BEST VPN SERVICES
In a hurry?
The best VPN for iPhone in 2023, as found in our independent testing, is NordVPN!
Finding the right iPhone VPN provider is vital.
Generally speaking, we see iPads and iPhones as secure and safe devices.
At the same time, it isn’t as simple as this.
IOS can guarantee protection against malware most of the time, but without a VPN connection, the websites that you visit through your iPad or iPhone are going to have access to your serving history, location, and can even track your activity.
This is going to make you vulnerable to both anybody who can monitor your activity online, and hackers.
As far as VPNs go, they are all different.
This means that some are more compatible with iOS devices, while others are more compatible with PC or Android.
Some VPNs can noticeably slow down your device, while others have security issues.
You definitely need a VPN for your iPhone, but you’re probably getting a headache thinking about all the options out there, and where to even start. This is what we’re here for.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the best VPN for iPhone and iPad, so that you can land on the right one for your needs, and not have to worry about people seeing what you are doing online through your phone or iPad ever again.
Best VPN for iPhone, iPad & iOS 2023
- NordVPN – 🏆 Winner!
- Surfshark
- Atlas VPN
- VyprVPN
- Private Internet Access
- PureVPN
- CyberGhost
- ProtonVPN
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is our best iOS VPN, and for good reason.
They are definitely the best VPN out there for iOS and iPhone, because they are a super reliable service that has proven functionality and security.
You can definitely trust your data with these guys, and when you start to use their services, you are going to understand that they have little to no weak points.
- NordVPN is the industry leader (by a long way)
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Superfast speeds
- 5,442+ servers in 60+ countries
- Strict no-logs policy
- Next-generation military-grade encryption
- DoubleVPN, double privacy
- 6 simultaneous device connections
- Great for: Safety, security, anonymity & peace of mind
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad & iOS, Linux, routers, Apple TV, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
We highly recommend that you choose an iPhone VPN such as this because of their no logging rule, high security standards, and powerful servers that are going to make it really easy for you to maintain good connection speeds, even across thousands of kilometers.
They offer their clients all the tools they need to maintain their privacy and protect their devices from unauthorized access.
When a connection drops, the app is going to block access to the Internet, and as a result, protect you from DNS leaks.
They also offer a list of advanced features, including double encryption, and connection that can’t be tracked, even by your ISP, and even peer-to-peer network support.
You can connect to up to six devices simultaneously with one subscription, and they offer unlimited bandwidth and traffic.
Perhaps one of the things that we love the most about this VPN for iPhone is that they don’t collect user data, except for billing information and email address.
If you want to avoid them collecting this kind of data as well, you can pay for your subscription with cryptocurrency.
As far as their support that goes, this is around the clock, and includes live chat, as well as an extensive knowledge base.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark has a lot going for it as an iPhone VPN service, and one of the things that stands out to us is that they are really good if you are on a budget.
Surfshark are going to be your best bet if you’re someone who is tempted to use a free VPN for iPhones, because, as we will talk about a little bit further down in this article, it is going to be better to go for a VPN like this that offers affordable pricing, than a free VPN.
- Surfshark is the best budget VPN
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Strict no-logs policy
- 3200+ servers in 95 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: private browsing on a budget
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iOS, Linux, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
One month is going to cost you just $12.95, and they are easily one of the most popular VPN services in the industry.
They don’t collect user data, and they let you know if a third party has requested information from them about you.
As far as their global infrastructure goes, it is pretty big. They have more than 3000 servers in 65 different countries and among these, there are both virtual and physical points.
Their servers show really good performance, and let you watch high-quality videos while getting around Geo blocks.
As far as being able to access devices with one subscription goes, this is unlimited, which means that there’s no need to ever pay for more than one subscription.
They have a no-log rule, and they have a whitelist feature as well, that lets you list the apps that you want to use with a VPN connection.
They also offer additional masking tools, so that you can hide your VPN connection, even from your provider.
If encryption is off, they’re going to automatically disconnect you, and they work incredibly fast, so for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to wait around for your VPN connection, these guys are going to be a good choice.
3. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is probably the best free VPN for iPhone that you may or may not have heard of before.
They have a freemium service, which means you can use a limited version of their VPN for free.
They are an appealing and stylish VPN provider, and they are really convenient, which means that all you need to do is choose the location that you want to connect to, and then select ‘connect’.
