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Best for Free VPN Server Network
A virtual private network (VPN) is a crucial part of your basic cybersecurity toolkit for Android. VPNs can disguise your internet traffic and safely encrypt your private digital data. As a bonus, a VPN offers a way for you to access geo-restricted content and blocked websites.
Although many free VPNs frequently have reliability and data privacy issues, there are a few that may be worth your time. PrivadoVPN is a credible, free VPN provider that doesn't compromise your security on Android. We also evaluated premium VPNs and found Surfshark to be the most affordable and valuable option.
Let's dig a little deeper into the details about the best free VPN services.
PrivadoVPN: Best overall
Surfshark: Best value
Are free VPNs for Android worth it?
Honorable mentions
How we test VPNs
FAQs
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Android
The best free VPNs for Android
- PrivadoVPN: Best overall
- Surfshark: Best value
Top 2 VPN services for Android compared
VPN | ||
Starting price | Starts at Free | Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) |
Number of devices | Free plan: 1 device
Paid plans: Unlimited devices |
Unlimited |
Server count | Free plan: 13 servers Paid plans: Hundreds in 66 cities |
3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
Free version | ||
Free plan data limit | 10 GB data limit per 30 days | N/A |
Free plan speed limit | No speed limits | N/A |
Free trial | Yes — 7 days for Android | |
Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30-day money-back guarantee | Yes — 30-day money-back guarantee |
Streaming support | ||
Learn more | Get PrivadoVPN | Get Surfshark |
PrivadoVPN: Best overall
Who it’s best for
PrivadoVPN is best for users looking to stream geo-restricted content without affecting internet speeds.
What we liked
PrivadoVPN has 13 free servers and allows you to access regional streaming services in multiple countries. Our testing reveals that PrivadoVPN was able to unblock geo-restricted content without affecting internet speeds or causing errors.
Even with the 10 GB data limit per 30 days, our testing shows that it equals roughly 6.5 hours of streaming content.
What we didn’t like
PrivadoVPN lets you connect to only one device on its free plan. So if you connect it to one Android phone or device, you won't be able to connect any other devices simultaneously. There is also the 10 GB data limit per 30 days, which, if you are a light internet user, may be enough for you. If you want to do heavy streaming, then it may not be enough.
PrivadoVPN specs
Price range | $1.48–$10.99/mo |
Free version | Yes |
Free plan data limit | 10 GB data limit per 30 days |
Free plan speed limit | No speed limits |
Free trial | No |
Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30-day money-back guarantee |
Number of servers | Free plan: 13 servers Paid plans: Hundreds in 66 cities |
Number of connected devices | Free plan: 1 device
Paid plans: Unlimited devices |
VPN protocol | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, SOCKS5 |
No-logs policy | No logs |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Get PrivadoVPN |
Surfshark: Best value
Who it’s best for
Surfshark is best for Android users willing to invest in an affordable VPN to gain access to thousands of servers using an unlimited number of devices.
What we liked
Okay, you caught us. Surfshark isn't a free VPN, but it provides incredible value, so hear us out. For the same price as a PrivadoVPN paid plan, you gain access to 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. Not sold? You can take advantage of the unlimited device connections. You and your entire household can be covered under one affordable plan.
Surfshark also provides a seven-day free trial for Android users. It's just enough time to check how it works with your day-to-day Android usage. If you need a little extra time, don't fret. Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a refund if you decide it's not right for you.
What we didn’t like
Surfshark doesn't have a free plan. Although the paid plan does provide value, it may not be feasible for some users. In our testing, we struggled to unblock some geo-restricted regional content. You may need to do some troubleshooting if you face similar problems.
Surfshark specs
Price range | $2.19–$17.95/mo |
Free version | No |
Free plan data limit | N/A |
Free plan speed limit | N/A |
Free trial | Yes — 7 days for Android |
Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30-day money-back guarantee |
Number of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries |
Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
VPN protocol | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN |
No-logs policy | No logs |
Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
Torrenting support | Yes |
Learn more | Get Surfshark |
Honorable mentions
While PrivadoVPN and Surfshark were our top choices, there are other free VPN options you may want to consider. Our honorable mentions all have free plans and can be good alternatives. Here's a quick look:
- Proton VPN: With 26 free servers in three locations, ProtonVPN is a good choice for those who aren't looking for a variety of server options. There are no ads, and this service offers unlimited bandwidth.
- Windscribe: Windscribe offers VPN protection up to 10 GB per month. It has unlimited connections and VPN servers in over 10 countries.
