The iPhone is extremely popular: in the United States, Apple holds about 60% of the market share. Unfortunately, this makes iOS users extra vulnerable to cyber threats. If you want more peace of mind and an extra layer of security on your iPhone, you should use a VPN.
A VPN offers a layer of protection that your iPhone alone can’t offer you. The best iPhone VPNs prevent tracking, detect malware, and will protect you against cyber attacks.
Moreover, a VPN can mask your location and allow you to unblock popular streaming services worldwide. To find the best VPN for iPhone, I’ve done the heavy lifting and tested 60+ VPNs for you. Optimize your online privacy with any of the recommendations below!
Best VPN for iPhone: Brief Overview
Want to encrypt your data and change your virtual location? With hundreds of VPNs in the App Store, it can be difficult to find the best VPN for iPhone and iPad. I’ve shortlisted the VPN’s that performed best in our iOS testing circuit.
When testing these VPNs, I paid specific attention to functionality on iOS, speed, streaming, and price.
How to Get Started With an iPhone VPN in Under 5 Minutes
Want to get started with your VPN right away? Installing a VPN on iPhone or iPad is easy enough. Just follow these steps:
- Visit NordVPN and choose a subscription plan that meets your needs.
- Go to the App Store on your iPhone or iPad to download the NordVPN iOS app.
- Open the NordVPN app and log in.
- Connect to a VPN server of your choice.
Your internet connection is now encrypted!
Why Do I Need a VPN for my iPhone?
While Apple’s security features are pretty decent, the level of privacy simply doesn’t cut it in comparison to a VPN. Here are a few key advantages that you can only get with a VPN:
- Enhance your privacy: A VPN encrypts your internet connection, which prevents tracking and data aggregation. Additionally, a VPN keeps your connection safe from threats when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks.
- Block ads and malware: Most VPNs have built-in VPN malware detection and adblocking features.
- Unblock streaming services: A VPN lets you change your iPhone virtual location so you may access foreign streaming services that are otherwise unavailable to you.
Best iPhone VPNs: Extensive Overview
When selecting the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad, I paid specific attention to how each VPN works on iOS, the speed I could get on different servers, extra security features, and how easy it is to unblock streaming sites.
1. NordVPN: Best iPhone VPN overall
NordVPN is our best VPN for iPhone, thanks to its fantastic iOS app and full package of features! Using the safe and fast NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard), your data is fully encrypted. The iOS app also features a reliable kill switch, which effectively cut our connection when testing.
Whether you use your iPhone for streaming, browsing or online payments, NordVPN’s 256-bit encryption keeps your data protected. This is further underscored by its audited no-logs policy, built-in tracker blocker, malware protection, and RAM-only servers.
With 9300 servers in 137 countries, NordVPN can unblock any kind of content. I had no issues streaming movies from the US version of Netflix or live sports on BBC iPlayer on our Apple devices. As the fastest iPhone VPN, NordVPN maintains up to 96% speed. More importantly, it doesn’t immediately drain your phone’s battery.
The iOS app is really well-designed, with quick connection buttons that streamline the process of connecting to a VPN. If you’d like to try NordVPN before purchasing, get a free 30-day trial using its money-back guarantee. After that, NordVPN subscription starts at $ 3.49/month.
Pros
- Fantastic iOS app with high-end security features
- Can unblock all major streaming services
- Global server network of fast VPN servers
- Threat Protection feature against malware
Cons
- No free trial available for iOS
Learn more about NordVPN’s full range of features in our in-depth NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark: Affordable iPhone VPN with fast speeds
If you’re looking for an affordable iPhone VPN that doesn’t compromise on speed, safety, or usability, Surfshark is your best bet! What’s even better: you can share one Surfshark account on an unlimited amount of devices, so you can hook up all your entire Apple ecosystem at once.
In terms of privacy, Surfshark uses leading encryption protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard (AES 256-bit encryption). I tested different websites using Surfshark and didn’t experience any leaks. With a strict no-logs policy and the use of RAM-only servers, Surfshark doesn’t store any data.
Surfshark is also a great VPN for streaming and unblocking. My speeds were hardly reduced, even when connected to servers further away. It also unblocked all of my favorite streaming websites, including Disney+ and Hulu.
