Best VPN for iPhone and Why You Should Use One in 2024
Editor's Pick July 2024
iPhone owners often think that Apple’s standard security measures are enough to maintain their privacy online, however, if you’re not using a VPN on your Phone, you’re leaving cybersecurity risks unaddressed. We’ll cover why iOS users should encrypt their Internet connection, plus review the best VPN for iPhone users.
Staying safe on the web is more difficult than ever with new threats, new methods of data hacking, or a new laws that chip away at privacy. Fortunately, there are tools that help protect our data from prying eyes, particularly, the virtual private network.
VPNs operate like a tunnel between your iPhone and the internet. With a VPN service active, information is encrypted before it leaves your device, scrambling everything to make it unreadable by third parties, including hackers and ISPs. That data travels through the VPN tunnel and is then decrypted by your iPhone, resulting in safe and anonymous browsing.
Deciding on an iPhone VPN? These are the best iOS-compatible providers:
- NordVPN – Best for iPhone – NordVPN sets the gold standard for VPNs. Easily the most robust privacy solution on the market.
- Surfshark – If you’re looking for simplistic security enhancements, Surfshark is a good bet.
- ExpressVPN – A VPN that feels right on iOS, ExpressVPN offers impressive speeds across the board.
- IPVanish – The UI isn’t as impressive as some, but it’s great for unblocking streaming sites.
- VyprVPN – Lots of unique features including a self-owned server network, plus proprietary Chameleon encryption.
Top recommended VPNs to boost your iPhone’s security
Most quality VPN providers deliver a seamless experience on many devices. Others, however, don’t support the iOS platform quite as thoroughly. We combed through the top VPN services to find the fastest, most reliable providers with great support for iPhones. Here’s our review, based on speed, security, and ease of use so you know the best VPN for iPhone owners:
1. Best Overall: NordVPN
NordVPN takes security seriously. The service encrypts all data passing through its servers not once but twice, wrapping everything in 2048-bit SSL encryption that even the toughest computer can’t break. When combined with a fantastic zero-logging policy and a huge, ever-expanding network of over 5,500 servers in 58 countries, you’ve got the perfect foundation for a private VPN service that takes your online freedoms seriously.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Best Budget Option: Surfshark
Some VPNs naturally have nicer UIs than others, but Surfshark seems specifically well-suited to iOS’s clean, minimalist environment, making it a contender for best VPN app for iPhone owners. On top of that, they’re one of the most affordable VPNs on the market while still offering amazing features, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard tunneling protocols paired with the unbreakable 256-AES-GCM encryption cipher. These alone are enough to get you past most geoblocks and stop ISP tracking, but Surfshark offers even more.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. Best for Speed: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is all about speed. The provider scores consistently high on speed tests to cities around the world, meaning you won’t struggle to find a fast connection no matter where you are. This includes China, a country where most VPNs are blocked. The ExpressVPN network also has one of the widest distributions of any major provider. Privacy features are strong, and a zero-logging policy means your data is never stored on their servers, so you can take advantage of unlimited bandwidth and lack of file type restrictions.
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
4. Best for Security Extras: IPVanish
IPVanish has impressive security features, such as owning its own server hardware, making it less of a security risk from third parties. It also uses all the important factors, like 256-bit AES encryption, yet it offers a new facet that is perfect for iPhone users. Threat Protection. Working with the IPVanish app, it provides ad-blocking, malicious site prevention, tracker stopping, etc. It works in the background of your phone, analyzing threats before they reach you. Other features we love include high priority on speed, a respectable number of servers and locations, and a zero logs policy.
Read our full IPVanish review.
5. Best for Transparent Practices: VyprVPN
VyprVPN hits all the major privacy marks of a good VPN provider. The service offers unlimited bandwidth, no file type restrictions, has a strict zero-logging policy, and utilizes a clever routing system to bypass sluggish networks. One of the more impressive features is the fact that VyprVPN owns and operates their entire network of servers. This gives them the ability to configure software and hardware for optimal speed and privacy, all without interference from third parties. Speaking of third parties, VyprVPN has had multiple independent third-party audits. This openness allows the public to see how they rate with security best practices.
Read our full VyprVPN review.
What To Consider in An iPhone VPN
Looking for the best VPN for your iOS device can be difficult. There’s a ton of information and factors to consider. Everything from cost to speed, server distribution, app compatibility, and level of privacy.
iPhone Compatibility
The first consideration is compatibility. Mobile devices aren’t as robust as desktop computers, which means the VPN’s app needs to be as lightweight as possible. Accessing the VPN on a small touch screen can also be a hassle if the app wasn’t designed for mobile use.
