Top 5 Best Free VPNs for Android Smartphones

Top 5 Best Free VPNs for Android Smartphones

Are you looking for a free VPN service for Android? Here are the best virtual private networks for users with devices running Android.

vpn app

VPNs have become an essential part of using the Internet, whether you want to access geo-restricted content on YouTube or Netflix or simply hide your web surfing activity from your Internet service providers.

Most VPN services have a subscription model, where they charge you for the service. Fortunately, this is not the case for all of them. Here are the best free VPNs for Android OS.

1. Windscribe VPN

Windscribe is a Candian VPN available on various platforms including Android. While there is a paid version, you can use Windscribe VPN for free. They use military-grade encryption and have a strict no-logs policy.

With a free account, you get 10GB of free encrypted web surfing a month. You can increase this by tagging Windscribe as an ad on Twitter and earn an extra 5GB in a month. You also get a malware detector and ad blocker automatically with the app.

The Android app weighs just under 80MB when installed. Its sleek and intuitive design makes it easy to use even for non-technical users. Additionally, you can use the same free account on an unlimited number of devices, both Android and not.

drawbacks

If you are looking for a free app to bypass the geo-restrictions of Netflix, then Windscribe is not for you. Only paid users get access to global Netflix content.

Plus, as a free user, you're limited to 10 locations out of Windscribe's 60 available servers. And while connection speeds are highly volatile for free users, it won't get in the way unless you're loading online games or videos that take up a lot of bandwidth.

2. Hyde. mi vpn

Hide.me is a Malaysian VPN that has been around since 2012. The app is free to use on all Android devices. They use 256-bit encryption on your data and have a strict no-logs policy.

With a free Hide.me account, you get 10GB of free data per month. Not to mention, Hide.me's Android app comes with a stealth guard, so you can choose which apps can access the Internet when the VPN isn't connected.

The app is user friendly and lightweight at just over 60MB when installed. The free version of Hide.me lets users unlock geo-restricted content on streaming websites like YouTube and Spotify.

drawbacks

A free Hide.me account does not unlock Netflix content. Plus, you're limited to using only five of Hide.me's 75 locations.

You can only have one active connection per free account. So even if you have it installed on multiple Android devices, you will not be able to connect them all at once.

3. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a Swiss VPN service that is relatively new, released in mid-2017. They offer a free version along with their usual subscription-based model.

A free ProtonVPN account comes with 256-bit encryption, an optional automatic kill switch, as well as DNS leak protection. The best is yet to come with ProtonVPN. Free users have unlimited data usage and let you unblock geo-restricted content on YouTube, Spotify, and even Netflix.

The Android app is only available on devices that use Android 6.0 and up, but you don't have to worry about making space, the app is also super lightweight and has a sleek and dark design that makes connecting to the web Makes it safe and easy.

drawbacks

The connection speed of a free account is too low to comfortably stream videos and online games at all times. Plus, you only have access to their servers in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands.

4. Opera VPN

Opera VPN is a little different from all the other free VPNs on this list. It doesn't have its own app, but it is a feature that is built-in inside the Opera web browser. Opera VPN is a 100 percent free VPN and does not have a paid version.

Opera VPN encrypts all the data you send and receive through the browser, they have a no-logs policy, and you benefit from having unlimited data.

The Android app is a bit heavy when installed, at around 130MB. But you can think of it as a two-in-one solution as Opera is also a powerful web browser. The VPN part of the Android browser doesn't allow for a lot of customization, but it's easy and quick to use

drawbacks

Opera VPN does not unlock any geo-restricted content on YouTube, Netflix or Spotify. Furthermore, Opera only has four dedicated servers for VPNs located in the US: Germany, Canada, Netherlands, and Singapore.

The connection speed isn't optimal for streaming, but with a little patience, you can still watch online videos on YouTube and other streaming platforms.

And note that since it's built-in, Opera VPN does not encrypt data traffic from other apps on your phone.

5.speediff-vpn

Speedify is a US-based software that offers both free and paid versions. They collect some basic user data but do not keep activity logs. They also use 128 GCM encryption for your data.

You get 2GB of free data that renews every month with a free account.

With Speedify, you can unlock US Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify, and access geo-restricted content. You also have access to all of their servers in over 33 locations.

Speedify is by far the lightest app on this list, coming in at around 15MB when installed. The app is simple, and you can switch to a VPN in under five seconds.

drawbacks

The downside is the connection speed. This leaves the connection behind for free users. As for Netflix, you can only access US Netflix using Speedify, which is of no use if you are already located in the US...

Dangers of Free VPN

Without proper research, you may find yourself using an unsecured VPN or one that continuously collects your data without warning. Instead of installing the first free VPN app for Android, take a few minutes to research VPNs and any available options.

This way, you will not only protect your security and privacy, but you will also ensure that you get the best free VPN.