Best VPNs for Mobile Devices in 2025

Let’s face it—we live on our phones. From doomscrolling Twitter (X) to banking, dating, and streaming The Bear on sketchy café Wi-Fi, our smartphones handle it all. And yet, most of us don’t think twice about the invisible risks that tag along every time we connect.

In fact, over 62% of global internet traffic now comes from mobile devices—and that number’s only climbing. That means more data, more exposure, and way more reasons to care about what’s shielding your connection when you’re on the move.

So, we rolled up our sleeves and tested the top VPNs built for mobile—not just desktop-first apps squeezed onto a smaller screen. We’re talking smooth, secure, battery-friendly apps that don’t kill your speed or leave you buffering in the middle of a Reel. Let’s get into the best mobile VPNs available in 2025.

Best Mobile VPN: Our Detailed List

Not all mobile VPN services are created equal. Some look sleek but lag on 5G. Others are fast, but leave your data exposed the second your signal drops. We tested everything from real-world speeds to battery impact to app smoothness, and these are the top mobile VPNs that nailed the balance.

1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Mobile Overall

If we could only keep one VPN on our phones, NordVPN would be the one. It nails the balance between slick design, serious protection, and actual performance that matters when you’re not tethered to a desk. Whether you’re streaming on a train, tethering from your phone, or jumping Wi-Fi networks at a conference, it just holds up, every time.

Mobile UI That Actually Makes Sense

NordVPN’s mobile app doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s clean, minimal, and fast, making it the best iPhone VPN app. The server map view is swipeable and responsive, a small thing that makes a big difference when you’re trying to tap a tiny country one-handed. Quick Connect lives right on the homepage, and the settings menu is built for thumbs, not mice. Even better? You can log in with Face ID or a fingerprint, making reconnections a breeze.

Built to Run in the Background

We ran NordVPN all day while bouncing between mobile data, 5G, and sketchy coffee shop Wi-Fi. It auto-reconnected instantly, never stalled apps, and the battery usage was impressively light, less drainig than a food delivery app. The auto-connect rules let us pick which Wi-Fi networks we trusted, so we didn’t waste battery when we didn’t need to.

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Speed That Doesn’t Stall

More than just about raw numbers, VPN speed is about consistency. Thanks to NordLynx, NordVPN stayed over 85–90% of our normal speeds during testing across LTE, 5G, and even slower hotel networks. We streamed HD video, downloaded updates, and FaceTimed internationally without even thinking about the VPN in the background. It’s also a great ally if you’re looking for a VPN that lets you gamble online.

Serious Security, Still Lightweight

Mobile isn’t immune to sketchy networks or data leaks. NordVPN locks things down with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, plus Threat Protection Lite that quietly filters out shady sites and ads in the background, especially handy when browsing on mobile Chrome or Safari. The kill switch is always-on by default, and we stress-tested it with no DNS leaks or IP leaks, even when switching networks.

Mobile-Friendly Pricing

You can try NordVPN free for 7 days on Android, and their long-term plans start at just over $3/month, which is a no-brainer if you’re using it daily. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all devices, not just mobile, so there’s no risk in testing it across your whole setup.

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2. ExpressVPN — Best Mobile VPN for Speed & Simplicity

If NordVPN is the power user’s pick, ExpressVPN is the premium ride that just glides with a fast, polished, and intuitive. What stood out immediately during testing was how it made staying protected on mobile feel effortless. No fussing with settings or awkward load times, no “wait, is it even on?” feeling.

A UI That Feels Native, Not Clunky

From the jump, ExpressVPN’s app just feels…finished. The big connect button, the smart location suggestions, the clean layout — it all feels like it was made for phones first. Whether we were on Android or iOS, it launched quickly, responded instantly, and made switching locations dead simple, even one-handed.

There’s also a built-in password-less login via verification link, which makes re-installing or switching devices ridiculously smooth, so no digging up passwords on mobile ever again.

Speed When It Matters Most

ExpressVPN consistently delivered near-peak mobile speeds, especially when streaming or gaming on 5G. We connected to servers in the US, UK, and Singapore, and still pulled down HD streams without lag, even on public transit. For example, switching country on Prime Video was incredibly easy.

And since it runs on Lightway, their custom-built protocol, battery consumption was lower than expected for a high-security app.

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Trusted Security, Tuned for Mobile

We didn’t experience any IP or DNS leaks during testing, even when switching networks mid-call or while the phone was locked. The Network Lock (their mobile kill switch) did its job without fail, and split tunneling let us whitelist trusted apps, like banking or ride-hailing.

