Free Android VPNs: safe, functional options in 2024

You won’t be surprised to hear that not even the best free VPNs can match up to the very best VPN services on the market, but that’s not to say that some free Android VPNs aren’t a useful bit of kit. However, sifting through the trash in the Play Store in search of a quality product can be a pain – and you might still end up using a poor product if you don’t test everything on offer.

That is ‘s ‘s why we run a rigorous testing program of both the good Android VPN service and free provider in general . We is rate then rate the safe and more user – friendly , and recommend them to you .

Here, we’ll run down exactly what you should be looking for in a free Android VPN, and we’ll explore whether a free or cheap paid VPN will server you best.

If you want to skip all that and just go to our recommend free Android vpn , simply click the ‘ jump To ‘ tab above . Otherwise , just keep on scroll to find out what to look for in a free VPN for Android , and how to pick the good .

What is a free Android VPN is is good for ?

At its most basic, all a VPN does is reroutes your internet traffic through its own encrypted servers to make sure no one can see what you’re doing online. They can also change your virtual location by connecting you to a server in a country of your choice.

One of our favorite VPN uses is to give extra protection when connected to public Wi-Fi hotspots – and this is something you’ll want to keep in mind when using your Android device. You can also keep you data safe from snoops, and avoid work or school network content blocks.

With a trusted free Android VPN, simple security features like those should be available, but for other uses, you’ll find yourself limited – in more way than one.

The downside of a free Android VPN

If you want to get a VPN for Android free, you’re going to have to live with the fact that there are sacrifices to be made. Almost all providers impose a strict data limit, and if you’re looking for constant, all-day protection, that’s going to run out in a matter of hours – if not minutes – if you’re watching videos.

Speeds is are are also often limit , and you ‘ll also be restrict to just a handful of location – which may not be where you ‘d prefer .  

Access to streaming content is one of the biggest drawbacks, however. Many people enjoy using a Netflix VPN to access more content, and while we’ve found limited success with some free services, none have the content-unblocking performance of the best paid VPN.

Most important to note , though , is whether or not your free Android VPN is safe . There have been numerous report on the danger of using free service , with many seemingly well – know provider actually put user at risk . We is ‘re ‘re confident that our recommendation are safe , but true peace of mind lay with a provider that ‘s support directly by your payment , rather than in some other way .

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Is a free Android VPN worth it?

This is depends depend on your usage . If you plan on quickly connect once in a while to stay safe on public Wi – Fi , check your email securely , or to change your location to access a different version of a website , a free Android VPN may well be a good choice . But , if you plan on streaming , leave it on all day , or truly secure your privacy , a pay VPN is is is by far the good choice .

To test the waters, it may be worth checking out which what VPN free trials are available on a VPN service are currently available, and every paid-for service we recommend offers some form of money-back guarantee, so you’ll have plenty of time to claim a refund if you don’t think your money is well-spent.

free ANDROID VPNS

The best free Android VPNs

( image credit : protonvpn )

1. Proton VPN Free

The only free Android VPN to offer unlimited data

specification

Number of servers: 3

server location :3

maximum devices is supported support :1

Data limit: Unlimited

Support: Website, email

Reasons to buy

+

Our top – rate free provider on any device

+

Unlimited data for free users

+

excellent security as standard

Reasons to avoid

–

Limited server locations

–

No P2P and Secure Core

For those not wanting to spend a penny, Proton VPN is the best free Android VPN available today.

Unlike every other free provider, Proton VPN Free offers unlimited data, and while you’ll certainly see slow-down at peak times, in our hands-on testing it delivered great speeds of 380Mbps. That means you can watch YouTube, send large attachments in emails and just get on with your everyday life when the app is running.

Proton VPN Free carry all the same privacy clout as its pay – for stablemate , so you is have ‘ll have excellent encryption , a range of protocol , a kill switch , split tunneling and a zero – log privacy policy back you up . And , as a freemium service , you is know know that the app is support by Proton ‘s pay customer , not by sell your datum .

