Best VPN apps for Android in 2026

Searching for a free VPN for Android returns a mix of open-source tools and commercial services with a free tier. This page covers five apps from the TopDown APK catalog, all free and none showing ads. Each one carries an open-source licence, from GPL-2.0-only to Apache-2.0, which makes the code open to inspection.

The five differ in purpose. Proton VPN and Fast VPN & Proxy are consumer services with in-app purchases. Rethink is a firewall and DNS tool that also connects to WireGuard servers. OpenVPN for Android is a client for your own configuration, and Mullvad VPN is an account-based service that costs €5 per month according to its store text. Read the entries in order, or jump to the one that fits your use.

Compare at a glance

Comparison table: Best VPN apps for Android in 2026
App	Price	Ads	Size	Google Play rating
Proton VPNVerified file	Free	No ads	57.7 MB	4.7
RethinkVerified file	Free	No ads	29.5 MB	Not listed
Fast VPN & ProxyVerified file	Free	No ads	92.2 MB	4.7
OpenVPN for AndroidVerified file	Free	No ads	37.6 MB	Not listed
Mullvad VPNVerified file	Free	No ads	37.2 MB	4.1

Ratings are Google Play ratings at the last data refresh.

Proton VPN: best for a free tier without bandwidth limits

4.7 on Google Play 57.7 MB Verified file

Proton VPN comes from Proton AG and sits at version 5.20.98.0, updated on October 27, 2026. The download is 57.7 MB.

According to the store text, the free plan needs no sign-up, has no data cap and no speed limit, and the service keeps no logs. It also mentions servers in more than 190 locations, but it is unclear how many of those free users can reach. The app shows no ads, offers in-app purchases and is licensed GPL-3.0-only.

Pros

Free plan with no data cap and no speed limit, per the store text
No sign-up and no bandwidth cap, per the store text
Open source under GPL-3.0-only

Cons

Has in-app purchases
Free server coverage is not detailed

Open Proton VPN

Rethink: best for per-app firewall rules and DNS control

29.5 MB Verified file

Rethink is built by The RethinkDNS Authors and is licensed under Apache-2.0. The current version is v0.5.8, updated on October 16, 2026, and the app takes up 29.5 MB. It is free and shows no ads.

It does more than tunnel traffic. You can firewall individual apps, watch network activity, block malware and change DNS settings. For the VPN part, it connects to WireGuard servers that you choose yourself, so it does not include a server network of its own.

Pros

Per-app firewall and network monitoring
Lets you pick your own WireGuard VPNs
Smallest download of the group after none at 29.5 MB

Cons

No Google Play rating or install figure
You need to supply your own WireGuard servers

Open Rethink

Fast VPN & Proxy: best for restricted school or hotel Wi-Fi

4.7 on Google Play 92.2 MB Verified file

This entry is the Windscribe app, at version 4.3 and updated on September 3, 2026. At 92.2 MB it is the largest download in this list.

The store text points to Stealth and WStunnel, which make traffic look like ordinary web browsing and can help on restricted school, work or hotel networks. An ad and tracker blocker is included as well. The app shows no ads of its own, offers in-app purchases and uses the GPL-3.0-only licence.

Pros

Stealth and WStunnel modes for restricted networks
Built-in ad and tracker blocking
4.7 rating on Google Play with over 10 million installs

Cons

Largest file here at 92.2 MB
Has in-app purchases

Open Fast VPN & Proxy

OpenVPN for Android: best for running your own OpenVPN profiles

37.6 MB Verified file

OpenVPN for Android is at version 0.7.69, updated on October 29, 2026, the most recent update among the five. The download is 37.6 MB and the licence is GPL-2.0-only.

Its description is short: it uses the VPNService in Android 4.0 and later, so it works without root access. It has no server network of its own, so it works as a client for a server or provider profile you already have.

Pros

Works without root
Most recently updated of the five
Free with no ads

Cons

Developer is listed as unknown
No servers included
No Google Play rating

Open OpenVPN for Android

Mullvad VPN: best for anonymous accounts with no email

4.1 on Google Play 37.2 MB Verified file

Mullvad VPN is from Mullvad VPN AB, at version 2026.12 and updated on October 2, 2026. Its 4.1 rating is the lowest of the five. The app is 37.2 MB.

You start by creating an account that asks for no personal details, not even an email address, then add time through in-app purchases or vouchers. The store text names a price of €5 per month, so installing is free but the service itself is paid. It is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later and shows no ads.

Pros

Account creation needs no personal info
Open source under GPL-3.0-or-later
No ads

Cons

Service costs €5/month per the store text
Lowest Google Play rating here at 4.1

Open Mullvad VPN

How we picked

Our picks rest on catalog data alone: installs and ratings on Google Play, update dates, licence, file size, ad status and listed features. We did not install or test these apps by hand, so we say nothing about real-world speed, privacy or reliability. Store descriptions are the developers' own statements and should be read as claims. All five apps are priced at 0 and none shows ads. Check each service's current terms before relying on it.

Questions and answers

Do any of these VPN apps show ads?

No. All five apps show no ads. Proton VPN, Fast VPN & Proxy and Mullvad VPN do include in-app purchases.

Which of these apps is updated most recently?

OpenVPN for Android, version 0.7.69, updated on October 29, 2026. Proton VPN follows on October 27, 2026, and Rethink on October 16, 2026.

Is Mullvad VPN free?

The app is free to install, but its store text gives a price of €5 per month for the service. Time is added to an account through in-app purchases or vouchers.

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