7 Best Free VPN for Android in 2024 - Fast & Risk Free Options (2024)

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) keeps your online activities incognito, protecting your online privacy and personal data.

When using a VPN, outside parties – such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the government – can see that you’re connected to the internet, but they can’t see the sites you’re visiting or the services that you’re using thanks to the provider’s encryption of your internet connection.

What Else Can a VPN Do?

A VPN also has a talent for spoofing your device’s IP address. Since an IP address can be used to identify a device’s geographical location, A VPN’s ability to route your internet connection through another country, temporarily assigning a new IP address from that country to your device, enables access to geo-blocked content you might not normally be able to enjoy.

There are numerous VPN apps available for the Android platform in the Google Play Store. Some of these VPNs are “free” VPNs.

Sure, free VPNs are attractive, because how can you not be attracted to free? But are “free” VPNs really free, or do hidden costs come along for the ride? If you’re a regular visitor to this site, you likely already know that free VPNs put your privacy at risk by tracking your online travels, while also offering slow connection speeds and limited connectivity around the globe.

In this article, I’ll explore the pros and cons of using a free VPN on your Android. I’ll also tell you how you can get free VPN service from a paid VPN provider.

Now, it’s time for me to discuss the top seven best VPNs for use with your Android device and how you can try out their features for free.

How to Use a VPN With Your Android

To protect your Android device with a VPN, do the following:

1. Subscribe to your VPN provider of choice (NordVPN is my recommendation).
2. Install the provider’s Android app to protect all of your online activities.
3. Log in to the VPN.
4. Select a VPN server and connect to it.
5. Enjoy your newly incognito mobile online life.

WANT TO TRY A TOP VPN RISK-FREE?

All of the VPNs on this list offer full-featured, risk-free money-back guarantees. While you have to pay upfront, you can get your money back if you’re not satisfied. You can use these VPNs with no restrictions for at least a month. This is an excellent opportunity to try any of the providers on this list with no risk whatsoever.

Best “Free” VPNs for Android

I ran the top VPN providers through a series of tests to determine which was the best option for Android devices. I use an Android smartphone and tablet on a regular basis, so much of the testing was conducted in real-life, day-to-day usage conditions.

The seven providers listed below offered the best risk-free VPN service for Android devices:

1. NordVPN: #1-ranked VPN service. This provider offers a risk-free 30 days for customers to give its service a try. The provider delivers fast, well-protected connections for Android and other popular devices, excellent customer service, and much more.
2. Surfshark: Best budget-priced VPN option. This provider offers a 30-day, risk-free money-back trial period to allow you to try out all of its features. Surfshark offers a fast-growing global server network, rapid connections, apps for Android and other devices, and an unlimited simultaneous connections policy, all for a bargain price.
3. ExpressVPN: Premium Android VPN. This provider provides comprehensive online security and privacy for its fast connections, and works with Android and most other popular device platforms. ExpressVPN’s 30-day, risk-free money-back guarantee provides plenty of time to try out the service.
4. CyberGhost: Good option for VPN rookies. This provider is one of two that offer a 45-day money-back guarantee. The provider has a massive global server network, delivering fast connections to your Android, as well as other popular devices. The provider’s easy-to-use apps are perfect for rookie VPN users.
5. Private Internet Access: Reliable VPN protection for Android. PIA’s mid-sized global server network provides excellent online protection, providing access to geo-controlled online content. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
6. PrivateVPN: Small but powerful. Let’s face it, this provider’s network is small. However, it provides fast, well-protected, and reliable connections. A 30-day money-back guarantee provides a risk-free way to try the VPN.
7. Atlas VPN: Unlimited protection for Android. You and your Android-using group can protect as many devices as you’d all like, thanks to Atlas VPN’s somewhat unusual unlimited simultaneous connections policy. 30-day money-back guarantee available.

I evaluated and ranked these VPNs according to the following criteria:

• Risk-free money-back guarantee
• Android app availability
• Comprehensive security and privacy protections
• Fast connections with no data caps
• Global server network coverage
• Top-notch customer support

For a full breakdown of the criteria I used, make sure you check out the in-depth methodology section later in this article.

Here are my top seven picks for the best “free” VPNs to use with your Android device:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2024

NordVPN offers a no-risk 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its subscription options, providing an excellent way to try out its VPN services at no risk.

NordVPN offers native app support for both the Android and Android TV platforms. The apps are easy to install and use, and don’t put a huge hit on your Android device’s system resources while providing excellent online security and privacy.

