Best VPN for iPhone – October 2023

Apple places a strong emphasis on security, recognizing its crucial role in delivering a positive user experience. The company has gained a reputation for providing robust security in its products, and as a result, iPhone users have certain expectations regarding the level of protection offered. However, if you are not satisfied with the built-in security and wish to enhance your privacy further, check out our best VPNs for iPhones.

Using an iPhone VPN gives you the ability to unlock content that’s normally not available in your area. It keeps your online activities private, so your internet provider can’t monitor or slow down your connection. It adds extra protection to your information, making it harder for others to access. Plus, it stops annoying ads by making it tougher for advertisers to bother you.

Although not every VPN service seamlessly integrates with iOS, there is a growing number of VPN apps specifically designed for Apple devices, offered by the best VPN providers. This means that you now have a wider range of options when it comes to selecting the best VPN apps for iPhone. Enjoy unrestricted access and enhanced privacy in just a few taps.

 Quick Overview – The Best VPN for iPhone of 2023

Short on time? here we have briefly described 5 of the best VPNs for iPhones.

Quick Comparison Table: Best VPNs for iPhone & iOS – 2023

Here’s a quick comparison table highlighting some of the best VPNs for iPhone and iOS in 2023:

VPNs
Rating for iPhone	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
iOS Compatibility	iOS 12 or later	iOS 13.0. 0 or later	iOS 11.0 or later	iOS 13.0 and later	iOS 14 or above
Country Servers	94 countries	100 countries	60 countries	91 countries	countries
Speed	87+	81+	83+	75+	54+
Kill Switch	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Logging Policy	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
Streaming	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and More	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and More	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and More	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and More	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and More
App Store Rating	4.6/5.0	4.6/5.0	4.6/5.0	4.1/5.0	4.5/5.0
Pricing	$6.67/mo (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan)	$2.30/mo (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan)	$3.99/mo (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan)	$2.11/mo	$3.33/mo

Why Do I Need a VPN For iPhone?

Using a VPN on your iPhone hides your IP, location, and online actions by encrypting your web traffic. This safeguards your privacy, lets you access blocked content, and bypass online restrictions. VPNs are essential for securing your digital identity and expanding your online access.

Using a VPN on your iPhone is like adding a shield to your online identity, making it tougher for malicious actors to access your private data, especially when connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Also, a VPN on iPhone encrypts your data in transit, making it more challenging for hackers to steal your sensitive information. If you use your iPhone for financial or other private transactions online, this may help alot.

Additionally, a VPN masks your IP address, preventing hackers and other third parties from monitoring your online behavior or intercepting your sensitive information. Safeguarding your privacy and enhancing your security, a VPN is a vital tool for maintaining a secure and private online experience on your iPhone.

Best iPhone VPN of 2023 – Detailed Analysis

Here’s a rundown of the best VPN services for iPhone- their features, pricing plans, logging policy, and other information you need to pick the best VPN for iPhone and iPad. See our testing criteria for choosing the best iPhone VPN.

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN App for iPhone

ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for iPhone, with its sleek, dedicated iPhone app for iOS 12 and above. With high speed, strong encryption, and streaming performance. ExpressVPN is the best contender for iPhone VPNs, providing everything an iPhone VPN user might need.

ExpressVPN offers a server network of 3000+ servers in 94 countries. With an extensive server network of ExpressVPN, you can get a quality connection from wherever you are. Some of its best servers for iPhone users that we tested ourselves are the New Jersey server, New York server, Toronto, London, and Tokyo.

If you are looking for a VPN on your iPhone for streaming, then there is no better choice than streaming Netflix with ExpressVPN. We connected the New York server to watch Netflix, ORF outside USA, and Disney+ and it’s also the best VPN for HBO Max on our iPhone while testing, and it worked seamlessly. ExpressVPN supports 06 simultaneous connections at one time.

we ran ExpressVPN speed tests by connecting to various servers, and the results were impressive. ExpressVPN offered an average download speed of 92.26 Mbps and an upload speed of 89.45 Mbps on a 100 Mbps base connection. With ExpressVPN, you will not notice much of a slowdown because of its lightning-fast protocols.

