5 Best Mobile VPNs in 2024

Mobile phone users are justifiably concerned about their digital privacy, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Moreover, many websites and streaming platforms have limited access due to geo-restrictions. VPNs can address these issues, but finding a good mobile VPN can be challenging as they are limited in features compared to their desktop counterparts.

Luckily, there is a solution to all these problems: using a reputable and trustworthy VPN. With the best VPN app optimized for mobile devices, you’ll encrypt data on your phone and hide your activities from prying eyes. This will also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from different regions—all while maintaining your privacy.

In this article, we’ll share the 5 best mobile VPNs and show you how to use one. We’ll also explain why you need a smartphone VPN, how to choose the best VPN for phones, help you compare the best options, answer some FAQs, and more.  

How to Get a VPN on Your Phone

You must first find a reliable provider that offers a native, optimized VPN mobile app. Then, get a subscription, install the app, and connect to a VPN server. Do the following:

1. Subscribe to a VPN that works on mobile devices (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download the VPN app using your device's app store.
3. Launch the VPN app and sign in to your account to get started.
4. Connect to a VPN server of your choosing.
5. You’re done! Now, you can use a VPN on a phone to surf the Web safely.

Getting a VPN on your smartphone should be easy and quick, as you just need to rely on your device's app store. If you need more detailed instructions, here's how to set up a VPN on Android and iOS.

The Best VPNs for Mobile in 2024

To find the best option possible, follow the criteria from our guide to finding the best VPN for multiple devices. First, focus on finding a VPN that supports most mobile devices and offers a native mobile app. Your provider should also support other devices, like computers and routers. 

Next, find a VPN with a vast global server network and a few simultaneous connections. The VPN you pick must also offer robust security and privacy, including a no-logs policy, secure VPN protocols, and strong encryption. Moreover, it should offer other useful VPN features like a kill switch, split tunneling, an ad-blocker, and more.

Furthermore, look for a provider that has strong content-unblocking capabilities and can help you access a wide range of geo-restricted websites and streaming platforms. Fast speeds and reliable performance are also a must, as well as a good price, plenty of value, money-back guarantees, and 24/7 customer support. 

After reviewing 53 VPN providers and their Android and iOS applications, we believe that these are the 5 best mobile VPNs:

1. NordVPN – Our Best-Rated VPN for Phones in 2024

NordVPN offers ultra-strong coverage for mobile devices and provides easy-to-use mobile apps for both iOS and Android. In addition, you can also get it on other devices like computers and routers. It allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on one subscription. 

Those who use NordVPN on mobile also get excellent privacy and security, as it comes with features like secure VPN protocols, an independently audited no-logs policy, and AES 256-bit/ChaCha20 encryption. You’ll also get a kill switch, split tunneling, an ad-blocker, a Double VPN feature, obfuscation, data leak protection, anti-malware, and more.

Furthermore, NordVPN comes with a large global server network of more than 6,400 servers in 111 countries. It has top-notch unblocking capabilities, so it will give you access to various geo-restricted websites and streaming platforms. 

While using NordVPN, you’ll get ultra-fast connection speeds. This is one of the rare VPNs to offer equally fast connections to nearby and remote servers, putting it ahead of its competition. As such, it supports downloading large files and streaming in up to 4K without any issues.

This VPN costs $3.39/month for its 2-year plan. Moreover, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans. Users get excellent 24/7 customer support, no matter which plan they buy, available via the provider’s live chat feature on its official website.

If you need more information about this provider, turn to our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – User-Friendly Mobile VPN with Unlimited Connections

Surfshark offers seamless support for phones and beginner-friendly iOS and Android VPN apps. Additionally, it supports a wide range of other devices like computers, gaming systems, routers, and more. And on top of that, you can have an unlimited number of simultaneous connections running. 

