Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become essential tools for Android users seeking to protect their online privacy and security. By encrypting internet traffic and routing it through secure servers, VPNs prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs), mobile carriers, apps, and websites from tracking your activities, revealing your true IP address, or determining your location. Given the vast number of VPNs available today, selecting the best option for Android devices can be challenging. This summary draws on comprehensive testing and evaluation of leading VPN services, focusing on their performance, privacy features, usability, pricing, and cross-platform compatibility.
### Why Use a VPN on Android?
When you activate a VPN on your Android device, all your internet traffic is encrypted, shielding your data from ISPs and mobile carriers. This means they cannot see which websites you visit or which apps you use. VPNs also prevent third parties, such as apps and websites, from accessing sensitive information like your actual IP address and general geographical location. For Android users concerned about privacy, streaming geo-restrictions, or secure communications, a reliable VPN is invaluable.
### Top VPN Providers for Android: ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN
After rigorous hands-on testing—including over 250 speed tests, streaming trials, and DNS leak checks—three VPNs stand out as the best choices for Android users: ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN. Each offers unique strengths catering to different user needs and budgets.
#### ExpressVPN: Best Overall for Privacy and Performance
ExpressVPN is CNET’s top pick for Android VPNs, primarily due to its excellent balance of performance, privacy commitment, and user experience. The Android app is intuitive and user-friendly, making it ideal for both beginners and privacy-conscious users. One of its standout features is the proprietary Lightway protocol, recently optimized for faster speeds, enhanced security, and improved overall performance. This ensures smooth streaming and reliable VPN connections even on the move.
ExpressVPN’s privacy practices are exemplary. It has undergone 23 independent audits since 2018, demonstrating transparency and adherence to strict privacy standards. The service supports quantum-resistant encryption on its Lightway and WireGuard protocols, preparing for future security challenges. Features like IP Shuffle automatically change your IP address with each website load, further complicating tracking attempts. Its kill switch reliably prevents data leaks if the VPN connection drops, and TrustedServer technology ensures that servers run only on volatile RAM, erasing all data upon reboot to protect user information.
In testing, ExpressVPN showed an average speed loss of only 18%, which is excellent for streaming, gaming, and video calls. It works seamlessly with popular streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video, often bypassing geo-restrictions effortlessly. ExpressVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections, covering most users' needs.
However, this premium service comes with a higher price tag. The monthly plan costs $13, while annual subscriptions offer some savings, though they renew at $100 per year. A 30-day money-back guarantee allows users to try the service risk-free.
#### Surfshark: Best Value for Money and Unlimited Devices
Surfshark offers an impressive VPN experience at a more affordable price point, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious Android users who don’t want to compromise on features or privacy. Despite its lower cost, Surfshark provides robust privacy protections, fast connection speeds, and a large global server network spanning over 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
One of Surfshark’s most notable advantages is its allowance for unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription, perfect for users with multiple Android devices or a mix of phones, tablets, and other gadgets. The Android app is sleek, simple to navigate, and consistent with apps on other platforms like iOS, Windows, and various TV devices.
Surfshark supports streaming on major platforms such as Netflix, Disney Plus, and Max, effectively bypassing regional restrictions. Our 2025 speed tests recorded an average speed loss of 21%, slightly slower than in previous years but still fast enough for most online activities without noticeable lag.
Beyond standard VPN features, Surfshark offers unique privacy tools such as Dynamic Multihop, which routes your traffic through two servers for extra security, and Rotating IP, which changes your IP address every few minutes to evade tracking. Its Alternative ID feature allows you to create a fake online identity with a name, birthdate,