10 Best VPN Apps For iOS (iPhone and iPad) in 2021 | Find Fast & Secure VPN Services

If you’re looking for an iPhone VPN, but are overwhelmed by the choices available on the app store, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover the best VPNs to use on iPhone and iOS to protect your device online.

What are the best VPNs for iPhone & iOS?

These are the top VPNs we recommend for iPhone and iOS today:

1. 
   ExpressVPN
   
   – The best VPN for iOS overall. It’s our #1 VPN pick for iPhone and iPad thanks to great features & superb speeds.
2. 
   NordVPN
   
   – Awesome iOS VPN app, reliable and an unbeatable price
3. 
   CyberGhost VPN
   
   – A great iPhone VPN for beginners. It’s slick and super easy to use VPN on all iOS devices.
4. 
   Private Internet Access
   
   – An iOS VPN pick for strong privacy. A very secure VPN app with excellent privacy features.
5. 
   Surfshark
   
   – A great cheap VPN for iPhone if you’re on a budget. This is a powerful VPN app at a very attractive price point.

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As highly praised as Apple is for its vigilance against the government’s intrusive attempts to surveil iOS devices, the only way iPhone and iPad users can get true privacy is by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Not only does an iOS VPN app ensure your digital privacy by preventing authorities and your internet service provider (ISP) from tracking you, it can also improve security on public Wi-Fi, and help you access websites and watch content blocked in your location.

Update: iOS 14

iOS 14 is here! This update brings a whole host of helpful features to help protect your privacy. Want to know more? Click here to see what’s new!

Before we recommend a VPN for iPhone or iPad, we make sure:

• It’s secure & private
• It has fast VPN speeds
• It offers easy to use and set up iOS apps
• It has a large server network
• It’s good value for money

Only VPN services that can meet all the above criteria are eligible for inclusion in our list. So, now we what makes a VPN for iOS stand out, let’s take a look at the providers we’d recommend!

The best VPN for iOS (iPhone and iPad) in 2021

This is a full list of all the VPNs we recommend using for iOS devices (iPhone & iPad):

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for iPhone. It’s consistently fast, has great features & reliably unblocks most services.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$6.67 –
  ^$12.95

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

ExpressVPN has a longstanding reputation of lightning-fast speeds, reliability, and intuitive security features – and it’s a VPN that has stood the test of time, too. The iOS mobile app is easy to use, even for beginners, and provides all the necessary tools to keep your data secure from hackers, your ISP, and the government. The Network Lock kill switch is automatically enabled, and ExpressVPN opts for strong OpenVPN encryption. With servers in 94 countries, you can rest assured that no content is out of your reach – ExpressVPN can successfully unblock services and sites from all over the world.

Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, and the agents are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. ExpressVPN also lets users install and run the VPN software on up to 5 simultaneous devices, which is extremely useful, considering the unlimited data allowance.

Anybody can test this VPN on an iPhone thanks to its no questions asked 30-day money-back guarantee. Finally, it reliably unblocks Netflix and iPlayer – which makes it perfect for users who want to stream. And because this VPN is lightning fast, you are assured of HD quality streaming without annoying buffering.

NordVPN has one of the easiest to use VPN apps on the market

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$3.71 –
  ^$11.95

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

NordVPN is the best VPN for iPhone because of it’s easy-to-use iOS VPN app and outstanding security features. If you want an iPhone VPN that is inexpensive but fully-featured; this VPN is for you. It even unblocks Netflix US and BBC iPlayer! NordVPN is impressive because it has a massive amount of features for keeping your data secure and private. It also has servers in over 60 countries, which will allow you to unblock just about anything you can think of. 

NordVPN is lightning-fast, which makes it perfect for streaming in HD. And, it has a zero-logs policy – which is the best VPN privacy policy available on the market. Nord lets you install the software on up-to 6 devices simultaneously, which makes it perfect for families and exceptional value for money. Finally, you can test this VPN thanks to its no-quibbles 30-day money back guarantee. Excellent and cheap; a no brainer for most people.

CyberGhost is an easy to use VPN app for iPhone & Apple Watch users. Expect decent performance and privacy, balanced out against a low price point!

