Featured Partners
Advertisem*nt
1
NordVPN
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$3.49 per month
# of Devices
6
Encryption
AES-256
2
Surfshark
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$2.29
# of Devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
3
Private Internet Access
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$2.03
# of Devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
The Best Mobile VPNs of 2024
- NordVPN: Best overall
- TunnelBear VPN: Best for first-time users
- ProtonVPN: Best for speed
- Surfshark: Most server locations
- TorGuard VPN: Best for security tool bundles
- Private Internet Access: Best for the most servers
- VPN Unlimited: Best for small businesses
- ExpressVPN: Smoothest app interface
- Windscribe VPN: Most generous free plan
- CyberGhost: Best for long trial period
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The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
To help you make the best choice of a VPN for your mobile devices, we analyzed 17 VPNs. We looked at how robust and enhanced their security and privacy features are, and how well they bypass restrictions to give you access to your favorite content. Also, we considered their cost, ease of use, connection capability, user experience and more.
Best Overall
NordVPN
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price (annual)
$59.88 for your first year
(renews at $99.48)
Server locations
60
Devices (max)
Six
On NordVPN's Website
$59.88 for your first year
(renews at $99.48)
60
Six
Why We Picked It
Even if you know very little about VPNs, you’ve likely heard of NordVPN, one of the best iPhone VPNs . Being recognizable isn’t the only thing going for it. NordVPN offers affordable tiers of service with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and it’s one of the most intuitive VPNs you can get for your mobile phone.
There are three plans from which you can choose: Standard ($4.99 per month, paid annually), Plus ($5.99 per month, paid annually) or Ultimate ($7.99 per month, paid annually). You can opt for a month-to-month plan, but you’ll pay $12.99 per month to $15.99 per month. Alternatively, you can choose a two-year plan for more savings—$3.99 per month to $6.99 per month, paid annually.
All plans offer high-speed VPNs, malware protection and an ad blocker for up to six devices. The Plus plan gives you access to a password manager that syncs your passwords across all your devices―from your PC to your mobile phone. You’ll also get a data breach scanner so that you can find out if any of your personal info or passwords were compromised. The Complete plan gives you everything in the Standard and Plus plans plus 1TB of encrypted cloud storage for any of your files. This could be a huge benefit if you want to stop paying for Apple, Google Drive or Dropbox storage.
NordVPN’s setup is easy: download and install the app on your mobile device, log in to your account after you subscribe and then click on the country you want to use for your connection. It’s quick and easy to protect your online activity. If you want more protection, you can choose to add-on a dedicated IP for $70 per year.
You have plenty of server options with NordVPN, too. The company has more than 5,500 servers in 60 countries. A business VPN is available, as well. It’s $8 to $14 per user, per month (if billed annually), which is pricier than some other top business mobile VPN services. Larger companies can also customize their business VPN.
Then there’s the elephant in the room that should be addressed: NordVPN suffered a breach in 2018. The good news is that the company claims no personal data was exposed―thanks to the no-log policy―and it performed an internal audit when it learned of the attack. NordVPN also upped its security on all servers to prevent remote access in the future.
Learn more: Read our NordVPN review.
Who should use it:
NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs around, and it’s one of the best mobile VPNs for beginners who aren’t tech-savvy or familiar with how a VPN works. In just one click, you can protect your phone or tablet.
Pros & Cons
- Discounts available for long-term contracts
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Password manager for high-tier plans
- 1TB encrypted storage on highest plan
- Business plans available
- Dedicated IP add-on available
- Credibility is lower because of 2018 breach
- Dedicated IP is pricier than most VPNs
Best for First-time Users
TunnelBear VPN
4.4
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price (annual)
$59.88
Server locations
5,000-plus servers across 47-plus countries
Devices (max)
Unlimited
Learn More
Read Forbes' Review
$59.88
5,000-plus servers across 47-plus countries
Unlimited
Why We Picked It
TunnelBear VPN uses robust protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 to provide its users with privacy and security, and it is also easy to navigate. The VPN changes your device location, granting you access to apps and websites your country restricts. TunnelBear’s zero-logs policy guarantees that no one can know your surfed content.
