The Best VPNs for iPhone of 2025
Forbes Advisor Ratings
Methodology
To compile our list of the best VPNs for iPhones, Forbes Advisor scrutinized 59 factors to pinpoint the top options for iPhone users. Our evaluation process involved examining several aspects and weighting them according to their significance, with the most emphasis placed on mobile app ratings and our expert score.
Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
---|---|---|
Pricing | 15% | We examined the monthly and annual subscription costs for each VPN, whether they offered a free trial or free version and their starting and highest prices to assess affordability and value for money. |
Customer Service and Support | 10% | We evaluated each VPN based on their customer service and support offerings, including live chat, knowledge base, phone support and email support. |
Mobile App Ratings | 25% | We assessed the App Store ratings for each VPN’s mobile app to gauge overall customer satisfaction. |
Expert Score | 20% | We analyzed details and standout features, value for money, reputation and ease of use for each VPN. We also considered scores from other experts to compare and validate our rankings. |
Security | 16% | We assessed the security features offered by each VPN, including the number of connections and simultaneous connections and whether they offered a kill switch, DNS leak protection, IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, a multi-hop or double-hop VPN, malware protection, two-factor authentication, peer-to-peer encryption or a dedicated IP address. |
Privacy | 6% | We looked at the systems and processes each VPN has in place to protect the privacy of their users, including third-party audits, transparent reports, warrant canaries, email protection and ad and cookie blocking features. |
Servers | 8% | We assessed the total number of servers, the number of any specialized servers and the number of server locations (countries) for each VPN. |
Read more: How we test VPNs
What Is a VPN on an iPhone?
A virtual private network, or VPN, sets up a secure and encrypted pathway between your iPhone and the internet. A VPN server can be used to reroute your internet traffic, which will disguise your IP address and keep your online activities private from hackers, ISPs, government agencies and other third parties.
Using a VPN on an iPhone offers several benefits:
- Boost privacy and security: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone who may try to intercept it. This includes hackers on public Wi-Fi networks, ISPs monitoring your browsing habits and government surveillance.
- Avoid online tracking: VPNs help protect your privacy by hiding your true IP address, making it difficult for advertisers and other third parties to track your online activities and build a profile based on your browsing habits.
- Bypass internet censorship: VPNs enable you to bypass internet censorship and access blocked websites by connecting to a server in a different country. This can be useful for accessing georestricted content, such as streaming services or news websites that are not available in your region.
- Secure data transfers: Using a VPN on your iPhone is particularly important when transferring sensitive information, such as when conducting online banking or accessing confidential business files. The encryption provided by a VPN ensures that your data remains secure during transmission.
- Improve network performance: In some cases, using a VPN may improve network performance by avoiding ISP throttling or congestion on heavily used networks.
How To Choose the Best iPhone VPN
An iPhone VPN can protect your privacy on the go and at home. However, because all VPNs are not the same, it is essential to do some research before making a decision. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the best one.
Essential iPhone VPN Features
- Strong encryption: Industry-standard encryption protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, are a must-have to ensure security and privacy.
- Strict no-logs policy: A no-logs policy assures users that the VPN provider doesn’t store any info on their internet usage, making it impossible for the provider to share their data with other entities, such as the government.
- Kill switch: This feature automatically turns off your internet connection if the VPN disconnects, ensuring there are no data leaks.
- DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection keeps browsing activity private and secure by safeguarding DNS queries.
- IPv6 leak protection: IPv6 leaks can expose a user’s IP address and thus compromise their privacy. IPv6 leak protection is therefore another important feature to look for in a VPN.
- iOS optimized interface: Look for a VPN app with a user interface designed specifically for iOS, offering a familiar and easy-to-navigate layout for iPhone users.
- Touch ID/face ID integration: A VPN that integrates with iPhone’s biometric features such as Touch ID or Face ID for authentication adds an extra layer of security and convenience.
- Home screen quick actions: Select a VPN that supports Home Screen Quick Actions, allowing you to perform tasks such as connecting to your most recent server or changing settings directly from the iPhone home screen icon.
- Apple Watch compatibility: For those who use an Apple Watch, a VPN that offers compatibility or a companion app can be beneficial for easy control and monitoring of your VPN status.
