Best VPN for iPhone in 2026

Additional privacy is never bad, so seeking the best VPN for iPhone is a step in the right direction. iPhones are safer than Android smartphones, but internet access levels the playing field once you go online. In that case, we’re all exposed. Exposing your IP address is bad for privacy due to ISP surveillance and lurking data brokers.

Considering geo-restrictions, we already face the issue of being unable to access Netflix or other prevalent streaming platforms. iPhone users are already infuriated! Well, they don’t need to be. The best VPN for iPhones in 2026 can remedy all these problems by encrypting your traffic and changing your online identity.

As a result, you gain privacy and a more open internet. A VPN can fight ISP throttling, benefit your gaming sessions security-wise, and even allow you to save money on online purchases. Okay, so we have one question left to address. What are our favorite VPN services for iPhones? The answer is below 🔽.

Best VPN for iPhone: 5 Options to Consider in 2026

Before we start, we must clarify that all top picks on this list were tested by our experts. We left no stone unturned to ensure you get the crème de la crème.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN has everything you need in an iPhone-compatible VPN. It’s an ultra-secure provider with AES-256 encryption, an advanced kill switch, and reliable IP and DNS leak protection. Its iOS app is surprisingly capable and even includes Onion over VPN and P2P servers. Another benefit is obfuscation.

This can be life-saving in China and other censored countries. As the best VPN for iPhone, NordVPN also offers Double VPN servers to route your traffic through two secure locations and double your encryption. iPhone users appreciate its Threat Protection Lite, which blocks ads, malicious websites, and trackers.

We, however, love NordWhisper, NordVPN’s in-house protocol for sidestepping network filtering. Better yet, the provider doesn’t store any logs, ensuring total privacy. If you’re into streaming, NordVPN will perform like a champ. It works with more than 25 Netflix catalogs and dozens of foreign channels.

Performance-wise, after thoroughly testing NordVPN, we can say it’s the fastest VPN compatible with iPhones, thanks to its 10 Gbps servers and the NordLynx protocol. Apple’s entire ecosystem can be protected with NordVPN. As this is also the most trusted VPN for Mac, you can protect your Mac for more security.

It supports 10 simultaneous connections, so that should be hassle-free. With no notable downsides, NordVPN remains the #1 rated VPN for iPhone for many reasons. Its price is reasonable too, thanks to a 2-year Basic plan with a 70%+ price drop. At just around $3.30 monthly, this provider is affordable for the majority of people.

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2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN’s simplicity beckons many iPhone VPN users to try it. Its apps are user-friendly and work on all platforms. Despite its simple apps, the provider is secure and offers some advanced features. Advanced Protection is one. This allows ExpressVPN to block ads, malicious sites, and adult platforms.

Moreover, ExpressVPN includes Lightway Turbo, a proprietary protocol for superb security and speed. We appreciate its Network Lock kill switch that prevents your IP from going public. Another perk is privacy, thanks to RAM-only servers and Private DNS, both of which prevent ISP surveillance and data collection.

ExpressVPN’s no-log policy and infrastructure have been acclaimed multiple times, reflected in its 20+ independent security audits. ExpressVPN is a leading VPN for unblocking sites. It’s suitable for streaming, torrenting, and online gaming, easily preventing ISP throttling for a faster internet on your iPhone.

ExpressVPN offers 10 to 14 simultaneous connections, more than most of its competitors, excluding PIA and Surfshark. Moreover, ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat support is responsive, and the provider includes bonus extras like Keys, a password manager, and MediaStreamer, an efficient Smart DNS service.

You don’t have to spend a lot on this dependable VPN for iPhones. The biennial Basic plan is all you need. It includes four free months and hefty discounts that bring the price down to a meager $3.49 per month. Rest assured, a 30-day money-back guarantee is there if you want to back out without penalties.

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3. Private Internet Access

When it comes to affordable VPNs for iPhone, PIA is the top-rated pick. Its unlimited connections and modern iOS apps are something to behold. Private Internet Access’s performance on iOS is astounding, but so is its security. We’ll mention MACE as a capable ad blocker and Multi-hop servers for stronger privacy.

The provider includes 30,000+ servers, all based on Random Access Memory. On top of that, Private Internet Access offers a powerful kill switch to prevent data leaks and split tunneling to route the selected apps through the VPN tunnel. PIA’s features include Shadowsocks, which enables obfuscation to bypass censorship.

As one of the best premium VPNs on iPhones, PIA also has WireGuard, which combines security, privacy, and speed. You’ll find this provider’s Dedicated IPs useful for bypassing CAPTCHA and avoiding IP blacklisting. At just around $1.45/mo, you can also get an Antivirus and protect your Windows computer as well.

PIA also includes Smart DNS in multiple countries. With it, it’s easy to set up for streaming on a myriad of devices—Xbox consoles, for instance. PIA VPN works on iPhones like a charm if you’re streaming. It has a few dedicated streaming servers with solid speeds and access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streamers.

