The Best VPN Apps for Android, iPhone and iPad

This article is based on our years of experience using VPNs in China, where the Great Firewall severely restricts normal Internet use.

What is a VPN and why would I need one?

A Virtual Private Network – or VPN – allows you to send and receive data over the internet as if you were directly connected to a private network. However, we don’t need to go into the technical details. Below, you will find the main uses of a VPN:

• Getting around internet censorship in China, Iran, Vietnam or other countries that restrict access to a part of the internet.
• Sending sensitive information (like banking information) over an encrypted connection. This is very important if you connect to public networks.
• Access to services that are only available in some countries, such as accessing the local catalog of streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer or Amazon Prime Video.
• Creating your own VPN allows your employees to access your company’s private network, even if they are not physically connected to it.

Things to keep in mind for a VPN for Android, iPhone, or other iOS devices

• Reliability and stability: These are probably the most important features and are where the majority of the VPNs on the market don’t make the cut (most of all the free ones). For a VPN to be useful, the connection needs to be fast, without breaks in connection, and secure.
• Applications: Have you ever tried to configure a VPN account on your smartphone? I did it and it was not a pleasant experience! It doesn’t matter if your phone is running Android or iOS, it is always too complicated. You are going to have to input large codes and change them every time that you want to adjust the connection of the VPN. A good VPN offers applications for both platforms. All you have to do is download the application, sign in, and… that’s it! The application also has to allow you to configure the VPN connection regardless of where you are (for example, in the event that you want to change the server).
• Simultaneous connections: This aspect is very useful, as it means that you don’t need to disconnect the VPN from your laptop every time that you want to use it on your smartphone. Normally, 3 simultaneous connections tend to be enough.
• Encryption protocols: Many VPN providers only offer one protocol for Android or iOS devices, which is normally the L2TP protocol. Having the option of choosing between multiple encryption protocols (L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, OpenVPN) is important to be able to adapt your VPN to your needs (security or speed). This might sound too technical to you, but you don’t need to understand the details and the differences between the different protocols. The only thing that you have to know is that normally, the best protocols are OpenVPN, WireGurad, and Lightway (or similar protocols), which are the only ones that work in China. L2TP tends to be very slow, and PPTP is insecure.

The best VPNs for mobile devices

Below is the list of VPNs that we recommend for Android and iOS (iPhone, iPad) devices. To evaluate this list, we have used the following criteria:

• They are reliable and stable
• They work in China
• They allow streaming with Netflix and other platforms
• They have easy-to-use apps
• They are secure

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

While there are a large offering of VPNs on the market, very few of them are quality VPNs. In fact, if you really want to browse with your cell phone and tablet securely, without any restrictions, and at the same speed as you would without a VPN (or faster), I recommend that you choose one of the VPNs on the list, or that you keep in mind the points discussed in the first section of this article.

I would also like to remind you that if despite my recommendations, you decide to choose a VPN provider not listed here, especially if it is free or very cheap, that you read the terms of service so that you aren’t surprised later on.

Photo Credits: Photo by Arthur Bowers on Pixabay