8 Best Free VPNs for Android in 2023 — Fast, Safe, & Private

Android has become a popular target for hackers since it powers so many devices. That’s why using a VPN is more important than ever.

While paid VPNs usually offer more advanced features and faster speeds, a reliable free Android VPN can provide a degree of privacy and protection. Plus, it can help you access geo-restricted sites from anywhere.

My team and I tested 50+ free Android VPNs to find you the best ones. While there are plenty of low-quality free VPNs, I found some that are safe to use and work well with geo-restricted sites. That said, free VPNs have their limitations, which can sometimes mean slow speeds and data caps. If you don’t want any restrictions, your best bet is to use a paid VPN.

My top recommendation for Android is ExpressVPN. It offers fast speeds, strong security, and unlimited data, making it an excellent choice for streaming and safety on Android. While it’s not 100% free, it’s still my top pick because it has none of the limitations of a free VPN. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund.

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Best Free VPNs for Android — Full Analysis (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best Android VPN With Fast Speeds and Top Security

ExpressVPN is the fastest Android VPN I’ve tested, making it an ideal choice for data-intensive activities like streaming and torrenting. During my tests on its nearby UK servers, I recorded an average download speed of 120Mbps (a speed drop of only 4%).

The speeds were consistently fast over short and long distances. Its impressive performance is largely thanks to ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol. It’s lightweight, secure, and optimized for fast speeds. This let me download a 3 GB copyright-free torrent file in under 3.5 minutes.

It has a huge server network, and I was blown away by how easily it unblocks streaming sites. I could easily access Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and several other platforms on my Samsung S22. All these sites loaded right away — I never had to switch between servers. And I could also watch Netflix US on my Android TV using its smart DNS tool called MediaStreamer.

When it comes to privacy, ExpressVPN has been consistently setting the bar high. It has an audited no-logs policy, which was put to the test when Turkish authorities seized one of its servers. However, they couldn’t find anything because the VPN doesn’t log any data.

While ExpressVPN isn’t 100% free, it offers a 7-day free trial for Android and a reliable money-back guarantee. This means you can test ExpressVPN risk-free and get a full refund within 30 days if it’s not for you. The free trial is decent, but it doesn’t give you as much time for testing since it only lasts 7 days.

Features:

• Strong security. ExpressVPN’s Android app offers military-grade encryption with perfect forward secrecy. This changes your encryption key regularly for enhanced security. You also get leak protection and a kill switch to prevent DNS/IP leaks.
• Advanced privacy protection. RAM-based servers wipe your data clean after every reboot, ensuring your online activity won’t be traced back to you. Plus, it’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a privacy-friendly country with no data retention laws.
• Supports torrenting. All of ExpressVPN’s servers are P2P-friendly. This means you can torrent on your Android device without any interruptions.
• Automatic obfuscation. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation technology hides the fact you’re using a VPN so you can bypass VPN blocks and tough firewalls. It’s also what allows the VPN to work in censorship-heavy locations, like India and the UAE.

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2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Easily Access Sites on Android

CyberGhost is my go-to VPN for streaming on Android. It offers specialized servers for the most popular platforms, which makes it super easy to access your favorite sites without hassle.

I tested its dedicated streaming servers for Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer and could access each platform on the first go. Plus, it has Netflix-optimized servers for over a dozen libraries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Japan. I watched region-locked The Shiva Baby on Netflix Canada using its server optimized for this library.

I could connect to its Hulu-optimized server in under 2 seconds

When it comes to privacy and security, CyberGhost doesn’t cut any corners. In addition to leak protection and a kill switch, its Block Content feature further enhances your online security. This prevents ads and sites used for malware from loading on your Android.

Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM-based servers. I also liked that it offers NoSpy servers. These are super secure connections housed in private data centers in Romania and only CyberGhost staff can access them. This boosts your privacy by reducing the risk of third-party interference.

Similar to ExpressVPN, it also isn’t 100% free. But you can still test CyberGhost risk-free by making use of its generous 45-day money-back guarantee. Just ask for a refund if it’s not for you.

There’s also a 3-day free trial for Android users, but I recommend its money-back guarantee instead because it gives you plenty of time to put the service through its paces.

