Breaking Down the Best VPN Providers for iPhone Users
Apple touts itself as a company concerned with security. And for the most part, it succeeds – but only for the most part. In this article we show you the best VPNs for iPhone.
If you’re not using an iPhone VPN, then you’re just as vulnerable to certain cyberattacks as anyone else. But don’t worry: as always, we’re here to help.
The Best VPN for iPhone Users
Consider this. VPN 1 might work the best for Gary and his iPhone, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for Paul too. Paul might find VPN 2 works better for him.
So why do other VPN comparison sites promote the idea of this or that VPN being better than all the rest? And why do they never seem to agree on which VPN that is? Simple: they’re all getting paid by VPN providers through what’s called affiliate marketing.
Unfortunately, they aren’t always playing by the rules… quite often, they promote dodgy VPNs purely because one provider is offering more money than the others.
And as always, we’re not going to rank these top 5 iPhone VPNs. Instead, we’re simply reporting the facts and letting you compare VPNs decide for yourself which of them fits your needs the best.
How do we Rate VPN Providers?
How to Choose a VPN for iPhone
There’s a nearly unlimited number of reasons you should be using a VPN with your iPhone.
Whether you decide to go with one of our recommendations above or look into other options, here’s what to look for when considering a VPN:
- Not located in a 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, or 14 Eyes jurisdiction
- Strict no-logs policy
- 256-bit encryption
- Automatic kill switch
- DNS leak protection
- High-speed connection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Lots of servers
- Able to access streaming services
- OpenVPN protocol
- Usability
- 24/7 customer support (live chat preferred)
- Affordability
All of the VPNs recommended above meet most – if not all – of the features listed here.
(PS: we also recommend taking a look at our suggestions on the Best VPNs for Mac so you can protect your computer too!)
VPNs to Avoid
Before you go about your merry way installing a VPN on your iPhone, you should be aware there are some providers better avoided.
And yes, many of them can be found in the Apple iStore!
Here’s a quick reference list:
- Free VPNs – free VPNs have poor security, restrictive data and bandwidth limits, and invasive or even non-existent logging policies (there are a few exceptions)
- Facebook Onavo VPN
- HideMyAss
- Hola
- HotSpot Shield (read our full review for more info)
- Opera Free VPN (special mention due to its being a fake VPN)
- PureVPN (read our full review for more info)
- VPNSecure
- ZenMate
How to Set Up a VPN on iPhone
Setting up a VPN on your iPhone is dead easy. Following these steps should have you set up and connected within 10 minutes:
- Sign-up as a customer with the VPN provider you’ve chosen.
- Download the iPhone app from their website.
- Open the VPN app and sign-in.
- Choose a VPN server location and click to connect.
- Once the connection is made, your iPhone VPN is 100% set up and your online activities protected!
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a great VPN – in fact, it’s one of our recommendations for the Best Overall VPNs.
And with so much to offer, it’s easy to see why: you get to choose from 4,900+ servers and stream Netflix right from your iPhone (you’ll need the Netflix app for that, of course).
And if you’re as privacy-conscious as we hope you are, you’ll be glad to know CyberGhost isn’t based in a 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, or 14 Eyes jurisdiction.
Pair that up with their strict no-logs policy, 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, automatic Internet KillSwitch, and DNS Leak Protection, and you’re pretty much set.
Don’t forget to check out our full CyberGhost VPN Review if you want to know more!
Specs
- Number of Servers: 3,000+
- Server Locations: 160 (94 countries)
- 64.09 Mbps average (download)
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- 1 Month Plan: $12.95
- 6 Month Plan: $59.95
- 1 Year Plan: $155.40 – currently on sale for $99.95
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another solid recommendation for iPhone users. Once again, you’ll get all the security features you need: 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, a Network Lock KillSwitch, and Zero-Knowledge DNS leak protection.
Plus, ExpressVPN boasts 3,000+ servers to choose from, with some of the best speeds in the industry.
One thing we’re not happy about is the fact ExpressVPN lies about its location. The company claims to be based in the British Virgin Islands, but is actually in Hong Kong.
Still, it remains one of the best overall VPNs. We did remove a point in our full ExpressVPN Review for being dishonest about their location, but the provider has a strict no-logs policy with a proven track record.
Ultimately, we leave it to you to decide whether or not you want to trust ExpressVPN.
Specs
- Number of Servers: 3,000+
- Server Locations: 160 (94 countries)
- 64.09 Mbps average (download)
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- 1 Month Plan: $12.95
- 6 Month Plan: $59.95
- 1 Year Plan: $194.25 – currently on sale for $99.95 (+3 free months)
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
NordVPN
Okay, some more bad news – NordVPN might not be based in Panama (as it claims to be), but in Lithuania instead.
However, we don’t think that in itself is really a problem (other than the lying, of course).