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$2.81 –
  ^$13.47

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

CyberGhost VPN is a VPN provider based in Romania that has a superb no-logs policy, outstanding security settings, and strong OpenVPN encryption. CyberGhost lets you access any online content without being tracked – both at home and on public WiFi. 

The iOS VPN app is super easy to use, and is priced amazingly – making it perfect for iOS users on any budget. We love that this VPN provides a 45-day money-back guarantee, has servers in over 90 countries, offers excellent live chat customer support, and provides access to popular streaming services like Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. CyberGhost also lets subscribers connect up to 7 devices simultaneously. Well worth a trial run!

PIA is a secure VPN for iPhone and iOS users. You get a no logging policy and excellent encryption to protect all your Apple devices.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$2.84 –
  ^$11.00

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Private Internet Access VPN is a service based in the USA that is seriously impressive in terms of both security and usability. This VPN has apps for all platforms, and it permits you to use the VPN on up to 10 simultaneous devices. That means you can use it on your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or Android or Windows PCs. This makes the VPN perfect for families or users with lots of devices. With PIA, you get loads of ways to configure the app so can set the VPN up exactly as you wish. All of its settings are highly secure, which means your data will be secure both at home and on public WiFi.

PIA has servers in over 74 countries and this VPN unblocks Netflix and iPlayer. We find this VPN to be hugely impressive because it is very cheap considering all the premium features you get. It even offers live chat customer care and a 30-day money-back guarantee to let you test the service risk-free.

Surfshark is a cheap VPN for iPhone that’s packed with value. Coming in at a competitive price, this VPN is secure, fast & can unblock major streaming services.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$2.21 –
  ^$12.95

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Surfshark is one of the newer names in the VPN market – but it’s already making waves! The service is inexpensive and reliable, making it the ideal option for anyone on a budget who wants true value for money. What’s more, the Surfshark iOS mobile app can be downloaded from the App Store in a few clicks. It’s intuitive and facilitates access to tons of streaming services – Netflix and Hulu included. Surfshark users can choose from more than 3,200 servers in 65 countries, and they’re all remarkably fast! You’ll be able to stream, game, and join VoIP calls with a minimum of fuss.

We love Surfshark because it is great for getting privacy both at home and on public WiFi. And you can test it thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

VyprVPN is the iPhone VPN of choice for iOS users in the ProPrivacy offices. This sleek app is packed with great features & it runs on proprietary servers.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$1.66 –
  ^$12.95

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VyprVPN is one of our favorite VPNs for iPhone. The company owns and operates all of its own hardware, which takes away a lot of concerns about speeds and reliability on the network. There’s also an optional VyprDNS service, which is great news for those looking to unblock Netflix, YouTube, and similar services on their iOS device.

VyprVPN also has an app for Tomato routers, which allows you to easily get all of your Apple devices covered by one VPN subscription. Only want your iPhone connecting to the VPN? No problem! VyprVPN’s router app allows you to easily manage individual device settings. Try out VyprVPN for iPhone using the link below!

IPVanish is a a polished iPhone VPN app. It offers 10 simultaneous connections, a strict no-logs policy & servers all over the world.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$6.49 –
  ^$10.00

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

IPVanish is a US-based service that makes it onto our list due to its excellent proprietary server network. This allows it to provide excellent speeds for streaming. Admittedly, being based in the US is not ideal for a privacy service, however, IPVanish makes sure to keep no logs – which means it never has any data to hand over to the authorities even if it is approached with a warrant. 

IPVanish VPN also provides strong OpenVPN encryption to ensure you never leak your web browsing habits to your ISP. IPVanish is easy to use and the iPhone VPN mobile app is excellent and offers 3D touch support too!

With servers in over 75 countries – you will always have plenty of choices for unblocking. And, this provider unblocks Netflix US (but not iPlayer). You can test it thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, and this VPN has unlimited data and permits unlimited simultaneous connections!

