use public Wi-Fi with safety.

• TunnelBear: Top pick for its interface and clear instructions.
• CyberGhost: Fast and reliable VPN with a clean interface.
• ExpressVPN: Highly rated VPN for Android users.

^{Additional contributors}

^{Chyelle Dvorak}