- Streamlined, easy-to-use app on Android, iOS/iPadOS and all other platforms
- Excellent for streaming
- Strong commitment to privacy and transparency
- Forward-thinking security enhancements
- Expensive
- Only eight simultaneous connections
- DNS leaks detected (but immediately addressed)
- Apple TV app needs work
- Intuitive iOS, iPadOS and Android app
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Lots of unique security features
- Great for streaming
- 14-Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- Deceptive pricing page
- Expensive monthly plan
- User-friendly apps on Android, iOS, iPadOS and all other devices
- Blazing-fast internet speeds
- Great for streaming service unblocking
- Strong privacy and transparency
- Inconsistent pricing structure
- Not as transparent as other VPN rivals
What is the best mobile VPN right now?
ExpressVPN is currently CNET's top pick for the best mobile VPN, thanks to its reliability, responsiveness and ease of use. In our testing, we appreciated ExpressVPN's user-friendly design, which remains intuitive on Android devices and iPhones. We also liked the fast internet speeds and the excellent streaming service unblocking. ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway VPN protocol has been built from the ground up to handle seamless connection changes between Wi-Fi and mobile data while saving on battery life.
Surfshark is the best value mobile VPN, offering a ton of unique privacy features without breaking the bank. It's fast and great for entertainment like streaming or gaming, but it isn't too expensive.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN for mobile devices. It's a veteran VPN provider that offers an excellent mobile app that's a breeze to use on both Android and iOS. NordVPN's best-in-class 3% average internet download speed loss and massive international server network make it a solid VPN for folks with demanding internet needs, like gamers or video streaming enthusiasts.
What is a mobile VPN?
A mobile virtual private network improves your privacy by encrypting all of your internet traffic when you're using the internet on a smartphone or tablet. Instead of being sent directly to your intended destination on the internet, your traffic gets encrypted and routed through a VPN server first. With a VPN enabled, you can make it look like you’re in a different city, state or even country.
Using a VPN can give you better streaming video quality while you’re using cellular data because some wireless carriers identify certain types of traffic and slow down your connection to conserve bandwidth. You can access foreign content, like international Netflix libraries, with a VPN on your phone or tablet, so virtual private networks are great for streaming. VPNs may also let you bypass censorship in situations like on school Wi-Fi or in countries that restrict certain content.
Our CNET experts rigorously tested a wide range of VPN providers on Android and iOS, as well as other platforms, like Windows, MacOS, Linux and streaming devices. The best mobile VPN providers all offer excellent mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices, reliable privacy protections, fast server speeds and great geo-restricted content unblocking.
Factors to consider in a mobile VPN
There are hundreds of VPNs available, and with so many of them offering mobile apps, it can be difficult to choose the right solution for your iOS or Android phone or tablet. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, these are the factors to look out for when choosing the best mobile VPN for your needs and budget:
Privacy
If there’s anything you can’t compromise on while choosing a VPN, it’s privacy. Your VPN should be using industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption (with the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols) or ChaCha20 with WireGuard, along with foundational privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection and an audited no-logs policy. Most VPNs offer a VPN protocol selection, and generally, we’ve found WireGuard and its derivatives or equivalents faster than OpenVPN or IKEv2.
If you have heightened privacy needs, you'll need a VPN provider that's based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. You should also look for a VPN company that provides obfuscation and has a RAM-only server architecture. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN functionality, which uses Tor to make it even harder to trace your traffic back to its source, ad and tracker blockers and multi-hop connections, which make it even more difficult to trace your traffic back to its source using multiple VPN connections. These features can offer increased privacy, but aren't absolutely essential for casual users.
It's also a good idea to choose a VPN that has a proven track record of being both trustworthy and transparent. One of the best ways to immediately tell whether a VPN provider is confident in its privacy policy is whether it regularly publishes the results of audits commissioned by a trustworthy third party. Audits don’t paint a full privacy picture, but can still be important trust signals.
