On the internet, you will find many free VPN apps for Android but not all of them are as secure as they say. Also, free VPNs have their own drawbacks such as intrusive ads, limited data, slow internet speed, or in the worst case selling your browsing data to third parties. That’s why I tested as many free VPNs as possible to bring you the best VPNs for Android that are fast, secure, and free.
ALSO READ: 8 Best Free VPNs for iPhone & iPad
Table of Contents
- List of best free VPNs
- What is VPN, and Why VPN is used?
- How VPN works?
- Are Free VPNs safe?
- Which platforms do free VPNs support?
- Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?
- Will a free VPN keep me safe on public networks?
- Free vs Paid VPN: Which one should I go for?
These are the best free VPNs for Android in 2023
| VPN Apps | Price |
|---|---|
| Windscribe VPN | Free, Paid ($69/year) |
| Proton VPN | Free, Paid ($71.88/year) |
| PrivadoVPN | Free, Paid ($59.88/year) |
| Speedify VPN | Free, Paid ($89.99/year) |
| Hide.me VPN | Free, Paid ($79.95/year) |
| TunnelBear | Free, Paid ($59.88/year) |
| Kaspersky VPN | Free, Paid ($29.99/year) |
| Avira Phantom VPN | Free, Paid ($78/year) |
1. Windscribe VPN
| Size | 18 MB |
| Downloads | 10M+ |
| Ratings | 4.1 |
| Data Allowance | 10 GB/month |
| Server Countries | 62 |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Canada |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux |
This one is my favorite free VPN and I personally use it on my Android phone. In this VPN, you will get 2 GB of data per month but if you create your account on Windscribe, your data limit will be increased to 10 GB per month.
As for server selection, you can either choose the server location manually or let the app choose the best and fastest server for you. In the free plan, you can connect to many popular countries like the US, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and more.
When it comes to features, Windscribe is the only VPN app that gives you access to many advanced features for free.
Some of them are Split Tunneling, always-on VPN, auto-connect on boot, GPS spoofing, and many more.
The best part is, you won’t see any annoying ads inside the app. On top of that, Windscribe VPN has a strict no-logging policy so your data or browsing history won’t be saved on their servers, making it one of the best free VPN apps for Android.
As for internet connection speed, these are the results I got.
| Windscribe VPN | Download | Upload |
| Base Speed (without VPN) | 150 Mbps | 90 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (US) | 86 Mbps | 60 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (France) | 80 Mbps | 81 Mbps |
Download Windcribe VPN from Play Store
ALSO READ: Best Android Browsers for Privacy
2. Proton VPN
| Size | 29 MB |
| Downloads | 10M+ |
| Ratings | 4.3 |
| Data Allowance | Unlimited |
| Server Countries | 64 |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux |
The second free Android VPN on our list is Proton VPN. You can use the VPN as long as you want without worrying about the data limit. On top of that, it has no ads and also lets you choose servers from three locations including the US, Japan, and the Netherlands.
It also has safety features like an always-on VPN and a kill switch – which disables your internet connection when your VPN gets disconnected. As a result, your IP address doesn’t get exposed in public.
Last but not least, it has a strict no-logging policy, so you don’t have to worry that your data will be sold to advertisers or companies. Although you are getting a VPN for free with unlimited data, it does reduce the speed during peak times.
Based on my testing, I was getting close to 147 Mbps Download speed and 95 Mbps Upload speed without using a VPN. And this is the average speed I was getting after using the Proton VPN.
| Proton VPN | Download | Upload |
| Base Speed (without VPN) | 147 Mbps | 95 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (US) | 85 Mbps | 55 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (Japan) | 94 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
Pros:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Strict no-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- Military-grade encryption
- Internet kill switch
Cons:
- In the free plan, you can connect to a server from 3 locations only.
- Internet speed slows down during peak times
Download Proton VPN from Play Store
3. PrivadoVPN
| Size | 29 MB |
| Downloads | 100K+ |
| Ratings | 4.0 |
| Data Allowance | 10 GB/month |
| Server Countries | 63 |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux |
PrivadoVPN is a reliable android VPN that offers complete end-to-end encryption and has a strict no-logs policy. In the free plan, you can connect up to 10 countries including the United States, France, Mexico, Canada, and many more.
On the other hand, you get 10 GB of data per month with good speed and zero ads. During my test, this is the speed I was getting without using a VPN and this is the speed I got when connected to a server from the US and France.
| PrivadoVPN | Download | Upload |
| Base Speed (without VPN) | 80 Mbps | 78 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (US) | 52 Mbps | 43 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (France) | 54 Mbps | 47 Mbps |
As expected, the internet speed is almost reduced to half and you can’t really complain much since you’re on a free plan.
There is also a feature called “smart route” which allows you to select applications that you want to bypass or tunnel through a VPN.
