With so many Android VPN apps available, it can be difficult to choose the right solution. Based on our extensive research and testing of VPNs over the years, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for Android:

Policy

The main consideration of any VPN should be privacy. If your Android VPN can’t adequately protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At a minimum, your VPN should use industry standard AES 256-bit OpenVPN encryption protocolor ChaCha20 with WireGuard or IKEv2. You’ll also want basic privacy protections like a kill switch (which completely cuts off your internet connection in the event of an unexpected VPN disconnection), DNS leak protection (to hide your public IP address) and a no-logs policy (proving that. your VPN provider doesn’t record the websites you visit or apps you use while you’re connected to a VPN server). Power users may appreciate advanced features like split tunneling, which allows you to use the VPN for some traffic but not others — for example, you can route your Chrome web browser through the VPN for streaming Netflix in a browser, while downloading a game from Steam without a VPN connection for faster speeds, all on the same computer.

For critical privacy needs — such as if you’re an investigative journalist, asylum-seeker, political activist or concerned torrent-user — you’ll also want a privacy-friendly VPN provider. jurisdiction, offers obfuscation and has a RAM-only server architecture. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities for additional encryption, ad and tracker blockers and multihop connections, which encrypt your data more than just a VPN. server. Also, look for a VPN that undergoes regular third-party security audits, such as audits helps build confidence in the VPN’s ability to protect its users’ privacy.

SPEED

The speed of your VPN can have a significant impact on activities such as streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming and general web browsing. To keep things as smooth as possible, you want to find a VPN that has as little impact on your regular internet speed as possible. The fastest VPNs we tested only dropped your internet download speed by an average of 25%, with the fastest VPNs delivering a lightning-fast less than 15% average internet download speed loss.

Availability

A good Android VPN should run smoothly and be easy to use regardless of your technical skills. It should have all the features you need easily accessible with a tap of your finger. Many Android VPN apps also include an easy way to contact support directly from the device, which can be helpful if you need help on the go. Your Android VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably wherever you are, and it will help you access geo-restricted content from different regions.

cost

VPN prices vary greatly from provider to provider, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your Android VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend around $5 to $13 per month for a VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, where prices can range from roughly $30 to $100 per year. Be careful with free VPNs because you may be putting your privacy at risk instead of protecting it. Proton VPN is the same today free VPN which is recommended by CNET. Most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can last anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a seven-day free trial of many VPNs when you sign up through the Play Store. So you probably have the option of trying out different Android VPNs risk-free before you decide whether to fully invest in one.

Streaming

Many people use VPN for privacy, but virtual private networks are also great for geo-unblocking streaming services. Because you can make apps like Netflix, Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer think you’re in another location — like the UK or Canada — you can browse foreign content libraries. By opening international video libraries, you can even save money using a VPN for streaming. For streaming on Android phones, tablets or Android TV boxes, you’ll want one of the best VPNs for Netflix so you can catch up with Squid Game and Bridgerton or best VPNs for Amazon Prime Videowhich will help you heal your Cross.