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Home Tech Security VPN
ZDNET went hands-on with the best VPNs for your iPhone and iPad to find which can keep your Apple devices most secure.
Written by Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer
Reviewed by
Gabriela Pérez JordánWhy you can trust ZDNET
ZDNET's reviewers perform extensive testing on the VPNs on this list. We test out connections through different countries, and run speed tests using speedtest.net to measure and compare results. We also test whether the VPN has any DNS leaks while connecting, which would potentially provide information to your ISP or other services about what sites you visit or your originating location or IP address. We evaluate how easy each service is to navigate via website and app, how well it works for streaming content, and its customer service offerings. All of these factors give us a view into how well the VPN works, and how secure it is.
What to Consider
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Performance
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Simultaneous connections
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Security
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Kill switch
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Geoblocks and streaming
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Platforms
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Countries and servers
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Trial length and price
Surfshark VPN
Best VPN for iPhone overall
View now View at Surfshark
NordVPN
Best VPN for speed
View now View at NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Best VPN for server range and usability
View now View at ExpressVPN
IPVanish VPN
Best configurable VPN for iPhone and iPad
View now View at IPVanish
Proton VPN
Best free VPN for iPhone & iPad
View now View at ProtonVPN
WhileiPhonestend to have excellent connectivity, using your mobile data as a hotspot while working or while traveling abroad can be inefficient, or may result in additional fees imposed by your carrier.
That might leave you turning to local hotel, airport, school, or coffee shop Wi-Fi networks to get online. However, connecting to public Wi-Fi on your iPhone or iPad is a major security risk, especially if you're traveling in a foreign country since there's no telling who or what is monitoring your traffic.
We recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) service that works with your iPhone and iPad to keep your data and browsing safe while on the go. We've analyzed and ranked the top VPN services we've tested and researched over the years that offer solid iPhone and iPad clients, good performance, strong security, and are suitable for the Apple ecosystem.
Also:The best travel VPNs
Based on extensive testing, ZDNET's pick for the best VPN for iPhone and iPad overall isSurfshark. It has an easy-to-use app that performs well and a great server network, and it won't break the bank if you sign up for longer plans, starting at $1.99/month. There's an additional bonus: four months of free access.
Check out our picks for the top VPNs for iPhones and iPads below, depending on your needs.
The best VPN services for iPhones and iPads of 2024
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent pricing on two-year plans
- Supports devices running iOS 10.3 or higher
- Fast connection times
Cons
- No Bypasser (split tunneling) for the iOS app
- Expensive monthly plans
Price $11 per month, $48 for the first year (or $59.54 for 2yrs)
Latest Tests No leaks detected, 17% speed loss in 2023 tests
Network 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries
Jurisdiction Netherlands
Surfshark VPN
Best VPN for iPhone overall
Surfshark VPN features:Apple App Store rating: 4.8|Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, FireTV |Logging: None, except billing data |Countries: 100+, 3,200 servers | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Surfshark VPN is an affordable and reliable service. When wereviewed Surfshark, we found no information leaks, and it had fast connection times. Luckily, the company doesn't skimp on security. It offers AES-256-GCM, RSA-2048, and Perfect Forward Secrecy encryption. Surfshark supports devices running iOS 10.3 or higher. If you want protection for a macOS machine, you will need macOS 10.15 or later and an active subscription.
Review:Surfshark VPN
Surfshark has many features, including ad and tracker blocking, a data breach scanner, and multi-hop connections (connecting through two servers). This VPN is excellent for iPhone and iPad users because of its user-friendliness, uncomplicated and quick connection process, and reasonable price point.
That said, specific tools aren't available for iOS devices, which is the case across the board. If you want to use the Bypasser tool (Surfshark's split tunneling feature), you must use the Windows or Android app.
Surfshark often runs promotions to lure new consumers to its plans, and it's worth noting that promotions of around 80 - 85% off appear frequently, so take the discount as the VPN provider's typical price range.