Moreover, Surfshark has an extensive global server network that stretches across 100 countries with 3,200+ servers. It has great content-unblocking capabilities and can give you access to a vast array of websites and streaming platforms that are otherwise geo-restricted.

Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs money can buy, offering super-high connection speeds and reliable performance. It offers top-tier security and privacy, including a no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and secure VPN protocols. A few other notable features include Multi-Hop, a kill switch, split tunneling, an ad blocker, Camouflage Mode, and more. 

To get started with this VPN, you'll need to pay $2.19/month (2-year plan). You can try out the provider risk-free via its 30-day money-back guarantee and see if it’s the right solution for you. Lastly, if you ever have a problem or a question, their 24/7 customer support will be there to help you out.

Our Surfshark review can give you a deeper look at this provider's features.

3. ExpressVPN – High-End VPN for Cell Phones for Privacy Protection

ExpressVPN is a high-end VPN that offers excellent phone support and has native mobile apps that work seamlessly on iOS and Android. It also supports a wide range of other devices and platforms, and it allows you to have up to 8 simultaneous connections with one subscription. 

Once you set up ExpressVPN on Android or your iPhone/iPad, you’ll get a wide range of privacy and security features that will keep all your devices safe. Some of them include an independently audited no-logs policy, secure VPN protocols (Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec, to name a few), and military-grade AES 256-bit and WolfSSL encryption. 

ExpressVPN comes with many other useful features, such as a kill switch, split tunneling, data leak protection, obfuscation, and more. Using ExpressVPN on mobile will give you access to a wide global server network of thousands of servers in 105 countries. This means you’ll get excellent content-unblocking capabilities. In addition, you’ll get blazing-fast speeds and reliable performance. 

ExpressVPN is priced at $6.67 (annual plan) and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, allowing you to try out its services risk-free. You’ll also get reliable 24/7 customer support, which you can access via live chat.

Want to learn more? Check our ExpressVPN review for some additional information.

4. CyberGhost VPN – Capable VPN for Mobile Devices with Lots of Servers

CyberGhost is another capable VPN that works well on phones. It offers native apps for iOS and Android that are optimized for a great user experience. There is also support for a wide range of other devices like computers, smart TVs, routers, and more. You’re allowed to connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. 

With CyberGhost, you’ll access a large global server network of thousands of servers in 100 countries. This, along with its superior content-unblocking capabilities, will allow you to access any region-locked streamers or websites. In addition, you’ll get medium-fast connection speeds and stable performance, no matter which server you use.

Using CyberGhost will give you all the security and privacy features you need, including a no-logs policy, secure VPN protocols, and AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption. It also comes with many other useful features, such as split tunneling, a kill switch, an ad-blocker, Smart DNS, NoSpy servers (which cost extra), data leak protection, and more. 

Getting started with this VPN will cost you $2.19/month for its 2-year plan. On top of that, if you get one of CyberGhost’s longer-term plans, you’ll be eligible for a 45-day money-back guarantee. Moreover, all users get reliable, 24/7 customer support. 

Turn to our in-depth CyberGhost VPN review for a behind-the-scenes look.

5. Private Internet Access – Highly Customizable VPN for Advanced Users

Private Internet Access (PIA) comes with excellent support for mobile platforms and simple apps that you can download on both iOS and Android. It also supports a plethora of other devices like routers and computers. Best of all, it allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections with one subscription. 

With PIA, you’ll get access to one of the largest network infrastructures on the market, as the provider boasts thousands of servers in 90+ countries. It also has top-notch content-unblocking capabilities, allowing you to access numerous websites, streaming platforms, and apps. 

PIA also offers great security and privacy, providing military-grade encryption, secure VPN protocols, and a strict no-logs policy for all users. In addition, you’ll be able to customize your settings and use features like a kill switch mechanism, split tunneling, Multi-Hop, data leak protection, an ad-blocker, and more. 

