New Delhi [India], May 28: Virtual Private Networks are designed to create an encrypted and secure connection to the internet. Whether you’re using an iPhone or iPad, you need the best VPN for iOS devices to protect your online activities, identity and data from unauthorised access, surveillance and hackers. One good option is Surfshark, which has strong privacy features, fast speeds and great value for iOS users.
VPNs also help you access restricted and geo-blocked websites. You can browse and stream anonymously through VPNs. However, remember they come in different types. So it’s best to look into speed, number of servers, security and cost.
Our experts have done the research and compiled this list of the best VPNs for iOS devices:
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Surfshark: Best VPN with a simple interface
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Express VPN: Best VPN for fast streaming
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NordVPN: Best VPN with extensive servers
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Private Internet Access (PIA): Best VPN for reliable data protection
>>> Register With Surfshark VPN Now & Use Bonus <<<
Which VPN is best for iPhone? Our Best VPN for iOS devices for 2025
Before we picked our top 4 VPNs for iOS devices, we looked into high-speed performance, large server network, no-logs policy and robust encryption and security.
We also checked for good customer support, ability to bypass geo-restrictions and censorship and pricing. After thorough research, here are our top VPNs:
Our #1: Surfshark VPN
Surfshark stands out because of its many impressive features. Based on experience, the app has access to over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Another reason you’ll love this VPN service is the super user-friendly interface.
You can connect to any server with a simple click on Quick Connect. Other cool features include data breach alerts, ad blocker, malware and tracking protection and alternative email generator.
Your data is protected via its privacy protection service, including Surfshark RAM-only servers and no-logs policy. Most importantly, the subscription is budget-friendly.
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One subscription for unlimited access
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Over 3,200 servers in 100 countries
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Affordable pricing
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Blocks malware, ads and trackers
Rating: 4.9 / 5.0
>>> Register With Surfshark VPN Now & Use Bonus <<<
Our second best: ExpressVPN
From the name, you already expect fast speed from ExpressVPN. Thanks to its Lightway protocol, users get fast connections regardless of the iOS device they have.
There’s also a Network Lock kill switch to ensure data security in case of VPN connection drop. This blocks all online traffic until your protection is restored. You can also use the live chat to contact support whenever you need help while using the VPN.
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2,000+ servers in 105+ countries
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Works on up to eight devices at once
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Super fast speed thanks to Lightway protocol
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Network Lock kill switch for sustained anonymity even during drops
Rating: 4.7 / 5.0
>>> Register With ExpressVPN Now & Use Bonus <<<
Next best VPN: NordVPN
If you want a VPN with large server network, we recommend NordVPN. Currently, the virtual private network has over 7,300 servers in more than 118 countries. This is the best VPN iOS app for accessing geo-blocked sites in many countries.
Besides this wide reach, NordVPN is one of the most reliable and fast virtual private networks thanks to its unlimited bandwidth and NordLynx protocol. The app uses AES-256 encryption to secure your internet traffic. So no third party can access your data.
For security, NordVPN has a Dark Web Monitor system that scans the dark web and alerts you if your data is compromised.
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NordLynx protocol for super fast speed
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Over 7,300 servers in 118+ countries
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Works on up to 10 devices at the same time
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Advanced features like Threat Protection Pro™ and Dark Web Monitor against cyber attacks
Rating: 4.6 / 5.0
>>> Register With NordVPN Now & Use Bonus <<<
Next best VPN: Private Internet Access (PIA)
Private Internet Access (PIA) has split-tunneling technology which allows you to customize your settings by selecting specific domains and apps to bypass the VPN tunnel. This virtual private network is open source so you don’t have to switch IP addresses to avoid triggering fraud detection all the time.PIA has servers in over 90 countries and you can use the MACE feature for extra security as it blocks ads and trackers.
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MACE feature for tracker and ad blocking
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High encryption
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One subscription for unlimited access
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10,000+ servers in 90+ countries
Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
>>> Register With Private Internet Access (PIA) Now & Use Bonus <<<
Understanding VPNs on iOS
A VPN creates an encrypted and secure connection between your iOS device and a VPN server in another location. This encryption secures your online privacy and your location is hidden while accessing geo-blocked sites.
