Best Android VPN for 2024

ExpressVPN is currently CNET’s pick for the best VPN for Android. Its 8.8/10 score on our VPN rating scale also makes it the best VPN overall. It’s a veteran VPN provider that consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to privacy and transparency. It’s also excellent for streaming and the easiest VPN app to use on any platform, including Android. The catch is that ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPN providers currently on the market. The service costs $13 per month, $60 every six months or $100 per year, which is considerably more expensive than the $11 per month or $60 per year that Surfshark charges. NordVPN is more in line with ExpressVPN on price at $13 per month or $100 annually (after a promotional $60 price for the first year).

Though fast enough for most any online activity, ExpressVPN’s speeds are not quite as fast as some of its competitors, based on our latest speed tests. In 2024, we measured a 24.8% average speed loss with ExpressVPN. This is still fast, given that many VPNs can cut your internet speeds by 50% or more. However, we saw substantially better speeds from NordVPN (11% speed loss) and Surfshark (17% speed loss). Still, ExpressVPN’s speeds were largely consistent and aligned with our expectations across protocols and server locations. Overall, we registered the fastest speeds through ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, which is engineered for speed and security. Speeds were generally faster to relatively closer server locations like New York City and the UK, and slower to distant locations like Australia and Singapore. In any case, ExpressVPN’s speeds were still plenty fast enough for general browsing as well as for more data-intensive activities like streaming, gaming and videoconferencing -- especially if you use Lightway.     

Surfshark is an excellent Android VPN, and CNET's current Editors' Choice for the best value VPN. It packs a ton of features, is great for streaming and is the perfect choice if you're on a budget but still want the premium VPN experience. 

Surfshark's Android app is clean and simple to use, but it sometimes struggles to connect immediately, which can be frustrating. Otherwise, it's a slick app with a lot of cool features. Once connected, you'll see your connection time and VPN IP address and location. You also have the option to either disconnect from the VPN server or pause your VPN connection for 5 minutes, 30 minutes or 2 hours. The Pause feature is useful for instances where you want to temporarily step off the VPN but not risk forgetting to turn the VPN back on. It's also easy to create custom multi-hop connections with any two server combinations from Surfshark's network of over 3,000 servers in 100 countries. Additional features include a kill switch, auto-connect, protocol selection and ad- and tracker-blocking technology. And if you're into streaming content online while on the go, Surfshark is an excellent choice. It's great for streaming Netflix content from multiple Netflix libraries around the world. We were able to easily stream content from Max, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus as well.

Surfshark is a budget-friendly choice that's priced at $11 per month or $48 for the first year of service, then $60 per year for any subsequent years of service, which is significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN. And, like other top VPNs, Sufrshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee trial period.

NordVPN is one of the best-known VPNs on the market, partly due to its widespread marketing campaigns. However, Nord remains a popular virtual private network option thanks to its fast connections, privacy-focused features and excellent geo-unblocking for streaming services. Its combination of user-friendly design that doesn't compromise on settings makes it an outstanding choice for casual VPN newcomers and seasoned power users alike. 

NordVPN’s Android app is functionally and visually similar to its desktop app, and is just as easy to use. If you’re already familiar with NordVPN’s desktop application, you’ll feel right at home jumping over to its Android mobile app for protection on the go. The Android app offers a robust set of features, including split-tunneling, tapjacking protection, threat protection, unsafe Wi-Fi detection and a kill switch -- all of which can come in handy while using the VPN on your mobile device when out and about. You’ll also get full access to NordVPN’s Meshnet feature set, which can help you securely share files and collaborate with others.     

A big win for IPVanish is its fun, configurable interface, which makes it an ideal client for those who are interested in learning how to understand what a VPN does under the hood. In its Android app, IPVanish manages to pack the same extensive suite of digital knobs and dials into a refreshingly clean mobile interface to impressive effect. If you want to do some precision tuning to your VPN connection, IPVanish is a solid bet. With a bevy of switches controlling things like the kill switch, split tunneling, VPN protocol and LAN connection allowance, IPVanish is an app for the methodical tech tweaker who enjoys having exact control over their mobile internet traffic.

One frustrating issue is that IPVanish's Quick Connect feature doesn't always connect you to the best available server, so you may need to optimize your speeds by connecting manually to a server showing a lighter load. In IPVanish's Android app, you can check the current load of each server by tapping on Locations, selecting Cities and tapping the number next to each city.

IPVanish's yearly plan costs $48 for the first year. However, the plan increases sharply in price to the regular $90 annual rate for any subsequent years of service. You can also choose a quarterly plan that starts at $13 for the first three-month period and increases to $30 for each three-month billing period afterward. IPVanish's monthly rate is priced at $11 a month, which is about on par with other providers' month-to-month rates. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but only if you get the yearly plan -- which could be a disappointment to anyone who bought a monthly subscription and decided they didn't like the service.