Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
76% Off on NordVPN Premium
10
Yes (add-on)
2
Surfshark
$2.19 / month
Unlimited
Yes
3
Proton VPN
$9.99 / month
Unlimited
Yes
4
TotalVPN
$1.59 / month
Unlimited
Yes
Compare the Best Mobile VPNs of 2025
Best Mobile VPNs of 2025
There are so many VPNs to choose from in 2025, and unfortunately, in the mobile space, there are many that should be avoided at all costs. Fortunately, the list I have compiled below will help you choose a safe, secure VPN that will protect you, no matter where you are.
Methodology
We do not take software testing lightly at Forbes Advisor. To give providers a fair trial, I use our proprietary rubric to help rank multiple features. For the best Mobile VPNs, 15 platforms were chosen, and 44 features across nine categories were analyzed. I then tested the top 10 platforms extensively. Each VPN was then awarded a final score.
| Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Sentiment | 32% | We take into account the thoughts and opinions of real-world VPN users from review websites such as Capterra, G2, and Trustpilot so that we can better understand how the general population feels about each service. |
| Security | 22% | During testing, we evaluate VPN protocols on offer, encryption methods, split tunneling, double or multi-hop tools, kill switches, IPv6 leak protection, simultaneous connections, malware protection, Tor Over VPN, automatic Wi-Fi protection features, P2P encryption, static and dedicated IPs and perfect forward secrecy tools. I also test each provider with Wireshark and ipleak.net to ensure data is encrypted and that there are no DNS leaks. |
| Privacy | 11.50% | We evaluate each provider's policies regarding no logs, third-party audits, warrant canaries, payment anonymity, email protection, ad and cookie blocking, and whether or not RAM-only servers are in use. |
| Value | 11% | We evaluate the value of every plan offered by each VPN provider. We look at monthly and yearly costs compared to the features and tools offered. We also take into account the number of ways users can pay for subscriptions. |
| Servers and Jurisdiction | 7.50% | We take into account the number of servers each VPN provides and the number of server locations offered. We also check where the provider is located and whether or not they fall under the Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes alliances. |
| Service and Support | 6% | We interact with each provider's customer service team to see how quickly they respond to questions and concerns and how knowledgeable the support staff is. |
| Applications | 4% | We take a look at the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store to see if applications are available for Android and iOS. |
| Product Differentiators | 4% | We look at each VPN to see if they offer services that make them stand out from the crowd, such as dark web monitoring tools, ad blockers and password managers. |
| Compatibility | 2% | We take into account how many platforms the VPN is compatible with. |
What Are Five, Nine and 14 Eyes Surveillance Alliances?
Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes are government intelligence sharing communities. While it is generally illegal for countries to snoop on their citizens, itโs not always the case for governments of other countries. For example, the U.S. can ask New Zealand to watch U.S. citizens while they use a VPN, and New Zealand will be more than happy to share the data it collects.
Picking a VPN located in one of the 14 countries (the U.S., UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Spain and Italy) is fine as long as your VPN has a no-logs policy. I only recommend using VPNs with no-logs and zero-logs policies because and RAM-only servers if possible. After all, if a VPN doesnโt collect user data, it has nothing to share when subpoenaed by government agencies.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
76% Off on NordVPN Premium
10
Yes (add-on)
2
Surfshark
$2.19 / month
Unlimited
Yes
3
Proton VPN
$9.99 / month
Unlimited
Yes
4
TotalVPN
$1.59 / month
Unlimited
Yes
How To Choose the Best Mobile VPN
On choosing a VPN, Sam Mitchell, the chief revenue officer, Zaviant, a data security and privacy consultancy firm, says, โFor both individuals and businesses, a VPN is a fundamental tool for online security. It not only protects your sensitive data from hackers but also preserves your privacy in an age of constant surveillance. When choosing a VPN, prioritize providers with a proven no-logs policy, fast connection speeds and responsive customer support.โ
I agree with Mitchell. You need to ensure the VPN offers the tools that will keep you safe and secure while online and that you can trust it. Below, Iโll cover all of this and value, and ease of use, so you can be armed with information before you make a purchasing decision.