PrivateVPN is a great VPN for iPhone if you’re on a budget. The unblocking and streaming capabilities of this VPN are unrivalled & it’s less than $2 a month.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$1.89 –
  ^$7.12

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

PrivateVPN is a service that is often praised by consumers. The VPN provider gets glowing reports due to its ease of use, amazing unblocking capabilities, and fantastic customer service. True to its name, this Swedish VPN provides a zero-logs policy. And because it provides strong military-grade encryption – it will keep your data secure both at home and on public WiFi. On top of that, PrivateVPN is awesome for unblocking all kinds of content from around the world. It has servers in 60 countries, and it provides access to geo-restricted services such as iPlayer, RTE, and Netflix (it unblocks more Netflix catalogs than any other VPN).

While it isn’t the fastest VPN in the world, this VPN is still quick, and it never has any trouble unblocking HD streams. We love this VPN and are sure you will too. For this reason, we recommend trialing it with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, you can use it on up to 6 devices simultaneously, meaning that it is ideal for protecting all your devices – not just your iPhone.

Ivacy is the cheapest VPN for iPhone and iOS on our list. But don’t let the price fool you! This VPN offers the privacy & unblocking power of a top of the line service.

• Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$0.99 –
  ^$9.95

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Ivacy is a VPN that is making huge waves because of its superb iOS app. While it isn’t top of the list, it is consistently praised by many iPhone VPN users. Ivacy VPN is cheap and has apps for all platforms. It has a zero-logs policy, excellent security features, and servers in over 100 locations around the world. 

That is a huge amount of choice and means you can unblock anything you wish to unblock from all over the world. On iOS, it also provides strong IKEv2 encryption to keep your data private from your ISP and the government. This VPN provides access to US Netflix, and while it isn’t the fastest VPN in the world, it is quick enough to stream in HD and you get unlimited data. You can test it thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProtonVPN is the best VPN for privacy on iPhone and iOS. This Swiss VPN keeps no logs, is open source & can support OpenVPN within the iOS app.

• Free option

  Yes

  Pricing

  From 
  
  ^$3.29 –
  ^$5.00

• App Store score:

• Integrated kill switch?

• Also available for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Android
  • Linux

From the people who developed the popular secure email service, ProtonMail, ProtonVPN is a no-logs Swiss VPN service that has a strong focus on privacy. It also has an excellent 100% free tier that’s more than good enough for many VPN users’s needs.

The newly-released iOS app uses the IKEv2 protocol by default, but also offers OpenVPN. An iOS widget is available, and the app provides full access to ProtonVPN’s Secure Core (double hop) VPN servers. 

All of ProtonVPN’s apps are open source, and you can connect up to a generous 10 devices at once (plan dependant).

Which is the fastest VPN for iPhone and iOS?

Speed is always going to be an important consideration when comparing VPNs – particularly if you want to game, torrent or stream. To help you understand how fast our recommended iOS VPN apps are, we run daily speed tests on them. You can view the most recent results in the table below.

How do we decide on the best VPNs if you’re using iOS?

There are hundreds of VPN providers on the market – but it’s important to understand that not all of them are safe. Some will have poor privacy policies that allow them to collect user data. Others will have concerning apps and invasive permissions.

The other thing is that a secure VPN may not have apps that run well on iPhones and iPads, either. Apple’s iOS is generally under-represented when it comes to VPN apps, so finding a good one can be tricky. 

When we search for the best VPNs to use, we consider several important factors:

All of our recommended VPN services have been hand-picked, primarily because they perform excellently in the categories mentioned above. And, if you have more specific needs, you can check out our summaries and reviews to see how each VPN fared when put to the test.

What is a VPN on iOS?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It’s a versatile piece of tech that can hide your location while encrypting your web traffic inside a secure VPN tunnel.

With a VPN, you’ll have access to much more online freedom on your iPhone. You can achieve this by using your VPN to geo-spoof your location, which enables you to pretend to be in a different country as soon as you connect to a foreign server. You’ll be able to access websites that are currently blocked in your location or check out geo-restricted streaming libraries from around the globe. Plus, a VPN gives you peace of mind, keeping your data secure from hackers and government snoops.

This is a very brief overview of what a VPN is, but you can find out more information in our what is a VPN? guide.

What can you do with a VPN for iPad and iPhone?

By using a VPN, iPhone and iPad users can:

For more information, check out our guide to streaming US Netflix on your iPhone.

