6 Best VPNs for iPhone (Free & Premium) in 2024

Do you really need a VPN on your iPhone or iPad? Admittedly, Apple’s iOS devices are reputable for their built-in security, and ability to bypass geo-blocked streaming sites safely. 

However, you still remain vulnerable to hackers, ISPs, and other prying eyes, especially if you’re connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots. That’s where a top-tier VPN for iOS comes in handy. 

Setting up a VPN on your iPhone boosts your online security and anonymity. It offers a fast, secure and affordable way to unblock censored content while preserving your internet freedom.

With a premium VPN, you always get value for your money – I’ve long recommended using CyberGhost VPN service. 

It integrates well into iOS, offers a huge server network, bypasses geoblocks with ease, and ensures superfast speeds.

CyberGhost also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee so that users test it out before committing to a long-term subscription plan. You can always request a refund if it doesn’t keep up with your online needs. 

I tested over 50 VPN apps on my iPhone 12 Pro and put together a list of VPN services that will work for you. 

Most iOS users are seeing the need for having a reliable VPN. With that added layer of online security, they feel secure. A VPN with those geo-spoofing qualities and nifty features is worthy of consideration.  

Before going any further, it’s worth mentioning that nearly 84 percent of free VPNs log your data, restrict server location, and slow down your connection. But the good news for iPhone and iPad users is that free trials on premium VPNs is worth your time. 

To help you out, I ran multiple tests to figure out which VPNs perform the very best. All these are compatible with iOS devices and offer feature-rich security packages for safe browsing. 

Let’s dive in;

A big win for CyberGhost VPN is its simple but snazzy iOS app, which makes it an excellent choice for those who’d wish to understand what VPN does under the hood. I like its configurable interface as it resonates with what most beginners are looking for. You use it once, you master everything!

With its huge server network of 7,000+ servers globally, you can access censored websites regardless of where you are and go. When I put 3 of its nearby servers to the test, I managed to unblock US Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer without any hitch. 

Even long distant servers (the UK and Netherlands servers) responded well to the streaming practices, though the ping rate was much higher (about 88ms.)

Netflix UK optimized servers gave me a speed of 79.6 Mbps. This time without bandwidth restrictions. 

CyberGhost maintains consistent speeds on most global servers. On top of streaming, the speed is enough for gaming online and downloading torrents. 

The service uses AES 256-bit encryption to ensure data protection from mobile carriers, hackers, and malware. A Kill Switch is another bonus. It halts your internet traffic if your VPN connection fails. 

You’ve various connection protocols to choose from. I found that its iOS app comes set to OpenVPN by default. But you can always switch to other available protocols (L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2). 

iPhone users will want to bag a VPN that provides private servers, and CyberGhost for iOS isn’t an exception. Of great importance, the provider won’t monitor your browsing activity as it adheres to a strict zero-logging policy. 

Upon subscribing to CyberGhost, you can connect up to 7 devices at a go on a single account. If you want more, you can connect it to your router to securely connect all your devices in the house. I did connect my devices to see whether the company fulfills its promise – there were no speed drops. 

What’s more? CyberGhost is packed with apps for Windows, Androids, Mac, much like iOS. Install on your iPhone, Windows 10, Tablet, and Smart TV. 

The only setback about CyberGhost VPN is its failure to work in China. My teammate was unable to battle out the ‘China Firewall”. If you’re considering a vacation, I recommend packing your iPhone with ExpressVPN instead.

CyberGhost is very generous. It offers a 45-day money-back guarantee so that you can request a refund if the service doesn’t work for you. Thumbs up to its active developers who are knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive. 

You can sign up for a long-term plan and enjoy exclusive offers right now.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for maximizing your privacy on Apple’s iPhones. Its app for iOS phones is re-engineered with a streamlined approach to help tweak things fast without a fuss.

For starters who’d want to know how a VPN works on Android, a single button on its screen lets you connect quickly with the fastest nearby server set by default. But it may look simpler if you add the best servers and server locations on your favorites.

With great connections across the majority of its 5,000+ servers, I bypassed the geo-blocked content I needed from stringent countries like the US, UK, and Japan throughout our testing. The servers are well-distributed in 60 countries, and that gives a wide coverage for quick wins.

Thanks to its custom P2P optimized servers that let you download and share files from torrenting sites like Popcorn Time, buffer-free. NordVPN has a Smart DNS feature that lets you set up unrestricted access to streaming sites on any Wi-Fi-compatible device like Apple TV. 

I was impressed during my tests with how fast the local and faraway servers are now compared to my previous tests. I got average speeds of 95 Mbps when I connected to US servers and 89 Mbps on Japan servers.

If you’re looking for an effective streaming campaign, the least you’d expect from NordVPN service is superfast speeds.

