Best VPN for Android 2026 - Tested on Samsung, Pixel & OnePlus
Android VPN apps aren’t all created equal. Some drain your battery, some leak DNS, and some are straight-up malware. We installed and tested 20 VPN apps on Samsung Galaxy S25, Pixel 9, and OnePlus 13 to find the best.
Top Android VPNs
| VPN | Battery Impact | Speed Loss | App Size | Split Tunnel | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Low (3%) | -5% | 42 MB | ✅ | 9.4/10 |
| Surfshark | Low (3%) | -8% | 38 MB | ✅ | 9.1/10 |
| ExpressVPN | Low (4%) | -6% | 45 MB | ✅ | 9.0/10 |
| PIA | Very Low (2%) | -7% | 25 MB | ✅ | 8.3/10 |
| Mullvad | Very Low (2%) | -5% | 18 MB | ✅ | 8.0/10 |
Android-Specific Features That Matter
Split Tunneling
Route only specific apps through the VPN. Keep your banking app on your real IP while routing your browser through VPN. All five recommended VPNs support this on Android.
Always-On VPN
Android has a built-in “Always-on VPN” setting that ensures the VPN reconnects automatically. Combined with “Block connections without VPN,” this creates a system-level kill switch that’s more reliable than any app-based solution.
Setup: Settings → Network → VPN → [Your VPN] → Toggle “Always-on VPN” and “Block connections without VPN”
GPS Spoofing (Surfshark Exclusive)
Surfshark can override your Android GPS location to match your VPN server. This fools apps that check GPS rather than IP for location. Useful for location-based apps, dating apps, and games like Pokémon GO.
1. NordVPN for Android
The NordVPN Android app is polished, fast, and feature-complete. Quick-connect widget gets you online in one tap, and the Meshnet feature lets you route traffic through your home network while traveling.
Android Highlights
- Quick-connect widget for home screen
- Meshnet — access your home network remotely
- Threat Protection Lite — blocks malicious sites and ads
- Dark Web Monitor — alerts if your email appears in breaches
- Auto-connect on Wi-Fi — automatically activates on untrusted networks
2. Surfshark for Android
Surfshark’s Android app stands out with GPS spoofing and the cleanest interface of any VPN we tested. It’s also the only option with unlimited devices, so your entire family’s Android phones are covered.
Android Highlights
- GPS override — spoof location to match VPN server
- Auto-connect rules — different VPN servers for different Wi-Fi networks
- CleanWeb — ad blocking that works in all apps
- Unlimited devices — cover every phone in the family
3. ExpressVPN for Android
ExpressVPN’s Android app is the most intuitive. Big connect button, minimal settings, and Lightway protocol provides instant connections. If you want zero-friction VPN use on Android, this is it.
Android Highlights
- Lightway protocol — connects in under 1 second
- Shortcuts — quick-access buttons for your favorite apps after connecting
- Network protection — auto-connects on untrusted Wi-Fi
- MediaStreamer — configure your router for whole-network protection
Avoid These Android VPNs
The Google Play Store is filled with dangerous VPN apps. Avoid:
- SuperVPN — multiple data breaches, 100M+ downloads
- Hola VPN — uses your device as an exit node for other users
- Turbo VPN — packed with ad trackers
- Any VPN requesting unnecessary permissions (contacts, SMS, phone calls)
Red flags in the Play Store:
- Millions of downloads but no desktop version
- Requests permissions unrelated to VPN functionality
- No clear privacy policy or company information
- Suspiciously high ratings with generic reviews
Battery Optimization Tips
- Use WireGuard — most battery-efficient protocol
- Enable split tunneling — don’t VPN apps that don’t need it
- Disable auto-connect for trusted networks — no need for VPN on your home Wi-Fi
- Use the app’s built-in kill switch rather than Android’s system-level one (less battery drain)
Android VPN testing conducted February 2026 on Samsung Galaxy S25, Pixel 9, and OnePlus 13 running Android 16.