This VPN comparison draws on provider pages and published reviews from other sites. We did not run our own hands-on speed tests, so the speed notes below describe how reviewers rank each service, not measured results. Prices change often, so confirm the current deal on the provider’s site before you buy.
- NordVPN: the best all-round pick among iPhone VPNs, with Double VPN and Dark Web Monitor.
- Surfshark: the value pick, with unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ExpressVPN: the speed pick, but not the cheapest.
- Proton VPN: the best free option if you want no ads.
- CyberGhost: a long 45-day refund window and seven connections.
- Private Internet Access: the pick for people who like to adjust settings.
Our iPhone VPNs, reviewed
1. NordVPN
NordVPN, which some reviewers write as Nord VPN, is our top VPN pick for iPhone users who want one app that covers privacy, security and everyday use. Reviewers rank it first on most 2026 lists of the best VPNs, even though their runner-up choices differ, and it is a great VPN for daily use.
- Price: Comparitech notes that the cheapest Standard plan works well on iPhone, so you do not need a higher tier for the core VPN service. Long plans are usually discounted heavily, and renewal prices differ from the promotional rate.
- Speed: Reviewers rate it among the stronger services for everyday browsing, streaming and download speeds. We have no measured iPhone speed figures to quote.
- Feature that matters: Among its VPN features, Double VPN routes your VPN traffic through two servers, and Dark Web Monitor is highlighted by Cybernews in its iPhone coverage. Comparitech lists the app as working with iOS 9 or higher, so older iPhones are covered.
- Money-back and support: a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support, according to NordVPN’s iOS download page.
- Drawback: Server and country counts differ between reviews, and we could not confirm a current figure, so check the numbers on NordVPN’s site. Extras such as Dark Web Monitor also add to what you have to learn in the app.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is the best budget choice for an iPhone, particularly for households with several Apple devices. Its iOS page says one subscription covers unlimited simultaneous devices, so an iPhone, an iPad and a Mac can all stay connected on a single plan.
- Price: Surfshark’s own comparison blog from September 2026 cites about $2.49 a month on the 2-year plan. Other reviewers quote slightly different figures, and Tom’s Guide warns that renewal prices rise after the promotional term.
- Speed: Reviewers treat it as a solid all-rounder rather than the fastest option, and we have no measured numbers to add.
- Feature that matters: unlimited devices, plus a free 7-day trial on iOS. Surfshark ties the trial to its longer plans, though the scope differs slightly between its iOS page and its blog, so read the terms when you sign up.
- Money-back: a 30-day guarantee that applies to the iOS app. If you buy through Apple’s billing, refunds go through Apple, so buying on Surfshark’s site keeps the guarantee simple.
- Drawback: Surfshark quotes different server counts on different pages (3,200+ on the iOS page and 4,500+ in the September 2026 blog), so treat any single figure with care. Renewal pricing is also higher than the introductory rate.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a popular VPN and the speed pick on most 2026 lists, and the reviews we checked are clear that it is not the cheapest. It suits iPhone owners who want a performance VPN with a smooth connection more than the lowest bill.
- Price: Tom’s Guide has cited promotions of about $2.49 a month on a 28-month plan, but that deal was time-limited and we could not confirm the current price. Expect to pay more than for Surfshark.
- Speed: Reviewers describe its VPN speeds as the fastest of the main iPhone options. This is a review consensus, not our own testing.
- Feature that matters: a very large network. Coverage of its July 2026 announcement reports 214 server locations in 113 countries, although Tom’s Guide and TechRadar note that a “server location” is an app connection option and not always a unique city.
- Money-back: a 30-day guarantee for first-time users. It does not cover a subscription bought as an in-app purchase on an iOS device, where you must ask Apple for a refund at Apple’s discretion.
- Drawback: the higher price, and the refund limitation for Apple billing.
4. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the best choice if you want a free iPhone VPN that is not stuffed with ads, and a free one from a company that also sells paid plans. Its iOS page calls the free iPhone app “free forever,” with no ads and no bandwidth or speed restrictions, which is marketing copy but matches what reviewers cite as its main appeal.
- Price: the free tier costs nothing and works through the app or the website. We could not confirm the paid price or its money-back period, so check Proton’s site.
- Speed: Proton’s page says the free version has no speed restrictions. Free users can change servers only after a short cooldown, so switching VPN servers is slower than on a paid plan.
- Feature that matters: the free tier itself, which is one of the few free options with no ads. Proton also describes the app as open source with a no-logs policy and a kill switch. Support pages list 110+ countries on paid plans, while the number of free locations has grown over time, so confirm the current list in the app.
- Requirements: the app needs iOS 15.0 or later.
- Drawback: the free tier offers fewer server choices than a premium VPN plan, and reviewers note that free use is not aimed at streaming.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost suits beginners who want the longest refund window of the group. It offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, and sources report seven simultaneous connections.
- Price: reviewers quote a lowest plan of roughly $2.03 to $2.19 a month and a monthly price of $12.99, but the numbers differ by source, so confirm the current deal.
- Speed: we have no measured iPhone speed data for it.
- Feature that matters: the 45-day guarantee. Tom’s Guide says it applies to plans of 6 months or longer, while Vpn.com says all plans are covered, so check the terms before you choose a plan.
