It’s no surprise that privacy apps have gained importance in recent years, not least for Android users. After testing 30+ privacy apps, I found that a VPN is the #1 piece of software you can use to improve your privacy on Android overall. A VPN improves your privacy by creating a secure tunnel for your traffic to travel through while hiding your real IP address. The #1 VPN for privacy on Android is ExpressVPN. It has a secure network of state-of-the-art security features and superfast speeds. It’s even backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. Protect your Android device with ExpressVPN
Short on Time? Here Are the Best Privacy Apps for Android in 2023
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The Best Privacy Apps for Android — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)
1. DuckDuckGo — Private Search Engine with Added Functionality
Key Features: DuckDuckGo began life as an alternative search engine to Google with a much greater emphasis on user privacy. Your search history and IP address are never recorded and there is no tracking, making it a true anonymity-first approach.
DuckDuckGo offers all of the above on Android within its private browsing app (although you can also visit the website itself if you just need the search functionality). It allows you to search privately without being followed by advertisers, as well as seeing a privacy grade for all websites you visit so you know how well your data is being protected. The app even has an effective ad blocker bundled with it, although this only applies to ads that load in the browser, not device-wide. However, the tracking blocker can be set up to block trackers from all the apps on your Android device, giving you warnings as to which companies are attempting to track you.
2. Signal Private Messenger — Ultra-Private Messaging Client
Key Features: Signal is similar to WhatsApp and other messaging clients, but it has a much greater emphasis on privacy. Its end-to-end encryption means that only you and the person you’re communicating with can read the messages. This ensures that your interactions are protected from hackers, government surveillance, and other prying eyes. Additionally, Signal doesn’t store your messages on its servers, so there’s no risk of your data being hacked or breached.
You’ll only have to grant Signal minimal permission requirements. The app only asks for permissions that are necessary for it to function properly, which is a stark contrast to some other messaging apps that ask for extensive permissions that can compromise your privacy. Signal Messenger also provides a disappearing messages feature that allows you to set a timer for messages to automatically delete themselves after a certain amount of time. This is a great feature for those who want to keep their conversations private and secure.
3. ProtonMail — Secure Encrypted Swiss Email Service
Key Features: ProtonMail is a fully-encrypted email service based in privacy-friendly Switzerland. It was built from the ground up for privacy and to avoid data mining, tracking, and phishing. All emails are sent end-to-end encrypted, unlike many other popular email services that still have the power to decrypt messages if they choose to (or if law enforcement asks them to).
Its servers are located in Switzerland, which is known for its privacy-friendly laws. It also offers 2FA to help keep your account even safer in case your login details are compromised. Best of all, it takes almost no getting used to. There’s no technical setup, simply register for an account as you would with any email provider and you’re good to go.
4. Bouncer — App Permissions Manager for Android
Key Features: Many Android apps request far more intrusive permissions than they really need. The Bouncer app is true to its name and lets you grant permission on a granular and even temporary basis, so your privacy isn’t compromised in the long term. You can choose to enable specific permissions only for a certain amount of time, so even if you forget to disable them again, Bouncer will take care of it for you. If you prefer, you can also have permissions revoked as soon as you exit a specific app.
Although this is fantastic for security and privacy, it can also be a benefit to your Android device overall. For instance, removing the ability for constant GPS access or stopping unwanted processes from running in the background can be a huge battery saver. Fortunately, Bouncer also requires no special permissions to run itself!
5. LastPass Password Manager — Secure Your Passwords and Sensitive Info
Key Features: Weak passwords are one of the main ways that data breaches and hacks occur, making the creation and storage of strong passwords key to your digital security. LastPass is one of the leading password managers for Android (with sync across multiple device types).
