Updated on: October 11, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for iOS in 2024
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : Has an extremely intuitive iOS app that also comes with high-end security features, including an ad and malicious site blocker and a built-in password manager. It also maintains the fastest speeds on the market and works with 100+ streaming services. And it has affordable plans and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
iOS devices provide tons of security features, but they can’t secure your online traffic — so anyone can spy on your online activities and track your real location.
A VPN provides that kind of protection, as it encrypts your traffic so that nobody can spy on it. It also prevents anyone from seeing your real IP address, providing additional privacy online.
While most VPNs have an iOS app, they’re not that great — they’re either buggy and difficult to use, or they have slow speeds, lack essential security features, or don’t work with most streaming services.
But all the VPNs on this list have excellent iOS apps. However, my top choice is ExpressVPN, which is very intuitive, secure, fast, and excellent for streaming. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for iOS
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for iOS in 2024
ExpressVPN is my favorite iOS VPN in 2024 — its iOS app is extremely easy to use and comes with high-end security features, and you also get servers in 105 countries, the fastest speeds on the market, and excellent streaming support.
I really like how beginner-friendly the provider’s iOS app is — it only takes 1–2 minutes to download and install it, and it comes with a quick-connect feature that automatically connects you to the fastest server for your location with just 1 tap. What’s more, it’s effortless to manually find and connect to servers (it only took me 3–4 seconds), and all settings and features come with helpful explanations.
You also get excellent security, as the provider’s iOS app comes with:
- Threat Manager — Stops ads and trackers from spying on your online activities and also blocks connections to malicious websites.
- ExpressVPN Keys — A good built-in password manager that lets you secure unlimited logins, auto-fill login fields on websites, and generate secure passwords.
- Full leak protection — The iOS app has built-in protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. I ran leak tests on servers in 5+ countries and never experienced any issues.
- RAM-only servers — All of the provider’s servers save everything to the RAM, meaning every server reset wipes all data.
- Perfect forward secrecy — Changes the encryption key for each VPN session to prevent hackers from compromising past or future encryption keys.
ExpressVPN also provides very good privacy. Its no-logs policy has passed several independent security audits, and its iOS app has also been audited and no security issues were found.
Plus, you get excellent streaming support, as this VPN consistently works with 100+ streaming services, including popular platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and HBO Max. In fact, it’s the best VPN for streaming on the market.
ExpressVPN has plans that start at $4.99 / month — while this is pricier than other top competitors, it’s worth it because ExpressVPN provides excellent value. Plus, its longest plan often comes with a number of months for free, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for all purchases.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN has the best iOS app on the market — it’s extremely simple to install and use and easy to navigate. Plus, it comes with industry-leading security and privacy features, including a malicious site blocker and a built-in password manager. It also works with 100+ streaming apps and backs all of its affordable plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈 2. CyberGhost VPN — Very Good iOS VPN for Streaming
CyberGhost VPN’s iOS app has 100+ dedicated streaming servers in 20+ countries. These servers are optimized to provide the best speeds and stable connections for streaming smoothly and securely on 50+ streaming services worldwide — including popular sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Max, and Disney+. That said, I still think you get better variety with ExpressVPN, as it works with 100+ streaming services.
CyberGhost VPN also has servers in 100 countries, which is one of the largest server networks on the market — this makes it really simple to find and connect to nearby servers to get good speeds.
CyberGhost VPN’s iOS app is also simple to use since its interface is really mobile-friendly. You can connect to the fastest server with just 1 tap, and it also just takes 3–4 seconds to manually find and connect to servers. Plus, I like how you can automate VPN connections on Wi-Fi — for example, you can make the VPN automatically connect to a server when your device detects a Wi-Fi network.
The VPN is also really secure, as it has advanced features like full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and RAM-only servers. You also get good privacy, as its no-logs policy passed an independent security audit, and the provider publishes regular transparency reports that detail how it didn’t comply with user data requests.
CyberGhost VPN has really affordable plans that start at $2.19 / month. It has a 45-day money-back guarantee for its long-term plans and a 14-day money-back guarantee for its shortest plan.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN provides very good streaming support via 100+ streaming servers tailored to 50+ streaming platforms. It also has the largest server network on this list, a very intuitive iOS app, and strong security and privacy features. Its plans are very affordable, and there’s a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉 3. NordVPN — Really Good iOS VPN for Security
NordVPN’s iOS app comes with many useful security features that secure your data. Also, it has really fast speeds, really good streaming support, and easy-to-use apps for many different devices.