Essential Mobile VPN Features
I highly recommend ensuring the VPN youโre interested in and the plan you can comfortably afford offer the features listed below. If you settle for anything less, youโll be putting your security and privacy at risk.
- Kill switch. A kill switch is a nonnegotiable VPN feature. Kill switches break your internet connection immediately if the VPN fails, meaning your ISP and anyone else who is watching will not find out what you were doing while online.
- Zero-logs (no-logs) policy. Simply put, if a VPN does not have a zero-logs policy, avoid it. A zero-logs policy ensures that the VPN does not collect any identifiable data about you and what youโre doing online. If a VPN is subpoenaed by local law enforcement or government agencies for data, the VPN wonโt have any to share.
- VPN Protocols. Any VPN you choose should offer multiple VPN protocols so that you can protect yourself in different ways while online.
- Server locations. More servers mean faster speeds, lower latencies and the ability to break more geoblocks for streaming content.
- Split tunneling. Split tunneling allows you to choose what data gets sent through the VPN tunnel, meaning you can protect only the data you need to without compromising speeds on data that does not need to be protected.
- Dedicated servers. Dedicated servers can enhance connections for streaming, gaming and peer-to-peer networks. Check to ensure that your chosen VPN offers servers for your use case.
- Dedicated IP. A nonnegotiable for SMBs; dedicated IPs can simplify connections, enhance protection, avoid IP blocks and avoid CAPTCHA requests.
Value
Sale, sale, SALE! This is all you will see when you first visit a VPN providerโs website. However, the low costs and bright flashing lights should not distract you from the overall value of the software and potentially large renewal fees after your initial contract ends.
All VPNs let customers pay monthly, which is great, as you may not need a VPN long term. However, doing so means you will pay through the nose for that month. However, if you sign up for a year or multiple years, you can save serious coin, at least initially.
I urge you to read the small print before committing to a long-term plan, as you can pay double, and sometimes triple, what you originally paid. If you sign up for a long plan, do the smart thing and turn off auto-renewal. This will save your credit card or bank account from taking a hit when you least expect it. In terms of value, donโt be afraid to shop around. Pick the VPN that offers all the features and speeds you need at a price you can afford. You can also check out our roundup of the best free VPNs just in case you need some relief from spending money.
Ease of Use
The best mobile VPN in the universe is worthless unless it is easy to use. I highly recommend that VPN shoppers take advantage of free trials or 30-day money-back guarantees so they can try VPNs before committing to long-term deals. Download the apps, dig around the menus, test server connection speeds, and features like multi-hop and split tunneling. If you have trouble with the tools or find an application hard to navigate, move on until you find a mobile VPN that you feel comfortable with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a mobile VPN do?
A mobile VPN helps protect your online browsing and identity by changing your IP address and funneling data from your phone through an encrypted tunnel.
Is there a free VPN for mobile?
Yes, there are several free VPNs for mobile devices. You can choose from Hide.me, Proton VPN, TunnelBear and Windscribe. Just keep in mind that there will be limitations on the free plans, such as only a few servers and restricted speeds.
Do any phones have built-in VPN?
Yes, though, not many. Youโll find that Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 7 and up have a built-in VPN, and a security-focused phone from Punkt, the MC02, has a built-in VPN. Itโs important to note that iPhones do not have a VPN built-in.
Is it illegal to have a VPN on your phone?
In the U.S., it is legal to have VPNs on your phone. However, they are illegal in some countries, such as Iraq, North Korea, Belarus and Turkmenistan. Other countries, such as China, Turkey, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, do not allow the use of VPNs unless they are state-sponsored or allow users to be monitored. Other countries, such as India, require data logging. Before traveling, you should always check the local laws regarding the use of VPNs.