ExpressVPN offers absolutely quick performance on 100 Mbps connectivity

ExpressVPN being the best iOS VPN app offers plenty of security options as well as fast speed for users. ExpressVPN iOS VPN app security options include Multilingual Interface, WebRTC Blocking, Location spoofing, HTTPS Everywhere, IPv6/DNS Leak Protection, Threat Manager, AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, Lightway protocol, split tunnelling, and many more.

Another security feature that we love about ExpressVPN is that it uses TrustedServer technology. It ensures complete data wipe every time the server reboot. ExpressVPN has a rotating IP address feature that ensures no one can track you down. It has a stringent no-logging policy in place.

ExpressVPN is the best VPN that offers customized apps for Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS, It also offers extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox browsers. ExpressVPN can be compatible with a variety of routers. This finest VPN is great to support multiple streaming devices like  Kodi, Firestick, Kindle Fire Tablet, and Roku. ExpressVPN is also the best Apple TV VPN as well.

Expressvpn provides live chat for any technical assistance you need. ExpressVPN is available for $6.67/mo (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) with a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a 7-day ExpressVPN free trial for mobile users. 

If you want to review the provider in detail, don’t hesitate to read our ExpressVPN review.

2. Surfshark – Best Value iPhone VPN app

Surfshark is a great option for iPhone users on a tight budget. If you are looking for an affordable VPN for your iPhone that offers all features of its competitors. At a price of just $2.30/mo (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan). Surfshark on iPhone offers a smooth app with interesting extra features as well. You can simply follow its easy to follow tutorials to set up Surfshark on your iPhone.

With over 3200+ VPN servers in 100 countries, Surfshark is a great companion to visit censored websites we used the New York server to unblock streaming platforms including Disney+ with Surfshark, Netflix, and Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime.

In a conducted Surfshark speed test, we got a download speed of 81.32 Mbps and an upload speed of 76.12 Mbps on 100 Mbps which was great for streaming and browsing lag-free. While other VPNs are limited to 5-10 devices per account, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections per account.

Surfshark speed test result on a 100 Mbps connection.

Surfshark is an ideal VPN to protect your iPhone by passing local firewalls. It supports all iPhone devices with version 10.3.3 (with 64-bit architecture) and up. It offers a simple iPhone VPN app, but you can find a host of privacy and security tools underneath its design. Apart from this, Surfshark also serves as the best VPN for Xiaomi, because of its compatibility with multiple devices.

Surfshark iOS VPN app equipped with the usual AES 256 encryption and Kill Switch, Whitelister, and Cleanweb. Surfshark also offers a Multi-hop (double VPN), one of its most promising features that hide your trail by securing your connection over multiple servers.

It has features that protect against malware attacks, viruses, and phishing emails, which blocks malicious ads and websites and reduces other kinds of distractions while using a VPN on an iPhone.

Surfshark also offers Camouflage Mode, which masks your traffic, and NoBorders which allows you to bypass online restrictions. Apart from being affordable, you can also get a Surfshark free trial for 7 days, exclusively available for iPhone users.

Surfshark provides live chat support 24/7. Before committing to a premium membership, you can give Surfshark a try with their free trial. All purchased bundles come with a 30-day no-questions-asked refund policy.

Check out our comprehensive review on Surfshark.

3. NordVPN – Secure VPN app for iPhone

NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs to use with iPhone. The security giant is a popular VPN among iPhone users. It has an impressive iOS app that is as easy to interact with as its desktop client with its futuristic blue landing screen map. Also, considered as the best VPN protocol for iPhone.

NordVPN lets you choose from more than 5500+ servers in 60 countries. A vast server network and the latest VPN protocols guarantee a decent speed and a stable VPN connection. Trust us when we say that there isn’t any geo-restricted site that you can’t unblock with NordVPN.

