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Best Free VPN For Android 2024: Which Ones Can You Trust?
It might be surprising, but free VPNs are no longer just for PCs. You can also use them to help easily boost your security and privacy game on an Android device. Whether you want extra security while using a public Wi-Fi network, or to get around geo-restrictions for your favorite streaming services, a free VPN can help you do it without having to pay a cent.
The problem when looking for a good free VPN, though, is that there are a large number of them available on the Google Play Store and most aren't trustworthy. So how do you determine which ones are worth your time? I have personally tested a slew of VPNs, both for PCs and Android devices, and have curated a list of the best free options you can feel confident in using. Check out my top picks below.
Why you should trust me: Here at PCWorld we've been testing computer hardware, software, and services since the 1980s. As the VPN reviewer, I'm continually testing all of the major VPNs on the market and many lesser-known services in order to curate a list of the very best VPNs across a variety of categories. For a more in-depth guide, you can check out my article on how we test VPN services at PCWorld. Below you'll find my favorite free VPNs, and below that, helpful advice about what to look for when choosing a VPN for your Android device on your own.
You can check out my guide to the best VPNs covering multiple devices.
Updated July 2, 2024: Check out my latest review of HMA VPN. While it doesn't come with a free version, it does have an extremely easy-to-use Android app, decent speeds, and a 7-day free trial if you want to try it out before committing.
ProtonVPN – Best overall
Pros
Price When Reviewed: $9.99
Why I like ProtonVPNIf you only have one device to worry about, ProtonVPN is your best choice. This free service provides what the company calls "medium speeds," meaning you might not get access to the 10-gigabit-per-second servers that paying customers do, but the speeds are just fine anyways. It's mercifully devoid of any annoying or privacy-compromising ads. Plus, there are no data or time limits imposed on users of the free version, meaning you can stream to your heart's content — although they don't promise that the free servers will unblock Netflix.
ProtonVPN has an excellent privacy policy as well, backed up by a recent independently verified no-logs audit. Overall, it's an excellent free service with an easy-to-use Android app from a trustworthy company — what's not to like?
Who should use ProtonVPNProtonVPN is a great option for anyone with a single Android device who needs a free VPN. Perfect for the one-off phone or tablet user, ProtonVPN provides unlimited data so it can be used all day without worrying about hitting a cap. Plus, privacy-conscious users can take heart that apart from the info required to sign up, ProtonVPN doesn't collect any other user data.
Read our full ProtonVPN reviewWindscribe Pro – Best for multiple devices
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed: $9.00 per month
Why I like Windscribe ProAnother solid choice for Android users. You won't get the unlimited data like you do with ProtonVPN, but it makes up for that with unlimited simultaneous device connections and solid overall speeds. Data is capped at up to 10GB per month, which means you can browse to your heart's content, but likely won't be able to use it for any streaming services.
The free service offers 10 regional connections including the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, and Romania. It also has a ton of privacy features such as blockers for site notifications and "we use cookies" banners, WebRTC leak protection, location spoofing, user agent rotation, and more.
The service is also extremely easy to use with a simple setup and solid performance for a free VPN. I not only recommend the Windscribe free service on its own, but also as an easy way to get to know the service before committing to a paid tier with premium features.
Who should use Windscribe ProWindscribe Pro's free Android VPN is best suited for those who need access across multiple devices. Watch out for the data limit though, as you can hit it pretty fast while using multiple devices.
Read our full Windscribe Pro reviewHide.Me – Best for no sign-up usage
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed: $9.95 per month$34.95 for 6 months$59.95 for 27 months
Why I like Hide.MeHide.Me has pretty good speeds, and like Windscribe you're limited to 10GB per month. Hide.Me offers five connection choices including two U.S. Locations (east and west), Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. Hide.Me doesn't require an account for signing up, making it seamless and easy to use.
Who should use Hide.MeSince Hide.Me's free version does not require a sign-up in order to use, it's good for those who just need a VPN for simple, one-off tasks. Alternatively, if you're concerned about privacy, not having to enter in any personal information is a huge plus as well.
Read our full Hide.Me reviewSpeedify 10 – Best for leveraging both cellular and Wi-Fi
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed: $71.88
Why I like SpeedifyA solid VPN choice for anyone using the VPN on a phone. Speedify's specialty is a seamless VPN transition between Wi-Fi and cellular. Typically, when you go between Wi-Fi and cellular the connection drops and restarts, but with Speedify it just keeps on going, which is nice. It also harnesses your Wi-Fi and cellular together to try and boost connection speeds.
