Best VPN for iPhone and iPad (Tried and Tested)

Every VPN provider claims they offer the best protection, privacy, and speed. But how true are those claims? Your search for an iPhone VPN can turn frustrating. 

I dislike the fact that advertisers or hackers can track everything I search online. So, I spent hours testing several VPNs. My goal is simple: fact-check everything I read about them and get one to prevent unwanted snooping.

In this guide, I’ll share the best VPNs I found. 

Does the iPhone come with a built-in VPN 

No, it doesn't. You won't find an Apple VPN bundled with the iPhone. The closest thing to a VPN on your device is Private Relay. But that's only available for iPhones running on iOS 15 or later.

Apple's Private Relay is a privacy service offered through iCloud+ subscription. The feature hides the info that leaves your device, but it only works on Safari. But it is not the same as a VPN. 

VPN puts the entire iPhone in stealth mode by encrypting all outgoing data. Also, it hides the iPhone's IP address, including that of the internet service provider, which Private Relay doesn't. If you're not sure how a VPN works, check out this article on how to use a VPN on your iPhone.

What does a VPN do on iPhone and iPad? 

When you install a VPN for iPhone or iPad, you stop others on the same network from watching your device. Also, VPNs hide all data that phones send to websites and servers. 

That said, not all VPNs are built equal. Some are like impenetrable fortresses, promising total privacy that augments Apple’s existing security features. Others, particularly free VPNs, offer a rather limited experience. 

Remember, a good iOS VPN worth your money has these features:

• Secure connection. Top VPNs use AES-256 encryption to secure data, which is the same standard used by the military, banks, and governments.

• Fast connection speed. VPNs route data through servers, which can slow speeds. However, top VPNs maintain fast connections for HD streaming and gaming.

• Privacy. A good VPN protects your online activities and hides your private info, such as your IP address.

Now that you have a clearer understanding of what a strong VPN should look like let’s find one for your iPhone.  

What is the best VPN for iPhone and iPad 

Want to skip the details and quickly pick a VPN? 

Check out this table:

VPN essentials	Encryption	Superpowers	Device limit per account	Pricing
ClearVPN	AES-256	Streaming services library, intuitive design	6	Included in Setapp for $9.99/month
NordVPN	AES-256-GCM	Double VPN encryption, Split Tunneling	10	From $12.99/month
ExpressVPN	AES-256	Lightway protocol, private DNS	8	From $12.95/month
Surfshark	AES-256-GCM	Camouflage mode, unique IP address	Unlimited	From $15.45/month
ProtonVPN	AES-256	DNS leak protection, Two-factor authentication	10	From $9.99/month

Otherwise, read on to find out why these VPNs are the best fit for iPhone and iPad users. 

1. ClearVPN 

ClearVPN is arguably the simplest and most user-friendly VPN I ever used, and perhaps that’s what makes it the best for iPhone and iPad users. It doesn’t matter if you want to hide your IP address or unblock streaming services like Netflix. ClearVPN lets you do so almost effortlessly.

The app has a minimalist and uncluttered interface, with an unmistakable Connect button greeting users when they launch the app. A tap is all it takes to connect your Apple device to the most optimal ClearVPN server. 

On top of that, you can also connect to VPN servers in 45+ countries, which can be handy if you want to stream content that are not available in your region. 

Alternatively, you can tap on the Streaming services, choose the streaming provider you want to connect to, and let ClearVPN do the wonders. I can enjoy high-resolution videos from Netflix, Amazon, Paramount, and other major streaming platforms without delay. 

What’s more important is the range of security and privacy features that ClearVPN offers: 

• Strong no-log policy 

• Ads and trackers blog

• Kill Switch (prevent traffic leaks in case of internet disconnection)

• VPN auto-activation when browsing

Of course, the fact that you can subscribe to ClearVPN via Setapp is also a plus point. Rather than paying solely for a VPN, you can access dozens of apps that help you make your Apple devices more secure.

2. NordVPN

Chances are, you might stumble upon NordVPN in your search for a secure VPN for your device. NordVPN promises fast connection speed and a massive server footprint spanning 111+ countries. Like ClearVPN, it doesn’t store logs and has a solid reputation for prioritizing user privacy. 

Some features that make NordVPN stand out are:

• Multi-hop routing

• Split tunneling

• Tor over VPN 

Like I said, NordVPN’s subscription can be expensive, particularly if you opt for the 1-month plan. Although it occasionally offers heavily discounted annual pricing, subsequent renewal can result in a hefty bill. 

3. ExpressVPN

If speed is what you’re going for, ExpressVPN is the answer. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN doesn’t come cheap. But if you’re willing to fork out more, you can connect to blazing-fast VPN servers, which makes ExpressVPN one of the best for streaming.

ExpressVPN uses Lightway protocol to transfer data from your device to servers at a speed that few VPNs could rival. 

Speed aside, ExpressVPN has been consistent with its privacy policy. It doesn’t log information, including your IP address, browsing history, or session duration.

Overall, ExpressVPN offers the following:

• The unrivaled VPN connection speed
• Strong security and privacy practices
• Private DNS

Just be prepared to pay for the premium price that ExpressVPN commands. 

4. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the alternative VPNs for iOS, allowing unlimited connections. With one plan, you can download and use Surfshark on all your devices.

On top of that, Surfshark’s speed is quite decent. I’ve had no trouble streaming videos, including HD ones. 

Surfshark can be quite attractive because of:

• Generous support for unlimited connections 

• Affordable long-term plans

• Camouflage mode

Consider Surfshark if you want to use a single VPN account for your family. 

5. ProtonVPN

If there’s any free VPN for iPhone that I’ll trust, it’s ProtonVPN. Like the other VPNs I’ve mentioned, ProtonVPN offers all the basic security and privacy features. From highly secure encryption to a no-logs policy.

The latter’s Proton’s Stealth mode hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from internet service providers. ProtonVPN is free for a single device, but there are good reasons to upgrade, including some of these privileges:

• DNS leak protection

• Less crowded server access

• Tor-over-VPN for increased privacy

Go for ProtonVPN if you want access to the most secure VPN in the market. 

How do I choose a VPN for my iPhone

Everyone has a different priority list when choosing an iPhone VPN. 

Here’s mine:

• Privacy: A VPN must, first and foremost, prevent others from tracking my activities online.

• Security: It should prevent hackers from intercepting and abusing my data with military-grade encryption.

• Streaming-friendly: As a movie fan, I’ll need the VPN to unblock my favorite streaming services.

• User-friendly: I’ll say no to a VPN that makes enabling a connection much more complicated than it should be.

• Cost: I’d rather not subscribe to a VPN, which adds up considerably to my expenses.

To choose yours, think about what matters to you most. 

The best VPN for iPhone and iPad (Verdict)

I know choosing an iPhone VPN can be tough, even with the comparisons I’ve shared. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are premium VPNs that not everyone would happily pay for. Surfshark, despite offering unlimited connections, is expensive when you subscribe for the short term. Meanwhile, ProtonVPN’s app can get quite technical for casual Apple users. 

If you’re still struggling to choose one, try ClearVPN. It’s a beginner-friendly, affordable, and intuitive VPN. To make sure, your network connection is stable and you can use a VPN without any lags, use NetSpot.

You can download ClearVPN, NetSpot, and dozens of other apps via Setapp — a subscription-based platform with many useful macOS and iOS apps. Moreover, Setapp lets you try the apps for seven days for free. Try now!