Also, unauthorized third parties won’t have access to your data. In short, a virtual private network gives you more control over your online access, privacy and security.
Here are the detailed benefits of using a VPN:
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Secure Tunnel: Virtual private networks create a secure tunnel between the server and your device. This ensures your data is secure while you browse or stream online.
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IP Masking: VPNs work by hiding your IP address and replacing it with the server’s IP address. This keeps your online identity private and prevents online services and websites from tracking your location.
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Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: With VPNs, you can bypass geo-blocked sites while streaming or browsing online. Your chosen VPN will replace your true IP with one of its servers’ IP addresses in your preferred location.
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Security and Privacy: A VPN prevents tracking by third parties, such as ISPs. It also improves your privacy by masking your IP address. If you frequently use public Wi-Fi, VPNs offer an extra layer of security against cybercriminals and hackers.
How We Choose the Best VPN for iOS Providers
Now that you have the best VPNs for iOS devices for your streaming, gaming and browsing needs, you might be wondering how we came up with these four options.
Before we get into the factors, here’s a table comparing each VPN’s number of servers, available countries, VPN protocols and encryption technology.
VPN |
Number of servers |
Available countries |
VPN protocols |
Encryption Technology |
Surfshark VPN |
3,200+ |
100+ |
OpenVPN WireGuard IKEv2
|
AES-256 |
ExpressVPN |
2,000+ |
105+ |
Lightway protocol OpenVPN IKEv2
|
AES-256 Trusted server technology |
NordVPN |
7,300+ |
118+ |
NordLynx OpenVPN
|
AES-256 |
Private Internet Access |
10,000+ |
90+ |
OpenVPN WireGuard
|
AES-128 AES-256 |
Server Count and Locations
First things first, we check the server network before adding a VPN to our list. For context, a VPN with more servers spread across many countries means better performance. Users will enjoy faster streaming, browsing and gaming even during peak hours.
VPNs with fewer servers are slower. That’s because there’s congestion when more users are routing to the same location.
Luckily, the VPNs on our list have thousands of servers. PIA has over 10,000 while NordVPN has 7,300+. Besides the number of servers, we also consider locations.
A VPN with wide geographical distribution is always a top consideration for us. A well-distributed server network allows you to access many geo-restricted sites and improves connection speed.
For context, if you’re in Canada and want to access a geo-blocked site in the UK, it’s best to opt for a VPN with multiple servers in the UK rather than one with only a few.
Multiple secure servers also make it hard for unauthorized third parties to track your online activities. Depending on your chosen VPN, you can take advantage of special servers to improve your anonymity and privacy.
First-Hand Experience
To get the best info and determine which VPN is best for an iPhone and iPad, we tested our four recommended VPNs to see if they deliver.
Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) are all available on the Apple App Store. We just had to tap ‘Download’ on our iPhone and the apps were installed.
These apps are all easy to set up. After setting up the VPNs, it was time to test their features. From experience, these VPN apps offer one-click connections.
If you’re also wondering if using a VPN on an iPhone is safe, the answer is YES! That’s because our top four VPNs use robust encryption technology to protect users’ data.These VPN apps also have Kill Switch technology, which is useful when the VPN connection drops. VPNs like Surfshark have secure protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2.
NordVPN also performed well, thanks to its additional features. Users have a dedicated IP system which improves anonymity and privacy. We also rate VPNs with native protocols like NordVPN’s NordLynx and ExpressVPN’s Lightway highly.
A VPN’s speed is another factor we consider. The faster a VPN connects to servers, the higher up it will be on our list. We also made sure these four VPNs on our list can bypass popular streaming services that put geo-restrictions on their content like Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix.
If you’re concerned about pricing, remember our top four VPNs are budget-friendly.
We recommend Surfshark for users on a budget as it offers advanced features at a low rate.
Privacy and Security
Our evaluators don’t mess around when it comes to checking a VPN’s data policies and jurisdiction before approval. That’s because some VPN providers are headquartered in locations that are members of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances.