Best of all, it’s an excellent VPN for the money if you pick its 2-year plan. In that case, the price of around $2.03 a month will be more than attractive, and you’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee to test it risk-free. We nearly forgot that the biennial plan includes two or four free months for added value.

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4. Proton VPN

Proton VPN has 17,300+ servers and offers a simple yet powerful app for iOS. Despite its fourth place, this is still one of the best VPNs compatible with iPhone, thanks to excellent performance, plenty of locations (127+), and broad. This VPN offers a heap of streaming-optimized servers for a variety of services.

Users who care about speed can useWireGuard, which, with unlimited bandwidth and data, guarantees a premium iPhone VPN experience. Proton VPN on iOS has a kill switch, with a capable NetShield ad blocker to keep malicious sites, trackers, and ads away. It also uses Secure Core servers to encrypt traffic twice.

Proton VPN includes many P2P-designated servers if you switch over to macOS or Windows. In our Proton VPN test, they performed reliably, with fast speed and impenetrable security. We love its focus on privacy, expressed through a no-log policy, open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and full-disk server encryption.

Proton VPN has undergone a few security audits to solidify its place on this list of the best VPNs for iPhone. One of its best features is a free VPN with unlimited data, which you can use by registering for an account. It’s free forever, and you can switch to the premium VPN at any moment, if you can afford it.

Proton VPN is an all-rounder, with top-tier security, powerful obfuscation, limitless torrenting and streaming, and widely-compatible apps. As one of the leading iPhone VPNs, it is surprising that the price is $3.59 per month for the biennial plan. And if the free plan is insufficient, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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5. Surfshark

Surfshark is a powerful VPN for iOS that many love for its streaming prowess. It’s an efficient iPhone VPN for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Pluto TV. However, it’s also P2P-compatible and offers 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. Meanwhile, unlimited simultaneous connections allow top-to-bottom protection for all your devices.

Surfshark isn’t the fastest option, but its WireGuard protocol helps. MultiHop servers are another plus, letting you determine entry and exit servers for more customization. Surfshark offers geo-spoofing plus an IP Rotation to rotate your IP periodically while keeping your VPN location the same (it aids privacy).

In its app, you’ll also find NoBorders, which masks your VPN traffic (obfuscation) and allows the provider to work in China. Surfshark’s One plan allows for more security options. One is Search, a 100% anonymous web browser, and Antivirus, which also works well on iPhones and all other desktop and mobile systems.

Its compatibility is comprehensive, so you can use it on your Windows PC, Android phone, or macOS laptop. Surfshark is free of logging, keeping no tabs on its users. However, we’re not fond of its Dutch jurisdiction inside the 9 Eyes alliance. Apart from that, it has some juicy discounts for 2-year and 1-year plans.

The biennial Starter plan at $1.99 per month makes it easily among the cheapest premium VPNs for iPhone, whose qualities can’t be described in one go. You have our Surfshark review for that, if you’re so keen.

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Why Use the Best Premium VPNs for iPhone?

VPNs are beneficial in many ways and can vastly improve your internet experience. If you’re an iPhone user, installing this little app will bring with it the following benefits:

🥷 Online Privacy and Anonymity

When you go online with a VPN, your IP address is routed through a VPN server. In return, you’re protected from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) that can track your activities. This also applies to government surveillance.

The government authorizes ISPs to monitor your traffic and collect your sensitive data. A VPN installed on your iPhone prevents this with a connection to the server. Your traffic is routed through the VPN that doesn’t store logs. Even if the authorities request a VPN to hand over your data, they’ll come up empty-handed.

As explained, their RAM-only servers are free of sensitive information. This can be useful when downloading torrents. Concealing your IP address makes your download history anonymous, allowing for private P2P file sharing. However, such a benefit will likely be more valuable on Windows, macOS, or Android.

🛜 Public WiFi Security

Public WiFi networks can be dangerous because they regularly lack encryption and password protection. Even password protection isn’t enough if it doesn’t have proper security. A powerful device like an iPhone can connect to any network. However, doing so exposes you to hackers looking to steal your data.

Public WiFi hotspots beg for the use of the best iPhone VPN. Once connected, your IP is hidden, and your traffic is encrypted, which instantly wards off hacking attempts. Thanks to AES-256 encryption, your data will remain safe, and you can go on the internet without fear of unforeseen consequences.

According to Forbes, four in ten people had their information compromised on public WiFi, an alarming statistic from a privacy standpoint. Compromised data may include your credit card data, address, and social media information. Now, you see why using a VPN on a public WiFi hotspot is one of the smartest moves.

🛑 Avoiding Geo-Blocks & Streaming

Region-locked content is all around the internet, and no matter where you are, there’s always going to be a blocked website. With the change of your IP address, you can access any site if you have a reliable VPN installed on your iPhone. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are particularly effective at unblocking streaming services.

They work with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other popular streaming platforms. We’re also talking about gambling platforms, online bookies, adult sites, and more. That said, a VPN on your iPhone can also help you navigate porn restrictions in India or unblock Pluto TV outside the USA. Two, among millions of other examples.