Features:

• Activity-specific servers. In addition to streaming, it also offers dedicated servers for torrenting and gaming. For instance, its torrenting servers are optimized for large data transfers and fast speeds, so you can download files quickly without interruption.
• Fast speeds. CyberGhost is pretty fast too. On its nearby UK servers, the speed drop was only 5%. But its long-distance connections can be a bit slow. That said, I could still stream in 4K since I have a fast baseline connection.
• User-friendly. Its Android app is easy to install and use. I could download the VPN on my Android phone in under 3 minutes. Plus, its Best Server Location feature automatically connects you to the fast server.

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3. ProtonVPN — Unlimited Data for Uninterrupted Browsing and Streaming on Android

Unlike most free VPNs, Proton VPN’s free app offers unlimited data so you can stream for hours on your Android device. During my tests, I connected my Android phone to its free US server and watched 7 episodes of Dr. Stone on Funimation.

It offers a unique feature called VPN Accelerator, which improves connection stability and can increase VPN speeds. While testing it, my speeds remained consistent at about 87.6Mbps (an 18% drop), and I didn’t face any problems during the stream. While it’s not as fast as the paid version, you can watch shows in HD with zero lag.

Free users only get 3 server locations: Japan, the Netherlands, and the US. Its free US server unblocked Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Crackle with ease. While I did have to experiment with a few server locations, I was eventually able to get Disney+ on my Android phone as well. That said, I couldn’t access region-locked Netflix titles with ProtonVPN’s free connections.

Its Android app has a user-friendly interface. The World Map feature lets you quickly connect to a server by visually selecting a location. Plus, you can create custom profiles with the server and VPN protocol of your choice.

The app also displays the load on each server, which makes it easy to choose the right connection

I was a bit disappointed that you need an email address to sign up. It’s also too bad it doesn’t have a 24/7 live chat feature, although most free VPNs don’t. However, when I contacted support via email, I was able to get a response within 24 hours.

Features:

• Strong security and privacy. This includes military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. The Android app doesn’t contain any ads even if you’re on a free plan. Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy, so your online activity is private.
• Multiple VPN protocols. You can choose between WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Stealth on your Android device. I received the fastest speeds with WireGuard, but if you’re looking to bypass network restrictions, Stealth is your best option.
• Split-tunneling. This lets you choose which apps and sites use the VPN connection and which ones access the internet directly. The benefit of this is that you can use your normal high-speed internet on apps that don't require VPN protection.

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4. Avira Phantom VPN — Unlimited Connections to Protect All Your Android (& Other) Devices

While most free VPNs only let you connect 1 device at a time, Avira sets itself apart by offering unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can use it to secure as many Android and non-Android devices as you wish.

To see how reliably it performs, I connected my Samsung S22, Realme X2 Pro, and Windows laptop to its San Francisco server. The connections remained stable while streaming YouTube videos on all these devices.

What particularly impressed me is that the free Android app offers servers in 34 countries, which is a lot for a free VPN. While its unblocking capabilities are no match to ExpressVPN or CyberGhost, I could still consistently access a few sites, including Hulu, Crackle, Funimation, and more.

Avira offers more than a dozen server locations in the US

Similar to my experience with ProtonVPN, accessing Disney+ was a bit tricky and required me to experiment with a couple of different servers.

My biggest problem with Avira is that it only offers 500MB of data with the free plan (1GB when you sign up with an email). So even though it supports torrenting across its network, this is only enough to download a small file. Plus, it doesn’t have live chat support.

Features:

• Basic security. It protects your Android device with its AES 256-bit encryption and leak protection. The free plan doesn’t offer a kill switch, though, which can leave you unprotected if your connection drops.
• Malware blocker. The Android app comes with a built-in malware blocker, which prevents malicious sites from loading. This also includes sites flagged for phishing and spam.
• Good speeds. Its speeds are pretty good — you’ll be able to browse and stream without slowdowns. But as previously mentioned, the data is capped at 1GB, so it’s not ideal for data-intensive activities, like streaming and torrenting.

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5. hide.me — Solid Security to Keep Your Android Device Safe

The reason I love hide.me is that it offers strong security and privacy features with its free Android app. For example, its Auto-Connect feature automatically connects you to the VPN when you connect to an unknown network. This ensures that your Android device is safe even if you forget to enable the VPN.

With hideme, you can choose when you want your VPN to connect

I also liked that it offers SoftEtherVPN protocol, which is good at bypassing firewalls. In addition, the Android app has all essential security features, including military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch.