While not as visually pleasing as the NordVPN iOS apps, Surfshark’s apps are equally intuitive and easy to use. I connected to the recommended server with the quick-connect feature. Try this out for yourself using Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark also has a free trial – a great plus! Later, Surfshark’s price is just $ 2.49/month.
Pros
- 7-day free trial for up to 3 devices
- 4500 servers across 100 countries
- Easy-to-use iOS app that quickly connects to fastest server
- Highly-secure VPN with RAM-only servers
Cons
- Occassionally, you'll be met with a CAPTCHA test
Want to learn more about Surfshark’s iPhone VPN before purchasing? Read our comprehensive Surfshark review.
3. CyberGhost: User-friendly and cheap VPN for iPhone
CyberGhost is a highly reliable and versatile VPN that you can easily use on your iPad or iPhone. One of CyberGhost’s best features is the fact that it comes with dedicated servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
But you don’t have to worry about your privacy either! CyberGhost comes with 256-bit encryption and all the security features you could wish for, including DNS leak protection, a tight no-logs policy, VPN split-tunneling and a content blocker for ads.
In terms of speed, CyberGhost runs smoothly in the background of your device without slowing it down too much. You can also connect to 9800 simply by clicking a button on your iPhone. It’s an easy-to-use and beginner-friendly VPN for all your needs.
What’s even better is that CyberGhost is very affordable! There’s a 7-day free trial for iPhone users. You can also try the VPN out for a period of 45 days if you want more time to decide whether you want to commit.
Pros
- Try CyberGhost for free on iOS (7 days)
- Verified no-logs VPN with high-end features
- Servers optimized for streaming, gaming, and P2P
- User-friendly software that's easy to install
Cons
- Sometimes you have to try different servers to unblock a service
4. ExpressVPN: Great all-around iPhone VPN
ExpressVPN is a premium, feature-rich VPN that comes with great speeds. It’s a great VPN for iPhone and iPad if you don’t mind shelling out a bit more per month compared to other VPNs.
Not only does ExpressVPN use leading protocols, including its proprietary Lightway protocol, it also offers additional security features, such as a password manager. I tested its IP-leak and DNS-leak protection on my iOS device and was assured Express does not leak any personal information.
ExpressVPN also excels at unblocking and streaming content due to its fast speeds and vast server network. I could watch some of my favorite TV series on HBO Max using ExpressVPN, even though I wasn’t in the US at the time.
The provider’s iPhone app is built around a big-power button, which connects you to a fast and optimized server. Right now, you can also get a 80% discount on your plan.
Pros
- Trustworthy VPN with built-in obfuscation on all servers
- Solid iOS app that's quick to install
- User-friendly apps
Cons
- Smaller server network than some competitors
Get more information on ExpressVPN’s offerings in our full ExpressVPN review.
5. Private Internet Access: iPhone VPN with many servers
Private Internet Access is our final recommendation for iPhone and iPad. At just a few dollars per month, PIA offers high-end security features that keep your data safe at all times.
This provider’s strict no-log policy has been tested in court — and PIA passed with flying colors! The VPN doesn’t retain any browsing history to reveal to authorities. PIA also provides ad-blocking, 265-bit AES encryption, and split tunneling. Keep your iPhone virus-free with PIA’s malware protection.
During the hands-on testing, speeds remained pretty consistent regardless of whether I used servers close to or far away from my location. With 35000 servers globally, you can use PIA to unblock Netflix and virtually any content you want.
Like other VPNs on this list, PIA offers a simple iPad and iPhone app, though I’m not a big fan of its color scheme. Regardless, top-notch privacy, great speeds, and unlimited connections at an affordable price are a great package. Try PIA for free for 7 days on your iPhone or iPad!
Pros
- Largest server network in the world: 35000 servers
- Beginner-friendly VPN provider with solid security
- Free trial available for iOS (7 days)
Cons
- Located in United States (risk of data-sharing within 5 Eyes)
Find out what else PIA has to offer in our detailed PIA review.
How I Tested VPNs for iOS
When testing VPNs for iPhone and iPad, these are the most important factors I evaluated:
- Privacy & security: The best VPNs for iOS use strong encryption, have a strict no-logging policy, and come with additional features such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection. To rank each VPN, I dig through the privacy policy, verify IP change on multiple servers, and test the kill switch.