We used New York Server # 6994 to watch Netflix with NordVPN on iPhone with no bandwidth limitation and smooth browsing, along with other streaming sites like Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Peacock TV, Hulu, and more.

We also tested the speed on its new protocol, NordLynx, and got great results. NordVPN speed test offered an average download speed of 83.82 Mbps and upload speed of 44.64 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection which is great for enjoying a buffer-free experience. NordVPN connects up to 6 simultaneous connections at one time.

NordVPN offers super-fast speed on its servers for Ultra-HD streaming.

NordVPN iPhone app is designed to run perfectly on iOS, thus protecting your iPhone with IP Leak Protection, Threat Protection, robust encryption, and keeping you safe and secure on public Wi-Fi using its CyberSec feature. It is also considered the best VPN for port forwarding, NordVPN for iOS app offers all the in-depth features that you would expect from its desktop client with fully-featured protocols, specialty servers, and the list goes on.

It supports Split tunneling and AES 256 encryption, with automatic two-kill switches, a Double VPN option, and the best VPN blocker for iPhones. It also includes DNS leak detection, Onion Over VPN, and an audited no-logs policy.

NordVPN has live chat available 24/7 just in case your NordVPN not working on your iOS device. You can get NordVPN at $3.99/mo (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan) with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its premium plans.Check out our comprehensive review of NordVPN.

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4. CyberGhost – Great Beginner-friendly VPN app for iPhone

CyberGhost is a user-friendly VPN for iPhones with intuitive apps. The VPN is ranked #7 on iTunes Productivity Chart and is a great cost-effective option for iPhone users. It has a powerful iOS app that offers most of the functionality of the desktop apps and a simple user interface.

CyberGhost has 9700+ servers in 91 countries which are best for IP change, streaming, gaming, and safe transactions. CyberGhost is a haven for streamers, we connect to the New York server to unblock BBC iPlayer, France TV, Hulu, HBO, and other restricted streaming services.

We were impressed with CyberGhost speed test as it offered an average download speed of 75.47 Mbps and an upload speed of 69.34 Mbps on most of its servers. We tested around 10 of its servers on our iPhone 13 and recorded a speed drop of around 30-35%, which was not bad at all. It supports 7 simultaneous connections at one time.

CyberGhost servers offer fast speed for streaming and browsing without any lag.

CyberGhost iPhone app provides complete anonymization by sending traffic through a private and secure tunnel. It hides your IP address to give complete anonymity online and encrypts your data with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. It covers all bases with an automatic kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and WebRTC/DNS/IP leaks.

Another feature that stood out on iPhone is CyebrGhost’s Wi-Fi Auto-Protect which automatically detects when your iPhone is connected to a public Wi-Fi and connects you to a VPN server for protection. CyberGhost does not offer split tunneling features on iOS devices but can connect by installing a VPN on routers.You also get to choose from multiple VPN protocols.

While testing CyberGhost on iPhones, we could choose from IKEv2 and WireGuard. We recommend choosing WireGuard as it is more secure and fast as compared to other protocols.CyberGhost is available for just $2.11/mo and offers an extensive 45-day money-back guarantee along with a CyberGhost free trial.

For any query related to CyberGhost not working, you can also reach out to its 24/7 Customer Support.

Read our CyberGhost review for more information.

5. IPVanish – Feature-full VPN for iOS

IPVanish is a the best feature-full VPN for iOS. It is our top choice for iPhone users because of its super intuitive app, which is great for users who are constantly on the move. With great features, it provides you with complete prevention from hackers, ISP tracking, online censorship, and protection against public WIFI.

IPVanish has a small fleet of 2000+ servers in 75 locations. These servers are located in all major countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia, and all over the world.

We found its Chicago, London, and Sydney servers to be the fastest while testing on our iPhone. Connecting to the Chicago server you will have no trouble watching geo-restricted streaming services on your iPhone. We unblocked Netflix, Peacock TV, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer to see if IPVanish is up for the task.

