Best VPN for iPhone and Why You Should Use One in 2025
Editor's Pick September 2025
If you’re searching for the best VPN for iPhone, you might assume Apple’s built-in privacy features are enough. But the reality is, without a VPN, iPhone users are still vulnerable to online threats, surveillance, and data leaks. In this guide, we’ll explain why every iOS user needs a VPN, and reveal our top picks for the best iPhone VPNs available today.
Cybersecurity challenges are growing rapidly, and your iPhone is not immune. From government surveillance and ISP tracking to hacker snooping on public Wi-Fi, threats are everywhere. That’s why a VPN for iPhone is a crucial tool to keep your data private and secure.
VPNs create a secure, encrypted tunnel between your iPhone and the internet. This tunnel hides your activity from prying eyes — whether it’s your ISP, advertisers, or cybercriminals. With the right provider, you can browse, stream, and download freely and anonymously.
Searching for the best iPhone VPN app? These are our top picks:
- NordVPN – Best VPN for iPhone Overall – Leading the industry in security, speed, and features tailored for iOS users.
- Surfshark – Best budget-friendly VPN for iPhone with a minimal UI and strong encryption.
- ExpressVPN – Best for high-speed browsing and streaming on iOS.
- IPVanish – Great for extra security features and privacy on iPhone.
- VyprVPN – Ideal for transparency and ownership of its server network, with great iPhone support.
The Best VPNs for iPhone in 2025
Not every VPN provider treats iPhone as a first-class citizen. Many cut corners with their iOS apps, or offer limited features. We reviewed dozens of services to uncover the best VPN for iPhone based on real-world speed, privacy, ease of use, and overall iOS performance.
1. Best VPN for iPhone Overall: NordVPN
NordVPN is our top recommendation for iPhone users. Its iOS app is smooth, fast, and packed with privacy tools — including military-grade encryption, threat protection, and double VPN routing. With 5,500+ servers worldwide and a verified no-logs policy, NordVPN gives iPhone users the ultimate balance of speed and security.
Read our full NordVPN review.
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2. Best Budget iPhone VPN: Surfshark
Looking for a sleek, affordable, and powerful iOS VPN app? Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for iPhone by far. It offers powerful AES-256 encryption, WireGuard support, and CleanWeb ad-blocking — all in a lightweight, user-friendly package.
Read our full Surfshark review.
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3. Best iPhone VPN for Speed: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is fast, reliable, and designed with mobile users in mind. Its iPhone app is intuitive and polished, while delivering top-tier speeds and airtight security. It’s also one of the few VPNs that works reliably in high-censorship areas like China.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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4. Best iPhone VPN for Advanced Security: IPVanish
If you want a VPN with advanced tools baked into its iOS app, IPVanish is the right choice. Features like Threat Protection and tracker blocking make it one of the most privacy-focused VPNs for iPhone.
Read our full IPVanish review.
5. Most Transparent iPhone VPN: VyprVPN
VyprVPN stands out for owning its entire infrastructure, which results in better privacy and performance. Its iOS app includes features like Chameleon protocol for bypassing VPN blocks, plus multiple third-party audits for added trust.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
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What Makes the Best VPN for iPhone?
Choosing the best VPN for iPhone goes beyond branding — you need top-tier iOS compatibility, strong privacy, and real-world performance. Here are the most important factors:
iOS Compatibility & App Design
A VPN that works flawlessly with iOS is essential. You need a clean, responsive app that doesn’t drain your battery or lag on your iPhone.
No-Logs Privacy Policy
The best VPNs for iPhone keep zero logs. This ensures that even if someone tries to access your data, there’s nothing stored to hand over.
Speed & Performance
VPNs can slow down your connection — unless they’re optimized. Look for providers that balance encryption with speed for iPhone streaming, browsing, and gaming.
Global Server Coverage
The best iPhone VPN services offer thousands of servers in dozens of countries, giving you more options to unlock region-restricted content.
No Bandwidth Limits
Avoid VPNs with throttling or caps. The best providers for iPhone allow unlimited bandwidth and unrestricted file types.
Server Locations & Connection Speeds
When choosing the best VPN for iPhone, it’s not just about flashy features — server locations and connection speeds make a huge difference. A VPN with a wide range of global servers allows you to access geo-restricted content, like Netflix libraries or sports streams from other countries.
Speed is equally important. Connecting to a nearby server usually provides faster performance, while distant servers can slow things down. Before committing, always check whether the VPN offers servers in the regions you need and test its performance during different times of the day. The best VPN providers even let you see real-time server load inside the app so you can pick the fastest option.
Encryption Strength & Leak Testing
Security is one of the main reasons people look for the best VPN for iPhone, so encryption and leak protection should never be overlooked. Top-tier VPNs use AES-256-bit encryption, the same level used by governments and banks.
But encryption strength is only part of the picture — you also need to know if the VPN leaks your data. Leak testing involves checking whether your real IP address, DNS requests, or WebRTC connections slip through the VPN tunnel. Many iPhone VPN apps have built-in leak protection, but you can easily run your own tests using websites like ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com. If your VPN passes these checks, you can be confident your identity is safe online.
Why Use a VPN on iPhone?