For starters, it has Threat Protection, which blocks malicious and phishing domains and might block some ads. The provider’s iOS app also comes with Dark Web Monitor, which scans the dark web and alerts you if it detects that the login credentials that are associated with your NordVPN account have been compromised.
You also get access to double VPN servers, which route your traffic through 2 VPN servers, adding another layer of encryption. In addition, the iOS app also comes with Meshnet, which lets you link up to 60 devices over encrypted VPN connections — for example, you can use it to securely share files from your iOS device to your home computer when traveling.
NordVPN also has other advanced security and privacy features, including full leak protection, RAM-only servers, and perfect forward secrecy, and its no-logs policy has passed several independent security audits.
Plus, I like how user-friendly the VPN’s iOS app is — it has a quick-connect feature, its interface is very simple to navigate, and there are useful explanations for most settings and features.
NordVPN is good for streaming, as it works with 10+ streaming platforms, including top services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ — but I think you get better streaming support with ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN.
NordVPN offers tier-based subscriptions, with prices beginning at $2.99 / month. The provider backs each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN’s iOS app comes with really good security features, including a tool that blocks malicious and phishing domains, a dark web monitor, double VPN connections, and Meshent, which lets you securely share files from your iOS device. It also has a beginner-friendly iOS app, good streaming support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. Private Internet Access — Good Siri Automation Options & Strong Privacy
Private Internet Access (PIA)’s iOS app has Siri-related automation options, a quick-connect feature, and an intuitive design. I’m a fan of how you can record a personalized phrase that allows Siri to tell the provider’s app to connect to or disconnect from a server.
The VPN also provides strong privacy, as its strict no-logs policy has been proven true in court and has also passed an independent security audit. In addition, all of its apps are open-source (anyone can inspect the code for security issues), which provides great transparency.
I also like how you get strong security — PIA includes full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and RAM-only servers. Unfortunately, PIA doesn’t have a feature that blocks malicious sites or ads on iOS, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN do — but I like how the provider’s app lets you quickly enable the Safari browser’s content blocker.
The provider supports 30+ streaming services, including top platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu — plus, it also works with smaller streaming services, such as YLE, FranceTV, and Ruutu. There are dedicated streaming servers in 5+ countries, including the US, the UK, and Japan.
With prices that start at $2.03 / month, Private Internet Access is very budget-friendly. It also backs each plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PIA has a really user-friendly iOS app that comes with convenient Siri automation options. It also provides strong privacy via an audited no-logs policy and open-source apps. Plus, it has strong security features, really good streaming support, and comes with very affordable plans and a 30-day -money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
5. Surfshark — Good iOS VPN for Beginners
Surfshark’s iOS app is very simple to navigate — the interface is intuitive, it only takes 4–5 seconds to find and connect to servers, and there are short explanations for all settings and features.
Surfshark also provides pretty good security and privacy — its iOS app comes with CleanWeb, a good ad blocker, and it also has IP Rotator, which regularly changes your VPN IP address without disconnecting you from the server to make it harder for anyone to track your online activities. In addition, you get access to double VPN connections.
You also get perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers, but I think it’s a shame that Surfshark is missing full leak protection (it only has DNS leak protection) — competitors like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and NordVPN all have full protection against all leaks.
Surfshark works with 50+ streaming apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and many smaller national platforms.
Surfshark has super affordable plans that start at only $1.99 / month. Also, it allows unlimited device connections and has a 30-day money-back guarantee for all of its plans.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark allows unlimited connections, making it a good pick if your family has lots of devices. Its iOS app is really easy to use, comes with useful security features, has good streaming support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
6. Proton VPN — Good Free Plan for iOS
Proton VPN has a good free plan for iOS users since it comes with unlimited data — most free VPNs limit how much data you can use each day or month.
I also like how the provider’s free iOS app is secure — it has advanced features like full leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and full-disk encryption, which keeps all data safe on a server even if it’s compromised. Also, Proton VPN has an audited no-logs policy, and its iOS app is open-source and audited.