Speed
Your mobile VPN's connection speeds can have a major influence on the quality of your streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming and general web browsing activities. To keep things running as smoothly as possible, you'll want a VPN that will have as minimal of an impact on your regular internet speeds as possible, whether you're using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Here's how VPNs we tested stacked up, speed-wise.
| Provider | Speed loss |
|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 18% |
| Surfshark | 21% |
| NordVPN | 3% |
Usability
A mobile VPN should have all of the features you need easily accessible with a tap of your finger. Many mobile VPN apps include a help section with easy ways to get in touch with support or access troubleshooting documentation directly from the device, which can be helpful if you need assistance on the go. The VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably from wherever you may be traveling, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from various regions if that's what you want to use it for. You should also think about device support.
IKEv2 or WireGuard should be your go-to for mobile devices because both are typically faster and more energy efficient than OpenVPN. Some VPN providers feature proprietary protocols like ExpressVPN's Lightway, which ExpressVPN claims has been built from the ground up for solid mobile connectivity, or NordVPN’s NordLynx.
The chances of you bumping into a hacker on public Wi-Fi is low, but if you’re worried about man-in-the-middle attacks or data interception, you may want public Wi-Fi protection. Public Wi-Fi protection automatically enables your VPN on certain networks to mask your browsing activity.
In addition to running a VPN on Android phones like the Google Pixel 9 XL or an iPhone like the 16 Pro Max, you may want to install a virtual private network on your computer, tablet and streaming device. Make sure the VPN provider you're considering supports all of the gadgets you need to use a VPN with.
Cost
Consider the cost and overall value of your mobile VPN before making a purchase. VPN pricing varies greatly from provider to provider, but you can typically expect to spend about $5 to $13 per month for a monthly VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money over the long term, you can opt for an annual subscription, where prices can range from roughly $30 to $100 per year.
You'll want to be careful with free VPNs because you may risk your privacy instead of protecting it when using one. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN that CNET enthusiastically recommends. Most premium VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can be anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a seven-day free trial with many VPNs when you sign up through Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store. So you have options to try various mobile VPNs risk-free before deciding whether to fully invest in one.
Streaming
Many folks rely on VPNs for streaming service content unblocking. For instance, you can use a virtual private network to make apps and websites think you're in a different city, state or even country. Bypassing geographical restrictions may let you unlock foreign Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video libraries, watch movies and shows on sites like BBC iPlayer or enjoy out-of-market NFL games.
You may even be able to save money on streaming service subscriptions by using a VPN. The best mobile VPNs not only do a great job unblocking geo-protected content, but also give you access to a wide range of server locations. The more countries you can connect to, the greater the amount of content you have access to from all over the globe.
Mobile streaming performance often differs from desktop due to app-specific detection methods. Streaming services, like YouTube TV, rely on GPS data for geo-location, so a VPN connection won’t make it look like you’re in a different region. Using VPN apps that have GPS spoofing on Android -- like Surfshark -- can help. But you also may want to stream through your browser instead of your app for the best results.
Mobile app design
The best mobile VPN apps feature a mobile-specific design that allows you to easily find server status indicators and access settings in a way that isn’t cluttered and cramped. Look for apps that are clearly designed and don’t overwhelm you with too many options on a single page or use fiddly, undersized widgets for changing server locations, as they can be difficult to use on the go.
Battery consumption
VPN battery impact can vary significantly between providers, protocols and devices. It’ll also depend on the existing battery health of your device. Generally, we’re confident that WireGuard and IKEv2 will provide better battery efficiency on your device compared to OpenVPN. We’ve seen plenty of testing numbers from different VPN providers, but there’s no general consensus on exactly how much a VPN will drain your battery. Plus, testing was conducted in those cases by the various VPN companies themselves, so we’ve taken their reporting with a grain (or two) of salt. Using a VPN means you're running an app on your phone and consuming bandwidth, both of which will drain your battery faster than not having a VPN enabled.