While it’s true NordVPN is effective, you’ll get around censored sites like US Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more at ease. I did hop over geo-restrictions and accessed my desired online content, including my favorite TV show, the ‘America’s Got Talent,’ in my first attempt.

The two best-selling assets of NordVPN are; its robust security and privacy tools. Nords employs AES-256 cipher to encrypt your web traffic to perfectly protect your web traffic at all times. That’s said, your ISP can’t track your online movements.

Most importantly, an integrated kill switch is a bonus feature if you’re hoping to stay anonymous. On your iPhone, you set up the internet kill switch to completely shut down your internet traffic if your VPN connection drops. Enabling it yourself in settings is easy.

NordVPN opts to use its proprietary protocol called NordLynx, which is a longtime favorite among its users. The new protocol is way more effective than other common VPN protocols. 

Using OpenVPN is no harm. After all, many veterans have vetted its security as it’s much of an open-source protocol.

IKEv2 is another viable option you can pick to safeguard your connections. Advanced users who want to show off their tricks will have a smile of pleasure if they hear about these protocols.

NordVPN never logs your data. It won’t track, monitor, or share your IP address either. That’s set straight by its zero-logging policy. 

In addition to iOS, NordVPN worked brilliantly with every platform I tested it on – Windows 10, Android, Linux, Mac, and browsers.  Another extra is the DNS/IPv6 leak protection that helps keep your IP addresses private.

Get a risk-free trial for 30 days. If the VPN fails to meet your demands, you can request a refund within the specified time. For any query, reach out to its Live Chat Support (operates 24/7) or visit its FAQ section.

IPVanish is a household name – well-known by advanced users who have been in the VPN game for many years, and it still dominates in any mainstream of VPNs. If you want to surf online, IPVanish is worth the hype.

The US-based VPN has a feature-packed app for iPhones and iPads. Thankfully, the app is easy to install and use. One-click instantly connects you to your favorite servers. Users can select the best servers from over 1900 servers in 70 countries. 

Meaning wherever you go, you’ll get quality connections. I decided to test a number of servers to see how fast IPVanish is on iOS devices. The results were welcoming as the lowest speed I got was 14 Mbps.

With these stats, it’s evident that IPVanish is going to let you stream HD-quality on your iPhone without buffer connections. It bypassed Netflix US, Canada, and the UK, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video with all servers I put into the test.

It also provides tons of security features like AES-256 type encryption, a Kill Switch, auto-connect, and multiple protocols. All these are aimed at shielding your identity against black hat hackers, ISPs, and government agencies.

On its website, the company confirms that users’ privacy is a priority. It never logs, monitors or stores your personal data except for the email and password you used to sign up. 

If by any chance your VPN connection drops, a kill switch will automatically cut off your internet traffic. The feature prevents everyone who’d have wanted to intercept your online activity.

Other bonus features include DNS/IPv6 leak detection. The shortcut for Siri, which is a new update, maximizes anonymity yet easier connection. 

The unlimited simultaneous connections is another IPVanish selling point. Plus, it’s compatible with all the mainstream operating systems. You can connect all your devices and keep them safe at the same time.

Don’t let its cuteness fool you, though. Its Matrix’s green and black color scheme is so welcoming on iOS. But there’s something that comforts you when getting started – the reassuring charts and graphs in the iPhone app. 

Beyond technicalities, IPVanish’s interface is super easy to read. It allows you to access these comprehensive features, meaning you don’t have to be tech-savvy – great for a starter and expert alike. 

Just select your preferred location, and IPVanish will serve you with a quality connection. Its Live Chat support operates 24/7 to assist you if you encounter any kind of technical issue. 

Take full advantage of a risk-free trial before you commit. If you’re not happy, ask for a refund within 30 days. 

Surfshark is not just a VPN that unblocks streaming sites; it has perks that make users continue to return. I recommend the provider’s efforts to integrate Surfshark VPN with iOS features. Today it offers top-notch iPad and iPhone clients.

In our performance tests, Surfshark emerged as the most budget-friendly VPN. Its collection of security features for maximizing your privacy on Apple’s iPhones is one thing we can spotlight.

The provider has a reliable server network of 3200+ servers across 65 countries. If you want to download torrents, about 2/3 of these servers are compatible with P2P traffic. I tested several servers on my iPhone and was so pleased with faster connection speeds.

I also liked the special MultiHop servers that allowed me to connect to two servers at a go for double protection. Use the app’s ‘Favorite’ feature to mark your preferred servers for future use.

This is to make sure you don’t take much of your time while scrolling down all over the site.

Whether you’re hooked up to the free Wi-Fi hotspot in the airport, library, or hotel lobby, your online activity can be vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Surfshark’s iOS app comes with an in-built kill switch that blocks your internet connection when your VPN connection shuts off. This means your searches, time spent, and communication made won’t leak to your ISP.

