Every iPhone user cares about their online privacy and security while also wanting to have access to all the content out there. Though iOS has lots of pros, it comes with some cons too, and one of those is that it’s tough to find a reliable VPN app for iPhone. So, instead of spending hours on research, I’ve compiled my best VPN for iPhone list, and I’ll share reasons why I think these providers are the best VPN for iOS options out there. In this article, I’m also going to focus solely on my favorite VPN on iPhone options—three of them to be specific—plus I’ll include a bonus surprise alternative option at the very end.
Best VPN for iPhone 2025
NordVPN
My go-to VPN and the overall best choice if you’re looking for one solution is NordVPN. It’s one of the most popular providers with modern encryption, great retention speeds, and lots of extras. Now, when it comes to iPhone-specific aspects, there are two main things to talk about.
First, NordVPN offers preset configurations; this even includes Siri shortcuts. Second, NordVPN has a vast network of servers across multiple countries. So of all the providers on this list, they gave me the smoothest experience. NordVPN is also perfect for accessing content from different regions, you know, when you want to see some shows from those services.
One thing to note: NordVPN is positioning itself as a premium VPN for iPhone users, so the pricing is high. But to blunt this pricing just a bit, NordVPN’s long-term subscriptions are a great value, and they usually run major discount deals. This should always be getting these types of tools with discounts.
One major con of using NordVPN for iPhone is that we’re robbed of a free trial option. The free trial of NordVPN is available only on Android and only through the Google Play Store. For iPhone users, you’ve got to go straight into a paid subscription without any testing period. However, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so in one way you can still test out NordVPN risk-free. To end our NordVPN section on a positive note, I like that iPhone users can easily track data usage and other stats via NordVPN’s intuitive dashboard, which is an amazing feature. So, go with NordVPN, a premium iPhone VPN and an all-in-one solution.
Surfshark
But what if you need something different? Let’s say NordVPN pricing was a bit too much for you, and your number one priority is value for your money. My next recommendation is Surfshark VPN. Firstly, Surfshark VPN is one of the most affordable providers out there. If you go with their long-term plan, it’s twice as cheap as NordVPN. The second and best thing about Surfshark VPN is that there’s no limit to the number of devices you can connect simultaneously under one plan. This is a major pro of using Surfshark for the iPhone—you can cover all your devices, iOS or your iPhone, your Mac. You can even add your Apple TV.
The iOS VPN app is darn sleek-looking. Messing around with settings is easy, and it comes with home screen widgets for quick connections, which is perfect for iPhone users who want a seamless experience. A con for Surfshark is its smaller server list. There are around 3,200 of them, and their location list includes 100 countries. To put this into perspective, these are good numbers for a VPN provider—many competitors don’t even offer half this selection.
However, they’ve got the lowest numbers on this list of the best VPN for iPhone options. So, you have to decide if this is a con for you. Surfshark didn’t notice any major speed decreases during the test, even with fewer servers. Streaming shows also worked without any major issues, and in our long-running VPN speed test, Surfshark, surprisingly, is only a few steps behind industry leader NordVPN.
So, Surfshark VPN is recommended for those looking for a premium VPN at a very affordable price or who have many devices to connect.
ProtonVPN
What if you don’t want to go with either of those extremes? If you want to be more focused on privacy than NordVPN or go even cheaper than Surfshark VPN if that’s the case, then perhaps go with ProtonVPN for iPhone—an open-source tool that’s a part of the whole Proton apps family. Fun fact: ProtonVPN was created by scientists from CERN. Yeah, that one. Hence the name Proton. Now you know it.
A small con of ProtonVPN you might have noticed is that the user interface can be a bit confusing, mostly because it differs from other top alternatives. I like it, but I have much more experience working with these tools, so I know my way around even with my eyes closed. However, depending on your experience, it might have a bit of a learning curve. If you ask me, that’s a small price for the best iPhone VPN.
Proton’s biggest pro is that it’s truly focused on privacy. ProtonVPN is located in privacy-friendly Switzerland, which means that Proton operates under one of the strictest privacy-related laws in the entire world. And with ProtonVPN integrating so well into the Apple ecosystem, you don’t need to do anything complex to improve your privacy instantly.
The next pro of ProtonVPN has to be its free plan. If you or a friend are looking for a free VPN tool, Proton will be the best choice, mainly because it’s probably the only free VPN that doesn’t limit your bandwidth. On top of that, the speeds are okay, especially for a free tool. So, if you want to keep someone less tech-savvy safe, and private, install the ProtonVPN free version and activate the auto-launch and auto-connect features.
The biggest problem with the free version is that the servers and locations are strictly limited. To fix that, you need to upgrade to premium. The plans here are competitively priced. What I like most is that you can grab the full suite of Proton apps for just a few bucks more, and these are all privacy-centered, including mail, calendar, and drive. So for privacy enthusiasts, those looking to have the entire security suite in one place, or those simply looking for an actual free VPN, give ProtonVPN a shot.
Norton VPN
But what if you want a security suite from a different provider or more apps focused on privacy and security? If that’s the case, then the Norton bundle is my last recommendation. The Norton bundle includes a VPN, antivirus software, a password manager, and secure cloud backup. Now, it’s important to understand that while Norton VPN does provide solid encryption and secure browsing, it doesn’t offer all the specialized features that dedicated VPN providers like my previous recommendations have. For instance, you won’t find as many server locations, and Norton’s VPN doesn’t have advanced configurations for streaming services or extensive privacy settings.
However, what you sacrifice in the VPN department, Norton more than makes up for by protecting your devices from malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. The antivirus is super customizable and allows you to set it up to work exactly how you need it, and the password manager securely stores and generates strong passwords. It might not be the best out there, but it’s a great value when bundled together. So for complete device protection, try out the Norton Ultra bundle.
So, which VPN is best for your iPhone? Well, all of my recommendations will be good and way better than no VPN at all. But the best title depends on what you prioritize the most. NordVPN is the best well-rounded choice, offering advanced features like Siri shortcuts and top-tier security. Surfshark, on the other hand, delivers fantastic value for the money. Its unlimited device support means you can use it on all your Apple gadgets, from your iPhone to your Mac and even your Apple TV.
If privacy is your top concern, ProtonVPN is the way to go. Designed by CERN scientists and based in Switzerland, Proton offers an unmatched focus on privacy and security. And finally, if you’re looking for more than just a VPN, the Norton Ultra bundle could be your best bet. While its VPN may lack advanced features, Norton antivirus software makes up for it.