Despite their strong security, iOS devices are at risk of cyberattacks. You are vulnerable to hackers exploiting operating system vulnerabilities and public Wi-Fi safety issues. However, the best VPN for iPhone can reduce these risks.
These technologies are essential for the iPhone’s privacy and anonymity. A VPN redirects all internet traffic and encrypts it, preventing hackers from seeing your data. You may also overcome geographical constraints.
However, not all iPhone VPNs are suited for this. That is why we examined several services’ security, speeds, compatibility, features, and pricing. Here are the best iOS VPNs for privacy.
3 best VPNs for iPhone in 2024
1. ExpressVPN
In 2024, ExpressVPN will be the best VPN for iPhones. It is the quickest, most secure, and most trustworthy iPhone VPN we have tried. The VPN’s similar design and UI make it easy to migrate from PC or Android to iOS.
Its basic UI makes it one of the easiest iPhone VPNs to use. Connecting to a nearby server takes seconds. Simply hit the center button.
The iOS app supports ExpressVPN’s fast and secure Lightway protocol. It supports five devices and has a kill switch, a Threat Manager, and DNS leak prevention.
ExpressVPN blocks trackers using Threat Manager. It blocks sites from monitoring your online behavior to provide customized adverts. Due to Apple constraints, iPhone VPNs cannot split the tunnel.
It costs $8.32 a month to use ExpressVPN on iOS. Money-back guarantee for 30 days. Its free 7-day trial is available before buying.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN’s iPhone application was well-organized, with a ‘fast connect’ widget showing the nearest server, availability, load percentage, and more. After joining an insecure network or Wi-Fi, the application automatically connects your iPhone to a VPN server. Despite that, it still uses the map-based layout from the PC client, which some users may find awkward.
This VPN features industry-standard 256-bit encryption, an automated kill switch, and double data encryption over two VPN servers. A no-logs policy from NordVPN is welcome. After an independent third-party audit, PricewaterhouseCoopers confirmed that the company’s strategy was accurate.
Its default protocol is NordLynx, which is built on WireGuard. NordVPN protects your online behavior with built-in ad-blocking and antivirus, unlike ExpressVPN.
It had over 950 Mbps in our testing, well above normal. NordVPN can unblock most geo-restricted content and watch 4K Ultra HD without buffering. In our prior tests, NordVPN easily unlocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services.
NordVPN has fewer servers than rivals in 60 countries despite its unblocking powers. ExpressVPN, with servers in 105, is better for internet freedom and frequent travelers. Surfshark and ExpressVPN are better for first-time customers than NordVPN because of their easier UI.
It is a great bargain without sacrificing quality or usefulness. The restricted multi-year plan is of great value despite slightly higher renewal fees. You may sample its services risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark scored well on usability. One of the few iPhone VPN applications with widget support. We could connect to Surfshark simply touching the widget on our iPhone’s home screen while waiting for coffee or on the metro. You do not need to open the app. Surfshark is perfect for daily usage because of it.
We used Camouflage Mode to mask your VPN connection from your network and Dynamic MultiHop, which is better than NordVPN’s Double VPN. The latter offered just nine Double VPN server pairs. We customized the first and second servers for multi-hop using Surfshark. Surfshark’s usability comes from the tiny things.
Surfshark prioritized privacy and security. It features WireGuard for iPhones and 256-bit AES encryption like NordVPN, the best VPN for iPhones. Surfshark’s servers only had RAM, which we liked. RAM-based servers are better for privacy than hard disk-based servers since they reset and wipe all data after every reboot.
Like other VPNs, Surfshark is slow when connecting to distant servers. Our upload speed dropped from 100 to 21 Mbps when we connected via Australia. When we followed Surfshark’s suggested connection settings, we got above-average speeds with just 20% speed loss.
Surfshark’s iOS app gets periodic iOS-specific updates. The app was updated twice during our testing. One update cleaned up the settings so they were easier to find, and the other fixed bugs that were slowing it down.
An iOS widget for Surfshark was also great. If you ever require a VPN, you may easily connect to Surfshark from your iPhone’s home screen. One of the reasons we think Surfshark is the best iOS VPN is that we use the widget on our commute to work.
