The best VPNs for Android keep your online activity on your Android devices private from your ISP or mobile carrier. With a VPN enabled, all of your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through a secure server, so your ISP and mobile carrier can’t know what apps you use or websites you visit. Likewise, apps and websites cannot collect information about you, such as your real IP address or general location. To select the best of the best for Android, we conducted in-depth hands-on evaluations on features and performance, including over 250 individual Internet speed tests, hours of streaming videos on various streaming platforms, and checking for DNS leaks. We tried Android apps on phones and tablets to determine the best Android VPNs, but we also used apps on other operating systems, including iOS, Windows, macOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, to make sure the user experience is valid across all platforms.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Android and a provider that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to privacy and transparency. It’s a safe choice for privacy-conscious VPN users, and also a fantastic option for casual users as it’s extremely easy to use, fast, and excellent for streaming on Android devices.
Benefits
- Strong commitment to confidentiality and transparency
- Cutting-edge security enhancements
- Great for streaming on the go
- Stylish and user-friendly Android app
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
Disadvantages
- Dear
- No multihop connection
Surfshark is a solid option for anyone looking for a premium Android VPN experience at a cheaper price than ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Surfshark has an impressive list of useful premium features that provide a lot of value. It can’t quite match NordVPN’s speed or ExpressVPN’s overall privacy stance, but it comes remarkably close at a cheaper price. Overall, Surfshark is a top-rated VPN for Android that demonstrates consistent improvement year after year.
Benefits
- Many unique privacy features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Great for streaming Netflix, Disney Plus and more on the go
- User-friendly app experience on Android
Disadvantages
- 14 Eyes Jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- Recent significant increase in renewal prices
NordVPN is the fastest Android VPN, making it a great choice for people who need fast speeds for video streaming, mobile gaming, or lag-free Zoom calls on their Android devices. It also offers a handful of privacy-enhancing options and innovative features like Meshnet. Even though Express remains slightly ahead in privacy and transparency and other VPNs offer cheaper long-term pricing, NordVPN still offers an impressive all-around service that continues to improve. In July 2025, NordVPN launched a scam call protection feature on Android, making it an even more compelling mobile VPN.
Benefits
- Blazing speeds
- Robust privacy and transparency
- Ideal for streaming Netflix, Hulu and other services on Android
- User-friendly Android app
Disadvantages
- Exorbitant renewal price
- Limited split-tunneling control on Android
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What is the best VPN for Android in 2026?
ExpressVPN is currently CNET’s top pick for the best Android VPN, thanks to its Android app’s exceptional performance and commitment to privacy and transparency. The Android app is intuitive without compromising on privacy features. Best of all, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol has been recoded to improve its speeds, security, and overall performance – so you can stay private and stream content smoothly, even on the go. However, ExpressVPN’s price is near the higher end of the spectrum.
Surfshark is one of the most wallet-friendly Android VPNs on our list. Don’t be fooled by the relatively low prices of Surfshark’s annual plans; there are no corners cut when it comes to privacy features. There are plenty of international server locations to choose from, fast connection speeds, and plenty of unique privacy extras. Surfshark offers a premium VPN experience without breaking the bank. Additionally, Surfshark allows an unlimited number of devices to connect simultaneously on a single subscription, making it ideal for Android users with a large number of other devices.
NordVPN is the fastest VPN for Android, making it invaluable if you want to stream content to your Android device (or any other platform, for that matter). NordVPN also comes with other unique utility features such as Meshnet. This allows you to easily transfer files between your devices over NordVPN’s encrypted network, which is a boon for any Android user looking to easily transfer files, quickly and securely. In July 2025, NordVPN rolled out a scam call protection feature in its Android app, strengthening its privacy and security offerings for Android users.
| ExpressVPN | Surfshark | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $13 per month, $75 total for the first 15 months (then $100 per year) or $98 total for the first 28 months (then $100 per year) | $15 per month, $48 total for the first 15 months or $54 total for the first 27 months (one- and two-year plans renew at $79 per year) | $13 per month, $70 for the first 15 months or $81 for the first 27 months (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year) |
| Server network | More than 3,000 servers in 105 countries | More than 4,500 servers in 100 countries | More than 7,800 servers in 126 countries |
| Average Internet Speed Loss | 18% | 21% | 3% |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | 10 |
| Supported Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, web browsers, routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, web browsers, routers | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, web browsers, routers |
The best Android VPN of 2026
Benefits
- Strong commitment to confidentiality and transparency
- Cutting-edge security enhancements
- Great for streaming on the go
- Stylish and user-friendly Android app
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
Disadvantages
- Dear
- No multihop connection
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Android and a provider that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to privacy and transparency. It’s a safe choice for privacy-conscious VPN users, and also a fantastic option for casual users as it’s extremely easy to use, fast, and excellent for streaming on Android devices.
