If you have an Android device, installing a good free VPN on it is a great way to stay safe online and unblock region-restricted content, like your favorite shows and films. While there are many free VPNs for Android devices on the Google Play store, not all are worth installing. Some can even be dangerous.
We tested 20+ free VPNs for Android devices and found the ones that really deliver. Here’s our definitive list of the five best free VPNs for Android devices.
Top 5 Best Free Android VPNs
Before we dive into more details, here’s our list with the 5 best free VPNs for Android:
Top 5 Best Free VPNs for Android
- Proton VPN: Unlimited free data
- PrivadoVPN: Free VPN that unblocks Netflix
- Hide.me: An easy-to-use Android VPN with great customer support
- Windscribe: Free VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
- Hotspot Shield: Best free VPN for secure browsing
While testing free Android VPNs we have focused on the following criteria to select only the best free Android VPNs:
- An unlimited free version: we have only selected truly free VPNs that do not require you to upgrade to premium after a while.
- No speed caps: our list consists of VPNs that let you browse the internet without delay or lag and have no speed limits.
- A reasonable data limit: we have chosen VPNs with enough free data to keep you save during normal daily internet usage.
- Security and privacy: we have selected VPNs with military grade encryption, safe protocols and a no-log policy.
Test Results: Top 5 best Free Android VPNs
After extensive testing we can assure the VPNs described below are the best free VPNs for Android.
1. Proton VPN: Best free Android VPN with unlimited data
Proton VPN tops our list as the best free VPN for Android because it’s the only truly free VPN service that provides unlimited data. This means you can use it as much as you like to stay safe as you browse the net on your Android phone.
Proton is based in Switzerland, a country that is not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. Companies based outside this alliance can’t be forced to share data. Moreover, Proton VPN offers a strict no-log policy. That means information about your online data won’t be stored.
The VPN app supports split tunneling, so you can choose which apps pass through the VPN tunnel and which ones use your standard, unprotected connection. We also tested out the kill switch, and it automatically terminated our connection the moment the VPN disconnected to keep our real IP address hidden.
You’ll also be able to access other services offered by Proton AG, including Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. The only downside is Proton VPN Free doesn’t allow you to select a server location. This means this provider isn’t the best choice if you want to unblock international streaming services.
Pros
- Unlimited free data
- Strict no-log policy to protect your privacy
- Decent security features
- Offers OpenVPN and WireGuard
- Uses a customized anti-censoring protocol
- No intrusive ads in the app
Cons
- You can't select a server location
The premium version of this VPN offers high speeds and specialized servers for torrenting and streaming. All its premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our full review of Proton VPN to know all the premium features that it offers.
2. PrivadoVPN: Best free VPN for streaming
Most free VPN services on Android are slightly limited as they don’t let you unblock streaming platforms. However, PrivadoVPN allowed us to unblock Netflix and other streaming services. That’s great if you want to stream on the go with your Android phone.
You will get slower speeds compared to PrivadoVPN Premium and only 10 GB of free data, which does limit the amount of videos you can stream. 10 GB will be enough for roughly 3 hours of Netflix in HD quality. But, even after it runs out, you can still use PrivadoVPN, though its speed is capped at 1Mbit.
Its free version has a good amount of servers compared to other free VPNs — you can choose between 10 different locations, including the UK and the US. Torrenting is allowed with all of these servers.
If you need a simple, free VPN that offers features such as a strict no-logs policy, IP masking, and end-to-end encryption, PrivadoVPN is a great choice all around.
Pros
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
- Allows torrenting
- 10 server locations available
- Strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy
- Secure VPN with military grade encryption
- No intrusive ads in the app
Cons
- 10GB free data per month
- Connection speeds are often slow due to congested servers
You can read more in our PrivadoVPN review to find out what our experts think about this VPN service if you decide to upgrade.
3. Hide.me: Easy to use free Android VPN with customer support
The free version of Hide.me VPN gave us access to eight server locations around the globe, which is quite generous. We are also very impressed by Hide.me’s customer service: even with the free version you get 24/7 access to a live chat that’s very responsive.
Like others on this list, it does not retain any logs about your online activities. Moreover, it also offers additional security features for free such as a multi-hop server (double encryption) and obfuscation with StealthGuard.
Torrenting is allowed, though you have to work around a data cap of 10 GB per month. While testing, we didn’t notice any throttling, but we did notice a strong difference in speeds when compared with their performance-optimized servers, which are available to paying users.
The best thing about Hide.me’s free VPN is that you don’t even need to create an account to use it. Just download the app in the Google Play Store, and you’re good to go! Unfortunately, the free version of this VPN for Android doesn’t unblock streaming services like Netflix.
Pros
- Offers 8 free servers
- No speed throttling
- No-log policy to protect your privacy
- 24/7 customer support
- Offers obfuscation and double VPN connections
Cons
- 10GB free data per month
- Isn't great for unblocking
If you’d like to know more about the full premium version, check out our Hide.me review.
