Best VPN for iPhone

*Content includes branded mentions of our sponsor, Norton VPN.

iPhones are one of the most secure smartphones on the market, but growing concerns with online privacy and security have made virtual private networks (VPNs) increasingly desirable even for iOS users. As a result, a large number of VPN options are available for iPhones, making it difficult to decide which one is the best fit for you.

We looked up dozens of the best VPN services, compared them and made a list with the five best VPNs for iPhone. Read on to learn what a VPN for iPhone is, how to use one and which one is the best pick for you.

Our Top Picks for Best VPN for iPhone

• ProtonVPN – Best free VPN for iPhone
• NordVPN – Best VPN for iPhone and Mac
• Surfshark – Best iPhone VPN for international travel
• CyberGhost VPN – Best affordable VPN for iPhone
• Private Internet Access – Best iPhone VPN for customization

Best VPN for iPhone Reviews

Why we chose it: Proton VPN offers one of the industry's best free VPN services for iPhone users, with a forever free plan that sports unlimited data and no speed caps.

Proton VPN’s free plan allows iPhone users to securely stream and browse without any restrictions thanks to unlimited data — a rarity among free VPNs — and no speed cap. The VPN company is based in Switzerland, which has some of the world’s strongest data privacy laws. Together with the company’s audited no-log policies (which state they don’t store records of your online activity), customers can trust that their information won’t land in the wrong hands.

The free plan comes with a variety of features, including a kill switch, which blocks all traffic if your connection drops, and a VPN Accelerator that can reportedly increase your connection speed by up to 400%. Proton VPN also offers a stealth VPN protocol that enables you to more easily bypass geo-restrictions and other VPN-blocking techniques.

While the free plan is limited to one connection at a time and only three server locations, the paid plans provide access to more than 1,900 servers across 65 countries. You also get support for up to 10 simultaneously-connected devices, priority live chat support and an ad blocker with malware protection.

Why we chose it: NordVPN offers consistently fast speeds combined with advanced security features and a user-friendly app on both iOS and Mac OS.

NordVPN regularly tops the list of independent VPN speed tests, in part due to its efficient and proprietary protocol, NordLynx also employs a wide array of tools enhance user security online, including a kill switch, tracking and ad blockers, and double VPN protection, which encrypts your data twice. Nord also offers:

• Dedicated IP addresses, a type of web address that isn’t shared with other users
• Onion Over VPN routing, which constantly bounces your connection through multiple servers to enhance privacy
• Obfuscated servers that should allow users to connect to their VPN even in heavily restrictive environments and networks

Nord’s Standard plans come with all of these security features, which are accessible on the VPN’s user-friendly app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. The Plus plan includes a cross-platform password manager and data breach scanner, and the Complete plan adds 1 TB of cloud storage plus access to advanced encryption algorithms.

If you’re on a budget and only want to pay month-to-month, NordVPN may not be the best option as its monthly subscription price is one of the highest in the industry. Another thing to consider is the VPN’s limit of six simultaneous connections compared to the ten or unlimited number of connections offered by many of its competitors.

Why we chose it: With over 3,200 servers located in 100 countries, Surfshark has servers in more countries than any other VPN provider in our list.

Surfshark’s extensive fleet of servers and numerous server locations minimizes the likelihood of major slowdowns when using a VPN abroad. This is because there’s a higher chance that the company has servers in the region you are currently visiting. Even if the VPN doesn’t have any servers in the specific country you are in, they probably have some in a nearby country.

Surfshark also stands out for its unlimited simultaneous connections and robust security features. These include split tunneling, multi-hop servers (which continuously bounce your traffic through different servers) and a kill switch. Surfshark also uses military grade encryption and has a camouflage mode that conceals the fact you’re using a VPN.

Plans offered by Surfshark are competitively priced: the 12-month plan costs $3.99 per month ($47.88 upfront) and the 24-month plan only costs $2.49 per month ($59.76 upfront). However, the VPN’s month-to-month subscription is relatively expensive at $12.95 per month. Moreover, Surfhsark doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses, a handy feature for international VPN use.

Why we chose it: At only $2.19 per month for its two-year plan, CyberGhost VPN has one of the lowest rates of any major VPN provider.

If you’re willing to commit to a longer subscription term, CyberGhost is one of the most affordable VPNs in the industry. Its six-month plan — a unique subscription term in the industry — costs just $6.99 per month ($41.94 upfront) and its two-year plan costs $2.19 per month ($52.56 upfront).