- Unblocking capacities: A great VPN will hide your real location and let you access streaming services from anywhere. I extensively test whether a VPN can unblock the likes of Netflix, Prime, Disney, and more. On top of that, I watch live sports games and review streaming features such as dedicated servers and obfuscation.
- Speed: A VPN’s usability is largely determined by its speed. To ensure your connection suffers as little as possible, I tested how different VPNs affect the internet speed on iPhones. I always made sure to test the default protocols as well as any settings that may improve speed.
- Server network: If you use your iPhone VPN to unblock sites, you want a large server network. When assessing a VPN’s server network, we paid specific attention to countries/regions covered and dedicated servers for gaming or torrenting.
- Value for money: Some VPNs come with extra benefits such as password managers or adblockers. I always review a VPN’s pricing plans to make sure you can find a good deal.
Is a Free VPN Worth it for iPhone?
No, a free VPN is not worth it for your iPhone. While there are some good free VPNs for iPhone available, most free VPNs come with significant drawbacks:
- Not enough servers: Most free VPNs only have a few server locations. This means you won’t be able to unblock as many sites and apps as you’d like, and you’ll likely experience overcrowding.
- Speed limits: A lot of free VPNs enforce speed limits. Because of these, you won’t be able to use your iOS VPN as freely as you’d like to.
- Lackluster privacy: A free VPN’s privacy and security tools are often sub-par. Your personal data may be collected, and you might even be downloading malware onto your device.
- Limited bandwidth: Free iOS VPNs provide limited mobile data to users. Usually, they only provide up to 500 MB of data per day, which is hardly sufficient for normal browsing, streaming, and downloading.
If you want a secure free VPN, I recommend Proton VPN. Proton has an App Store rating of 4.6/5 and offers unlimited data. You can’t, however, manually choose your server location.
Try out Proton VPN with this unlimited free version!
Do you want a VPN for your iPhone or iPad that you can use without restrictions? Try Surfshark’s 7-day free trial for iOS!
Should You Use a VPN on an iPhone?
Using a VPN is crucial to improve the security on your iPhone and iPad. While Apple devices are generally quite secure, they remain vulnerable to new and evolving threats. By encrypting your traffic and hiding your IP address, VPNs boost both your privacy and anonymity.
NordVPN is the best VPN for iPhone as it excels in all important testing parameters, especially speed, security, and usability. With obfuscation technology, a kill switch, and AES 256-bit encryption, you have one of the most secure services on the VPN market.
Moreover, NordVPN can unblock any major streaming service of your choosing!
Do you use devices besides an iPhone or iPad? Check out the best VPNs you can use for different devices and operating systems below:
- The Best VPN for Android: Our Top Picks
- The Best VPN for Windows: Our Top VPNs for PC
- The Best VPN for Mac: Our Top VPNs for macOS
- Best VPNs for multiple devices
Do you have a pressing question about the best VPN on iPhone or iPad? Check out our frequently asked questions below and click on a question for a short and clear answer.
NordVPN is the best VPN for iPhones and iPads. This VPN service offers high speeds, a large number of servers in many locations, and an excellent privacy policy that doesn’t allow any logging.
Most of the time, a VPN connection will be established when you connect to a VPN server via your VPN’s app. You can also configure settings manually:
- Open your Settings menu.
- Navigate to General > VPN & Device Management.
- From the “VPN Configurations” section, turn Status to on or off.
The safest VPN for iPhone is NordVPN, closely followed by Surfshark and ExpressVPN. Each of these VPNs use secure protocols and 256-bit encryption. In terms of security features, you get access to stellar DNS leak protection, split tunneling, double VPN, malware protection, and more.
Yes, a VPN does affect your battery life a bit. Luckily, with a top VPN like NordVPN the effects are minimal, so you can leave the VPN running on your phone all day without worrying too much about your battery.
No, Apple does not have its own VPN. You have to download a separate app such as NordVPN or Surfshark if you want to use a VPN on iOS.
Yes, it’s worth using a VPN on iPhone. iOS is known for its decent security. However, it can’t protect you on public Wi-Fi network or unblock streaming services — only a VPN can do this!
A good iPhone VPN will encrypt your network traffic, making it much more difficult for third parties to obtain your information or break into your device.
