Finding the best mobile VPN app can be a daunting task. With so many options, how do you decide which one is right for you? You should look for an application offering speedy connections, reliable data encryption, and a broad range of VPN servers.
We’ve conducted an in-depth comparison of the top picks for best VPN for mobile. By looking at their features, prices, and overall performance, we’ll help you figure out which ones offer the most value for your money. Read on to find out which of the best VPN providers has the perfect app for you.
Best Mobile VPN Apps At a Glance
- PureVPN – Best mobile VPN with Always-On Audit
- ExpressVPN – Best mobile VPN for all-around protection
- Surfshark – Best VPN for unlimited mobile devices
- NordVPN – Fastest mobile VPN provider with obfuscated servers
- ProtonVPN – Top freemium VPN app for mobiles
- IvacyVPN – Cheap and functional VPN app for a mobile phone
- CyberGhost – Best streaming VPN for phones
- PrivadoVPN – Best mobile VPN app for beginners
- IPVanish – Best mobile VPN for complete privacy
- Show Full Guide
Best VPN for Mobile Devices Reviewed
In our full reviews, we’ll provide detailed information about each of the best VPN apps, covering their features, pricing, and pros and cons so you can make an informed decision about which mobile VPN app will best serve your needs.
1. PureVPN – Mobile VPN for Robust Protection
Max Devices | 10 |
---|---|
Server Network | 6,500+ servers in 65+ countries |
Free plan | No |
Price | From $3.99/month |
Pros
- Over 6,500 servers worldwide
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Can be audited at any time without prior notice
- Affordable
- 31-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Certain features don’t work with WireGuard
- The trial week isn’t free
Max Devices | 8 |
---|---|
Server Network | 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries |
Free plan | No |
Price | From $6.67/month |
Pros
- Blocks ads, trackers, and infected websites
- Includes a password manager
- Servers operate on RAM
- 7-day free trial for mobile VPN app users
Cons
- Can be pricey
- No free plan
3. Surfshark – Best Value for Money Mobile VPN
Max Devices | Unlimited |
---|---|
Server Network | 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries |
Free plan | No |
Price | From $2.19/month |
Pros
- Allows unlimited parallel connections
- Intuitive mobile apps
- Packed with advanced features
- Cheap subscriptions
- 7-day free trial is available
Cons
- No free plan
4. NordVPN – The Fastest VPN for Mobile Phone
Max Devices | 10 |
---|---|
Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111+ countries |
Free plan | No |
Price | From $3.09/month |
Pros
- Up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Lightning-fast connection speeds
- RAM-only servers for complete privacy
- 7-day free trial for Android users
Cons
- No free plan
- Mobile apps don’t remove malware
5. Proton VPN – Mobile Freemium VPN App With Unlimited Data
Max Devices | 10 |
---|---|
Server Network | 4,450+ servers in 85 countries |
Free Version | Yes, with unlimited bandwidth |
Price | From $4.49/month |
Pros
- Free plan includes an ad blocker
- Unlimited monthly data
- Open-source VPN service
- Paid plan unblocks popular streaming services
Cons
- Free servers only in 5 countries
- Premium plans are quite expensive
6. IvacyVPN – Most Affordable Mobile VPN
Max Devices | 10 |
---|---|
Server Network | 5.700+ servers in 70+ countries |
Free plan | Yes |
Price | From $1.17/month |
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited data
- Affordable long-term pricing
- Downloaded attachments monitoring for malware
Cons
- Lacks extra features
- Free plan doesn’t allow to connect to a server manually
- Can be slow
7. CyberGhost VPN – Top Phone VPN for Streaming
Max Devices | 7 |
---|---|
Server Network | 11,500+ servers in 100+ countries |
Free plan | No |
Price | From $2.19/month |
Pros
- Dedicated servers for streaming content, gaming, torrenting
- Utilizes RAM-only servers
- 11,500+ servers in 100+ countries
Cons
- Doesn’t operate in China
- Free plan isn’t available
- Apple app lacks some features
8. PrivadoVPN – Excellent Mobile VPN App for Beginners
Max Devices | 10 |
---|---|
Server Network | 300+ servers in 65 countries |
Free plan | Yes, with 10Gb per month |
Price | From $1.99/month |
Pros
- Intuitive iOS app and Android app
- It has a free plan
- Includes the parental controls feature
Cons
- Free plan includes only 10GB of free monthly data
- Only a few extra features
- Small VPN server fleet
9. IPVanish – Best Smartphone VPN for Advanced Users
Max Devices | Unlimited |
---|---|
Server Network | 2,200+ servers in 52+ countries |
Free plan | No |
Price | From $2.19/month |
Pros
- Provides an encrypted 500GB storage
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 7-day free trial available for mobile device users
Cons
- Based in the US
- Doesn’t operate in China
- No forever-free plan
Techopedia’s Best Mobile VPN Picks Compared
This table provides all the information you need to compare the top VPN app providers against one another – including pricing, device support, and VPN server network size – so you can find the service that’s right for you.
