The Best Mobile VPN for Fast, Private Connections on the Go
Optimize your online privacy for iOS and Android on any network
- Connect instantly with Lightway, our mobile-first VPN protocol
- Stay secure on free Wi-Fi networks with advanced encryption
- Block ads and trackers that waste data and slow you down
30-day money-back guarantee
*for first-time users
Why ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming
Explore the 3-stage VPN system that locks down your data on mobile
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Encryption Secures Your Data From Hackers
Every time you connect, ExpressVPN secures your traffic using 256-bit AES encryption.
This keeps your sensitive data confidential from third parties—even your ISP. Shop online and use your banking apps safely on any network.
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IP Masking Hides Your Location for Privacy
When you connect to a VPN server it mask your real IP address with its own. Your traffic then appears to come from the server’s location.
Other VPN users also share this IP address, making it harder for websites to link your activity to you.
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VPN Tunneling Keeps Your Online Activity Private
ExpressVPN’s custom Lightway protocol creates a secure tunnel between your mobile device and the internet.
This prevents others from monitoring your connection traffic. Including your ISP, network admin, and even the most sophisticated hacker.
Before
✘ Mobile apps track your IP address and link it to your online activity, risking your privacy
✘ Hackers can exploit free Wi-Fi networks to get your personal data
✘ Ads consume precious mobile data, even when you’re not interested
✘ Speed loss and battery drain with every ad and tracker that loads
✘ You’re not sure who else is watching what you do on your phone
After
✔ A mobile VPN gives you a new IP address to prevent others from identifying your location
✔ Your connection is encrypted and safe, even on the riskiest networks
✔ ExpressVPN block ads and trackers before they ever load, saving you time and money
✔ Your connections stay fast with ExpressVPN’s 10Gbps servers
✔ A strong no-logs policy protects your right to privacy
Quick Conclusion: A mobile VPN isn’t just about security—it’s about taking back control. With a cell phone VPN, your smartphone works for you, not for trackers, ads, or prying eyes.
The Mobile Risk Curve™
Lifting the veil on the invisible dangers you’re exposed to every time you use your phone without a VPN
What is the Mobile Risk Curve™?
Your mobile device is always online, with your connection permanently exposed. The Mobile Risk Curve™ maps out how your risk skyrockets the more you use your phone without protection. These threats increase in severity as the curve reaches its peak.
Why It Matters
Every connection, scroll, and tap without protection increases your chance of data leaks, ISP snooping, tracking, malvertising, and eventually, identity theft. Most VPNs won’t show you this, but we built this curve to make these threats visible so you can take precautions.
How To Set Up ExpressVPN on Your Phone
It takes no more than 3 minutes—no tech skills required
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Step 1
Sign Up for ExpressVPN
Visit the order page and select a subscription option. All new subscriptions include our 30-day money-back guarantee*.
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Step 2
Download the Mobile App
Install the ExpressVPN app on your phone or tablet from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.
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Step 3
Connect to a Server
Tap the On button to connect to the best location instantly, or pick a server from our global network. Start browsing.
How To Use It
Track your behavior across the curve. To avoid climbing higher, follow these tips:
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Use a trusted mobile VPN whenever you're online, especially on public Wi-Fi
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Delete old or unused apps that could expose your data
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Enable ad and tracker blocking to cut down on hidden threats
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Keep your phone updated to patch security gaps before they’re exploited
ExpressVPN: The Gold Standard for Mobile VPNs
This is what unrivaled performance, freedom, and control over your phone’s connection looks like
Enjoy Real Privacy Powered by Real Innovation
To be sure we (and others) can’t see what you’re doing on your phone, ExpressVPN prevents our servers from logging your activity with TrustedServer technology. This is on top of securing your traffic with the encryption standard trusted by cybersecurity experts worldwide.
Our server system is independently audited to confirm all data gets wiped every time a server reboots. The entire software stack also re-installs on every startup to prevent tampering.
Access Every App You Like to Use, Anytime
Traveling to places with heavy restrictions can keep you from sharing the fun with others, or worse, cut you off from your friends and family in an emergency. ExpressVPN keeps your essential apps working when you need them most.
Access a global network of servers and keep using the apps you need safely. With servers in 105+ countries and frequently refreshed IP addresses, ExpressVPN ensures you get consistent and reliable connections.