We'll also add that PIA offers average Internet connection speeds. Regardless, you can still use it for streaming and browsing. PIA is priced at $2.19/month (2-year plan), and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, it offers excellent 24/7 customer support via the live chat feature on its official website.

Check what else you can expect by reading our Private Internet Access review.

Comparing the Best Phone VPNs

How We Rank the Best Mobile VPNs?

Prior to recommending the VPNs you can find above, our team of experts reviewed 53 VPN providers. We closely inspected their Android and iOS/iPadOS apps, checking their interface design, overall user experience, and available features. We also inspected each VPN's speed by connecting to a range of nearby and remote servers.

Next, each of the tested VPNs was examined for DNS leaks. We checked how their kill switches work, as we wanted to ensure that we recommend 100% leak-free options. We also checked their content-unblocking capabilities, as we understand that mobile VPNs are also often used for streaming. In the end, we hand-picked only those VPNs that checked all the right boxes.

Each of the VPNs recommended above deserves its place in this article. However, we urge you to review their features closely and then choose one based on your needs and budget.

What Is a Mobile VPN?

Like desktop VPNs, mobile VPNs are apps that allow you to connect to secure networks. They are used to encrypt and hide your browsing history, logins, and passwords from your carrier, Internet provider, and online trackers. Essentially, they work by hiding your actual IP address, giving you a new one, which hides your physical location and makes tracking impossible.

Aside from securing your privacy, VPNs are great for bypassing censorship and using sites or apps not available in your country. For example, the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad, as well as the best Android VPNs, allow you to visit foreign Netflix libraries, access US-only streaming apps outside the US, and similar. Many of them also come with anti-malware components, ad blockers, and more.

It's important to remember that not all mobile VPNs are the same. As you can see above, our top pick is NordVPN, as it offers the most complete set of features.

Do I Need a VPN on My Phone?

Yes, you need a VPN if you want to surf the Web safely and keep your personal data hidden regardless of what network you’re connected to. Other reasons why you need a VPN include the following:

• Conceal Your Browsing Activity – Your carrier, ISP, the government, and hackers can see what you’re doing online. A VPN will protect you from that by encrypting your Internet connection.
• Mask Your IP Address – With a VPN, you can get a new IP and hide your real one from prying eyes, which also hides your physical location.
• Prevent Tracking and Targeted Ads - No matter if you use iOS or Android, your mobile device's operating system tracks your app usage. A VPN helps you fight against online tracking.
• Improved Security Against Cyber Threats - Aside from stopping trackers, a VPN helps you encrypt your data and prevent you from visiting malicious websites.
• Evade Bandwidth Throttling – A VPN will hide your activity from your provider, effectively allowing you to use your mobile data however you want.
• Go Beyond Local Censorship – Many countries block or censor certain sites and platforms. By using a VPN to connect to a foreign server, you’ll be able to bypass any local censorship.
• Unblock Global Content – With a VPN, you can connect to a server in any country you’d like to access international geo-restricted websites, apps, and streaming platforms.
• Watch Local Content While Traveling – If you want to watch all your favorite content from your country while you’re abroad, you can use a VPN to connect to a server back home.
• Connect to Public Wi-Fi Safely – A cell phone VPN can encrypt your connection and make unsecured networks safe to use. Of course, you can also use a mobile hotspot with a VPN.
• More Streamlined Gaming Experience – VPNs can help you lower your ping and reduce lagging by connecting to a VPN server that’s close to your game’s server.
• Get Better Prices Online – With a VPN, you can get the best deals available by connecting to a server in a country that offers the lowest prices.
• Shop Safely Online – When you buy something online, you provide sensitive information that could be stolen. By encrypting your Internet connection with a VPN, you can avoid this issue.

How to Choose the Best Mobile VPN?