Mobile VPN | Best For | Cheapest Plan / Trial | Money-Back Guarantee | Max Devices Supported | Server Count | Server Countries |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PureVPN | Global network | $3.99/month | 31-days | 10 | 6,500+ | 65+ |
ExpressVPN | Security | $6.67/month | 30-days | 8 | 3,000+ | 105+ |
Surfshark | Affordable option | $2.19/month | 30-days | Unlimited | 3,200 | 100+ |
NordVPN | Speed | $3.09/month | 30-days | 10 | 6,400+ | 111+ |
ProtonVPN | Great free service | Free / $4.49/month | 30-days | 10 | 4,450+ | 85+ |
IvacyVPN | High-speed streaming | $1.17/month | 30-days | 10 | 5,700+ | 70+ |
CyberGhost | Encryption | $2.19/month | 45-days | 7 | 11,500+ | 100+ |
PrivadoVPN | Beginners | Free ($1.99/month) | 30-days | 10 | 300+ | 65+ |
IPVanish | Fast connections | $2.19/month | 30-days | Unlimited | 2,200 | 52+ |
How We Review and Test VPN Services
20 VPNS TESTED
25 DATA POINTS MEASURED
300+ HOURS TESTING
500+ USER REVIEWS READ
To provide our readers with accurate and well informed recommendations, we tested 20 leading VPN services to find the best in the market. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Security Features: We made sure that the provider uses standard security features and a secure tunneling protocol.
- Privacy Policies: We looked for VPNs that come with a no-logs policy, and verify the extend to which user privacy is upheld.
- Speed: We run speed tests three times a day and draw an average of the result to see how much of the original broadband speed is retained.
- Compatibility: We ensure the VPN provider offers multiple simultaneous connections and is compatible with the most popular operating systems.
- Geo-unblocking: We test whether the VPN service can unlock different libraries (content available in different countries) on the most popular streaming platforms.
- Customer Experience: When researching products and services, we read real user experiences and test out their customer support channels ourselves.
- Price and Value for Money: We set out to recommend reasonably priced products that offer value for money.
What Is a VPN App?
A VPN app is a safe and secure software application that allows users to connect to the internet in a more secure way. The VPN app establishes a secure and encrypted tunnel from the user’s device to the internet via a VPN server.
All the data that travels via this secure tunnel is encrypted, making it unreadable to any spying eyes.
While you can also opt for a VPN browser extension, the VPN app is a more diverse tool that allows you to secure all your activities on your chosen device; while a browser extension is limited to a specific browser, the VPN extension has been set up on.
When Should I Use a VPN App?
The VPN application secures all your online activities, regardless of whether you’re using a social media app, browsing the internet, playing a game, or paying for goods and services.
Since it is not tied to a single browser, unlike a VPN browser extension, you can secure all your files and applications on your phone or any other device.
So, if you want to enjoy secure connections when streaming on Netflix, playing mobile games on your phone, scrolling social media, or browsing the web, opt for the VPN app.
Why Do I Need a Mobile VPN Provider?
If you don’t use a VPN (Virtual Private Network), it’s easy for your network provider and government agencies to track your IP address and your usage of the internet. In addition to that, advertisers and malicious actors can track you as well, building up a profile of your online activity and perhaps taking advantage of it.
Having a VPN in place means you can anonymize your internet connection while the VPN encrypts your internet traffic. This is a great first step for protecting your privacy and security and can help to shield you from surveillance and cyber-attacks. It’s an intelligent thing to do if you’re using an unsecured public WiFi network, for example.
VPNs also allow you to access the internet as if you were in a different country. This is a great way of bypassing censorship and geo-restrictions, so you can enjoy services that are restricted in your territory – whether you want to access Netflix libraries or read a restricted newspaper.
It’s a fact of life that cyber-attacks are on the rise today, and VPNs are an essential tool in the fight, right alongside antivirus software – so smart internet users will get a VPN in place for themselves and their families.