Network switching
Seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular data are essential for mobile VPNs. The best providers offer VPN protocols that keep your connection going during network changes, automatically reconnecting between Wi-Fi and cellular data as well as preserving your privacy during transitions by preventing IP address leaks.
Data consumption impact
Because a VPN encrypts your web traffic, using one increases your mobile data or Wi-Fi usage. NordVPN suggests this figure is somewhere between 4 to 20% for mobile data encryption. Bandwidth consumption varies by VPN protocol and encryption level.
iOS vs. Android differences
As with all VPN apps, you’re likely to run into at least minor differences between iOS and Android apps even when they’re offered by the same provider. The biggest issue from a VPN perspective is that very few clients offer split tunneling on iOS. Apple restricts the ability of apps to manage other app networking on the iOS platform, so most VPN clients don’t offer any implementation of split tunneling, with some notable exceptions, like Surfshark’s Bypasser mode. However, Bypasser on iOS -- unlike on Windows and Android -- only works for websites, not websites and apps. If you’re unsure, you should check first to see if there’s feature parity between both apps.
How we tested mobile VPNs
Our VPN testing process draws from years of experience provided by CNET’s team of experts. We examine VPNs across more than 20 factors. We tested both iOS and Android versions for each VPN to test for speed loss, DNS leaks, streaming, user experience and overall feature sets. We've also highlighted the difference between the iOS and Android experience for each provider's apps, where pertinent, as there are usually at least some slight differences in features between the two platforms, and you may be more interested in one or the other. Ultimately, every VPN we’ve highlighted here is a great choice for your mobile device, regardless of which platform you’re on, but one may be a better fit for you over another, depending on your budget or individual circumstances.
For speed testing, we conducted over 250 individual internet speed tests per provider using multiple servers around the world and with different VPN protocols to gauge internet speed loss. Additionally, we checked for DNS leaks, ensured all major features like kill switches were functioning correctly and assessed streaming service unblocking capabilities. We also pored over privacy policies, perused transparency reports and analyzed audit results.
Other VPNs we tested
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a highly private, open-source VPN solution from the Swiss-based privacy company Proton. Proton VPN holds the distinction as the only free VPN that CNET thoroughly recommends, and it's the mobile VPN for you if you're looking for a top-quality service without having to pay a dime. With Proton VPN's free plan, you get access to just five server locations (US, Japan, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands). But unlike most free VPNs, Proton VPN doesn't limit your usage in any way.
Unfortunately, there’s no way of picking which server you’ll get connected to when you use Proton’s free service, so it’s not ideal for activities like streaming content. Proton VPN has made this change to reduce the load that free users take on the service, so you’re most likely to be connected to whichever free server is closest to you. Most free VPNs are essentially useless for anything other than the most basic online activities, but I had no issues streaming Netflix on Android and iOS using Proton VPN's free servers. If you want to pay for Proton and get access to all its servers and privacy features, it's relatively inexpensive compared to the competition, at $10 a month, $60 a year or $108 total for two years (the one- and two-year plans spike to $80 annually upon renewal).
On Android phones, tablets and Chromebooks, you can select discreet app icons -- rather than the Proton VPN app icon, your VPN app will instead be disguised as Notes, Weather or Calculator, thereby hiding that you've got a VPN installed. There's even a credential-less login option for Proton VPN Android users, so you can start using Proton without signing up for an account. According to a Nov. 5, 2024 blog post, Proton is slated to bring its guest mode to iOS and iPadOS.
Proton VPN's iOS/iPadOS and Android apps are nearly identical but with a few minor differences in appearance and available features. The Quick Connect button lets you easily hop onto an optimal server. The Android app lets you easily connect to a recent server, or you can toggle on Fastest to jump on the server with the quickest internet speeds -- which should be geographically nearby. You can also browse a list of all 117 countries with the paid premium plan. Both apps also include a kill switch and give you the option of using Proton VPN's NetShield feature to block malware, tracking and ads. All told, Proton is one of the best mobile VPNs with both its free and paid plans.
