Why you should be using a VPN with your iPhone — plus our top VPN picks (2024)

VPNs —virtual private networks —used to be niche computer software for hardcore techies. Now people of all internet capabilities are snagging subscriptions to keep themselves safe, and not just on their desktops and laptops but on their phones as well.

With the recent reveal of the iPhone 15, lots of loyal Apple users are going to be trading in their smartphones in the near future. If you're planning to preorder the iPhone 15, then this is also the perfect opportunity to upgrade your mobile security along with your phone.

There's no denying the growing need for more mobile protection, but is a VPN on your iPhone really necessary?

Let's dive in.

Do you need a VPN for your iPhone?

The iPhone has a reputation for being practically hacker-proof, but that's not exactly true. Modern mobile devices, including iPhones, are heavily encrypted and hard to tap (unless you're the police), yet there are still documented attacks. That's not to say you need a VPN if you're using an iPhone;these hacker attacks aren't an everyday occurrence you should be worrying about.

The bigger issue at hand is all the companies who are constantly reaching for your data. Big companies like Facebook and Google track your every move online and create exhaustive records of your preferences in order to make money off of you. Two words: targeted advertising. How many times have you received an ad on social media that was a little too on the nose? It's not as serious as a hacker stealing your data for nefarious reasons, but it's still an invasion of your privacy. Not to mention, it's creepy.

A VPN isn't necessarily about keeping your iPhone completely unhackable; it's about adding a shield of privacy. You don't need a VPN for your iPhone, but you can certainly benefit from it as an additional tool in your privacy toolbox.

Why should you use a VPN on iPhone?

Besides simply blocking some of those advertisers from getting ahold of your data, there are quite a few other reasons a VPN can be beneficial for your iPhone. Here are a few scenarios in which using a VPN on iPhone is a good idea.

• Using public WiFi networks —Public WiFi networks can be like the Wild West. Your location, data, and just about everything you do online is vulnerable when using these wireless access points. Before you check your bank account information at a coffee shop, do yourself a favor and connect to a VPN first.

• Traveling abroad —Heading abroad but still want to be able to stream your favorite shows? A VPN on your iPhone can help you bypass those geo-restrictions and let you stream as if you were on your home network. It can also help unblock restricted websites in other countries.

• Working remotely —When you're out and about and you decide to answer some work emails or tidy up some loose ends on a report using your iPhone, a VPN can help protect company data from getting into the wrong hands. With how prevalent data breaches have become, an extra tool in your toolkit is certainly not a bad idea.

• Scoring better deals — If you use your iPhone to book flights and hotels, you could end up saving a few bucks by first connecting to a VPN. By blocking your IP address, you can prevent booking websites from collecting your data and targeting you with inflated prices. We're not saying a VPN will guarantee you major savings, but it's worth a shot.

It's also worth noting that iOS has had some issues with VPNs over the years, as found by security researcher Michael Horowitz. When you connect to a VPN, your operating system should close out all existing internet connections and re-establish them through the VPN tunnel to protect your data. Unfortunately, iOS fails to re-establish the existing connections, which can lead to some data leaks.

Hopefully, Apple will address and rectify this issue soon. In the meantime, however, you can potentially get around this issue and force reconnections by connecting your device to a VPN, then turning airplane mode on and back off, according to ProtonVPN.

Wait, isn't there a built-in VPN on iPhone?

Apple wants to be on the edge of innovation when it comes to their tech. Hence, why they introduce new hardware and software annually. In 2021, one of those new releases was a feature called Private Relay. On the surface, it appears as iPhone's own built-in VPN, but upon further digging, it's not exactly the case.

Private Relay does offer some VPN-like perks, like concealing users IP addresses and generating temporary ones. There's just one issue: it only works on Safari and apps with insecure connections. If you're a Chrome user, you're out of luck. Plus, Private Relay is only available to paid iCloud users and is limited to certain countries.

If you're concerned with data privacy on your iPhone, you're better off with a full-fledged VPN. However, if you're a paid iCloud user, you might as well take advantage of Private Relay as well.

The best VPNs for iPhone

The new iPhone 15 will bring welcome changes such as the addition of USB-C charging, dynamic islands, and a 48MP camera, but no major changes to privacy or security have been announced yet. Yes, Apple is pretty good at protecting your iPhone from malware, but the best VPNs for iPhone users will go lightyears beyond to keep your private data private and your online activity hidden from advertisers, ISPs, and other snoops.

Here are our top picks for iPhone VPNs, along with current discounts and links to full reviews for more details.

Best server network: ExpressVPN

Not only is ExpressVPN one of our favorite full-featured VPNs on the market, but it's also our top pick for streaming abroad. We love that it's strongly committed to data protection and offers a massive network in 94 countries, a built-in tracker blocker, and an app that's user-friendly. We don't love the price, but ExpressVPN is currently offering a 15-month plan for 49% off —just $6.67/month. It's also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review on ExpressVPN.

Best features: NordVPN

NordVPN consistently tops our lists of VPNs and it's not hard to see why. Not only is NordVPN an industry giant with a reputation to back it up, but it's also highly customizable and boats an unrivaled suite of security features like Tor access, a dark web monitor, and malware protection. It's also offering an introductory rate of just $3.19/month for 27 months, which saves you $9.80/month.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Best for streaming: CyberGhost VPN

We recommend CyberGhost VPN for new and experienced VPN users looking for a friendly interface, a massive network, and specialty servers for things like streaming, gaming, and P2P to help minimize lag. It also offers the best introductory rate of just $2.19/month for 26 months, a 45-day money-back guarantee, and free access to ID Guard and Privacy Guard tools.

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Best for security: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is practically synonymous with privacy. It's not the most well-known or well-rounded option on the list, but we truly appreciate its commitment to consumer privacy. "It offers a decent free plan, but we recommend its Plus tier for full access to its server network, streaming and P2P support, multi-hop, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and Tor access," says Mashable shopping reporter Haley Henschel. It's also worth noting that ProtonVPN is the service that first reported the issue with VPNs on iOS devices back in 2020. You can currently score a two-year subscription for only $4.99/month, which saves you 57%.

Read our full review for ProtonVPN.

Best for beginners: TunnelBear

All you VPN newbies out there will appreciate TunnelBear's simple and intuitive interface. As Henschel noted in her review, "Though it's incapable of unblocking streaming sites, it should serve you well for basic web surfing." You can secure a two-year plan for $4.17/month and save $5.82/month.

Read our full review for TunnelBear.