4. Windscribe: Best free Android VPN for unlimited simultaneous connections
Windscribe‘s free plan offers 10 server locations spread across several European and North American countries. The speeds are decent, and you can enjoy 10 GB of free data per month if you provide your email address. If you don’t, you’ll still get 2GB of data free per month.
Windscribe’s Android app also provides a free ad blocker. Our tests showed us that this VPN prevents DNS leaks and encrypts your data so you’re always secure, even on public Wi-Fi. A kill switch and split tunneling are part of the free package.
What sets it apart is that you can use the free service to enjoy a safe internet connection on as many devices as you want simultaneously. That means Windscribe is just great for your smartphone, but also for other devices in your household.
Pros
- Free server locations in 10 countries
- OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and Stealth protocols
- Offers a kill switch and split tunneling
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Offers an ad blocker for Android
Cons
- 2-10GB free data per month
- Sharp speed drop
If you’d like to learn more about the different features, here’s our full Windscribe review.
5. Hotspot Shield VPN: Best free VPN for secure browsing
Hotspot Shield uses a proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol to optimize speed and secure your data. Hydra is based on the industry standard OpenVPN, and it is a powerful and secure protocol. In the Android app you can choose between Hydra and WireGuard.
Hotspot Shield doesn’t have a data limit allowing you to browse the internet safely with your Android device without restrictions. While testing out the mobile version, we noticed DNS and IP leak protection that prevents third parties from seeing your data. If you want a secure free VPN, Hotspot Shield is one of the best we’ve tested!
Sadly, while testing out the free mobile version, we could only access 3 server locations: the UK, the US and Singapore. Another downside is that the free Hotspot Shield VPN can only be used one device. Plus, the free version has other limitations: it can’t unblock Netflix or other streaming services.
Pros
- Unique VPN protocol to secure your data
- User-friendly interface
- DNS and IP leak protections
- Torrenting is allowed
- No data limit
Cons
- Offers only 3 server locations for free
- Not able to unblock streaming services
- Lots of ads in the Android app
If you’d like to know more about Hotspot Shield VPN’s features and get an in-depth speed comparison, you can check out our Hotspot Shield VPN review.
Free Android VPN comparison
Let’s sum up the differences between the 5 best free Android VPNs:
| Features | 1. Proton VPN | 2. PrivadoVPN | 3. Hide.me | 4. Windscribe | 5. Hotspot Shield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free data per month | Unlimited | 10 GB | 10 GB | 2-10 GB | Unlimited |
| Operating systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Linux, Chromebook | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Fire TV | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire Tv | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Simultaneous connections | 1 | 1 | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Number of server locations | 1 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 3 |
| Countries with servers | Connects automatically to the best server in your region | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, Mexico, India, the Netherlands, UK, US | Canada, Germany, Finland, France, the Netherlands, UK, US, Switzerland | Canada, Germany, France, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, US, UK, Switzerland | US, UK, Singapore |
| Streaming (Netflix) | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Torrenting allowed? | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Protocols | OpenVPN and WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard | OpenVPN, Wireguard, IKEv2, SoftEthervPN, SSTP | IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, WSTunnel and Stealth | Hydra |
| Website |
How We Tested the Best Free VPNs for Android
There are tons of free VPNs out there, but you need to be cautious. Some services may contain malware and may log your browsing data, which is a serious threat for your online privacy. Others share personal information to fund their operations, which is a strict no-no. That’s why we adhere to stringent criteria when testing free VPNs:
- No hidden subscriptions: We selected VPNs that are genuinely free and do not have any hidden subscription costs for free users. None of these VPNs will automatically switch to a paid plan.
- Speed caps: You need decent speeds to browse through the internet uninterrupted, and a good VPN should be able to offer this.
- Data limits: We have to ensure that they can provide a reasonable data limit to cater to your most basic daily needs.
- Encryption: The best free VPNs should use secure encryption protocols to protect your data effectively. On top of that, they should have a no-log policy to make sure your internet data remain private.
Limitations of Free VPNs on Android
While a free VPN (virtual private network) for Android devices is great, there are certain limitations that you should know about:
- Limited data: Most free VPNs have a fixed monthly limit, which runs out faster than you might realize as you scroll.
- No optimized streaming servers: You’ll need a paid VPN to unblock Netflix or other streaming services on Android.
- Limited protocol choices: Paid VPNs often offer a greater choice, including UDP, TCP, and more.
- Restricted features: Free VPN users often can’t access features like split tunneling or obfuscation within the Android app until they upgrade.
- Fewer server locations: Android users may need to get a paid version to gain access to multiple VPN server locations.
As you can tell, a good free VPN only gives you half of the experience. Many of the key benefits that you’d expect from a VPN service, such as the ability to unblock streaming services or let you browse the internet without data caps or unlimited data usage, are not available in the free versions.
