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Best Free App
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More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Our choices for the three best VPNs for your iPhone or iPad are NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN, with our top pick being NordVPN.
While NordVPN came in as our front-runner, Surfshark and Proton VPN had impressive features and solid pricing that landed them a spot in our top three.
Let’s look through these top three and see what features and services are the most important to you. We think you’ll like what you find.
| VPN |
Best Overall
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| Starting price | Starts at $3.39/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years) |
| iOS app | |||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get Proton VPN |
We tested all VPNs on a slower, coffee shop-style Wi-Fi network similar to what you’d find on most public Wi-Fi. Each VPN was tested on an iPhone 12 Pro Max running the latest version of iOS 16. VPNs were chosen for excelling in speed tests and the ability to unblock streaming services, logs policies, headquarters, price, and additional features including:
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
Nord is widely considered the top VPN in the business and for good reason. This service provider allows you to not only watch streaming services on your iPhone but also keeps you secure while doing it.
Its kill switch and DNS leak protection help the data on your iPhone from being exposed to unwanted eyes. While this is important on a computer, it’s even more important on a mobile device, which can be used more often and while on unsecure networks.
While NordVPN does have one of the highest price points in the industry, it’s well worth it. Located in Panama, this VPN service is outside of the 14 Eyes alliance.
The NordVPN iOS app also gives you access to other NordVPN services like NordPass and cloud storage. Paired with its connection speeds, this makes NordVPN the least invasive and most secure VPN for iPhone.
We liked all the features you get on the NordVPN iPhone app. You’re given the option to save your favorite servers as well as auto-connect to the fastest server available.
NordVPN gives you a security score with options to optimize your security features in the app. There are also shortcuts for Siri to turn your VPN off and on with voice commands, which is a nice addition.
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The specialty servers section is especially impressive, as you can activate a double VPN, Onion over VPN, and P2P. The double VPN will route your data through two separate VPNs for extra security. Onion over VPN allows you to connect to your VPN then open a Tor browser on your phone. The P2P specialty server is your torrenting support. All of these are easily accessible through your NordVPN iPhone app.
The app makes you hunt around a little, and there’s no tutorial when you’re first starting.
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There’s an icon at the bottom dedicated to Meshnet, which is NordVPN’s feature allowing you to create a network of devices you can connect to no matter where in the world they’re located. This seems like something we’d use far less frequently than dark web monitoring or Threat Protection, so it was strange it has an entire icon dedicated to it on the main toggle bar.
This iOS VPN is not the fastest VPN, and the least expensive price comes only with an annual plan, which has to be paid all at once. If NordVPN really wants to jump ahead of the pack, lowering the monthly price as well as adding a few more features might go a long way.
| Price range | $3.39–$15.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | 6,400+ in 111 countries |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| Average speed | 394.15 Mbps |
| DNS leak test | Pass |
| Kill switch test | Pass |
| VPN protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN |
All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
If your main reason for getting a VPN is all the extra security features, then Surfshark may be the best choice for you. Not only does it allow for saving favorite servers, there are also options for multiple other privacy services that come included with your subscription. They include the following:
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Beyond being a VPN, Surfshark comes with lots of extra features. The Starter plan comes with Alt ID, which allows you to create faux online personas and keep your personal information private. You'll also get CleanWeb, which is one of our favorite ad blockers that can also fight against trackers and malware.
For higher tiers, we also liked the Surfshark One incognito browser located in the app. This allows you a truly private internet search experience.
Additionally, while VPNs are legal in most countries, Surfshark has a NoBorders option that grants you access even in restricted areas. The MultiHop option is also nice because it’s pre-configured. That means you can simply choose one of their pre-made double VPN options or you can create your own.
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We were impressed with Surfshark’s server labels that tell you whether or not the server you’re accessing is virtual or not. Virtual servers can be slower than their physical counterparts, so knowing what option you’re choosing is nice.
Considering Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, there are nearly endless options. There’s also an in-app referral program with a personalized link that allows you to earn free months of Surfshark if your friends sign up.
While Surfshark has a ton of pros, we aren’t fans of it being headquartered in the Netherlands — a 14 Eyes country. While it claims no logging, Surfshark does save your email address (fair) and billing information (dicey). Since billing information can easily be traced back to you, we weren’t thrilled about this option.
