6 Best Alternatives to Surfshark for Android in 2026
By Noahlast updated pricing verified
Compared: Surfshark alternatives that run on Android
| Alternative | Best for | Standout | Biggest weakness | Learning curve | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfsharkreference | individuals who want unlimited-device VPN coverage bundled with antivirus and identity-theft monitoring under one subscription, instead of paying for separate security tools | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, unusual among VPN providers that typically cap seats at 5-10 devices. | The advertised price requires paying for a full 24-month term upfront; the low headline rate doesn't apply to month-to-month billing, and published renewal prices after the initial discounted term are substantially higher. | Low | From $2.49/mo |
| NordVPN | individuals wanting a fast, easy-to-set-up VPN with a large server network and native apps across desktop and mobile platforms | A very large global server network with consistently fast connection speeds, bundled with Threat Protection ad/malware blocking on every plan and optional password-manager, cloud-storage, and identity-protection add-ons. | The advertised low prices require committing to a 2-year term paid upfront; the standalone monthly plan costs roughly 4x more per month ($14.99 vs $3.49), and reviewers frequently complain about renewal prices jumping sharply once the promotional period ends, making it easy to be surprised by auto-renewal charges. | Low | From $3.49/mo |
| ExpressVPN | consumers who want a simple, reliable VPN that works out of the box across many device types (routers, smart TVs, browsers) without manual protocol configuration | The proprietary Lightway protocol combined with RAM-only "TrustedServer" infrastructure, so no user data is ever written to a physical disk on any server. | List price is high relative to most VPN competitors ($12.99/month for Basic billed monthly), and the low advertised per-month rates only apply on 1- or 2-year commitments with bundled bonus months, so the effective cost jumps sharply if a user doesn't pre-pay for a long term. | Low | From $2.79/mo |
| Proton VPN | privacy-conscious users and journalists who want an open-source, independently audited VPN with a genuinely unlimited-data free tier, or paid subscribers wanting 10-device coverage bundled with Proton's email and storage products | The free tier has no data cap, unlike most competitors' free plans, and VPN Accelerator claims up to a 400% speed boost over standard WireGuard on high-latency or lossy connections. | The free tier is capped at one device and a small pool of server locations, and users who only want a fast, single-purpose VPN end up paying for Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar features bundled into the higher-value Unlimited plan if they upgrade past VPN Plus. | Low | Free tier · paid from $4.99/mo |
| Mullvad | privacy-conscious individuals who want anonymous signup and a single flat-rate plan instead of tiered VPN pricing | Anonymous account-number signup with no email required, combined with cash or cryptocurrency payment options and a fully open-source, independently audited client. | No free tier and no long-term discount: the price is a flat €5/month whether paid monthly or in advance, so heavy multi-year commitments don't get cheaper the way many competitors' 2-3 year plans do. | Low | Custom pricing |
| CyberGhost VPN | individual users who want a low-cost, long-term VPN subscription (as low as $2.19/month on a 26-month plan) for streaming access and public Wi-Fi privacy across most major platforms | A no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, combined with support for up to 7 simultaneous devices on a single subscription across desktop, mobile, TV, and router platforms. | The advertised $2.19/month headline price requires paying for 28 months upfront in one lump sum, and Capterra reviewers most commonly cite inconsistent connection speeds and frequent connection interruptions. | Low | From $2.19/mo |
| Private Internet Access | privacy-focused users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single no-logs VPN subscription at a lower price than premium competitors | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription, plus client apps (desktop, iOS, browser extensions) published as open source on GitHub under the MIT license. | PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider still draws skepticism from privacy-focused reviewers; the 1-year plan also renews at $49.99/year after a discounted $39.95 first year, a price jump new subscribers should plan for. | Low | From $2.03/mo |
Surfshark
NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Proton VPN
Mullvad
CyberGhost VPN
Private Internet Access1.NordVPN — best Surfshark alternative for individuals wanting a fast, easy-to-set-up VPN with a large server network and native apps across desktop and mobile platforms
NordVPN is the best Surfshark alternative for users who want a bigger, more heavily reviewed VPN provider backed by additional Nord Security products. NordVPN holds a 4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews, well above Surfshark's 4.5/5 from 61 reviews, giving buyers far more independent feedback to weigh. Every NordVPN tier includes Threat Protection ad and malware-domain blocking by default, and the Complete tier adds 1TB of encrypted cloud storage plus the NordPass password manager for $4.49/month on a 2-year term, while Prime layers on NordProtect identity-theft monitoring for $7.49/month, letting buyers pay only for the extras they want rather than Surfshark's bundle-everything-in approach. NordVPN's entry price is $3.49/month on a 2-year plan, close to Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter tier but backed by a much larger review base. Surfshark is still the better choice for households with many devices: Surfshark permits unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan with no per-device fee, a guarantee NordVPN's listed plans don't match, and Surfshark's One+ tier bundles Incogni's automated personal-data removal, a feature NordVPN's tiers as described don't include.