Speeds are pretty good with Speedify, staying within the top 15 for speeds overall. The downside of this free offering is that you only get 2GB of data usage per month. That's not much, which is why this is my last suggestion. But if you need something simple for basic web browsing Speedify is well worth a look.
Who should use SpeedifyDue to the small data limit, Speedify is recommended for users who just need a VPN for basic web-browsing or a one-time use. The seamless transition between Wi-Fi and cellular and potential connection speed boost means that Speedify is an extremely convenient way to keep a VPN connection up while on the go or in spotty Wi-Fi areas.
Read our full Speedify 10 reviewAVG Secure – Best free trial
Pros
Cons
Price When Reviewed: $53.88 per year
Why I like AVG Secure VPNIt might sound odd to include a free-trial option here, but AVG Secure VPN is a fine VPN service on its own and it provides a 60-day free trial for new users. That's incredibly generous for a premium service — most other VPNs only offer one-week free trials at best. The free trial extends to all devices as well so you can use it on both your Windows machine as well as your Android device.
AVG is a household name in security software and its VPN lives up to its high-standards. The free-trial gives you complete access to all of the paid features such as 10 simultaneous device connections, over 700 servers across more than 50 countries, and guaranteed streaming service unblocking with specific servers. While the speeds aren't the fastest I've ever seen, they're good enough for most general online activities. All-in-all, two months for free of AVG Secure VPN is a fantastic deal, just don't forget to cancel the subscription before the free trial runs out.
Who should use AVG Secure VPNMost people looking for a free VPN for shorter-term use will stand to gain a lot from AVG Secure VPN's free trial. But I think it's an exceptional choice in particular for those who are traveling for awhile and need a VPN while abroad. By taking advantage of a premium service's speeds and broad server network you can access all of your streaming content no matter what country you find yourself in and you shouldn't have to worry about frustrating data caps from other free services. Stream and browse to your heart's content for no cost, well, at least for 60 days.
Read our full AVG Secure review What to look for in a free VPN for AndroidThis will follow a lot of the advice I've already given for free stuff when it comes to Android. Google is doing a better job than ever at keeping harmful apps out of the Play Store, but there is still a chance of some random VPN app having malicious intent. Another problem is that even if the app is fine, the service itself may be up to no good.
For those reasons I always advise going with a well-known VPN service provider to reduce your chances of running into security issues.
Next, you want a free app that is truly free. Not some 7- or 30-day trial that will automatically start charging the card connected to your Play account after the trial period. You should also read over the privacy policy to make sure there's nothing there you're going to have a problem with.
Finally, you want to make sure the VPN has data limits that suit your needs.
How I testedI judge VPNs on a variety of criteria including server network, connection speeds, privacy protections, ease-of-use, additional features, and cost. For a more detailed guide on how I test, check out PCWorld's comprehensive guide on how we test VPN services.
Speed tests are kept as simple as possible. I average the connections between different global locations for any given VPN and then compare them to a baseline internet speed to get a good picture of the overall connection speeds. I thoroughly research and analyze the privacy policies and histories of each VPN and note any outstanding discrepancies or data collection issues.
Experience and ease-of-use are subjective, but I try my best to give an accurate representation of how it feels to work with the VPN. Since you don't have to pay for a free VPN, the value will be contingent upon the trade-offs you'll need to make and the restrictions it has in place.
Free VPNs aren't a top recommendation, but if you're going to go that way I'd strongly suggest the VPNs mentioned above.
FAQ 1. What is a VPN?A VPN, or virtual private network, hides your identity and encrypts your traffic while browsing the internet. Also, VPN servers are located all across the world, allowing you to connect to a server in another country. So if you want to access location-restricted content like streaming services, you can connect to the appropriate country's server and gain access to content that may have been locked in your area.
2. How does a VPN work?In short, a VPN hides your IP address by redirecting your web traffic through a remote server hosted by the VPN company. The VPN server then appears to be the source of your traffic instead of your actual location. These remote servers can be located both in different countries around the world or even in your own country. Additionally, your network traffic is encrypted from your computer to the VPN, which adds an extra layer of security.
While connected to a VPN and browsing the internet, the VPN acts as a middleman between you and a website. If your computer sends a request to the VPN, it will then pass it along to a website. In return, the website sends its response back to the VPN, which forwards it via a secure encrypted connection to your computer.
3. Is it legal to use a VPN?In the United States as well as most countries, using a VPN is perfectly legal. Some certain websites try to block VPN connections, but that is dependent upon their own terms of usage. It is important to know that while using a VPN is legal, some of the activities done while using a VPN can still be illegal. Activities such as downloading pirated copyrighted content or accessing dark web markets are both illegal with and without a VPN.