TunnelBear VPN’s GhostBear bypassing VPN blocks in restricting countries, its split tunneling allowing you to choose which apps use the VPN and the kill switch feature turning off internet connectivity in the face of the slightest disconnect, work together to protect your data. The VPN offers paid and free versions, with its free users getting 500MB of data bandwidth per month and an extra 1 GB when they tweet about TunnelBear or refer it to someone. Meanwhile, note that you’ll need to be a paid user to unblock streaming sites.
Download TunnelBear VPN apps for your iOS and Android devices to stay protected from third parties. The VPN also offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers, but it won’t work on Windows mobile devices, kindles, modems or routers.
Learn more: Read our TunnelBear VPN Review.
Who should use it:
TunnelBear is a good option for those looking for a VPN that can protect their identity while granting them access to restricted content, especially when they’re using a VPN for the first time and require a VPN that’s easy to navigate.
Pros & Cons
- User-friendly interface
- Detailed annual transparency reports
- Generous free plan
- No dedicated IP address add-on
- Split tunneling only available on Android
- Limited customer service
Best for Speed
ProtonVPN
4.4
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price
$71.88 per year
Server locations
67
Devices (max)
10
On Proton VPN's Website
$71.88 per year
67
10
Why We Picked It
ProtonVPN works on Android 6.0 and above and iPhones or iPads using iOS 14.0 or newer versions. This VPN has multiple security measures such as Stealth for bypassing firewalls, Secure Core for secure internet routing and NetShield for blocking ads. ProtonVPN protocols, OpenVPN and WireGuard, are fast and lightweight to enhance internet performance. The OpenVPN protocol generates new keys for each session. These security agents protect your identity even when enabling access to your favorite content.
Proton is both easy to set up and use. It offers monthly, yearly and two-year plans, with the two-year plan offering users a 50% discount. You’ll also get a 30-day money-back guarantee on all ProtonVPN plans. Proton boasts of a free plan, which does not display annoying ads and offers unlimited data bandwidth and a VPN accelerator that enhances your speed by 400%.
While testing this mobile VPN, we loved its consistent speeds and found that you’ll get more speed when you connect to servers nearby. ProtonVPN operates a strict no-logs policy, and its open-source technology makes it reliable. It has also undergone public auditing. And since it’s Switzerland-based, it’s not part of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes or Fourteen Eyes.
However, ProtonVPN has a few limitations. It lacks a dedicated IP address and needs to be more powerful to bypass internet restrictions in censor-heavy countries. The VPN also lacks a live chat function that allows users to troubleshoot issues immediately. Then, its free plan won’t get you the best speed or advanced security features, limiting device connection to one and offering servers from only three countries.
Learn more: Read our ProtonVPN review.
Who should use it:
Proton is suitable for those looking to protect their data over the internet and access restricted content over an extended time.
Pros & Cons
- The free version is ad-free
- Unlimited bandwidth on all plans
- Discounts available for new users
- Strict no-log policy
- Consistent speed levels
- No dedicated IP add-on
- No 24/7 support
- Free plan is extremely limited
Most Server Locations
Surfshark
4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price (annual)
$41.88 per year
(renews at $131.88 per year)
Server locations
100
Devices (max)
Unlimited
On Surfshark's Website
$41.88 per year
(renews at $131.88 per year)
100
Unlimited
Why We Picked It
Surfshark is one of the few best mobile VPN services offering unlimited devices for all plans. More importantly for some users is the number of countries where it hosts servers—Surfshark has more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
What sweetens the deal from Surfshark is its introductory price. You can get the first two years (plus two free months) for $59.54, which shakes out to $29.77 per year. After that, you’ll it renews at $285.74 every two years. For month-to-month mobile VPN service, you’ll pay $10.99.