In addition to Android devices, the provider also offers native app support for most other popular device platforms, including iOS, macOS (with M1/M2 Mac support), Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Also available are Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser extensions.

Up to six devices can be concurrently connected to NordVPN servers. The provider is also compatible with multiple router makes and models.

All of the provider’s connections are well-protected thanks to its use of military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. NordVPN saves no logs of any kind, and its Bitcoin payment option keeps your payment info private.

NordVPN’s owned-and-operated servers keep third-party contractors well away from your personal data. Plus, all NordVPN servers are run 100% from RAM, writing no data whatsoever to a physical hard drive. This ensures that all data is securely wiped when a server is rebooted or shut down.

The provider’s download speeds are quite fast, providing more than enough speed for high-definition video streaming, gaming, and sharing of large files. (This all depends on your usual connection speeds.) No data caps or bandwidth restrictions to worry about here.

It has nothing to be ashamed of in the global server coverage department thanks to its network of 5,500+ servers located in nearly 60 countries.

NordVPN’s customer support options include email support, 24/7 support chat, and a searchable support library.

THE BEST “FREE” ANDROID VPN:NordVPN delivers top-notch VPN protection for your Android devices at a reasonable price. The service delivers fast, well-protected connections, reliable access to geo-blocked content, comprehensive customer support, and much more. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of NordVPN.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark offers a no-risk 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its subscriptions.

Surfshark’s Android and Android TV apps don’t steal much of your device’s system resources, which is important if you’ve purchased one of the cheaper Android handsets on the market.

The provider also offers support for most other popular devices. Surfshark’s native app support includes options for the iOS, macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), Windows, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. Browser extensions are available for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox platforms. Extensive router support is also available.

An unlimited concurrent connections policy keeps you from running out of protected connections.

Banking-level AES 256-bit encryption protects all Surfshark connections, along with an automatic kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. Ad and tracker blocking, as well as malware and phishing protection, are also available. An optional MultiHop feature routes your connection through a pair of VPN servers for additional security and anonymity.

A strict no-server-logs policy and an acceptance of multiple forms of cryptocurrency team up to ensure your privacy is taken care of.

Video streaming, online gaming, and even sharing large files are easily handled by Surfshark’s no-data-caps, no-bandwidth-limitations connections.

Surfshark’s fast-growing global server network currently boasts 3,200+ servers stationed in 95+ countries. Many of the provider’s servers are P2P-optimized.

Always-available customer support includes a 24/7 live chat option, a searchable support and FAQ section, as well as a support contact form.

In addition to comprehensive VPN protection, Surfshark also offers antivirus protection, truly private search, and alerts when your personal info is included in a data breach.

BEST FOR BUDGET-MINDED ANDROID OWNERS:Surfshark’s bargain-priced VPN service offers comprehensive online protection and privacy for Android users. The provider has Android and most other platforms covered, providing fast, well-protected connections. An unlimited simultaneous connections allowance adds to the value. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Surfshark.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN may charge a higher price than other VPNs on this list, but it offers a no-hassle, 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it’s worth it to you.

The provider offers Android and Android TV apps, and both download and install quickly. The apps don’t put a heavy hit on your Android device’s system resources. In addition to Android support, the provider also offers native app support for the Amazon Fire TV, iOS, macOS (with M1/M2 Mac support), Linux, and Chromebook device platforms. The provider also offers browser extension support for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers.

A “Smart Location” feature connects you to the best-performing server in your country, making it perfect for quick protection when using public WiFi hotspots.

The provider offers apps for most other popular devices and is also compatible with a large number of routers. Up to five devices can be connected simultaneously on a single account.

ExpressVPN keeps things well protected online thanks to its use of government-grade AES 256-bit encryption, as well as IP/DNS leak and an automatic kill switch protections. On the privacy end of things, the provider does well, with a no-server-logs policy and a Bitcoin subscription payment option.

Also, the provider’s proprietary “TrustedServer” technology ensures that all operations are run directly from RAM, writing no data to a physical hard drive. This means all information is wiped on every server restart.

ExpressVPN’s connection speeds were tops in my latest round of testing, providing enough bandwidth for streaming, gaming, and sharing large files. No data caps or bandwidth limitations to deal with here.

ExpressVPN’s impressive global server network is made up of more than 3,000 servers located in close to 95 countries around the globe. This provides reliable access to geo-blocked content around the world.

24/7 live chat, email support, a trouble ticket tracking system, and a do-it-yourself troubleshooting and support library all add up to comprehensive customer support.