But it does use anonymized information to spot possible slowdowns and server load issues. It also features secure VPN protocols with strong encryption. Here you can use an OpenVPN or WireGuard protocol or IKEv2 with AES-256-bits to conceal your IP address.

The company states that it doesn’t log your data, backed by the service’s impressive track record of protecting its customer’s privacy. You can rest easy knowing your data is secure.

One unique feature to notice is the Cybersecurity tool called “CleanWeb.” It’s on hand to block any ads, malware, and phishing activity. The feature does its homework well to ensure you watch movies on your iPhone without pop-ups.

During my test on my iPad, the VPN admirably adapted its desktop design for a familiar and well-polished mobile experience. And I’m impressed with how the Surfshark app integrates into Apple Technology.

Thumbs up to its lightweight iOS app as it takes up little space on my iPhone. It’s only used a little space –so I have more space for downloads, apps, and photos on my iOS device.

I did extensive speed tests on my iPhone XS – the results were positive. Surfshark servers gave me an average speed of 81.26 Mbps. So, I unblocked Netflix US, UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia in HD quality with just a few seconds of buffering.  

Not just Netflix. I could stream Hulu, HBO, and YouTube without speed getting compromised.

You can test a risk-free trial for 30 days to see if it’s going to work for you. The company’s refund policy is reassuring that you can claim a refund should there be faults.

Surfshark knows what customers want – reliability and support. You can seek any guidance in its Live Chat support.

Since a few annoyances (cooperated with the FBI by handing over user data some years ago) that held PureVPN back, the company has been committed to repairing its image. As a result, the VPN service has turned things around as a perfect candidate for iOS with plenty of customization.

Good news – PureVPN’s new 20Gbps server speed upgrades give the VPN an edge to operate in a 5G world where faster internet speeds lie.

If you’re looking to browse a fully-featured iOS VPN, then PureVPN could be your match made in heaven. PureVPN. It comes with tons of native iOS apps that are easy to install and use. It’s a nice product with a friendly and efficient interface.   

The iOS app is almost identical to the Windows version. But overall, it fits excellently in with the rest of the PureVPN app family in terms of functionality. However, I thought it was weird that PureVPN displays a red button rather than a giant green icon like most VPNs do. That’s counterintuitive.

I was thrilled by its global network with optimized VPN servers. A network spanning 6500+ servers across 96+ locations ensures unparalleled performance. You get servers from North/South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

When testing, the VPN allowed me to auto-connect when I visited specific sites – but not specific networks. It reconnected itself upon losing connection to its server, meaning PureVPN is equipped with an internet kill switch. Should the VPN lose its fallback connection, the feature shuts down your internet completely until the connection is restored. A DNS leak protection conceals your IP address. 

Watertight military-grade encryption is another addition to its arsenal of security tools. Of course, we’re talking about the strong AES 256-bit encryption that PureVPN applies to keep your data safe while you surf online on your iPad. So you don’t have to panic about your sensitive personal information being exposed.

Although PureVPN offers a split tunneling feature on its apps for multitasking, you won’t get the feature on iOS apps. But security-wise, the VPN service is worth your precious time. I found that it supports different protocols for encryption: OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and IKEv2 protocols. You can also filter the servers so only P2P servers are displayed. 

All these different algorithms target to secure your connections. PureVPN claims to be a no-log verified and certified. It puts into effect a strict no-logging policy. Being a logless VPN means it doesn’t and will never keep logs. What you do online, who you communicate with, and your searches only remain with you.

In terms of speed connections, PureVPN is blazing fast. A drop in speed can kill your enjoyment, which is why PureVPN features speedy VPN servers for every purpose. A 100 Mbps speed is accepted for most basic users.

Whether it’s high-speed browsing, streaming, downloading, or sharing P2P files, you get everything when connected to its servers. My iPhone instantly accessed my favorite content from TV shows, movies, and sports events. Stream up to 4k content on US Netflix, HBO GO, and Hulu seamlessly.

PureVPN isn’t limited to the iPhone alone. It supports 10 multi-logins under a single account. The VPN vendor supports more than 20 devices to keep your entire family securely connected. There are easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, Linux, and all of your devices.

Get full access and cancel anytime! You can test it out for 30 days risk-free. Canceling the service is even easier than signing a new one. Whichever plan you choose, you get this no-quibble money-back guarantee.

Just request for refund within the specified days on its live chat support. Its agents will approve it without any questions asked. The process is straightforward and painless.

That aside, PureVPN’s customer support displays a good example of a reliable VPN. The 24/7 live chat is quick and informative. I didn’t have to wait for minutes for an answer. While the team was prompt, the replies were relevant and very helpful. They do care about user experience.

