We take our mobile devices everywhere with us, and let's be honest – we couldn't live without them. Whether we're at work, home or anywhere in between, your phone probably isn't far away. So it makes sense to protect it with one of the best mobile VPN apps.
With one of the best mobile VPNs, you can stay more anonymous and secure when browsing the internet and using your favorite apps, and even access region-locked streaming content. The hardest part is choosing a VPN you can rely on. There are countless substandard providers, but luckily we've got you covered with this guide to the very best VPNs for your mobile devices.
We've reviewed dozens of VPNs over the years, and have compared the apps, unblocking power, security tools, and price of today's top picks to curate this list of the best mobile VPN apps on the market.
The 3 best VPNs at a glance
The best mobile VPN apps in 2024
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
ExpressVPN: the best mobile VPN
ExpressVPN tops our list as the best mobile VPN app on the market. As soon as you launch the it's clear that it's a professional bit of kit, but there's more to it than just a pretty face.
First things first, you're greeted by a big on/off switch, and a single tap will get you connected to the pre-selected best server. As this suggested server is pretty much always the 'right' choice, in terms of day-to-day security this is pretty much all you'll need to know.
But, if you want to use the VPN for to access geo-blocked websites or streaming services, you'll be able to choose from Express's list of over 3,000 servers. You'll get class-leading speeds on pretty much all of them, and you'll also be able to access BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock and more. It also gains access to some Netflix libraries (Canada, Australia, and sometimes the US), though we have found Nord and Surfshark to be a more powerful Netflix VPN in more recent tests.
If you want the easiest, most powerful and most reliable mobile VPN available today, ExpressVPN is the choice for you.
If configuration is your game, ExpressVPN has plenty to offer here, too. It has a selection of protocols to choose from and you can check for DNS leaks on your network, activate your kill switch and enable split tunneling (although the latter is only available on Android).
If you have any issues with ExpressVPN's apps – and, let's face it, no VPN is trouble-free 100% of the time – the 24/7 live chat support responds in seconds and has, in our experience, always been able to resolve any issues we've faced.
The only downside is that Express's mobile VPN only allows five simultaneous connections per plan – if you've got a lot of devices you won't be able to cover them all at the same time, but thankfully you can install the app on as many as you like and log in and out as you wish.
If you want the easiest, most powerful and most reliable mobile VPN available today, ExpressVPN is the choice for you – it really is that simple. But, if you're not happy with the service, every customer is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can get to grips with the service before you commit.
NordVPN: the best all-rounder
As a stalwart of the online security game, one our top pick for the best VPN overall, it's no surprise NordVPN has developed an excellent mobile VPN to sit alongside its powerful desktop clients. Covered by the same great secure software as their PC brethren, the apps are super secure and offer users real privacy – check out our NordVPN review for more info.
Nord's apps are a sound choice for those looking to stay secure on the go, for example if you want to stay safe when connecting to public Wi-Fi. Nord also offers some interesting features not often seen in mobile VPNs – namely Onion over VPN, and a Double VPN feature similar to Surfshark's.
One minor downside to NordVPN's apps, however, is the design. The mobile VPN shares the same map-based interface as the desktop clients, and while that works on a large screen, devices with smaller displays make the apps feel cramped and a little tricky to use.
That said, a swipe up will get you to a VPN server list, and in practice you'll only be spending a minute or two using the app, while the rest of your time will be spent enjoying internet anonymity.
Other than that, Nord's apps are extremely functional and simple to use, and will certainly appeal to those who seek maximum security in their VPN.
Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
Surfshark has quickly become a Tom's Guide favorite thanks to its charming simplicity and incredibly budget-friendly pricing. If you're someone who likes to adjust a tons of settings, but if you're looking for a cheap, reliable mobile VPN, it's a great choice.
In our testing, we found the app itself straightforward and intuitive and it even offers a one-touch connection to the best server. While it's not as in-depth as others, it's got all the essential features like a kill switch, a selection of protocols and auto-connect. For most, that's going to be plenty.
Surfshark is one of the best streaming VPNs, too. We found it unblocks a host of Netflix libraries and other services while maintaining great connection speeds on all but the farthest-flung servers. If you want to stay really secure, you'll also be able to use Double Hop, which connects you to two servers in tandem for extra privacy.
The biggest selling point, though, is Surfshark's price – at around $2.50 a month, it's one of the best-value VPNs out there, especially considering it has a brilliant unlimited connections policy so you really can cover all your devices.
While it can't compete with ExpressVPN in terms of power and simplicity, Surfshark offers a seriously tempting package of a useful mobile VPN, bargain pricing, and unlimited device support.
Other quality VPNs I've tested
If you're after a mobile VPN with unbeatable privacy credentials and features, Proton VPN is the one for you. One of the most secure VPNs, Proton VPN offers hugely powerful apps on all mobile operating systems, and you'll even be able to test it out by using the free version. In our full Proton VPN review, we found it one of the very best free VPNs on the market.
Beyond privacy, though, Proton VPN has also got great streaming capabilites. Not only does it unblock Netflix across a number of regional libraries, it also offers great support for other streaming sites like BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and more.
If you're a bit of a VPN newbie, there's a chance that you might find the apps a little complex, but in truth they still feel thoroughly modern in practice, and we wouldn't let that put you off. Definitely worth considering.
If you're looking for one of the best torrenting VPNs, or one of the best streaming VPNs, CyberGhost is a good choice of VPN for you.