RELIABLE “FREE” VPN PROTECTION FOR ANDROID:ExpressVPN offers an admittedly more expensive, yet reliable VPN protection for Android devices. The provider offers easy-to-use apps on most popular devices, fast connections, strong encryption, and other protections. A 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a no-risk option.

Read my full review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers an extended 45-day money-back guarantee, but only on its 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year subscription options. 1-month subscribers have only 14 days to ask for a refund.

CyberGhost’s Android app (as well as its other apps) provides one-tap access to VPN protection, while also providing access to streaming- and downloading-optimized VPN servers. The provider also offers native app support for other platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Browser extensions are available for the Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Up to seven devices can simultaneously connect to the provider’s servers using a single set of login credentials. Extensive router compatibility is available for those who require more device connectivity.

All CyberGhost connections are protected by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention, ad and malware blocking, and the ability to force websites to serve up secure versions of their pages if available.

A strict no-log-collection policy and Bitcoin payment option for subscriptions offer comprehensive user privacy.

The provider’s connections deliver plenty of bandwidth for online gaming, streaming video, sharing files, and any other of your favorite online activities. You’ll never have to worry about data caps, and there’s unlimited bandwidth.

CyberGhost boasts a massive global server network, including 8,800+ servers in 90+ countries around the world. While CyberGhost allows P2P activity, it limits it to a select number of servers.

Always-available customer support includes a live support chat option, a searchable support catalog, and a trouble ticket tracking system.

As well as offering quality VPN protection, CyberGhost also offers other services, including a password manager, alerts when your information is exposed in a data breach, Windows antivirus and anti-malware protection, and more.

BEST FOR ROOKIE ANDROID VPN USERS:CyberGhost’s easy-to-use Android app makes it a great option for first-time VPN users. The provider offers fast, well-protected connections from its massive global server network. A 45-day money-back guarantee makes trying this provider a no-risk proposition.

Read my full review of CyberGhost.

5. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) provides comprehensive protection for Android devices.

The provider’s global service network includes 3,300+ servers, well-distributed among more than 80 countries. The network provides well-protected access to geo-controlled content from most areas of the globe.

In addition to Android support, PIA’s native app support includes offerings for the Android, Android TV, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux device platforms. Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser extensions are also available from the provider. Compatibility with multiple router makes and models is also available.

Users can connect up to 10 devices at once to PIA servers.

While PIA’s connection speeds are the slowest on this list. That said, PIA connections provide more than enough horsepower for your favorite online activities. No data caps or bandwidth throttling to deal with when using PIA.

The provider uses banking-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak prevention, and kill switch protection to keep your online antics undercover. PIA also offers ad, tracker, malware, and malicious site blocking.

PIA servers run totally sans user logs, and the provider also accepts Bitcoin as subscription payment. This protects both your usage and payment privacy, respectively.

Its customer support offers live support chat, a trouble ticket tracking form, and a searchable support database.

RELIABLE ANDROID VPN PROTECTION:Private Internet Accessoffers reliable protection for Android phones and tablets, as well as other browsers and devices. The provider’s privacy and security protections keep all of your browsing incognito. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Private Internet Access.

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN’s small server network offers reliable access to geo-fenced content for your Android devices.

The provider’s above-average connection speeds easily handle popular online activities, such as streaming and mobile gaming. Data caps and bandwidth throttling are never an issue.

The provider’s server count is sorely lacking (it has a mere 200+ servers well-distributed among 60+ countries). However, it does reliably provide access to content in the countries where it does have servers.

In addition to Android phone and tablet support, the provider offers apps for the macOS, Windows, and iOS platforms. The provider does not offer apps for any other platforms or browser extensions. Comprehensive router features are available to protect all of your connected devices.

The provider allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on a single user account.

All PrivateVPN-provided connections are protected with banking-grade encryption, as well as a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. The provider’s “Stealth VPN” feature keeps your VPN usage hidden by disguising it as traditional browser traffic.

PrivateVPN saves no user logs on its servers. Meanwhile, it also accepts Bitcoin, scoring well in the privacy arena.

Customer support options include live chat and a “Contact Us” form. An FAQ section is available but isn’t searchable.

SMALL BUT FAST:PrivateVPN has an admittedly smallserver network. That said, the provider offers reliable, fast, well-protected connections to online content. This provider’s apps offer multiple options for advanced users. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

7. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN delivers fast, well-protected connections for your favorite Android devices.

While the provider’s global server network is on the small side, (750+ servers spread among 40+ countries), the network provides reliable access to geo-fenced content.