Regardless of your contract length, all plans come with a standard VPN and an ad blocker so the VPN is safe to use. Surfshark also includes antivirus with malware protection and virus removal with its annual plans. However, it’s missing a dedicated IP add-on. Plus, if you consider its annual cost, after the initial discount, Surfshark doesn’t offer the savings or value that some of its competitors do.
Learn more: Read our Surfshark review.
Who should use it:
Surfshark offers a few good reasons to anyone looking for a VPN, but its biggest selling point is that it runs servers in 100 countries, giving you many choices.
Pros & Cons
- Affordable introductory price
- Unlimited devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Servers in 100 countries
- No offer of dedicated IP service
- Antivirus only on two-year plan
Best for Security Tool Bundles
TorGuard VPN
4.3
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price (annual)
$59.99
Server locations
50
Devices (max)
30
Learn More
Read Forbes' Review
$59.99
50
30
Why We Picked It
TorGuard is a great VPN pick for your mobile devices. While it offers similar anonymity and encryption as its competitors, it’s a bit pricier. Perhaps the best reason to consider TorGuard is if you want a bundle of privacy tools—you’ll get a dedicated IP, shadow VPN router and malware protection with one subscription.
This Android VPN has a couple of pricing options. All of them include unlimited speeds and bandwidth and they all work for most operating systems. TorGuard offers Standard and Pro plans with some significant differences. The Standard plan costs $59.99 per year and you can use it on up to eight devices. It is also available per month for $9.99. The Pro plan includes a “free” dedicated IP and allows you to use the VPN on up to 12 devices—which costs $119 annually or $12.99 per month.
You can opt for a longer contract with TorGuard, which will be more costly on the front end, but comes with savings in the long run. Two-year plans range from $99.99 to $179.98 while three-year plans cost $139.99 to $249.99. There’s also a business tier, which starts at $32.99 per month for five users and comes with one dedicated IP address.
If you’d prefer a dedicated IP as an add-on, you’ll pay $7.99 per month or $95.88 per year. However, it’s cheaper to opt for a plan with a dedicated IP than to pay for it as an add-on.
TorGuard experienced a breach in 2017—but the company claims the hackers got nothing of use. It was said that TorGuard’s private encryption keys were stolen, but user data remained secure. TorGuard denies this, claiming that the keys were expired or invalid. To be safe, however, TorGuard reissued all security certificates after the breach.
Learn more: Read our TorGuard review.
Who should use it:
TorGuard is a good choice for anyone who’s looking for a suite of security tools. You’ll save money by choosing a bundle but choose carefully—there’s only a seven-day money-back guarantee, so you might get locked into a long-term deal.
Pros & Cons
- Offers 24/7 support
- Affordable security bundles
- Dedicated IP as an add-on
- Good user reviews
- Business VPN plans available
- Expensive plans
- Servers in only 50 countries
- Only seven-day money-back guarantee
- Experienced a breach in 2017
Best for the Most Servers
Private Internet Access
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price
$59.94 for the first two years (plus two months free)
(renews at $59.94 per year)
Server locations
84
Devices (max)
Unlimited
On Private Internet Access's Website
$59.94 for the first two years (plus two months free)
(renews at $59.94 per year)
84
Unlimited
Why We Picked It
Private Internet Access (PIA) is overall the best mobile VPN for the highest number of servers. It’s an affordable option with a 30-day money-back guarantee and you can connect up to 10 devices on a single subscription. None of its features are locked behind a higher tier of service—simply choose the type of contract you want: month-to-month, six months or two years in advance. You’ll get a deeper discount for the longer-term contracts.
You get your choice of 84 server locations in as many countries on one of the 35,000 servers PIA runs. There’s one add-on option of a dedicated internet protocol (IP) for $5 per month extra. It’s also worth noting that Private Internet Access has thousands of user reviews in app stores and review sites that average 4.4 out of 5.