The internet isn’t a private place by default — even on iOS. Your browsing, streaming, and app usage can all be tracked. With a VPN, your iPhone’s traffic is encrypted, anonymous, and secure from third-party surveillance.
Top benefits of using a VPN on iPhone:
- Access geo-restricted content and streaming platforms
- Bypass censorship and content blocks
- Protect your identity on public Wi-Fi
- Prevent ISP tracking and data sales
- Enhance mobile security
Secure Public Wi-Fi
When your iPhone connects to public Wi-Fi, a VPN prevents snooping and data leaks. This is especially useful for frequent travelers or remote workers.
Unlock Global Streaming
VPNs let iPhone users access international Netflix catalogs, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more — all by switching virtual locations in the app.
Maintain Online Anonymity
Even at home, your ISP can track and sell your data. A VPN encrypts everything so your iPhone browsing stays private.
Determining Your VPN Needs
Not every iPhone user needs a VPN for the same reason. If you mainly want to stream shows from other countries, look for a VPN with strong unblocking capabilities and fast servers. If gaming is your priority, low-latency connections will matter more than anything else. For frequent travelers, robust Wi-Fi protection should be the deciding factor.
This is why it’s smart to take advantage of free trials or money-back guarantees. Most of the best VPNs for iPhone offer 7-day iOS trials or 30-day risk-free refunds. By testing before you commit, you’ll know whether the VPN fits your specific needs without wasting money.
Our VPN testing for iPhone focuses on these core areas:
- Performance on iOS: connection speed, stability, and app responsiveness
- Privacy: no-logs policy, leak protection, and independent audits
- Security protocols: support for IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard
- User experience: ease of use, app layout, and support
- Streaming and geo-unblocking tests
VPN Speed Testing on iPhone
Speed is one of the top concerns when using a VPN on iPhone. To measure this, we run multiple speed tests across different locations and times of day using Ookla’s Speedtest app. We compare baseline speeds (without a VPN) against performance with a VPN connected to both local and international servers.
We also test across various activities — streaming HD video, gaming, and video calls — to see how the VPN handles real-world usage. This ensures our recommendations for the best VPN for iPhone aren’t just based on lab numbers, but on how well they perform in everyday scenarios.
Encryption & Leak Testing
Our security testing covers both the strength of encryption protocols and potential vulnerabilities. We check whether the VPN supports modern protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, both of which are known for balancing speed and security.
We then run DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests while connected to different servers. If the VPN fails any of these, it means your data could still be exposed even though the VPN claims to protect you. Only VPNs that pass consistently make it onto our best VPN for iPhone list.
User Experience Evaluation
A VPN might be fast and secure, but if the app is clunky on iOS, it won’t make our list. We evaluate how easy it is to install, set up, and navigate the app on iPhone. This includes testing for features like one-tap connections, Siri Shortcuts, and the ability to auto-connect on unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
We also look at the overall design and whether the app integrates smoothly with iOS. A good VPN should feel like a natural extension of your iPhone, not a complicated extra step.
VPN Pricing and Subscription Plans for iPhone
Initial vs Renewal Costs
Many VPN providers advertise steep discounts for first-time subscribers, but the renewal price can be much higher. For example, you might pay just a few dollars a month upfront, only to see the cost double after the first year. Always check both the initial and renewal pricing before signing up, so you know exactly what you’re committing to.
Tiered Plans & Bundled Features
The best VPNs for iPhone usually offer different subscription lengths — monthly, yearly, and multi-year plans. Longer plans often bring bigger savings, but you’ll be locked in for a longer time. Some providers also include extras like password managers, cloud storage, or malware protection, which may justify a slightly higher price.
Comparing these plans side by side helps you determine which one offers the best value for your needs. If you don’t need the add-ons, a cheaper core plan may make more sense.
Avoiding Renewal Price Hikes
One of the most common complaints about VPN subscriptions is the surprise renewal price. To avoid this, disable auto-renewal in your account settings or set a reminder before your plan expires. Some VPNs also run loyalty or seasonal discounts for returning customers, so shopping around before your renewal date can save you money.
What’s the Best Free VPN for iPhone?
Free VPNs come with trade-offs: limited speed, fewer features, data collection risks. Still, if you’re on a budget, these free iPhone VPNs are worth checking out:
- ProtonVPN: Unlimited traffic and no ads on iOS, but limited features.
- Windscribe: Generous 10GB/month plan with mobile support.
- PrivadoVPN: Decent free tier with 10GB per month, compatible with iPhone.
Conclusion
When it comes to privacy on your iPhone, a VPN is no longer optional — it’s essential. Now that you know the best VPNs for iPhone in 2025, take control of your data, unlock more content, and stay secure wherever you go. To dig deeper, check out our guide on how to hide your IP address on iPhone.
Which VPN do you trust most on your iPhone? Share your experiences in the comments.
If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.
It costs a bit more but ExpressVPN offers the best speeds. They’re also the only VPN service (i know of) to offer 24/7 live chat.
Tunnel bear better for iPhone.
I am using ivacy vpn for torrenting and streaming (netflix)
Previously i was using nord vpn but the high price made me switch. other wise both products are the same.
Well, I really Love Nord Vpn because of good speed and double encryption feature.