- Hotspot Shield VPN: Hotspot Shield VPN offers military-grade encryption. However, the free plan does run ads and has a limited bandwidth. It may be a good option for users looking just for the basics.
Are free VPNs for Android worth it?
A free VPN for Android can provide a lot of value. Just like a premium VPN, a free VPN service encrypts your network and helps keep your browsing private.
But not all free VPNs are good. Some of them actually track your browsing history and sell your personal data for marketing purposes. Other free VPNs may have weaker digital security, putting your privacy at risk.
Most free VPNs offer limited functionality compared to their paid versions. While this may be enough for some people, you might want to access free servers in different countries or have advanced security features.
Free VPNs are tempting for your wallet, but you might find more value in premium VPNs. Premium services can offer access to thousands of servers across the world and additional advanced security tools to protect your online life.
Many premium VPNs offer money-back guarantees so that you can try out the service risk-free. It’s more common to see premium VPN providers offer a solid money-back guarantee rather than a no-money-down free trial or completely free plan. However, premium VPNs can be affordable if you opt for a long-term plan. A VPN can cost as little as a couple of dollars per month if you get a two-year plan.
Overall, most free VPNs for Android often don't have strong credibility or offer only limited features. You may find it worth it to opt for a premium VPN with advanced security features to ensure you're protected from online criminals.
How to choose the best VPN for Android
There are several VPNs available in the Google Play Store, and it's easy to get overwhelmed with all of your choices. When choosing a free VPN service, you should take extra precautions to ensure its credibility before downloading a VPN. Premium VPNs are easier to vet, but you should also carefully evaluate your options.
Here are a few questions to ask before you set up a VPN:
- How much does it cost?
- Is there a free trial or money-back guarantee?
- Does it keep logs of your data? Is the no-logs policy audited by an independent party?
- How many servers does it offer? What countries are available?
- How secure is it? Does it use AES-256 encryption?
- Will it slow down your internet speed?
How we test VPNs
We began by testing all of the features in the VPNs above to determine the best VPN apps. Our tests evaluated security, app features, speed, and streaming content. From there, we checked which apps had the best free Android VPNs. Here is what we took into consideration:
- App rating: No one knows Android VPNs better than the users. We took a look at reviews on the Google Play Store to see what was well-rated and popular with Android users.
- Server availability: Free VPNs often only offer a few servers, so we found the VPNs with the widest availability.
- Streaming: No one wants to watch videos that lag or buffer, so we considered speed limits. We also checked to see if VPNs could unblock regional streaming content and major streaming platforms like Netflix.
- Credibility: It's not always easy to verify a VPN's reputation. We chose VPNs with credible owners where we were able to get a clear understanding of how the company makes money.
FAQs
Are VPNs legal?
VPNs are a legal way (in most countries) to change your IP address and protect your online privacy. It's especially useful since your Android may frequently connect to public Wi-Fi networks, which aren't as secure as your home network.
Can I trust a free VPN with my data on Android?
Some free VPNs on Android can be trusted with your data, but you should carefully evaluate a VPN to ensure its validity. Free VPNs may make money by tracking your online browsing history and selling the information.
Ultimately, if you can't tell who owns the VPN or how they make money, then it might not be a trustworthy VPN.
Which is the best free VPN for Android?
The best free VPN for Android will protect your online privacy and not track or sell your data. PrivadoVPN topped our list of the best free VPNs for Android. You may also want to consider paying for a VPN to gain access to premium features.
Surfshark was our top premium choice since it's affordable, offers a free trial for Android users, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What is the highest-rated free VPN app for Android?
According to the Google Play Store, the highest-rated free VPN app for Android is Hotspot Shield. It has over 100 million downloads with a 4.4 rating. However, the free Hotspot Shield runs ads, only accesses United States servers, and has a limit of 500 MB of data per day. You may want to consider other alternatives, like PrivadoVPN, for better features.
How can I get a free VPN without ads on my Android device?
You can get a free VPN without ads on your Android device by choosing a freemium VPN. Freemium means that VPNs use paid subscriptions to support the free VPN. It often means VPN providers don't show ads on their free VPNs. PrivadoVPN is a popular option.
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Android
PrivadoVPN takes the top spot in our list of the best free VPNs for Android. It has 13 servers located around the world, which makes it easier to unblock regional streaming content.
Surfshark provides a seven-day free trial for Android users and a 30-day money-back guarantee. With low-priced plans, it provides great value without breaking the bank. Take advantage of the free trial and money-back guarantee to make sure that Surfshark is the right choice for you.
2 best free VPNs for Android
Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
Starts at Free | Best overall | Get PrivadoVPN | |
Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Best value | Get Surfshark |