- Atlas VPN is the best free VPN
- Privacy Pro servers
- 750 servers in 40+ locations
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: people seeking a freemium VPN
- Compatible with: Windows, MacOS, Android, iPhone & iOS, Android TV, Fire TV Stick
However, don’t be fooled by this simple interface, they’re actually one of the most advanced VPN services out there.
They have over 750 servers in many locations, and these can be found in 30+ different countries.
They can unlock all the popular streaming platforms out there, including Prime Video, and Netflix.
You are even going to be able to unblock Spotify from your iPhone, if you can’t access it in your country.
They have a stringent no-logs rule, which means that they don’t store any of your personal information, and they do use advanced encryption, so that you don’t have to worry about connection leaks.
With one account, you can make the most of unlimited connections simultaneously, and they have a money-back guarantee that is going to be good for one month.
They offer unlimited bandwidth, as well as a good connection speed.
4. VyprVPN
VyprVPN is a great choice if you want to be able to align yourself with a VPN for iPhone and iPad that has been developed by experts, so that you can enjoy peace of mind and privacy as well as unrestringented Internet access.
They come with a money-back guarantee that is going to be good for one month, and you can download the app either through the Apple App store, or Google Play.
This is the kind of VPN that believes that you deserve access to privacy at all times when you are online, no matter what, and if you are someone who has had a bad experience when it comes to support with a VPN similar to this, you can rest assured that you are going to get all the help you need, at any point in the process.
They offer powerful and secure connections, as well as a no-logs rule, and security that they consider to be unparalleled.
With over 300,000 IP addresses around the world, this VPN is definitely industry-leading when it comes to your iPhone.
5. Private Internet Access
The next VPN on our list is really good because they are one of the world’s most trusted, and they are also one of the world’s cheapest VPNs as well, which is again great if you have a limited budget.
They’re going to cost from just $2.08 a month, and you can even try them risk free for 30 days.
They have a chat box on their home page, so that you can talk to them about any initial queries or questions you might have, and they guarantee unbreakable VPN security, as well as a ton of customizable privacy features, so that you can feel confident that your information is protected at all times.
The best part is that they can of course help you with their VPNs for iPhones, but they can also help you with all of your other devices as well, so you are never going to have to go anywhere else for your VPN experience.
6. PureVPN
PureVPN offers a lot of different server locations to make the most of.
If you want to sign up for two years’ worth of VPN services with them, it is going to cost you just $2.91 a month, while on the flip side of this, one month is going to cost you $10.95.
They are easily one of the most reliable VPNs when it comes to iPhone, because they can be used to stream securely and quickly.
Their service includes an automatic reconnection, which means that you can easily reset the connection if it drops for some reason.
They have more than 6000 servers available in 180 locations around the world, and they offer unlimited service for more comfortable browsing.
They also offer unlimited bandwidth and data transfer, and split tunneling lets you set up the app, so that you can use the VPN connection.
As far as technical support goes, this includes a live chat, and with their support includes all of the modern security protocols that you are going to want to get your hands on.
7. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a really safe and reliable VPN for iOS devices, and they are user friendly, which means that they are simple, but they are powerful.
They offer a separate application as well if you want to use a VPN for Apple Watch.
This is a pretty rare feature, so if this is something that gets your attention, you might want to make the most of it.
They have more than 7000 connections in 100 locations around the world, and also have a best location feature, which lets you automatically connect to the quickest server in your area.
As far as the iOS app goes, it comes with built-in modes, so that you can access a number of different streaming services.
All you need to do is choose the one that you want, and the app is going to straight away show you a list of servers that have been developed specifically to connect to the platform that you’re trying to get your hands on.
Of course, they offer are no-log rule, and even have a Wi-Fi auto protect feature, which is going to help you receive additional protection when you are accessing public Wi-Fi.
The money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, which is definitely one of the longest money-back guarantees in the industry, and they have a kill switch, and many other security options.
8. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is another really helpful free VPN provider if you want to make the most of the limited traffic with their free plan.
In case you haven’t realized yet, this is a pretty rare occurrence in the world of VPNs, especially when it comes to free ones, so if you have next to nothing in your budget right now when it comes to your VPN, you might want to capitalize on this.
