Analysis: What is the best VPN for the mobile operating system Nothing OS

Which VPN Is Best for Nothing OS? A Geeky, Practical Review

Nothing OS is an Android fork that keeps things slick, minimalist and a little bit cool — like a design studio that learned how to throw a rave. Its still Android under the hood, so VPNs behave much like they do on any modern Android phone, but there are some nuances (battery optimizations, “always-on” settings, and Nothing’s unique UI quirks) that make the choice of VPN slightly more interesting than “pick whichever ad ran first.”

Quick TLDR

• Best overall: NordVPN — fastest, polished app, great streaming and mobile features.
• Best for privacy geeks: Mullvad — minimal logging, anonymous account model, strong WireGuard support.
• Best balance of privacy features: Proton VPN — audited, open principles, free tier available.
• Best budget pick: Surfshark — low cost, good features, unlimited devices.

Why Nothing OS matters for VPN selection

Because Nothing OS is Android-based, all Android-compatible VPNs will work but mobile VPN behavior depends on three mobile-specific factors:

• Battery and process management: aggressive doze or battery optimization can pause or kill background VPN daemons.
• Always-on VPN and lock-down: whether you can force all traffic through the VPN and block bypass on disconnect.
• App quality Android-native features: reliable kill switch, split tunneling, WireGuard (low CPU/battery), and Play Store distribution.

So a “best VPN for Nothing OS” isn’t just about raw speed — its about app stability on Nothing OS, WireGuard efficiency, and simple instructions for avoiding battery/permission pitfalls.

Test criteria I used

• Android app quality Play Store presence
• WireGuard support (or secure equivalent) for battery-friendly connections
• Kill switch / Always-on VPN behavior and how it interacts with Android
• Privacy guarantees (audits, logging policy, jurisdiction)
• Speed streaming unblocking on mobile networks and Wi‑Fi
• Price and extras (adblocking, split tunneling)

Comparison at a Glance

Deep Dive: The Top Picks

NordVPN — Best overall if you want speed polish

Why it fits Nothing OS: Nord’s Android app is smooth, supports NordLynx (their WireGuard-based protocol), has a reliable kill switch, and supports “Always-on VPN” in Android. That means you can set it to start at boot and keep traffic locked into the tunnel — great for the security-conscious who still want Netflix to behave. The app is Play Store-ready, updates frequently, and Nord invests heavily in infrastructure for consistent speeds.

Source: NordVPN features

Mullvad — Best for privacy purists

Mullvad’s whole identity is “minimalist privacy.” No accounts in the usual sense, anonymous tokens, cash and crypto options, and excellent WireGuard support. The Android app is less flashy, but the team focuses on simplicity and leakage prevention. If you want a Nothing OS phone to be as anonymous as possible without compromising a good WireGuard implementation, Mullvad wins. Note: streaming support is not their primary focus.

Source: Mullvad help

Proton VPN — The trustworthy, audited alternative

From the makers of ProtonMail, Proton VPN emphasizes transparency, audits, and a strong free tier (useful for quick testing on a new phone). Proton’s apps are open about protocols (WireGuard included) and integrate well with Android’s VPN APIs. Good balance between privacy and usability on Nothing OS.

Source: Proton Security

Surfshark — Best budget pick with unlimited devices

If you want a full-featured client, streaming success, and a low cost across many devices (great if your Nothing OS phone isn’t the only gadget), Surfshark is a solid pick. WireGuard support, CleanWeb ad-blocker, and a user-friendly Android app make it a compelling budget choice.

Source: Surfshark features

Practical Nothing OS Setup Tips

• Install from the Play Store when possible — it avoids APK permission hassles.
• Enable “Always-on VPN” (Settings → Network Internet → VPN → gear icon → Always-on) to force the phone to use the tunnel choose “Block connections without VPN” if available.
• Exclude the VPN app from battery optimizations: Settings → Apps → Special app access → Battery optimization → Don’t optimize. Nothing OSs aggressive battery management can kill the VPN in the background otherwise.
• Prefer WireGuard (or NordLynx) for lower CPU use and better battery life — crucial for the Nothing Phone’s limited battery budget during heavy network use.
• If you need per-app routing, check the VPN’s split tunneling feature (most top picks support it).

Geeky Notes Sources

• Nothing OS is Android-based, so VPNs use Androids VpnService API: Android VpnService docs.
• WireGuard is a modern, simple VPN protocol with performance and battery advantages: WireGuard paper.
• Mullvad’s approach to privacy and transparency: Mullvad transparency.
• Protons security and audit statements: Proton Security.
• NordVPN feature/security overview: NordVPN features.

Final Verdict

If you want the easiest, most dependable pick for streaming, gaming, and fewer setup headaches on Nothing OS: go with NordVPN. If you care most about minimizing metadata and privacy-first design and don’t mind a lean UI: Mullvad will make your inner privacy nerd very happy. If you want audited openness and a robust free option to test on your new phone: Proton VPN. And if you just want “works great on a budget” — Surfshark is a high-value alternative.

Whichever you choose, remember: configure Always-on, exclude the VPN from battery-optimization, use WireGuard where available, and keep your Nothing OS up to date. That way you get the stylish Glyph-powered phone experience with serious privacy protection under the hood — like putting a tasteful suit on a data-mining world.

Useful Links

• Nothing (official)
• NordVPN
• Mullvad
• Proton VPN
• Surfshark
• WireGuard
• Android VpnService