Using public Wi-Fi hotspots when you’re out and about poses privacy and security risks. Connecting to an unsecured network makes it easy for hackers to steal your data. Fortunately, a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts all traffic, leaving your Android device to keep you safe.
A quality VPN lets you access restricted content and websites worldwide by changing your virtual location. This is handy when traveling abroad or stream geo-blocked movies and shows.
But with hundreds of VPN services on the market, finding a reliable Android VPN can feel overwhelming. To help, as a mobile app development expert specializing in mobile security, I’ve evaluated dozens of providers on metrics like privacy, unblocking capabilities, usability, and cost to identify the top VPN apps for 2024.
- NordVPN – Our #1 Recommended Android VPN
NordVPN is the best Android VPN, thanks to an unbeatable combination of lightning-fast speeds, air-tight security, impressive global streaming access, and affordable pricing.
Usability: NordVPN’s Android app delivers excellent usability via an intuitive map-based interface. Helpful sorting tools plus specialty servers catering to streaming or P2P simplify connections. Handy quick-connect and auto-connect features streamline usage further.
Speed: Using cutting-edge WireGuard protocol technology, NordVPN blew away speed tests – delivering blazing-fast connections without any slowdowns. This ensures smooth HD streaming and rapid downloads.
Security & Privacy: You get comprehensive encryption, a reliable kill switch to prevent data leaks if connections drop, zero traffic or activity logs, and secure DNS to safeguard privacy. Plus, NordVPN accepts crypto payments for enhanced anonymity.
Unblocking Ability: NordVPN excels at bypassing geographical restrictions to access overseas movie/TV show catalogs on major platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more, regardless of your location.
Pricing: Quite fairly priced, starting at only $3.29 per month billed annually, NordVPN also offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee for Android users to test the service. Attractive discounts for longer 2-3 year terms help further.
- ExpressVPN – Simplest VPN Experience for Android
ExpressVPN safeguards your privacy hassle-free thanks to remarkably easy-to-use Android apps. While slightly pricier than some competitors, you get excellent speeds and watertight security.
Usability: ExpressVPN’s Android app excels in simplicity for VPN newcomers. Just tap the large power button to connect instantly in seconds. An intuitive server list with built-in speed tests also helps pick optimal locations.
Speed: I recorded fast and consistent speeds across short and long-distance ExpressVPN servers during testing. This reliably handles buffer-free 4K streaming, rapid downloads, and gaming without lag spikes.
Security & Privacy: You can trust ExpressVPN’s enhanced AES-256 encryption, reliable kill switch feature, zero-logging policies protecting activity/connection data, and secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec to safeguard privacy.
Unblocking Ability: ExpressVPN earns praise for consistently bypassing geo-restrictions to access overseas Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, YouTube TV libraries, and more, regardless of travel destination.
Pricing: Admittedly slightly expensive compared to leading options, ExpressVPN justifies costs through robust security infrastructure and simplicity. However, discounts for longer 6-month or 1-year subscriptions help lower the price point for Android users.
- Surfshark – Most Affordable Quality Android VPN
Costing under $3 monthly, Surfshark offers tremendous value without compromising performance or features. It remains one of the most affordable options, with fast speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities.
Usability: Surfshark’s Android interface delivers a streamlined experience that is perfect for beginners. Convenient quick-connect functionality lets you secure Wi-Fi networks instantly in one click. Useful sorting tools simplify finding servers.
Speed: Surfshark consistently maintained fast and reliable speeds during my testing when connected to nearby and international servers. This easily supports 4K video streaming plus rapid downloads without frustrating lag or buffering.
Security & Privacy: Alongside industry-standard AES-256 encryption, you get added protections from Surfshark’s private DNS, MultiHop connections routing through multiple servers, and a reliable kill switch preventing data exposure.
Unblocking Ability: Surfshark earns top marks for unblocking restricted access to Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, YouTube TV, and other leading streaming platforms regardless of travel destination or internet network.
Pricing: At under $3 monthly for a 1-year plan, Surfshark offers tremendous affordability. Budget-conscious consumers will appreciate the low entry pricing plus the ability to use Surfshark on unlimited devices.
- Hotspot Shield – Fastest VPN Speeds for Android
Delivering the fastest Android VPN speeds I recorded, Hotspot Shield stands out for lag-free 4K streaming, blazing-fast downloads, and low-latency online gaming without any buffering delays.
Usability: Hotspot Shield makes it easy to connect quickly via one-click functionality while also allowing deeper customization, like specific city-level server selection for desired content access, which is handy for streaming.
Speed: Using proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol technology, Hotspot Shield clocked remarkable peak speeds exceeding 900 Mbps across my Android test devices. This results in flawless high-bitrate streaming and rapid large downloads.
Security & Privacy: You get standard VPN security provisions like AES-256 encryption. While Hotspot Shield lacks perfect transparency and independent audits, its logging policies generally align with best practices for the no-logs industry to protect privacy.
Unblocking Ability: During testing, Hotspot Shield provided reliable access to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other top streaming platforms, including their overseas catalogs, while traveling or using restrictive internet networks.
Pricing: Relatively competitive considering the blazing fast connections, Hotspot Shield costs around $7.99 monthly for 1-year plans. A free version with 500MB daily data caps also allows testing speeds first.
- CyberGhost – Most Private Anonymous Android VPN
CyberGhost anchors rock-solid no-logging policies for true anonymity, making it ideal for the privacy-centric. Uniquely streamlined filtering also makes accessing streaming content abroad simple.
Usability: CyberGhost simplifies server selection through streamlined filtering by categories like streaming, security, and P2P – along with granular individual country and city-level options. This makes accessing desired content or sites easy.
Speed: During testing, speeds remained fast for most browsing and streaming needs across short and long-distance servers. However, connectivity was less consistent than other top options during peak times.
Security & Privacy: CyberGhost anchors its privacy posture through rigorous no-logging policies covering traffic and activity data confirmed by independent audits. You also get standard encryption.
Unblocking Ability: Impressively, CyberGhost leveraged its geo-targeted server network to successfully bypass regional restrictions when traveling and access overseas libraries on Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
Pricing: Quite affordable, considering the privacy protections. CyberGhost costs under $2.25 monthly for longer 3-year plans. Shorter 1-year subscriptions come out to around $3.99 per month.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re working remotely online, traveling frequently to restricted regions, or accessing public Wi-Fi regularly, using one of the best VPNs for Android is crucial to staying protected in 2024 and beyond.
VPN apps are in high demand right now, and if you want to tap into this mobile app market segment, we recommend partnering with a reliable mobile app development company. They have the resources, tools, and teams to help you build a secure VPN app like Nord or Hotspot Shield.
The returns you’ll receive by investing in VPN mobile app development will be breathtaking. So, make sure to choose the right partner who can effectively realize your digital product vision.
Read More: app development cost