As a longtime Android privacy nerd, here are 6 privacy apps I actually regret installing

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As someone who takes online security fairly seriously, I’ve used a lot of different apps and services over the years. Some were legitimately great experiences, but others I came to regret installing.

Below are six privacy apps I tried out but ultimately felt weren’t a good fit for me. While some have security flaws or other major red flags, others were too complicated, missing key features, or simply too expensive.

Private Internet Access was one of the very first VPNs I ever paid for. At the time, I got a good deal on an annual plan and decided to give it a chance. I want to be clear that PIA is actually a pretty solid VPN service. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections, advanced features like split tunneling, and has a proven track record of not logging user activity.

My real reason for uninstalling it is that there are simply better options out there in terms of ease of use and app capabilities.

PIA is known for offering a lot of features, but that comes with a downside. The sheer number of options makes the interface feel cluttered, and the learning curve is steeper than most other VPN services. I’ll also admit that PIA being based in the US is a bit concerning, though its track record makes clear that it isn’t a real issue in practice.

I went through a few options before landing on NordVPN as an alternative. While it’s priced a little higher, I feel it’s worth it. Nord is faster, works better with streaming services, and has a much cleaner app experience overall.

Brave is one of the most popular options if you’re looking for a security-focused web browser. It has built-in ad and tracker blocking, optional Tor features, and an interface that, while a little cluttered, is still reasonably easy to navigate.