ExpressVPN also passed independent audits, and it operates on RAM-only servers, which wipe your data every time they’re rebooted. That’s the kind of peace of mind we want when logging in from hotel Wi-Fi in a country where we don’t speak the language.

 Pricing & Trial

ExpressVPN isn’t the cheapest, with long-term plans are closer to $5/month. But you get what you pay for: top-tier polish, performance, and one of the most seamless mobile apps around. A 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test the waters fully risk-free.

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3. Private Internet Access — Best Mobile VPN for Customization and Control

Private Internet Access is a power user’s dream in a mobile package. It’s not trying to win any design awards, but if you like tweaking, tuning, and having total control over your VPN experience (even on a phone), this is where PIA hits it out of the park.

Deep Customization, Right on Your Phone

Most mobile VPNs give you the basics. PIA gives you the dashboard. Encryption strength? Adjustable. Protocol? Your choice of OpenVPN or WireGuard. Port selection? Yep. DNS settings? Go wild. Surprisingly, the app doesn’t feel overwhelming and gives you the room to set things up exactly how you like, which advanced users will appreciate.

And yes, it supports split tunneling on Android, which we used to keep Spotify or Google Maps outside the VPN tunnel for smoother local access. If needed, you can check out our review of PIA VPN for a complete overview.

Stable and Responsive App

While the UI isn’t flashy, it’s snappy and dependable. Connect/disconnect is one tap, and it supports biometric unlocking and widget shortcuts on Android. We noticed PIA reconnected quickly when switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data with no freezes or unexpected disconnects.

The connection stats dashboard even shows real-time data on your mobile VPN session, which is helpful if you’re chasing performance or monitoring battery usage while traveling.

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Security You Can Trust

PIA’s MACE feature blocks ads, trackers, and known malware domains, and it works well on mobile browsers. This top mobile VPN uses strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy (audited in court cases and by third parties), and it gives you control over handshake types, cipher strengths, and more if you want to dive deep.

Their kill switch is airtight, and when we deliberately killed connections mid-session, Private Internet Access instantly stopped traffic until it was safely reconnected.

Pricing That’s Hard to Beat

Private Internet Access has some of the most affordable long-term plans, which is just a little over $2/month when you go long. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you time to test all the bells and whistles on both Android and iOS. Want to know how to take advantage of it? Read our article on Private Internet Access’s free trial to find out.

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How We Picked the Best Mobile VPN Services

Choosing a VPN for your phone isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about making sure that the app in your pocket actually keeps up with you. Mobile-first doesn’t mean stripped-down. In fact, over 70% of VPN users worldwide use them on mobile. So yeah, your VPN better be as flexible, fast, and secure as your phone demands.

We tested each app across iOS and Android, swapped between LTE, 5G, and public Wi-Fi, and focused on the things that actually matter when you’re not tethered to a desk.

Mobile-Optimized Performance

Speed is non-negotiable when you’re switching between networks or streaming on the go. We ran repeated speed tests across city Wi-Fi, train station 4G, and even airport public hotspots to see which VPNs stayed smooth under pressure.

NordVPN blew us away with its NordLynx protocol, which consistently delivered 90%+ of our baseline speeds. Whether streaming live football or video calling over 5G, it never dropped the ball. We also appreciated that it handled network handoffs (like jumping from Wi-Fi to mobile data) better than most.

Real Security, Not Just Marketing

A good VPN for mobile protects you everywhere, even when your phone goes to sleep or apps run in the background. We stress-tested kill switches, leak protection, and auto-connect features under real conditions.

Private Internet Access (PIA) stood out here for its customizable settings and built-in kill switch that stayed active even during device hibernation. Power users will love the advanced toggles, but it also runs quietly for anyone who just wants plug-and-play privacy.

App Design and Usability

No one wants to pinch and zoom or deal with clunky desktop-first menus. So we scored high on apps that felt like they were made for mobile with clean UIs, swipeable menus, and settings that make sense on a small screen.

ExpressVPN nails this with a sleek, consistent app that mirrors across platforms. It’s dead simple to use, connects in seconds, and doesn’t nag you with cluttered settings or upgrade popups.

Server Coverage That Works for Travel

When you’re abroad, you need a VPN that’s got your back…literally. We looked for wide server coverage, but more importantly, reliable performance in places where free Wi-Fi is slow and surveillance is high.

NordVPN once again delivered here. With 7,400+ servers in 150+ locations, we were always a tap away from an optimized connection, whether browsing from Paris or booking a ride in Mumbai.

