VPN & Privacy

The best VPN for Android in 2026: phones, tablets, Android TV and Fire TV

Android gives VPN apps more room than an iPhone does. Five of the six VPNs we rank let you keep chosen apps outside the VPN on Android, several build their kill switch on Android's own Always-on VPN setting, and five have Android TV and Fire TV apps. The best one depends on which of those you need, and on the evidence behind its no-logs promise.

PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Kirill Prosandeev Updated 30 Oct 2026 16 min read

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We rank the six VPNs we had reviewed by October 30, 2026, ordered for Android: first by the evidence behind each no-logs promise (named, dated audits, and whether you can read the reports), then by what the vendor says its Android app does, then by how many devices one account covers. Facts come from the vendors' own pages and Google Play listings as they read on October 29–30, 2026. We haven't tested these apps and don't publish prices, scores or speeds. For free tiers from other providers, see our best free VPN guide; for every platform, our best VPN ranking.

On a Pixel 7 or later, check your settings first: Google builds a VPN into those phones. The section below covers it, and Android's own kill switch.

What matters in a VPN for Android

On Android, the vendors' own pages show these differences:

Kill switch. Proton VPN and VirtualShield use Android's own Block connections without VPN setting, and VeePN builds its kill switch on Android's Always-on VPN; Proton says its version works more like an advanced kill switch and isn't available on Android 7.x or earlier. NordVPN's kill switch on Android 8 and later blocks all internet access without the VPN, and Surfshark and PureVPN list a kill switch in their Android apps.
Split tunneling. NordVPN, PureVPN and VeePN let you exclude apps; Surfshark's Bypasser also handles websites, or routes only the apps you pick through the VPN. Proton offers it on paid plans but says that on most platforms, Windows excepted, it can't run together with the kill switch. VeePN's works only with WireGuard and OpenVPN, and VirtualShield's only opens access to devices on your home network.
Protocols. NordVPN uses NordLynx, built on WireGuard, and NordWhisper for networks that filter VPNs; Proton offers WireGuard and Stealth, and OpenVPN has reached end-of-life in its Android app; Surfshark lists WireGuard and OpenVPN, and VeePN WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Shadowsocks. PureVPN names WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 for its service. VirtualShield names no protocol.
Where to install from. All six are on Google Play. NordVPN, Surfshark, PureVPN, VeePN and VirtualShield also offer their own APK for phones without Google Play, NordVPN is in the Samsung Galaxy Store and Amazon Appstore too, and Proton VPN is on F-Droid and GitHub. Surfshark and VeePN warn against modified APKs from other sources.
TVs and Chromebooks. Google says Chromebooks with the Play Store can install Android VPN apps. NordVPN, Proton, Surfshark, PureVPN and VeePN have Android TV and Fire TV apps; VirtualShield's runs on Nvidia Shield and Fire tablets, not Fire TV sticks.

Where you pay matters too: NordVPN's terms leave Google Play refunds to Google Play's terms, and PureVPN's refund policy excludes Google Play payments.

How to choose a VPN for Android

1
Check what your phone already has

On a Pixel 7 or later, VPN by Google is under Settings > Network & internet > VPN. From Android 7.0, Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN can act as a kill switch, if your VPN app supports them.
2
Name the job

For public Wi-Fi, Google's VPN or any app here adds a layer. To appear in another country, exclude apps or cover a TV, you need an app that does it on Android.
3
Install from the right place

Check the developer name on Google Play. Use an APK only from the VPN company's own site, or, for Proton VPN, F-Droid or its GitHub page.
4
Turn on the kill switch

Some apps send you to Android's settings to switch on Always-on VPN and Block connections without VPN. If you also want split tunneling, check that the two work together: Proton's don't.
5
Size the plan for TVs and tablets

Count phones, tablets, Chromebooks and TVs. Surfshark sets no device cap; NordVPN, PureVPN and paid Proton plans allow 10 at once.

The six VPNs we review, ranked for Android

6 compared

Editors' choice

Proton VPN

Best overall for Android, free or paid

Our take: Proton VPN gives Android users the most ways in: Google Play, F-Droid or an APK on GitHub, with open-source code. Its free plan has no data cap or ads and also runs on Android TV and Fire TV, including newer Vega OS sticks, but covers one device and picks your server country. The kill switch uses Android's own Always-on and Block connections settings. Paid plans add 10 devices, split tunneling and NetShield. Securitum has audited the no-logs policy yearly since 2022, most recently in May 2026.

Strengths

Free plan with no data cap, also on Android TV and Fire TV
Google Play, F-Droid or GitHub APK; open source
Yearly Securitum no-logs audits, 2022–2026

Worth knowing

Free plan: one device, no country choice
Split tunneling paid, and not with the kill switch
No kill switch on Android 7.x or earlier

Platforms: AndroidAndroid TVFire TVChromebookWindowsmacOSiOSLinux

Bottom line: Pick Proton VPN to start free on an Android phone or TV, or if you want your VPN from F-Droid.

Read full Proton VPN review

Check Proton VPN price

Opens Proton VPN's official site

NordVPN

Best for a no-logs policy reviewed since 2018

Our take: NordVPN's Android app has a system-wide kill switch on Android 8 and later and app split tunneling, which its Android TV and Fire TV guides describe too. It comes from Google Play, the Galaxy Store, the Amazon Appstore or an APK, for Android 9 and up, and covers 10 devices. Every plan adds DNS-based scam and phishing blocking; NordVPN's pages disagree on whether it works with the VPN off. PwC and Deloitte have reviewed its no-logs policy since 2018, most recently in late 2025.

