Disclosure: VPNFin is reader-supported. If you buy a VPN through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our ratings — here’s our full disclosure.
Looking for Google One VPN alternatives? Google shut the Google One VPN on 20 June 2024, and paying for Google One won’t bring it back, iTechGuides notes. What survives depends on your device: Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet have a built-in VPN by Google, and Google Fi customers get their own version that also works on some non-Pixel Android phones. Everyone else, on Windows, Mac, iPhone or other Android phones, needs a separate VPN, free or paid.
This page shows what each device still has, what the built-in Pixel VPN lacks, and the best replacements.
Google One VPN Alternatives by Device
| Your device | What’s left from Google | Best replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 7 or later, Pixel Tablet | VPN by Google, built in | Keep it, or add a full VPN for more features |
| Android with Google Fi | VPN by Google via Fi | Same |
| Other Android | Nothing | Proton VPN free, or a paid VPN |
| iPhone, iPad, Mac | Nothing | A VPN app, or iCloud Private Relay for Safari |
| Windows | Nothing | A VPN app, or Edge Secure Network in Edge |
Google Fi’s VPN was renamed, not removed. In May 2025 it became VPN by Google, with no technical change, TechRadar reports. VPN by Google is offered in about 25 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and several EU states.
What the Pixel VPN Lacks
| Feature | VPN by Google (Pixel) | Full VPN app |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | No | Yes |
| Choose a country | No | Yes |
| Broader IP region option | No | Varies |
| Works on other devices | Pixel only | Most platforms |
| Cost | Free with the phone | Paid, or free tiers |
It’s fine for public Wi-Fi, not much more. VPN by Google lacks both the kill switch and the broader IP region option the Google One version had, 9to5Google reported. Google promised to keep the Pixel VPN available for at least five years, The Register noted. Our kill switch guide explains why the first gap matters.
Run one VPN at a time. A second VPN app replaces or disconnects Google’s, iTechGuides warns. Our Android VPN guide compares the apps.
The Best Replacements
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN free plan | Free, no data cap | Replacing a free perk |
| NordVPN | Paid | Speed, audits, every device |
| Surfshark | Paid | Unlimited devices for families |
| iCloud Private Relay | With iCloud+ | Mainly Safari on Apple devices |
| Edge Secure Network | Free, 5 GB a month | Browsing in Edge only |
Among Google One VPN alternatives, Proton VPN’s free plan is the closest like-for-like swap: unlimited data and an audited no-logs policy, as our Proton VPN value guide explains.
Browser-only options cover less. Private Relay protects Safari and Edge Secure Network protects Edge, but neither covers your other apps the way a full VPN does.
Surfshark and NordVPN share a parent, Nord Security. Our free VPN guide covers other no-cost options.
Cleaning Up After Google’s VPN
Remove leftover profiles. If you used Google One VPN on a non-Pixel phone, delete its VPN profile so the device stops trying to reach a service that no longer exists; our Android guide and our iPhone guide show where profiles live.
Then test your replacement. Once one of the Google One VPN alternatives is running, our VPN check guide confirms your real address is hidden.
How We Research
The shutdown and current Google options come from iTechGuides’ August 2026 guide and 9to5Google; Fi’s rename and countries from TechRadar; the five-year pledge from The Register; alternatives from our own reviews. iTechGuides’ guide is here. We read all sources on 28 September 2026. NordVPN is one of our affiliate partners. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Google One VPN Alternatives FAQ
No. It shut down on 20 June 2024, and a Google One subscription doesn’t restore it.
Yes. Pixel 7 and later phones and the Pixel Tablet have VPN by Google built in.
Proton VPN’s free plan, which has no data cap and an audited no-logs policy.
Yes. It was renamed VPN by Google in May 2025 and works on some non-Pixel Android phones for Fi customers.
It has no kill switch and doesn’t let you choose a country.
The Verdict
The best Google One VPN alternatives depend on your device: Pixel owners already have a basic VPN built in.
Everyone else needs a separate app; Proton VPN’s free plan is the closest free swap, and a paid VPN adds a kill switch and country choice.