However, as you can expect, they do have limited servers, there being just 23 servers in three countries.
They do have a dedicated app though that can help you because you can download it directly to your iPhone or iPad, and it is super easy to get set up. You don’t need to share any billing information with them, just your email address.
They don’t limit their network bandwidth, especially with their free version, but if you want a higher speed, you’re definitely going to have to pay for one of their subscriptions.
They say that privacy is their top priority, which is why they have a stringent no-logs rule, as well as data encryption that is military grade.
They also have a built-in ad blocker, which is pretty rare when it comes to free VPNs.
What can a VPN do on Your iPhone or iPad?
There are a number of things that a VPN can do on your iPad or iPhone. The first is that it can help you bypass censorship, so that you can access services that are blocked based on where you are located in the world.
You are also going to be able to safely download a movie to your computer, or even watch it online, and you can protect yourself from having your data tracked by the Internet provider that you are connected to.
A VPN is going to be able to help you encrypt all your data, so that you can protected against hackers, especially when you use a public Wi-Fi server, and you’re also going to be able to access websites that you would otherwise not be able to access based on where you are located, whether it is American Netflix, or the BBC.
When Should You Use a VPN?
Everybody knows that as far as iOS goes, it is pretty secure.
However, if you happen to be in a coffee shop, and you are using a public Wi-Fi server, then there is still a chance that your personal information could be seen by a hacker.
If you travel a lot, and you spend a lot of time accessing the Internet through a public Wi-Fi server, then it is really important to have a mobile VPN.
Otherwise, you were exposing yourself to cyber criminals.
The only way to be able to protect yourself reliably from hackers when you use public Wi-Fi is by using a VPN.
Can I Use a Free VPN for iPhone?
We do think that there are some good free VPNs on the market, but it is really important to be aware of their limitations.
It is also important to understand why you need to avoid a lot of iPhone VPN apps out there.
There are a lot of VPNs on the market for iPhone that have limited functionality, and they are slow, which is going to make them very difficult to use on a daily basis.
Another thing to watch out for is that some VPNs that are free are going to collect user data, and then sell them on to third parties.
This is the catch when they claim to be free, because at the end of the day, they aren’t really.
Should I Use a Free or Paid VPN?
Ultimately, we don’t recommend that you use a free VPN for your iPhone or iPad, even if you’re tempted to because you have a tight budget right now.
As we mentioned, there are some worthwhile free VPNs on the market, but they are few and far between.
If you plan on using a VPN frequently for your iPhone or iPad, it is going to be a lot better to connect with a paid VPN that has robust security measures and is definitely not going to sell your personal information onto a third party.
You might get a little bit of short-term relief from not having to pay for VPN services, but we think that having your personal information passed on to a third-party company is a high price to pay for this.
How to Get a New IP Address on iPhone
If you are trying to get your hands on a new IP address, you will need to choose an iOS VPN service that you want to work with the most, ideally from the list of tested and vetted VPNs that we have discussed above.
Once you have landed on your favorite, you can visit their website, and look at the features they have available.
Choose a subscription service, and then go through the payment process, and you will be good to go.
If you have any queries either initially, or further down the track, you can always get in touch with their friendly customer support team, who are going to be on deck to help you whenever you need it.
FAQs
Is a VPN Going to Drain the iPhone Battery?
Any application that you end up using on iPhone is going to affect the battery charge if it is actively used, which means that a VPN is no exception.
However, VPNs don’t typically take up a huge amount of battery.
This means that you aren’t going to notice a huge drop in battery power, or endurance of the device.
Do VPNs Like This Work for iPad?
Yes, VPNs can be configured on iPads, the same way that they can be on iPhones.
There might be issues with older devices, but if you have a newer model, it is going to work really well.
All the services that we have reviewed here today support iPads the same way that they support iPhones.
Is Using an iPhone VPN Legal?
It is completely legal to use a VPN, in the majority of countries around the world.
However, there are some countries that have government regulations in place that restrict this kind of activity.
These countries include North Korea, Russia, Egypt, and more.
As far as China goes, it isn’t stringently illegal to use a VPN, although a lot of VPN services in China are blocked, and as a result, don’t work properly.
If you live under a totalitarian regime, it is really important to stay cautious.
However, in general, even in countries like this, it isn’t going to be illegal to use a VPN itself, but to access blocked content.
