What Is the Best VPN for Android?
While some people may still prefer to use a traditional landline phone, more and more people are choosing to swap them for smartphones, especially after the pandemic. As a result, there is now a great demand for VPNs that run on Android.
Even before the pandemic, the demand for such apps was growing. Many people prefer to use VPNs to protect their personal information while browsing the Web, as well as to unblock geo-restricted content and services. This trend was even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many services were impacted by widespread government restrictions. As a result, many people turned to VPNs to maintain their privacy and to access content and services that were restricted by location.
Best Overall: NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the best VPN services available for Android, and it offers solid speeds and reliable connections, along with a great variety of protocols to choose from. In addition, the service is highly secure and very easy to use.
The only downside to NordVPN is that, like many other good VPNs, it can be a bit pricey. You can get a three-year plan for $2.95 per month, which is the standard price for such a service in this space. But if you’d rather keep your personal information private and would like to save a few bucks, NordVPN isn’t the best choice. There are better, more affordable options out there.
The Best for Streamers: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another great option for those seeking to stream content on the go. Not only does it have a large selection of server types to choose from, but it’s also incredibly flexible with regards to the types of content it can stream, as long as the rights are granted for it.
The only downside to ExpressVPN is that, like many other good VPNs, it can be a bit pricey, with plans starting at $2.99 per month. But if you’d rather keep your personal information private and would like to save a few bucks, ExpressVPN isn’t the best choice. There are better, more affordable options out there.
Choose Your Protocols Carefully
When choosing a VPN for Android, you must first decide if you’ll be using UDP or TCP protocols. Many services will try to force you to use their proprietary protocol, but it’s better to pick one that works well with other applications and services, if possible.
UDP is a connection-less protocol that is generally faster than TCP, because it doesn’t require set-up delays or handshakes before your data can be transferred. However, UDP is not as secure as TCP, as it uses a much simpler encryption algorithm. If you’d like your data to stay private, UDP isn’t the best choice. On the other hand, if you’d like to stream content or use a service that requires high speeds, then you should opt for TCP, as it’s more secure and faster than UDP. If you’re not sure which one to opt for, then opt for TCP as it’s much simpler and doesn’t require any special software to be installed.
Choose A Simple Password
You will also want to make sure you pick a simple password, as complex passwords aren’t very secure. If you want to keep your personal information private, then you should avoid using complex passwords and instead opt for passwords containing numbers and characters. You should also use a different password for each service you use, as keeping your passwords secret is one of the best ways to keep your personal information private.
Some VPNs will log your activity, so make sure you’re aware of this before you use the service. If activity logging is a concern, then you should look for a VPN that offers a no-logs policy. Even more importantly, make sure that the company you’re dealing with is reputable, as there are many scammers out there who will try to trick you into downloading malware.
Avoid Free Trial Offers
Many services offer a free trial, which is generally a good idea, as it allows you to try the service out before committing to a payment plan. However, it’s important to remember that, in 2019, you should avoid free trials. This is because, sooner or later, you will be asked to opt-in for the service, which will then require you to make a payment, no matter how small. While this may seem like a hassle at first, it’s worth it, as free trials generally lead to a greater opportunity for scammers and hackers to get access to your personal information. In general, it’s best to avoid free trials and to keep your options open to only the most reputable companies.
Luckily, there are ways that you can ensure that your personal information is safe while using a VPN. Many services will use security questions and answers to verify your identity. In addition, some services will ask you to set up a secondary authentication method, such as a security code that you must enter when you login, in case your primary method doesn’t work.
Using a VPN is the simplest way to ensure that your personal information is secure whenever you use public Wi-Fi, and it’s also a great option for those seeking to unblock restricted content and services, as it allows you to use any country or region code that you may need. As a result, more and more people are turning to VPNs, as it provides a simple way to maintain their privacy and has many features that help with streaming, downloading, and accessing restricted content. If you’re looking for a VPN to use, then it’s best to opt for one of the above-mentioned options, as they’re all great at what they do.