Compared to Surfshark: 4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews vs Surfshark's 4.5/5 from 61, Threat Protection ad and malware blocking included on every plan by default, tiered add-ons (cloud storage, password manager, identity protection) let buyers pay only for what they need
Wins:4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews vs Surfshark's 4.5/5 from 61 reviews · Threat Protection ad and malware-domain blocking included on every plan, not an upsell · Tiered add-ons (1TB cloud storage, NordPass password manager, NordProtect identity monitoring) let buyers pay only for what they need
Loses:Does not advertise an unlimited-device guarantee the way Surfshark does on every plan · No equivalent to Surfshark One+'s bundled Incogni automated personal-data removal · Entry price of $3.49/month on a 2-year term is higher than Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter rate
Pros
- Large global server network with fast, reliable connection speeds.
- Native apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus browser extensions.
- Threat Protection ad/malware blocking included on every plan, not an upsell.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Cons
- Advertised low pricing requires a 2-year upfront commitment; monthly-only billing costs significantly more per month.
- Renewal pricing after the promotional period is a frequent source of user complaints.
- No ongoing free tier; only a 3-day trial for new Android users.
- Reviewers report occasional speed drops depending on server load and time of day, plus some Windows app connectivity issues.
Pricing: From $3.49/mo — $3.49/month (NordVPN Basic, 2-year term) vs Surfshark's $2.49/month (Starter, 24-month term)
2.ExpressVPN — best Surfshark alternative for consumers who want a simple, reliable VPN that works out of the box across many device types (routers, smart TVs, browsers) without manual protocol configuration
ExpressVPN is the best Surfshark alternative for users who want an independently audited, proprietary-protocol VPN with strong all-around device support. ExpressVPN holds a 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews, edging out Surfshark's 4.5/5 from 61 reviews, and its Lightway protocol is built for faster connection times than legacy protocols like OpenVPN. Every ExpressVPN server runs on RAM-only "TrustedServer" infrastructure with an independently audited no-logs policy, and coverage extends to routers, smart TVs, and browser extensions in addition to desktop and mobile. Its lowest advertised rate is $2.79/month on a 2-year Basic plan, close to Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter tier. Surfshark is still the better choice for households with many connected devices and users who want built-in identity-theft coverage: ExpressVPN's top Pro plan caps out at 14 simultaneous device connections for $19.99/month billed monthly, while Surfshark permits unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan including its cheapest tier, and ExpressVPN doesn't bundle identity-theft coverage or automated personal-data removal the way Surfshark's One and One+ tiers do.
Compared to Surfshark: 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews vs Surfshark's 4.5/5 from 61, independently audited RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure, broader device coverage including routers and smart TVs
Wins:4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews vs Surfshark's 4.5/5 from 61 reviews · Independently audited no-logs policy runs on RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure · Broader named device coverage including routers, smart TVs, and browser extensions
Loses:Top Pro plan caps out at 14 simultaneous devices, versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model on every plan · No bundled identity-theft coverage or automated personal-data removal like Surfshark's One and One+ tiers · Monthly billing without a long-term commitment costs $12.99/month, notably more than most competitors
Pros
- Independently audited no-logs policy and RAM-only server infrastructure for stronger privacy assurances.
- Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers faster connection times than legacy VPN protocols.
- Broad device and platform support, including routers, smart TVs, and browser extensions.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription terms.
Cons
- Monthly billing without a long-term commitment is notably more expensive than most competitors.
- No free tier; even a short trial requires payment upfront (refundable within 30 days).
- Some reviewers report intermittent connection drops and slower performance when switching servers.
- Pricing structure with bonus months and multiple simultaneous-connection tiers can be confusing to compare against flat-rate competitors.