Why we love it
With ExpressVPN, you’ll benefit from a simple Android app interface, making ExpressVPN an ideal choice for beginners. In addition to Android, ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV Stick. ExpressVPN’s streaming performance is impressive. We were able to access content from popular streaming sites like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video on Android and all other devices we tested. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN, which should be enough for most users.
You’ll need fast speeds for streaming and other data-intensive activities like gaming and video calls. Fortunately, ExpressVPN delivers on its promises. We measured an average speed loss of 18% in our latest speed tests with ExpressVPN.
If you have heightened privacy needs, you’ll appreciate ExpressVPN’s approach to transparency and user privacy. The provider leads the industry with 23 independent audits since 2018 and sets a standard by constantly rolling out innovative privacy enhancements. ExpressVPN has kept pace with post-quantum security standards, offering quantum-resistant encryption on its Lightway and WireGuard protocols. IP Shuffle is another useful feature that works in the background and changes your IP address every time you load a website, making it even more difficult to track you online. ExpressVPN’s kill switch works as advertised and we didn’t encounter any leaks in our latest tests. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology takes RAM-only server infrastructure to the next level by reinstalling the entire server stack and wiping all data with each reboot. The company also recently announced an upcoming privacy-focused AI tool, ExpressAI.
ExpressVPN is a complete VPN and one of the best you can buy. But the problem is that you will pay extra. The monthly subscription plan costs $13 per month, which is pretty standard in the industry. If you choose the annual subscription, you’ll pay $75 total for the first 15 months (renews at $100 per year) or $98 total for the first 28 months (renews at $100 per year). ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have the opportunity to try the service before committing fully.
- Also featured in: Best VPN service, best VPN for iPhone
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Benefits
- Many unique privacy features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Great for streaming Netflix, Disney Plus and more on the go
- User-friendly app experience on Android
Disadvantages
- 14 Eyes Jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- Recent significant increase in renewal prices
Surfshark is a solid option for anyone looking for a premium Android VPN experience at a cheaper price than ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Surfshark offers u ne impressive list of useful premium features that offer a lot of value. It can’t quite match NordVPN’s speed or ExpressVPN’s overall privacy stance, but it comes remarkably close at a cheaper price. Overall, Surfshark is a top-rated VPN for Android that demonstrates consistent improvement year after year.
Why we love it
Surfshark’s Android app is sleek and simple to use, just like the apps it offers on other platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV. Surfshark’s streaming experience was solid on Android, expertly unblocking content on popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Max. Its overall performance is in line with what we expect from a top VPN service, and it offers unlimited simultaneous connections while most VPNs limit you to 10 or less.
We’re impressed by Surfshark’s consistently high speeds over the past few years, with average speed loss hovering around 15%. We measured an average speed loss of 21% in our 2025 speed tests, which is technically slower than previous years, but should not result in a noticeable difference in practice. Surfshark’s network of over 3,200 servers across 100 different countries is vast, but slightly smaller than those provided by ExpressVPN (105 countries), Proton VPN. (126 countries) and NordVPN (126 countries). A large server network like the one offered by Surfshark can help ensure fast speeds and stable connections by minimizing congestion and providing more options for more users to connect to servers near their physical location.
In addition to the standard VPN privacy features on Android, Surfshark includes a few unique features that make it stand out from the pack. Dynamic Multihop lets you cycle through two server locations of your choice for an extra layer of privacy, and Rotating IP changes your IP address every few minutes, making it harder to track you online. Surfshark Alternate ID allows you to generate a complete alter ego with full name, date of birth, physical address and email address that you can use online without revealing your true identity. Another unique feature that Surfshark offers on Android is the ability to override your GPS location, which can help you unblock streaming content – like sports or local shows – on services that rely on GPS to detect your location. You also have the option of using smaller IP packets on Android if you’re having issues on your mobile network.
Surfshark includes post-quantum protections on its WireGuard protocol to protect against potential future threats from quantum computers. Even as Surfshark continues to catch up on transparency, we’re encouraged by company representatives who tell us the company is committed to annual third-party audits.
