While the iPhone operating system is among some of the safest, effectively preventing malware from entering the system, the best iPhone VPN will further enhance your iOS security and lessen the chances of identity theft. The service encrypts your online activities, making it harder for potential snoopers or your ISP to track your activity and use it for personal gain.
So if you want to safeguard your data, protect your privacy online, and block tracking attempts and annoying ads, a VPN is a must.
In this guide, I review and compare the best iPhone VPNs, examining their level of protection, impact on the device’s performance, and pros and cons.
The Best iPhone VPNs Tested By Our Experts
NordVPN – Best iPhone VPN Overall
Surfshark – Best Cheap VPN for iPhone
ExpressVPN – Best iPhone VPN for Security
PureVPN – Best iOS VPN for Privacy
CyberGhost VPN – Best iPhone VPN for Streaming
IvacyVPN – Best iPhone VPN for Long-Term Use
PrivadoVPN – Best iOS VPN for Beginners
Private Internet Access – Best iPhone VPN for Travelers
IPVanish – Best iPhone VPN for Unlimited Bandwidth
TotalAV – Best iPhone VPN for Online Browsing
- Show Full Guide
NordVPN – Best iPhone VPN Overall
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 10 |
Server Network | 6,400+ servers in 111+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $3.09/month |
Pros
- Removes ads, blocks trackers and malicious websites
- Retains almost 100% of the initial connection speed
- Unblocks all popular streaming services worldwide
- Has over 6,400 servers in 111 countries
Cons
- No free trial for iOS users
Surfshark – Best Cheap VPN for iPhone
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | Unlimited |
Server Network | 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $2.19/month |
Pros
- Eye-catching and intuitive app
- Allows unlimited parallel connections
- Includes an ad blocker and protects from blacklisted IPs
- 7-day free trial for Apple devices
Cons
- No antivirus suite for iOS devices
- Doesn’t have a free plan
ExpressVPN – Best iPhone VPN for Security
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 8 |
Server Network | 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $6.67/month |
Pros
- Intuitive application for iOS
- Proprietary Lightway protocol for fast speeds
- TrustedServer technology ensures complete privacy
- Unblocks the most popular streaming services
- 7-day free trial for iPhones
Cons
- Pricier than most VPNs on the market
- No free plan
PureVPN – Best iOS VPN for Privacy
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 10 |
Server Network | 6,000+ servers in 65+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $2.14/month |
Pros
- Suitable for beginners
- Offers several additional features for a small fee
- Works in areas with restricted VPN use
- Can be audited without prior notice
Cons
- Android app is developed better
- Doesn’t offer a free plan
CyberGhost VPN – Best iPhone VPN for Streaming
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 7 |
Server Network | 11,700+ servers in 100+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $2.19/month |
Pros
- Optimizes servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting
- Unblocks many Netflix libraries
- 7-day free trial for iPhone users
Cons
- Possible VPN connection issues on macOS
- Doesn’t have a free plan
IvacyVPN – Best iPhone VPN for Long-Term Use
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 10 |
Server Network | 5,700+ servers in 70+ countries |
Free plan | ✅ |
Starting Price | $1.17/month |
Pros
- Affordable premium VPN
- A free plan with unlimited data
- Beginner-friendly iOS app
- Looks for malware in downloaded files
Cons
- No kill switch for iOS or macOS
- Hasn’t gone through an independent audit
PrivadoVPN – Best iOS VPN for Beginners
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 10 |
Server Network | 300+ servers in 65 countries |
Free plan | Yes, with 10Gb per month |
Starting Price | $1.99/month |
Pros
- Forever free plan
- Intuitive iOS application suitable for beginners
- Allows up to 10 parallel connections
- Cheap premium plan
Cons
- Small server fleet
- Free plan comes with limited monthly data
Private Internet Access – Best iPhone VPN for Travelers
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 10 |
Server Network | 35,000+ servers in 91 countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $2.19/month |
Pros
- Offers a private browser
- Boasts over 35,000+ servers worldwide
- Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
- Doesn’t have a free plan or free trial
