I have already written an article on the best VPN for Android. All the VPNs I listed in that article are paid. So, several people ask me about a free VPN for Android. As I already said multiple times, free VPNs always come with compromises. You will have to either compromise with speed or data. Even some free VPNs are also a risk to your privacy. So, you shouldn’t install any random free VPN on your phone because it claims to be free. Several free VPNs have been linked to malware. Some notable free VPNs are found selling users’ data. VPN businesses need money to sustain themselves. If they are offering services for free, they will use you as a product to earn money. So, It is recommended to purchase a good VPN if you want no-compromise performance. If you can compromise with speed and data, you can go with trusted free VPNs. In this article, I am listing the best free VPN for Android. These VPNs offer free and secure service but limit features and monthly bandwidth. You can always upgrade to get unlimited data.
Also read: Are free VPNs safe?
If you really want a premium VPN without paying much, I recommend Surfshark. It is really cheap. If you want a free VPN with enough monthly data, go with ProtonVPN. It doesn’t put a cap on data but obviously, you won’t get much speed.
Also see: Best Free VPNs for iPhone and iPad
Free VPN apps for Android
1. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is an impressive VPN service provider that also offers a free version. Users get a 5GB monthly limit, so this free VPN cannot be used for streaming. But it is a good one to try. You just need to download the Android app of Atlas VPN. The free version of the VPN only lets users connect to Amsterdam, New York, and Los Angeles. There is also a kill switch to protect your anonymity. The free version of the VPN also lets you use it only on one device.
The free version of Atlas VPN also offers tracker blocker and data breach checker. The service uses AES-256 encryption and has a no-logs policy.
- 5GB of free data
- Military-grade encryption
- Data breach checker
- Tracker blocker
- No-logs policy
- Based in: United States
2. Windscribe
Windscribe is the best free VPN available for Android. I also included it in my list of best VPNs for iOS. This VPN is also available for Windows, Mac, and browsers. It is really easy to use and comes with several features. You get servers located in 10 different countries and all your data is encrypted. It also has a Strict no-logging policy. In the free version, you can use it only on one device at a time.
If you get the premium version, you will get unlimited bandwidth, unlimited connection, and access to all servers located globally.
- 10GB data for free, and more available
- Server locations in 10 countries
- Allows torrenting
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Adblocker and a strict no-logs policy
- Easy-to-use app for iOS
3. Hide.me
Hide.me is another good free VPN that offers 2 GB of free data per month. You get servers located in 5 different countries. Even if the service is free, you get military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection. The VPN also has a built-in ad blocker. So, you won’t see any ads while browsing the web.
- 2GB of free data per month
- Free servers in five countries
- Military-grade encryption, kill switch, and IP leak protection
- Built-in ad blocker
4. Betternet
Betternet is another good choice for a free VPN across different platforms. It also offers an app for Android, so Android users can enjoy this free VPN. It masks your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic. You can also use it to unlock blocked websites. You get 500MB of free data per day which is around 15GB a month. You get access to 8 different servers located in the US. The app is ads supported.
Premium plans start at $7.99 per month. The Pro version offers several location options, faster connection, no ads, and options to use it on up to 5 different devices.
- 500MB of free data per day
- Dedicated app for iOS devices
- 256-bit AES encryption
- 8 different servers in the US
- Ads supported
5. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a popular VON that offers a free version where you get a 500MB of daily data limit. TunnelBear is owned by the popular antivirus company McAfee. You can use it to encrypt your web browsing, unblock blocked websites and keep your browsing safe at public WiFi hotspots. It promises no data logging and provides 256-bit AES encryption.
Paid plans start at $3.33/mo offering Unlimited secure browsing, Priority customer service, and up to 5 connected devices.
- 500MB of free data per month
- Dedicated app for iOS devices
- 256-bit AES encryption
6. Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield is also one of the best free VPN services for Android. You get 500MB of data per day which converts to 15GB of data per month. That’s fine for a free VPN. You don’t need to provide your details for getting free access. It automatically connects to a VPN server. The only annoying thing about this VON is the presence of ads in the Android app.
If you want to unlock unlimited data, the option to choose a location and get rid of ads, you can opt for paid plans starting at $7.99 per month.
