Free VPNs are not only suitable for PCs. You can also simulate your connection on an Android phone or tablet. Whether you want additional security for your connection in a public Wi-Fi network or want to bypass geographical restrictions on your favorite streaming service – a free VPN can help you with that.
Free VPNs for Android
The problem, of course, is that there are a large number of VPNs in the Play Store. So which ones are worth your time if you don’t want to spend money on a paid subscription? Here are our top three recommendations.
1. ProtonVPN: Recommended for unlimited usage
If you only have one device to take care of, ProtonVPN is an excellent choice. This free service offers what the company calls “medium speeds.” That means you won’t have access to the 10-gigabit-per-second servers, which are reserved for paying customers. Nevertheless, the speeds are decent, but what you won’t find here are servers that support Netflix streaming. That’s another premium feature. However, you can still probably use other streaming services that don’t actively fight against VPNs like Netflix does.
ProtonVPN has an excellent privacy policy. There are no data restrictions, but you need to create an account to use this service, even if it’s free. ProtonVPN Free offers three countries to choose from: USA, Netherlands, and Japan. The VPN app is designed to keep your internet connection safe and private. As a community-supported service, many user requests have been incorporated into the development of VPN features. Proton VPN helps protect you on the internet. Providers and investigative agencies cannot spy on you, and visited websites cannot identify and track you.
2. Windscribe Pro: Recommended for multiple devices
A good choice for Android users. You don’t get unlimited data volume like ProtonVPN. Instead, you get up to 10GB of browsing volume per month. But there are no device restrictions, and you have 10 country connection options: USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, and Romania. The free app even allows you to bypass country restrictions (geoblocking) when using a VPN server abroad. This way, you have access to streaming services that are otherwise not available in Germany. Windscribe requires a verified email address to use the free service.
3. Hide.me: Recommended for anonymous usage
Hide.me has pretty good speeds. Like Windscribe, though, you are limited to 10GB of data per month. Hide.me offers five connection options without speed throttling, including two locations in the USA (East and West), Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. No account is required to sign up for Hide.me, making usage smooth and simple. Hide.me’s free offering is a lifetime VPN service, not a time-limited trial version. The operator also refrains from advertising, trackers, and logs.
What to look for in a free VPN for Android
Our recommendations align with much of the advice we give for free Android apps in general. Google is making more efforts than ever to keep harmful apps out of the Play Store. But there is still a possibility that a random VPN app has malicious intentions. Even if the app is fine, the service itself might not have good intentions. For these reasons, we always recommend using a reputable VPN provider. This reduces the risk of security issues.
Next, you need a free app that is truly free. Not some 7- or 30-day trial version that automatically charges your credit card or PayPal account associated with your Play account after the trial period. You should also read the privacy policies to ensure there’s nothing you could have an issue with. Finally, make sure the VPN has data limits that meet your needs.
Finally, you need a free app that works well on your Android device. Not all VPNs are compatible with all Android versions or devices. Some may drain your battery faster than others or slow down your internet connection significantly. You should also check the user reviews and ratings to see if there are any common issues or complaints about the app.
