Free and Paid Android VPN. It’s normal for humans to feel insecure and want to get protected and secured. Ever since the world started focusing on going digital, the need for security on the internet came into play. This is why I’ll be sharing on the best Android VPNs for 2020. The acronym VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is a service that uses different tunneling protocols to encrypt online connections. It can assist in hiding a user’s IP addresses to them bypass geo-blocks, and enjoy secure browsing. VPN can also be used secure data during transfer and fight back against mass surveillance.
The history of VPNs goes as far back as 1996. When Gurdeep Singh-Pall, a Microsoft employee started developing the Peer to Peer Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP). Over time, VPNs and the concept behind this technology have evolved.
The technology was originally developed for, and used by big companies and organizations. Companies that needed secure and private methods of transmitting data and sharing files between different offices. Allowing employees to access important files remotely without any risk of unauthorized users spying on sensitive data.
As time passed, more powerful encryption standards were used to secure business communications. However, gradually Security wasn’t just for the high and mighty. Small organizations and businesses found the need to carry their day to day activities more securely. Finally, VPN is used by an average online user. If you’re interested in the security VPN provides, then stay put for the best Free and Paid VPNs apps for android devices.
Best Free VPNs for Android in 2020
- Hotspot Shield Free VPN
- Hide.me
- Windscribe
- Speedify
- Tunnelbear
If you’re concerned about your security on the internet and you don’t have spare cash to pay for the service, you’re still covered. Here is a list of the best free Android VPN suitable for your devices at the moment.
Hotspot shield free VPN is a VPN service provider with about 3,200 servers. These servers are distributed across over 70 different Server locations. Though in the free version, you’re limited to locations that Hotspot Shield chooses for you and you would be served adverts. It has an easy-to-use interface. Hotspot Shield offers 500MB daily data allowance to a maximum of 5 devices per user. They are extremely Security focused. Offering military-grade encryption so it’s a bit technical to complete its setup.
Poor setups give rise to little Performance challenges. They don’t offer unique IP addresses to their free users. Its download size is just 10MB on Google Play Store. Starting the use of hotspot shield free VPN is a little bit tricky. You’re required to run a compulsory seven-day trial of the premium version first. That’s not bad at all, but it involves giving them your credit card details just in case you decide to carry on with the full version when your trial expires. However, you can downgrade to the free version once the premium trial has expired.
Hide.me is a privacy-conscious VPN service provider with more than 1500 secured servers. These Servers are located in 60 different locations. At Hide.me, privacy is extremely important which accounts for them keeping no logs and storing no user data, after disconnection. There are No adverts on its app or speed throttling while connected. It supports a maximum of 5 devices, limited to one device per session. Its free service allows users only three locations, No dedicated IP addresses, and an extremely easy setup procedure. Hide.me offers both paid and free VPN services. They have a native software for android devices and a 24/7 active technical support team. Their Android app can be downloaded from Google play store or their official website.
Windscribe is a super secured VPN service provider with a very generous data cap. It is one awesome free VPN provider with more than 400 servers in over 60 Server locations. An unlimited number of devices simultaneously connected. It has an awesome privacy protection policy but its Speed is sometimes inconsistent. Free users have the liberty of picking from ten remote server locations. You only need to create a username and password to sign up. An email address is optional but might help if you forget your password.
Windscribe doesn’t store connection logs, IP stamps, or visited sites. While having a session is on, it stores your username, the server you’re connected to and the amount of data transferred, but this is erased within three minutes of the session ending. Windscribe offers a whopping 10GB of data per month. The good news is Tweeting about the provider will earn you an extra 5GB, and you get 1GB each time you invite a friend to join. If a friend you referred decides to upgrade to a Pro subscription, you get the unlimited plan as well and far more servers. It even has a built-in ad blocker and firewall.
Thinking of a super-fast VPN connection? Speedify offers a free VPN service with very fast internet connectivity. It boasts of more than 200 active servers in over 50 locations. The free plan gives its users full access to all server locations. The only downside of the awesome service is that it’s limited in the amount of data you can download. Free users get 5GB of data bandwidth each month, but that reduces to 1GB in subsequent months. They are eligible for a single device per session. With smart performance-boosting technology, it has a strong hand on privacy protection. Its Android Software has few low-level controls and doesn’t support masking location from Netflix. Its android app is readily available on Google play store.
TunnelBear is a VPN owned and maintained by security giant, McAfee. It has about 1000 secured servers in over 20 locations. Its free service supports a maximum of 5 devices. Their app has an extremely user-friendly interface, No much items in its settings so it’s easy to maneuver. It has a low data limit. This is the biggest downside to its free plan. On the free plan, you are limited to 500MB of traffic each month.
Recently, TunnelBear stepped up its privacy policy. Removing the need to supply a first name to sign up, and ditching its record of the user’s number of total lifetime connections. Its app is also available on Google play store.
Best Paid Android VPN in 2020
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- Hotspot Shield
- SurfShark
- CyberGhost
Although the free apps above are excellent and commendable, I understand that some users just love going premium. Maybe to reduce limits, beef up security or just for the sake of working as a pro. Whatever the reason, the primary aim of staying secured is the focus. So if you value security and privacy that you’re willing to pay to keep them under control, I’ll be introducing you to the go-to-guys. Premium VPN software with top-notch security for android users.
