If you're looking to protect your data and get around geo-restrictions, you need a great VPN, and you can even find some truly great iPad VPN apps if you prefer to stick to tablets over computers. After all, staying protected online doesn't just apply to your PC.
Whether you use your iPad mainly for streaming your favourite shows through apps or you use it for work, having a dedicated iPad VPN app can improve your experience. In terms of streaming services, an iPad VPN app can be used to set your IP address elsewhere in the world and allows you to gain access to content not usually available in your country.
The best iPad VPN apps at a glance:
• The best overall iPad VPN app: ExpressVPN - View now on ExpressVPN.com
• The best iPad VPN app design: CyberGhost - View now on CyberGhostVPN.com
• The best iPad VPN app for streaming: Surfshark - View now on Surfshark.com
For those who do a lot of work through their iPad, you want to make sure all your data is protected and not being tracked. Through secure encryption software, an iPad VPN app can provide you with that extra blanket of security that should leave you in peace as you work.
Regardless, you'll want to know which are the best iPad VPN app on the Apple app store, and that's exactly what we're here to do. Without further ado, let's get into our favourite picks...
The best overall iPad VPN app
go.expressvpn.com
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs in most categories, and its iPad app follows that trend. The app is simple to understand and easy to use, so it's a great introduction to the potential of VPNs if you're unconvinced. Plus, the app runs very reliably, with very few bugs or glitches to note. Although the server selection is missing a few countries we would like to see, the fact it's so easy and quick to swap between them is very handy.
Of course, one of the best perks of ExpressVPN is its value. It's an inexpensive VPN that excels at what it does, with plenty of features on the app that other, pricier VPNs can't match.
Pros
- Brilliant value
- Easy to use
Cons
- Could do with more country options
| Servers | 3000+ |
| Simultaneous devices | 5 |
| Encryption security | AES-256 |
| Average speed | 560mbps |
- Customer review: "This app is great at protecting your location and your password. I feel extremely safe when having this active and if it ever messes up which it rarely does it has many troubleshooting options and they make it very simple to use and navigate around."
The best iPad VPN app design
www.cyberghostvpn.com
If the clever app design of the previous entry seemed appealing, then you'll love the excellent design of CyberGhost's VPN app. Much like its PC app, proper attention and care have been given to polishing the UI and UX, making it feel natural and convenient to navigate through. It's also quite visually appealing.
Speed is an interesting topic when it comes to the CyberGhost VPN app. On one hand, the speed rarely reaches impressive heights, so you won't be blown away as some other options may do. That said, the speed also rarely ever dips, meaning you won't often have to wait for videos to load for too long.
Pros
- Easy to navigate UI
- Reliable speeds
Cons
- Doesn't reach the speed heights of other VPNs
| Servers | 9500+ |
| Simultaneous devices | 7 |
| Encryption security | AES-256 |
| Average speed | 548mbps |
- Customer review: "I like various connection portals that the app provides and that the app has become faster over the years."
The best iPad VPN app for streaming
Surfsharksurfshark.com
For those who primarily use streaming services on their iPad, you'll want to go with Surfshark VPN. It averages some pretty impressive speeds, meaning you can blast through a whole season of your favourite show without having to stop and wait for the videos to load. You can also connect to an unlimited number of devices at once, so you can use it on your iPad while another house member uses it on their phone, for example.
Our only complaint with Surfshark is that the app could do with a bit of extra polish. It does occasionally get a bit buggy and slow, but aside from that the performance is good.
Pros
- Great top speeds
- Can use across many devices at once
Cons
- Occasionally a bit buggy
| Servers | 3200+ |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited |
| Encryption security | AES-256 |
| Average speed | 950mbps |
- Customer review: "Surfshark did what it was supposed to during my travels & connecting thru public networks. There's a sense of security that each time I'm connected to the net whether I'm using my laptop or iPad - I know I'm protected. The speed was also decent during my travels in Europe & Asia."
The best iPad VPN app for features
www.privateinternetaccess.com
Private Internet Access is a great choice for those that want to get the most out of a VPN app. The encryption security is excellent, providing you with plenty of protection. There are also over 35,000 servers to choose from, meaning that even if a site or app does detect that you're using a VPN, you can simply swap servers and try again. Best of all, it is capable of split-tunnelling, so you can select which individual apps and programs to run through the VPN.
The only notable drawback is that the app can feel a bit clunky to use at times. It could do with a bit of a modern touch and some polish.
Pros
- Fantastic selection of servers to choose from
- Brilliant security
Cons
- A little clunky to use at times
| Servers | 35,000+ |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 |
| Encryption security | AES-256 |
| Average speed | 510mbps |
- Customer review: "The PIA VPN is a good, stable, easy-to-use VPN with a court-tested No Logs policy which I would recommend. Once set up, and the default settings should suffice for most, you can forget about it and let it do its thing."
The best free iPad VPN app
protonvpn.com
ProtonVPN is not as well known as the other entries on our list, but it's an app absolutely worth your consideration. First of all, it's free to use, so it's the perfect pick for any newcomers to VPNs who don't want to commit to a pricey year-long plan. Despite being free, the features are still fantastic. Most notable is that it's a No Logs VPN, meaning that even ProtonVPN itself doesn't track your search data.
Where it falls a bit short is in its server selection. While over 1700 sounds like a lot on paper, it pales in comparison to the more recognisable VPN brands.
Pros
- Ideal for VPN newcomers
- No logs policy
Cons
- Less servers than other VPNs
| Servers | 1700+ |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 |
| Encryption security | AES-256 |
| Average speed | Varies by server |
- Customer review: "I started using proton VPN again and I like it. The speeds are great, and I'm not being spammed with plus ads. The only problem I have is google asking me to verify that I'm not a robot when using proton, but it takes only 1 or 2 clicks to continue."
FAQs
Glossary
VPN- Virtual Private Network
Encryption- The method and means that your data is secured, makes accessing it much trickier and thus keeps it safe
Data tracking- Data, such as your search terms or time spent on a page, gets recorded, analysed, and even sometimes sold.
Why should I use a VPN on my iPad?
The main reason to use a VPN on your iPad is to expand the selection of shows you can watch and get around geo-blocking. Regardless of your chosen streaming app, you're always going to run into a show disappearing or being unavailable, but by swapping to another country's server, you can see and watch their show options.
Having a VPN on your iPad also provides an extra layer of protection against data tracking, which can be especially useful if you have a child or younger sibling that uses the same device.
Why are some shows unavailable in my country?
Depending on the region or country you are in, licensing issues can cause streaming platforms to alter their available content. These are known as geo-restrictions, but you can easily get around them with a VPN. Chances are that if a show or movie is not available in your area, you should be able to swap to numerous other servers and find it in at least one country.
Netflix famously can offer entirely different streaming catalogues depending on where in the world your IP is set. With a Netflix VPN, you'll have unlimited access to every single one of them.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
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