- 500MB of free data per day
- 256-bit AES encryption and built-in ad blocker
- Perfect forward secrecy feature
7. Avira Phantom
Avira Phantom free VPN is from popular antivirus provider Avira. The app offers 500MB of free monthly data. If you register on the AVIRA website, you will get 1GB of monthly data. Free users also enjoy 256-bit AES encryption. Free VPN can also be used on multiple devices, but you don’t get enough bandwidth to actually use this option.
- 500MB/Month (unregistered) / 1GB/Month (with registration)
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Run simultaneously on all your devices
- no-log policy
8. Proton VPN
ProtonVPN is interesting because it doesn’t have a data limit. You can use it as much as you want and access several apps anonymously. This seems an advantage but is also a disadvantage. It is because thousands of users use it putting the speed down. You also get three server locations including the Netherlands, Japan, and the US. Your data is protected using AES-256 and 4096 RSA encryption. The company also claims that it doesn’t log free users.
As a free user, you can use it on a single device but can use it without any limit. If you want more features, you can pay $5 a month or $30 per month
- Unlimited
- 256-bit AES encryption
- no-log policy
- Server selection: Manual — three available
9. Speedify
Speedify is also a good and reliable VPN that you can use for free. It offers 2GB of free data per month but you can use it only on one device. The service has multiple servers across the globe but you can’t manually choose a server location in the free version.
For getting unlimited data and premium features, you can subscribe to premium service at just $9.99 per month or $71.99 per year. In the pro version, you get access to all server locations and can use it on up to 5 devices at the same time.
- 2GB/Month
- 256-bit AES encryption
- no-log policy
- Server selection: Automatic
10. Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
This Fast Free VPN is from the popular antivirus company Kaspersky. In the free service, you get a 200MB of daily data limit. If your app is connected to a My Kaspersky account, you get 300 MB of daily data. That isn’t much if you want to use the VPN for streaming. But you can use it for other tasks that don’t require much bandwidth. You can use it to protect your data on public Wi-Fi.
If you like the service, you can unlock the premium features by paying $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year. You can use the VPN on 5 devices at a time and get unlimited bandwidth in the premium version.
- 200MB/Daily
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Kill-switch
- no-log policy
- Server selection: Automatic
Having a free VPN on Android can offer several benefits, but it also comes with certain drawbacks. It ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of using a free VPN on Android:
- Cost-free: As the name suggests, free VPNs don’t require any payment, making them accessible to users who don’t want to spend money on a VPN service.
- Basic protection: Free VPNs can provide some level of encryption and security for your internet traffic. This can be beneficial when using public Wi-Fi networks, as it helps protect your data from potential eavesdropping.
- Bypassing geo-restrictions: Some free VPNs might allow you to access geo-restricted content by connecting to servers in other countries, though the available server locations may be limited.
Cons of using a free VPN on Android:
- Limited features and server options: Free VPNs often have restricted server options and bandwidth, which can result in slower speeds and less reliable connections.
- Privacy concerns: Many free VPNs make money by logging and selling user data to third parties. This undermines the whole purpose of using a VPN for privacy and security.
- Security risks: Some free VPN services might contain malware or be used as a platform for cybercriminals to carry out malicious activities.
- No customer support: Free VPNs usually lack dedicated customer support, so if you encounter issues, you might have limited resources to resolve them.
- Data caps and restrictions: Some free VPNs impose data caps or restrict specific activities, such as torrenting, video streaming, or accessing certain websites.
- Slower speeds: Due to the large number of users and limited resources, free VPNs often suffer from slower connection speeds.
So, is it worth having a free VPN on Android?
If your primary concern is basic protection while using public Wi-Fi or occasionally accessing geo-restricted content, a reputable free VPN can offer some value. However, if privacy, security, and reliable performance are crucial to you, investing in a paid VPN service is generally a better option.
Paid VPN services typically offer better security measures, faster speeds, a more extensive server network, and reliable customer support. They are more likely to respect your privacy and not engage in data logging or selling your information to third parties.
When selecting a VPN, whether free or paid, always do thorough research, read reviews, and check their privacy policy to make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and values.
