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There is no single best Android VPN for every user. For privacy-first use, RTINGS names Mullvad its best tested Android VPN; Proton VPN is worth considering if you want Android-focused privacy features and a free-plan option; PIA stands out for documented per-app controls; and TechRadar describes Surfshark as accessible and feature-rich. These are conditional recommendations, not results of a single shared test. The comparison reflects sources reviewed on October 4, 2026, and provider features and plans can change.
Which Android VPN should you choose?
Independent comparison sites reach different conclusions because they use different methods and weigh privacy, usability, streaming, and other features differently. The table separates their evaluations from providers’ own feature descriptions.
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| Best fit | Option | What the cited source says | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy-first use | Mullvad | RTINGS names it its best tested Android VPN, citing its privacy-focused approach, no-email account option, and WireGuard-only support. | RTINGS cautions that popular streaming platforms may challenge or block recognized VPN IP addresses. This is RTINGS’ evaluation, not an independent test for this article. |
| Android privacy features and a free-plan option | Proton VPN | Proton advertises an open-source, audited Android app, kill switch, split tunneling, alternative routing, and a free subscription option. | Proton identifies some functions as paid-plan features. Check the current plan matrix and regional availability. |
| Per-app configuration | Private Internet Access (PIA) | PIA documents WireGuard and OpenVPN selection, per-app settings, and Android’s Always-on and block-without-VPN controls. | These are provider instructions; Android menu names vary by device. |
| Ease of use and broad feature set | Surfshark | TechRadar describes its Android app as accessible and feature-rich and reports its own speed and leak-testing results. | Those test results are TechRadar’s, not guaranteed speeds or results for your phone, network, or location. |
| Another overall comparison pick | NordVPN | Tom’s Guide names NordVPN its overall pick and also points to Surfshark or PIA for lower-cost needs and Proton for privacy priorities. | This reflects Tom’s Guide’s methodology; it is not a consensus ranking across reviewers. |
Sources: RTINGS, Proton VPN, PIA support, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide.
No stable prices are included: offers can vary by subscription term, location, currency, and promotion. Compare the current checkout price and renewal terms before subscribing.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
What should you look for in an Android VPN?
- Privacy evidence: Check what the provider says about audits and open-source code, and distinguish those claims from independent reviewer assessments.
- Android controls: If you need to exclude particular apps or keep traffic off the regular connection when the VPN drops, verify both the app’s controls and Android’s system settings.
- Protocol choice: A provider may offer WireGuard, OpenVPN, or a more limited selection. Choose based on your needs and the provider’s documented Android support.
- Streaming: Access depends on the streaming service, region, and whether the service blocks VPN addresses. A reviewer’s result is not a guarantee of future access.
- Plan limits and devices: Verify which features are included in the plan available in your region and how many devices it supports before buying.
How to turn on Always-on VPN and block connections outside the VPN
Android supports Always-on VPN on Android 7.0 (API level 24) and later. It can start a VPN service at boot and keep it running while the device is on. Android also offers a setting to block connections that do not use the VPN. Exact menu labels and paths vary by Android version and manufacturer; use the VPN-specific settings for the app you have installed.
- Install and configure a VPN app that supports Android’s Always-on setting, then connect to a server once so Android registers the VPN.
- Open Android Settings and find the VPN settings. Depending on the phone, this may be under Network & internet or Connections. You can also search Settings for “VPN.”
- Open the settings gear beside the VPN entry and enable Always-on VPN, if offered.
- Enable “Block connections without VPN” if you want Android to prevent network traffic from using the ordinary connection when the VPN is unavailable.
- Test the setup: Disconnect or temporarily disable the VPN and confirm that apps cannot reach the network when blocking is enabled; reconnect and make sure the apps you need still work.
Android Developers documents the system behavior and controls in its VPN connectivity guide. PIA’s Android setup instructions also describe the VPN settings gear and note that menu names differ, including on Samsung devices.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to stop selected Android apps from bypassing the VPN
Android VPN apps can route traffic using an allowed-app list or a disallowed-app list, but not both at once. With neither list configured, all network traffic goes through the VPN. The effect of selecting apps depends on which list the VPN app uses: an allowed list sends only listed apps through the VPN, while a disallowed list excludes listed apps. Check the wording in your VPN app before applying Android’s block-without-VPN setting; excluded apps may lose connectivity rather than fall back to your regular connection.
- Open your VPN app’s settings and look for a control such as Split tunneling, Per-app settings, or App exclusions.
- Choose whether the selected apps should use the VPN or bypass it, then select the apps.
- If you use Block connections without VPN, test each selected app. An app excluded from the VPN may be blocked from connecting rather than routed outside the tunnel.
PIA documents per-app configuration for Android; Android Developers explains the platform’s allowlist and denylist behavior. See the PIA instructions and Android VPN documentation.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
What an Android VPN does not protect
A VPN routes network traffic through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN provider; it does not make you fully anonymous, and it cannot repair security flaws in an unpatched Android operating system. Keep Android and apps updated, and treat the VPN as one layer of protection rather than a replacement for device security.
A 2026 MVPNalyzer presentation from Censored Planet Lab reported that, among the Android 14 apps in its study sample, 61 apps exchanged cleartext traffic, 29 leaked virtually all websites visited, and 24 leaked DNS queries. These are study-sample findings, not a provider-by-provider assessment or a current verdict on every Android VPN. The slides are available from the NDSS 2026 MVPNalyzer presentation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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