- iCloud sync: A feature that syncs your VPN settings across all your iOS devices through iCloud can be particularly useful for those invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Customizable control center module: A VPN that offers a module for the iPhone’s Control Center allows for quick access and toggling of the VPN connection without the need to open the app.
iOS Compatibility and Multidevice Use
Most iPhone VPNs also work on other iOS devices such as iPads and iPod Touch. Additionally, many VPN providers offer apps for non-Apple products, including Android and Windows devices, allowing you to secure multiple devices under a single subscription. However, some providers have protocols built for specific devices (for example, hide.me has Bolt for Windows).
Speed
When evaluating VPNs, it’s essential to consider the average download and upload speeds they offer to ensure an optimal browsing experience. Speed is crucial for a variety of online activities, such as streaming video, online gaming, video conferencing and file transfers. Fast speeds provide a seamless internet experience, while slow speeds can lead to buffering, lag and a frustrating user experience.
Fast VPN Speeds
A fast VPN should provide download speeds of at least 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps or more. These speeds are generally sufficient for most online activities, including HD video streaming and large file downloads. Faster speeds mean better user experiences, especially for those on high-speed connections.
VPN Throttling and Speed Reduction
It’s important to note that using a VPN can sometimes result in slower internet speeds. This is because your data must travel through the VPN server, which can add latency and decrease speed. The level of speed reduction largely depends on the VPN provider, server distance and network congestion.
Some VPNs also implement bandwidth throttling, intentionally limiting users’ connection speeds to manage server load or encourage users to upgrade to a higher-priced plan. However, many top-tier VPNs prioritize providing fast and stable connections without throttling.
To maintain fast speeds while using a VPN, consider the following recommendations.
- Choose a VPN with a large server network: A VPN with a vast server network can distribute user traffic more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of server congestion and slow speeds.
- Connect to a nearby server: The closer you are to the VPN server, the lower the latency and the faster the connection. Selecting a server in your country or a neighboring country can help improve speeds.
- Use a VPN with WireGuard or similar protocols: WireGuard is a cutting-edge VPN protocol that offers faster speeds and improved performance compared to older protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2. Many top VPN providers now support WireGuard or have developed their own high-speed protocols.
- Test different servers: If you’re experiencing slow speeds, try connecting to a different server. Some servers may be less congested or offer better routing to your destination, resulting in faster speeds.
- Check your base internet speed: Your VPN speeds can’t exceed your base internet connection speed. Ensure you have a fast internet connection to make the most of your VPN’s capabilities.
Customer Support
Quality customer support is crucial when using a VPN. Look for providers with various support channels including email, live chat and ticket systems. Support that is 24/7 ensures you can receive assistance at any time, while comprehensive knowledge bases and FAQs can help you troubleshoot common issues independently.
Cost
Consider the cost of each VPN to help you choose the right one for your needs. Some VPNs offer a free plan, which may be sufficient for those with more basic browsing needs. However, many free plans only support one device and often reduce the speed of the connection, so you may decide that it is best to pay for a plan.
Many VPN services offer significant discounts for signing up for an extended subscription (usually a year or two). The monthly price can drop down by more than 50% (sometimes a lot more than this even), which can save you a lot of money in the long term.
However, the downside to this pricing structure is that you’ll be out a lot of money up front and will likely be out of luck if you decide that you aren’t happy with the service or no longer need it down the road. Though, most companies do offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, which can provide you with a little peace of mind should the service not live up to your expectations. Some VPNs keep their pricing structure more straightforward, charging the same price per month regardless of the subscription term.
How Much Does an iPhone VPN Cost?
Starting Price (Monthly Billing) | Mid-Tier (Monthly Billing) | Premium Plan (Monthly Billing) | Lowest Monthly Price for Paid Plans (With Extended Subscription) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mullvad VPN | €5 ($5.50) | N/A | N/A | €5 ($5.50) |
Proton VPN | $0 | $9.99 | $12.99 | $4.49 (two-year subscription |
IVPN | $6 | N/A | $10 | $3.89 (three-year subscription) |
NordVPN | $12.99 | $13.99 | $15.99 | $3.59 (two-year subscription) |
Surfshark | $15.45 | $15.95 | $17.95 | $2.19 (two-year subscription) |
ExpressVPN | $12.95 | N/A | N/A | $8.32 (one-year subscription) |
Mozilla VPN | $9.99 | N/A | N/A | $4.99 (one-year subscription) |
Private Internet Access (PIA) | $11.95 | N/A | N/A | $2.03 (two-year and three-month and three-month subscription) |
CyberGhost | $12.99 | N/A | N/A | $2.19 (two-year and two-month subscription; then price increases to $4.75 per month with one-year subscription) |
hide.me | $0 | N/A | $9.95 | $2.49 (two-year subscription) |
Though free VPNs are available, they often fall short in terms of security, performance and other important factors. Users should expect to pay for VPNs on a subscription basis, typically monthly or annually. However, some providers even offer two- or three-year contracts. Standard iPhone VPN rates are around $7 to $10 per month if paid month to month, but users can save significantly by:
- Opting for longer-term plans, such as annual and multi-year subscriptions
- Taking advantage of VPN providers’ promotional offers, student discounts or seasonal discounts
- Referring new customers to sign up for the VPN
There’s usually no difference in pricing for mobile VPNs compared to desktop computers, as most VPN providers offer multi-platform support within the same subscription plan. However, additional features such as a dedicated IP address, which provides you with a unique IP for enhanced privacy and access to certain services, may come at an extra cost.