ExpressVPN stands out as the Best Premium VPN for 2020. Having more than 3,000 Servers in about 160 locations in 94 countries. New to VPN, ExpressVPN is super-simple to use with a one-click startup option thanks to its fantastic user interface. Looking for more complex and advanced options? ExpressVPN came prepared with a kill switch for added security and DNS leak protection. It offers industrial-level encryption and there’s a no-logging policy so your anonymity is guaranteed. Its connection speed is practically unmetered. It now supports a maximum of 5 devices simultaneously connected although this was previously 3.
ExpressVPN takes its users as VIP giving 24/7 live chat support. They also guarantee a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you get disappointed within 30 days of your purchase, feel free to request a refund and get paid in full. Its pricing plan goes for US$6.67/month for users purchasing up to 12 months. This accounts for about 49% discount. If you’re going for 6 months, you pay US$9.99/month.
However, if you just want a monthly plan, it’s pricing starts at US$12.95/month. Remember, you can try this for free for 30 days, and if you don’t like it you can easily cancel and walk away without having spent a dime. ExpressVPN can be downloaded from Google’s Play Store.
NordVPN owns the seat of the world’s most famous VPN service. For a fact, most readers would have anticipated seeing it as our first VPN premium Service. However, since security is the aim it stands strong but not the strongest. Thanks to 2048-bit encryption which the NordVPN runs on. Its security is awesome that it’ll leave even the military impressed – and blocked out. NordVPN has over 5,700 active servers in more than 80 locations in 59 countries.
This premium VPN supports a maximum of 6 devices connected in parallel. Their app offers strong DNS leak protection, two kill switches, and excellent connection speeds. There have been reports of issues with server connections from time to time. However, its users get online fine and speeds are well above average. We must equally admit that our confidence in NordVPN dropped due to the reported data breach that came out in October 2019.
Although we’re encouraged by the steps it has taken to remedy it and ensure nothing of the like happens again. They offer a 24/7 active live chat service and 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers lots of payment options and an awesome deal. For users purchasing up to 36 months (3 years) Nord bills at US$3.49/month. If you’re going for 12 months, it’s got an offer of US$6.99/month for you.
However, if you’re a monthly billing fan, you can get its premium service at US$11.95/month. Remember, you have 30 days money-back guarantee Just in case you change your mind.
Hotspot Shield again? Yes, this guy is a super popular Premium VPN service with a tempting free option too and a Proprietary VPN protocol. Having over 3,200 Servers with over 130 locations in 80+ countries. Still, a Maximum of 5 devices supported on both paid and free plans. A 24/7 live chat dedicated support and 45-day money-back guarantee. Hotspot Shield is mostly adored for its free option but we’ve included it in our list of the best VPN services due to the quality it gives its premium, paid option. The feature it has over the competition is a super cheap price. If you wish to go pro but can’t deal with the cost for ExpressVPN, Hotspot Shield is your plug. Its amazingly low-cost plans start at US$2.99/month for 36 months. Paying for only 12 months? Hotspot Shield got you covered at US$7.99/month. While it’s monthly pricing goes for US$12.99/month.
SurfShark is the newest dude in the hood who isn’t ready to be anywhere than among the very best. Over 1700 Servers in more than 100 locations in 63 countries. These guys aren’t ready for jokes. They support an unlimited number of devices connected simultaneously. An active 24/7 live chat support and yes, a 30-day money-back guarantee is assured. The awesome user interface guarantees an easy setup and connection with a single click.
Its whitelist option gives you the right to allowing apps and websites to bypass the VPN. It has an active kill switch to disconnect the internet when necessary. Zero buffering speeds, no logs or tracking, and an app that doesn’t make your device slow. Convinced on picking a plan, it’s pricing for 24 months (1 year) goes for as low as US$1.99/month. Interested in 12 months? No issues, pay as low as US$5.99/month and US$11.95/month for a month.
CyberGhost is a VPN service with a lot of features and servers to choose from. They bag a whopping number of servers over 6,300 Servers in 112 locations in 89 countries. It supports a maximum of 7 devices for its premium user. No need for real names at sign up. With just a working email address and bitcoin for payments, you remain nearly anonymous. Their services are sometimes inconsistent and their interface isn’t the best it could be.
CyberGhost offers a 24/7 live chat support and a 45-day money-back guarantee. Although you’re kept hidden, CyberGhost stays transparent on its company’s structure. Having pictures and Bios of all its staff on its website. However, its pricing is a bit higher than that of its competitors. Its payment for 38 months goes for US$2.75/month. Its 24 months option goes for US$3.69/month while it bills at US$12.99/month for a month.
How to choose an Android VPN app
It is equally ideal to note that certain factors influenced our decision in arranging the list above. This factor includes the level of security, ease of use, privacy support (are their logs?), speed, etc. However, it is only fair that depending on your needs, you select a VPN that suits your needs better. So we recommend you chose a VPN service with a dedicated Android app as that helps to make things as hassle-free as possible