PIA
PIA is a budget-friendly VPN that’s cheaper than most competitors at $12 per month, $40 for the first year (renewing at $50 annually) or $79 total for three years of service. PIA also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, a benefit that pricier VPNs like Proton, ExpressVPN and NordVPN don’t have. It’s suitable for streaming service unblocking, provides a solid network of 35,000-plus servers in 91 countries and has highly customizable, albeit a bit unpolished, apps. Folks who live in or frequently travel to the US may appreciate PIA’s servers in all 50 of the United States -- which can be helpful for streaming regional sports, like NFL games.
We like that its apps are open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the source code for bugs or vulnerabilities, which is solid transparency. Only a few other providers, including Proton VPN and Mullvad, have open-source apps. While PIA largely sticks to covering the basics, it features some neat privacy amenities, including split tunneling on MacOS (which lets you use a VPN for certain apps and services but not others) -- a rarity among VPN providers. Notably, Surfshark also has Mac split tunneling.
Unfortunately, PIA was rough around the edges in our latest round of testing. We clocked its internet speed loss at an underwhelming 49% average, higher than the 25% average we like to see. Additionally, we encountered many CAPTCHAs while trying to perform basic tasks like running a Google search. Although streaming was largely decent, we had to change servers more often than with other providers, like NordVPN, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark. You can get Surfshark, which delivers far faster speeds, a better streaming experience and more forward-thinking privacy features, for a little more money. Still, PIA is a good budget pick for folks who need comprehensive US server coverage. Otherwise, your money is probably better spent on Surfshark or Proton VPN, both of which offer faster server performance and robust privacy while charging slightly more cash than PIA.
IPVanish
IPVanish’s mobile apps look slick, but if you want better performance and functionality out of your mobile VPN at a similar price or cheaper, you’re better off going with one of our top picks listed above. (IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis). To be fair, IPVanish’s mobile apps are functional, and you’ll be able to achieve sufficient online privacy and unblock regional streaming content on your mobile device with it. Its speeds are on the slower end of the spectrum (we measured a 44% average internet speed loss in our 2024 testing), its server network is relatively small and its data-sharing practices have us raising our eyebrows. That, in combination with its curiously high pricing, is largely why IPVanish misses the cut here.
Recent updates
ExpressVPN remains the best mobile VPN with an unparalleled user experience. Although ExpressVPN is more expensive compared to Surfshark and NordVPN, there are plenty of positives that justify the higher price. Most notably, the sheer ease of use, fantastic speeds and forward-thinking privacy features, like post-quantum protection.
We’ve removed Private Internet Access from our top recommendations due to its significant speed loss. The mobile apps are acceptable if you need a VPN app that can customize your OpenVPN packet settings for speed or encryption strength, or you’re looking for comprehensive coverage in the US, thanks to its servers in all 50 of the United States.
NordVPN released NordWhisper, an obfuscation protocol designed to evade VPN blocks by disguising your VPN traffic as traditional web traffic. It’s not fully rolled out yet, but you can currently access it on Android, Android TV, Windows and Linux. Surfshark recently added a form of split tunneling to its OS app, which allows you to choose which websites bypass the VPN tunnel. Several providers -- including ExpressVPN and NordVPN -- have debuted post-quantum protection to guard against threats from quantum computers, like hacking.
A word of caution about VPNs on iOS
There's been a fair amount of chatter from VPN companies and independent researchers over the past few years about iOS devices leaking data outside of the VPN tunnel unencrypted. Proton VPN outlined a potential workaround that could be universally applied to other iOS VPN apps. The trick is to connect to a VPN server, and then enable and disable Airplane mode. This should kill all existing processes connected to the internet on the device and allow them to reconnect through the VPN tunnel.
To be clear, this issue is on Apple's side and affects all VPNs on iOS devices, so it didn't influence my assessment of the top mobile VPNs, but is nonetheless crucial for iOS users to know. The vulnerability was reported to be present since at least iOS 13. Apple has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the issue, including whether the company plans to issue a fix ahead of the expected release of its latest mobile operating system, iOS 18.