If you’ve done any research on the best mobile VPNs, you may have seen some reviews pointing out that PIA doesn’t have a no-logging policy, but that isn’t strictly true. Private Internet Access has a no-usage logs policy, meaning that the company doesn’t collect or store your online activity or personally identifying information. It does have to store payment info and email addresses, but it secures this data—and it can never be connected to any of your activity with its VPN service.
Private Internet Access isn’t the cheapest mobile VPN. However, it offers an excellent balance of all features at an affordable cost, making it the most valuable option compared to other mobile VPNs.
Learn more: Read our Private Internet Access (PIA) review.
Who should use it:
Private Internet Access can work well for an individual or a business. Its cost isn’t prohibitive and you get lots of choices when it comes to VPN server locations.
Pros & Cons
- Affordable subscriptions
- Unlimited devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Good user reviews
- All features available
- Dedicated IP add-on option
- Somewhat controversial no-usage logs policy
- Pricing increases significantly upon renewal
Best for Small Businesses
VPN Unlimited
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price
$59.99 per year
Server locations
80
Devices (max)
Five
Learn More
Read Forbes' Review
$59.99 per year
80
Five
Why We Picked It
Any VPN service could work for a small business, but VPN Unlimited offers a specific plan for teams in addition to its individual plans. A unique feature offered by VPN Unlimited is its lifetime VPN. You can make a single payment for a VPN for life—no additional fees for the VPN. Despite the name of the company though, you are limited to five devices on the standard plan.
Individual plans cost $59.99 for an annual plan or $9.99 monthly. You can also choose the lifetime option for $199.99. All you get with these plans are the VPN and a 30-day money-back guarantee, but to increase the value, you can opt for the MonoDefense add-on. It costs $1.67 per month and includes a password manager, Domain Name System (DNS) firewall and data syncing across all your devices.
Although VPN Unlimited offers 80 server locations, it’s only in 56 countries. Its reviews are also decent for the service, but they’re limited compared to other VPN services. And, at $12.49 per month for its dedicated IP, you’ll be paying $149.99 annually, which is far more expensive than competitors.
Learn more: Read our VPN Unlimited review.
Who should use it:
The best reason to use VPN Unlimited is if you have a small business with remote workers. You can opt for a team subscription, which gives users access to the VPN with multiple devices.
Pros & Cons
- Bundle option for more security tools
- Multiple plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Lifetime VPN subscription available
- Servers in only 56 countries
- Dedicated IP is pricey
Smoothest App Interface
ExpressVPN
3.9
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price
$99.95 for your first year plus three free months under current promotion
(renews at $155.40 per year)
Server locations
94
Devices (max)
5
On ExpressVPN's Website
$99.95 for your first year plus three free months under current promotion
(renews at $155.40 per year)
94
5
Why We Picked It
Express VPN works on Android and iOS systems, and users confirm its interface to be intuitive and easy to navigate. Also, the VPN’s support is around the clock, and the team responds to you quickly. When you open the mobile VPN app, a tap on the ON/OFF switch connects you to the best available server. Still, you can choose from more than 3,000 servers to connect to up to five devices simultaneously. You’ll need to configure ExpressVPN on your router to connect to more devices.
This VPN combines security features, including automatic leak proofing, auto disconnect from untrusted Wi-Fi, internet kill switch, split tunneling and the threat manager to protect your data when using the internet. You can also choose from its protocol encryption collection (UDP, TCP and IKEv2) to enjoy utmost speed and performance while staying protected.
ExpressVPN gives you access to geoblocked websites and streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Peaco*ck. And since the bandwidth you’ll get even on lower plans is unlimited, you’ll enjoy a smooth streaming experience free from throttling.
ExpressVPN costs an introductory price of $99.95 per year. It’s also offering three additional months free under its current promotion. Also, the VPN service provider is located outside the Five Eyes areas, so it can’t share your data. Plus, the VPN observes an already audited 100% privacy policy, leaving nothing to share.
Learn more: Read our ExpressVPN review.
