Android VPNs

Best VPN for Android in 2026: Apps Tested for Phones, Tablets & TV

Android's flexibility allows per-app split tunneling and Android TV support. We tested 13 VPNs across phones, tablets, and Fire TV — NordVPN and Surfshark offer the most Android-specific features.

By VPNRanker EditorialUpdated: May 15, 20268 min read✓ Independently Tested

Android gives VPN apps more flexibility than iOS, including per-app split tunneling, system-wide "block connections without VPN" settings, and dedicated Android TV / Fire TV apps. We tested each VPN on Android phones, tablets, and Android TV devices, checking split tunneling granularity, background battery optimization conflicts, and whether open-source versions are available for sideloading.

VPN Comparison

VPN	Rating	Price	Best For
NordVPN	★ 4.8	$3.09/mo (2-yr plan)	Granular per-app split tunneling and Android TV app	View Deal →
Surfshark	★ 4.6	$2.19/mo (2-yr plan)	Unlimited devices including Android TV and Fire Stick	View Deal →
ExpressVPN	★ 4.7	$6.67/mo (12-mo plan)	Reliable always-on VPN with "block connections without VPN"	View Deal →
Proton VPN	★ 4.5	$4.99/mo (2-yr plan)	Open-source APK available for sideloading	View Deal →
Private Internet Access	★ 4.4	$2.03/mo (2-yr plan)	Open-source app with per-app proxy settings	View Deal →

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

NordVPN's per-app split tunneling lets you choose exactly which apps use the VPN and which bypass it
Surfshark and NordVPN both offer dedicated Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick apps for streaming devices
Android's "Always-on VPN" and "Block connections without VPN" system settings add a hard kill switch at the OS level
ProtonVPN and PIA both provide open-source APKs that can be verified and sideloaded outside the Play Store
Most top providers include quick-settings tile shortcuts for toggling the VPN from the notification shade

✗ Cons

Android's battery optimization features can disconnect background VPN connections unless exceptions are configured
Play Store versions and direct APK downloads can have slightly different permission requirements
Budget Android devices with older Android versions may lack full WireGuard kernel module support, falling back to slower userspace implementations
Per-app split tunneling configuration requires manually selecting apps, which can be tedious with many installed apps
Some Android TV boxes require manual APK installation since they lack a Play Store

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use a VPN on Android?▾

Yes, using a reputable VPN with a verified no-logs policy is safe and adds meaningful privacy and security benefits on Android, particularly on public WiFi and mobile data networks.

How do I set up split tunneling on Android?▾

In your VPN app’s settings, look for "Split Tunneling" or "App Exceptions," then select which apps should bypass the VPN tunnel. NordVPN and Surfshark both offer this with a searchable app list.

Can I use a VPN on Android TV or Fire Stick?▾

Yes. NordVPN, Surfshark, and several other providers offer dedicated apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV Stick, available either through the on-device app store or as a sideloaded APK.

Does a VPN stop ISP throttling on mobile data?▾

Often, yes. Some mobile carriers throttle specific types of traffic (like video streaming) based on what they can identify. A VPN encrypts your traffic, which can prevent this type of identification-based throttling, though general network congestion still applies.

Our Top Pick

Get NordVPN for Android

NordVPN's granular split tunneling and Android TV app make it our top pick for Android users across every device.

Try NordVPN Risk-Free →

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