Best VPN for iPhone & iPad
The privacy features available on iPhone and iPad devices is probably the reason you are using one right now. That is not a surprise. Apple goes a long way to prevent apps from collecting unnecessary information about you, and they also exercise absolute control over the mobile app store.
However, they can only do so much. Once your data begins travelling through the internet, there’s precious little your iOS can do to ensure your safety. If you seek complete protection and anonymity online, having a VPN is a no-brainer!
A VPN not only masks your real location, but protects your online travels in a secure tunnel well beyond the reach of snooping eyes. Of course, it also brings extra benefits like providing you with access to geo-blocked content, and helping you bypass censorship.
So, here we have put together three of the best VPN services for your iPhone and iPad devices.
How to Select the Best VPN for iPhone and iPad
How do you select the best iOS VPN from the hundreds flying around the market? The answer to that question lies in your ability to first identify what you need from an iOS VPN. You generally want your VPN to be a safe haven, and we’re here to ensure it’s just that.
This is why we consider the following factors when selecting the best VPN for your iPhone or iPad device:
Security
You want a VPN that truly keeps you anonymous. A quality, watertight encryption, protection against DNS leaks, and effective kill switches will help your VPN do just that.
Privacy
To ensure complete privacy – even from the VPN provider – you need a VPN with a clear and well-followed no-logs policy.
Speed
The speed of your selected VPN is especially critical if you plan on streaming (YouTube, Netflix, etc.) or torrenting from your device.
Compatibility
Unfortunately, the Apple community remains behind the Windows and Android communities in terms of reach. For many developers, this means less support for iOS. Thankfully, a good number of quality VPNs are compatible with iOS.
VPN Client
To ensure a seamless setup process of your preferred VPN, it should be available in the App Store. We also consider the ease of installation and ease of use of the available iOS client.
Server locations
If you wish to enjoy the unblocking features of a VPN for particular locations, the VPN should have servers in those locations.
Best VPN for iPhone & iPad
1. CyberGhost
- Fast average VPN speeds
- Great VPN server network covering 90 countries
- Dedicated servers for torrenting and P2P traffic
- Strict no logging policy
- Unlocks streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- User-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV & Firestick, Xbox, PlayStation, and even for routers
- Does not allow torrenting in the US and Australia
- Does not work in countries with high censorship
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Best Price
$2.24/month – 3 year + 3 months
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Top Speed
54Mbps
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Servers
90 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
Based in Romania, CyberGhost VPN is a user-friendly service that offers excellent security features, strong OpenVPN encryption, and strict no-logs policy. It also allows you to go on your online journey without being tracked, whether you are connected to a home or public wi-fi.
Unblocking streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video is pretty easy with CyberGhost VPN. All you need to do is connect to the VPNs specialized servers and you are good to go. The VPN can also be used for torrenting, and with over 6500 servers, connecting to a server in your choice country should be just a click away.
2. NordVPN
- Stable and fast VPN speeds
- Allows torrenting on many servers
- Works great with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services
- User-friendly apps for IOS, Mac, Android and PC
- Strong logging policy and no IP, WebRTC, and DNS leaks
- Massive server networks: over 5,700 servers running in 60 countries
- Alternative VPN protocols require manual configuration
- Obfuscated servers (designed for countries with restricted access) do not always work in China
- There are no obfuscated servers for IOS
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Best Price
£2.86/month – 2 yrs plan
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Top Speed
90.51Mbps
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Servers
60 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
NordVPNoffers a number of outstanding features that makes it a top choice for iPhones and iPads. There are loads of features designed to keep your data private and secure. The VPN also has thousands of servers in over 60 countries which means you can easily gain access to any blocked websites. Other amazing features include a zero-logs policy, lightning fast speeds, and you can connect up to six devices simultaneously.
Asides its top security offerings, NordVPN is incredibly easy to use. So, if you are a new VPN user, there’s no need to worry as NordVPN makes its handling as easy as pie.