While the mobile VPN is pretty simple, CyberGhost is priced keenly and can do pretty much all most users will need – you can find out more in our CyberGhost VPN review.
A neat feature is split tunneling which is available on mobile, and CyberGhost also switches ports regularly to maintain your security. However, if your connection fails, you haven't got a kill switch to keep you protected, and you won't be able to change protocol either (the apps only use OpenVPN).
If you go for the longest plan it's an affordable option – but our #3 choice Surfshark is even cheaper and is the more well-rounded service. However, CyberGhost has a huge number of servers and millions of people who use them, so they must be doing something right.
If all you need from a mobile VPN is keep you safe on the go and stream content, then our testing backs up that CyberGhost is a great choice. However, for most people, there are probably better options further up the page.
How to choose the best mobile VPN for you
Any of the VPNs listed above will offer you a pretty comprehensive service, but how do you narrow the field down from five names to one?
When choosing the perfect VPN for you, then you will have to ask yourself some questions. The most obvious is price, how much are you willing to spend on a VPN? If budget is your main concern then Surfshark and CyberGhost are the obvious choices to opt for, but if it's not too much of an issue then NordVPN and ExpressVPN make a compelling case.
If having a VPN connected to multiple devices at once is important then again Surfshark will appeal thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections. Realistically though if you think 10 devices is more than enough then NordVPN's credentials as one of the most secure VPNs might be more important.
Speaking of privacy, if you're using a VPN to avoid censorship then you'll want to ensure that your VPN has a reliable killswitch, which would rule out CyberGhost. If all of those factors have left you unsure then perhaps you should try a VPN with a proven free version like ProtonVPN and then upgrade if you like it.
How we test the best VPN services
Our VPN verdicts aren't just pulled from marketing materials, we make up our own minds here at Tom's Guide on the back of our extensive testing. For those curious, check our full breakdown of how we test VPNs, but I'll give you the TLDR (too long don't read) here.
The dedicated in-house VPN testing team gets hands-on with all the providers mentioned above (and many more) and every 6 months we re-sign up to a VPN plan and install it on several devices.
For our guide to the best mobile VPN, that includes extensive testing of both the Android and iOS versions. We check every setting in each app to be certain it all works as promised.
If we find anything unusual or surprising we'll look further into it, not afraid to dig deep or even dive into the source code of an app. We'll also give you our impression of an app's interface and user experience.
After that, we need to judge a VPN's streaming capabilities. We test each VPN with the mobile apps for the biggest streaming services like Netflix. Streaming services are notoriously fickle when it comes to VPNs so we retest this performance every month.
Best mobile VPN FAQs
What is the best mobile VPN?
All options considered, we rate ExpressVPN as the best mobile VPN on the market.
As soon as you open the app, it's clear it's a professional bit of kit. It's simply laid out, but in just a couple of taps you can access in-depth features and settings like a kill switch, different protocols, split tunneling, and auto-connect.
With 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, there's a huge range of locations to choose from, and almost every one delivers great speeds – plus, these should only increase with the introduction of the upcoming Lightway protocol.
Plus, even if none of that interests you, ExpressVPN is the best mobile VPN for accessing Netflix and other streaming services, so whatever you want it for, we reckon it's the best choice.
What makes a great mobile VPN app?
The top VPN for phone users should come from a respected provider with a history of excellence. Our #1 pick ExpressVPN is one such provider, and has been leading the way for some time now with simple, powerful mobile VPN apps, excellent privacy, and great streaming support – not to mention a killer 5-star rating in our full ExpressVPN review.
For those who need them, extra features like a kill switch and split tunneling are super useful, and neat solutions like auto-connect can make using the service much easier.
It goes without saying that you should prioritize quality mobile apps. On desktop you can get away with aged apps, but mobile VPNs need to be optimized for touchscreens and perform as seamlessly as all your other apps. All of our top picks are quick, modern, and right up to date. So, with all that in mind, here are the best five mobile VPN services for you to choose from.
What can I use a mobile VPN for?
A mobile VPN is a great way to maintain your privacy when outside the house, and it's especially important to be careful when connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi. While incredibly convenient, it's a perfect place for hackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks and compromise your data.
A VPN makes sure this won't happen by encrypting everything you send over that network, rendering it useless even if it is intercepted.
Another neat use of VPNs is the ability to stream content from other countries. If you're on holiday and want to access Netflix, you might notice your favorite shows aren't available. By using a VPN to virtually relocate yourself, you'll be able to watch the content you know and love – check out the best streaming VPN for more info.
What features should a mobile VPN have?
It's good to ensure your provider has a no-logs policy, which means it will never record any identifying data about you or your VPN uses. Even if it's forced to give evidence, it won't have anything about you to disclose.
Having reliable, fast connections is always useful. If you're out and about you might be in a rush, so it's important that you're not waiting around just because of your VPN.
Finally, it should be easy to use. Small screens are more fiddly than a huge monitor and mouse, so having a simple, clean interface is usually considered a benefit.
Can you use a free mobile VPN?
While it's possible to get a free VPN, they never come close to the usability of a paid-for service. They often come with data caps ranging from 500MB a day to 500MB a month, and you'd be surprised at how much data a quick scroll on Facebook, a few YouTube videos, and emailing some attachments uses.
On top of that, they're not as fast as a premium services – and it's worth being aware of how free VPNs make money from you, even if it isn't directly. For example, they might inject extra ads into your browser, or even sell your data to advertisers for a profit.
We think a paid-for VPN – even if it's Surfshark at less than $2.50 a month – is absolutely worth the investment.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
