The conquest of the iPhone has been an unstoppable force, but despite all of their breakthroughs, iPhone VPNs are still necessary today. This is where the best VPNs come in. You might have only associated VPNs with desktops and laptops, but smartphones are equally targets of cybercrimes. The best iPhone VPNs might be your only hope.
Any online device is susceptible to data breaches and privacy attacks if they don't use a reputable Virtual Private Network. iPhones are no exception to this, and fortunately, the best VPN providers have dedicated iOS apps.
The VPN app is pivotal to your privacy experience, we can't stress enough how important it is choosing a well-reviewed iOS VPN app. Depending on your online activity, each iPhone VPN can provide a different service catering to you. You might be after the easiest app to use, or maybe your priority is power or streaming speeds.
The best iPhone VPNs at a glance:
• The best iPhone VPN: NordVPN - View on NordVPN
• The best iPhone VPN app: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN
• The best iPhone VPN for value: Surfshark - View on Surfshark
Out of these iPhone Virtual Private Networks we've compiled, there's guaranteed to be one for you. Take a look and settle on the right VPN for your iPhone's needs.
Please note: All prices are correct at time of writing. VPN deals and savings are subject to change at short notice.
The best iPhone VPN
nordvpn.com
NordVPN is a Virtual Private Network provider that has no trouble living up to its hype. Rated at 4.5 stars on the app store, it's easy to see why it's accumulated such a loyal usership.
On iPhone, Nord outperforms and outshines the competition. The app is feature-filled, organised, and monitored by a fantastic support system. Users found the dedicated kill switch to be massively reliable, and quick connect widget makes working a VPN easier than ever. The iOS app really is filled to the brim with features, so it can get a bit fiddly at times and may take some practice navigating.
Anyone familiar with NordVPN should be aware of its notorious double data encryption, this makes the VPN service as secure as they come. This means data-heavy tasks like streaming are made seamless, stream from your iPhone, and easily bypass almost any geo-restrictions too.
Pros
- Featured-packed - plenty to dive into
- Double data encryption - super strong
- Great for streaming - fast and high-resolution
Cons
- VPN beginners might be overwhelmed
| Servers: | 5709 servers in 60 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 6 |
| Streaming sites unblocked: | Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO |
| Encryption: | AES-256-GCM, Nordlynx |
| Kill switch: | Yes |
| Money back guarantee: | 30 days |
- Customer review: "Great app that does exactly what it's supposed to, and the design and user interface are perfect. Also, it's important to mention that the customers service is unbelievable friendly and helped me with a problem. If you need a great, reliable VPN get this one."
The best iPhone VPN app
go.expressvpn.com
Few premium providers know how to design a better app than ExpressVPN. Express has managed to make a top-notch app for every single operating system, and iOS for iPhone is no exception. For starters, apple users have collectively given it 4.5 stars.
The iPhone app has the friendliest user interface. It's easy to use but is still lined with technical and powerful features. Protocol switching is a standout, and it's so simple to activate. In fact, Express has superior apps across the board, never favouring one over the other.
Express' speed capabilities and super-secure servers are no joke. You can have no doubts your iPhone will be getting some of the best online protection available. On top of that, you'll find speeds to be absolutely seamless across a limit of five simultaneous connections.
Pros
- Flawless app design - pleasant to use
- Market leading speeds
Cons
- Cheaper option offers nearly the same
| Servers: | 3000 servers in 94 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 5 |
| Streaming sites unblocked: | Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, HBO |
| Encryption: | AES-256-bit |
| Kill switch: | No |
| Money back guarantee: | 30 days |
- Customer review: "Excellent. Was using another VPN prior to Express - my experience wasn't good. Express works, speeds are excellent, connection is solid, I don't have to buy a new subscription every month, so the service is continuous - another major plus. Switching countries is quick, and connection to servers in my own country is always quick and stable too."
The best iPhone VPN for value
surfshark.com
Known now for its tremendous value for money across so many operating systems, the story of Surfshark is no different where iPhone is concerned. With a resounding 4.8 rating on the app store, users can't get enough of Surfshark, and they can't get over how much they get for such a little fee.
Surshark keeps the price low but security, speed, and reliability high. Users have found little to no issues with streaming on iPhone, and a coverage of over 3200 servers in 95 countries makes it a great iPhone VPN when you're on the move.
Surfshark has been known to suffer minor kill switch issues when under intense use, this is across the board but does unfortunately apply to the iPhone app too.