Currently, you can pay $10.99 for a month of access, $3.99 per month on a one-year plan, or only $1.99 if you are happy to remain a subscriber for at least two years. The VPN provider has also thrown in four months of free access on 24-month plans.
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Pros
- Simple, straightforward app installation
- Consistent speed and performance
- No logs
Cons
- No split tunneling for iOS
- Expensive monthly plans
NordVPN
Best VPN for speed
NordVPN features:Apple App Store rating: 4.7 |Simultaneous connections: 6 |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV |Logging: None, except billing data |Countries: 60| Servers: 5,900+ |Money-back guarantee: 30 days
NordVPN is one of the more popular VPN offerings on the iPhone App Store. Installing NordVPNon the iPhone is a simple, painless way to secure predictable performance across regions, and the service is compatible with iOS 13.0 or later.
NordVPN's interface is user-friendly, and during testing, we found the service offered consistent, reliable speeds that do not impact streaming services or make a noticeable difference to internet surfing.
It has many tools in addition to a standard VPN service. NordVPN's Onion over VPN is a special category of NordVPN servers that enables Tor capabilities, supports peer-to-peer file sharing, and allows you to connect through a second server for an added layer of protection. You can also set up a dedicated IP address for an additional fee.
Review:NordVPN
In addition to iOS, NordVPN runs on all the most popular platforms. Prices start from $3.79 per month on a two-year standard plan, with three months free. Yearly plans begin at $4.49. If you only want to try out NordVPN for a month, prices begin at $12.99/month.
NordVPN has also recently begun offering additional cybersecurity options, such as identity theft and cyber extortion coverage, under Ultimate plans, which begin at $5.99/month.
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Pros
- Works on an exceptionally large number of platforms outside of iOS
- Speedy connections
- Lots of countries to connect through
Cons
- More expensive than competitors
- Limited simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN
Best VPN for server range and usability
ExpressVPN features:Apple App Store rating: 4.7 |Simultaneous connections:8 |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Chromebook, and more|Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs |Countries:105|Money-back guarantee: 30 days
The ExpressVPN app supports iOS back to iOS 12. So, as long as your iPhone or iPad runs on iOS 12 or higher, you can use ExpressVPN. In addition to iOS, it supports all major platforms, including macOS X 10.11 and above. There are browser extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, and a VPN service for gaming is also available.
If you want the most options for countries to connect to, ExpressVPN has servers located in 94 countries. ExpressVPN ranks among the fastest VPNs, so it shouldn't reduce your connection speeds as much as the average VPN.
Review:ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN doesn't maintain browsing history logs, but it does keep track of some information, such as the dates you connect and the location of the VPN server you connect to. The details of what is and isn't logged arestated in ExpressVPN's privacy policy.
Overall, if you're looking for a set-and-forget VPN with decent speeds and user-friendliness, ExpressVPN is a top pick. The monthly plan is limited to eight simultaneous devices, whereas six-month or annual plans offer up to eight connected devices.
Other subscription offers are $9.99 monthly for six months or $12.95 for one month of access. Alternatively, signing up for a 12-month plan is only $6.67/month, with three months of access for free and a year of Backblaze cloud backup. The iPhone app comes with a 7-day free trial.
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Pros
- Unlimited connections
- Highly configurable app
Cons
- Mediocre user interface
IPVanish VPN
Best configurable VPN for iPhone and iPad
IPVanish VPN features:Apple App Store rating: 4.5 |Simultaneous connections: Unlimited |Kill switch: Yes |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, FireTV, and Kodi |Logging: None, except billing data |Servers:2000+ |Locations:75|Money-back guarantee: 30 days
IPVanish has depth and plenty of configuration settings for those who want to control almost every aspect of their VPN connection.