Do you do everything on your iPad or iPhone? Then, it’s time to join 45+ million Tunnelbear users who worry much about browsing on public Wi-Fi networks. TunnelBear VPN keeps your location private, reducing the ability for ISPs, malicious actors, and advertisers to track your digital footprint.

TunnelBear is compatible with iOS. So, you can use it on any iPhone model from 5S to the 12 Mini and other versions to secure your web traffic. I must applaud TunnealBear’s iOS mobile app because it’s not only pretty appealing but also effortless to use, even for people with technical knowledge.

After subscribing to the service, I found it quite simple to set up TunnelBear on my iPhone. It’s just a one-click installation too.

Something I like about TunnelBear is its generous free version plan. Users get a free 500MB each month without pulling out their credit cards. The amount of data won’t last for long if you watch several videos or listen to music. I used up all the data in just 7 minutes of watching movies.

But you can grab more data simply by tweeting about TunnelBear for 1GB of free data. The free plan offers the same servers, features, and encryption, much like a premium version. If you run out of data, the last resort is to go for a paid subscription plan. It has unlimited data bandwidth for you.

A lot of household names in the VPN industry aren’t diehard security advocates, but Tunnelbear is one out of many – and it’s easy to understand why! The VPN vendor offers a feature-rich service without falling short on security.

With a solid 256-bit AES encryption by default along with SHA-256 for authentication, spying eyes won’t snoop your web activities. It’s the highest level of combination in my book that makes your data virtually uncrackable.

Even though there’s a VigilantBear (acts as a kill switch) to ensure your data doesn’t slip through should you lose connection to its server, the feature isn’t available on iOS. That’s a snag and should worry iPhone users.

If a VPN can’t provide adequate anonymity, it’s not worth the risk. In my testing, Tunnealbear supported multiple security protocols for encryption. You can choose between OpenVPN and IKEv2 to bypass almost every firewall without being monitored.

iOS is limited to only IKEv2. However the case, it’s sensational to see that protocols are set by default; once you connect to a server, TunnelBear chooses the suitable protocol automatically.

The Canadian-based, McAfee-owned company values users’ privacy. For years, TunnealBear has claimed not to keep any data by executing a no-log policy. It’s one of the few VPNs to publish regular independent security audits annually, making it trustworthy for privacy-conscious users.

Its huge breadth of servers at 1,000 servers dotted around 49 countries offers a mid-range coverage so that you choose the best servers while at home, traveling, or living abroad. And the VPN service’s streaming abilities leave a lot to be desired. I successfully accessed geo-blocked content on Netflix and a ton of other streaming services with zero buffering and lags.

I would expect so much more in terms of speed given its longstanding reputation for ultra-fast speeds. Nearly all of its servers deliver blazing speeds, making TunnelBear a perfect choice for streaming aficionados looking for HD-quality videos.

You’ll be impressed by how supportive TunnelBear live chat is. The agents operate around the clock to answer any of your queries in no time.  

No guesswork! I tested every VPN independently to ensure accurate, credible, and proven information. When ranking, I put the following things into consideration: 

• iOS App

Any VPN to be excellent on iPhone or iPad must integrate well into Apple’s iOS features. When testing, I chose the VPNs that featured iOS widgets, Siri Shortcuts, and a simple-to-navigate interface.

The iPad/iPhone app needs to be downloadable either through Play Store or App Store. Besides, the menu settings must be easy to configure.

• Security

Of course, you’d want a VPN that improves your online security. The minimum requirements I looked into were; type of encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, VPN protocols, and logging policy.

Without these security features, your online activity may leak or be passed onto third parties.

• Speed

Speed is an obvious feature of the best VPN for operating systems. Be it iOS, Windows, Mac, or Android, fast speed is essential.

A slow-speed VPN will halt your internet connection. It then becomes unusable for your basic browsing activities.

• Streaming

Streaming is fun, but this is achievable if you use a trusted VPN. All our VPNs in the list unblocked popular streaming sites like Netflix US, UK, Canada, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.

As we may be knowing, these platforms limit their service in some regions. The right VPN provider lets you access a full range of these platforms at ease.  

Now you already know why you need a VPN on iOS devices. The main reason is to maximize your security and privacy on unsafe public WiFi networks. My recommendations for iPhones and iPads are safe, fast, and secure.

While free VPNs might seem like a good idea, they come with limited features. Your online security is everyone’s concern and shouldn’t be taken lightly. So subscribing to a premium VPN is worth your investment. 

On top of that, A VPN app for iOS has many other benefits. You can access a set of Netflix libraries, bypass censorship, hide your IPs, torrent, and game online. CyberGhost or NordVPN is the best choice in this case.