Who should use it:
ExpressVPN is for those who want to protect their personal data while exploring the internet or want to stream content restricted to their location. However, it is not designed for businesses looking for business VPN tiers or a dedicated IP address.
Pros & Cons
- Private DNS protection measures
- Lightway protocol enhances speed
- 24/7 live support
- Free seven-day trial for iOS devices
- Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee
- No dedicated IP option
- Limited customizations
- Quite limiting for businesses
- Somewhat pricey
Most Generous Free Plan
Windscribe VPN
3.9
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price (annual)
$69
Server locations
112
Devices (max)
Unlimited
Learn More
Read Forbes' Review
$69
112
Unlimited
Why We Picked It
With 10 million-plus downloads of its Android app, Windscribe VPN is sure one of the most loved VPNs. The popular VPN offers free and paid plans to help you safely connect to the internet. It secures your mobile device from malware and phishing websites and blocks ads and explicit content that disturb smooth internet use.
Windscribe VPN also grants users access to geo-restricted content. Its static IP address and dedicated kill switch ensure your online impressions stay secret while bypassing intense restrictions. This VPN works on iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets.
You can get the Windscribe VPN app for your Android 5.1 and above and iOS 10.0 or later devices and install Chrome , Firefox or Opera browser extensions to enjoy optimum privacy and security. The VPN also allows you to connect to as many mobile devices you want.
Learn more: Read our Windscribe VPN Review.
Who should use it:
Windscribe VPN is suitable for anyone looking for advanced security features and won’t mind missing only a few, with a generous free plan.
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited device connections, even on its free version
- Static IP address add-on available
- Free version available
- Up to 10 GB of data on its free version
- Based in Canada (Five Eyes nation)
- No dedicated IP address add-on
- No live customer support
- Logs data usage
Best for Long Trial Period
CyberGhost
3.8
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Starting price
$59.94 for the first two years (plus two months free) or $12.99 per month
(renews at $59.94 per year)
Server locations
91
Devices (max)
Seven
On CyberGhost's Website
$59.94 for the first two years (plus two months free) or $12.99 per month
(renews at $59.94 per year)
91
Seven
Why We Picked It
CyberGhost is one of the best mobile VPNs because it’s viable on most operating systems, browsers and TV apps. There’s only one plan available, but you can choose the term length: month-to-month, six months or two years. It costs $12.99 per month, but you’ll get discounts for longer-term plans. There’s also a 45-day money-back guarantee—one of the longest we’ve seen from a mobile VPN.
Regardless of which term length you choose, you’ll get access to CyberGhost’s thousands of servers (more than 7,800) from 91 different countries—that’s more than most VPN servers offer. You’ll also get alerts on email and password leaks and 24/7 support. Plus, you can connect to up to seven devices with one subscription. CyberGhost, as with all the best mobile VPNs, has a no-log policy, so your data isn’t stored anywhere.
CyberGhost also offers a dedicated IP as an add-on. It costs $12.99 per month, but you can pay as low as $2.19 per month, if you choose the two-year plan.
Learn more: Read our CyberGhost review.
Who should use it:
CyberGhost is a good VPN service for anyone who wants to connect to a variety of servers in multiple countries and get up to 45 days to try the service risk-free. However, if you want more servers—up to 35,000, you can choose Private Internet Access, instead. See how CyberGhost and Private Internet Access stack up.