🚧 Bypassing Censorship

Censorship is the worst method of internet restriction and is prevalent in China, Iran, Russia, and Turkey. If you find yourself there, having the best VPN for iPhone is essential. All the providers we selected offer obfuscation. Enabling it masks your VPN traffic and makes it look regular, allowing you to defeat deep-packet inspection.

How to Install and Use a VPN on an iPhone?

We presented you with our five favorite VPNs that work on iPhones, so now, it’s time to see how to use them. While these providers are different, they all work the same, and no matter which one you pick, installing and using a VPN is simple. As NordVPN is our #1 rated VPN for iPhone in 2026, we’ll demonstrate how to use it.

The process is identical for the other four premium services.

1. Subscribe to a VPN Service

You can perform this step on your iPhone or any other device. Click the button below to go to NordVPN’s website and claim the special 2-year deal. Alternatively, use the buttons in this article to get discounts on your chosen provider.

Once you’re on the website, provide your email address, select the payment vendor, and complete the purchase. After that, you’ll have to verify your account through email and make a secure password.

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2. Install the VPN App on Your iPhone

It’s time to download a VPN to your iPhone. Visit your App Store and search for the service you’ve selected. Tap Get (or a cloud icon in the screenshot) and when it’s downloaded, press Open to access the application.

Sign in to the app by using your email and password from Step 1.

3. Connect to a Server

You can connect to a server as soon as you’re in the application. We used the Quick Connection button to connect to the fastest server—for us, it was a server in Serbia.

Of course, you can pick a different server by opening the server list and tapping a different country whose IP address you want. When the app’s upper portion turns green, you’re connected and under the encryption of an iPhone VPN.

Free iPhone VPN: Is It Safe to Use?

When searching the App Store, you’ll come across many free providers. They promise safety, security, no logging, fast speed, and more. But if you try at least one, you’ll see how shallow these promises are. Sadly, the best VPN for iPhone can’t be free. Free options are free for a reason—or many, we should say.

They’re slower, offer few server locations, and many times, have limited data. Proton VPN is an unlimited provider whose free plan doesn’t let you choose the server. Windscribe is free and fast, but limits you to 10 GB of monthly data. These are popular providers, and they’re already severely crippled.

Not to mention other, more malicious options like Hola VPN, Betternet, Turbo VPN, and Urban VPN. All have one thing in common: heavy logging. Hola VPN, for example, sells its collected IPs to Bright Data, a famous premium proxy provider. You’ll find hundreds of 100% free VPNs for iPhones with this problem.

We found that these providers don’t support P2P, they don’t work for streaming, and they don’t allow simultaneous connections. Everything is explained in our article about the best free VPNs on iPhone. All in all, they’re unworthy of your time when you have affordable VPN options, like Surfshark, at $1.99 per month.

The Final Verdict

After a long compilation of the best VPNs working on iPhone, it’s time to say goodbye. We rounded up the safest, most reputable services that will serve you well for years. In our experience, NordVPN takes the crown as the #1 pick on this list. It has no notable shortcomings and is an all-arounder with a pretty good price.

ExpressVPN is a close second, but still safe, secure, and one of the fastest options. We love PIA for its feature-packed iOS app, unlimited simultaneous connections, and low prices. The same rings true for Surfshark, which we had no problem using with Netflix, torrent sites, and Tor over VPN connections.

Meanwhile, Proton VPN is a blend of privacy, security, and high-bandwidth servers that doesn’t cost a fortune, and even offers a forever-free plan with unlimited data. It’s your turn to pick a VPN, get a discount, and secure your iPhone today.

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FAQs

Will a VPN slow down my iPhone’s internet connection?

Yes, but it ultimately depends on a few things. A Virtual Private Network isn’t resource-heavy, and you won’t notice it working in the background. However, advanced security features like double VPN or obfuscation consume more power and bandwidth. The best VPN for iPhones won’t impact your connection negatively.

But a slight speed reduction is expected on more distant servers and with the technologies mentioned above. These technologies use heavier encryption, which tanks the speed in favor of security. But as said, if you stick to our top five picks, the speed decrease will be minor, especially on nearby servers.

Can I use a VPN on older iPhones?

Yes, you can, but it depends on how old the iPhone is. Older iPhones work with VPNs without issues if they meet the system requirements. NordVPN requires at least iOS 16.0. iOS 16 was released in 2022. With this in mind, it’s unlikely you’ll face issues with the VPN setup since you’ve likely updated your phone multiple times.

What’s the cheapest VPN for iPhone?

All of the presented options are very affordable, but some are more than others. We’d love to mention NordVPN again with its low price of around $3.00 per month as the best-value deal. If you want an even lower price, consider Private Internet Access and Surfshark at about $2.00 per month.

These are the cheapest providers for the best savings, while Proton VPN at $3.59 per month for the 24-month plan is the least affordable provider, even though this price is not at all high objectively.