Reading Time:
9
minutes
Best Free VPN for Android
While free Android VPNs are great to have, they’re not the best solution for privacy and unblocking geo-restrictions. After careful consideration, ExpressVPN is our editor’s top choice as the best Android VPN to try for free. Its 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to test all of its unblocking and privacy features on your Android device. If you’re not satisfied, you can get your money back.
Even though you can find a lot of free Android VPN apps online, most of them are not trustworthy. CSIRO found that as much as 38% of Android VPN apps on the Play Store were secretly injecting malware into user’s devices.
While a free VPN may offer you security and privacy at a small level, if you are really interested in acquiring complete anonymity, privacy, and access to streaming content, then we highly recommend subscribing to a premium Android phone VPN.
I tested multiple free VPN apps on my Samsung Galaxy Note 20. After proper testing, I was able to find only the 10 best free VPNs for Android that are safe to use in 2021.
Although the idea of using a free VPN is very tempting, it is also a fact that they aren’t completely safe and secure. To gain the ultimate form of security, privacy, and data protection, you’d have to place your trust in paid VPNs.
ExpressVPN – Most recommended VPN for Android
After reviewing over 200 VPN providers, it was clear that only ExpressVPN can fulfill all the requirements of internet users simultaneously. It stands out any day in terms of speed, security, features, accessibility, and performance against free VPNs and other premium providers.
With a Google Play Store rating of 4.4/5.0 and compatibility with Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow & Lollipop, you are guaranteed to get the ultimate form of anonymity, security, and data protection. Plus, it comes with a no-questions-asked – 30-day money-back guarantee with 12 months + 3 months free on ExpressVPN annual subscription.
Quick Overview: 10 Best Free VPNs for Android
- ExpressVPN – Best Android VPN to Try for Free – 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee (Unlimited bandwidth) – Google Play Store rating of 4.4/5.0,
3000
servers in
94
countries, 94 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, 5 simultaneous connections, zero-log policy, AES-256-Bit encryption, best-in-class VPN for Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee making it the best free VPN for Android.
- Windscribe – Popular Free Android VPN – Google Play Store rating of 4.3/5.0, 10 servers in 10 countries, 10 GB/month bandwidth, unlimited simultaneous connections, 93 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, no-log policy, straightforward Android app, and compatibility with Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7.
- Hide.Me – Secure Free VPN for Android – Google Play Store rating of 4.4/5.0, 5 servers locations, 10 GB/month bandwidth, 10 simultaneous connections, 92 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, IP leak protection, zero-log policy, and comes with support for Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.
- ProtonVPN – Free Unlimited VPN for Android – Google Play Store rating of 4.2/5.0, 16 server locations, unlimited bandwidth, 10 simultaneous connections, 92 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, no-log policy, secure core VPN, and complete compatibility with Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow & Lollipop.
- TunnelBear – Powerful Free VPN App for Android – Google Play Store rating of 4.3/5.0, 20+ servers, 500 Mb/month bandwidth, 5 simultaneous connections, 91 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, zero-log policy, Always on, AES-256-Bit encryption, and supporting Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow.
- SurfEasy – Google Play Store rating of 4.5/5.0, 2000+ servers in 16 countries, 500 Mb/month bandwidth, 5 simultaneous connections, no-log network, bank-grade encryption, 90 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, and availability for Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow.
- Opera VPN – Google Play Store rating of 4.5/5.0, 3 servers, unlimited bandwidth, HHTPS/SSL encryption, compatible with Android 11, 10, Pie, and Oreo, 88 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, and IPv6/DNS leak protection.
- Betternet – Google Play Store rating of 4.3/5.0, 1 server, 500 Mb/month bandwidth, 5 simultaneous connections, easy to set up Android app, 87 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection with reliable connection on Android OS versions 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.
- Hotspot Shield – Google Play Store rating of 4.1/5.0, 1 server, 500 Mb/month bandwidth, 1 simultaneous connection, military-grade encryption, 86 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, with support for Android OS versions 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5.
- Speedify – Google Play Store rating of 3.8/5.0, 50+ servers in 35 countries, 2 GB/month bandwidth limit, unlimited simultaneous connection, 85 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, no-log policy, Cha-Cha encryption, and supporting Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow.
Detailed Analysis of the Best Free VPN for Android – [August 2021]
After extensive research, I have compiled a list of top-rated free Android VPNs that can actually make your online activities safe from the eyes of trackers, hackers, and cyber-criminals.