CyberGhost VPN operates one of the largest server networks on our list, with over 9,000 servers in 100 countries. The service comes with a number of security and privacy features, including AES-256 encryption, an automatic kill switch, dedicated IPs, DNS leak protection, ad blocking and servers optimized for specific activities like streaming, torrenting and gaming.

The VPN’s six-month and two-year plans come with a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee, while its monthly subscription has a much shorter 14-day money-back guarantee. Another downside to consider is that its plans only allow up to seven simultaneous device connections, which pales in comparison to popular competitors with up to 10 or unlimited connections.

Why we chose it: Private Internet Access (PIA) offers unlimited simultaneous connections with no data caps on all of its plans and lets users customize nearly every aspect of its functionality.

PIA has servers in 91 countries and is the only VPN provider on our list to offer servers in all 50 U.S. states. In addition to an unlimited number of connected devices, PIA is true to its name in that its privacy policies are clear and sound. It uses strong encryption standards and VPN protocols, and its no-logs policy was audited by Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms.

Another highlight of PIA is that it's one of the most customizable VPN services on the market. You can select your encryption protocol, choose between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption, modify how the multi-hop feature works and even change the look and feel of the app. This makes PIA a great option for those with experience adjusting VPN settings.

Although PIA boasts a high level of customization, accessing all of these features and settings isn’t a straightforward process, which can make it intimidating for first-time users. And because there is no phone support, users have to wait until customer support representatives get back to them via the website’s live chat service.

Other VPNs for iPhone we considered

The following VPNs didn't make our top list, but may also be worth considering.

Norton VPN

As part of the well-known cybersecurity brand, Norton VPN boasts a straightforward setup process and a user-friendly interface, making it an attractive choice for those new to VPNs. Highly affordable entry rates provide an accessible way for users to enhance their online privacy, and its new Norton Ultra VPN plan comes with a number of additional security tools.

Why it didn’t make the cut: Although Norton’s highly affordable entry rates make it an attractive choice for those new to VPNs or looking for basic protection on their iPhones, its expensive renewal rates can be a dealbreaker for users seeking long-term value. It also has a limited number of server locations compared to other leading VPNs.

Windscribe

Windscribe’s free version is a great way to test out a robust VPN service that comes with unlimited connections and advanced features like double-hop encryption. However, it doesn't quite beat the other free VPN on our list (Proton VPN), namely because it limits users of the free plan to 10 GB per month.

Why it didn’t make the cut: Windscribe limits its free users to a 10 GB allowance per month, which puts it below other free VPNs, including our top pick for the best free iOS VPN, Proton VPN.

IPVanish

IPVanish offers unlimited connections at $2.92 per month for its two-year plan ($79.92 upfront) and $3.33 per month for its yearly plan ($53.88 upfront). It also offers some advanced features, such as server obfuscation.

Why it didn’t make the cut: IPVanish has been known to work with law enforcement in the past, most notably when it worked with the FBI in 2018 to log user data for investigations. For those worried about privacy from government surveillance, this may be a dealbreaker.

VPN for iPhone Guide

There are a dizzying number of factors to consider when choosing a VPN. We wrote the following guide to clarify some of the most common questions for those who are still wondering whether they actually need a VPN and also to those who are already looking at the best VPN services. Read on to learn what a VPN for iPhone is, what it does and how to use one.

What is an iPhone VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) provides an additional layer of privacy and security for your iPhone by creating an encrypted tunnel between you and the server you're connecting to. This connection prevents others from snooping on your activity and enhances your online privacy.

VPNs can even help you gain access to region-locked content from streaming services — like Netflix and Hulu — that is only available in certain countries. However, keep in mind that doing so may breach your platform’s user agreement or terms of service.

VPNs usually require a subscription fee, though there are free options available. Most VPN providers offer apps for iPhone that make setting up and using the service as easy as possible.

What does a VPN do on an iPhone?

VPNs work by encrypting (i.e. converting information into code) your internet traffic and routing it through an intermediary server. This means that your internet traffic travels through the VPN's server first, and anyone who intercepts the data in transit won't be able to read or interpret it.

By encrypting your data and hiding your IP address, VPNs can help safeguard your online activity from cybercriminals, ISPs and other third parties. This includes shielding your emails, passwords and financial information from prying eyes when using shared or public Wi-Fi networks.

VPNs also conceal your IP address to prevent advertisers and websites from tracking your activity. Some VPNs even allow you to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN through the use of obfuscated servers, which are specialized servers that mask your VPN traffic.