Plus, the iOS app is really intuitive. It comes with a quick-connect feature and a Profiles feature, which lets you set up your own connection preferences — for example, you can create a profile that automatically connects you to the fastest server in a specific country.
But the free plan has some limitations — you can only use servers in 3 countries (the US, the Netherlands, and Japan), you can only connect 1 device, and you don’t get streaming support.
Upgrading to the provider’s paid subscription adds more perks, like 9,119 servers in 112 countries, up to 10 connections, and support for 30+ streaming services.
Proton VPN’s Plus subscription starts at $2.99 / month. And each purchase is backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Proton VPN has a good free plan for iOS users since it comes with unlimited data. The free plan also provides access to good security and privacy features. Its paid subscription is backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Proton VPN review
7. TunnelBear — Beginner-Friendly iOS VPN With Split-Tunneling
TunnelBear has a user-friendly iOS app that’s fun to use — you can use a digital map to connect to servers and select auto-connect for the fastest speeds. When you select a server, a digital bear digs a tunnel to the server’s location. What’s more, the digital bear roars when you connect to a server!
I’m also a big fan of the provider’s SplitBear feature, which offers split-tunneling. TunnelBear is one of the only VPNs that has split-tunneling on iOS.
TunnelBear has a free plan, but I don’t recommend it because it limits you to 2 GB per month — that’s only enough for a few hours of web browsing. Instead, it’s better to purchase its affordable paid plans that start at $3.33 / month. Unfortunately, there’s no money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TunnelBear’s iOS app is really easy and fun to use, it’s one of the only iOS VPN apps out there that comes with split-tunneling, and you also get unlimited connections. TunnelBear has a free plan and affordable paid plans but lacks a money-back guarantee.
Read the full TunnelBear review
8. PrivateVPN — Affordable VPN With a Great iOS App
PrivateVPN is a highly affordable VPN with a user-friendly app for iOS devices. To connect to servers in 63 countries, there’s a convenient search bar, plus the servers are organized alphabetically. The favorites option also lets you save your regular servers for quick access. It provides access to Stealth VPN, too, which bypasses VPN blocks and censorship.
The VPN has a great array of features, too, including great streaming support for sites like Netflix and Hulu and good torrenting support with port forwarding, and really fast speeds (though not as fast as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost VPN). Unfortunately, it’s missing a kill switch on iOS.
PrivateVPN has really affordable plans starting at $2.00 / month. They’re all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PrivateVPN is a great iOS VPN for those on a budget. Its app is feature-rich and customizable, it’s user-friendly, and it has great streaming and torrenting support. Its affordable plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full PrivateVPN review
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
How to Choose the Best VPNs for iOS in 2024
- Select a VPN designed with a user-friendly iOS app. This ensures an easy, intuitive user experience.
- Select a VPN that has good security. Every VPN mentioned in this list is equipped with fundamental privacy and security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy (to stop the VPN from monitoring your traffic), a kill switch that blocks web access if the VPN disconnects, and safeguards against IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks.
- Go for an iOS VPN with great streaming support. I only recommend choosing a provider that works with popular streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Max.
- Look for a VPN with fast speeds. All VPNs slow down your speeds due to the encryption process, but the VPNs on my list maintain really fast speeds for browsing, streaming, and gaming on iOS.
- Opt for a VPN offering good value. Select a service that provides extras like ad blocking and site protection, lets you use multiple devices at once, has well-priced plans, and offers free trials or a good refund policy.
How to Install a VPN on Your iOS Device
Installing a VPN on an iOS device is very simple. Just follow these steps and you’ll be all set in only a couple of minutes:
- Decide on a VPN service: Before you can install a VPN, you need to decide which one you want to use. I recommend ExpressVPN since it’s the fastest and has a great iOS app.
- Download & open the app: Open the “App Store” on your iOS device. Then, search for the VPN service you’ve chosen. Tap the “Download” button next to the VPN app.
- Sign up or log in: If you’re new to the VPN service, you’ll need to sign up. If you already have an account, simply log in.
- Follow on-screen instructions: The VPN app will guide you through the setup process. Follow any on-screen instructions to set up your VPN profile.
- Pick a server and connect. Finally, pick your desired server from the list (or use an auto-connect option) and connect to the VPN. Now you can use your iOS device securely!