Pros & Cons
- No tiered services
- Discounts for long-term contracts
- 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term subscriptions
- Over 7,800 servers
- Strict no-logs policy
- Offers dedicated IP add-on
- Expensive plans
- Dedicated IP address costs extra
Forbes Advisor Ratings
| Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Starting price (annual) | Server locations | Devices (max) | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN |  | 4.5 |  | $59.88 for your first year (renews at $99.48) | 60 | Six | Learn More | On NordVPN's Website | |
| TunnelBear VPN |  | 4.4 | | $59.88 | 5000-plus servers across 47-plus countries | Unlimited | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| ProtonVPN |  | 4.4 | | $71.88 per year | 67 | 10 | Learn More | On Proton VPN's Website | |
| Surfshark |  | 4.3 | | $41.88 per year (renews at $131.88 per year) | 100 | Unlimited | Learn More | On Surfshark's Website | |
| TorGuard VPN |  | 4.3 |  | $59.99 | 50 | 30 | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Private Internet Access |  | 4.2 |  | $59.94 for the first two years (plus two months free; renews at $59.94 per year) | 84 | Unlimited | Learn More | On Privateinternetaccess.com's Website | |
| Windscribe VPN |  | 3.9 | | $69 | 112 | Unlimited | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| VPN Unlimited |  | 4.0 | | $59.99 per year | 80 | Five | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| ExpressVPN |  | 3.9 | | $99.95 for your first year plus three free months under current promotion (renews at $155.40 per year) | 94 | 5 | Learn More | On ExpressVPN's Website | |
| CyberGhost |  | 3.8 |  | $59.94 for the first two years (plus two months free) or $12.99 per month (renews at $59.94 per year) | 91 | Seven | Learn More | On CyberGhost's Website |
What Is a Mobile VPN?
A mobile VPN is simply a network you join to mask your online identity when you’re using your mobile phone or tablet. You can use it to shield the sites you visit, your logins and passwords and change your IP address to protect you from anyone who might be fishing for information.
Essentially, a mobile VPN is no different than a desktop version and it can be used for the same purposes. A VPN can be used to protect you, but it’s also used to unlock media from other countries that may be banned or blocked in yours. A bonus feature of some mobile VPNs is that they can stay active as you switch between using your data and unsecured public Wi-Fi. This feature ensures you’re protected even if your phone reconnects to Wi-Fi.
How To Choose the Best Mobile VPN
Choosing the best mobile VPN for you should come down to basics such as pricing, ease of use, device allowance and server location. You can also look at extras, add-ons and trial periods.
Essential VPN Features
All mobile VPN services offer basic features to keep your information safe while you’re online—whether you’re using your own data or public Wi-Fi. These are the ones to look out for:
- Encryption: The encryption most mobile VPNs use is standard for the industry: AES-256. This type of encryption is safe from brute force attacks (it would take literal years to break it).
- Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps should be encrypted and which should run on an unprotected network. This feature helps you save bandwidth (if you don’t have an unlimited plan) and experience less lag.
- No-log policy: Most mobile VPN services have a no-log policy, which further protects you. This means a service won’t keep logs of its customers’ online activity, so if a government agency asks for the data, there’s nothing to give. With that said, most VPN services log temporary data, but that’s expected and shouldn’t give you pause.
- Kill switch: An important feature for anyone using a mobile VPN is a kill switch, which will disconnect you from an open Wi-Fi connection if you lose your connection to your VPN.
- IP randomizer: Most mobile VPNs should offer this privacy feature that automatically changes your IP after a certain amount of time. Although using a VPN gives you a different IP from your static one to hide your actual IP and location, randomizing it at intervals can further protect you from being tracked.
- Proxy: Some mobile VPN services include a proxy option, which you can use to block or allow specific websites or anonymously access the internet. Comparing a proxy vs. VPN shows that a proxy isn’t as secure as a VPN, but it is helpful in some situations.
Server Number and Location
Although the number of servers a mobile VPN offers doesn’t speak to quality, it does give you more choice, which is valuable. The more server choice you have, the better the odds you have of connecting to a server close to you for less lag and the better opportunity you have for choosing a server in a country you prefer.
Server location is important if you’re looking to connect in certain regions. For example, if you live in the United States, but you want to watch a TV show or movie that’s only on a streaming service in the United Kingdom, using a VPN that has a server in the U.K. is necessary. Another reason for wanting to choose a specific country for your VPN is if you’re a resident of a country that blocks specific websites or information that you want to access.