How to use VPN on iPhone

Setting up and using a VPN on your iPhone requires just a few simple steps. The following generally applies to all VPNs, but we recommend you refer to your service’s support site if you have more specific questions.

1. Choose and download a reputable VPN app from the App Store

As with any other type of iPhone app, VPN apps can be downloaded from Apple's App Store. Make sure to check customer reviews to ensure that you select a reputable and trustworthy VPN service that is committed to keeping your data secure.

2. Launch the VPN app and create an account

After you choose a VPN and download its app, launch it and sign up for an account. Some services may offer a free trial, while others will require a paid subscription from the get-go. Many VPN services also offer a money-back guarantee so you can refund your plan cost if you’re unsatisfied with the product.

3. Configure the VPN settings to your liking

Once you’ve logged in to your VPN app, configure the settings as needed. This may include setting up connection permissions and privacy options, as well as configuring additional options like split tunneling, protocols and obfuscated servers.

4. Select and connect to an available server location

With your preferred settings in place, select and connect to an available server location. Some VPN providers offer servers dedicated to specific activities such as streaming or torrenting.

Once connected, you should see a notification — such as the VPN icon — in your status bar. You may also see additional information such as your new IP address and how much data you’ve transferred while connected.

That last point is important to note, because VPNs use data while they’re active. In fact, using a VPN can slightly increase your data consumption — by anywhere from 5 percent to 15 —, so having these numbers can be quite helpful if your data plan is limited.

5. Test your VPN connection to ensure that it's working properly

Finally, you can do a simple test to make sure that your connection is working properly. Try visiting a website such as whatsmyip.org to check your IP address. It should be the same as the VPN server you’re connected to, indicating that your connection is secure. If you see a different IP address, then you should check your VPN connection.

How to disable a VPN on iPhone

Disabling a VPN on your iPhone is fairly straightforward. Your first option is to open the VPN app installed on your iPhone and press the “Disconnect” button to disconnect immediately.

For the second option, follow these steps:

1. Go into the Settings app on your iPhone and select the “General” tab.
2. Select the “VPN & Device Management” tab, then tap on “VPN” near the top of your screen. This page will list all the VPNs that are currently connected to your Apple device.
3. Near the top of the screen is a bar that reads “Status” with a slider beside it. If this slider is green, your VPN is currently enabled and connected. To disable the VPN, tap on the slider and it should turn gray, disabling the VPN.

How to change iPhone location without a VPN

Although it's not as easy to change an iPhone's location as it is with an Android device, there is one way to do this without a VPN. It involves using a fake GPS app, which allows you to set your location to any desired spot on the map, tricking websites and other apps into thinking that's where you are located.

You will need to remove software restrictions on your iPhone — a practice known as jailbreaking — in order to use these fake GPS apps. That’s because this type of app is not offered on the App Store and iOS does not allow users to install third-party apps.

It's important to note that installing any software that modifies iOS is against the iOS Software License Agreement and may result in Apple denying you warranty service or other support for your device. It may also increase your vulnerability to malicious software, hackers and other security risks, especially if you're not using antivirus software.

How We Chose the Best VPN for iPhone

To evaluate the best VPNs for iPhone, we considered a variety of factors, from security and privacy to speed and price. The following are some of the most important criteria we took into account:

• Security measures: We looked at the security protocols and encryption algorithms used by each VPN, as well as their general reputation for securing user data.

• Range of features: We examined the range of features offered by each VPN, such as split tunneling and kill switch protection.

• Speed: We compared the speed of each VPN to ensure that they could provide fast and reliable connections.

• Price: We considered the price of each VPN plan, including any discounts available for longer subscription plans.

• User-friendliness: We looked at the overall user experience of each VPN, from installation to everyday use.

• Customer reviews: We read customer reviews from trustworthy third-party sites to gain an understanding of the overall satisfaction with each VPN.

• Customer support: We evaluated the customer support offered by each VPN provider, including whether they offer phone support, live chat and 24/7 assistance.

• Locations: We assessed the server network of each VPN, including the range of countries and locations that are available.

• Connections: We considered how many simultaneous connections per account are allowed by each VPN.

Summary of Money’s Best VPN for iPhone

• ProtonVPN – Best free VPN for iPhone
• NordVPN – Best VPN for iPhone and Mac
• Surfshark – Best iPhone VPN for international travel
• CyberGhost VPN – Best affordable VPN for iPhone
• Private Internet Access – Best iPhone VPN for customization