Besides helping you create strong and unique passwords, LastPass can also store bank cards, bank account details, and addresses (and then later auto-fills this info into relevant fields online). For someone who frequently logs into various apps and websites, as many of us do, it’s a massive time-saver. You can also share individual items with specific people or set up shared folders for large amounts of data. This can be useful if you’re sharing logins for services with family or friends since the details will be kept up-to-date for everyone. Within the LastPass Vault, you also have access to an encrypted Notes section, where you can safely store other confidential information away from prying eyes.
6. Hushed — Private All-Online Temporary Phone Number App
Key Features: Hushed is a private phone number app that lets you get local numbers from over 300 area codes in the US, Canada, and UK. It’s a great option if you need to make regular calls but still want to maintain a layer of privacy. You can even manage multiple numbers under the same account.
Hushed is perfect if you don’t want to expose your real number to strangers or businesses that will potentially add you to a telemarketing list. Best of all, you don’t even need a new SIM card to use it — it all just works within the app and over the internet. Similar to a regular phone with a SIM, it supports full call capabilities, texting, MMS, as well as voicemail, call forwarding, and more. If you’re done with a number or conversation, simply delete it or wipe your messages and they’ll be removed for good.
7. Find My Device — Remotely Find, Lock, Erase or Notify Your Device
Key Features: Having your Android device lost or stolen is undoubtedly bad for your privacy — someone else could gain access to sensitive files or data that you’d never want anyone to see. Fortunately, Google’s Find My Device app gives you some options in terms of locating your device.
The app requires a minute or two of initial setup, where you opt-in to allow your device to be remotely unlocked and/or erased, and then you’re pretty much set. Once set up, you can log in to Google’s Find My Device website and see where your phone was last active on a map. If it has an active internet connection you can even get real-time updates on your phone’s location, as well as force it to ring out at a high volume for up to 5 minutes. If someone else has taken it and you’re nearby at the time, you should quickly know about it! If all else fails and it seems like a lost cause, you can remotely wipe your phone to ensure that no sensitive files fall into the wrong hands.
8. Smart AppLock — Specialized Android App Lock
Key Features: If you’ve ever wanted to have more control over which of your apps are password protected, Smart AppLock has the fix. You can select any app on your Android phone and add a password to it, whether via pattern, pin, or fingerprint.
If someone enters the wrong password, you can set up an automatic selfie alert to see who it was. In the event they continue to get your password wrong, the app can even display a fake crash screen to scare them off. A clever feature is that you can disguise your private apps by choosing a different icon, throwing potential snoopers off the scent. Finally, if you’re worried someone might uninstall apps, make or receive phone calls, or access your app history on your Android device, you can lock all of these functions. With a few of these settings, you can make your Android device a nightmare for any overly-inquisitive people in your life!
9. Google Authenticator — A Safe Haven for Your 2FA Codes
Key Features: Two-factor authentication (2FA) should be a core part of your login security, especially when it comes to sensitive accounts like banking and email. Unfortunately, SMS-based 2FA has been proven to be weak and easy to socially engineer, leaving 2FA apps as the most reliable solution.
With Google Authenticator you can easily import 2FA codes, either by scanning a QR code or entering a setup code. Your 2FA codes will then always be accessible from within the app, with labels for each service you registered. It also works without a data connection, so you can even get hold of urgent codes if you’re offline.
