When it comes to ensuring your online security and privacy on your Android device, a reliable VPN is indispensable. With a myriad of options available, finding the best free VPN for Android can be a daunting task.
Whether you’re looking to access geo-restricted content, secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, or simply safeguard your online activities, the right VPN can make all the difference. In this ever-evolving digital landscape, it’s essential to stay informed about the top free VPNs for Android in 2024.
From user-friendly interfaces to robust security features, we’ll explore the leading free VPN services, empowering you to make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs and preferences.
Top 5 Best Free Android VPNs
If you have an Android phone or tablet, using a VPN (a kind of app) can help keep you safe online and let you watch shows and movies from different places. But be careful – not all free VPN apps on Google Play are good. Some can be risky. Before we talk more about it, here’s a quick look at the top five free VPNs for Android and what they can do.
1. Proton VPN: Best free Android VPN with Unlimited Data
Proton VPN is our top choice for the best free VPN for Android because it’s the only one that lets you use as much internet as you want without any limits. This means you can stay safe while using your Android device to browse the internet.
However, some people might find that the internet speed when using Proton VPN is not as fast as they’d like. Proton’s website openly says that the speed of their free VPN is “medium,” while their paid plans have “high speeds.”
Compared to other free VPN services, Proton VPN also gives you a good number of servers to choose from. You can pick from nine servers in the United States, three in Japan, and eleven in The Netherlands.
The Android app also has some extra features. It lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which ones use your regular, unprotected connection through a feature called split tunneling. There’s also a kill switch that stops your connection if it ever disconnects.
Features:
- Unlimited free data
- No disruptive ads in the app
- Option to choose between OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols
- Utilizes a customized anti-censoring protocol
- Servers may be sluggish at times
Pros:
- Easy installation and user-friendly
- Wide range of options
- Robust encryption
- No retention of data logs
- Effective for streaming Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video
- Allows torrenting
- Secure Core servers for additional safety
- Free limited version
Cons:
- Lack of live chat support
- Higher cost
2. Atlas VPN: Reliable free VPN with extra features
Atlas VPN is a decent Android VPN providing 5 GB of free data per month and a variety of VPN protocols, including the secure WireGuard protocol. The free version offers three locations in two countries with no noticeable speed throttling.
Security features include AES 256-bit encryption, IPSec/IKEv2, and a kill switch. Additional features comprise a tracker blocker and a data breach monitor.
The service allows usage on multiple devices with a single account. However, the free version has limitations, such as the inability to unblock Netflix or other streaming services.
Features:
- 5GB free data per month
- IPSec/IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols
- Split-tunneling
- Supports torrenting
- Technical issues may prevent consistent connectivity
Pros:
- Free VPN option
- The premium version unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
- No logs of personally identifiable information
- Decent speeds
- Affordable premium plans
Cons:
- Based in the United States, part of the Five Eyes Alliance
- Not available for routers
- Technical issues
3. PrivadoVPN: Best free VPN for streaming
PrivadoVPN stands out among free VPN services for Android as it allows you to unblock streaming platforms, including Netflix. However, due to its free nature, the speeds are somewhat slow, and you are limited to 10 GB of free data, which may deplete quickly with high-quality streaming.
Compared to other free VPNs, PrivadoVPN offers a substantial number of servers, giving you the option to connect to locations such as Frankfurt, Zurich, Paris, London, Amsterdam, New York, Chicago, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, Montreal, Mexico City, or Buenos Aires.
For users seeking a straightforward, free VPN with features like IP masking and end-to-end encryption, PrivadoVPN proves to be a well-rounded choice.
Features:
- 10GB free data per month
- Unblocks Netflix
- Allows torrenting
- Certified no-logs VPN
- Connection speeds are often slow
Pros:
- Budget-friendly with a generous free plan
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
- Strict no-logs policy for data safety
- Ideal for downloading torrents
- No DNS or IP leaks, ensuring anonymous browsing
- Easy-to-use VPN apps, suitable for beginners
Cons:
- Relatively small server network
- No live chat support
4. hide.me: Easy to use free Android VPN
The free version of hide.me gives you access to eight servers globally, which is quite generous. It does not retain any logs about your online activities, ensuring privacy. Torrenting is allowed, though limited to 10 GB per month without throttling. However, speeds may not match their performance-optimized servers for paying users.
A notable feature is that you don’t need to create an account to use hide.me. Just download the app, and you’re good to go! Unfortunately, the free version lacks the WireGuard protocol and doesn’t unblock streaming services like Netflix.
Features:
- 10GB free data per month
- OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols
- No speed throttling
- No WireGuard protocol
- Most features are paywalled
Pros:
- A good option for streaming
- Better than average overall speeds
- Lots of power user options for customization
- Free version available
Cons:
- Some minor interface snags and speed inconsistencies
- High price for the premium version
5. Windscribe: Best free Android VPN for unlimited simultaneous connections
The free version of Windscribe offers 10 servers 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 2 GB of free data per month. Windscribe’s Android app also provides a free ad blocker. The VPN prevents DNS leaks and encrypts your data, ensuring security even on public Wi-Fi.
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.
Features:
- 10GB free data per month
- OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and Stealth protocols
- Free servers in 10 countries
- GPS spoofing and split tunneling
- Sharp speed drop
Pros:
- Solid connection protocols
- AES-256 encryption
- Perfect forward secrecy
- Split-tunneling
- Always-on firewall
- Easy to install
- Works with Netflix
- Torrenting is allowed
- Free limited version
- Bitcoin accepted
Cons:
- Number of servers is unknown
- Unstable speeds
- Based in Canada
- No live chat
- Expensive
Limitations of Free VPNs on Android
While a free VPN for Android devices is beneficial, there are certain limitations to be aware of:
- Data caps: You only have a fixed monthly limit, which can run out quickly as you use the internet.
- No optimized streaming servers: Free VPNs may not provide servers optimized for streaming, requiring a paid VPN for unblocking services like Netflix on Android.
- Limited protocol choices: Paid VPNs often offer a broader choice of protocols, including UDP, TCP, and more.
- Restricted features: Many features within the Android VPN app may be restricted until you upgrade to a paid plan.
FAQs
Q: Is there a truly free VPN for Android?
Yes, there are several excellent free VPNs for Android, but they do have some limitations, like a monthly data cap and fewer features. Our top recommendation is Proton VPN because it’s genuinely free and provides unlimited data.
Q: Which free VPN is best?
Proton VPN stands out as the top free VPN for Android and other devices due to its unlimited free data and strong security features.
Q: Will my Android VPN work with other devices?
Yes, most trusted VPNs for Android will also work on other devices such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and more. Some of the best VPNs out there are Surfshark, NordVPN, and CyberGhost which are incredibly affordable and provide many features.