4. Are there differences between Windows VPN apps and an Android VPN apps?Usually the core functionality of one service's VPN remains the same between its Windows and Android apps. That being said, there are oftentimes differences in the features offered and user experience between the two.
For example, features common in Windows apps such as split-tunneling, kill-switch functionality, and custom DNS configuration may not always be available in the same service's Android app. This usually comes down to compatibility issues and developer resources. Additionally, you are likely to find differences in the interface and overall user experience between apps on the two operating systems. Often the Windows app will display more information, which is then omitted from the Android app due to screen size restrictions.
Again, this shouldn't affect the core functionality of the VPN with either app and users can choose the version that best suits their needs based on their own usage requirements and device preferences.
Is Your VPN Actually Working? Here's How You Can Tell By Testing It
A virtual private network, or VPN, is a privacy tool that makes apps, websites or other internet-connected services think you're connecting from a different location. VPNs mask your physical IP address, making it look like you're in another city, state or even country. But if a VPN isn't working, your IP address could be exposed.
Testing is a crucial component of our hands-on VPN reviews. We run more than 250 individual internet speed tests per VPN provider, check major features like kill switches and check for DNS leaks. During our review process, we've even uncovered IP leaks, which were thankfully quickly patched. But you don't have to wait for us: Whether you're already experiencing issues or just want to see if everything's working properly under the hood, here's how to test and ensure your VPN works correctly.
How to tell if a VPN is workingThe easiest way to tell if a VPN is working is to fire up your VPN software, hop on a server in a different location -- another city, state or country -- then look up your IP address using a website such as the aptly named WhatIsMyIPAddress. Usually, your IP address is that of your internet service provider, or ISP -- like Google Fiber or Spectrum. However, with a VPN enabled, your IP address will show different information for the ISP, city, region, and maybe even country.
If you've got a VPN running but still see your ISP's info and your current geographical location, there's a chance your VPN isn't working correctly.
Why isn't my VPN working?If your VPN isn't working correctly, there are several possible reasons why your IP address isn't masked. There could be an issue with your kill switch, you may have split tunneling toggled on or there could be an IP leak -- either a DNS or WebRTC leak. Here's how to diagnose and fix your VPN problems.
What kinds of IP leaks can occur while using a VPN?You can experience two main types of IP leaks with a VPN: DNS or WebRTC leaks. The Domain Name System, or DNS, is like an address book -- it keeps a record of website domains (like CNET.Com) and translates those into their Internet Protocol addresses. When you use a website or app, your device pings your internet service provider's DNS server requesting that app or site's IP address. But when using a VPN, your machine usually contacts a VPN server rather than your ISP's DNS. A DNS leak while using a VPN means internet-connected services like apps and websites will view your actual IP address rather than your VPN provider's IP address.
On the other hand, a WebRTC, or Web Real-Time Communication, IP leak can show your IP address through a security flaw in programs like web browsers. WebRTC is used in various programs -- notably messaging apps like Google Meet and Facebook Messenger. So turning WebRTC off in your browser means those apps may not work properly when running in your browser of choice. While DNS leaks with a VPN enabled are usually the fault of your virtual private network provider, WebRTC leaks are typically related to other software, like your web browser. WebRTC lets web browsers communicate with one another, but they'll have to share their IP addresses in the process.
How to Check if your DNS has leakedYou can easily discover DNS leaks with websites like BrowserLeaks and IPLeak.Net -- I use both sites when performing hands-on VPN review testing. Look up your IP address and make a note of it. Enable your VPN and head to IPLeak.Net or BrowserLeaks. You should see the IP address of your VPN provider rather than your own.
For instance, I'm physically located in North Carolina in the United States and connected to a London, UK, server with a virtual private network. So when I check my IP, I should see a UK IP address rather than my NC one.
How to test for WebRTC leaksTo check for WebRTC leaks, I recommend using the BrowserLeaks WebRTC leak test. Alternatively, some VPNs, including ExpressVPN, include built-in WebRTC checkers. With your VPN toggled off, head to the WebRTC leak test in your browser and note any public IP addresses. Now, connect to your VPN and recheck the WebRTC leak test page. If you don't see your actual IP address, there are no WebRTC leaks, but if you do see your IP, then you may have a leak.
Because WebRTC relies on your browser, you'll need to check each one -- like Chrome, Brave, Opera or Safari -- separately if you use multiple browsers.
