What to Look for in a VPN for iPhone

1

Security

Strong encryption and security protocols

2

Speed

Fast connection speeds for all activities

3

Reliability

Stable connections with minimal drops

4

Ease of Use

User-friendly apps across all platforms

Top 5 Best VPNs for iPhone

Based on our testing specifically for iphone, these VPNs performed best. Each has been evaluated for the features that matter most for this use case.

#1
E

ExpressVPN

★★★★★ 9.4/10 3,000 servers 105 countries
$8.32 /month
97
Speed
96
Privacy
98
Streaming
78
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 8 Devices

Pros

  • Fastest VPN speeds with Lightway protocol
  • Best-in-class streaming unblocking
  • User-friendly apps on all platforms

Cons

  • Premium pricing compared to competitors
  • Only 8 simultaneous connections
#2
N

NordVPN

★★★★★ 9.5/10 6,400 servers 111 countries
$3.29 /month
95
Speed
98
Privacy
96
Streaming
92
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 10 Devices

Pros

  • Industry-leading security features
  • Massive server network in 111 countries
  • Excellent streaming unblocking capabilities

Cons

  • Occasional server connection delays
  • No free trial available
#3
S

Surfshark

★★★★★ 9.2/10 3,200 servers 100 countries
$2.19 /month
91
Speed
94
Privacy
93
Streaming
98
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • Unlimited Devices

Pros

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Best value for money in the market
  • Strong security with CleanWeb ad blocker

Cons

  • Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
  • Relatively newer provider
#4
P

ProtonVPN

★★★★★ 9.1/10 4,600 servers 91 countries
$4.99 /month
89
Speed
99
Privacy
87
Streaming
85
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 10 Devices

Pros

  • Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
  • Open-source and independently audited
  • Secure Core multi-hop servers

Cons

  • Smaller server network than competitors
  • Free tier has limited server access
#5
P

Private Internet Access

★★★★ 8.7/10 35,000 servers 91 countries
$2.03 /month
86
Speed
95
Privacy
82
Streaming
96
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • Unlimited Devices

Pros

  • Massive network with 35,000+ servers
  • Proven no-logs policy in court
  • Unlimited device connections

Cons

  • Based in United States (5 Eyes)
  • Inconsistent streaming unblocking

Quick Comparison

VPN Rating Speed Price Devices
#1 ExpressVPN
9.4/10 97/100 $8.32/mo 8 Get Deal
#2 NordVPN
9.5/10 95/100 $3.29/mo 10 Get Deal
#3 Surfshark
9.2/10 91/100 $2.19/mo Unlimited Get Deal
#4 ProtonVPN
9.1/10 89/100 $4.99/mo 10 Get Deal
#5 Private Internet Access
8.7/10 86/100 $2.03/mo Unlimited Get Deal

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, despite Apple's security focus, iPhones benefit from VPNs for encrypted connections, privacy from ISPs, accessing geo-blocked content, and protection on public WiFi.

No, iCloud Private Relay only encrypts Safari traffic and has limited server locations. A full VPN protects all apps and offers more control and features.

IKEv2 is natively supported and efficient on iOS. WireGuard offers the best performance. Some VPNs use proprietary protocols like Lightway or NordLynx.

Yes, ExpressVPN and others support Siri Shortcuts, letting you connect to your VPN with voice commands or automated shortcuts.

iOS may disconnect VPNs when switching networks. Enable on-demand VPN in your app settings or use IKEv2 protocol for better reconnection handling.

Download the VPN app from App Store, sign in, allow VPN configuration when prompted, and tap connect. The app handles all technical setup automatically.

Yes, you can run a VPN while using your iPhone as a hotspot. Connected devices will benefit from your VPN protection through the shared connection.

Modern VPNs have minimal battery impact on iPhone. IKEv2 and WireGuard are particularly efficient, with negligible effect on daily battery usage.

Yes, most VPN subscriptions cover multiple devices including iPads. iOS VPN apps work identically on iPhone and iPad with optimized interfaces.

Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > VPN, select your VPN configuration, and enable "Connect On Demand" for automatic connections.