The best VPNs for Android

The short answer

Android makes it easy to publish a VPN app, which is why the Play Store is full of them. Research into free Android VPN apps has found missing encryption, tracking libraries and traffic leaks; see are free VPNs safe?. For an Android VPN, two kinds of evidence matter most: an independent audit of the Android app itself, and source code that anyone can read.

Mullvad has both, and more Android-specific audits than anyone else in our files. Proton VPN and IVPN publish their Android code. NordVPN, Surfshark and PIA fill out the list. We haven't tested these apps; platform facts come from the providers' own pages and the sources listed below.

How we ranked Android VPNs

We started from each provider's overall verdict in its review, then weighed Android-specific evidence: published security assessments of the Android app, whether the Android code is open source, and Android features the provider documents. The method is explained on how we review.

1. Mullvad for Android

Mullvad has had its Android app assessed twice against MASA, a security standard for mobile apps: by NCC Group in 2025 and by Leviathan Security Group in 2026. In 2026 Assured Security Consultants also audited GotaTun, the WireGuard implementation the Android app uses. X41 D-Sec's 2024 audit covered the app on all platforms and reported three high, two medium and one low finding. The code is open source on GitHub.

The kill switch is on by default and can't be switched off. You sign in with an account number, not an email address. The limits: five devices, WireGuard only, and a 14-day refund.

2. Proton VPN for Android

Proton lists apps for Android, Android TV and Chromebook, and all its apps are open source. Every app has a kill switch, and Proton's Stealth protocol wraps WireGuard inside ordinary-looking TLS traffic for networks that block VPNs. Securitum has audited the no-logs claim yearly since 2022. The free plan works on Android on one device, with no data cap according to Proton.

3. IVPN for Android

IVPN's Android app is open source, like all its apps. Cure53 audits IVPN every year, though the scopes in our files cover its web systems and its Unlinked Access feature, not the Android app specifically. IVPN offers multi-hop, its AntiTracker blocklist and V2Ray obfuscation. Its founder owns the company outright, and sign-up needs no email.

4. NordVPN for Android

Nord Security's post-quantum rollout in May 2025 covered its Android and Android TV apps along with its other platforms. NordWhisper, its protocol for restrictive networks, is meant to make VPN traffic look like web traffic. VerSprite carried out an application security assessment in 2021. Six no-logs assurance reports back the service, but the Android source code isn't public.

5. Surfshark for Android

Surfshark says SecuRing's 2025 assessment covered its web, desktop and mobile apps, with no critical findings, and Surfshark links the report. One subscription covers unlimited devices, which suits families with several Android phones. Deloitte checked its no-logs claim in 2023 and 2025.

6. Private Internet Access for Android

PIA's Android app code is on GitHub under GPLv3, according to Wikipedia's summary of its pia-foss repositories. It has unlimited devices, an Advanced Kill Switch and split tunneling. PIA's no-logs claim held in US court cases in 2016 and 2018. We found no published audit of its apps, and it's US-based.

Other Android options

• Windscribe (Good) has an open-source Android app, a free plan with 10 GB a month and decoy traffic on Android, a feature that adds fake background traffic. Its audit record is thin.
• CyberGhost (Good) has Android and Android TV apps but no published app audit.
• Opera VPN Pro (Mixed) covers six Android and desktop devices, but runs on an unnamed partner's servers and Opera hasn't published its audits. Tunnelcheck isn't affiliated with Opera.

Check the kill switch after you install

Google's Android help describes an Always-on VPN switch under Settings, then Network & internet, then VPN, then the gear icon next to a VPN. It also notes that the option may not appear for a VPN set up through an app. Either way, turn on the app's own kill switch and run a leak test. For TV boxes, see VPN on a smart TV.