The best VPN for Apple iPhone & iPad
Are you an absolute Apple fan – and do you value your privacy? Then an Apple iOS VPN is a must for you. Most VPN providers have various applications in their programmes. An app for Apple devices is usually also included. After all, there are a lot of Apple users. We’ll tell you which iOS VPN delivers what it promises in our Top 10!
Also, take a look at the best VPNs for other categories.
The short answer
- Surfshark — best all-rounder on iOS: WireGuard, unlimited devices, reliable with streaming services.
- Proton VPN — the choice if privacy is the point: Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, a genuinely usable free tier on iPhone.
- NordVPN — the most polished app and the fastest servers in daily use.
- hide.me — strong on protocol choice and a fair free tier.
The full ranking with current prices is further down this page. All of them run on iPhone and iPad from the App Store — no jailbreak, no manual profile needed.
VPN for iPhone: “IKEv2 or Wireguard”
Apple iPhones and iPads are excellent devices and have few vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, Apple does not allow all VPN options to be freely chosen. Common VPN protocols (communication standards for VPN) such as OpenVPN are not supported, nor can complex rules in the firewall of the devices be used by apps. The KillSwitch function for iOS, for example, can only be used with iOS’ own “Permanently connected” rule. Only since 2016, however, has a new VPN protocol been implemented “natively” in all Apple products: “IKEv2”, which offers smooth and fast data transfer and is considered very secure. However, many VPN providers for MacOS now offer an additional protocol called “Wireguard” that guarantees even faster data transfers and consumes less power, thus conserving battery power. VPN providers that offer this VPN protocol in their software, therefore, have a clear advantage in terms of security and speed.
VPN for iOS devices
Streaming with the iPhone / iPad
While applications such as torrent use are not possible on iOS devices, these Apple iPhones or iPads are often used for streaming. It is convenient to watch music or videos on them, and possibly even while you are abroad. Therefore, the possibility of VPN streaming with iOS devices is of course important, but it is important to note that not every VPN is compatible with all video platforms.
Best VPN for iOS / iPhone / iPad
Surfshark VPN
The service offers excellent applications for iPhone and iPad that are easy to use and contain many functions. The filter that blocks malware and other dangers is also excellent and you can also define individual applications that are to be used WITH or WITHOUT VPN. Of course, all security functions such as “KillSwitch” are on board. Surfshark costs less than 2€ per month and you can use one user account on any number of devices in parallel.
NordVPN
NordVPN is not one of the innovators of the VPN market, but it has imitated many functions more professionally and successfully than other services or has improved them itself. The company has made a name for itself in recent years through enormous advertising presence on the Internet and TV. The success also made the company invest a lot in the operation, additional functions and also security. The VPN provider is one of the most professional VPN providers on the market with easy handling, very good speed and the best security.
What iOS allows — and what it does not
A VPN behaves differently on an iPhone than on a Windows laptop, and most comparison articles skip that entirely. Apple keeps tight control over network access, which rules out some features you may be used to elsewhere.
There is no real kill switch on iOS
On desktop, a kill switch cuts your internet the moment the VPN drops. iOS has no equivalent that an app can implement on its own. What VPN apps use instead is Apple’s Connect On Demand rule: the system re-establishes the tunnel automatically whenever a connection is needed. In practice that closes the gap within seconds, but it is not the same thing as a hard block — there can be a brief window where traffic leaves unprotected. Any provider claiming a „true kill switch“ on iOS is overselling it.
OpenVPN is not native — WireGuard and IKEv2 are what matter
Apple supports IKEv2 natively at system level. OpenVPN only works through a third-party app and is noticeably heavier on the battery. WireGuard is the protocol worth looking for: it connects faster, reconnects more gracefully when you move between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and uses less power. On an iPhone that difference is measurable in battery life over a day — which is why WireGuard support is a genuine selection criterion here, not a spec-sheet detail.
Split tunnelling barely exists
Routing individual apps around the VPN — standard on Android — is not available on iOS in the same form. Some providers offer a limited variant that works by website rather than by app. If per-app routing matters to you, iOS is the wrong platform to expect it on.
Always-On VPN needs a managed device
Apple’s proper Always-On VPN only works on supervised devices enrolled in a mobile device management system — company iPhones, in other words. On a private device, Connect On Demand is the closest you get.
iCloud Private Relay is not a VPN
This one causes a lot of confusion. Private Relay, part of iCloud+, hides your IP address from websites you visit in Safari. It does not cover other apps, it does not let you choose a country, and it will not get you into a streaming library from abroad. It is a privacy feature for Safari browsing, not a replacement for a VPN.
Setting up a VPN on iPhone or iPad
There are two routes, and for almost everyone the first one is the right one.
Via the app (recommended). Install the provider’s app from the App Store, sign in, and tap connect. iOS will ask once for permission to add a VPN configuration — that prompt is normal and expected. Afterwards the app manages protocol, server choice and automatic reconnection for you.
Manually under Settings. Under Settings › General › VPN & Device Management you can enter an IKEv2 configuration by hand. This is worth doing only in specific cases — a company gateway, or your own server. You lose automatic server switching and the provider’s additional features.
One thing worth checking afterwards: whether your real IP address actually stays hidden. Our test tools show what a website sees while your VPN is connected — including DNS and WebRTC leaks.