How to fix DNS leaksIf you discover a DNS leak while using a VPN, you could try toggling your VPN connection off and back on if you find a DNS leak, or clearing your DNS cache:
If restarting your VPN connection and flushing your DNS settings doesn't fix the problem chances are you can't fix that on your own. When we discovered a now-fixed DNS exposure with split tunneling on Windows using ExpressVPN, we contacted the company immediately and were impressed with its swift response. It removed split tunneling from its Windows app until the issue was fixed.
How to fix WebRTC leaksMost VPNs protect you from WebRTC leaks, but you can disable WebRTC altogether. Note that turning off WebRTC might cause websites that rely on it to function incorrectly -- think Discord's browser app not making calls. The ExpressVPN browser plugin -- available for Chrome, Edge and Firefox -- lets you shut off WebRTC directly from the settings menu. Alternatively, you can restrict WebRTC on a per-browser basis:
A kill switch shuts off your internet connection when your VPN gets unexpectedly disconnected -- for instance, when there's a power outage or your internet goes out for a moment. With a kill switch, your actual IP address remains masked even if your VPN connection is interrupted. Here's how to test your VPN's kill switch:
1. Open a DNS leak checker like IPLeak.Net or BrowserLeaks to monitor your publicly available IP address. 2. Look up your IP address without a VPN connected using a website such as WhatsMyIPAddress.3. Enable the kill switch in your VPN's settings and toggle on your VPN connection.4. Switch to a different VPN server in another location.5. Cause an unexpected internet interruption by disconnecting your Wi-Fi on your computer, unplugging an ethernet cable hooked up to your PC or enabling airplane mode on a mobile device.6.Reconnect to the internet.
If your VPN's kill switch is working correctly, your IP log shouldn't show your actual IP address even when switching servers or during an unexpected internet disconnection.
How to tell if your VPN's split tunneling feature is working properlySplit tunneling is a neat option that lets you select which apps use a VPN connection and which don't, so you can leave your VPN running without tunneling all of your traffic through it at once. For instance, I'll often use split tunneling on my Windows desktop to stream Star Trek: The Next Generation from the Netflix UK library (normally it's on Paramount Plus in the US) using a VPN while downloading games on Steam outside of an encrypted connection to get the fastest possible internet speeds.
Let's look at how to test whether your VPN's split tunneling is functioning correctly.
1. Enable split tunneling in your VPN app.2. Choose the app or apps you'd like to use your VPN. 3. Open a web browser.4. Check your IP address.
If your browser is set to tunnel through your VPN, you should see your VPN provider's IP address instead of your own. But if you've got a VPN running with split tunneling enabled and your browser set to bypass your VPN, you should see your own IP address. In either situation, split tunneling isn't working properly if you notice the opposite.
Best VPNs for masking your IP addressExpressVPN is the best overall VPN. It features split tunneling, and its WebRTC blocking from within the browser apps makes it a great choice for preventing DNS leaks.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN we tested, so it's excellent for streaming geo-protected content, like foreign Netflix libraries. Its advanced privacy features, including Tor Over VPN and Double VPN servers, alongside split tunneling, mean Nord can hide your IP address well.
Surfshark is a solid wallet-friendly VPN that's fast, great for streaming and packs privacy options for keeping your IP address hidden, such as Multihop (double VPN servers) and split tunneling.
Proton VPN is the best -- and only -- free VPN we recommend. You'll get privacy options like split tunneling, Tor Over VPN servers and Secure Core (Double VPN) servers. While Proton's free tier doesn't sell your data, plaster your screen with ads or impose usage restrictions, its paid plan provides a much larger server network.
You can test if your VPN is working by checking whether your IP address is masked while your VPN is running. If it's not, you could have a DNS leak, or you may have split tunneling enabled and set to bypass your web browser.
To make sure your VPN is off, open your VPN app on your device and toggle your VPN from on to off (the on/off button should be prominently placed on your VPN app's home screen).
If your VPN is not connecting, there are several possible explanations. It might be because you don't have an internet connection. There may also be an issue with your VPN server, such as too many users overloading the server. You could have a setting in your VPN app that is causing problems. Or the VPN protocol you're using may be blocked by the country you're in or the network you're on -- especially on school Wi-Fi.
Samsung Galaxy Android 15 Update Info (July, 2024)
Google's confirmed the next version of Android which means we're getting questions about the Samsung Galaxy Android 15 update. We'll answer as many as we can in this guide.
Samsung's currently focused on Android 14 and One UI 6.X, but that will change later this year when it pushes its Android 15 and One UI 7 update to customers around the world.
The company is far more communicative about Android software these days, but it will likely take months for it to outline its plans for Android 15.
Samsung's fairly quiet right now, but we can put together an early roadmap using confirmed information, rumors and traditions.