Pros:
- 10 GB data/month
- No-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- End-to-end encryption
- Option to choose a VPN protocol (IKEv2, WireGuard, or OpenVPN)
- Access to 10+ server locations in the free plan
Cons:
- Nothing major
Download PrivadoVPN from Play Store
4. Speedify VPN – Fast & Reliable VPN
| Size | 9 MB |
| Downloads | 10M+ |
| Ratings | 3.7 |
| Data Allowance | 2 GB/month |
| Server Countries | 30+ |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | US |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux |
As the name suggests, Speedify is one of the fastest free VPNs for Android. You can choose a server from 30+ countries like India, Australia, France, Japan, Russia, the United States, and more. So with that, you can access any geo-restricted content from your Android device.
And if there is any app on your phone that blocks VPN connections then you can choose apps to bypass Speedify’s security and encryption and allow them to connect directly to the origin.
And just like the rest of the VPNs on this list, Speedify also promises a no-logging policy. As for bandwidth limit, you will get 2 GB of data per month, which I think is good enough for you, as long as you are not using any streaming services. If that’s not enough for you, then you can upgrade to a paid plan that starts at 89.99/year.
Other than that, this is the speed I was getting – with and without a VPN.
| Speedify VPN | Download | Upload |
| Base Speed (without VPN) | 157 Mbps | 86 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (US) | 84 Mbps | 30 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (Australia) | 86 Mbps | 27 Mbps |
Pros:
- 2 GB data/month
- No-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- End-to-end encryption
- Access to 30+ servers
Cons:
- Nothing major
Download Speedify from Play Store
4. Hide.me VPN
| Size | Varies with device |
| Downloads | 1M+ |
| Ratings | 4.4 |
| Data Allowance | 10 GB/month |
| Server Countries | 70+ |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Malaysia |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, |
Hide.me is one of those rare VPN providers that offers 10 GB of data per month which is more than enough for performing light tasks like online research, reading news, social media browsing, etc.
This VPN provider also does not store logs of your online activity, unlike other free Android VPN apps in the Play Store. In addition to that, it can also encrypt your data while web browsing, especially when you are connected to public Wi-Fi.
On the other hand, you will find 70+ server locations, but in the free plan, you can choose servers only from 5 server locations – Netherlands, Canada, Singapore, and the US (east and west coast). And to get access to other regional servers, unlimited data usage, and multi-device support, you can subscribe to their premium plan, which starts at $99.95/year.
So if you’re looking for a free VPN app that not only protects your privacy but also offers 10 GB of data with a decent server choice then Hide.me can be the best free Android VPN for you.
Pros:
- 10 GB data/month
- No-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- AES-256 bit encryption
Cons:
- Only a few server locations can be selected in the free plan
Download Hide.me from Play Store
5. TunnelBear: Secure VPN
| Size | Varies with device |
| Downloads | 10M+ |
| Ratings | 4.2 |
| Data Allowance | 500 MB/month |
| Server Countries | 40+ |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Canada |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac |
TunnelBear is another free Android VPN app that protects your online privacy and helps you access restricted websites and apps securely. What I like the most about TunnelBear is it offers access to countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, and many others in the free plan whereas most free VPN providers restrict you from choosing countries.
Another good thing about the TunnelBear is despite being a free VPN, it doesn’t come with annoying ads and uses strong AES-256 bit encryption to make sure your online activity is safe from hackers, ISPs, and advertisers.
The only downside of this VPN is its data cap. It offers only 500 MB of data usage per month. However, you can get an additional 1 GB of data by installing TunnelBear on a PC or Mac, inviting a friend, or tweeting about TunnelBear.
You can also upgrade to their unlimited VPN plans (Price starts at $4.99/month for 1 year) where you get features like (depending on the plans):
- Unlimited secure browsing
- 5 connected devices
- Priority customer service
- Dedicated account manager
- Centralized team billing and management
Pros:
- Simple & easy to use interface
- Access to many countries in the free plan
- Strict no-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- AES-256 bit encryption
Cons:
- The monthly bandwidth allowance is very less
Download TunnelBear VPN from Play Store
6. Kaspersky VPN
| Size | 35 MB |
| Downloads | 1M+ |
| Ratings | 4.3 |
| Data Allowance | 200 MB/day |
| Server Countries | 38 |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Russia |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac |
Kaspersky VPN is one of the safest free VPNs for mobile phones. The app is very easy to use and with one tap your internet connection will be encrypted. Also, you don’t get any annoying ads even if it is a free VPN app.
The app also has many cool features to further protect your data, such as:
- It will prompt you to turn on the VPN or connect automatically when your device gets connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi such as airports, restaurants, and malls.
- It can also connect to a VPN automatically when you open a selected website & app.
There are a few things that I don’t like about the Kaspersky VPN, such as instead of giving straight 6 GB of data per month, it gives you 200 MB of data per day. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that bad considering some free VPN providers offer only 500 MB/month. But the thing is, 200 MB of data will be instantly over even if someone is not a power user.