10. Norton Security & Antivirus — Antivirus with Useful Privacy Features
Key Features: Although Norton is known for providing strong antivirus protection, Norton on Android brings plenty of other privacy-focused features to the table. Norton can scan your apps and Android updates to ensure there are no privacy and security risks. You can set it up to block calls and texts from unknown numbers, which is especially useful if you’re frequently plagued by telemarketing calls. It’s also got a useful ad and tracker blocker to keep annoying third parties from spying on your browsing activities. Be aware that some features, such as Norton’s dark web monitoring and VPN, are only available with its more expensive plans. Protect your Android with ExpressVPN
Tips on How to Choose the Best Privacy Apps
When choosing the best privacy apps for Android, it’s important to consider the following points:
Open source software: Apps that have their code available for review tend to be more trustworthy since experts can audit their code anytime and hold them accountable for any potential flaws. All-rounders: Some privacy apps, like VPNs, offer multiple privacy features at once, helping you reduce the complexity and bloat of running multiple apps together. Verified on the Google Play Store: Stick to apps that are available and verified on the official Google Play Store. Although insecure apps can slip through the cracks, they’re overall more likely to be legitimate and free from malware. Good reputation and reviews: Check out the app’s reputation and reviews online, as this can give you an idea of its reliability and effectiveness. Privacy-focused and minimal permission requirements: Apps that have excessive permission requirements are cumbersome and potentially dangerous. User-friendly interfaces: The apps should be simple for users to navigate. Good compatibility across devices: The apps should work well across different Android devices and versions. Good customer support: Good customer support is key in case of issues that need solving quickly.
The Best VPNs for Android (Tested in 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Privacy and Speeds on Android and Other Devices
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the best VPN for privacy on Android, thanks to its blazing-fast speeds and highly-secure server network to protect your online Android traffic. It was one of the earliest VPNs to employ fully RAM-based servers (known as TrustedServers), so your data is never written to a disk and is wiped upon every reboot. It also offers cutting-edge protocols, including OpenVPN, and its own Lightway protocol. In tests I’ve run, Lightway has outperformed OpenVPN as well as WireGuard — a protocol known for being speedy. In fact, ExpressVPN reached average speeds of 300Mbps across multiple global servers (only a 20% decrease from my base speeds of 350Mbps), making it roughly 30% faster than the next-fastest VPN on this list. There are multiple features on Android to help improve your privacy and security. These include a built-in IP and DNS leak checker to confirm you’re properly connected and not exposing any sensitive information. Some of ExpressVPN’s other security features on Android include:
Military-grade 256-AES encryption — scrambles your data so it’s illegible to prying eyes. Independently audited no-log policy — guarantees that your traffic is never stored. Kill switch — blocks your internet if your VPN connection drops. Password generator — ensures you’re using strong logins. Local WiFi protection — blocks access from devices on the same network.
If you’re a streaming fan, ExpressVPN won’t disappoint. I tried streaming Netflix US on my Samsung S22 and was happy to see that it could handle UHD speeds even on relatively distant US servers. With ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature I could also make sure that only the streaming apps were passing through the VPN tunnel while my other traffic was unaffected (remaining at normal speed and latency). You can get access to a multitude of streaming services on your Android device, including: Although ExpressVPN’s pricing is higher than other VPNs on this list, it still offers some good deals. With 49% off of the 1-year subscription and an additional 3 months free, you’re getting great value on the best Android VPN on the market. You can buy ExpressVPN with confidence due to its 30-day money-back guarantee. I verified this policy by contacting support and requesting a refund. The rep didn’t ask any further questions and simply confirmed the refund within minutes. I had the money back 3 days later. Try ExpressVPN on Android
2. CyberGhost — Streaming-Optimized Servers to Watch Shows Seamlessly on Android
Key Features: While several VPNs cut corners when it comes to mobile apps, CyberGhost’s Android suite is almost as fully-featured as its desktop version. Some of its main privacy tools worth mentioning are its local WiFi protection and content blocker that prevents trackers from following you around the web. This is especially effective on Android, where device fingerprinting is less effective, giving you a higher level of privacy with just a single app. While CyberGhost offers specialized streaming, gaming, and torrenting servers on desktop, it only includes optimized streaming servers on Android. From my experience, these servers are highly effective and give you reliable access to the following services: Fortunately, CyberGhost’s server speeds are more than capable of handling UHD video playback, so you can watch your favorite content on the go without a hitch. I reached average speeds of 228Mbps in my tests, which was roughly 24% slower than ExpressVPN. I had no issue streaming video, downloading, and browsing the web simultaneously with rock-solid connectivity. CyberGhost improves privacy on Android with its Content Blocker, which stops domains linked to trackers, malware, and ads. It’s not as effective as a dedicated ad blocker but still sits firmly at the top end of VPN-bundled ad blockers. CyberGhost protects your Android devices with various other security features, including:
256-bit AES encryption — makes your data unreadable if accessed. NoSpy servers — offer heightened physical security and bandwidth. Kill switch — protects device traffic in case the VPN connection is interrupted. Domain fronting — helps bypass internet censorship. An audited zero-logs policy — ensures your data is never saved to a disk.