So without further ado, here are the 10 best free VPNs for Android phones and tablets to have in 2021.
1. ExpressVPN – Best Android VPN to Try for Free – 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.4/5.0⭐
- Server network:
3000
+ servers in
94
countries
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow & LollipopAndroid App size: 32 Mb
- Speed: 94 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection
ExpressVPN is the best Android VPN to try for free as it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Due to its best-in-class mobile VPN service and support for Android OS 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5.
ExpressVPN has a server network that consists of 3000+ servers in 94 countries. With a widespread network, Android users can easily get unlimited, unrestricted, and uninterrupted access to various geo-restricted content from around the globe.
For security and encryption, ExpressVPN relies upon a strict zero-log policy, military-grade AES-256-Bit encryption, along with various additional security features such as TrustedServer Network, Network lock, and Private DNS to ensure that Android users online security and privacy aren’t compromised.
The service is easily compatible with popular Android phone manufacturers such as Samsung Galaxy, Nokia, Huawei, Sony Xperia, LG, Motorola, Google Pixel, BlackBerry, and HTC.
Although it costs $6.67/mo , it does come with a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee which makes ExpressVPN the best VPN for Android.
To learn more about this provider, check out our ExpressVPN review.
2. Windscribe – Popular Free Android VPN (10 GB/month limit)
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.3/5.0⭐
- Server network: 10 server locations
- Bandwidth: 10 GB/month limit
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, 9, 8, and 7
- Android App size: Varies with device
- Speed: 93 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
Windscribe is another great free mobile VPN app that allows you to conduct faster browsing, save your mobile data by circumventing ads and malware tracking, and keeps your Android phone’s internet activity hidden from your internet service provider.
The provider offers a 10 GB monthly limit which isn’t a lot, but you can stream about 15-20 minutes per day in SD quality. It offers 10 server locations with its free version, which supports torrenting only 2 locations (Switzerland and Netherlands). However, with the Windscribe premium subscription, you’d get access to 63 servers located in 110 cities globally.
Windscribe uses an AES-256 cipher with SHA512 auth and a 4096-bit RSA key for online security and data encryption, so there is zero chance of your data being intercepted and decoded during any cyberattack.
In addition, its Android app is easy to use and lightweight, so it will not affect the overall performance of your device.
To learn more about this provider, check out our Windscribe VPN review.
3. Hide.Me – Good & Secure Free VPN for Android (10 GB/month limit) –
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.4/5.0⭐
- Server network: 5 server locations
- Bandwidth: 10 GB/month limit
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5
- Android App size: Varies with device
- Speed: 92 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
While the Hide.Me premium subscription offers 1,900+ servers in 75+ countries, and its free subscription offers 5 server locations (Singapore, Canada, Netherlands, US East, and US West) and a 10 GB monthly data limit.
The provider easily provides the ability to bypass any form of geo-restricted content, including various popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
It supports zero-log policy and essential security features such as AES-256-Bit encryption, Split Tunneling, Stealth Guard, Advanced IP Leak Protection, IPv6 Support, and the popular VPN connection protocol WireGuard.
As I said earlier, with the free plan, Android users will get a bandwidth limit of 10GB/month. This will translate to about you want to use Hide.Me with services such as YouTube TV.
For a more detailed evaluation, check out our Hide.Me review.
4. ProtonVPN – Free unlimited VPN for Android –
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.2/5.0⭐
- Server network: 3 server locations
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow & Lollipop
- Android App size: Varies with device
- Speed: 92 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
ProtonVPN holds almost the same reputation that ExpressVPN holds among the best premium VPN providers. The premium subscription plans offer you a server network of 1,900+ servers in 75+ locations, while the free subscription only has 3 server locations, including the United States, Netherlands, and Japan.
It is among the few free VPN providers that offer unlimited bandwidth. But the good thing is that its Netherlands server can be used to unblock torrent websites and download files securely, without worrying about getting caught.
The ProtonVPN app for Android is intuitive to use, offers lots of useful features, and keeps you secure and private when surfing the internet.
The Android application offers Secure VPN features that redirect your traffic on multiple servers to add an extra layer of protection, an internet kill switch, and an Ad-blocker called NetShield.
