Best VPN for Android in the UK (2026)

NordVPN is the best VPN for Android in the UK for most people. Its app combines split tunnelling, Android TV support and 10 simultaneous connections. ExpressVPN is the simpler alternative, Surfshark suits an unlimited-device household, and CyberGhost is the budget pick.

A VPN encrypts traffic between your Android device and the VPN server. That is useful on hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi, but it does not make you anonymous, remove malware or give you permission to ignore a streaming service’s rules.

Best Android VPNs for UK users compared

Prices were checked on 19 July 2026. The monthly figures are equivalents for prepaid introductory terms, not monthly billing. Promotions, VAT and checkout currency can change, so confirm both the first charge and the renewal line before paying. A money-back guarantee is a refund policy, not a free trial.

Provider	Score	Android highlight	Connections	UK introductory price and renewal
NordVPN	9.7/10	Split tunnelling; Android TV app	10	£3.11/month equivalent; £83.92 for the first 27 months, then the full annual price shown at checkout
ExpressVPN	9.5/10	Auto-connect on untrusted networks; Android TV app	10 on Basic	£1.99/month equivalent; about £56 for the first 28 months, then £69.95/year
Surfshark	9.3/10	Bypasser; trusted-network controls; Android TV	Unlimited	£1.28/month equivalent; £34.56 for the first 27 months, then the standard 2-year rate
CyberGhost	9.0/10	Split tunnelling; Wi-Fi protection; Android TV	7	About £1.75/month; £45.50 for the first 26 months, then £45.50/year

1. NordVPN: best Android VPN overall

NordVPN takes first place because its Android tools cover the essentials: split tunnelling for apps that need a direct connection and a separate Android TV app. The 10-device allowance is enough for most personal setups.

The drawback is renewal clarity. NordVPN’s exact pound renewal is not consistently exposed across its sales pages. Treat the cart’s annual renewal line as the deciding figure, not the £3.11 equivalent. Read our full NordVPN review for the wider privacy picture.

2. ExpressVPN: best for automatic Wi-Fi protection

ExpressVPN can connect automatically when you join a network you have not marked as trusted. It also provides per-app split tunnelling, Android TV support and 10 connections on Basic.

The drawback is the price jump: Basic costs about £56 for 28 months, then renews at £69.95 per year. ExpressVPN also belongs to Kape Technologies, the same group as CyberGhost. Read our full ExpressVPN review.

3. Surfshark: best value for many Android devices

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Its Android Bypasser controls which apps use the tunnel, while auto-connect and trusted-network settings help when your phone changes networks.

The £1.28 equivalent requires paying for 27 months upfront, and renewal is higher. Surfshark and Nord Security share a group, although they say their infrastructure and product roadmaps remain separate. See our full Surfshark review.

4. CyberGhost: best low-cost alternative

CyberGhost provides split tunnelling, Wi-Fi protection and Android TV support. Its 7-connection limit is the lowest here, but the disclosed annual renewal remains below ExpressVPN’s.

Seven slots can disappear quickly in a household, and CyberGhost shares Kape ownership with ExpressVPN. Read our full CyberGhost review before buying primarily on price.

What matters in an Android VPN app

Prioritise controls you will use. Auto-connect helps when your phone moves between mobile data and unfamiliar Wi-Fi. Split tunnelling gives selected apps a direct connection, but every excluded app sits outside the VPN tunnel.

Android also offers Always-on VPN and a “Block connections without VPN” switch. Blocking can leave excluded apps without internet access, so test it first. For desktop or router coverage, compare our best VPN services.

Confirm that your Android TV or Google TV device can install the official app. Our VPN for streaming comparison covers lawful use with services you subscribe to. Platforms can restrict VPN use or block VPN traffic, and a VPN never supplies the subscription.

Avoid fake VPN apps in Google Play

Google warned that criminals distribute apps disguised as legitimate VPNs to deliver information stealers, remote-access trojans and banking malware. Start from the provider’s official website, follow its Google Play link and verify the developer name before installing anything. Do not use an APK mirror merely because an app has a familiar logo.

Google Play now displays a Verified badge for qualifying VPN apps that meet additional security and privacy requirements. Treat that as one useful signal, not a substitute for checking the provider, permissions, privacy policy and recent app maintenance.

How to set up a VPN on Android

1. Buy from the provider’s official site, then follow its link to the genuine Google Play listing.
2. Install the app, sign in and approve Android’s request to create a VPN connection.
3. Connect to a nearby server for everyday privacy, then enable auto-connect or Android’s Always-on VPN if you need persistent protection.
4. Configure split tunnelling only for apps that genuinely need a direct route, then check those apps on both Wi-Fi and mobile data.

For manual profiles and the exact Android settings, use our Android VPN setup guide.

Our pick

FAQ

What is the best VPN for Android in the UK?

NordVPN is our top Android choice, with a fixed score of 9.7/10. It combines split tunnelling, Android TV support and 10 simultaneous connections. Surfshark is the better fit if you need unlimited connections.

Are VPN apps legal in the UK?

Yes. VPN technology and ordinary VPN use are legal in the UK, but the activity carried out through the connection remains subject to the law. A VPN also does not override an app’s or streaming platform’s terms.

Does Android include a built-in VPN?

Android includes VPN settings, Always-on VPN and an option to block connections outside the tunnel. Those controls do not provide a commercial VPN service by themselves; you still need a provider account or a private VPN profile.

Can I use a UK streaming subscription while travelling?

Only where your subscription and the platform’s rules permit it. Services can detect or block VPN traffic. BBC iPlayer specifically says you must be in the UK to stream; its official travel option is to download eligible programmes in the UK before leaving, and a valid TV Licence is still required where applicable.

Do these VPNs work on Android TV?

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost all publish current Android TV apps or setup instructions. Availability can still depend on the television model, Google Play region and operating-system version, so check the provider’s compatibility page before paying.