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Which VPN should you use on iPhone and iPad, and is there a free option?
My iPhone has pretty good connectivity but tends to be hamstrung by the limits imposed by my cellular carrier. Even though I have an unlimited data plan, using my phone as a hotspot is limited to a very short amount of time before I start to rack up extra fees. When traveling, working for a few hours every night in a hotel lobby or coffee shop, or wanting to stream shows, my so-called unlimited hotspot service just won't cut it.
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ZDNET Recommends
That means I've had to rely on local Wi-Fi for both my iPhone and iPad. Let me put it bluntly: Using a local hotel, airport, school, or coffee shop Wi-Fi is terrifying, especially when traveling in foreign countries. There's no telling what's monitoring traffic, and even if the hotel has encrypted Wi-Fi, you never know what's running on that network. That's why having a good VPN is essential, and I've long recommended having a VPN service that works with both your iPhone and iPad -- I tend to use both extensively while on the road.
In this article, we analyze and rank five 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.
- 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: 4.7 average, 352k ratings | Simultaneous connections: 6 | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV | Logging: None, except billing data | Countries: 59 | 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.
Read the review: NordVPN review
One shortcoming of its iOS (and macOS) app is that you'll have a bit less flexibility with the kill switch. For Android and Windows devices, you can disable the NordVPN's kill switch, but with Apple products, it's always running in the background. Also, Apple devices don't have access to split tunneling, which allows you to include or exclude specific apps or sites from the VPN connection.
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.
- 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: A lot. Here's the full list | 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, and there are also browser extensions for Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. Gamers can even set up ExpressVPN on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
Read the review: ExpressVPN review
If you want the most options for countries to connect through, ExpressVPN has server locations in 94 countries -- more than any other service provider on this list. In terms of performance, ExpressVPN ranks among the fastest VPNs, so it shouldn't reduce your connection speeds as much as your average VPN.
Also: How does ExpressVPN work? Plus, how to set it up and use it
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 clearly stated in ExpressVPN's privacy policy.
Top offer: Get 3 extra months free
- Supports iOS 11 and above
- Unlimited connections
- Highly configurable app
- Couldn't hide VPN connection
- No two-year plan, price increases after just one year
IPVanish VPN features: Apple App Store rating: 4.6 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 options.
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 provides even more iOS support than ExpressVPN, supporting devices back to iOS 11. That provides support for iPhones back to the iPhone 5s, the iPad mini 2, and the original iPad Air.
We found IPVanish to be exceptionally fast. However, it wasn't able to hide that I was connecting through a VPN. 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.
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
- Mediocre download speeds
Surfshark VPN features: Apple App Store rating: 4.8 average, 25k ratings | Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited | Kill switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, FireTV | Logging: None, except billing data | Countries: 95 | 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 just average, in our latest tests, Surfshark VPN cut download speeds by 54%. 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.
Also: NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which VPN is best for you?
Surfshark has a solid array of features including, ad and tracker blocking, data breach scanner, and multihop connection (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. And its GPS override is currently only an option for Android devices.
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, 13k ratings | Simultaneous connections: 1 | Kill switch: Yes | Logging: None | Customer service: FAQ, email | Data limit: None | Countries: 3 | Free servers: 94
Proton VPN has an excellent paid service that ranks as one of the fastest VPNs and best VPNs overall. But there is also a limited free version of Proton VPN. And unlike all of the other free VPNs for iPhones, this service doesn't have any data caps.
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.
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.
What is the best VPN for iPhone and iPad?
We selected NordVPN as our best VPN for iPhone and iPad. With over 320k ratings in the Apple App Store, it's 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 | $6.67/mo w/1-year plan + 3-free months | Yes | 4.7 | 5 |
| Surfshark VPN | $2.05/mo w/2-year plan + 2 free months | Yes | 4.8 | Unlimited |
| NordVPN | $3.69/mo w/2-year plan + 3 free months | Yes | 4.7 | 6 |
| IPVanish VPN | $3.19/mo w/1-year plan + 3 free months | Yes | 4.6 | Unlimited |
| Proton free VPN | Free with limited services | 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 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.
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 |
| Surfshark VPN | Support for an older device running iOS 10.3.3 or higher |
| Proton VPN | A free VPN |
How did we choose these iPhone & 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?
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?
So let's be clear. 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.
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 VPN's for travel.
What is the best VPN for Mac?
Although Mac's are considered some of the most secure computers on the market, due to their built-in proprietary antivirus software, that doesn't mean that your internet connection is private and encrypted. Therefore, we have recommended a list of the best VPNs for Mac, to keep your internet connection secure on all your devices.
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 and at $1.89/mo, it's even less expensive than Surfshark. CyberGhost VPN has an extended 45-day money-back guarantee period.