Device Compatibility and Multi-Device Support
Device compatibility is important especially if you want to use the same mobile VPN service for different types of devices. For example, if you have a household that doesn’t stick to only Apple or Android devices or you use a mix of them yourself, it’s a good idea to choose a mobile VPN service that supports both operating systems.
Mobile VPN services vary when it comes to how many devices you’re allowed to use with your VPN subscription. You can find some that let you use all the devices you and your family have or they may limit you to five devices. Usually, a business VPN will allow more devices but limit them per user.
Featured Partners
Advertisem*nt
1
NordVPN
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$3.49 per month
# of Devices
6
Encryption
AES-256
2
Surfshark
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$2.29
# of Devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
3
Private Internet Access
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$2.03
# of Devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
Pricing and Plans
The average price of a mobile VPN plan is around $12 per month and usually allows multiple devices. The cost of a mobile VPN usually starts high for month-to-month plans, so compare annual plans, too. You can often get deep discounts for signing up for longer-term plans, so if you know you want a mobile VPN for a long while, consider picking up a three-year or lifetime plan.
A free plan isn’t going to give you bandwidth enough for over one or two data transfers. A mobile VPN free trial can give you enough time to make sure it’s easy to use and has the features you need, though.
Benefits of a Mobile VPN
A mobile VPN is almost a necessity for companies that have remote workers or have adopted a hybrid work policy. Your employees may conduct the majority of their work off your intranet, which means they’re probably using unsecured networks to check email or even connect to your business servers. A mobile VPN can protect their work and your proprietary information. There are multiple benefits of using a mobile VPN for personal or business purposes:
- Public Wi-Fi security: Working on the go is necessary sometimes and it isn’t always possible to use your phone’s data. It’s tempting to connect to public Wi-Fi, but it may be monitored by cybercriminals. A VPN can protect user IDs, passwords and internet activity when your employees use public internet connections.
- Protect your data: If you have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy, your employees may be exposing your company data by using unsecured networks. A mobile VPN can protect your info on any connection.
- Enhances trust: In a recent survey by ExpressVPN and Pollfish, 59% of employees reported feeling anxiety about digital surveillance by their employer. Providing workers a mobile VPN to keep their online activity private may increase morale and improve trust between employee and employer.
Keep in mind that a mobile VPN is just one layer of security. A VPN cannot protect against identity theft or malware.
How To Set Up a VPN on Your Phone
For the most part, setting up a mobile VPN on your phone should be the same across all services. After you’ve chosen your preferred mobile VPN service, you should be able to find the app in the appropriate store for your device, such as Apple’s app store or Google Play. Some VPN services include links to their apps on their home page or in an email after you sign up.
Download the app on your devices. Launch the app and go to “Settings” and then “General” or “Network” to find where you can add a VPN. After you add your mobile VPN service’s details, you’ll want to use your account login and password. Instructions may be different based on whether you’re using iOS or Android operating system and which mobile VPN software you choose. Learn how to set up a VPN on different devices so you can safely use the internet.
Methodology
To determine the best mobile VPN, Forbes Advisor compared and ranked more than a dozen different VPN services available. Find out what contributed to our final scores.
Mobile Apps
First, we omitted any VPN provider that won’t support mobile devices and, to follow that up, we narrowed the list to only those that work for both Android and iOS operating systems. This accounted for 3% of our total score.
Features
Since you’re getting a VPN because you want a secure data exchange between your mobile device and the internet, we examined the primary functions and details of selected VPNs. We looked at whether or not they provide general VPN security and privacy features, such as anonymous browsing and DNS protection measures, and nice-to-have features, including split tunneling, kill switch and multifactor authentications. Additional features contributing to our weighted scoring of 35% include VPN stance on no-logs policy, and, of course, whether or not they offer browser extensions.
We also looked at how many devices you can use per subscription—some services limit you to five or six, while others don’t limit you by device. Then, we considered the number of servers and server locations for more options overall.
Pricing
We gave more stars in our 5-star rating system to mobile VPN services with affordable annual plans and cheaper rates for long-term commitment. VPNs providing users with free trials, free versions or longer days to explore their features, with their risk-free money-back guarantees, also got our attention. We weighted pricing at 15% of the total score.
