Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall VPN for iPhone is Express VPN
- Express VPN offers excellent protection and speed
- Apple values the security of its product consumers. While purchasing an iPhone guarantees protection, you can continually improve your device’s base protection with the best VPNs.
A good VPN on your iPhone can unblock geo-restricted content, encrypt your traffic to safeguard your data, and block advertisers with annoying ads. While many claim to be the best, not all VPNs will seamlessly pair with your iOS devices.
For this reason, you need an Apple-focused VPN for optimal protection. We have done some serious sleuthing and have found the industy’s best VPNs worth trying. Let’s dive in and see their functionality, features, reputation, pros and cons, and prices.
History Computer’s Top Picks for the Best VPNs for iPhone
- Best overall: Express VPN
- Best value for money: Private Internet Access
- Best features: Nord VPN
- Best budget VPN: Surf Shark
Best Overall: Express VPN
©T. Schneider/Shutterstock.com
Express VPN is our first pick, offering the fastest speeds and zero-lag browsing for iPhone users. It has servers in over 94 countries to connect you to powerful speeds and unlimited bandwidth on any network. Express VPN puts you in charge of digital security with just a click.
It features the best-in-class encryption to keep you safe and private on any network. Express VPN is good unblocking popular streaming sites, including Netflix and Disney+. You can connect up to five devices with a single plan. The best part is that it has a 7-day free trial, so you can test the waters on all devices before you finally commit.
This VPN subscribes to a strict privacy policy. The policy restricts the VPN from collecting any activity or connection logs. The inbuilt password manager stores unlimited passwords, notes, and credit card details on multiple devices. The VPN app lets you switch between 17 languages.
Express VPN is easy to use with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can select a plan that works for you from the available three. But you can get the best value from the 12-month plan for $6.67 monthly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast speeds across all server locations. | More expensive than most VPNs. |
| Excellent for unblocking streaming sites like Netflix. | |
| Strict zero-log policy. | |
| 24/7 live chat suport | |
| Advanced security on apps and servers. |
Best Value for Money: Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access gives you value for your money. The VPN does an excellent job of protecting your privacy, securing your data, and bypassing network blocks. It protects your privacy by rerouting traffic through encryption to another server.
The VPN prevents other Internet service providers (ISPs), government censors, or network administrators from reading or tracing your data. It also protects you against cyber attacks.
Some Wi-Fi networks might restrict you from streaming certain content to save bandwidth. Private Internet Access bypasses such restrictions, allowing you to watch any content you want anytime. Simply connect to one of its 147 global server locations to change your virtual location and bypass network restrictions.
It is easy to set up a Private Internet Access VPN. Simply purchase a plan that suits your needs, download the app, and turn on your VPN. It is a perfect buffer between your devices and the sites or applications you access.
Private Internet Access features three plans. A one-month plan for $11.95 per month and a yearly plan for $3.33 per month, but we highly recommend the 3-year plan with free 3-month access at $2.03 per month.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful VPN encryption that stops ISPs from monitoring your online activities. | You may experience inconsistent speeds. |
| Protects your identity. | It might not work well for Netflix streaming. |
| Safe and secure. | |
| Supports unlimited simultaneous connections. |
Best Features: NordVPN
- Secure up to 6 devices at once or your entire home network with VPN protection on your router
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, and more
- Scans downloads for malware and viruses
- Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your data has been leaked
- Stops hackers from intercepting personal information
Installing NordVPN on your iPhone lets you access certain content, change your IP address, and enjoy 24/7 customer support. The VPN uses the revolutionary NordLynx protocol to deliver ultra-fast speeds for browsing, working, or playing without interruptions.
NordVPN uses robust encryption (256-bit AES) to secure your phone’s connection and protect your data from hackers, Internet service providers, and governments. With over 5700 servers across 60 countries, this company offer more Internet freedom.
The Threat Protection Lite feature blocks all annoying and malicious ads, maximizing your privacy and protection. Other advanced features such as Dark Web Monitor, Kill Switch, and Onion over VPN to increase online security.