- Based in Canada
IPVanish – Best iPhone VPN for Unlimited Bandwidth
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | Unlimited |
Server Network | 2,200+ servers in 52+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $2.19/month |
Pros
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Includes Threat Protection suite
- Has a 7-day free trial for iOS devices
Cons
- Located in the US
- No free plan
TotalAV – Best iPhone VPN for Online Browsing
iOS App | ✅ |
---|---|
Max Devices | 5 |
Server Network | 50+ servers in 30+ countries |
Free plan | ❌ |
Starting Price | $2.42/month |
Pros
- Comes with an advanced antivirus suite
- Intuitive and eye-catching iOS application
- Retains decent connection speeds
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Based in the UK (5-Eyes Alliance)
- Doesn’t unlock all streaming channels
How We Review and Test VPN Services
20 VPNS TESTED
25 DATA POINTS MEASURED
300+ HOURS TESTING
500+ USER REVIEWS READ
To provide our readers with accurate and well informed recommendations, we tested 20 leading VPN services to find the best in the market. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Security Features: We made sure that the provider uses standard security features and a secure tunneling protocol.
- Privacy Policies: We looked for VPNs that come with a no-logs policy, and verify the extend to which user privacy is upheld.
- Speed: We run speed tests three times a day and draw an average of the result to see how much of the original broadband speed is retained.
- Compatibility: We ensure the VPN provider offers multiple simultaneous connections and is compatible with the most popular operating systems.
- Geo-unblocking: We test whether the VPN service can unlock different libraries (content available in different countries) on the most popular streaming platforms.
- Customer Experience: When researching products and services, we read real user experiences and test out their customer support channels ourselves.
- Price and Value for Money: We set out to recommend reasonably priced products that offer value for money.
Why Should I Use a VPN On My iPhone Device?
Being constantly connected to the internet means you’re constantly exposed to risks like cyber attacks, malware, spyware, viruses, and trackers. Unless you’re only visiting trusted, secure websites, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to these attacks.
A single click on an infected link can infect your device. Similarly, a single weakness in your online protection might allow malicious individuals to steal your sensitive data and passwords. That’s why a virtual private network (VPN) is a must-have.
In addition to online safety and anonymity, VPNs also allow you to bypass online censorship and access geo-restricted content, so you can watch your favorite TV shows and movies from anywhere in the world. Plus, they also block annoying ads, which is always a plus.
Is It Safe to Use an iPhone VPN App?
Yes, using a VPN on your iPhone is not only safe but highly recommended. A reputable VPN provider will encrypt your data, ensure your anonymity online, and grant access to geo-restricted content. With an iPhone VPN, you can rest assured that your online activities remain private and shielded from ISP or government monitoring, preventing speed throttling and internet connection restrictions.
However, it’s important to note that free iPhone VPNs can’t be trusted blindly. Sometimes, for an opportunity to operate in heavily restricted regions or simply in exchange for an income, free VPNs tend to collect and sell user data to third parties. Therefore, a paid VPN is worth your consideration.
Alternatively, you can use Apple’s native feature, Private Relay. It hides your online traffic from the middleman, yet you can’t choose a server location to connect to. Moreover, the technology still leaves plenty of details to use to track you down, such as cookies, email, and more.
What is iCloud+ Private Relay? Is it Enough?
iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature Apple offers as part of iCloud+. Similarly to a VPN, it’s meant to encrypt your online traffic that flows through the Safari browser on devices that run on iOS and macOS.
The technology routes your encrypted traffic through two relays. The first relay assigns a temporary IP address to your device, while the second relay decrypts the web address you’re trying to access.
This helps prevent third parties, including your internet service provider, from tracking your online activity and linking it to your device’s IP address.