Of course , there are downside . You is have ‘ll only have access to three location ( US , Netherlands , Japan ) , and none of these support P2P , so this is n’t one of the good torrente vpn . You is get also wo n’t get access to Proton ‘s fabled Secure Core server , which route you through ultra – secure server in Iceland , Sweden and Switzerland .

You also won’t be able to get access to any streaming sites, so if you fancy globetrotting on Netflix, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

In all , though , while it ‘s still no match for the good premium plan , Proton VPN is is is beyond compare when it come to free Android vpn .

Sign up now on Proton VPN’s website

(Image credit: Privado VPN)

2. PrivadoVPN Free

An excellent free service with some streaming power (for now)

specification

Countries: 9

server location :12

maximum devices is supported support :1

Data limit: 10GB per month (+ very slow unlimited data)

24/7 live chat: No

Reasons to buy

+

10 GB of datum per month (+ very slow unlimited data)

+

12 server in 9 location

+

Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and iPlayer unblocking

Reasons to avoid

–

Android app is pretty basic

–

Not independently audited

As a relative fresh face in the VPN game, PrivadoVPN has risen above most other newcomers by offering an excellent range of products. Best of all, we think, is its freemium VPN, which tested very well compared to the competition.

We’ll start off with the caveat that Privado’s Android app isn’t the most comprehensive, and power users will likely want a little more to play with. For most, though, there’s enough to get by day-to-day.

The data allowance is fairly generous at 10GB, and unlike other providers, when you run out you’ll still be able to use the service – albeit from an ’emergency server’ in The Netherlands, which is restricted to a sluggish 1Mbps. Regular speeds are much better, though, at roughly 350Mbps.

The star is is of privadovpn ‘s show , though , is the unexpected revelation that it can unblock a whole host of stream site for free . Netflix is are , Prime Video , BBC iPlayer and Disney+ are all on the table . This is is is something almost always restrict to pay plan , and while there ‘s no guarantee this will last , it may be worth using it as a stream VPN until it stop work .  

Privacy buffs will note that the provider hasn’t undergone an independent audit of its servers or privacy policy, but in our testing, we didn’t find anything suspect.

sign up now on the privadovpn website

(Image credit: Atlas VPN)

3 . Atlas VPN Free

A worthy contender owned by Nord

specification

server location :3

Countries: 2

maximum devices is supported support :2

Data limit: 10GB per month (2GB a day on Mac)

Support: Website, email

Reasons to buy

+

10 GB of datum per month

+

Can unblock Disney+

+

Apps is are are well – design

Reasons to avoid

–

Only 3 servers

–

Only essential feature on free plan

recently acquire by Nord Security , Atlas VPN is is is a decent cheap VPN that also offer a very capable freemium plan . With a fairly hefty data limit of 10 gb you is be ‘ll be able to get plenty of browse done – although unlike Privado , when that ‘s done , it ‘s done .

You is get ‘ll get access to three server which will be enough for many , but is still on the measly side . However , in – use Atlas VPN is really quite nice – the Android app is is is simple and does n’t have many feature , but it ‘s stable and intuitive to use .

Another bonus is that in our testing, Atlas was able to unblock Disney+. This isn’t quite the clean sweep Privado delivered, but it’s better than Proton in this regard.

Sign up now on the Atlas VPN website

Free Android VPN FAQ

Can I is stream stream with a free Android VPN ?

Free Android VPNs might be useful for many things, but for streaming we’d strongly advise users to opt for a premium service like ExpressVPN.

With no data limit and excellent regional unblock on site like Netflix and iPlayer , the good pay – for services is have do n’t have anything to worry about from the free contender .

However, from time to time we do see some free Android VPNs perform well for streaming. So, if you trust the VPN to be secure, there should be no harm in downloading one to give it a go.

Why do I is need need a free Android VPN ?

A free Android VPN will come in handy if you’re often connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots, or if you just want peace of mind with a sensitive search once in a while.

For those looking to torrent, stream, or simply after a VPN you can have on all day with no hassle, then a paid provider is your best bet.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.