To choose the best option, you need to find a provider that offers seamless cell phone support and easy-to-use mobile apps. Other features you need to look out for when choosing a VPN include:

• Support for Mobile Devices – Your VPN must be compatible with mobile devices and offer native apps that work well on them.
• Support for Other Platforms – Find a VPN that also supports other devices, like computers, TVs, gaming systems, routers, and more. This way, you can use it to protect all your tech. 
• Simultaneous Connections – Make sure your provider allows multiple simultaneous connections so you can secure all your devices under the same plan.
• Server Network Size – Ensure that you get a VPN with servers covering many different countries worldwide. This will give you access to content from as many locations as possible.
• Audited No-Logs Policy – A no-logs policy will ensure that the VPN you choose doesn’t collect or share your data. Many VPNs now feature audited no-logs policies.
• Proven Protocols and Data Encryption – You'll want robust AES 256-bit/ChaCha20 encryption and secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard so that you’re completely safe online.
• Additional VPN Features – Some other helpful features you should look for include split tunneling, a kill switch, an ad-blocker, data leak protection, and more.
• Website Unblocking Capabilities – Make sure your VPN has the ability to bypass geo-restrictions and give you access to blocked content.
• Flawless Performance – Find a VPN that offers fast speeds and reliable performance so that you can enjoy a seamless mobile VPN experience.
• Value-Based Pricing - A high-end mobile VPN app shouldn't cost too much. You can reduce the VPN cost to a couple of dollars per month if you pick a long-term subscription plan.
• Generous Money-Back Policy – With a generous money-back policy, you’ll be able to try out a provider risk-free before you commit to a long-term subscription.
• (Live Chat)Customer Support – Find a VPN that offers 24/7 live chat and email support so you can get help whenever you need it. 

Can You Use a Free Mobile VPN?

Yes, you can use a free mobile VPN, but we wouldn’t recommend it. By getting a free VPN, you’ll be risking your personal information being sold, as most of them collect and sell users’ data. Also, they are quite limited, and most of them don’t offer optimized mobile apps.

Furthermore, they come with an overwhelming number of ads, and you often can’t even discern their features from one another. They also have low data caps, bandwidth limitations, small server networks, and poor content-unblocking capabilities.

Thus, we suggest you use a premium VPN provider instead of wasting your time with a free one. That’s because only the top VPN providers can give you the features and services you need to protect your mobile devices and your data online. Even better, consider getting a free VPN trial.

By getting a VPN trial, you'll get high-end VPN features without any risk, giving you full access to plenty of servers, proper privacy protection, and advanced cyber-sec tools. We recommend NordVPN's free trial, which can be activated on Android and lasts for 7 days. This high-end VPN offers a 30-day money-back policy as well, which applies to all its supported devices.

Reminder About VPNs on iOS

Cyber-security researchers have been warning about a potential VPN issue on iOS devices for a while now. Reportedly, iOS devices can leak data outside the VPN tunnel, exposing your information online without any encryption. This is an issue of Apple's mobile operating system, and it's not specific to any particular VPN provider.

That said, cyber-sec researchers have discovered a potential fix. You should connect to a VPN server and then enable and disable 'Airplane Mode.' Doing this will kill all existing Internet-based processes on your iPhone, forcing them to reconnect through your VPN.

Final Thoughts

Many have been warning us that mobile devices are actually tracking devices due to the amount of personal information they collect. Your Internet provider, mobile carrier, and online trackers can follow your every move. Plus, you'll encounter geo-blocked apps and vulnerable Wi-Fi networks, and you'll be exposed to ISP throttling, which can negatively affect your browsing, streaming, and online gaming.

That said, all you need is a VPN - which is how you'll fix every single one of the issues mentioned above. Still, it's imperative to use a proven option, one that'll truly respect your privacy, which is why we advise you to prioritize NordVPN. With this VPN, you'll get first-class iOS/Android apps, tons of servers, fast speeds, pristine privacy, unlimited streaming, and plenty more.

That’s all for our guide on choosing a VPN for your handheld device. If you have any more remarks or questions, feel free to share them via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!