Even though all of this sounds familiar to a VPN, there are several major iCloud Private Relay disadvantages:
- iCloud Private Relay works only on Apple devices. Unlike VPNs, iCloud Private Relay is only dedicated to devices produced by Apple; therefore, you won’t be able to encrypt your traffic on Windows or Android devices.
- Compatible with Safari only. iCloud Private Relay only works on Safari, not on other browsers. So, you won’t be protected if you use a different browser on your Mac or iPhone.
- Fewer protection layers. Commercial VPNs offer double VPN services, sending your internet traffic through additional servers to further secure it. iCloud Private Relay only allows a single hop.
- Not changeable geo-location. One of the primary benefits of using a VPN is its ability to provide you with a foreign IP address, allowing access to geo-restricted content. However, iCloud Private Relay doesn’t offer this opportunity, as it does not allow users to select a different geographical location.
How to Choose the Best iPhone VPNs
We’ve tested and compared a wide range of apps to provide you with a hand-picked shortlist of iOS VPNs for various use cases – but it can be tough to decide which is best for you.
When choosing the best VPN for iPhone, consider the following factors, whether you’re looking at NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN:
- Compatible application. The majority of VPN iPhone apps are compatible with iOS 11 or newer versions. Therefore, ensure that your iPhone is up-to-date when using the iPhone VPN app.
- Security and privacy. Whatever device you will use a VPN on, one of the first things to evaluate is the security suite and approach to your privacy. You must look for industry-leading encryption ciphers, top-notch tunneling protocols, and an audited no-log policy.
- Additional features. It’s no secret that cybersecurity companies develop more advanced apps for Windows and Android devices. Hence, you must pay attention to what extra features are available in the iOS app. Ensure you find a functional kill switch, split tunneling, obfuscated servers, and more.
How to Use a VPN On iPhone
Here’s a step-by-step guide for downloading and installing a VPN onto your iPhone phone. Follow the exact steps outlined below, and you’ll have ExpressVPN up and running in five minutes.
Get Surfshark
Visit the Surfshark site, pick a billing term, and purchase Surfshark. Once done, create your personal account.
Download and Install Surfshark
Download the Surfshark iPhone app and install it on your mobile and log in.
Connect to a VPN Server
Once you log in, you will see a Quick-connect button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to connect to the fastest nearby server. Alternatively, you can choose a specific server location.
Free iPhone VPN vs. Paid Subscription
There aren’t many free iPhone VPNs, let alone good ones. After extensive research, we’ve found that the best free iPhone VPN is PrivadoVPN, but even then, the free plan this VPN provider offers is extremely limited.
You’ll only have access to 10 medium-speed servers and won’t be able to use the VPN at all after spending your free 10GB of monthly VPN-protected data. This is typical of most free VPNs, which generally come with a number of major downsides.
Instead of considering it as a permanent solution, you should consider a free iPhone VPN app as a free trial of the paid version. It’s a great way to test a particular VPN in practice without committing to a monthly subscription so you can see first-hand whether it fits your needs.
All premium VPNs on this list offer money-back guarantees as well, which essentially do the same – they allow you to test a VPN for a whole month before deciding if it’s the best option. If you don’t like a particular app for any reason, you can ask for a full refund.
Conclusion – What’s the Best iPhone VPN?
If you wish to secure your online data or avoid online scammers, using a VPN on your iPhone is a necessity. A VPN not only secures your online activities from prying eyes but also ensures your personal data remains confidential, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Therefore, after extensive testing and comparison, I found NordVPN to be the best VPN for iPhone. It combines top-notch encryption, a vast network of servers, and lightning-fast speeds, making it ideal for enhancing iPhone security. Whether safeguarding online transactions or accessing geo-restricted content, NordVPN ensures your digital footprint is protected at all times.
FAQs
What is a VPN on iPhone?
Does a VPN work on an iPad?
What is the safest VPN for iPhone?
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What’s the best VPN for iPhone, according to Reddit users?
References
- 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Use Free VPNs (EC-Council University)