Best Mobile VPN (iPhone & Android)
Last updated: February 2026
Protect your smartphone on public WiFi, bypass geo-restrictions, and secure your mobile data with the best VPN apps for iOS and Android.
Why You Need a Mobile VPN
Public WiFi Protection
Stay safe on coffee shop, airport, and hotel WiFi networks that hackers love to exploit.
4G/5G Data Protection
Prevent your mobile carrier from tracking and selling your browsing data.
Travel Freedom
Access your home streaming services and bypass censorship while traveling abroad.
Mobile Streaming
Watch Netflix, YouTube, and other services without ISP throttling on your phone.
Top 3 Mobile VPNs (2026)
Our experts tested these VPNs on iPhone and Android devices
Surfshark offers the best value for mobile users with unlimited device connections, a lightweight app, and excellent speeds on both iOS and Android.
Pros
- Unlimited devices
- Lightweight apps
- Best price
- GPS spoofing (Android)
Cons
- Fewer servers
- Newer company
NordVPN's proprietary NordLynx protocol delivers the fastest speeds on mobile. The apps are top-rated on both App Store and Google Play.
Pros
- NordLynx - fastest speeds
- Top-rated apps
- Split tunneling (Android)
- Threat Protection
Cons
- Complex for beginners
- No GPS spoofing
ExpressVPN is the most reliable choice for travelers. It works in China, UAE, and Turkey, with incredibly stable connections on 4G/5G.
Pros
- Works in China, UAE, Turkey
- Super stable on 4G/5G
- Lightway protocol
- Best for travel
Cons
- More expensive
- 8 device limit
Platform-Specific Features
Native iOS integration, Siri shortcuts, App Store ratings 4.5+, optimized battery usage, and Apple Watch apps.
- 4.5+ App Store ratings
- Native IKEv2 support
- Siri Shortcuts
- Apple Watch apps
- Optimized battery usage
Split tunneling, APK sideloading for censored countries, widgets, custom DNS, and GPS spoofing (Surfshark).
- Split tunneling
- APK sideloading
- Always-on VPN
- Custom DNS
- Kill switch
- Widgets
- GPS spoofing (Surfshark)
VPN by Mobile Use Case
Access home content abroad
Secure coffee shop & hotel networks
Unblock Netflix & YouTube
Bypass bans in China, UAE
Low ping for PUBG, CoD Mobile
Mobile VPN Performance
| VPN | Speed | Battery | Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Fastest | Moderate | NordLynx |
| Surfshark | Fast | Lowest | WireGuard |
| ExpressVPN | Fastest | Moderate | Lightway |
How to Set Up a Mobile VPN
- Open App Store
- Search for VPN app
- Tap 'Get' to install
- Open app and sign in
- Allow VPN configuration
- Tap 'Quick Connect'
- Open Google Play Store
- Search for VPN app
- Tap 'Install'
- Open app and sign in
- Grant VPN permissions
- Enable Kill Switch in settings
- Tap 'Quick Connect'
Is Mobile VPN Safe?
Yes, mobile VPNs are safe when you use a reputable premium provider. Premium VPN services use military-grade encryption and have strict no-logs policies. However, free VPNs can actually put your privacy at risk.
- Military-grade AES-256 encryption
- Strict no-logs policies (independently audited)
- Secure VPN protocols (WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway)
- Kill switch to prevent data leaks
- Regular security audits by third parties
- Transparent privacy policies
- They collect and sell your browsing data
- They inject ads into your web traffic
- They have weak or no encryption
- They may contain malware or spyware
- They severely limit bandwidth and speed
- They lack customer support when issues arise
Free Mobile VPNs to Avoid
Free VPNs often collect your data, inject ads, offer slow speeds, and use weak encryption. Avoid TurboVPN, HolaVPN, Betternet, SuperVPN, and ThunderVPN.
Collects user data
Uses you as exit node
Malware concerns
Security vulnerabilities
No transparency
Related Guides
Best VPN apps optimized for iOS with excellent App Store ratings and battery efficiency
Top-rated Android VPN apps with split tunneling and GPS spoofing features
VPN solutions designed for tablets with optimized interfaces and multi-device support
Complete guide to installing and configuring VPN on your mobile device
Our Verdict
After extensive testing, here are our top picks for mobile VPN in 2026:
Best Overall
Surfshark offers the best value with unlimited devices and excellent mobile apps.
Fastest Mobile VPN
NordVPN with NordLynx delivers unmatched speeds on 4G/5G networks.
Best for Travel
ExpressVPN works reliably in restrictive countries like China and UAE.