Logging
A strict zero-logging data policy is vital. Even though information sent through VPN servers is encrypted, if a government requests, it’s possible it can be decrypted. If no data logs exist, nothing can be shared.
Speed
One drawback with a VPN is loss of speed. Encryption overhead mixed with the extra distance data must travel to reach worldwide servers can slow your connection up to 20%. VPNs who prioritize speed will minimize this.
Server distribution
One benefit of using a VPN is accessing content that’s normally restricted in your region. Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and even YouTube locks down certain videos due to censorship or geo-restrictive legislation. A VPN allows you to sidestep these roadblocks by easily changing virtual locations right from your iPhone. The more locations a VPN provider offers, the more content options.
Traffic limitations
Some VPNs have data caps in place and restrict the types of files users can download, making it impossible to use P2P networks or download torrents. Look for VPN providers with unrestricted access and no data or speed caps.
Benefits of an iPhone VPN
Data privacy is extremely important. Each time we connect to the internet, information is sent to third parties around the world, including browsing history, data about files and videos accessed, and much more, all tied to your local service provider and linked to your name and physical address. This makes data theft extremely lucrative. What’s more, ISPs in many countries have the legal right to collect and sell your personal information to third parties, without your knowledge or consent.
Using a VPN circumvents these issues through encryption so data that leaves your iPhone is scrambled with an incredibly complex algorithm that can only be deciphered with the right key, protecting identifying details or information.
Here’s just a handful of reasons for iPhone owners to use a VPN:
- Get around restrictive networks
- Bypass censorship
- Stay more secure
- Stay private
- Access geo-blocked content
Other privacy benefits and features, include:
Privacy while traveling
iPhones go everywhere we go and access public networks regularly. You never know the privacy policies of the public Wi-Fi provider or the ISP, meaning data you send over the network could be logged or shared with third parties. VPNs protect and encrypt that information.
Unblock geo-restricted content
It’s nice to have entertainment options on your mobile device, you never know when you’ll be stuck waiting for something. VPNs can easily switch virtual locations, gaining access to a world of TV shows, movies, and live streams on services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Popcorn Time and more.
Stay anonymous
Even when using your iPhone at home, data can be stolen, leaked, or sold by ISPs. Paying the monthly bill doesn’t mean you own your data. Using a VPN connected to your home network prevents this.
Methodology: How We Test iPhone VPNs
When testing iPhone VPNS, we first focus solely on trusted VPN providers with a good reputation in the community. Other testing methods and considerations we investigate include:
- Speed tests on how fast the VPN performs with streaming, uploads, downloads, etc.
- Monthly costs and hidden pricing practices
- No logs policy
- What kind of encryption protocols and standards used
- How user friendly is it?
- What geoblocks can be circumnavigated. For instance, trying to stream Netflix from servers in different countries
- If it has an app and how intuitive it is
- Bonus features, like ad-blockers or malware protections
- Customer support services and ease of communication
- Server network size
- How well the VPN works with iOS, specifically
Which Free VPN Is Best For iPhones?
Be aware, with VPNs, paid services are best. Free VPNs usually come with downsides, including:
- Data logging and data selling to third-party advertisers. This is a way for the free service to make money
- Limited bandwidth and throttled internet speeds are a way to save money for the service, leaving you with a sluggish connection
- Fewer servers and locations. This means you won’t have access to as many geo-blocked sites and you’ll have congestion and slow speeds from too many users on the same servers
- Little to no customer service
- Security vulnerabilities as the providers may not have as robust measures in place as paid VPN services can afford
That said, if you still want to know the best free VPN for iPhone users, you can try a free trial of many of the ones we’ve suggested, or look into these:
- ProtonVPN: iOS compatible, no logs or ads, unlimited traffic, and customer support. Severe feature limitations, however
- Windscribe: Unlimited connections, app functions for every tier, 10GB free data. Limited features and servers, though
- PrivadoVPN: Decent protections in place even for free tiers. iOS friendly, and gives 10GB of data every 30 days
Conclusion
At this point, it should be clear that the answer to “do I really need a VPN on my iPhone” is a resounding yes. We’ve covered the reasons why, plus how a VPN shores up your mobile phone’s cybersecurity. You’ve also learned about some top-tier providers which make exceptional VPN apps for iOS. To learn more, see our guide on how to hide your IP address safely on iPhone.
Which VPN is your favorite? Do you have any recommendations for our readers on how to further enhance your privacy on iPhone? Let us know in the comments below.
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.
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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.