Surfshark goes beyond usability. It has many features that make it valuable. The one we liked best was Camouflage Mode. Surfshark also disguised our encrypted data packets to keep us unknown. If your school or business bans VPN traffic, this may help.
Factors to Consider in an iPhone VPN
Choosing an iPhone VPN app might be challenging because of the many options. Our years of study and hands-on testing of VPNs have shown these factors to consider when picking the best VPN for iPhone:
Privacy
Any VPN should prioritize privacy. Your iPhone VPN is pointless if it does not provide enough privacy. This VPN should include a kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and no logs policy. It should also use industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption and IKEv2 VPN protocols or ChaCha20 with WireGuard.
If privacy is important, choose a VPN with obfuscation, RAM-only servers, and a privacy-friendly country. Tor-over-VPN, ad and tracker blocks, and multi-hop links are some other private tools for which to keep an eye out. Choose a VPN that is trustworthy and transparent and conducts frequent third-party security audits to boost your privacy confidence.
Speed
How fast your VPN connects may affect your streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming, and online surfing. All VPNs slow down your internet by encrypting your traffic and routing it via at least one server before arriving.
You will want a VPN that does not slow down your internet to keep things functioning properly. We prefer VPNs with 25% or less internet speed degradation. Our study showed an average 11% internet download speed reduction. You will need a fast VPN for competitive gaming or 4K streaming.
Usability
The best VPN for iPhone should work quickly and be simple to use for novice users. It should have all the functions you need at a tap. If you need help on the fly, several iPhone VPN apps let you contact support from the device.
You should be able to use your iPhone VPN app just as easily as with your iPhone. For easy and reliable connectivity when traveling, it should have a broad network of servers throughout the globe and enable you to access geo-restricted content.
Cost
Before buying an iPhone VPN, consider its cost and value based on your budget. VPN plans normally cost $5 to $13 per month, depending on the provider. A yearly membership may save you $30 to $100. Be cautious with free VPNs since they may compromise your privacy.
A week to 45 days money-back guarantee is typical for premium VPNs. Many iPhone VPNs provide a seven-day free trial when you sign up via Apple’s App Store, so you may sample them risk-free before buying.
Device Support
You will need a VPN for your iPhone to function on iOS and iPadOS, but you probably have other devices that need a VPN. Most VPNs support Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Most VPNs provide Android apps in addition to iPhones and iPads. Android TV and Fire TV apps dominate streaming devices, but Apple TV apps are taking off.
VPN providers, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, PIA, and IPVanish, provide Apple TV applications. Consider the devices you want to install a VPN program on and make sure your VPN business supports them.
FAQs on VPNs for iPhone and iPad
Will an iPhone VPN also work on an iPad, Mac, and other devices?
Yes. An iPhone VPN works on iPads since they share an OS. The VPNs include native applications for macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux, so you can use them on your laptop. They have multiple device connections, so you just need one subscription for all your devices.
What iPhone/iPad VPN works best for Netflix?
There are many fantastic iPhone Netflix VPNs. All of these VPNs have vast server networks, so you may view your local Netflix collection on iOS safely over a nearby connection. Additionally, they all support Ultra HD streaming rates (25 Mbps for UHD/4K).
Are iPhone VPNs safe?
Not all iPhone VPNs are secure. All of the VPNs mentioned above have been tested for safety.
Downloading a random iOS VPN from the App Store might lead to a “fleeceware app” fraud. This scam program overcharges you for a service that does not work (even when you deactivate it). Some VPNs record your data irregularly and sell it to other parties.
Are there any recommended free VPNs for iPhones and iPads?
There are decent free iPhone and iPad VPNs, but they always have limits. Data limitations, slower speeds, and fewer server alternatives are usual. A cheap, premium VPN is better for getting complete protection and quicker connections.
Free VPNs frequently have security risks with their limits. Some may sell your data to other parties. Others could lack robust encryption, leaving you open to cyberattacks.
Conclusion
Finding a good VPN for your iPhone or Apple device might be difficult, but this post will help you choose one that works. With the correct VPN, you can improve your internet experience and access plenty of engaging content while improving your privacy, security, and anonymity. A premium VPN can boost iPhone speed and online security against a few dollars a month.
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