High-Speed Servers Support High-Quality Streaming
Most VPNs struggle to handle heavy demands, causing your videos to buffer. Games lag until you’re kicked out or you just keep missing goals or killshots. Every second counts on mobile and a slow VPN can ruin the experience.
ExpressVPN is optimized for the best performance with zero bandwidth restrictions on 10Gbps servers that can support fast speeds—even during peak hours.
Block Intrusive Ads, Harmful Sites, and More
Ads and trackers don’t just clutter your mobile screen. They invade your privacy, slow down your phone, and burn through data. Harmful links can hide in pop-up ads and emails, putting your personal information at risk with just one wrong tap. ExpressVPN’s mobile apps include Advanced Protection with:
- Threat Manager to block trackers and malicious sites
- A built-in ad blocker
- Parental Controls to restrict access to explicit content
You can easily manage these features in the app settings menu.
Secure Up To 14* Devices With a Single Account
Some VPNs limit you to just 1 connection at a time, forcing you to log out or upgrade when switching between phones other devices It’s inconvenient, especially if you have multiple gadgets that need online protection.
You can use ExpressVPN on up to 14* devices at a time and still get excellent speeds. Want to protect your entire home? Set up ExpressVPN on your router and secure every device on your network at once, with no connection limits.
Convenient Protection for Your Passwords
Most VPNs stop at encryption, but cybersecurity requires covering all your bases. Without a secure password manager, you’re stuck reusing weak logins, relying on memory, or exposing your data with browser autofill.
ExpressVPN Keys is a rare feature built into our Android VPN app and our VPN app for iOS. Just remember 1 password to access all your logins. Since it uses zero-knowledge encryption, only you can access your account—even we’re locked out of it.
Advanced Technology for Next-Level Security
ExpressVPN’s attention to detail helps you feel more secure and in control of your online experience
Obfuscated Servers Secure Your Traffic on Restricted Networks
Working from a place with VPN and network restrictions?
Our mobile VPN apps work even when a school or office Wi-Fi network tries to block them. Automatic obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic to make it seem like regular traffic between your smartphone or tablet and a private server.
Control ExpressVPN Encryption With Split Tunneling
Prefer to choose which traffic gets encrypted?
The split tunneling feature on our Android app lets you decide which apps use the VPN. Customize your connection based on what you need—like streaming local content without encryption while securing everything else.
DNS and IP Leak Protection Keep Your Online Activity Private
Don’t want to risk exposing your activity—especially when using unknown networks?
ExpressVPN uses a private DNS to shield your browsing from network admins, internet providers, and bad actors, keeping your activity truly private. Network Lock (a kill switch) acts as a failsafe, cutting your traffic if your VPN connection is interrupted.
Our Lightway Protocol Optimizes Speed and Security
Keep losing your internet connection in elevators and when switching networks?
Reconnect in milliseconds, use less battery, and stay secure without skipping a beat with Lightway. It’s optimized for stable streaming, mobile gaming, and video calls—even when you’re on-the-move.
Free vs. Premium Mobile VPNs
Free sounds good—until your connection drops, your data leaks, or your app stops working. Even trusted VPNs with free plans apply limits like fewer servers, slower speeds, no streaming access, or strict data caps.
People often forget that free plans are built to give you a taste of the VPN, not the full experience.
| Free Mobile VPNs | ExpressVPN for Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed and Performance | Slow connections due to fewer and therefore overloaded servers. These servers are also often not upgraded or optimized for high-bandwidth activity to keep costs down. | ExpressVPN has servers across 105 countries. These upgraded 10Gbps servers, along with our proprietary Lightway protocol, provide fast, mobile-optimized speeds. |
| Battery and Data Usage | Inefficient background processes and protocols like OpenVPN drain your phone’s battery and data. | The Lightway protocol is built to be as efficient as possible, with minimal battery and data usage on mobile devices. |
| Privacy Protection | Some VPNs are known to log and sell user data, risking your privacy and security. | ExpressVPN doesn’t keep activity logs. Our no-logs policy is backed by independently audited and verified TrustedServer technology. |
| Security on Public Wi-Fi | Basic or unreliable encryption that doesn’t provide adequate protection on public Wi-Fi networks | Trusted, 256-bit AES encryption aided by advanced security features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection. |
| Access to Content | IP addresses are often blocked and limited | Regularly maintained to work reliably with major services worldwide |
| Support and Reliability | No real live chat or email support. Assistance is usually limited to FAQs and support pages. App security and other features aren’t frequently updated. | 24/7 support via live chat and email, and constant security patches and feature updates. |
| Simultaneous Connections | 1 device | Up to 14* devices |
| Bonus for Mobile Users | None | A built-in password manager, ad blocker, and threat protection |
What people are saying about ExpressVPN
Get an inside look at what customers have to say about their experiences with ExpressVPN
I have ExpressVPN on all my devices - phone, laptop, tablet, AppleTV, etc., and absolutely love it.
