What are the best and cheapest VPNs for Android smartphones?

#1 – CyberGhost

► Number of servers: 8221 / ► Number of countries: 91

CyberGhost is a European VPN based in Romania. And in vampire country, we don’t mess with security! This country does not have a law imposing the retention of data: you are therefore sure not to see your online activities revealed. It’s also a European VPN, so your data doesn’t go through dictatorships or tax havens. No worries about encryption: it’s AES 256 bits at all stages and you can choose your protocol: OpenVPN, IKEv2 or L2TP/IPSec. Don’t know anything about VPN? CyberGhost is very simple and without settings: to connect, all you need is a single button and the app will choose the fastest location for you.

Available on the main platforms (Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browser plugins, Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick, etc.), it is possible to connect up to 7 devices to a single account. The interface is in French and everything has been designed to facilitate its use. Want an IP in another location? CyberGhost is the VPN that offers the most different destinations: 91 countries (8221 servers) !

There are also servers optimized for VoD services or TV channels: American, Japanese or English Netflix, Disney+ US, ESPN, the BBC, but also TF1 or Canal+ France if you are abroad (with an exotic IP, you cannot enjoy your free or paid channels in normal times!). Of course, CyberGhost offers the most useful options: Tunnel App Split (to pass some apps through the VPN if needed), a ad blockera advanced WiFi protectionprotection against malicious sites and a anti tracking system. Also note that this is one of the cheapest VPNs at the moment with an offer for less than 2 euros per month !

#2 – NordVPN

► Number of servers: 5433 / ► Number of countries: 59

If you are often on the Internet, you could not miss advertisements for NordVPN. On YouTube or elsewhere, this service based in Panama deploys a lot of energy to make itself known. But is it a good VPN? The answer is yes. Before getting to the heart of the matter, remember that NordVPN has requested an external audit from PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, one of the 4 largest security audit firms in the world. This says a lot about the confidence NordVPN has in its own infrastructure.

NordVPN allows you to connect 6 different devices at the same time and is compatible with terminals under Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV and iOS. This VPN keeps no logs of your activity while offering a nice number of servers around the world. But more than the number, it is the specialized servers that are quite remarkable since it is possible to connect to a server for P2P exchanges or for the Tor protocol. It is even allowed to duplicate the VPN or hide from the network that you are using a VPN (obfuscated server) for even more security. Encryption is rock solid (AES-256 CBC) with the protocol of your choice OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec or IKEv2/IPSec (and PPTP for older devices). Fear not, NordVPN has you covered whether you’re connecting from mobile or computer. NordVPN also offers 24/7 support in French and a money-back guarantee. Note that there are also slightly more expensive offers with a password manager and a secure 1TB cloud.

#3 – ProtonVPN

► Number of servers: 1790 / ► Number of countries: 63

ProtonMail is considered a “serious” VPN. At the origin of the project, we find ProtonMail which is an encrypted webmail created by cryptography experts from CERN (a scientific research organization located in Geneva). ProtonVPN is therefore based in Switzerland where the laws regarding the respect of personal data are very strict. The service operates on its own dedicated network with a datacenter located in a former military bunker buried 1000 m under the Alps. ProtonVPN is also a very fast VPN with speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s while offering advanced features such as these servers that work in concert with a connection via Tor. Remember that this decentralized computer network which uses a system of servers organized in layers is virtually unbreakable if it is coupled with a VPN.

But ProntonVPN also offers a new feature: SecureCore. This consists of passing your traffic through countries selected for their strict anonymity legislation: Switzerland, Sweden and Iceland. SecureCore will double that protection by bouncing you around in those three countries. Impossible to trace you with these two exclusive features.

Of course ProntonVPN offers the same features as its competitors: P2P servers, cross-platform support, Kill Switch, ad filtering, DNS leak prevention, etc.

#4 – SurfShark

► Number of servers: 3200+ / ► Number of countries: 95

Surfshark is one of the least known of the lot and it is also one of the least expensive. However, it offers several interesting things: an ad blocker and “trackers”, protection against phishing and an obfuscation mode to camouflage your use of a VPN. Even your ISP won’t notice you’re using the service. Surfshark is also the only VPN to allow the connection of an unlimited number of devices. Data splitting is also possible: you can decide which software or application uses the VPN or not. Indeed, some apps can block if they detect a VPN. This is particularly the case for banking apps or PayPal.

Like the other VPNs in this selection, you can be sure that Surfshark does not store any information about you. This was confirmed by an external audit carried out by Cure53, a German company specializing in pentesting. Note also the presence of a KillSwitch which will disconnect you from the Internet in the event of a temporary failure of the VPN. Like NordVPN, Surfshark allows the use of a double VPN, bouncing traffic across two servers in two different countries. Encryption is provided by the AES-256-GCM algorithm and the default protocol is IKEv2/IPsec even if it is possible to change to OpenVPN. Here too we take you by the hand if you are a stranger to the world of VPNs and you can take advantage of a refund offer if you change your mind…