VPNs for Smartphones and/or laptops

[stoaX]

My retirement is fast approaching. For the past 13 years my workplace has provided my a cell phone so I have never had any reason to get smart about them.  I will now have to get my own smartphone and one anticipated use of it will be helping me in my retirement travels. So if I'm using a hotel's wifi planning out the next day's activities using my smartphone, do I need a VPN?   Or some other layer of security?  I have the same question for using a laptop over a hotel wifi. 

Thanks in advance for the help!

[bacchi]

Yes, definitely.

Find a review that rates VPNs in general and their phone apps. Be aware that some VPNs sell your data.

[Syonyk]

Run your own Outline VPN.

https://www.getoutline.org/en/home

[Aggie1999]

Couple cheap, popular VPN's:

Private Internet Access (PIA)
NordVPN

I believe there is a current PIA deal for $60 for 3 years. Windscribe is another VPN that has a free option and a lifetime option. Seems legit.

More geek focused VPN's with good reputations but more expensive

Mullvad
AIRVPN

[Enigma]

I bought my VPN software 'windscribe' when it was onsale.  Usually I check out slickdeals.net for whatever deals with VPN is going on.  Usually you can get a lifetime membership.  For example:

https://slickdeals.net/f/13111582-fastestvpn-lifetime-vpn-service-subscriptions-5-devices-15-2-devices-10?attrsrc=Test%3AHideExpiredSearch%3AHide%20Expired&src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1

FastestVPN: Lifetime VPN Service Subscription (2-Devices) $9.99
FastestVPN: Lifetime VPN Service Subscription (5-Devices) $14.99

[stoaX]

Thanks for all the replies.  I'll get on it!  I hope retiring doesn't turn into too much work.