* A sample of reviews from our most satisfied customers
Got an account with @expressvpn yesterday. Great decision for traveling out of the country!
@D_Geiger
* A sample of reviews from our most satisfied customers
With its consistent performance and reliable security, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there.
* We sometimes pay expert sites for customer referrals
FAQs About Mobile VPNs
What is a VPN on mobile phone?
A mobile VPN is an app that encrypts your internet connection on devices like smartphones and tablets. It masks your IP address with one from the VPN server you connect to, secures your data against snoops on on public Wi-Fi, and prevents third parties like your ISP from tracking your online activity.
With ExpressVPN, you get a powerful, easy-to-use mobile VPN iOS and Android that protects your privacy without slowing you down.
How to choose the best mobile VPN?
The most important quality to consider when choosing a VPN service is trust. A trustworthy VPN provider:
- is transparent in its privacy policy
- has been independently audited
- designs its systems to avoid storing personal data
- shows a consistent commitment to internet privacy and digital freedom
Next, choose your VPN based on the features you need, such as VPN server locations, compatibility with all the devices you own, and unlimited bandwidth. Learn about the various ways to judge a VPN service.
Can I use a VPN with mobile data?
Yes. You can use ExpressVPN on any internet connection whether it be home or office Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi, or mobile data. Many users recommend ExpressVPN for mobile data as it has advanced features to consume less battery and data
Why can’t I connect to a VPN when using a mobile hotspot?
Both Android and iOS prevent your devices from sharing a VPN connection. If your phone is connected to a VPN and has its mobile hotspot turned on, any other device that uses your mobile hotspot can connect to the internet but will not be protected by your VPN.
To protect other devices, simply download and run the ExpressVPN app on them too. A single subscription lets you connect up to 14* at once.
Should I always use a VPN on my phone?
While you don’t need to keep a VPN turned on all the time, it’s recommended that you do to increase the privacy of your online traffic(which is always at risk) and stay safe from cyber attacks—which can happen at any time.
ExpressVPN makes this process easy. Just choose a server, turn on the VPN, and forget about it. If you have any apps you don't want to use with the VPN, you can exempt them using the split tunneling settings in your Android app. iOS doesn't currently support split tunneling.
Can someone hack your phone if you have a VPN?
A VPN can provide you with greater protection against snoops and cyber attacks, especially on public Wi-Fi, though it's not a foolproof solution. For example, cybercriminals could still gain access to your device through malicious links and apps.
A mobile VPN is a must-have against cyber attacks, but you should always practice other cybersecurity best practices, such as pairing a strong password with two-factor authentication and avoiding unknown links and attachments.
What mobile devices does ExpressVPN support?
ExpressVPN works on a wide range of mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Android tablets, and Amazon Fire tablet. Whether you're using cellular data or Wi-Fi, our mobile VPN app is optimized for smooth, secure browsing.
You can download ExpressVPN from the App Store, Google Play Store, or Amazon Appstore and start protecting your mobile gadgets in seconds.
Is there a free VPN for mobile?
While free mobile VPNs are available on the market, they can’t match a service like ExpressVPN, which provides optimized connections for superior speed, security, and stability, without any bandwidth caps. We keep your online traffic secure with strong encryption and a verified no-logs policy while offering global server connections in 105 countries. You’ll also have access to 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.
Do mobile VPNs actually work?
Yes—when you use a trusted provider, a VPN for mobile data or Wi-Fi can make a huge difference. A good mobile VPN protects your personal information, prevents tracking, and gives you more freedom online.