- Allow VPN Configuration: You may see a pop-up asking for permission to add a VPN configuration to your device. Tap “Allow” to proceed.
- Pick a Server and Connect. Finally, pick your desired server from the list (or use an auto-connect option) and connect to the VPN. Now you can use your iOS device securely!
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut:
- IPVanish. IPVanish has good speeds and is easy to use, but it’s not good for streaming since it doesn’t work with top services like Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer.
- VyprVPN. VyprVPN is a really good VPN for streaming, and it’s beginner-friendly, but it doesn’t have a very large server network and isn’t as fast as the others on my list.
- BolehVPN. BolehVPN is fast and secure, but it doesn’t have an iOS app — instead you have to download and install a third-party OpenVPN client, which isn’t easy for most users. Plus, the third-party client doesn’t have an intuitive interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best VPN for iOS?
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for iOS devices in 2024 — its iOS app is extremely simple to navigate, comes with high-end security features including a built-in password manager and a malicious site blocker, provides the fastest speeds on the market, and works with 100+ streaming services.
Do you need a VPN on iOS?
Yes, I strongly recommend that you purchase an affordable VPN for your iOS device. All iOS devices have built-in security features and are good for protecting you against malware, but a VPN provides extra layers of security that aren’t included on iOS devices.
A VPN provides strong online security and privacy — it encrypts your data, making it completely unreadable, and it also prevents anyone from seeing your real location.
My top choice is ExpressVPN — it has a very intuitive iOS app, provides excellent security features, has lightning-fast speeds, and works with 100+ streaming services.
How to download and use a VPN for iOS
It takes just 3 fast and easy steps to install a VPN on your iOS device:
- Pick a good iOS VPN. Choose an affordable VPN that has an intuitive and secure iOS app, like ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the VPN app. It takes only 1–2 minutes to complete the installation process.
- Connect to a VPN server. Open the VPN app and either use the quick-connect tool to connect to the fastest server, or manually select a server to connect to from the provider’s server list. Once connected, you can surf the web securely.
Is there a free VPN for iOS?
Yes — Proton VPN has a decent free plan for iOS users, which allows unlimited data, comes with a very intuitive iOS app, and provides access to strong security and privacy features. But, you only get access to servers in 3 countries (the US, the Netherlands, and Japan), only get 1 connection, and there’s no streaming support.
Instead, I recommend purchasing a reasonably-priced VPN, like the ones on this list. This way, you get access to all of the VPN’s features, its entire server network, and multiple connections.
What is the fastest VPN for iOS?
ExpressVPN provided me with the fastest speeds in my tests — all websites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos loaded instantly and I didn’t experience any buffering, and I was able to play online games without experiencing high ping or lag. This is not really surprising, considering this is the fastest VPN on the market.
Will using a VPN on iOS increase battery usage?
Yes, it’s possible — even though all top iOS VPNs design their apps to minimize battery usage, the apps will still be running in the background, which will impact your device’s battery. On average, an iOS VPN might increase battery usage by around 10–15% on Wi-Fi, and up to 20% on mobile data.
But there are ways to optimize battery usage with an iOS VPN:
- Use a light VPN protocol. Stick to protocols that don’t use too much data, such as WireGuard and IKEv2/IPSec. ExpressVPN even has its own protocol (Lightway) that’s designed to consume less battery.
- Don’t use the VPN 24/7. Once you’re done using the VPN, disconnect from the server and close the VPN app, so that it doesn’t run in the background.
- Dim the screen’s brightness and close background apps. This will help your device’s battery last longer.
Do iOS devices have a built-in VPN?
No, there’s no such feature on iOS — you can set up a manual VPN connection on iOS, but you’ll still need to use a VPN server, which the iOS device can’t provide. It’s honestly much better to just get a VPN with an iOS app, as it’s the most convenient option.
Can I use an iOS VPN to change my Apple App Store location?
No, as the Apple App Store location is influenced by your Apple ID location, not your IP address. To change the Apple App Store location, you’ll need to manually change your Apple ID location. You can do that by going to Settings > Media & Purchases > View Account and tap Country/Region. Keep in mind you’ll need to add a valid payment method from the selected country or region.
However, a region-locked app might not work in a different country. Still, you might be able to use it with a VPN if you connect to a server in the app’s original country — just make sure doing that isn’t against the app’s terms and conditions.