My main issue with CyberGhost is with the pricing of its short-term plans and the fact they only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. However, if you go with a longer-term subscription such as the 2-year + 3 months plan, you end up paying a low $2.11 per month. With the long-term plan you can also try CyberGhost risk-free for 45 days with its money-back guarantee. I got a hassle-free refund when I contacted support via the 24/7 live chat and was happy to receive a no-questions-asked confirmation in just a couple of minutes. The money was back in my account 4 days later. Protect your Android with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access — Best VPN-Bundled Ad Blocker to Keep Android Devices Secure
Key Features: Like CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA) also employs an ad blocker, and PIA’s MACE blocker is the best VPN-bundled ad blocker I’ve used. Keep in mind that, due to Google restrictions, PIA can’t include MACE in its Play Store version, but you can easily download and install the PIA APK file from the official site. It’s a great tool for ensuring added privacy against trackers and the horde of ads across the web. PIA is one of the most customizable VPNs I’ve come across, not just on desktop, but also on Android. You can freely choose between protocols, as well as which encryption levels, ports, and package sizes they use. The kill switch is optional, and you can even set up a proxy to run your connection through. There’s a lot to change if you desire, but thankfully the default setting also works great, without any need for technical know-how. Additionally, PIA’s security and privacy features include:
Military-grade encryption — hides your activity. Independently audited no-logs policy — guarantees no data is stored on a server. Leak protection — hides your real IP and DNS addresses. InBrowser incognito browser — comes with TOR support (but requires additional installation).
Although PIA isn’t on the same level as CyberGhost and ExpressVPN when it comes to content access, it’s still overall a good choice for streaming. It offers reliable access to the following services: Those who put careful consideration into where a VPN is headquartered should know that PIA is based in the US, which is at the heart of the 5 Eyes alliance. Fortunately, its no-logs policy has been independently audited with no issues being found. It has also open-sourced its apps to prove that it won’t pose a security threat. You can subscribe to the 2-year + 3 months plan which works out at $2.11 per month. If you don’t want to commit right away, you can try PIA out risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I checked this by emailing customer support and got a confirmation email back within just 1 hour, after which I received the money 3 working days later. Try PIA with your Android devices
4. PrivateVPN — Most Affordable Premium Android VPN for Complete Privacy and Security
Key Features: PrivateVPN is a highly secure and private VPN for Android while being one of the most affordable services on the market. With the 3-year plan you can get the monthly price down to just $2.00, making it an attractive proposition if you’re on a budget. Along with its strict zero data logging policy, which means it doesn’t store or share any information about your VPN usage, PrivateVPN offers the following security features:
Military-grade encryption — ensures the highest level of security. Strict zero-log policy — protects your privacy and keeps your data safe. Kill switch — quickly terminates your connection and protects against leaks. IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection — your data stays within the encrypted tunnel and isn’t exposed to any third parties.