Pricing: From $2.79/mo — $2.79/month (ExpressVPN Basic, 2-year term) vs Surfshark's $2.49/month (Starter, 24-month term)
3.Proton VPN — best Surfshark alternative for privacy-conscious users and journalists who want an open-source, independently audited VPN with a genuinely unlimited-data free tier, or paid subscribers wanting 10-device coverage bundled with Proton's email and storage products
Proton VPN is the best Surfshark alternative for privacy-conscious users who want a genuinely free VPN tier with no data cap, something Surfshark does not offer at any price point. Proton VPN's Free plan has no data limit, unusual among free VPNs, though it restricts users to one device, medium speed, and around 10 server locations; the paid VPN Plus tier removes those caps for $4.99/month billed annually and adds 2,000+ servers across 140+ countries with streaming-service unblocking. Proton VPN's client apps are open source and independently audited across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, operating under Swiss data-protection law, and it holds a 4.5/5 rating from 44 Capterra reviews, matching Surfshark's own 4.5/5 from 61 reviews. Surfshark is still the better choice for users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections and a bundled antivirus and identity-theft package: Proton VPN's paid tier tops out at 10 devices versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model on every plan, and Proton VPN's $4.99/month VPN Plus costs more than Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter tier.
Compared to Surfshark: genuinely free tier with no data cap, open-source and independently audited client apps, operates under Swiss data-protection jurisdiction
Wins:Free tier has no data cap, unlike Surfshark which has no free tier at all · Open-source, independently audited client apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android · Operates under Swiss data-protection law with a strict no-logs policy
Loses:Paid VPN Plus tier caps out at 10 devices, versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model on every plan · VPN Plus costs $4.99/month vs Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter tier · No bundled antivirus or identity-theft coverage in the base VPN Plus tier, unlike Surfshark's One and One+ plans
Pros
- Free tier has no data cap, unusual among competitors' free plans.
- Open-source, independently audited apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- VPN Plus unlocks 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries with streaming-service unblocking.
- Built-in ad and malware blocker plus a kill switch on paid plans.
Cons
- Free tier limits users to one device and a small set of server locations.
- Proton Unlimited bundles Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar, raising cost for users who want VPN only.
- Fewer total server count than the largest competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Pricing: Free tier · paid from $4.99/mo — $4.99/month (VPN Plus, billed annually) vs Surfshark's $2.49/month (Starter, 24-month term); Proton VPN's Free tier costs nothing
4.Mullvad — best Surfshark alternative for privacy-conscious individuals who want anonymous signup and a single flat-rate plan instead of tiered VPN pricing
Mullvad is the best Surfshark alternative for users who want a fully open-source VPN with anonymous signup instead of a bundled security suite. Mullvad charges one flat rate of €5/month for every user with no tiers to compare, no email or personal information required at signup, and payment accepted in cash or cryptocurrency for full anonymity, a privacy model Surfshark's tiered, account-based signup doesn't match. Mullvad's client apps are open source under GPL-3.0 and published on GitHub, with regular independent third-party security audits, and the service supports DAITA traffic-analysis defense and quantum-resistant tunnels beyond standard WireGuard. Surfshark is still the better choice for users who want antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage bundled into one subscription: Mullvad offers none of those extras, its flat €5/month rate is higher than Surfshark's discounted $2.49/month Starter price, and Mullvad caps a single account at 5 simultaneous devices versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model on every plan.
Compared to Surfshark: flat €5/month with no tiers to compare, anonymous account-number signup with cash or crypto payment options, fully open-source GPL-3.0 client with independent audits
Wins:Flat €5/month for every user, with no tiers or upsells to compare · Anonymous signup via a random account number, with cash or cryptocurrency payment options · Client apps are fully open source (GPL-3.0) on GitHub with regular independent security audits
Loses:No bundled antivirus, breach alerts, or identity-theft coverage like Surfshark's One and One+ tiers · Flat €5/month rate is higher than Surfshark's discounted $2.49/month Starter price · Caps a single account at 5 simultaneous devices, versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model on every plan
Pros
- Anonymous signup with a random account number; no email or personal information required.
- Cash and cryptocurrency payment options for users who want to avoid linking a card to the account.
- Client apps are open source (GPL-3.0) and published on GitHub, with regular independent security audits.
- DAITA traffic-analysis defense and quantum-resistant tunnel options beyond standard WireGuard.
Cons
- No free tier; every user pays the same flat €5/month with no trial beyond the money-back guarantee window.
- No discount for paying annually or multi-year in advance, unlike competitors that cut price sharply on longer commitments.
- Smaller server network than large competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which can matter for streaming geo-unblocking.
- No bundled extras (password manager, ad blocker as a separate product, antivirus) that some competitors include in higher tiers.