Atlas VPN provides fast connections, don’t worry about data caps or bandwidth limitations spoiling the fun when using this provider.

Your online activities are kept incognito by banking-grade encryption, kill switch protection, IP/DNS leak prevention, and other protective features. The provider’s Safebrowse and Safebrowse Plus features block various online perils and pesky ads.

All Atlas VPN servers are run 100% user log-free, meaning there are no records of your online travels. Unfortunately, a cryptocurrency payment option is not available from the provider.

Native app support is available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices. However, browser extensions are currently unavailable. The provider also is missing Linux and router support. The provider says these three missing features are currently under development.

There is no limit on the number of devices that a user can simultaneously connect to Atlas VPN’s servers on a single username.

Customer support includes live agent chat (limited to paying customers). However, email, a contact form, and a support library are available to all.

UNLIMITED VPN PROTECTION FOR ANDROID:No matter how manyconnected devices you have, Atlas VPN can handle it. Comprehensive online protection and reliable access to geo-fenced content are part of the package. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Atlas VPN.

Methodology for Assessing “Free” VPNs for Android

Users looking for reliable protection for their Android devices will soon find that not every VPN provider provides reliable services.

The critical features of VPN providers that merit consideration include:

• Ease of use: Easy-to-use VPN apps allow users to quickly connect their Android to a VPN server and start their protected internet activities. The VPNs on my list offer easy-to-use apps for popular devices.
• Connection speed: Fast connections are a requirement for a truly enjoyable online experience. Slow connections can lead to long webpage loading times, extended buffering when streaming, and other irritating issues. I regularly test VPN connection speeds to ensure that each VPN on my list keeps offering fast download speeds.
• Streaming access: A VPN should offer reliable access to geo-fenced streaming content, as it is a must for an enjoyable all-around streaming experience. The VPNs listed here offer reliable access to Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, and many other streamers.
• Global server network: The larger a VPN provider’s global server network, the better access you have to content located around the globe. It’s a definite plus if the provider has multiple servers in a single country, as it helps ensure that a single server won’t be overloaded by too many users connecting to it at once.
• Value: A VPN should provide a good return on investment. All of the VPNs I include on my lists are excellent value.
• Security and privacy: At a minimum, a VPN should protect your connection with banking-level encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. The providers on my list offer all of the above and sometimes more, and never save server logs linked to your online activities.

While the list above is extensive, my VPN investigations don’t end here. The list above is only a portion of the features that I research during my comprehensive VPN testing methodology. This data-driven approach allows me to have an excellent understanding of VPN providers and their services. Therefore, I can recommend only VPNs that are a good fit for my readers’ needs.

Is a Truly Free VPN a Good Option for My Android?

While a free VPN may not cost you any upfront payment, you’ll find that most free VPNs are subject to numerous restrictions and drawbacks. They’re also sure to reveal hidden costs, like lacking performance, privacy, and flexibility.

You’ll find that many free VPNs will require you to sit in a virtual waiting room before being given the green light to connect to a server. Then, you’ll either have a limited number of servers to choose from or you’ll be automatically connected to a server of the provider’s choice.

Once you’re finally connected, you’ll see your connection speeds slow precipitously. You will also likely see your daily or monthly usage is subject to a data cap. This is because VPN providers want to preserve their bandwidth for use by paying customers.

Even a “free” VPN needs income to keep its servers humming, and many do so by monitoring and recording their users’ online activities and then selling that information to advertisers or the highest bidder. Other freebie providers have been known to insert ads and tracking cookies into their users’ browser sessions.

As you can see, so-called “free” VPNs have hidden costs. I would personally pay a few bucks up front to relieve myself from the hassles and hidden costs of “free” VPNs.

Conclusion

Android users who are mulling over the use of a “free” VPN should think twice before putting their online security and privacy into the hands of a “free” VPN service.

All of the Virtual Private Network providers on this top seven list offer a no-risk money-back guarantee. This means you don’t risk a dime by giving these VPNs a shot.

A quality VPN provider provides online security and privacy, keeps no logs of any kind, and never does things like injecting unwanted tracking cookies into your browser sessions. Those same VPNs also provide reliable access to geo-blocked content, while never throttling your connection speeds to an unusable level.

Android users are strongly advised to investigate the services that NordVPN offers. The reliable provider offers fast connections for your Android smartphone, tablet, or TV, while a large global server network provides reliable access to your favorite geo-blocked content in most spots around the globe. Your security and privacy are thoroughly protected.

For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit the NordVPN website.

Free Android VPN FAQs