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Also, Surfshark supports torrenting, but there isn’t an option in the app to easily connect to a torrenting-optimized server. Considering the easy connection to Surfshark One, CleanWeb, and choice of protocol, it’s strange this isn’t included.
| Price range | $2.19–$17.95/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | 3,200+ in 100 countries |
| Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
| Average speed | 298.09 Mbps |
| DNS leak test | Pass |
| Kill switch test | Pass |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark |
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
Proton VPN is a high quality service, so it was nice to find that it includes a free VPN option. That way, you'll be able to keep your iPhone on a secure, encrypted connection no matter where you are without having to pay for that security.
Proton VPN Free allows for unlimited bandwidth, so you won't have to worry about your data running out before the end of the month. Plus, it's no-logs policy extends to this free plan, so you won't have to worry about shady data-sharing practices.
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Proton VPN is committed to that no-logs policy, as it's regularly audited by third parties like Securitum. Plus, this policy was tested in Swiss court and backed by Swiss data privacy laws.
If you choose to pay for Proton VPN, it includes plenty of great features:
Proton VPN's free version is a lot more limited compared to a paid Proton plan or one of our other recommendations. Server countries are limited to the U.S., Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, and Japan. However, you can't choose your server location and you'll need to wait a minute and 30 seconds to change between servers.
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| Price range | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | 6,300+ in 100 countries |
| Number of connected devices | 10 |
| Average speed | 298.09 Mbps |
| DNS leak test | Pass |
| Kill switch test | Pass |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, Stealth |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN |
If you're not sold on the VPN providers we've selected, that's alright! There are plenty of options to choose from. Here are three additional VPNs for iPhone users to consider:
Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review
A VPN can decrease your speed, but it should never tank your speed. That's because your data will be routed through a VPN server rather than taking the fastest possible route. It's important to conduct speed tests on the VPNs you try to calculate the hit they could take on your normal speed.
| VPN speed to US server | Normal speed | Speed loss | |
| NordVPN | 430.75 Mbps | 297.64 Mbps | 45% increase |
| Surfshark | 333.43 Mbps | 345.75 Mbps | 4% decrease |
| Proton VPN | 79.88 Mbps | 94.04 Mbps | 15% decrease |
Of the three VPNs we selected, NordVPN was by far the fastest. It was the only VPN to increase our normal speed, nearly doubling the initial rate.
But that doesn't mean Surfshark and Proton VPN were completely unusuable. Both options only dropped our speed by a minimal amount.
With so many VPN options on the market, it can become overwhelming deciding which one to purpose. Here are some factors you should consider when picking the best VPN for your iPhone:
VPN setup on your iPhone is easy. Here are the basic steps to follow:
And that's it! It should take less than five minutes to download, install, set up, and run your new VPN. For a more detailed explanation, you can view our guide on how to use a VPN on iOS.
The best iPhone VPN is NordVPN. It unblocks regional Netflix content, doesn’t log your data, is headquartered outside a 14 Eyes Alliance country, and has extra features like dark web monitoring.
Proton VPN has a free tier that doesn’t log your data and allows you secure and fast browsing. It also gives you unlimited data and even comes with features like Proton Mail, calendar, and drive.
It may not unblock Netflix, but there has been success with other streaming services. If you’re looking for a VPN for free, this may be the one for you.
NordVPN is a great choice for iPad users. It unblocks regional Netflix content so you can watch U.K. Netflix on your tablet, doesn’t log your data, and is headquartered in Panama outside the 14 Eyes Alliance. It also comes with extra features like dark web monitoring and even malware protection.
Yes, VPNs really work on iPhones. Apple products have great security, but they aren’t infallible. Having a VPN installed can keep you safe on public Wi-Fi and from potential hackers.
Yes, Apple devices do need a VPN. While Apple’s security features are difficult to penetrate, it’s still possible to hack into an Apple device. Installing a VPN gives you an extra layer of protection.
We believe the three best VPNs for iOS devices are NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN. Each of these VPNs had plenty of security features that made us feel like we were getting the most for our money. They also provided the ability to unblock Netflix and other streaming service catalogs while maintaining speed.
While there's no perfect product, choosing the right VPN can be a painless process. It comes down to what’s important to you and your family. These three offer enough protection and features to make them worth your while.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
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Starts at $3.39/mo (billed every two years) | Best overall | Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review |
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Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Best for powerful features | Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review |
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Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years) | Best free app | Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review |
Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
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