NordVPN is compatible with Apple’s Voice Control. So, you can easily set up a Siri shortcut to enjoy hands-free VPN protection anytime. One NordVPN account can secure up to six devices.
As a customer, you’ll enjoy a hassle-free online experience with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied. Its 2-year plan gives you the best value at $5.99 per month. Other plans include NordVPN Plus for $4.49 per month for one year and the Standard plan for $3.29 per month.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Secures personal data and protects your privacy. | Torrenting supported on a few servers. |
| Connect up to 6 devices | Static IP addresses. |
| Fast and reliable speeds. | |
| Accepts cryptocurrencies as payment. | |
Best Budget VPN: Surfshark
©David Esser/Shutterstock.com
If you’re looking for a low-cost VPN provider, Surfshark VPN is the best choice. The VPN encrypts your Internet connection, bypassing the website and app blocks on Wi-Fi. Surfshark promises fast connection speeds for your iPhone.
This VPN provider offers more bandwidth for high-demand servers with VPN protocols optimized for mobile. It operates on 100% diskless infrastructure, meaning all personal information that would have been on a hard drive is automatically deleted once you turn off the VPN. Surfshark has over 3200 servers in 100 countries with the best speeds.
All your Internet activities remain private when using Surf Shark. You can use it on unlimited devices, including your friends and family.
Surf Shark has three plans; monthly plan for $12.95, a yearly plan for $3.99 per month, and a 24-month program. All plans come with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not fully satisfied with the VPN.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe and secure private connections. | Weak social media presence. |
| Robust global server presence. | Customer service is not the best |
| Smooth streaming on geo-restricted content. | |
| Impressive speeds | |
| Smooth user experience. |
How to Pick the Best VPN for iPhone: Step by Step
FVEY
When choosing the right VPN for your iPhone, you must consider whether it is based on Five Eyes (FVEY). It’s an intelligence alliance between the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. VPNs in these countries are subject to data retention laws, and may share persona data with the government.
Level of encryption
Next, consider how strong your VPN encryption is. The stronger; the better the security. In the VPN industry, 256-bit encryption is standard, although some VPNs offer less secure encryption from as low as 128-bit.
Number of available servers
You need a VPN with multiple servers across different countries for convenience. Server information is available on VPN websites under “Server List.” Look for VPN with at least 500 servers.
Speed
A VPN may slow down your Internet connection speed due to the extra encryption your data needs. You need a faster VPN to minimize connection slowdowns. However, verifying whether a VPNely fast, as providers advertise, is hard.
Ensure you also go through user reviews to know what to expect. Your experience might differ from other users, as speed also depends on your location and distance from the servers of your favorite VPN provider.
Using VPN for iPhone: What it’s Like
You can access VPN services through VPN apps. VPNs are free or premium, though we highly discourage free solutions as they feature many ads, have limited functionality, and could even compromise your data.
Public networks put your iPhone at risk since they are unencrypted and lack protection. Therefore, you can easily be hacked, and if you are not careful, your passwords, credit card details, or private information might end up in the wrong hands.
While your iPhone is secure, it cannot stand bypassing threats that hide behind public WiFi networks. A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your data and hides your IP address as you conduct online activities on your iPhone. It also protects your phone from cyber criminals and data snoopers.
Connecting to a VPN instantly secures your phone and data. Immediately you connect your iPhone to a remote network, all your Internet traffic will be directed through an encrypted tunnel, so no one can see what you are up to online.
Summary Table
| VPN | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Express VPN | Fast speeds, excellent for unblocking streaming sites, strict zero-log policy, 24/7 live chat support, advanced security | More expensive than most VPNs |
| Private Internet Access | Powerful encryption, protects identity, safe and secure, supports unlimited simultaneous connections | Inconsistent speeds, might not work well for Netflix streaming |
| NordVPN | Secures personal data, protects privacy, connects up to 6 devices, fast and reliable speeds, accepts cryptocurrencies as payment | Torrenting supported on a few servers, static IP addresses |
| Surfshark | Safe and secure private connections, robust global server presence, smooth streaming on geo-restricted content, impressive speeds, smooth user experience | Weak social media presence, customer service is not the best |