Although Surfshark’s $15.45 per month pricing makes it one of the most expensive monthly subscription prices in the industry, its longer-term plans are reasonably priced. The annual plan costs a total of $48 for the first 15 months, while the biennial plan costs a total of $54 for the first 27 months, with both the annual and biennial plans renewing at $79 per year. Surfshark’s renewal prices have increased this year, but its overall price remains significantly cheaper than expensive VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Like many other VPNs, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the service.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for Windows, Best VPN for Fire TV
Benefits
- Blazing speeds
- Robust privacy and transparency
- Ideal for streaming Netflix, Hulu and other services on Android
- User-friendly Android app
Disadvantages
- Exorbitant renewal price
- Limited split-tunneling control on Android
NordVPN is the fastest Android VPN, making it a great choice for people who need fast speeds for video streaming, mobile gaming, or lag-free Zoom calls on their Android devices. It also offers a handful of privacy-enhancing options and innovative features like Meshnet. Even though Express remains slightly ahead in privacy and transparency and other VPNs offer cheaper long-term pricing, NordVPN still offers an impressive all-around service that continues to improve. In July 2025, NordVPN launched a scam call protection feature on Android, making it an even more compelling mobile VPN.
Why we love it
In our testing, NordVPN was a great choice for streaming on Android, effortlessly unblocking content on popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Max. Additionally, we had no problem watching BBC iPlayer, CBC Gem, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and several other regional streaming services.
With a sizable list of over 7,800 servers across 126 countries, NordVPN is excellent for international travel: its global reach is slightly greater than that of Proton VPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. Although NordVPN doesn’t allow unlimited simultaneous connections like Surfshark does, its capacity of 10 simultaneous devices should still be enough for most people.
Alongside standard VPN protocols NordLynx (based on WireGuard) and OpenVPN, Nord offers its proprietary obfuscation-oriented NordWhisper on Android, which disguises your VPN traffic as traditional web traffic to bypass firewalls and hide your VPN usage. NordWhisper could be useful in situations like on school Wi-Fi or any other situation where the network you’re on doesn’t work well with VPNs. You’ll get Double VPN (which routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one) and Onion on VPN servers (which use Tor) to make it even harder to trace your traffic back to its source. Meshnet allows you to create a virtual local network of PCs, mobile devices and streaming devices for secure file sharing or hosting LAN parties. NordVPN recently announced the latest audit of its no-logging policy, which helps increase peace of mind.
Initially, NordVPN offers decent value at $13 per month, $70 total for the first 15 months, or $81 total for the first 27 months. However, the annual and biennial plans renew at the astronomical price of $140 per year, which is considerably more than the $79-80 that Surfshark and Proton VPN renew for. Despite its exorbitant renewal price, NordVPN is a superb VPN for everyone, from streaming fanatics to people with critical privacy needs. If you are not satisfied with the service, your purchase is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Also featured in: Best VPN for streaming, best VPN for Netflix
ExpressVPN has industry-leading privacy and security features and received a CNET Editor’s Choice award. It’s extremely easy to use, fast, and great for streaming. Right now, you can get 61% off when you sign up for a two-year subscription, plus four months free on any of ExpressVPN’s three subscription tiers.
With so many Android VPN apps available, it can be difficult to choose the right solution. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, here are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for Android:
Confidentiality
No matter which VPN you use on Android or any other device, the bare minimum you need to consider is that it protects your privacy. Look for a VPN that uses standard 256-bit AES encryption over the OpenVPN protocol, or ChaCha20 over WireGuard or IKEv2. These protocols have undergone extensive review by the open source community and are widely trusted, so you can rely on them to keep your data private.
There are also a few privacy features you’ll need to pay attention to. Any reputable VPN provider will offer a kill switch, which cuts off your internet connection if you’re suddenly cut off from your VPN, keeping your IP address and online activity private. You’ll also want to look for DNS leak protection and an audited no-logging policy. Independent audits are one of the best ways to assess whether a VPN provider is truly committed to keeping your data private. It’s also important to review your VPN’s privacy policy, which should be easy to understand and include clear language regarding data collection and sharing. If you’re a power user, you might appreciate advanced features like split tunneling, which lets you use a VPN for some traffic but not others.
For critical privacy needs – like if you’re an investigative journalist, asylum seeker, political activist, or concerned torrent user – you’ll also need a VPN provider that’s based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and offers an obfuscation feature. Obfuscation helps hide the fact that you are using a VPN by disguising your VPN traffic as normal HTTPS browsing traffic. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities for an extra layer of privacy, ad and tracking blockers, and multi-hop connections, which encrypt your traffic twice through two separate VPN servers rather than just one.