Instead, to really enjoy all of the benefits, you may want to consider going for a premium VPN for Android. A premium VPN for Android offers the very best in terms of security, helps you unblock all major streaming providers, and even gives you more choices in terms of VPN protocols.
Go for a premium VPN trial: NordVPN
While testing, NordVPN‘s user-friendly app allowed us to connect to an optimized server close to our location with a single tap. With more than 6441 massive server network across 111 countries, there’s no shortage of choice either.
For instance, the proprietary Threat Protection Lite technology protects you from malicious sites and protects your Android device from harmful botnet attacks. NordVPN also outperforms all the top free VPNs in terms of connection speeds, and it does not limit your data usage.
NordVPN’s Android app also offers a kill switch function, so you don’t have to worry about your Internet Service Provider getting a peek at your online activities. And, even with the free trial, we could connect to specialized streaming VPN servers to unblock different Netflix libraries.
This VPN service can unblock virtually any streaming service, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. None of the features are limited in the free trial, so you’ll experience the best that it has to offer.
Pros
- Large global server network
- Powerful encryption (256-bit)
- Functional advanced kill switch
- Superfast connections
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming sites
- Threat Protection to keep you safe
Cons
- This isn't a free VPN
You can take advantage of NordVPN’s free 30-day trial, which lets you access all the features without any restrictions or cost. You can use it on multiple Android devices if you want, and companion apps are also available for other platforms.
You can read more about it in our full NordVPN review.
Download Free VPN for Android: Getting Started with Proton VPN Free
Here are the steps we followed to install a free VPN on our Android device. It is very simply, since with Proton VPN for android you don’t even need to create an account.
- Go to Google Play Store and download Proton VPN.
- Open the app and click ‘Connect’.
- Proton VPN will now automatically connect to the fastest free server.
That’s it! All traffic from your Android device is now encrypted.
Free Android VPNs to Avoid
Not all free VPNs for Android work as you might expect. And any self-acclaimed, completely free VPN can actually do more harm than good on your Android device.
Here’s our list of free Android VPNs that you should avoid and why you should avoid them.
| VPN Provider | Why You Should Avoid It |
|---|---|
| BetternetVPN | Collects user data and sells to third parties; has been known to infect devices with malware. |
| Hola VPN | Logs all your online activity and does not encrypt your connection. |
| Psiphon Pro | Allows advertising partners to track users and shares data with third parties. |
| Speedify VPN | Significant speed drops that make browsing virtually impossible. |
| Turbo VPN | may contain malware and has a suspicious link with China. |
| Urban VPN | Logs your information, including your IP-address and sell this to third parties. |
| X-VPN | Offers a measly 500 MB browsing limit with free plan. |
Wrap Up: Using a VPN for Free on Android
To conclude, if you want to protect your privacy for free while browsing the internet with your Android device, we recommend Proton VPN. This is the free VPN for Android, since this no-log VPN has very good security features and offers unlimited data. This means you can encrypt all your online traffic without any costs.
Try out Proton VPN with this unlimited free version!
- Free servers in the Netherlands, Japan and the US
- No data limit
- Servers often slow and crowded
Most free VPNs will come with some limitations, such as slow speeds or lack of server locations. To overcome this, it’s wise to invest in a paid VPN that gives unlimited data and many useful features at a nominal monthly fee. Our top recommendation is NordVPN. With NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it out yourself risk-free for 30 days!
Save big with up to 72% off a two-year subscription!
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Looking for different VPNs? Many people use a VPN on both their phone and their computer. You might even want to use yours on your smart TV or router, too! Our top 5 list of best VPNs for multiple devices might help you out!
You may also be interested in our other articles about free VPNs:
- Best Free VPNs for Netflix (Tried and Tested!)
- Top 5 Free VPNs for PC: Best No-Cost Options for Windows
- The Best Free VPN for Mac: 7 Truly Free Mac VPNs
- Best Free VPN for Windows 11
Do you have a question about our list of free VPNs for Android? Click on one of the frequently asked questions below to read the answer.
Proton VPN’s free version is the best free VPN for Android and other devices because it offers unlimited data and top-notch security. This means you can use your Android device safely without limitations.
It can be hard to find a safe free VPN on Android. Free VPNs might log your activities or sell your data. To be safe, we recommend choosing a free plan from a premium VPN provider with a no-log policy, such as Proton VPN.
Most completely free VPNs on the internet may have certain commas that could pose risks to your privacy. This is why we have taken the time to test the best free VPNs for Android. Our top choice is Proton VPN, as it’s truly free and gives you unlimited data.
Proton offers a free Android VPN which is safe and free. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland and has a strict no-log policy. That means Proton will not store nor share your data. Proton VPN free offers unlimited data, but is limited when it comes to server selection. You can upgrade to Proton VPN premium to access a large global server network.