Still not convinced? We recommend checking out our Do I need an iPhone VPN? guide to find other ways that you could benefit.

iOS 14 privacy enhancements

iOS 14, Apple’s newly released mobile operating system for iPhone and iPad, is chock-full of excellent security enhancements that will work perfectly hand-in-hand with your VPN for iOS in optimizing your privacy.

Clipboard privacy

There’s one new feature in particular that created waves after Apple released iOS 14’s developer beta: it notifies the user if an app or widget accesses any content a user copies to their clipboard. Whilst testing the beta, researchers found that TikTok (and plenty of other apps) had no business accessing clipboard data, but had been doing so, anyway. This new iOS feature provides much-needed transparency into what apps are secretly doing while you’re using your phone.

Approximate and precise location data

Another useful feature introduced in iOS 14 allows users to decide whether to provide apps for their precise location or instead, their approximate, general location. Of course, users can still disable location services entirely for any app they choose, but the option to provide only an approximate location can be very helpful in certain use cases. It’s obviously beneficial to provide your precise location to your maps app so that you can receive accurate directions, but for your weather app, for example, it’s not absolutely necessary to provide your precise location. An approximate location will be more than enough for a weather app to show you the weather around where you are located.

Private addresses for WiFi

When it comes to protecting your privacy, the new option to use a private address when connecting to WiFi is especially beneficial. If you enable this setting, it’ll prevent network administrators – and others – from monitoring what you do on your iPhone. This is particularly advantageous if you plan to use public WiFi, and pairs excellently with your VPN’s ability to protect your privacy on public WiFi networks.

Other helpful features

Another outstanding security feature has been bundled into the iOS 14, giving users the option to only share specific photos with apps, and an indicator when an app is using the camera or microphone.

iOS 14 does a stellar job of providing privacy improvements, and security-minded users are bound to be impressed. These enhancements offer an excellent complement to your iOS VPN when it comes to ensuring your privacy and security as you use the device – wherever you use the device.

Can you get a free VPN for iPhone?

While there are some free VPNs for iOS that you can trust, however, it is important to be aware of their limitations. It is also important to understand why it is vital to stay away from many free options for iPhone, since some can even put your privacy at risk. 

Many free VPNs on the app store are too slow or limited in the data they offer, which makes anything outside of the most basic day-to-day browsing activities a struggle. What’s worse is that some services will even collect data on you to sell to third parties. This is the exact opposite of what a VPN program should be doing!

There are some free VPNs you can trust, you can find a list of them in our free VPN page.

Still want a free iOS VPN? We recommend Windscribe (free option)

If you’re looking to protect your wallet, then Windscribe is a great free VPN service. Not only does it offer the same solid security measures that you’d get on its paid plan, but it also gives users a 10GB data allowance each month. This might not go far if you’re streaming HD content, but it’s more than enough for your usual day-to-day browsing.

Want more choice? Visit our free VPNs for iOS guide for some other solid recommendations. 

Top-tip: Get ExpressVPN for Free!

Did you know you can experience ExpressVPN’s fully paid service without limitations… for free! What a deal!

If you’re finding free services too restrictive, why not test ExpressVPN premium service? Simply purchase a subscription using the button below and take advantage of the no-nonsense money-back-guarantee. Enjoy ExpressVPN for up to 30-days, and when you cancel, you will receive a complete refund!

Visit ExpressVPN >>

When should I be using a VPN?

iOS devices have an excellent reputation for security. However, when it comes to hacking on public Wi-Fi – or tracking performed by ISPs and local network admins – Apple’s iPhones are just as vulnerable. If you are often connected to public Wi-Fi hotspots with your iPhone or iPad, it is important to use an iPhone VPN app.

If you’re not using a VPN, it’s possible to fall victim to “evil twin” hotspots set up by hackers. You could also have your data, logins, or debit card details stolen because of mis-configured Wi-Fi hotspots. A VPN is the only way to protect yourself against Wi-Fi hacking – so keep it switched on!

Don’t worry if you’ve never used a VPN before, however. We have plenty of guides you can check out to get better acquainted with the tech.