Analysis: What is the best VPN for the mobile operating system Fairphone OS

Which VPN is best for Fairphone OS? A geeky-but-practical review

Fairphone users are a particular breed: ethically-minded, hardware-hacking, privacy-aware, and not afraid of a little system tinkering. Whether you run Fairphone OS with Google services, Fairphone Open, or a de-googled fork like /e/OS, your VPN choice needs to respect that ethos while working reliably on a smaller, battery-conscious device. This article breaks down the best VPN options for Fairphone OS, why each matters for this platform, and how to get them working whether you have the Play Store or a de-googled setup.

What matters for a VPN on Fairphone OS?

Compatibility with de-googled devices: Can you side-load an APK, or import manual OpenVPN/WireGuard configs? If you run Fairphone Open, Play Store access may be limited.
Protocols and performance: WireGuard (fast, low battery) vs OpenVPN (mature, flexible). For a modular phone, low CPU/battery use is welcome.
Privacy and logging: Fairphone users tend to value no-logs, strong jurisdiction, and anonymous payment options.
Open-source or auditable clients: Easier for the community to inspect and trust.
Background behavior on Android: Doze, battery optimizations and persistent VPNs — the provider should have a robust Android client or clear manual instructions.
Advanced features: Kill switch, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, per-app VPN for sideloaded microG setups.

Top contenders for Fairphone OS

Mullvad — the privacy-first default

Why it shines: Mullvad is built for privacy. You create an anonymous account number (no email), it supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, and the Android client is open source. For de-googled phones you can download the APK directly and/or generate WireGuard config files to import into the WireGuard app. Speed is competitive and its policy and architecture are simple and transparent.

Best for: Privacy purists running Fairphone Open or anyone who wants anonymous signup and clean integration with WireGuard.

Link: https://mullvad.net

Proton VPN — audited, privacy-focused, and polished

Why it shines: Proton VPN has a strong reputation (and family pedigree), audited servers and a clear privacy stance. It supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. The Android app is solid and Proton provides APKs if you want to avoid the Play Store. Proton’s free tier (limited) can be useful for quick tests.

Best for: Users who want strong privacy with a slightly more mainstream, polished experience.

Link: https://protonvpn.com

IVPN — minimal, technical, privacy-first

Why it shines: IVPN focuses on privacy and transparency. It supports WireGuard and OpenVPN and publishes clear privacy audits and policies. Their Android app is simple and effective IVPN also supports manual config for de-googled setups.

Best for: Technical users who appreciate straightforward privacy guarantees and good documentation.

Link: https://www.ivpn.net

NordVPN — speed and features (with caveats)

Why it shines: NordVPN is feature-rich: fast servers, NordLynx (a WireGuard-based optimized implementation), and lots of server locations. It’s a strong performer for streaming and general purpose use. Caveats: proprietary tricks (NordLynx is a two-part implementation), corporate scale, and past incidents that some privacy purists may dislike.

Best for: Users who want top-tier speeds, streaming and ease-of-use on Fairphone OS and dont require maximal anonymity.

Link: https://nordvpn.com

Surfshark — budget-friendly with modern features

Why it shines: Cheap, unlimited simultaneous devices and a full-featured Android app. Supports WireGuard and OpenVPN APKs are available. It’s a practical option if you want good privacy tech without the higher price tag.

Best for: Multi-device households or users looking for a cost-effective balance of features and compatibility.

Link: https://surfshark.com

Quick comparison

VPN	WireGuard	OpenVPN	APK / Manual Configs	Open-source client?	Privacy focus
Mullvad	Yes	Yes	APK config generator	Yes (Android client open)	Very High
Proton VPN	Yes	Yes	APK available	Mostly (some parts public)	High
IVPN	Yes	Yes	Manual configs / APK	Partially	Very High
NordVPN	Yes (NordLynx)	Yes	APK available	No (closed parts)	Medium-High
Surfshark	Yes	Yes	APK available	No	Medium

Practical setup tips for Fairphone Open or de-googled phones

Prefer WireGuard for battery and speed. If your provider supports WireGuard, generate a config and import it into the WireGuard app or use the provider’s WireGuard-enabled APK. WireGuard’s smaller codebase is also friendlier to audits.
If you use OpenVPN: use an open-source client such as OpenVPN for Android (Arne Schwabe). It’s commonly available via F-Droid or as an APK. OpenVPN configs can be downloaded from most providers.
Sideloading APKs: Get APKs from the provider’s site (not random mirrors). Trusted providers usually host direct downloads for Android. If you want extra auditability, prefer providers who publish source code.
Battery Doze: Lock the VPN app in Android’s “battery optimization” exceptions if you need it persistent — otherwise Doze may pause network activity.
Split tunneling per-app VPN: Useful for microG or limited Google Play Services setups — check your provider’s app supports per-app rules, or use Android’s built-in per-app VPN where available.

My pick for most Fairphone users

If you want a single takeaway: go with Mullvad. It aligns tightly with Fairphone values (privacy, transparency, modular thinking), supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, provides easy manual configs and APKs, and allows anonymous payment options. Proton VPN and IVPN are excellent alternatives if you prioritize audited infrastructure or a slightly more mainstream UX. NordVPN and Surfshark are great when you want raw speed, streaming, or a cheaper multi-device plan — but they’re less ideal if your primary goal is maximum anonymity.