How To Set Up a VPN on an iPhone
Using a VPN on your iPhone can provide added security, especially when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, and can also help in accessing georestricted content. Remember, a VPN is just one aspect of online security and should be part of a broader strategy to protect your digital data.
- Choose a VPN provider: Select a VPN service that suits your needs. Consider factors such as privacy policy, server locations and subscription fees.
- Download the app: Visit the App Store on your iPhone. Search for the VPN service you chose and download its app.
- Install the app: Open the downloaded app. Follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your iPhone.
- Sign In: Once installed, open the app. Enter your login credentials if you already have an account, or sign up for a new account.
- Configure VPN settings: After logging in, you might need to configure some settings. This could include selecting a preferred server location or adjusting privacy settings.
- Activate the VPN: Look for a button to connect to the VPN, often labeled “Connect” or something similar. Press it to initiate the VPN connection.
- Verify connection: Ensure your VPN is active. Most apps display a clear indicator when the VPN is connected, such as a change in color or a notification.
- Browse securely: With the VPN active, you can now browse with enhanced security and privacy. The VPN encrypts your internet traffic, obscuring it from outsiders.
- Disconnect when finished: To disconnect the VPN, return to the app and press the disconnect button. Remember to disconnect when you’re done to save on battery and data usage.
- Update the app regularly: Keep your VPN app updated to ensure you have the latest security features and optimal performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best VPN for an iPhone?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best VPN for an iPhone depends on your specific needs. However, our top pick is Mullvad VPN, which offers simple and straightforward pricing, allows users to sign up anonymously, includes an integrated kill switch and never logs user information.
Are there any good free iPhone VPNs?
Yes, there are reputable free VPNs available for iPhone users, such as Proton VPN and hide.me. However, it’s important to remember that free VPNs often have limitations such as data caps, fewer server options and slower speeds compared to paid services. Some well-regarded free VPNs offer essential privacy features and decent performance for basic browsing needs. Users should exercise caution and choose a free VPN service that maintains a no-logs policy and has a record of prioritizing user privacy and security.
How do I use a VPN on an iPhone?
Follow these four steps to install a VPN on an iPhone:
- Download your VPN app from the App Store.
- Launch the VPN app and sign in or create an account.
- Connect to a VPN server by selecting a location or allowing the app to choose the best server for you.
- Your iPhone is now connected to the VPN, and your online activities are encrypted and protected.
Do iPhones have a built-in VPN?
No, the iPhone does not have a built-in VPN. However, you can install a VPN app from the App Store to protect your privacy and security online.
Is it safe to use a VPN on an iPhone?
Yes, it is safe to use a VPN on an iPhone, provided you choose a reputable VPN service. A good VPN will encrypt your internet connection, safeguard your privacy and protect your data from hackers and other malicious entities.
Can I change my iPhone location without a VPN?
You can change your iPhone location without a VPN by using a GPS spoofing app. This approach is not advised, as it could conflict with the terms of service of some apps and could result in your account being banned. A VPN is a more reliable and safer way to change your location.
How do I check if my iPhone VPN is working?
To check if your iPhone VPN is working, follow these three steps:
- Connect to a VPN server using your VPN app.
- Open a web browser and visit a website such as https://www.whatismyip.com/ or https://ipleak.net/.
- Check if your IP address and location match the VPN server you connected to. If they do, your VPN is working correctly.
Can I be tracked while using a VPN?
While using a VPN significantly improves your privacy and makes it difficult to track your online activities, it does not make you completely anonymous. In some cases, advanced tracking techniques or potential VPN leaks may expose your real IP address or other identifying information. However, using a reliable VPN service with strong encryption and a no-logs policy can greatly reduce the chances of being tracked.