Speed
Since we don’t expect users to sacrifice speed for security, we tested VPNs to determine whether or not they’re the best mobile VPNs. We looked out for the average download speed and upload speed of each VPN. We also connected to different servers to check for consistency. Thanks to their protocols and proprietary speed enhancers, these VPNs turned out well. We weighted speed at 20%.
Service and Support
To ensure you can reach your VPN’s support team whenever necessary, we examined each VPN to determine its performance. We sent queries, asked to speak with support agents, recorded their response time and the quality of their help. We also considered how many support channels they have and the types of support (resources, phone, live chat, email, tickets, etc.) they offer. This one accounts for 7% of the weighted final score.
Customer Reviews
Most mobile VPN users leave reviews in app stores or review sites, so we sifted through these to see the issues users have with mobile VPNs. We also considered the average star rating from users and number of reviews. This aspect accounts for 10% of our total weighted score.
Experts Score
Our panel of experts also looked at additional criteria, including popularity, standout details, ease of use and value for money, to determine the best mobile VPNs for individuals and businesses. Our expert analysis forms 10% of the total score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which mobile VPN is best?
It all comes down to what you want in a mobile VPN. Our top pick is NordVPN because it offers a robust security package at a reasonable price and rewards users with enhanced features on higher plans. It also offers discounts for long-term commitments. And it is suitable for both individuals and small businesses.
Are mobile VPNs safe?
VPNs are safe to use on your mobile devices as long as you choose a trustworthy app. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel through which data may pass back and forth virtually untraceably.
Do I need a VPN on my phone?
Technically, no. It is a good idea though because it can protect your information when you use apps on your device outside of your home network. Public Wi-Fi is convenient but it can be compromised or spoofed, so it’s especially important to use a VPN if you want to use Wi-Fi you’re not sure you can trust.
When should I use a VPN on my phone?
When you should use a VPN on your phone depends on why you’re using a mobile VPN. If you set your phone’s preferences to automatically connect to Wi-Fi, it’s a good idea to use a VPN for security. You can also rely on a mobile VPN to keep your data safe as it travels from your phone and to your phone. And if you’d rather not have your internet activity tracked by advertisers or other agencies, a mobile VPN can help with that.
Can I change my phone IP address without a VPN?
You can change your phone’s IP address manually. It’s a little different between iOS and Android, but the concept is the same. You need to go to your Wi-Fi settings to disconnect from the network you’re on and then choose either “configure IP” or “forget.” As soon as you reconnect to the network, you should have a different IP address on your phone.
Does a VPN affect phone calls?
Standard phone calls to your mobile device are not affected by your VPN, in that you can answer calls with no problem but note that voice calls will not be encrypted. However, for voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) calls, your data is encrypted when connected to a mobile VPN.
Can a VPN slow down my phone?
You will experience some lag if you use a VPN on any device. There are multiple factors that can affect your speed, including the server load, or how many people are using that mobile VPN server at once, the distance of the server location from you and your internet speed to start with. But with the best mobile VPN, there won’t be much difference.
Can I use a VPN on a mobile hotspot?
Yes, but not in the way you may think. Data transferring to and from your mobile device is protected, including your mobile hotspot, but if you connect an unprotected laptop or tablet to that hotspot, those devices are exposed. You should make sure all the devices you’re using are connected to a mobile VPN.
What can I access with a VPN?
VPNs can allow you to access geo restricted content in other countries. Many customers use them to access international content on streaming services that are not available in their home country. They can also bypass any government restrictions you may have in your region.
Can I be tracked while using a VPN?
Yes, but it depends on your activity and your awareness. A VPN protects active data transfers while you’re online. If you’ve enabled cookies on websites you visit, advertisers can track your activity (but with a VPN they won’t be able to connect your activity to your IP). Malware is another risk, but a VPN can’t protect you from installing malware.
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