NordVPN remains one of the best overall VPNs we’ve tested, and similar to ExpressVPN, it’s been independently audited to prove its strict no-logs policy. You can read all about it in our full NordVPN Review.
Similar to the other VPNs we’re recommending for iPhone users, NordVPN boasts solid security features including military-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
You even get a unique Double VPN feature as well as Onion Over VPN. Both will help further protect your online activity from prying eyes by obfuscating your location as well as encrypting your data.
Plus, NordVPN has one of the biggest server networks in the industry, with nearly 5,200 individual servers.
Specs
- Number of Servers: 5,164
- Server Locations: 60 countries
- 52.70 Mbps average (download)
- 256-bit AES-GCM encryption with a 3072bit Diffie-Hellman key
- Up to 6 simultaneous connections
- 1 Month Plan: $11.95
- 1 Year Plan: $143.40 – currently on sale for $83.88
- 2 Year Plan: $286.80 – currently on sale for $119.76
- 3 Year Plan: $430.20 – currently on sale for $125.64 (plus 1 month free)
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
SaferVPN
SaferVPN is yet another VPN that impressed us when writing our full review recently.
In fact, our biggest complaints are that it’s based in Israel (a known 5 Eyes Ally) and it’s missing some of the features we usually prefer a VPN to have.
When it comes to security, though, there’s nothing to worry about. SaferVPN’s no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection are up to scratch.
But what really sets this provider apart is the Automatic WiFi Security feature: if you forget to connect to SaferVPN before joining an unsecure WiFi network (such as basically all free WiFi), this feature will do so for you.
Finally, SaferVPN does admittedly have a much smaller server network than we prefer: only 700+ servers. But we were able to get consistently good speeds while testing them, so we don’t think it’s too much of an issue.
Specs
- Number of Servers: 700+
- Server Locations: 34 countries
- 33.79 Mbps average (download)
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Up to 5 simultaneous connections
- 1 Month Plan: $12.95
- 1 Year Plan: $65.88
- 3 Year Plan: $89.99
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
SurfShark VPN
Surfshark is easily one of the best VPNs for iPhone.
Its 2-year subscription price makes it a steal, especially considering its feature-rich service.
Not only do you get all the usual bells and whistles (strict no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection), but there’s a whole range of other security features to help keep your iPhone activities absolutely private.
Camouflage Mode, for example, makes sure that even your ISP won’t know you’re using a VPN.
Add the fact SurfShark really is based in the British Virgin Islands, has its own integrated ad-blocker, and offers unlimited simultaneous connections, and you can see why the provider got such a great review.
Plus, they’ve been independently audited!
Specs
- Number of Servers: 800+
- Server Locations: 50+ countries
- 45.62 Mbps average (download)
- 256-bit AES-GCM encryption
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 1 Month Plan: $11.95
- 1 Year Plan: $143.40 – currently on sale for $71.88
- 2 Year Plan: $286.80 – currently on sale for $47.76
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
Do I need a VPN for my iPhone?
Absolutely. Without one, despite all of Apple’s security features, your online data is open to various cyber attacks.
What can I do with an iPhone VPN?
This will largely depend on the VPN provider you choose. However, you should be able to unblock censored content, bypass iPhone App Store geo-restrictions, and even use P2P file sharing (torrents).
What is the best VPN for iOS?
This depends on your physical location and VPN needs. As a general rule, however, CyberGhost and SurfShark are two of the best iOS VPNs featured here.
When should I turn my iPhone VPN on?
Ideally, always.
But it’s especially important to have your iPhone VPN on when connecting to public WiFi or transferring sensitive data.
Just be mindful online banking and payment platforms might block you while using a VPN to protect against fraud. You can get around this by using a VPN server in your country while doing online payments.
Can I use a free VPN for my iPhone?
This is almost never recommended. If you absolutely need to use a free VPN due to financial reasons, Windscribe has a 10GB/month option that can be trusted.
Will my iPhone VPN work on my iPad?
Older generations might not work, but for the most part, any iPhone VPN will work on your iPad too.
Are VPNs for iPhone legal?
Yes, in about 95.9% of the world. Notable exceptions include Belarus, Iran, Iraq, Oman, and the UAE.
What is iPhone VPN tethering?
If you setup your iPhone as a hot spot and share its internet connection with (for example) your Mac computer, then the tethered device will also be protected by your iPhone VPN.
How do I delete a VPN from my iOS device?
Simply uninstall and delete the VPN app. If you used manual installation via the Operating System settings, you’ll need to manually remove that connection as well.
Will ExpressVPN work for iPhones?
Yes, ExpressVPN is one of our top 5 iPhone VPNs.
Will NordVPN work for iPhones?
Yes, NordVPN is one of our top 5 iPhone VPNs.