Fortunately, PrivateVPN is fast enough to handle streaming, gaming, and torrenting without any buffering or lag. In fact, I was impressed at just how good it was at streaming content. It can help you access: A drawback of PrivateVPN is its small server network, which consists of only 200 servers worldwide. This can limit your options for finding a reliable and nearby server in some regions. However, I found every server I tested to be more than capable, especially when you consider the low price and the value you get in return! PrivateVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try its service risk-free. I’ve successfully tested it myself — I got my money back by sending an email to the customer support team. It was a hassle-free process and I had a full refund in 5 days. Get PrivateVPN for Android
5. IPVanish — unlimited Simultaneous Connections for Privacy on All Your Devices
Key Features: With support for unlimited simultaneous device connections, IPVanish lets you cover all of your devices under one subscription. You can protect all the Android devices in your household at once, as well as a multitude of others, without being forced to log out of any. This gives you peace of mind that you’re always protected. To confirm how well it works, I tested IPVanish with all 4 phones in my household, 2 tablets, and 3 computers simultaneously. There was zero discernible difference to any connection, with all remaining perfectly stable for the whole time I was using them. IPVanish is also highly secure, with several features protecting your device and privacy:
256-bit encryption — keeps your traffic anonymous. WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols — so you can choose which suits your needs. An audited no-logs policy — confirms your data isn’t stored or sold. Optional kill switch — stops data leaks if your connection drops.
Unfortunately, IPVanish was the weakest performer on this list when it came to streaming on Android. I had to switch servers several times to find one that worked with my country’s Netflix, for instance. However, it will help you access some platforms, including: Thankfully, with its unlimited device connections for as low as $3.33 per month, it’s worth it even without the strongest streaming performance. You don’t need to commit right away — it has a 30-day money-back guarantee with a simple refund process. All you have to do is log into your online dashboard and submit the refund request form. I had the money back in my account within 4 days. Try IPVanish with your Android
Why You Need a VPN for Android
It’s a good idea to use a VPN with Android for the following reasons:
Privacy — From online trackers to sharing local networks with strangers, it’s always best to have something protecting your online activity from prying eyes. Security — With encrypted, leak-proof tunnels, a VPN will keep all of your information fully secure. Streaming — If you’re traveling outside of your home country, a VPN can help you regain access to the shows you’ve rightfully paid for. Anti-throttling/blackouts — Many ISPs throttle the speeds that customers can achieve, and blackouts plague content (especially live sports), both of which a VPN bypasses! Torrenting — Without a VPN, your original IP address is exposed during a P2P download, which can lead to legal troubles depending on what you’re downloading. Gaming protection — Gaming without a VPN can reveal your IP address to bad actors, which may lead to DDoS attacks. Using a VPN gives you extra security while playing games like Warzone 2.
Try ExpressVPN with your Android
Get the Best Privacy Apps for Android Today
In recent years, privacy has become a major concern for internet users, regardless of device. Fortunately, there’s a multitude of privacy-focused apps out there that can make your digital life on Android a whole lot more private without much effort. Overall though, the legality (or illegality) generally lies in what you’re doing while using a privacy app or VPN, not the act of using them in and of itself. Provided you stay mindful of the regulations of your country and the services you access with a VPN, you shouldn’t have any problems. You may also transfer dangerous files to your Android device by accident or receive SMS messages containing malicious code. In these cases, antivirus protection can be very useful. Android-based antivirus apps often bundle other useful features, like monitoring the dark web for your information or blocking unwanted calls and texts. If you’re careful about what you download and which apps you use, you should be okay. But an extra layer of security such as a quality VPN app is well worth considering for ongoing peace of mind. If you’re traveling and don’t want to miss out on your usual shows or local news sources, a VPN can help you to connect to a server in your home country. However, I recommend being more careful while considering a free VPN. Although I’ve run numerous tests on the best free VPNs on the market and highly recommend the ones featured in this list, some are dangerous. Free VPNs often disappoint in terms of performance, with limited server choice and bandwidth. More concerning, many free VPNs have been found to gather and sell user data for profit, which is the polar opposite of what a good VPN should be doing. However, if I had to choose just one privacy app, I’d go for a VPN. The combination of anonymity and security benefits is hard to beat. ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for privacy on Android, with high-speed servers and a secure and privacy-focused network. Best of all, you can buy ExpressVPN in confidence as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like it for any reason, you can claim a full refund. Protect your Android device with ExpressVPN