Pros
- Amazing value - get your money's worth
- Wide coverage - plenty servers
- Reliable streaming - connection drops are rare
Cons
- Minor kill switch issues under intense use - security risk
| Servers: | 3200+ in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Streaming sites unblocked: | Netflix, Prime, Hulu, HBO, Sky |
| Encryption: | AES-256-GCM |
| Kill switch: | Yes |
| Money back guarantee: | 30 days |
- Customer reviews: I've been using this VPN for a while now and I'm really impressed with its performance. Surfshark's servers are lightning-fast, I've been enjoying a smooth and seamless browsing experience without any lag. The download speed is pretty much the same as without the VPN, so I don't have to sacrifice speed for security."
The most powerful iPhone VPN
protonvpn.com
Another serious player in the world of premium Virtual Private Networks is Proton VPN. Users have found that Proton's power as a VPN is what sets it apart from competition. Collectively reviewed at 4.4 on the app store, there's plenty to talk about with Proton.
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, and Swiss privacy laws are infamous for their strictness. Privacy is very high on Proton's list of priorities.
On iPhone, you'll have access to over 1300 servers around the world, and Proton claims that their iOS app rivals Windows in terms of power. Proton's VPN accelerator can also be found on iPhone. If you weren't happy with the VPN's base speed and power, the accelerator kicks it to the next level.
Proton VPN also offers a free version that has almost all the benefits of the full plan. We highly recommend taking advantage of this as a beginner because Proton VPN does not have 24/7 live support just yet.
Pros
- High-grade privacy
- VPN accelerator - speed-increasing feature
- Best free version
Cons
- No 24/7 live support yet - tough if you have an issue
| Servers: | 1720 in 63 countries |
| Simultaneous devices: | 10 |
| Streaming sites unblocked: | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more |
| Encryption: | AES-256, CHaCha20 |
| Kill switch: | Yes |
| Money back guarantee: | 30 days |
- Customer review: "Excellent. Trustworthy. Proton's efforts, effort to be inclusive (so rare in the world of internet access, privacy & security), and company are well worth supporting by everyone who is able. Peace of mind."
The best iPhone VPN for functionality
hide.me
A very popular Virtual Private Network amongst iPhone users, Hide.me puts functionality first. Just a glimpse at the in-depth app can tell you so much about Hide.me. There are endless features on the iPhone app, and subscribers have found they've used every single one.
Hide.me achieves some impressive connection speeds on a total of 10 simultaneous connections. It's certainly deserving of its 4.5 App Store score.
For iPhone users, 2000+ servers in 75+ countries is a delightful coverage. As an on-the-go VPN, you won't find much better. An experienced user of Virtual Private Networks will find themselves at home with Hide. me's vast catalogue of features, but beginners might struggle. One user's generous offering could be another's bombardment.
Pros
- Intuitive, useful app
- 10 simultaneous connections - plenty of Hide.me to go around
Cons
- Too complex for beginners
| Servers: | 2100 in 78 countries |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Streaming sites unblocked: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime, HBO |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Kill switch: | No |
| Money back guarantee: | 14 days |
- Customer review: "This is Incredible App. An extremely easy to use user interface, easy setup, and all around user-friendly. I absolutely love this app. This app gives me a peace of mind in user safety and confidentiality that until now I have not been able to obtain. Also great for Netflix."
Essential terms
VPN – Virtual Private Network
Kill switch – When internet connection is lost, it's a feature that kills any internet connection until a secure VPN link can be attained once more
Double data encryption – When a VPN combines two algorithms in order to create the encrypted Virtual Private Network
Simultaneous connections – Number of devices that can be connected to the VPN at once
How to use a VPN on iPhone
Using a VPN on your iPhone is simple. Find your chosen provider on the app store and download the app. Once installed, log in/sign up, then activate your Virtual Private Network. This process is the exact same with an iPad VPN due to running the same iOS operating system of course.
Why use a VPN on iPhone?
You should use a VPN on your iPhone because it's not immune to privacy breaches. A Virtual Private Network protects your iPhone from dangers like this. Also, users can access geo-blocked content with a VPN active, so there's an opportunity for an enhanced streaming experience.
What's the best free iPhone VPN?
When you're looking at any free VPNs, you should beware of data limits, small coverage, and clunky speeds. ProtonVPN's free plan is a great choice because it's so close to the paid version, bar a few arguably unnecessary extras.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.
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