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The best VPNs for iPhone and iPad (and whether free VPNs are worth trying)
While iPhones and other modern smartphones today tend to have excellent connectivity, using your mobile data abroad or as a hotspot can be inefficient or may result in additional fees imposed by your carrier.
Mobile hotspots or limited mobile plans just aren't always feasible options when you are traveling. Whether you are working online during the day in a conference room or you need to stay entertained for a few hours in a hotel lobby or coffee shop, sometimes, local Wi-Fi hotspots are your only real option.
However, connecting to a local hotel, airport, school, or coffee shop Wi-Fi access point to your iPhone or iPad is a risk, especially when traveling in foreign countries.
There's no telling what or who is monitoring your traffic, and even if the hotel has encrypted Wi-Fi, you never know what's running on that network. We recommend avoiding public Wi-Fi whenever possible, but if you must, having a good VPN is essential.
We at ZDNET recommend adopting a VPN service that works with both your iPhone and iPad. In this article, we analyze and rank the top VPN services we've come to know over the years that offer solid iPhone and iPad clients and good performance. Let's take a look at each below.
However, if you're looking for a quality option for all intents and purposes, check out our best VPNs overall page.
Also:
- The best travel VPNs
- The best VPN for streaming
- The best VPN services for torrenting
- The fastest VPNs
- The best VPN services for Android
- Simple, straightforward app installation
- Consistent speed and performance
- No logs
- No split tunneling for iOS
- Only six simultaneous connections
NordVPN features: Apple App Store rating: 4.6 average, 5.5k ratings | Simultaneous connections: 6 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV | Logging: None, except billing data | Countries: 60 | Servers: 5,000+ | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
NordVPN is one of the more popular VPN offerings on the iPhone App Store. Installing NordVPN on the iPhone is simple, painless, and predictable performance across regions.
It has a number of tools in addition to its VPN service. NordVPN's Onion over VPN enables Tor capabilities, it supports peer-to-peer file sharing, and its Double VPN service allows you to connect through a second server, adding an extra layer of protection. You can also set up a dedicated IP address for an additional fee.
In addition to iOS, NordVPN runs on all of the most popular platforms. NordVPN performed sufficiently well in testing with a reduction in speed that you'd expect to see with any VPN service.
Prices start from $4.19 p/m on a two-year standard plan to $15.49 p/m on a full, one-month subscription. For a limited time, NordVPN is also running a birthday promotion. New users can subscribe to a two-year plan -- standard, plus, or complete -- and they will save up to 59%. Users will also receive either three months or one year free.
Read the review: NordVPN review
- Works on an exceptionally large number of platforms outside of iOS
- Speedy connections
- Lots of countries to connect through
- More expensive than competitors
- Limited to 5 simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN features: Apple App Store rating: 4.7 average, 230k ratings | Simultaneous connections: 5 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Chromebook, and more | Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs | Countries: 94 | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
The ExpressVPN app supports iOS back to iOS 12. So as long as your iPhone or iPad is running on iOS 12 or higher, you'll be able to use ExpressVPN. In addition to iOS, it supports all of the major platforms, there are browser extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, and VPN for gaming is also available.
If you want the most options for countries to connect through, ExpressVPN has 160 servers located in 94 countries. In terms of performance, ExpressVPN ranks among the fastest VPNs, so it shouldn't reduce your connection speeds as much as your average VPN.
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 are stated in ExpressVPN's privacy policy.
Subscription costs begin at $8.32 per month on a 12-month plan; $9.99 per month for six months, or $12.95 for a month of access.
Read the review: ExpressVPN review
- Supports iOS 11 and above
- Unlimited connections
- Highly configurable app
- Couldn't hide VPN connection
- Price jumps after sign-up deals end
IPVanish VPN features: Apple App Store rating: 4.5 average, 92k ratings | Simultaneous connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, FireTV, and Kodi | Logging: None, except billing data | Servers: 1,900+ | Countries: 50 | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
At first glance, IPVanish VPN may seem like a standard generic VPN service, but there's more than meets the eye. IPVanish has depth and plenty of configuration settings for those who want to control almost every aspect of their VPN connection.
IPVanish VPN has a large array of protocols, so you'll always know what to expect regardless of what you're connecting to. Its app has an abundance of configuration options, and there is an extensive range of server selection options.
IPVanish supports devices back to iOS 11. We found IPVanish to be exceptionally fast. However, it wasn't able to hide that I was connecting 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 it provides a good user experience as long as you're not trying to obscure your VPN connection.
IPVanish is currently on sale. You can sign up for a two-year plan for $2.92 per month or a yearly subscription for $3.99 per month. Alternatively, if you don't want to sign up for the long haul, you can pay $11.90 for a month of access.
Read the review: IPVanish VPN review
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent pricing on two-year plans
- Supports devices running iOS 10.3.3 or higher
- Fast connection times
- No Bypasser (split tunneling) for the iOS app
- Unexceptional download speeds
Surfshark VPN features: Apple App Store rating: 4.8 average, 30k ratings | Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, FireTV | Logging: None, except billing data | Countries: 100+ | Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Surfshark VPN is an affordable and reliable service. In our review of Surfshark, we didn't find any information leaks and it had fast connection times. However, download speeds were average.