During an IPVanish speed test, IPVanish delivered great performance consistently and worked exceptionally well with streaming services. On average, we got a download speed of 86.75 Mbps and an upload speed of 73.67 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. It was great for streaming Ultra HD without buffering. It connects unlimited concurrent connections at one time.

IPVanish servers offer maximum speed with limited throttling for a buffer-free experience.

As we have used both the desktop and mobile app, we discovered that all the advanced features from the desktop version are also available on the IPVanish iOS app, including security protocol settings, load balancing, and usage statistics.

IPVanish iOS app is packed with all the latest security features, including military-grade AES-256-bit encryption, a kill switch, a SOCKS5 web proxy, IP/ DNS leak protection, a zero-logs policy, Wi-Fi protection, and much more.

However, IPVanish does not offer split tunneling & OpenVPN features on iOS devices. Live chat support is available around the clock to help you out with IPVanish not working issues by its technical support staff.

You can get IPVanish for only $3.33/mo . Also, mobile users can also get advantage of IPVanish free trial. A complete 30-day money-back guarantee is available if youe want to cancel IPVanish subscription.

Read our IPVanish review for more information.

Methodology: How We Tested the Best VPN for iPhone

When selecting the best VPN for iPhone and Mac, it’s crucial to find a balance between security and functionality. Look for a VPN that offers top-tier security, high-speed performance, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions. These key factors distinguish the exceptional options from the rest, ensuring a seamless and secure browsing experience on your iPhone.

• Essential Mobile VPN Features:

We evaluated the security measures provided, emphasizing strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. We examined no-logs policies to ensure user data remains private. Additionally, we assessed the presence of features like kill switches, DNS leak protection, and IPv6 leak protection to guarantee a comprehensive shield against online threats.

• iOS Compatibility and Multi-Device Use:

We extensively tested compatibility across various iOS devices, including iPads and iPod Touch, to ascertain seamless protection. Furthermore, we scrutinized VPN provider apps for non-Apple platforms such as Android and Windows, verifying the potential to secure multiple devices under a single subscription.

• Speed:

To gauge performance, we conducted thorough speed tests to measure download and upload speeds. We aimed for a fast VPN experience, ensuring that services maintained optimal speeds for activities like streaming, gaming, and file transfers. We explored potential speed reductions caused by server routing and bandwidth throttling.

• Pricing:

Our analysis included an in-depth examination of subscription costs, focusing on both monthly and annual rates. We considered factors such as discounts for longer-term plans and the inclusion of additional features, such as dedicated IP addresses, which might come at an extra cost.

• Worldwide Servers:

We considered the global server network of each VPN, ensuring a wide range of server locations to offer diverse options for IP address masking and optimized connection speeds.

• Geo-blocks Circumvention:

We examined whether the VPNs successfully bypassed internet censorship and allowed access to geo-restricted content and websites. We made sure to include the top VPN services for iPhone that can unblock most major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

• Customer Support:

Our evaluation encompassed assessing customer support quality through various channels, including email, live chat, and ticket systems. We sought providers with 24/7 assistance to ensure users receive timely help. Additionally, we considered the presence of comprehensive knowledge bases and FAQs to aid users in resolving common issues independently.

How to Use VPN on iPhone?

There are two methods to use a VPN on iPhone; directly installing the app on your device or opting for manual configuration. If you choose the latter, you’d require connecting to a remote VPN server. Therefore we recommend using a VPN app rather than the manual configuration.

• Adding VPN on iPhone using App
• Adding VPN on iPhone manually

However, we have provided you with instructions for both options.

What is the fastest VPN for iPhone?

Among the fast iPhone VPNs listed, we wanted to find out which is the absolute fastest. We tested the top-rated ones by checking how fast they work in different parts of the world.

If speed is your main concern, the server closest to you is usually the fastest. But if you want to watch stuff from other countries or visit blocked websites, how well the VPN works internationally is important too. So, we tested both situations to give you the full picture.

Does using a VPN slow down your connection?

Yes, using a VPN can potentially slow down your internet connection due to the encryption and routing processes involved. However, there are VPN providers, such as ExpressVPN, that offer features and technologies designed to mitigate speed reductions.