The service has its base in Malaysia, which is a privacy-friendly country outside of the 14 Eyes jurisdiction. So, it’s not required by law to store user data. Plus, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy.

It’s decent for streaming too. You get 10GB of data with the free plan, which is more generous than most providers. Plus, free users can choose from 8 server locations, including Canada, the UK, and the US.

That said, it could only access Netflix Originals, Disney+, and a few other streaming services. I couldn’t get it to unblock Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or Prime Video on my Android.

The free plan only allows 1 connection and can’t be set up on routers. But you can subscribe to its paid plan if you want to cover more devices.

Features:

• Good speeds. hide.me doesn’t restrict speeds even on its free plan. While I did experience a speed loss of 36%, I could stream in HD without buffering. However, it’s much slower than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
• Several VPN protocols. You can choose between IKEv2, OpenVPN, SoftEtherVPN, and SSTP. WireGuard is only available with the paid version.
• 24/7 support. Many VPNs don’t offer support to their free customers. However, with hide.me, 24/7 live chat support is available even for free users.

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6. Hotspot Shield — P2P-Friendly to Torrent Safely on Android

If you torrent on your Android, Hotspot Shield is a great choice for you. It only offers 1 server location (in the US) with the free plan, but it’s P2P-friendly.

At first, I was a bit skeptical about using a VPN with only 1 server as that could mean overcrowding, which could lead to slowdowns and connection drops. However, its Catapult Hydra protocol ensured a fast and stable connection. Even though it only has 1 server, the speed drop was never more than 34%.

Hotspot Shield’s Hydra protocol attains fast speeds without compromising security

It also offers a built-in malware blocker, which works in the background to protect your Android device from malicious sites. The free plan blocks only malware sites, but paid users get extensive protection that also blocks phishing and scam sites.

This is especially helpful for torrenters as it can enhance your security by preventing malware-infected torrent sites from loading.

My problem with Hotspot Shield is that the free plan is ad-supported. Plus, its privacy policy states that it does collect some of your information (like your IP address) to serve these ads. However, it doesn’t store any information about your browsing activity.

Features:

• Basic security. The service offers essential security features, including military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. I tested its servers for DNS/IP leaks and didn’t find any.
• 15GB data per month. You get 15GB of data per month with the free plan, but it’s limited to 500MB per day. This means you can only download small torrent files or stream for a couple of minutes.
• Auto-Protect. This automatically secures your Android device when you connect to public WiFi.

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7. TunnelBear — Large Server Network for Reliable Connections on Android

TunnelBear allows access to its entire server fleet with the free plan, which is something not many free VPNs can boast. Since this prevents server congestion, you get fast and reliable connections wherever you connect.

TunnelBear offers 13 server locations in the US

When I tested its nearby servers, I experienced a speed loss of only 11%. The performance was even better on its long-distance US server, with a drop of only 8%, which is impressive for a free VPN. For context, the speed drop with the second fastest truly free VPN (ProtonVPN) was 19%.

It’s super easy to use, too. It took me 3 minutes to download and install the VPN on my Android phone. Plus, its World Map feature makes it convenient to connect to a server. Simply click on the location you want to connect to, and you’re set.

TunnelBear's free Android app worked well with Netflix US. I could also access Disney+, Crackle, and Funimation. Although, it didn’t work with Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

The complimentary plan offers a monthly allowance of 2GB of data, which is fairly limited and only appropriate for occasional web browsing or streaming a single high-definition movie.

Features:

• GhostBear. This obfuscation feature disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic, so you can protect your Android device even on restrictive networks. It also works in China.
• Audited apps. TunnelBear performs regular security audits to ensure its apps are safe. Plus, it releases yearly transparency reports, including a detailed overview of all the requests it receives to hand over user data.
• Basic security features. Like other free VPNs on this list, it also offers essential security features, like strong encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch (VigilantBear).

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8. Kaspersky VPN — Simple Setup on Android With No Sign-Up Required

One of my favorite things about Kaspersky is that the free Android app doesn’t require signup or registration. This makes it an excellent choice for someone who values ease of use or doesn’t want to share their email for privacy reasons.

Using the VPN is a simple process. Download the Android app, connect to a server, and you're good to go. The entire process took me no more than 2 minutes.

Kaspersky’s free server set me up with its nearby Germany location

You only get one server location, and the app automatically selects the fastest one available based on your physical location. The lack of control over server selection can be a problem if you want to access geo-restricted sites.