In short, we tested how these top mobile VPNs felt in our pockets. From subway commutes to café Wi-Fi to switching SIMs abroad, these picks had to prove they were truly built for mobile life.

Why Most Free Mobile VPNs Aren’t Worth the Risk

Search for “free VPN” in the Google Play Store or App Store, and you’ll see hundreds of glowing results. But behind the stars and downloads are apps that often do more harm than good. Most free VPNs lack essential protections, bombard you with ads, or worse, sell your data to the very trackers you’re trying to avoid.

Real Problems We Found in Testing

We downloaded and tested a dozen of the most popular free VPN apps on Android and iOS. Here’s what we uncovered:

• Excessive app permissions, including access to contacts, messages, and even GPS.
• Frequent DNS and IP leaks, meaning your activity wasn’t hidden at all.
• Unstable connections, including fake “connected” statuses with zero encryption.
• Rerouted traffic through questionable server locations.
• Ad overload, with constant interruptions that made the apps borderline unusable.

Some apps also buried dangerous policies in the fine print, including clauses allowing them to “share anonymized data with partners,” which basically means selling your activity to advertisers.

Is There a Safe Free Option?

Proton VPN is the only free mobile VPN we’d cautiously recommend. It’s backed by a solid reputation, developed by the same folks behind ProtonMail, and is one of the few free VPNs that’s both open-source and independently audited. Even better, it offers unlimited bandwidth with no hidden caps, which already puts it above most competitors in the free tier.

That said, the free version comes with a fair number of limitations. You only get access to servers in five countries (the US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland), and there’s no ability to choose specific cities or regions. If you’re trying to spoof a particular location or work around regional content filters, this can be a dealbreaker.

Streaming and torrenting are also off the table. Free users don’t get access to Proton VPN’s streaming-optimized servers or P2P-friendly locations, so services like Netflix or BBC iPlayer typically won’t work. If that’s something you’re interested in, we recommend reading our comparison of the best free VPNs for accessing BBC iPlayer.

Add to that the lack of features like split tunneling, and you’re left with a VPN that’s more functional than flexible.

Proton VPN’s free tier is great for basic browsing, messaging, or quick privacy protection on public Wi-Fi, especially when you just need a secure tunnel on the go. But if you’re after smooth streaming, low-latency gaming, or reliable geo-unblocking, it’s not going to cut it.

Why a Paid Mobile VPN Is Worth It

A premium VPN like NordVPN changes the game. You get:

• Full access to thousands of servers (including mobile-optimized ones).
• High-speed connections with NordLynx, which works flawlessly on mobile data.
• Threat Protection and auto-connect to protect you on the go.
• Zero sketchy permissions and a real no-logs policy, audited and verified.

For just a few bucks a month, it’s the difference between browsing with confidence…or gambling with your data.

Try NordVPN risk-free today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Before we wrap up, here are a few questions we kept getting during testing mobile VPN services, ones that go beyond the usual basics.

Can a VPN drain the battery of my mobile phone?

Yes, but it depends on the VPN. Some poorly optimized apps can eat up battery fast, especially if they constantly drop and reconnect. The good ones, like NordVPN (with NordLynx) and ExpressVPN (with Lightway), are built for mobile efficiency. In our tests, the battery hit was minimal, and auto-connect features helped avoid unnecessary background activity.

Is it safe to leave a VPN on all the time on my phone?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s recommended, especially if you hop between mobile data and public Wi-Fi. Just make sure your VPN has a kill switch or “auto-reconnect” feature to prevent exposure during network changes. NordVPN and PIA both support this, and they kick in fast when needed.

What’s the difference between a VPN app and a VPN built into Android or iOS?

Built-in VPN settings on Android/iOS let you connect manually using protocols like IKEv2 or OpenVPN, but they lack features. A dedicated app like NordVPN or ExpressVPN handles everything for you: auto-updates, kill switches, server switching, and encryption tweaks.

Unless you love tinkering with configs, apps are the way to go. Feel free to check out our ranking of the most effective VPNs on Android if needed.

Can I use a mobile VPN for gaming?

Yes, but expect some trade-offs. A mobile VPN can help you access region-locked games or early app launches, but latency may increase slightly. That said, with protocols like NordLynx or Lightway, the difference was barely noticeable in casual multiplayer games.

Do mobile VPNs protect against app tracking?

Partially. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, but apps can still track you via other methods, like device IDs or app permissions. For more complete protection, pair your mobile VPN with privacy-friendly app settings and use tracker blockers like DuckDuckGo App Protection or NordVPN’s Threat Protection.