Pricing: Custom pricing — flat €5/month (~$5.40) vs Surfshark's $2.49/month (Starter, 24-month term) (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
5.CyberGhost VPN — best Surfshark alternative for individual users who want a low-cost, long-term VPN subscription (as low as $2.19/month on a 26-month plan) for streaming access and public Wi-Fi privacy across most major platforms
CyberGhost VPN is the best Surfshark alternative for users chasing the lowest possible long-term price and third-party-audited no-logs claims. CyberGhost's cheapest published rate is $2.19/month on its 26-month-plus-2-bonus-months plan, undercutting Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter rate on a comparable multi-year term, and CyberGhost's no-logs policy is independently audited by Deloitte. CyberGhost covers up to 7 simultaneous devices across desktop, mobile, smart TVs, routers, and select gaming consoles, and it holds a 4.4/5 rating from 150 Capterra reviews. Surfshark is still the better choice for households that need more than 7 connected devices or want antivirus and identity-theft coverage in the same subscription: CyberGhost caps device connections at 7 versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model, offers no bundled antivirus or identity-theft monitoring, and its Capterra reviewers most commonly cite inconsistent connection speeds as a recurring complaint.
Compared to Surfshark: cheaper long-term rate ($2.19/mo vs $2.49/mo on comparable multi-year terms), no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, broad platform support including smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles
Wins:Cheaper long-term rate: $2.19/month vs Surfshark's $2.49/month on comparable multi-year terms · No-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, not just a self-reported claim · Broad platform support including smart TVs, routers, and select gaming consoles
Loses:Caps device connections at 7, versus Surfshark's unlimited-device model on every plan · No bundled antivirus or identity-theft monitoring like Surfshark's One and One+ tiers · Capterra reviewers most commonly cite inconsistent connection speeds as a recurring complaint
Pros
- A no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, not just a self-reported claim.
- Covers up to 7 simultaneous devices on one subscription, more than many competing VPNs.
- Broad platform support including smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles alongside desktop and mobile.
- 4.4/5 rating from 150 Capterra reviews, with reviewers reporting mostly positive sentiment.
Cons
- The lowest advertised rate ($2.19/month) requires paying upfront for 26 months plus bonus months, not a true month-to-month price.
- No permanent free tier; only money-back guarantees ranging from 14 to 45 days.
- Capterra reviewers most commonly cite inconsistent connection speeds and frequent connection interruptions.
- A dedicated static IP costs extra rather than being included in any tier.
Pricing: From $2.19/mo — $2.19/month (26-month plan) vs Surfshark's $2.49/month (Starter, 24-month term) (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
6.Private Internet Access — best Surfshark alternative for privacy-focused users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single no-logs VPN subscription at a lower price than premium competitors
Private Internet Access is the best Surfshark alternative for users who want unlimited device connections plus open-source client code at a lower long-term price. PIA's lowest advertised rate is $2.03/month on a promotional 3-year-plus-3-months plan, undercutting Surfshark's $2.49/month Starter rate, and every PIA plan, like Surfshark's, allows unlimited simultaneous device connections rather than capping seats. PIA's desktop, iOS, and browser-extension client apps are published as open source on GitHub under the MIT license, letting anyone inspect the code handling their traffic, and its no-logs policy is independently audited by Deloitte. Surfshark is still the better choice for buyers who want more review evidence or fewer ownership-history questions: PIA holds only a 4.3/5 rating from 14 Capterra reviews, a much thinner sample than Surfshark's 61, and PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider still draws skepticism from privacy-focused reviewers, a concern that doesn't apply to Surfshark.
Compared to Surfshark: cheaper long-term rate ($2.03/mo vs $2.49/mo), matches Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous device connections, open-source client apps under MIT license on GitHub
Wins:Cheaper long-term rate: $2.03/month vs Surfshark's $2.49/month · Matches Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription · Desktop, iOS, and browser-extension client apps are open source under the MIT license
Loses:Only a 4.3/5 rating from 14 Capterra reviews, a much thinner sample than Surfshark's 61 · Owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider draws skepticism from some reviewers · 1-year plan renews at $49.99/year after a discounted $39.95 first year, a price jump to plan for
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription.
- Desktop, iOS, and browser extension client apps are open source under MIT license.
- Supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, split tunneling, and multi-hop routing.
- No-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte.
Cons
- Kape Technologies' ownership history (formerly adware maker Crossrider) is a trust concern some privacy-focused users raise.
- The 1-year plan's price jumps from $39.95 to $49.99 upon renewal after the first year.
- MACE ad/tracker blocker and dedicated IP are separate features, not a full replacement for a dedicated ad blocker.
Pricing: From $2.03/mo — $2.03/month (3-year promo plan) vs Surfshark's $2.49/month (Starter, 24-month term) (verified undefined NaN, NaN)