Unfortunately, the free version of this service doesn’t support Netflix and other streaming services. You’ll have to upgrade to the paid version for that. But, overall, ProtonVPN is very good for Android users looking to enhance their web privacy.
To find out more, check out our detailed ProtonVPN review.
5. TunnelBear – Powerful VPN App for Android (500 MB/month limit)
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.3/5.0⭐
- Server network: 20 server locations
- Bandwidth: 500 Mb/month limit
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow
- Android App size: Varies with device
- Speed: 91 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
TunnelBear is the most intuitive and easiest free VPN to use for Android devices. The provider comes with only a 500 MB monthly limit, but it makes up for it with its network of 20 server locations. In addition, if you tweet about TunnelBear or refer it to a friend, you can receive 1 GB additional bandwidth for free.
The Android application comes equipped with an Always-on feature, military-grade AES-256-Bit encryption, a simple design that even a bear can use, a user-interactive map for server selection, and an Android widget.
Although TunnelBear is bliss to use because of its apps, if you’re into heavy streaming or downloading, you can easily run out of your monthly limit, which can be a bit annoying. Therefore, this VPN is useful as long as you use it very sparingly, such as when you’re performing activities where privacy is paramount.
TunnelBear also offers a feature called GhostBear that can bypass firewalls and VPN blocks. Apart from Android, Windows, iOS, and Windows, TunnelBear is now also compatible with Linux operating systems, allowing it to join the list of best free VPNs for Ubuntu.
Check out our TunnelBear review to learn more about this provider.
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.5/5.0⭐
- Server network: 2000+ servers in 16 countries
- Bandwidth: 500 Mb/month limit
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow
- Android App size: 22 Mb
- Speed: 90 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
SurfEasy offers 2000+ servers in 16 countries, but its free subscription has a 500 Mb/month bandwidth limitation. It can be easily configured on the Android operating systems and allows users to select different VPN locations directly from the home screen.
Speaking about online privacy, security, and data protection, it utilizes various features such as AES-256-Bit encryption, a no-log network, bank-grade encryption, one-click protection, and enhanced tracker blocking.
With a single SurfEasy free account, you can protect your 5 devices simultaneously from any online threat and enjoy unlimited, unrestricted, and uninterrupted access to geo-block content. It is a recommended choice for unblocking geo-restricted streaming sites, thanks to its high-speed servers and different advanced security features. It is also easily configurable on Android devices having OS versions 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow.
The service also promises a 99.99% uptime, reliable and efficient customer support, and a 14-day money-back guarantee with every premium subscription.
For more information, check out our detailed SurfEasy Review
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.5/5.0⭐
- Server network: 3 locations (Europe, America, and Asia)
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, Pie, and Oreo
- Android App size: Varies with device
- Speed: 88 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
Opera VPN is a built-in VPN provider in the Opera browser. It is a free VPN that carries no cost whatsoever, not even hidden charges. Opera browser VPN falls into a category of VPNs that provide minimal security, but it is useful in unblocking geo-restricted websites.
It offers only 3 servers located in Europe, America, and Asia. The server count is limited, which is a disappointment. It does not tell which Opera VPN country server it will connect to, so that’s a bit vague, we suppose.
As for online privacy and security, the providers offer encryption through HHTPS/SSL, which is not a recommended encryption level offered by the VPN industry. Unfortunately, opera‘s official website does not provide clear information regarding encryption and protocols.
While internet users may think that this VPN would be solely for Mac and Windows devices, in reality, it is not true. Opera VPN is now available for use on Android phone devices as well.
To learn more about this provider, check out our Opera VPN review.
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.3/5.0⭐
- Server network: 1 location (USA)
- Bandwidth: 500 Mb/month data limit
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5
- Android App size: 29 Mb
- Speed: 87 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
Betternet free subscription offers only 1 server location located in the United States and a 500 Mb/month data limit in comparison to a premium subscription that allows access to 10 server locations, including US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, France, Hong Kong, and Singapore along with unlimited bandwidth.
As for the security and encryption, Betternet uses OpenVPN with AES 256-bit encryption and IPsec with AES 128-bit AES-CBC encryption. Unfortunately, it still lacks an internet kill switch and an Ad-blocker feature.
Its Android application guarantees a speedy and reliable VPN connection, and it is also straightforward to set up. However, the free subscription has few drawbacks: no access to popular streaming services without a premium subscription, annoying advertisements, no access to email support, and only one device per account.