Speed
Your VPN’s speed performance can have a major effect on activities like streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming, and general web browsing. To keep everything running smoothly, you’ll want to look for a VPN that will have as little impact on your regular internet speeds as possible. A fast VPN should only reduce your internet download speeds by 25% or less on average, with the fastest VPN we tested only reducing our speeds by 3%. Keep in mind that you might end up with slower speeds and worse latency if you connect to a server far from your current location. It’s worth checking a VPN provider’s server location list before committing to make sure there’s a server relatively close to you.
User-friendliness
A good Android VPN should work well and be easy to use, regardless of your technical expertise. It should have all the features you need easily accessible with just the touch of a finger. Many Android VPN apps also include an easy way to contact support directly from the device, which can be useful if you need help on the go. Your Android VPN should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably wherever you are, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from dive rs regions.
Cost
VPN prices can vary widely between providers, so if you’re on a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your Android VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend between $5 and $15 per month for a VPN subscription. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, whose introductory prices range from around $30 to $100 for the first year and renewal prices range between $50 and $150 per year. Be careful with free VPNs because you risk putting your privacy at risk instead of protecting it. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN recommended by CNET.
There are many other free VPNs, especially on mobile platforms. But it’s very difficult to confirm whether most of them have a sensible no-logging policy. Especially in the case of completely free VPNs, they tend to monetize your data usage by showing you ads or selling your browsing data to marketing companies. In the worst cases, they are simply spyware apps masquerading as VPNs that hackers use to harvest your passwords and banking information for identity theft attacks. You might be tempted to save a few dollars by using a free VPN, but it might end up costing you more than you bargained for.
There are several ways to try out a VPN before purchasing one, especially if you’re primarily concerned with Android devices. It’s not uncommon for a VPN provider to offer some sort of money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the service, which typically covers between the first week and 45 days of subscription. Please note, you must consult the conditions beforehand to ensure that you are entitled to a refund. Some providers won’t offer you a refund unless there is an explicit technical issue with the VPN, while others will give you your money back with no questions asked. There’s also the option to try a seven-day trial through the Play Store, which most VPN providers offer when you sign up. Again, you need to be savvy here. You will be billed through your Play Store-linked payment information at the end of the free trial period and, depending on the provider, you may be limited to a plan of one year or more from the start. If you are not satisfied with the service, be sure to unsubscribe completely and delete the app before your trial period ends.
Streaming
Although VPNs are primarily privacy tools, they are also great for unblocking geo-restricted streaming content. Because you can make apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer register your connection as coming from somewhere else, you can watch libraries of foreign content and maybe even save money by using a VPN for streaming. For streaming on Android phones, tablets, or Android TV boxes, you may want to consider one of the best VPNs for Netflix or the best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video.
To evaluate the best VPNs for Android, we review the features offered on each VPN’s Android app and test them over several weeks to see how they compare to similar features offered by other VPN providers.
Speed
To get an idea of VPN speed performance, we run over 250 individual internet speed tests per provider, including speed tests to different countries and on different protocols. Next, we calculate the average speed lost when connecting to each VPN.
Usability and Features
We evaluate the look We have the feel of the application and the overall usability of the software, and we test to see how easy it is to connect to a server and how easy it is to search and find a specific server to connect to. Additionally, we test the performance and reliability of the VPN connection on each of the protocols available in the provider’s Android app.
Confidentiality
Because privacy is paramount, we leak test and evaluate each service’s privacy features, including its kill switch functionality to ensure everything works as it should on Android. We also review privacy policies for possible red flags.
Value
We evaluate each provider’s prices to determine the overall value of the service. Ideally, we’d like to see easy access to 24/7 live support right from the Android app interface, so users can get the help they need on the go. We also take into account overall performance and features that go beyond the norm on Android and set a VPN provider apart from the pack.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is an open source VPN provider based in Switzerland with a strong commitment to user privacy. Proton VPN’s Android app is easy to use and includes a kill switch that is always enabled by default, as well as a VPN accelerator feature that the company claims can increase your VPN speed by up to 400%. If you’re looking for a free VPN, Proton is the only one CNET recommends.
On Android, you can even replace the Proton VPN app icon with a discreet app icon that says Weather, Notes, or Calculator, hiding the fact that you have a VPN installed on your mobile device. Alongside its Stealth VPN protocol, which uses obfuscation to hide your VPN usage, Proton is a great choice for anyone with serious privacy concerns, like asylum seekers, investigative journalists, or political activists. But it’s also a great VPN for streaming or gaming. Whether you want to unblock streaming services or have critical privacy needs, Proton VPN is a great choice.