The second thing I didn’t like is despite having over 300 servers in 25+ countries, I can’t choose any server in the free plan. So basically the app will choose the best server for me. But all those limitations can be lifted by upgrading to the Premium plan, which starts at $29.99/year.
As for internet speed, this is the speed I was getting without using the VPN and this is the speed I was getting while using the VPN.
| Kaspersky VPN | Download | Upload |
| Base Speed (without VPN) | 143 Mbps | 93 Mbps |
| VPN Speed (Germany) | 115 Mbps | 57 Mbps |
Pros:
- 10 GB data/month
- No-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- AES-256 bit encryption
- Fast speed
Cons:
- Direct 6 GB of data per month would have been nicer than a daily 200 MB of data allowance.
- In the free plan, you can’t select a server of your choice.
Download Kaspersky VPN from Play Store
7. Avira Phantom VPN
| Size | 53 MB |
| Downloads | 1M+ |
| Ratings | 4.4 |
| Data Allowance | 500 MB/month |
| Server Countries | 30+ |
| No-logging Policy | Yes |
| Price | Free, In-App Purchase |
| Origin | Germany |
| Cross-Platform | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac |
Finally, we are ending our list of the best free Android VPNs with Avira Phantom VPN. Its interface is very clean and easy to use. You don’t require a sign-up to use Phantom VPN. Just choose the location you want to connect and with one tap you can start browsing anonymously, unblock geo-restricted websites and protect your data.
Also, Avira Phantom VPN has a strict no-logging policy which means your data or browsing history will not be saved on their server or sold to third-party companies. Furthermore, you also get a fast virtual private network so whether you are downloading a file or just surfing the web, your speed won’t be affected much.
The only downside of this app is you only get 500 MB of data per month and there is no option to get free data like with the TunnelBear app. However, you can upgrade to Avira Phantom VPN Pro for unlimited data which starts at $5.99/month.
Pros:
- Minimal UI
- Access to many countries in the free plan
- Strict no-logging policy
- Ad-free VPN
- AES-256 bit encryption
Cons:
- Only 500 MB data usage/month
Download Avira Phantom VPN from Play Store
—– FAQ —–
What is VPN, and Why VPN is used?
VPN or Virtual Private Network is used to secure your smartphone, tablet, or PC network connection. With the help of a VPN, you can hide your real IP address and connect to any county’s server, which will also help you get access to any geo-restricted or blocked website.
Also, which site you are visiting or what you are doing on the internet can be tracked by your ISP, government agents, or advertisement companies, which indirectly puts your privacy at risk. So in this kind of scenario, VPN plays a major role.
How VPN works?
A VPN connects your internet connection to a specially configured remote server run by a VPN host. It then hides your real IP address, which becomes hard for anyone to track your location. Furthermore, it also protects you against external attacks. That’s because only you can access the data in the encrypted tunnel and nobody else can because they don’t have the key.
Are Free VPNs safe?
Yes, and No. Many VPN services genuinely secure your network connection and also have a strict no-logging policy. Using one of the VPN apps listed above is probably safe, although I can’t make any guarantees.
However, there are a few sketchy VPN providers that say they don’t keep logs but end up storing or selling your logs to third parties, which defeats the whole purpose of using a VPN to stay anonymous. So make sure to check the review of that product online before downloading any free VPN app on mobile.
Which platforms do free VPNs support?
In addition to Android, all the free VPNs on this list also support Windows, Mac, and iOS devices. Some even have extensions for various browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera.
Can I use a free VPN for Netflix?
Of course, you can. But there will be a few drawbacks when using a free VPN app. Such as most of the free VPN services come with limited data, so it will not take much time to run out of data.
Besides, some free VPNs will not even allow you to select a location manually, so if you want to watch any web series or movies that are exclusive to any country, then you won’t be able to watch. In this kind of scenario, free VPN providers like Windscribe VPN might be perfect as it offers a good amount of data and speed and also allows you to select locations manually from countries like the US, Canada, Hong Kong, etc.
But keep in mind, Netflix doesn’t like it when people visit its website/app via a VPN. Therefore, it constantly blocks VPN servers once it identifies them. So whether you are using a free or paid VPN app, this may or may not work.
Will a free VPN keep me safe on public networks?
Yes, whether you are using a free or paid VPN, your connection will be secure. As I mentioned above, it does that by hiding your real IP address and encrypting your network connection. But just make sure the VPN service you are using has a strict no-logging policy or else what’s the point of using a VPN?
Free vs Paid VPN: Which one should I go for?
If you are a light user who just wants to use a VPN for visiting geo-restricted sites, blocked websites, or using public Wi-Fi, then the free Android VPN app would be more than enough.
On the other hand, if you are a heavy user who wants to watch online videos or movies, regularly download stuff from the internet, and keep your internet connection secure & private, then a paid VPN is the only option you have.