To learn more about this provider, check out our Betternet review.
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 4.1/5.0⭐
- Server network: 1 location
- Bandwidth: 500 Mb/month limit
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5
- Android App size: 52 Mb
- Speed: 86 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
Hotspot Shield offers 3,200+ servers, including physical and virtual, from 80+ countries with its premium subscription. However, its free subscription only offers a 500 Mb/month limit and a single server location that is automatically assigned by the application.
The provider headquarter is located in the US, and it relies on its own created Catapult Hydra protocol to secure its users’ privacy. Unfortunately, the provider doesn’t offer other popular VPN connection protocols such as OpenVPN, SSTP, IKEV, and L2TP/IPsec, which is quite a drawback.
With its headquarter located in the US, there are few concerns related to online privacy and security, even if the provider confirms that it doesn’t store any VPN connection logs.
With its premium plan, it offers unlimited bandwidth, AES-256-Bit encryption, 24/7 live tech support, and a 45-day money-back guarantee for its users on Android devices.
To learn more about this provider, check out our Hotspot Shield review.
Key Features:
- Google Play Store Rating: 3.8/5.0⭐
- Server network: 50+ servers in 35+ countries
- Bandwidth: 2 GB/month
- Android Compatibility: Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, and Marshmallow.
- Android App size: 12 Mb
- Speed: 85 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection
Speedify operates a network of 50+ servers in 35+ countries. So, Speedify is not your average run-of-the-mill VPN service. Well, to be fair, it’s more of a channel bonding tool than a full-fledged VPN service.
Speedify headquarter is also located in the United States, but it does reassure complete online security and privacy with a no-log network and ChaCha 256-bit Encryption. This encryption mechanism is supposedly way harder to crack than the usual AES-256-Bit encryption found in almost every VPN service.
It also offers an internet kill switch and Speedify channel bonding – a self-developed protocol that works by combining all network connections such as Wi-Fi, cellular, and Ethernet simultaneously to offer a seamless and refined network connection.
While this service easily cleared every IP/DNS leak test, it failed to unblock Netflix and other popular streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITV, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Currently, the service is compatible with all the leading platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
To learn more about this provider, check out our Speedify review.
Paid VPNs vs. Free VPNs – which is better?
Yes, paid VPNs are always better than free VPNs. We say this because paid VPNs offer better security features, better support, and superb unblocking capabilities. On the other hand, free VPNs will most likely never work with streaming services like Netflix.
Also, with free VPNs, you’ll always have to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. You’ll have to worry about logs, hidden malware, and annoying ads. With paid VPNs, on the other hand, you won’t have to worry about any of that. But don’t get me wrong, there are still some trustworthy free VPNs for Android that you use. I recommend only using the VPN I’ve listed in this guide.
Are free VPNs safe to use on Android?
Whether you’re looking for the best free VPNs for Android TV, tablet, or phone, there’s always a risk that the VPN app you’re installing on your device may be infected with malware. In fact, research analyzing 283 VPN apps on Google Play Store revealed that as much as 18% of VPNs on Android do not encrypt user traffic.
That’s not all. The same research also found that 84% of these apps leak user traffic, and a whopping 80% request access to sensitive user information, including contact information and text messages.
Most of these services are free VPNs for Android phones. This clearly shows that it is wiser to use a paid VPN service if you want to be safe. The safest premium VPN service for Android is ExpressVPN which you can try extensively for the whole month with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Nonetheless, if you must use a VPN that is totally free of cost, take a look at the list of providers covered in this guide, as they are well-reputed to be safe and secure.
Few disadvantages of using a free VPN for Android
If you’re going to get a free VPN, you’ll have to accept some disadvantages that are almost always part and parcel of a free VPN app. Some of the common disadvantages are:
Substandard security
Free VPN services often neglect to use modern encryption and tunneling protocols, leaving users exposed online. Protection is the essential function of VPNs, so if a VPN can’t even ensure your security effectively, it certainly can’t be relied on for anything else either.
Most free VPNs log user data and sell it to third-party advertisers meaning your online privacy is compromised, and private information is exposed to advertisers. Similarly, free VPNs also don’t use industry-standard encryption protocols for data protection.
Bandwidth limit
Since providers offering VPNs for free aren’t charging users anything, they have to enforce data transfer limits to serve many users equally. Therefore, you’re going to have to bear bandwidth limits with 99% of free Android VPN apps out there.