While it's not the most stylish VPN with the best interface, IPVanish VPN has many protocols, so you'll always know what to expect regardless of what you're connecting to. The app has an abundance of configuration options, and there's an extensive range of server selection options. The service is also independently security audited.
Review:IPVanish VPN
IPVanish supports devices back to iOS 14, and clients for macOS are available from 10.11/10.12 and later.
We found IPVanish to be impressively fast and quick to connect. However, it couldn't hide that we connected through a VPN, which could be an issue in countries where internet connectivity and activities are monitored at the state or ISP level. That said, IPVanish's data transfers were secure and provided a good user experience.
IPVanish is an excellent option for iOS and Mac devices. You can sign up for a two-year plan for $2.99 per month or a yearly subscription for $3.59/month, and each option comes with three months of free access. Alternatively, if you don't want to sign up for the long haul, you can pay $12.99 for a month of access.
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Pros
- No data cap
- Solid iOS app
- Top-tier security features
- Open source
Cons
- Just one connection allowed
- Only three countries with free servers
Proton VPN
Best free VPN for iPhone & iPad
Proton VPN iOS features:Apple App Store rating: 4.6 |Simultaneous connections: 1 (free) Up to 10 (paid)|Kill switch: Yes |Logging: No-logs policy|Customer service: FAQ, email |Data limit: None | Free countries: 3 |Free servers: 100+| Paid plans: 2,700+ servers in 70 countries
Proton VPN has an excellent paid service that ranks as one of the fastest VPNs and best VPNs overall.
In general, we recommend you avoid free VPNs for several reasons. There are potentially serious security concerns with free VPN providers. How do these companies have the money to build and maintain a secure product? Likely, they don't. A free VPN service could even make money selling your data, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN to protect your identity, activities, and other information.
Review:Proton VPN
ProtonVPN requires iOS 14.0 or later.
The only situation where using a free VPN wouldn't necessarily come with security concerns is when it's a free version of a reputable paid service, as with Proton VPN. While limited to three countries and approximately 100 servers, some additional free features from Proton Mail, Calendar, and Drive exist.
If, however, you are interested in adopting the paid version of Proton VPN, you can sign up for a 24-month VPN plan at $4.99/month, a 12-month subscription at $5.99, or a one-month agreement at $9.99.
While ProtonVPN is a Swiss company, you can make payments in US dollars.
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What is the best VPN for iPhone and iPad?
We consider Surfshark as the best VPN for the iPhone and iPad, and it's one of the most popular VPNs for Apple devices overall, with good customer ratings. Surfshark also has an easy-to-use app and a great server network, but if you don't think this VPN is right for you, we have included the price point and key features of our top recommended VPNs below.
Best VPN for iPhone and iPad | Starting price | Kill Switch | Apple App Store rating | Simultaneous connections |
Surfshark VPN | $1.99+ per month | Yes | 4.9 | Unlimited |
NordVPN | $3.79+ per month | Yes | 4.7 | Up to 6 |
ExpressVPN | $6.67+ per month | Yes | 4.7 | Up to 8 |
IPVanish VPN | $2.99+ per month | Yes | 4.5 | Unlimited |
Proton VPN | Free with limited services or $4.99 per month | Yes | 4.6 | 1 or up to 10 |
*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
Which is the right iPhone and iPad VPN for you?
Although we have our own opinions on the best VPN for iPhone and iPad, your personal preferences and your situation will also factor into the decision. If you need a VPN for more than five or six devices, you'll want to prioritize VPN services with unlimited connections, such as IPVanish or Surfshark. But if speed is most important, you'll want to look at NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
A great thing about the selections for the best VPN for iPhone and iPad list is they all have a 30-day -- or more -- money-back guarantee. A month should give you enough time to test any of these VPNs, see which features you love, and decide.