This roadmap will help you set proper expectations as we push toward the inevitable release of Android 15 update with One UI 7 for Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
In this guide we'll take you through what you should know about Android 15 if you currently own, or if you're planning to buy, a Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, Galaxy Tab S9, or another device.
We'll also walk you through what we know about Android 15's features, the Samsung Android 15 release date, the Android 15 beta, and everything else Samsung owners need to know as we push through 2024.
Samsung Galaxy July 2024 UpdateSamsung's July 2024 update is currently moving out to the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy A55, Galaxy A54, Galaxy A53, Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy Tab S9+, and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
You can learn more about the contents of the July update, and Samsung's other monthly updates, over on the company's security website.
Here's the breakdown of Samsung's current Android security update coverage. Samsung continually adds, and removes, devices from these lists.
Current Models for Monthly Security Updates
Current Models for Quarterly Security Updates
Current Models for Biannual Security Updates
Some Galaxy devices won't get upgraded to Android 15, but they'll still get regular or, in some cases, irregular security updates in 2024 and beyond.
One UI 6.1 & One UI 6.1.1Samsung launched One UI 6.1 and Galaxy AI alongside the Galaxy S24 series. The software is now moving out to older Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
The following devices are now receiving their One UI 6.1 update:
If you're curious about the the full list of changes on board the One UI 6.1 update, check out our guide.
Samsung's also confirmed a One UI 6.1.1 update which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that it released a One UI 5.1.1 update in 2023. One UI 6.1.1 debuted alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 on July 10th.
New features from One UI 6.1.1, including Astro Portrait, will come to the Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy S23 series down the road.
Samsung is also testing the One UI 6.1.1 update on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. They should be among the first devices to get updated with the software.
Galaxy Android 15 FeaturesSamsung's version of Android 15 will look different than the version Google releases for Pixel devices because it will utilize the company's One UI.
One UI 7 will debut alongside Android 15 later this year.
Samsung's One UI upgrades typically deliver design changes, enhancements for current features, as well as brand new features. According to leaker Ice Universe, "One UI 7 may be the most changed version in the history of One UI."
He also claims the Android 15 update will improve the Galaxy S24's camera.
We also know quite a bit about Google's plans for Android 15 and you can expect many of these features to land on board Samsung's version of the operating system.
Older phones and tablets sometimes miss out on newer features. If you want the best feature set, you may need to upgrade to a new phone or tablet.
These Galaxy Devices Will Get Android 15Samsung used to keep Galaxy phones and tablets updated with major Android software updates for two years. Fortunately, that policy's changed.
The company's Galaxy S24 models (Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra) will all get seven years of software support. This matches what Google's providing to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users.
Unfortunately, this policy won't extend to older Galaxy devices and many devices will get four years of new Android/One UI releases and five years of security updates.
Here are the Galaxy devices that should get upgraded to Android 15 and One UI 7:
Galaxy S
Galaxy Z
Galaxy Tab
Galaxy A series
Galaxy F
Galaxy M
While newer Galaxy models like the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S23 series, and Galaxy Tab S9/S8 series will get upgraded to Android 15, we do expect the software to miss older models.
Samsung may also opt to keep devices on Android 14 based on internal testing.
Samsung Galaxy Android 15 BetaGoogle's currently hosting its Android 15 beta for Pixel devices.
We may see devices from other OEMs take part in this beta, but we expect Samsung to run its own beta program outside of Google's.
Samsung used to keep its Galaxy Beta program limited to flagship models, but in recent years the company has brought mid-range phones into the fold as well.
So while we don't know how the Galaxy Android 15 beta process will work exactly, you can expect the Galaxy S24 series and several other devices to take part.
Samsung's betas are usually limited to select regions. Big markets like the United States are always on the list, but smaller markets are typically left out.
Samsung-centric blog SamMobile says the beta might be release during the third week of August.
Galaxy Android 15 Release DateWhen will Samsung release its first stable Android 15 update? Here's what we can tell you based on the company's previous Android roll outs.
Google says the final version of Android 15 will drop for Pixel phones in August. Samsung won't beat Google which means the soonest we'll see Samsung release Android 15 is sometime in the fall.
The company typically releases its major Android updates toward the end of the year. Last year, Android 14 and One UI 6 started moving out in late October.
Samsung's Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 is set for October 3rd in San Jose, California and Android 15/One UI 7 will likely play a role at the event.
Last year, Android 14 and One UI 6 rolled out after SDC 2023 which took place on October 3rd.
While a lot of Galaxy models should get upgraded to Android 15 and One UI 7 in the second half of 2024, many others will have to wait until 2025.
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