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A routes your web traffic through an encrypted connection to a server operated by the VPN service . That process doesn’t change on Android. Your mobile service provider won’t be able to read the data you send to the VPN server since it is encrypted. Once your traffic is decrypted and sent out from the server, it can’t be traced back to you. Anyone who follows that thread back will find that it appears to originate from the VPN’s server instead of your . We put a wide range of VPNs through our and picked our top choices for Android. Proton VPN is our Editors' Choice winner, thanks to its free tier and robust coverage, but plenty of worthy VPNs on this list might work better for you, so read on for all of our top picks.
What Does a VPN Do on Android?
Any device you take on the go is much more susceptible to being compromised than your home system, including your phone, laptop, and tablet. Trusting a public wireless network puts your data at risk. That goes for your favorite coffee spot, too. Just because nothing has happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t. Someone could walk into that shop and set up a fake Wi-Fi connection that impersonates a trusted network. Your personal data could be compromised once you connect to that network.
It’s easy to dismiss these events as unlikely, but these attacks happen daily to even the most tech-savvy individuals. It’s important to be realistic and understand the threats to your privacy.
A VPN is a layer of security that protects your data from malicious actors and entities that may want to sell that data, such as your ISP. In the situation described above, a VPN would prevent your sensitive details from being readable by the network spy. However, a VPN doesn’t stop every type of threat you may face online.
While some VPN services claim to protect you against malware and phishing sites, standalone does a better job. To protect against account takeovers from password leaks, we strongly recommend using a to create strong, unique passwords for every site you use. We also recommend enabling wherever it's available. VPNs make it harder for you to be tracked online, but advertisers and snoopers are not defeated so easily. Advertisers can still read and track data saved to websites or in your browser. In addition to a VPN, you can better act to protect your data by reading and understanding the privacy policies of Android and your browser of choice.
VPNs improve your online anonymity, but it doesn't remove traces of your activity from saved logins, protect you from malware, or secure your passwords. It is also key to pick a trustworthy VPN; otherwise, it could have as much insight into your online activity as your ISP. When we review VPNs, we read through privacy policies and interview company representatives to understand their efforts to protect customers. It also helps if the VPN company has undergone a third-party audit of its privacy policy and security measures. However, where we draw the line may differ from where you do. Pick a VPN that you feel comfortable trusting with your personal information.
Do Android VPNs Work With Netflix?
Some do, but the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. You can use a VPN for to access regional Netflix catalogs or your home catalog when traveling abroad. Aside from streaming access, journalists and activists have used this capability to get around restrictive internet controls imposed by various governments.
That said, video streaming services and VPNs have been locked in a never-ending battle as both services have grown in popularity. Once a VPN finds a new way around a block, the streaming service employs a fresh method to thwart that access. This can be a difficult field to navigate as a user of both services. We have our most reliable picks for services like , but their policies and methods have been known to change fast. You could find a reliable VPN you’ve used for years run into a block one day.
We've compiled our testing of Netflix compatibility across many different VPN services, which you can see below:
It is best to proceed cautiously and try a VPN’s free trial or tier before you lock in a lengthy subscription. If you primarily use your VPN to access streaming services, it may even be best to stick with a monthly subscription.
Which Free VPN Is Best for Android?
Regardless of platform, price is a key concern. Most VPNs average out around $10 for a monthly subscription. It’s normal for that figure to fluctuate a couple of dollars in either direction, but you should be wary of paying more than that without adequate justification. Likewise, be cautious of deals that appear too good to be true. Our list of the is an excellent place to start, and our list of gets the job done without requiring you to open your wallet.
Proton VPN is the only service without data restrictions, making it the only genuinely free VPN on our list. However, the free tier limits your server location to five random countries, and you can only use the free VPN service on one device at a time.
Chris Stobing & Kim Key contributed to this article.