But, the company doesn't skimp on security, it offers AES-256-GCM, RSA-2048, and Perfect Forward Secrecy encryption. Surfshark supports devices running iOS 10.3.3 or higher.
Surfshark has a solid array of features including ad and tracker blocking, data breach scanner, and multihop connections (connecting through two servers). That said, certain tools aren't available for iOS devices. If you want to use the Bypasser tool (Surfshark's split tunneling feature) you'll need to use the Windows or Android app.
Surfshark often runs promotions to lure new consumers to its plans. At the moment, you can pay $12.95 for a month of access, $3.99 per month on a one-year plan, or only $2.30 if you are happy to remain a subscriber for at least two years.
Read the review: Surfshark VPN review
- No data cap
- Solid iOS app
- Top-tier security features
- Just one connection allowed
- Only three countries with free servers
- No live chat support
Proton free VPN iOS features: Apple App Store rating: 4.6 average, 16k ratings | Simultaneous connections: 1 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: None | Customer service: FAQ, email | Data limit: None | Countries: 3 | Free servers: 100+
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 a number of 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? It's likely that 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.
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 is the case with Proton VPN's free version. While limited to three countries and approximately 100 servers, there are some additional free features from Proton Mail, Calendar, and Drive.
If, however, you are interested in adopting the paid version of Proton VPN, you can sign up for a 24-month VPN Plus plan at €4.99/month, or Proton Unlimited for €7.99/month.
What is the best VPN for iPhone and iPad?
We selected NordVPN as our best VPN for iPhone and iPad, which is also one of the most popular VPNs for Apple devices. NordVPN has an easy-to-use app that reliably performs well. It also supports P2P traffic and has built-in features such as its Double VPN and an option to purchase a dedicated IP address.
| Best VPN for iPhone and iPad | Price | Kill Switch | Apple App store rating | Simultaneous connections |
| ExpressVPN | $8.32+/mo | Yes | 4.7 | 5 |
| Surfshark VPN | $2.30+/mo | Yes | 4.8 | Unlimited |
| NordVPN | $4.19+/mo | Yes | 4.6 | 6 |
| IPVanish VPN | $2.92+/mo | Yes | 4.5 | Unlimited |
| Proton free VPN | Free with limited services or €4.99/mo for full plan | Yes | 4.6 | 1 |
Which is the right iPhone and iPad VPN for you?
Although we have an opinion on the best VPN for iPhone and iPad, your personal preferences and your individual situation can also factor into the decision. If you need a VPN for more than five or six devices, then you'll want to prioritize VPN services with unlimited connections, such as IPVanish or Surfshark. But if speed is most important then you'll want to take a look at ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
The nice thing about all of the selections for our best VPN for iPhone and iPad list is they all have a 30-day money-back guarantee. A month should give you enough time to test any of these VPNs, see which features you love, and make a decision based on your personal experience.
Choose this VPN for iPhone and iPad... | If you want... |
NordVPN | A top VPN that can just about do it all |
ExpressVPN | A fast VPN |
Surfshark VPN | A solid budget VPN |
IPVanish VPN | A highly flexible VPN |
Proton VPN | A free VPN |
How did we choose these iPhone and iPad VPNs?
We analyzed the best VPNs for iPhone and iPad below using the following criteria that we felt were most important in helping you make an informed decision:
- Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to its 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 5 simultaneous connections.
- Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection and is an important feature for a VPN to have.
- Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on?
- Logging: What type of information (if any) does the VPN provider record?
- Countries: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers.
- Servers: How many servers does the VPN service operate?
- Trial length & price: How much does the VPN service cost? How long do you have to try the service out before you can't get a refund anymore?
Many of the providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by ZDNET authors. Other VPNs have been ones we've been talking about for years, spoken with their management and their users, and have developed a generally favorable impression.
We do 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 guarantee refund.
If you experience traffic slowdowns, be sure to check not only your VPN but your 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.
How do I set up VPN on my iPhone?
Setting up a VPN on your iPhone is fairly simple. It requires you to download one of the app's mentioned on our list in the App Store, once you have created a login and started your subscription, you are ready to securely connect!
Do I need a VPN if I just use my carrier's data?
Maybe. That depends on how much you trust your carrier -- and wireless signals have been intercepted. You're better off encrypting your data when it's in motion, whether you use Wi-Fi or a carrier connection.
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.
It also shows up as a proxy server, so if you don't want anyone to know you're using a VPN, you're out of luck. 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. Our recommended VPN services for iPhone and iPad include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark VPN, IPVanish VPN, and Proton VPN. If you're still curious about the best free VPNs, see:
What is the best VPN for travel?
VPN's are also important for a secure connection when abroad. Whether you are 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 which is great for Apple devices and the iOS ecosystem as well as different operating systems. If you are on the hunt for other trustworthy options, we have also created a guide on the best VPN services of 2023 -- as well as an explainer on whether or not free VPNs are worth it.
Are there alternative iPhone & iPad VPNs worth considering?
Other than our four best VPNs for iPhone and iPad, there are other services that can get the job done. Here are a few alternative options that are secure and reputable, but didn't quite make our best list.
AtlasVPN is our top cheap VPN, which is even less expensive than Surfshark.