Strengths

Split tunneling on Android, Android TV and Fire TV
Google Play, Galaxy Store, Amazon Appstore or APK
No-logs reviews by PwC and Deloitte since 2018

Worth knowing

No free plan; trial terms differ by page and store
No kill switch on Fire TV Stick
Next-gen antivirus only on Windows and Mac

Platforms: AndroidAndroid TVFire TVChromebookWindowsmacOSiOSLinux

Bottom line: Pick NordVPN for the same split tunneling on your Android phone and TV, from a provider audited since 2018.

Read full NordVPN review

Check NordVPN price

Opens NordVPN's official site

Surfshark

Best for a household of Android devices

Our take: Surfshark sets no cap on devices connected at once, under a fair-usage policy, so phones, tablets and TVs can share one account. Its Android app has a kill switch, WireGuard and OpenVPN, CleanWeb ad blocking and the most flexible split tunneling here: Bypasser excludes apps or websites, or routes only the ones you pick through the VPN. It needs Android 7.0, with an APK for Android 6.0 or phones without Google services. The One plan adds antivirus for Android. Deloitte checked the no-logs policy in 2023 and 2025.

Strengths

Unlimited devices (fair-usage policy)
Bypasser for apps and websites, or Route via VPN
APK for Android 6.0 and phones without Google services

Worth knowing

Antivirus only in One and One+
Deloitte reports only for subscribers
No free plan

Platforms: AndroidAndroid TVFire TVChromebookWindowsmacOSiOSLinux

Bottom line: Pick Surfshark if you have more Android devices than you want to count, or want antivirus in the same account.

Read full Surfshark review

Check Surfshark price

Opens Surfshark's official site

PureVPN

For older Android phones and TV boxes

Our take: PureVPN supports the oldest Android here, 5.0 and later, on phones and Android TV boxes, plus Fire TV Stick 2nd generation and newer. Its Android app lists a kill switch, app split tunneling and a tracker and ad blocker, one account connects 10 devices, and port forwarding is a paid add-on. It cites dated no-log assessments, the latest in 2023, which puts it above VeePN, but links no report, and a 2017 FBI affidavit describes PureVPN records that tied a customer to his home and work IP addresses. PureVPN says it revised its privacy policy in 2018.

Strengths

Runs on Android 5.0 and later
Split tunneling on Android, Android TV and Fire TV Stick
Port forwarding add-on

Worth knowing

No audit report linked; a 2017 FBI affidavit
Its pages disagree on which platforms get split tunneling

Platforms: AndroidAndroid TVFire TVChromebookWindowsmacOSiOSLinux

Bottom line: Pick PureVPN for an older Android phone or TV box, if you accept thinner no-logs evidence.

Read full PureVPN review

Check PureVPN price

Opens PureVPN's official site

VeePN

Most Android extras, least outside proof

Our take: VeePN's Android app packs in the most: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Shadowsocks, a kill switch built on Android's Always-on VPN, app split tunneling and an ad blocker on every plan. Pro and Max add antivirus and a GPS location changer, and a free Android plan, with no card needed, gives one location in sessions of up to two hours. But VeePN cites no audit of its no-logs policy, which ranks it below PureVPN, and its pages disagree on the device limit and the oldest Android version it supports.

Strengths

Free Android plan with no payment card
Antivirus and GPS location changer in Pro and Max
Four protocols, including Shadowsocks

Worth knowing

No independent no-logs audit
Device limit unclear: 5, 10 or 20 by plan, 10 in its terms

Platforms: AndroidAndroid TVFire TVWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick VeePN for antivirus and a location changer in your Android VPN, if you accept a no-logs promise that rests on its word.

Read full VeePN review

Check VeePN price

Opens VeePN's official site

VirtualShield VPN

A simple app for phones and Chromebooks

Our take: VirtualShield keeps its Android app simple: the kill switch is Android's own Block connections without VPN setting, Connect Automatically can turn the VPN on only on networks you haven't marked as trusted, and you can pick a state or province as well as a country. It runs on Android 7.0 and later, Chromebooks, Nvidia Shield and Fire tablets, but there's no app for Fire TV sticks or most TVs. It names no protocol, cites no independent audit, and ad and malware blocking costs extra.

Strengths

Auto-connect on networks you don't trust
Android 7.0 and later, Chromebooks and Fire tablets
60-day refund on new orders, per its terms

Worth knowing

No independent audit cited; protocol not named
No Fire TV stick app; ad blocking costs extra

Platforms: AndroidChromebookFire tabletsWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick VirtualShield if you already use its antivirus or identity plans and want the VPN in the same account.

Read full VirtualShield VPN review

Check VirtualShield VPN price

Opens VirtualShield VPN's official site

Built in

VPN by Google (Pixel 7 and later)

Built into Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet

Google's built-in VPN costs nothing extra on Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet in Australia and other supported countries. It connects automatically on each network, and you can exclude apps or pause it on chosen networks. It won't change your IP location to reach other regions' content, and some traffic, such as your hotspot and Wi-Fi calling, isn't covered.

On a Pixel 7 or later, try it before you pay for a VPN.

+Nothing extra to install or pay on supported Pixels

−Pixel only; no choice of location

Pixel 7 and later · Pixel Tablet