Speed limit
Like bandwidth, speed is also often throttled by free providers because they can’t generally afford to provide full speeds to users on the free plan. Providers generally reserve express speeds for their paid users – and honestly – that makes sense since paying customers deserve the best quality of service.
Device compatibility
Free apps generally only support a single simultaneous connection, unlike paid VPNs that support simultaneous connections on various devices. So if you need to use a VPN on multiple devices, then a free Android VPN isn’t going to be much help.
Why do we discourage free VPNs for Android?
In terms of performance, a free VPN can never match a premium VPN provider. Not only are they known to irritate the users with inversive advertisements, but they also sell user activity logs to different third-party organizations.
They have placed restrictions on the amount of data, speed of the network, and bandwidth that a single account can use. It is safe to say that they are useless for conducting tasks like torrenting, streaming, and online gaming. Thanks to its very few servers, you will mostly not find your desired location in its server network.
To enjoy complete internet freedom with no restriction, it is imperative to subscribe to a premium Android VPN. However, it is worth knowing that there are premium VPN providers out there which can cost you as low as $2.49/mo and offer much better security, privacy, and performance than a free VPN can ever offer
Some benefits of Premium VPNs:
Premium VPNs are always better than free VPNs. Let’s check out why:
- Unlimited bandwidth and widespread network with servers in almost all of the major countries
- High-speed network connections with server load-balancing
- 100% secure and guaranteed no-log policy for complete internet privacy
- Compatible with all major operating systems and devices
How to choose the best free VPN for Android?
All of the free VPNs for Android that I’ve listed in this guide have been extensively tested. But if you want to choose a VPN for yourself, here’s what you should look out for:
- Security – Does it offer 256-bit encryption or keeps no logs.
- Fast Speeds – Can you use it for streaming or for downloading torrents.
- Bandwidth Limit – How much data can you consume each month.
- Trustworthiness – Does it contain hidden malware.
- Servers – How many server locations do it offer.
- Compatibility – Can you use it on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and more.
- Customer Support – Reliable and effective 24/7 customer support for immediate technical assistance.
Which free VPNs should we avoid for Android?
With so many VPNs available, there are quite a few that can be malicious to your privacy. Here are the most notable free Android VPNs you must avoid:
1. Hola VPN
Hola is a hugely popular VPN app for Android that is totally free of cost. Unfortunately, many users don’t know that this app uses a peer-to-peer system because it can’t afford an actual VPN server network. In a P2P network, another user’s IP address can be assumed, mimicking how actual VPNs work.
This means that another Hola user can acquire your IP address and do anything they want with it. So, if the user performs any illegal activities, it might have legal consequences on you because authorities will utilize you’re the actual user behind that IP address.
That’s not all. Hola was also found to sell user bandwidth for botnet attacks, which is a huge red flag. For these highly suspicious facts, Hola VPN is an app best avoided by Android users.
2. SuperVPN
SuperVPN has over 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store, but it has a highly ambiguous, almost cryptic privacy policy. In one passage, SuperVPN explicitly states: “We keep all information on highly secured servers based in the United Kingdom and the USA. All information might be transferred to other servers we could use, and we will take reasonable care with these possible transfers.”
If you value your online security, privacy, and anonymity, then avoid using SuperVPN on your Android device at all costs.
How to set up a free VPN on Android devices?
Here’s how to set up a free VPN on your Android device:
- Search for a free VPN of your choice on the Play Store
- Tap on Install to start the downloading process.
- Once it is installed, launch the VPN app.
- Sign up for the free VPN service.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Choose a server location, and you’re done.
That’s it. This is how easy it is to set up a free VPN on your Android device.
FAQs
Bottom Line
Finding the best free VPN for Android is a tricky business. With many VPNs turning out to be scams and capable of leaking private information of Android users, it pays to be careful when searching for one.
Upon our comprehensive testing, we discovered Windscribe to be the best free VPN for Android with a Google Play Store rating of 4.3/5.0, 10 GB/month bandwidth limit, 93 Mbps speed on a 100 Mbps internet connection, and compatibility with Android 11, 10, 9, 8, 7.
However, for most optimized and ultimate security, privacy, data protection, and unblocking capabilities on Android devices, we suggest subscribing to a paid VPN provider such as ExpressVPN. For a limited time, you can purchase its “12 months + 3 months” subscription which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