- Drawback: Tom’s Guide calls the iOS app weak and says the kill switch is available only on Windows and Android. For that reason it ranks below the options above on iPhone.
6. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access, often shortened to PIA, is for iPhone users who like to adjust settings. Reviewers highlight its customizable app, which gives more control than the simpler apps above.
- Price: Apple’s store listing shows $11.99 monthly and $49.99 yearly, while Tom’s Guide and TechRadar report deals of about $2.11 to $2.19 a month on 2-year plans. Buying direct is usually cheaper than paying through Apple.
- Speed: we have no measured iPhone speed results for it.
- Feature that matters: granular settings. The app needs iOS 15.0 or later, and Security.org reports a 7-day free trial on smartphones that can be used once.
- Money-back: a 30-day refund window, but buying through Apple or Google Play forfeits eligibility, according to Security.org’s 2025 review.
- Drawback: the same Security.org review and others note that Apple billing removes the refund, and reviewers find it less reliable at unblocking streaming apps.
Try Private Internet Access on iPhone.
What we compare in the best VPN for iPhone
We compared the services behind our iPhone picks on the points that matter most on a phone.
- iOS app quality: how simple the VPN app is to set up and how well it handles reconnecting when you move between Wi-Fi and cellular.
- Price and renewal: the headline price, what the plan costs after the first term, and whether one subscription covers all your devices.
- Speed: how reviewers rate download speeds and everyday browsing and streaming performance. We ran no VPN tests of our own and do not claim our own measurements.
- Privacy and security: the no-logs policy, the kill switch and extra VPN features such as Double VPN, which together make for a secure VPN.
- Refund terms: the length of the guarantee and whether Apple billing affects it.
- Free tier: whether a usable free option exists, and what limits apply.
One practical point applies to every VPN provider. If you pay through Apple, Apple handles refunds, and several VPNs exclude those purchases from their money-back guarantee. Buying on the provider’s website keeps the guarantee intact.
How to set up the best VPN for iPhone
Setup takes a few minutes and works the same way for any provider on this list, and once connected the VPN encrypts the traffic leaving your phone.
- Choose a plan on the VPN provider’s website. Buying there keeps the money-back guarantee valid for providers that exclude in-app purchases.
- Open the store on your iPhone, search for the provider’s app and install it. Check the iOS version requirement first. Proton and PIA both need iOS 15.0 or later.
- Open the app and sign in with your account.
- Allow the VPN configuration when iOS asks. Any iOS VPN needs this step, because the VPN adds a profile to your phone and needs your passcode or Face ID.
- Pick a VPN server, or use the quick connect button, and tap connect. The VPN server’s country decides where your traffic appears to come from, which is also how you change your location on an iPhone. A VPN icon appears in the status bar when the encrypted VPN tunnel is active. If the app offers a choice of VPN protocol, the automatic setting is a sensible default.
- For the best security, turn on the kill switch and any auto-connect option in the app settings so that the VPN restarts after you change networks.
The same account works on an iPad, so you can repeat the steps there. With Surfshark, one plan covers unlimited devices, so you do not need to count them.
Is a free VPN good enough?
Proton is the free VPN reviewers recommend most often for iPhone, and its free version has no ads. Treat other free VPNs with caution, because a free VPN isn’t always backed by strong privacy terms. Reviews of free iOS VPNs repeatedly flag data caps, weak privacy terms and ads, so stick to a free tier from a company that also sells a paid service. If you need streaming, many servers or the best speeds, a paid plan is the safer route to a reliable VPN.
Best VPN for iPhone FAQs
What is the top pick for iPhone?
NordVPN is the top pick for most people. Most 2026 reviews rank it first, and it combines an easy iOS app with extras such as Double VPN and Dark Web Monitor. Surfshark is the better choice if you want to cover many devices cheaply.
Is there a good free iPhone VPN?
Yes, Proton has a free iOS tier that its site says includes no ads and no bandwidth or speed restrictions. Free users can switch servers only after a short cooldown, and the server list is smaller than on paid plans. Avoid unknown free apps, which often rely on ads or data collection.
Which VPN is fastest on an iPhone?
ExpressVPN is the speed pick on most 2026 review lists. We did not measure speeds ourselves, so use that as a guide and use the money-back period to test it on your own connection.
Do VPN refunds work if I buy through Apple?
Often they do not. ExpressVPN’s guarantee does not apply to in-app purchases, and PIA’s refund eligibility is lost if you buy through Apple. Surfshark says refunds on Apple purchases go through Apple. Buying on the provider’s website avoids the problem.
Does an iPhone VPN also work on an iPad?
Yes, the same account works on an iPad because the apps run on iOS and iPadOS. Surfshark covers unlimited simultaneous devices, and CyberGhost allows seven connections, so both can protect an iPhone and an iPad at once.
Which iPhone VPN has the longest refund period?
CyberGhost has the longest, at 45 days. NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and PIA each offer 30 days. Terms differ on plan length and billing method, so read the conditions before you pay.
Will an iPhone VPN work on older iOS versions?
It depends on the app. Comparitech lists NordVPN as working with iOS 9 or higher, while Proton and PIA require iOS 15.0 or later. Check the requirement in Apple’s listing before you subscribe.