These are international intelligence sharing agreements that may compromise user privacy. VPNs located in these places might not offer full data protection compared to non-member states.
According to our evaluations, the safest VPNs for iOS devices are usually located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions like the Netherlands, Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands. For instance, Surfshark VPN is based in the Netherlands. So users don’t have to worry about their data privacy.
Other VPNs like PIA undergo independent testing by third-party audit firms to confirm they don’t store users’ data.
The last security feature we look out for is the encryption protocol. Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys (AES-256) is widely recognized to protect users’ data. The U.S. government and other security experts trust this encryption technology.
The VPNs on our list all have encryption protocols to ensure top-notch security.
Specialized VPN iOS app services
VPNs are used for different purposes. You can use them to play games, stream content and browse the internet. So you need to pay attention to your chosen VPN’s strengths and weaknesses to ensure it suits your needs.But here are a few VPN specialized features to note:
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Streaming VPN: The focus here is on bypassing geo-blocked services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu. Note that these services have robust VPN detection so you need to use a reliable VPN to access them.
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Gaming VPN: When choosing a VPN for gaming, make sure it has fast speeds, low latency and stable connections. Also look for protection against DDoS attacks. So you don’t get hacked while playing your favorite games.
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Also ensure they have dedicated or static IPs that prevent login issues. Repeated login issues may flag your account as suspicious. Lastly, your chosen VPN must be strong enough to bypass geo-restrictions on your chosen gaming site.
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VPN for other devices: Although your primary device for using the VPN is your iPhone, you may also need a VPN that’s compatible with other devices like an Android smartphone and PC.
Also ensure the VPN allows multiple simultaneous connections. Some VPN providers limit the number of users that can connect at a time. But some virtual private networks on our list like Surfshark and Private Internet Access (PIA) allow unlimited device connections.
Setting Up VPNs for iOS
Setting up our top four recommended VPNs is a breeze. Whether you want to try freemium services or opt for Surfshark’s paid subscription, the process is simple.
Here’s how we downloaded, installed and started using Surfshark:
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Go to the App Store and search for Surfshark
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Click the download button to download and install the app
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Launch the app once the download and installation are complete
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Enter your email address and create a password
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Accept the terms of use and privacy policy
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Now your account is ready, choose a server location
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Then, press Connect
This process is specifically designed for setting up Surfshark but will work for other recommended VPNs as well.
You can customize your experience by choosing a protocol that suits your needs. Depending on your chosen VPN it can be WireGuard, OpenVPN or IKEv2. Other VPN features like split tunneling and kill switch are also customizable.
Conclusion – The Best VPN for iOS Offers Top-notch Security, Anonymity, Gaming, and Streaming
You can use them to access geo-restricted sites. Whether you want to game, browse or stream content anywhere, our top four recommended VPNs are the way to go.
Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access offer top-notch security, fast speeds and strong encryption. Sign up today and get discounted prices!
>>> Register With Surfshark VPN Now & Use Bonus <<<
FAQs
Which iOS VPN should I use?
Among our top four recommended VPNs—Surfshark, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PIA— iOS devices would fit. The best one comes depending on your taste. All of them do, though, offer strong encryption, safe content unblocking, and fast internet speeds.
Can my iPhone run a VPN?
Indeed. On an iPhone among other devices, you can use a VPN. Install your selected Apple App Store option, then follow the sign-up process. These rather user-friendly programs offer great anonymity and protection.
Are VPNs able to prevent cyberattacks?
naturally. VPNs protect you from malware and DDoS attacks even as you browse, stream, or play online by virtue of their robust security systems.
Designed alongside WLX
This article is from the Brand Desk. User discretion is advised.
Anurag Dhole is a seasoned journalist and content writer with a passion for delivering timely, accurate, and engaging stories. With over 8 years of experience in digital media, she covers a wide range of topics—from breaking news and politics to business insights and cultural trends. Jane's writing style blends clarity with depth, aiming to inform and inspire readers in a fast-paced media landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, she’s likely reading investigative features or exploring local cafés for her next writing spot.