If you are going on vacation to one of these countries, then don’t be concerned, because there are no known cases where travelers from other countries have been prosecuted for using a VPN.
How to Get Around Censorship on An iPhone with A VPN?
If you want to watch a TV show or a movie, listen to music, or access any kind of other content in your country, you will need to find the website that you want to access as if you were located somewhere else in the world.
To do this, install one of the VPN services that we’ve talked about above, choose a subscription, and then choose the required location and country.
The target website is going to think that you are trying to access it from this new location.
It is even going to work if you are going to use your device in a stringently moderated corporate or local network.
Can a VPN Get Around iPhone App Store Restrictions?
Yes, you’re going to be able to get around App Store restrictions when using a VPN.
Just take note that you might have to switch up your billing information address.
Can I Use a Mobile Hotspot on iPhone with A VPN?
Yes, you can run a mobile hotspot on an iPhone when you are using a VPN, this means that another device that is going to be using your shared Internet through this connection is also going to be protected by the VPN.
This is a really easy way to secure a second device without having to install a VPN on it.
However, as you can see from our reviews above, all of the services that we’ve talked about on this list today allow you to connect to more than one device at the same time.
Can I Download a VPN from Outside of The App Store?
Not officially.
All VPNs for iOS have their apps on the App Store, so this is the best way to find them.
If you jailbreak your device, you can download a VPN from a third party, but just keep in mind that when installing versions that are not official, you can easily catch malware.
This is why we highly recommend that you download official VPN services for iOS only through the App Store.
Can I Use a Proxy Instead of A VPN?
Back in the day, you definitely were able to use a proxy to get around censorship when it came to websites, but these days, it can be challenging to find a high-quality proxy.
Some of them are also going to sell your information onto a third party.
Is a VPN Going to Work with Other Devices?
Most of the free VPN sites out there are going to have apps just for desktop computers.
Free services a lot of the time mean that the provider doesn’t have the resources to develop new applications.
However, if you are paying for a VPN, then yes, you are going to be able to use the VPN on all kinds of platforms and devices including routers, TVs, and game consoles.
Do I Need a VPN to Secure MyiPhone in My Country?
iPhones have pretty powerful security tools built into their system will, but in a lot of cases, this isn’t enough.
iPhones are really good at protecting their devices, but they aren’t that great at protecting your Internet traffic.
A VPN can encrypt user traffic, so that they can protect your personal data from cyber criminals.
If you don’t use a VPN, then your iPhone is vulnerable to cyber-attacks, not to mention the fact that online advertising companies can track everything you do online.
Should I Leave My VPN on All the Time?
We don’t think that it is necessary to leave your VPN on all time, but it is a good idea to keep your connections secure permanently.
You can turn your VPN off if you are using your home Wi-Fi server, or you are securely connecting to an Internet connection at work.
However, if you are connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, just make sure to turn your VPN on again.
Can I Use iCloud Private Relay Instead of A VPN?
iCloud private relay is a feature that was added to iOS version 15.
However, it isn’t a complete VPN, but instead it is a proxy service.
It is only available on Safari, which means that you are only going to be protected when you use Safari. If you use Google Chrome, FaceTime, or any other app, this feature isn’t going to work.
It is also slower, and you can’t change your location.
It is a good feature to use if you want to stay private, otherwise, you are going to need a VPN.
Is a VPN Going to Use My Mobile Traffic?
When compared to a direct connection, a VPN is going to use 20% more traffic.
Just keep this in mind if your mobile traffic is expensive, and limited.
In Summary, the best VPNs in 2023 are;
Rating | VPN Service | Get Offer |
---|---|---|
#1 Top Rated#1 | NordVPN - #1 VPN in the industry | FREE Trial |
#2 Top Rated#2 | Surfshark - top budget VPN | Start Now |
#3 Top Rated#3 | Atlas VPN - best free VPN | Start Now |
Final Thoughts
Using an iOS VPN is a really good idea if you want to get around local censorship, access services that are Geo restringented, or just make sure that your data is safe when you are surfing the Internet.
As you can see we’ve got a lot of VPN services that we have reviewed above that we believe are going to take care of your needs.
Make sure to check a few of them out at first so that you can find the best VPN for iPhone that is going to suit your needs perfectly.