Choose this VPN for iPhone and iPad... | If you want... |
Surfshark VPN | A top VPN that can just about do it all, and for an affordable price. Surfshark performs well in speed tests, earned solid customer reviews, and has an easy-to-use mobile interface. |
NordVPN | A solid, feature-rich VPN. NordVPN's speeds are impressive, but the price point for this reliable, secure VPN on shorter plans might be offputting for some. |
ExpressVPN | A stable choice for iOS. We've found that ExpressVPN connections are usually reliable and speedy. The mobile VPN is simple, user-friendly, and comes packed with different server options. You can also take advantage of a 7-day free trial. |
IPVanish VPN | A highly flexible VPN. IPVanish offers a range of security and connectivity settings for you to choose from, although if you want to take full advantage of different protocols, you will want some technical knowledge. |
Proton VPN | A free VPN. This Swiss VPN provider takes security seriously, and while the free version is restricted, it is still an excellent choice -- but the paid option removes all limits. |
How did we choose these iPhone and iPad VPNs?
Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been talking about other VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.
ZDNET does test VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure. It's essential that once you choose, you test for all your likely usage profiles and only then make the decision to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund, which all these VPNs have.
If you experience traffic slowdowns, check your VPN and the Wi-Fi connection between your device and your router or access point. Sometimes, connectivity issues begin at the source, and in other cases, switching your selected VPN server may be enough to resolve speed problems or connectivity drops.
We analyzed the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:
- Performance:Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags, making it intolerable.
- Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you'd need a service that allows at least fivesimultaneous connections.
- Security: There's no point using a VPN unless their security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cared about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.
- Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection and is an important feature for a VPN to have, as it protects by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
- Geoblocks and streaming: We know VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations performed well when it came to these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming.
- Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our iPhone and iPad VPN recommendations, naturally, have to run easy-to-use and intuitive mobile apps.
- Countries & servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers and whether or not there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide variety.
- Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee.
How do I set up a VPN on my iPhone?
Setting up a VPN on your iPhone is fairly simple. It requires you to download one of the apps mentioned on our list in the Apple App Store. Once you've created a login and started your subscription, you are ready to securely connect!
Ensure you do not download any apps from untrusted sources.
Mobile device management (MDM) solutions utilizing VPNs can be configured in iOS settings.
Do I need a VPN if I just use my carrier's data?
Perhaps. That depends on how much you trust your carrier. You're better off encrypting your data when it's in motion, whether you use Wi-Fi or a carrier connection. Overall, it's still recommended to use a VPN no matter the type of internet access you have in use.
Isn't iCloud+ Private Relay a VPN? Why do I need another VPN?
Apple iCloud+ Private Relay is a feature of iCloud+. If you buy any iCloud storage, you'll get the iCloud+ features. But while Private Relay can hide your email address and location, it only does it when you're using Safari. If you're using Chrome (or any applications that use the Internet directly), you're out of luck. The service is also not available in all countries.
It also shows up as a proxy server. You also can't change or hide your location, as you can with a full VPN. Private Relay is a feature of iCloud+. A VPN is a full security solution.
Is a free VPN worth trying?
A free VPN for an iPhone or iPad is not always worth trying. A good VPN is essential when using public Wi-Fi hotspots, but connecting to a local hotel, airport, or coffee shop Wi-Fi access point to your iPhone or iPad is a risk, especially when traveling abroad. Using a reputable VPN service is the best way to protect your privacy and security.
Also:The best VPN trials you can try for free
What is the best VPN for travel?
VPNs are important for establishing secure connections when abroad. Whether you're working from another country or simply want to stream your favorite TV show, we compiled a list of the best VPNs for travel.
What is the best VPN overall for different operating systems?
You might want a VPN that works best with the iOS ecosystem or another operating system. If you're on the hunt for other trustworthy options, we've also created a guide to the best VPN services of 2024 with an explainer on free VPNs, and whether or not they're worth it.
Are there alternative iPhone & iPad VPNs worth considering?
Other than ourrecommendations for the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad, other services can get the job done. Here are a few alternative options that are secure and reputable:
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