NordVPN
All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices
- Up to 10 devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logs policy checked by independent auditors
VPN guide
★ Our pick
Best VPN for Smartphones
Protect your iPhone or Android on any Wi-Fi. NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN compared for mobile users.
Your phone connects to Wi-Fi all day — at home, at work, in shops and on transport. Each connection is a chance for data interception. A mobile VPN encrypts everything in the background: banking apps, messaging, email and browsing — no manual steps needed.
Surfshark
Big households: unlimited devices on one account
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 30-day money-back guarantee on the first purchase
- No-logs policy independently assessed (2025 report)
Proton VPN
Try before you pay: a free plan for one device
- Free plan to start (1 device)
- Up to 10 devices on the Plus plan
- Swiss company, also behind Proton Mail
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Side by side
Best VPN for Smartphones
Facts from each brand's official site, checked 27 Oct 2026. Prices change often: today's price is on the official site.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days (first purchase) | 30 days (paid plans) |
| Devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | 10 on Plus · 1 on the free plan |
| Free option | No free plan | 7-day free trial (conditions on the official site) | Free plan (1 device) |
| Company base | Panama (parent company in the Netherlands) | Netherlands (Surfshark B.V.) | Switzerland (Proton) |
| Best for | All-round choice: simple apps and up to 10 devices | Big households: unlimited devices on one account | Try before you pay: a free plan for one device |
| NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
Tips
Tips
Enable always-on VPN in your phone settings
Both iOS and Android support always-on VPN connections that reconnect automatically if the app is closed.
Watch your data if you're on mobile data too
A VPN uses a small amount of extra data for encryption overhead — around 5–10 %. Keep this in mind on a limited data plan.
Use lightweight mode if available
Some VPN apps offer a battery-saver or lightweight mode that optimizes encryption for mobile use.
Questions
Does a VPN drain my phone battery?
The impact is small — typically 5–10 % more battery use. Modern apps are optimized for mobile efficiency.
Is a VPN needed on mobile data (4G/5G)?
Mobile data is more secure than public Wi-Fi, but a VPN still adds privacy from your network provider.
Will a VPN affect my messaging apps?
No. WhatsApp, Signal and other messaging apps work normally with a VPN active.
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