WhileiPhonestend to have excellent connectivity, using your mobile data as a hotspot while traveling can get expensive. You might turn to local hotels, airports, or coffee shops with Wi-Fi to get online -- but this is a major security risk, especially if you're traveling in a foreign country since there's no telling who or what is monitoring your traffic.
We recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) service that works with your iPhone and iPad to keep your data and browsing safe while on the go. And if you're looking tostream content that isn't available in your area, a VPN can potentially unlock access (in some cases, with dubious legality). We've analyzed and ranked the top VPN services we've tested and researched over the years that offer solid iPhone and iPad clients, good performance, strong security, and are suitable for the Apple ecosystem.
Based on extensive testing, our pick for the best VPN for iPhone and iPad overall is NordVPN. Recent updates have increased the VPN's server and country availability, and while it is not the cheapest service available, NordVPN is known for its rapid speeds and solid connectivity.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent pricing on two-year plans
- Supports devices running iOS 10.3 or higher
- Fast connection times
Cons
- No Bypasser (split tunneling) for the iOS app
- Expensive monthly plans
- Streaming can be slow
Price $11 per month, $48 for the first year (or $59.54 for 2yrs)
Latest Tests No leaks detected, 17% speed loss in 2023 tests
Network 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries
Jurisdiction Netherlands
Surfshark VPN
Best budget VPN
Surfshark VPN is an affordable and reliable service. When wereviewed Surfshark, we found no information leaks, and it had fast connection times. Luckily, the company doesn't skimp on security. It offers AES-256-GCM, RSA-2048, and Perfect Forward Secrecy encryption. Surfshark supports devices running iOS 10.3 or higher. If you want protection for a macOS machine, you will need macOS 10.15 or later and an active subscription.
Review:Surfshark VPN
Surfshark has many features, including ad and tracker blocking, a data breach scanner, and multi-hop connections (connecting through two servers). This VPN is excellent for iPhone and iPad users because of its user-friendliness, uncomplicated and quick connection process, and reasonable price point.
That said, specific tools aren't available for iOS devices, which is the case across the board. If you want to use the Bypasser tool (Surfshark's split tunneling feature), you must use the Windows or Android app.
I enjoy using Surfshark as a 'one size fits all' VPN solution. Sometimes, the speeds aren't the best while streaming, but it is extremely quick to connect. I also enjoy the 'pause' function available, which allows you to resume your normal connection for five minutes, 30 minutes, or a few hours. Customers say that speeds are relatively fast and streaming works the majority of the time, although some have experienced issues with Netflix and other popular content services.
Surfshark often runs promotions to lure new consumers to its plans, and it's worth noting that promotions of around 80 - 85% off appear frequently, so take the discount as the VPN provider's typical price range.
Currently, you can pay $15.45 for a month of access, $2.99 per month on a one-year plan, or only $2.29 if you are happy to remain a subscriber for at least two years. The VPN provider has also thrown in two months of free access on 24-month plans.
Surfshark VPN features:Apple App Store rating:4.8|Simultaneous Connections:Unlimited |Kill switch:Yes |Platforms:Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, FireTV |Logging:None, except billing data |Countries:100+, 3,200 servers |Money-back guarantee:30 days
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FAQs
In our 2024 speed tests, NordVPN solidified itself as the fastest VPN, edging out both Surfshark and ExpressVPN with an average speed loss of just 11.1%. Using its NordLynx VPN protocol, we measured an average internet speed loss of just 3.2% with Windows and 12.6% on MacOS.
What is the best VPN in 2024? ›
In our 2024 speed tests, NordVPN solidified itself as the fastest VPN, edging out both Surfshark and ExpressVPN with an average speed loss of just 11.1%. Using its NordLynx VPN protocol, we measured an average internet speed loss of just 3.2% with Windows and 12.6% on MacOS.
What is the best VPN for Apple devices? ›
ExpressVPN is CNET's Editors' Choice best overall VPN for 2024, as well as the top pick for the best VPN for iPhone. The VPN company's iPhone VPN may not be quite as feature-rich as others in this list like Surfshark or NordVPN, but it is far and away the most reliable iPhone VPN I've used.