That said, the connections are speedy and reliable. During my tests, I recorded a download speed of 77.5Mbps (a 29% drop), and I didn’t experience any issues with my connection.

Its biggest disadvantage is that it only offers 200MB of daily data. This is only suitable for light internet use, like browsing or checking emails.

Features:

• Basic security features. All your data is protected with military-grade encryption and leak protection. It doesn’t have a kill switch, though.
• No-logs policy. It comes with a strict no-logs policy, so your online data on Android is safe and private.
• Smart protection. This is Kaspersky’s version of split-tunneling. This lets you choose how the VPN behaves when you access certain websites or apps, ensuring your most sensitive data is always protected.

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Quick Comparison Table: Best Free VPNs for Android

The table below compares the key features of my recommended free VPNs. Which features are essential for you depend on your use for the VPN. Since many VPNs have severe data limits, fail to unblock sites, and/or don’t support torrenting, I’ve included whether each VPN is suitable for streaming and torrenting.

You can also identify the VPNs that offer a kill switch for an extra layer of protection against potential data breaches. Lastly, the presence of.apk files on the official website of each VPN is noted. This guarantees that you can download the VPN even if it's not listed in your region's Play Store.

Try ExpressVPN for Android

Tips on How to Choose the Best Free VPNs for Android

I used the following criteria to shortlist the best free VPNs for Android. Focus on these features if you’re unsure what to look for in a good free Android VPN.

• Really free — A free VPN shouldn’t require you to commit to a subscription. I made sure that all the Android VPNs on the list are either completely free or backed by a legitimate money-back guarantee.
• Strong security and privacy features — I made sure that all the free Android VPNs have essential security features, like military-grade encryption and IP/DNS leak protection. Furthermore, I thoroughly read each VPN’s logging policy to be sure they’re trustworthy with your data.
• Fast speeds and enough data — Your free Android VPN should have fast connection speeds, so you can browse, stream, or game without slowdowns. All the free VPNs on this list have speeds of 15 Mbps or above, which should be enough for these activities. Plus, they all offer enough data for you to browse for a reasonable amount of time.
• Easy-to-use Android app — A good free Android VPN should be easy to install and use. All free Android VPNs on the list satisfy this requirement.
• Streaming support — Most free Android VPNs do not unblock streaming sites at all. However, I made sure to choose VPNs that could unblock at least a couple of services, like Funimation and Crackle. In addition, most of them also work with Android TV, so you can watch on your big screen.
• Supports torrenting — If you torrent on your Android device, you should choose a VPN that allows P2P sharing. I made it a priority to shortlist at least some free VPNs that support torrenting.
• Reliable customer support — I made sure that it’s easy to get answers to all your questions, whether via email, live chat, or a knowledge base on the VPN’s website. Live chat is preferred, but most free VPNs don’t offer it.

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Are Free Android VPNs Actually Safe?

Many free VPNs for Android are unsafe and can do more harm than good. You should never download a free VPN app without doing your research first. That being said, I thoroughly tested each VPN on this list to ensure their safety, so you don’t have to. Even though free VPNs all have some limitations, the ones on my list won’t put your privacy at risk.

Listed below are some of the risks associated with free Android VPNs:

• Free VPNs can sell your data — It is expensive to run a VPN service. If your VPN provider is not charging you anything, they will have to find alternative ways to cover their costs. Most free VPNs resort to selling user data to third parties to make a profit. So, it’s important to make sure that your VPN has a trustworthy no-logs policy.
• Free VPNs can leak your data — Some free VPNs lack essential security features, like an automatic kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection. Without these features, your data and privacy are always at risk.
• Free VPNs can infect your device with malware — Android is especially at risk since Google Play isn’t super selective about which apps they allow in the Play Store. There have been quite a few cases of free Android VPNs coming with malware embedded in their apps. Some will bombard you with malicious ads, which can compromise your security further.

Free Android VPNs to Avoid

Throughout my examinations, I discovered several free Android VPNs that pose a risk and should be evaded entirely. These VPNs have the potential to peddle your data to third-party entities and leave you vulnerable to viruses and malware.