3. ExpressVPN
- One of the fastest VPNs with same-country speeds
- Strict logging policy and no IP, WebRTC, DNS leaks
- A vast network of servers across 160 cities in 94 countries as well as great privacy features
- User-friendly apps compatible with IOS, Mac, Android, and PC
- Allows file sharing and unrestricted torrenting
- More expensive than other VPN services
- Fires Stick TV can be improved
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Best Price
£6.54/month – 12 months plan
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Top Speed
85Mbps
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Servers
94 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
ExpressVPN is quality in the truest sense of the word. While some VPNs are outstanding in certain areas and perform poorly in others, >ExpressVPN offers the most complete and thorough service, with a polished finish applied to every element.
The ExpressVPN app is highly useful for iPhone and iPad users as it has a good selection of security protocols exclusive to iOS. The VPN has a no-logging policy which ensures complete freedom for users. And more than its app offerings, ExpressVPN has a unique customer support service that easily dwarfs that of most of its rivals.
Conclusion
Do I Need a VPN for iPhone?
iOS devices have a strong track record of security. Still, iOS devices are just as vulnerable to tracking by your ISP and government, and hacking on public networks. This makes it important that you use a VPN when accessing the internet.
A VPN is critical if you often surf the internet through public Wi-Fi connections. It keeps you protected against spies in the network. It also ensures that personal data like your card details and logins are away from public view when using shared networks.
Indeed, the role of a VPN on your iPad or iPhone can be broken into four major parts:
- Protecting your device while using an unsecure public Wi-Fi
- Hiding your internet traffic from the view of your ISP
- Accessing geo-blocked content
- Improving security during online communications
iPhone/iPad VPN FAQs
Got other questions concerning the use of VPNs on iPhone or iPad? Consider some of the most common questions we’ve encountered and our clear answers to them.
Can I Use a Free VPN for my iPhone or iPad?
The short answer: Yes.
Free VPNs have been known to be rife with issues. At best, limited funding leads to restrictions on your bandwidth, speed, and server locations. Scaled-back security features may also leave your data open to hackers. And, at worst, the VPN provider may sell your data to the highest bidder.
All doom and gloom then, right? Far from it! We’ve put together this list of the best free VPNs that provide top-notch security and privacy features. These VPNs also deliver quality performance and connection speeds. And while they do have bandwidth limitations, they’re generous on their allowance.
Can I Connect Several Devices to my VPN at Once?
The short answer: Depends on your choice of VPN.
I mean, if you’re a real Apple junkie, you’ve likely got an iPhone, iPad and MacBook. When getting a VPN, you’d sure love to be able to use your subscription across your devices. Thankfully, most premium VPNs allow between 3 to 10 simultaneous connections.
Interestingly, a good number of Wi-Fi routers now allow you configure a VPN directly on the router. This means you can get even more value by ensuring your VPN is activated from the root. It also ensures all of your internet-enabled devices are protected, whether they support a VPN or not.
Will a VPN Drain my iPhone Battery?
The short answer: Not really.
Every single app you run on your device increases the rate at which your batter runs down. This is also true of a VPN. However, this doesn’t mean that running a VPN gulps down your battery at extraordinary levels. It doesn’t.
How can I set up a VPN on my iOS Device?
Setting up a VPN on your iPhone is a pretty straightforward process. It generally looks something like this:
- Step 1: Download and install the app of your preferred VPN from their website or your App Store
- Step 2: Once you run the app, select your preferred server location and click to connect
- Step 3: : Enjoy full VPN protection across any online activity
Note: You could also go through the iOS setting menu for manual installation of your VPN,
Can I Download a VPN Outside of the App store?
The short answer: Don’t!
Yes, you can always visit a random app directory and download your VPN of choice. You may also find these lurking on media storage platforms. But these unofficial apps are often fraught with security issues and possible malware. Every reputable VPN provider publishes their app on the App Store. Do not get it anywhere else.