Which VPN is the strongest for iPhone? ›
Our top three VPNs for iPhone
- Editor's Choice – NordVPN: Best overall. Overall Score: 4.5/5. Editor's Choice – NordVPN: Best overall. ...
- Surfshark: Best for beginners. Overall Score: 4.5/5. Surfshark: Best for beginners. ...
- ExpressVPN: Best for geo-unblocking. Overall Score: 4.5/5. ExpressVPN: Best for geo-unblocking.
As such, what a VPN does on an iPhone is help protect the user's online privacy and the security of the data they send. The service can secure sensitive data and personal information, such as bank details and credit card information. Ensuring the security of an iPhone by using a VPN service is important for any user.
What is the number 1 VPN service? ›
While our pick for best overall VPN, ExpressVPN, boasts above-average speeds, Hotspot Shield is on another level. No other service comes close to hitting the speeds we've seen with this service.
What is the safest VPN app for iPhone? ›
The Best VPN for iPhone in 2024
- Best in Privacy. NordVPN. 9.7 /10. Fast speeds on iPhones. ...
- Best for Everyday Use. Surfshark. 9.5 /10. Installs on iPhone with the click of a button. ...
- Best Value. Private Internet Access VPN. 9.4 /10. Highly rated App Store app. ...
- Best User Experience. ExpressVPN. 9.1 /10. ...
- Best Encryption. IPVanish. 9.3 /10.
On an Apple device, you can set up a VPN connection that allows secure access to organization resources. Apple devices support many types of VPN technologies and standards.
Is there a totally free VPN for iPhone? ›
PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN, Windscribe, Hotspot Shield, and Atlas VPN are some of the most trustworthy providers that offer completely free VPN apps for iPhone. You can use their free plan for as long as you want. They do not cost a single penny—and they don't ask for your credit card details, either.
Does ExpressVPN work on iPad? ›
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for gaming online on your iPhone or iPad.
Configure VPN settings for an iPhone
- Go to “Settings.”
- Choose “General.”
- Go to “VPN & device management.”
- Choose “VPN.”
- Tap “Add VPN configuration” and add all the data required.
Surfshark supports iPads with 64-bit architecture, versions 14.0. 0 and beyond.
Do iPads have VPN built in? ›
Does the Apple iPad have a built-in VPN? Your iPad can be configured with a VPN but does not come with any preinstalled VPN applications. You can set your iPad up to send and receive data through a server using IKEv2 and L2TP/IPSec protocols, but Apple does not provide VPN servers.
Which is better, NordVPN or ExpressVPN? ›
NordVPN's NordLynx protocol offers superior download speeds, making it the faster and better-performing option. While ExpressVPN outshines NordVPN in some server locations for upload speeds, overall, NordVPN emerges as the clear winner in the comparison of download and upload speeds.
How do I know if my iPad is connected to VPN? ›
Check for these settings
Whether or not you're using any of those types of apps, changes may have been made elsewhere in your device's settings. To find out, search within settings for these words: VPN, profile, firewall and filter. On iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, then swipe down to reveal the search field.
What is the best VPN of all time? ›
The 3 best VPNs at a glance
- NordVPN: the best VPN overall. From my in-depth testing, NordVPN has come out as the best VPN overall. ...
- ExpressVPN: best VPN user experience. ExpressVPN is runner up to NordVPN by a very slim margin. ...
- Surfshark: the best cheap VPN on the market.
Next-gen VPNs are built on the principle of Zero Trust Architecture, which assumes that no user or device, whether inside or outside the network perimeter, should be trusted by default.
What is better, NordVPN or Surfshark? ›
In short, NordVPN has a larger server network, offering over 6,000 servers in 111 countries, while Surfshark has 3200 servers in 100 countries. However, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connected devices, while NordVPN caps the number of devices at ten. Pricing-wise, Surfshark costs less across all plans.