ExpressVPN provides the Lightway protocol as an alternative to WireGuard, which is known for its fast and efficient connections. Lightway is specifically designed to prioritize speed and performance while maintaining strong security. By utilizing Lightway, ExpressVPN aims to minimize the impact on internet speeds, ensuring a faster and smoother browsing experience for users.

It’s important to note that the actual speed reduction experienced when using a VPN can vary depending on factors such as your location, the distance to the VPN server, and network conditions.

VPNs to Avoid While Accessing iPhones?

Here we have enlisted 3 VPNs that are not suitable to be used with iPhone, let’s see which VPNs are we talking about.

Hola VPN

The company behind Hola VPN has been criticized for its poor logging policies, which can make it difficult for iOS users to protect their personal information. Also, Hola VPN has been found to have security vulnerabilities that can potentially allow hackers to access the user’s device.

Read more about Hola VPN

Hoxx VPN

Hoxx VPN has been called out for having weak logging policies that make it hard for consumers to keep their data safe. It has been said that Hoxx VPN has sluggish and inconsistent connections. The corporation has been attacked in the past for being secretive about its data retention rules and for storing users’ browsing history.

Read more about Hoxx VPN.

HideMyAss VPN

HMA VPN is not a suitable option to be used with iPhones because firstly it does not have a dedicated app for iOS devices, which can cause compatibility issues and make it difficult for users to properly set up and use the VPN on their iPhones. Secondly, HMA has been known to have security vulnerabilities in the past, which could potentially put the user’s device and personal information at risk.

Read more about HMA VPN.

Is it safe to use a VPN on an iPhone?

Yes, using a VPN on an iPhone is safe and provide added security to your online activities. It shields sensitive info like personal data and financial details, while also ditching tracking by ISPs and third parties, ensuring privacy and reducing targeted ads. However, make sure you choose a reliable app. A good VPN hides your identity and data, and doesn’t track your online actions.

But be careful with some free VPNs that might sell your data without you knowing. Apple also has its own VPN called Private Relay, but it’s not an iPhone built-in VPN as and not as powerful as top VPNs like ExpressVPN. Strong VPN for iPhone keep you safe from hackers, help you stay private online, and let you access more content.

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it harder for anyone, including hackers and potential eavesdroppers, to intercept your data. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks, which can be vulnerable to cyberattacks.

While a VPN can enhance your online security, it’s also important to note that no tool is completely foolproof, so practicing other good online habits, such as keeping your device’s software updated and being cautious of suspicious links and websites, is also crucial for maintaining your digital safety.

Are free iPhone VPN apps worth using?

Free iPhone VPN apps might not be the best choice since they often come with security risks. While they offer basic protection, paid VPNs provide better features and safety. Considering premium VPNs with free trials or refund options is a smarter way to ensure reliable security and privacy.

However, you will see many best VPN for iPhone free download options but they are unreliable and might compromise your data for profit. Some free trials from App Store VPNs could lead to spammy ads, fees, and weak security.

There are free versions from trusted VPN providers, but they have limitations in servers and features. While you might find some free vpn for iPhone without subscription which tempt you to upgrade, they often can’t fully bypass geo-restrictions. In the end, considering a reliable paid VPN or their free trials is a wiser option for better security and privacy.

We recommend you use ExpressVPN as its the best paid VPN for iPhone which offers fast speeds, strong security, and a no-logs policy, which means they do not collect or store any of your personal data. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.

FAQs – Best VPN for iPhone

Wrapping Up

Using the best VPN for iPhone is a great way to enhance your online security and privacy while also giving you access to more content. It is essential to choose a VPN that offers robust encryption, a wide range of server locations, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions.

Now if you want to which VPN is best for iPhone? We highly recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for iPhone. It offers fast speeds, strong security, and a no-logs policy, ensuring that your personal data is safe and protected. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it out risk-free and see for yourself why it is considered one of the best VPNs available for iPhone.