10 best VPNs for iOS (iPhone/iPad)
| Provider | Rating | Description | Price | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Surfshark VPN | Surfshark VPN Test 2026 - No log files, unlimited devices and perfect streaming at a glance. Surfshark VPN is a comparatively young VPN service that was founded in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2018 and is committed to … | from 2.19 EUR | Website Review | |
 | hide.me VPN | Hide me VPN review (2025) - Faster VPN servers & no log files The VPN provider Hide me VPN has been present on the German market for many years and we already wrote our first review … | from 2.69 EUR | Website Review | |
 | NordVPN | In our NordVPN review, we go into detail about all the functions of the VPN service and also provide information about the background of the company. NordVPN Test (Update 2025) - No log files, RAM disk … | from 3.39 EUR | Website Review | |
 | CyberGhost VPN | Cyber Ghost VPN Review (2025). Better streaming abroad, faster servers and new offers. CyberGhost VPN is a Romanian VPN provider that belongs to the KAPE Technologies company. The technical implementation is carried out by the company … | from 2.19 EUR | Website Review | |
 | Trust.Zone | Trust.Zone VPN is a low-cost VPN provider headquartered in Seychelles. The VPN service offers VPN clients for various devices such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS but also some Linux distributions. In addition, you can … | from 1.85 EUR | Website Website Review | |
 | vpn.ac | VPN.AC is a Romanian VPN service that promises a really acceptable price and VPN servers in the most important countries. VPN.ac Review Update 2026 - Even faster and native Wireguard support now for many VPN routers It … | from 3.75 USD | Website Review | |
 | ProtonVPN | Proton VPN FREE Test 2026 - How secure is the VPN provider? Our verdict in 30 seconds: ProtonVPN is our top recommendation: fastest VPN in our current speed tests, audited no-logs policy from Switzerland – and … | from 3.59 EUR | Website Website Review |
Apple standard VPN protocol “IEKv2” or “Wireguard”?
Three years ago, Apple integrated a new standard for VPN use into all operating systems (Mac OS and iOS). Since then, “IEKv2” has replaced the previous protocols on the platforms and impresses with its seamless integration.
This has the advantage that the resources that have to be used for encryption and data transport no longer have any limitations and thus high transmission speeds are possible. Compared to OpenVPN, these are impressive advantages that a VPN service must also offer if it is to be the best VPN for Apple devices.
Which one fits your situation?
| What you want to do | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Watch your home streaming library while travelling | Servers in your home country and a provider that keeps them working with the major platforms. Surfshark and NordVPN are the most consistent here. |
| Use public Wi-Fi safely in cafés, hotels and airports | WireGuard and reliable Connect On Demand, so the tunnel comes back by itself after every network change. |
| Keep your browsing private from your provider | An audited no-logs policy and a jurisdiction outside the major data-sharing agreements. Proton VPN (Switzerland) is the clearest case. |
| Protect the whole family’s devices | A provider without a device limit. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on one account. |
| Try it without paying first | A real free tier rather than a trial. Proton VPN and hide.me both offer one that works on iPhone. |
Frequently asked questions
For most people Surfshark is the best all-rounder on iOS: it supports WireGuard, allows an unlimited number of devices on one account and works reliably with streaming services. If privacy is your main concern, Proton VPN is the stronger choice thanks to Swiss jurisdiction and open-source apps. NordVPN has the most polished app and the fastest servers in everyday use.
iOS supports VPN connections at system level, but it does not include a VPN service. Under Settings you can enter an IKEv2 configuration manually if you already have access to a server. To actually route your traffic through another country you still need a provider.
No. Private Relay hides your IP address from websites you visit in Safari and is part of iCloud+. It does not cover other apps, you cannot choose a country, and it will not give you access to a streaming library from abroad. It is a Safari privacy feature, not a VPN.
Not in the way desktop VPNs do. iOS gives apps no way to hard-block traffic when the tunnel drops. What providers use instead is Apple’s Connect On Demand rule, which re-establishes the connection automatically. In practice the gap is a matter of seconds, but it is not a true kill switch — treat any claim to the contrary with caution.
WireGuard where the provider offers it. It connects faster, handles the switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data more gracefully and uses less battery than IKEv2 or OpenVPN. IKEv2 is the sensible fallback because iOS supports it natively. OpenVPN works only through a separate app and drains the battery noticeably faster.
Every VPN costs some speed, because your traffic takes a detour and is encrypted. With WireGuard and a nearby server the loss is usually small enough not to notice for streaming or browsing. Distant servers and older protocols make a much bigger difference.
Most are not. A service with no revenue has to earn money somehow, and with free VPN apps that regularly means logging and selling usage data. The exceptions are free tiers from established paid providers — Proton VPN and hide.me both offer one, with reduced speed or a limited choice of servers, but under the same privacy policy as their paid plans.
Yes, provided your plan allows enough simultaneous connections. Most providers permit between five and ten devices; Surfshark places no limit at all. The same account works across iPhone, iPad, Mac and other platforms.
Often, but not always. Streaming platforms actively block known VPN server addresses, so this comes down to how consistently a provider keeps its servers working. It is worth checking the current situation before you rely on it for a trip.