• Hola Free VPN — Hola Free VPN is a P2P network that utilizes its users’ devices as endpoints instead of having its own dedicated servers. This means other Hola users can use your IP address. If they do something illegal, you could get into trouble for it.
• Betternet VPN — It keeps logs of your data, such as your IP address, connection timestamps, and device information. Moreover, its Android app was riddled with malware back in 2016.
• CrossVPN — It downloads malware and spyware to your device.
• Psiphon — It logs a huge amount of data, including your browsing history and connection timestamps. On top of that, it doesn’t have DNS leak protection or a kill switch.
• Turbo VPN — This free Android VPN's privacy policy states that it collects a troubling amount of personal data, like your ISP, personal IP address, timestamps, and device identifiers. Not only that, but it is fully open about sharing this data with other companies and organizations.

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FAQs on Free VPNs for Android

Can I use a free VPN on my Android TV?

Absolutely. The top free VPNs on this list have apps for Android TV and can be easily installed through the Play Store. However, just remember most free VPNs severely limit your data allowance and streaming requires a lot of data (you need about 1.5GB of data to stream in 1080p for 1 hour).

In addition, most can only unblock a small number of streaming services, and generally don’t work with the most popular ones like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. If you plan on doing a lot of streaming, I recommend trying a low-cost premium VPN with a money-back guarantee because then you get unlimited data, better unblocking abilities, and faster speeds.

Will a free Android VPN work with Netflix?

Free Android VPNs often do not work with region-locked Netflix titles. However, the top VPNs on this list can easily unblock several Netflix libraries and many other streaming platforms, like Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. You need to put a bit of money down, but they offer money-back guarantees that allow you to get a full refund within a 30-45-day period.

The 100% free Android VPNs on this list, like Proton VPN and hide.me could only access Netflix Originals (which are available everywhere) and did not work with region-locked titles during my tests.

Which free Android VPN allows torrenting?

There are a few good free VPNs that allow torrenting. The problem is they usually don’t offer enough data to torrent more than 1GB per month.

After running my tests, I’d recommend hide.me and Hotspot Shield as decent free options for torrenting. Both these VPNs have P2P-friendly servers and give you a data allowance of up to 15GB per month, which is pretty generous when compared to other free options.

If you torrent large files frequently, then your best option is to opt for a low-cost premium VPN like ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. You can use their money-back guarantees to test them out, and you won’t be faced with data limits that impact how much you can download.

Does Android have a built-in VPN?

Yes, Android does have a built-in VPN that allows you to connect using PPTP, LT2P, and IPSec protocols. Take note that it’s only a VPN client that lets you connect to a third-party network separately. This means you still have to sign up for a VPN service to use it. Plus, the whole setup can make your head spin.

That’s why it’s better to use a dedicated VPN app instead because it’s much easier to set up. Plus, it offers much better security and a wide range of server selection.

Which free Android VPN is best for countries with strict censorship?

For countries with strict censorship, you should choose a VPN that offers server obfuscation. This disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic and hides VPN use, allowing you to fly under the radar.

For example, ExpressVPN has automatic obfuscation that kicks in when the app detects restrictions, and it works even in China. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

If you’re looking for a 100% free option for Android, TunnelBear is a good choice. While it has limited data, it’s worth checking out, especially if you’re a light internet user.

Is there a free Android VPN that doesn't require registration?

Avira Phantom VPN, Hotspot Shield, and Kaspersky VPN are the only free Android VPNs on this list that don’t require registration. This means you don’t have to give them an email address or create an account of any kind to secure your connection. Just keep in mind, they all come with the same limitations as any free VPN, like small server networks, slower speeds, and limited data allowances.

How do you install a VPN on your Android if you don't have Google Play?

If your device doesn’t have Google Play, you can download the APK file for the app from the VPN provider’s website and manually install it. Setting up a VPN is easy — just follow the instructions on the screen, and you should be fine.

Another tip is to make sure that you have third-party installations enabled on your Android device. You can use this same method to install the VPN app if it’s on the Play Store but just not available in your region.

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Protect Your Android with a Free VPN Today

Many free Android VPNs are not safe to use. Some sell your data for a profit while others do not protect your privacy at all. Even though the 100% free Android VPNs on this list are safe and trustworthy, they do have limitations, like slow speeds, smaller server networks, and limited data.

That’s why I recommend a low-cost premium VPN, like ExpressVPN instead. It has world-class security to keep your Android device safe, superfast speeds, unlimited data, and tons of servers. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test ExpressVPN with Android risk-free. If you’re not impressed, it’s easy to get a full refund.

To summarize, the best VPNs for Android with money-back guarantees are…