No matter if you’re at home, on the move, or simply surfing the web, a VPN can ensure your online activity remains private and secure. That’s why you should look for protection, whether you need a reliable VPN Windows app for your laptop or a functional virtual private network for your mobile device
What Devices Can I Use a Mobile VPN App For?
A secure mobile VPN app can be used on numerous devices. With little effort, you can find a reliable Android VPN or a functional VPN for iPhone.
Most VPN providers offer dedicated apps for different operating systems, including the most popular phone brands and models. Therefore, our top suggested VPN apps are highly diverse and compatible. With them, you can secure your Windows devices, Macs, iPads, gaming consoles, routers, and more. Best of all, providers like Surfshark allow users to secure all their devices simultaneously.
What Makes a Good Mobile VPN App?
When we tested the top VPN apps for this guide, we considered a range of factors that are important for an optimal user experience on mobile devices. Here’s how we ranked the best mobile VPN services:
Performance and Speed
A quality VPN app should provide fast and reliable connections that enable you to browse, stream, and download content seamlessly. Furthermore, the app should deliver consistent speeds unaffected by the number of people connected to a particular server.
On top of this, a reliable connection is paramount for an optimal VPN experience. A superior VPN application should remain connected without interruption, providing a seamless transition when switching between various servers.
Security
Ensure your online privacy and security with a VPN app that encrypts your internet connection and masks your identity. Look for one with strong privacy policies that protect data without storing any logs, as well as robust VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN to secure the connection.
Unblocking Power
VPN users rely on their apps to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, and Hulu. A great VPN app should be to help you access geo restricted content in any region.
Server Network
A great VPN app should boast an extensive server network that enables you to establish connections with servers from any corner of the globe. This helps guarantee unhindered access to restricted content, as well as fast and reliable VPN connections.
Value for Money
A quality VPN app should strike the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness and reliability. Not only must it provide robust security and privacy features, but also an equitable price point compared to other offerings in the market.
User Feedback
User reviews are a crucial consideration when assessing VPN apps –good ones should garner positive reviews from their users, who should enjoy an effortless and secure experience.
We’ve considered all of these factors to formulate our top list of the best VPN apps.
How to Use a VPN Phone App
Ready to take control of your online privacy? Surfshark takes only a few minutes to install after you pick a subscription that fits your needs and budget from its website. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install Surfshark after you purchase it.
Download Surfshark VPN Paid App on Your Device
First, go to Surfshark official page and sign up for a subscription. Once done, go to Google Play Store or Apple App store and download the VPN app.Login to Your Surfshark Account
Once installed, open the VPN app, and log in to your account.Start Browsing Securely
And that’s all there is to it. Select a server based on the content or speeds you’re after and browse the web freely, securely, and privately – and without any anxiety. And remember to install your VPN on all your devices to take advantage of the available unlimited simultaneous connections.
What’s the Best Free Mobile VPN?
While a free option may seem appealing, there are often limitations and risks that come with using them. With that said, PrivadoVPN offers a top-tier free mobile VPN service, providing 10GB of data each month.
However, it’s important to note that free VPNs have certain restrictions – such as slower speeds and limited server access – which could prevent them from reliably unlocking streaming services.
Although free VPNs are a great way to test the waters of a VPN service, they often don’t offer the same level of security as paid plans, and completely free VPNs are renowned for selling user data.
With that said reliable providers like PrivadoVPN, although there are limitations, provide free users with the same level of protection as premium customers.
Given all this, whether you’re considering the best free VPN app for Android phone or the best free VPN app for iPhone, we suggest investing in a paid provider that offers either an unconditional money-back guarantee or a trial period to get a dependable VPN solution.
Are There Downsides to Mobile VPN Apps?
VPNs are an excellent solution to ensure you’re able to use the internet privately and securely, evading censorship and surveillance. They aren’t entirely without downsides, though.
While we say the price is more than worth it, you do – only naturally –have to pay for the best services. And because of the nature of routing traffic, app VPNs may have a slight impact on your connection speed.
With disreputable providers, though, you’re on shakier ground, and if you use a free service, you may be directing your sensitive traffic through a data farm. There’s also the fact to consider that while it will be much harder to track you when using a VPN, you can still be subject to device fingerprinting, and logging into services and uploading files will leave some trace.
FAQs
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References
- Internet: Living with the Great Firewall of China (Reuters)
- OpenVPN (Computer Science at Brown University)
- WireGuard homepage (WireGuard)