Proton VPN does not implement bandwidth limits on its free tier, but it does have some restrictions. Instead of being able to access servers in all 126 countries on its network of over 13,600 servers, you will only be able to connect to the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Canada, Norway, Singapore, Poland, and the United States. You also won’t have access to Proton’s premium features like Tor over VPN, Secure Core servers, or its ad blocker add-on. If you want to upgrade to the premium plan, the monthly price starts at $10. You will pay $48 for the first year or $72 for the first two years. Both of these plans renew annually at $80 per year and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our Proton VPN review.
IPVanish
IPVanish is a decent VPN for Android that offers a satisfying mobile app experience for beginners. (Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) IPVanish’s Android app includes features such as a kill switch, split tunneling, protocol selection (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2), threat protection, and direct connection to 24/7 customer support. The VPN offers servers in 111 countries, making it an attractive choice for travel and international streaming. However, the 44% average speed loss we measured in our latest speed tests puts it well behind the competition.
IPVanish costs $13 per month, $40 for the first year, or $52 total for the first two years. The introductory price of longer-term plans is usually fair for what you get, as it has a large server network and unlimited concurrent connection allowance. But annual and biennial plans renew at $90 per year after the initial billing period. At these prices, it’s extremely difficult to recommend IPVanish given its slow speeds, unremarkable features, and average overall performance.
IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but only if you’re on the annual or biennial plan, which could be disappointing for anyone who buys a monthly subscription and decides they don’t like the service.
Read our IPVanish review.
What is the best Android VPN right now?
With its impressive performance, speed and user-friendliness, ExpressVPN is CNET’s current top pick for the best Android VPN. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s currently one of the most user-friendly and private VPN options. Surfshark Coming in a close second among the Android VPN choices and offers a simple and effective app. NordVPN, the third best option is a heavyweight that costs more than Surfshark but less than Express.
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What is a mobile VPN?
A mobile VPN is a VPN optimized for use on mobile devices. The best VPN providers we’ve tested all have excellent mobile apps that work on both Android and iOS devices. Using a mobile VPN can also offer faster speeds than desktop VPNs because they generally require less processing power and have a smaller memory footprint.
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What is the best free VPN for Android?
We do not recommend using most free VPNs as they are often risky. Free VPNs typically make money by selling user data, and some have even been found to be riddled with malware. Additionally, free VPNs are often slow, impose usage and data limits, offer minimal server selection, and are often less secure than paid VPNs. Proton VPN is the only free VPN we recommend because it offers a free tier that doesn’t sacrifice privacy or impose usage limits. Check out CNET’s list of the best cheap VPNs if you want to find a premium, budget-friendly VPN.
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What does my ISP see when I’m connected to my VPN?
Your Internet service provider will see that you are connected to a VPN, but they will not be able to see any of your Internet activity, such as the websites you visit or your browsing history, because your traffic is encrypted. It will also see things like the IP address of the VPN server you’re connecting through, the timestamp of your connection, and the amount of data transmitted. You can connect to a hidden server, if your VPN offers it, to hide your VPN usage from your ISP.
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Can an Android VPN make me completely anonymous online?
No VPN can make you completely anonymous online. There seems to be a common misconception that VPNs can make you anonymous, but don’t be fooled into a false sense of security when using a VPN. Online anonymity is virtually impossible to achieve, given the size of the average person’s digital footprint. VPNs are great for protecting your privacy and protecting your data from online snoops, but you can’t rely on your VPN to give you absolute anonymity online, even if it claims to.
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Does Android have a built-in VPN?
No, Android doesn’t have V Integrated PN. While there is built-in VPN support, allowing you to add information such as a domain name, server address, and username/password, you still need a VPN service. The easiest way to set up a VPN on Android is to simply use your VPN provider’s native Android app.
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Is it safe to use a VPN on Android?
A VPN is safe to use on Android as long as you use a reputable VPN provider. We recommend sticking with a VPN service that has been audited by a legitimate third party to back up its no-logging claims. Additionally, look for AES-256-bit encryption on the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols, or ChaCha20 on WireGuard.
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Do Android VPNs work with Netflix?
Yes, the best Android VPNs all worked exceptionally well with Netflix in our tests on Android as well as other platforms. If you want to stream international Netflix content, we recommend checking out our list of the best VPNs for Netflix, each of which works well on Android devices.
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