The best VPN for iPhone enhances the iOS experience drastically. It encrypts all your traffic, letting you browse anonymously. By altering your IP address, you also sidestep all restrictions and unblock streaming services. From Netflix to ESPN, you can access them all with the best VPN services for iPhone.
On the App Store, you’ll find hundreds, but very few are actually good. We tested nearly all and ultimately settled for five. Our experts guarantee their quality, which is reflected in their speed, security, privacy, ease of use, and reliability. Our top five iPhone VPNs for 2026 are right here. The full list is just below.
Best VPNs for iPhone in 2026: Top 5 Picks Ranked
- NordVPN – The best VPN for iPhone in all aspects
- ExpressVPN – The fastest VPN for iPhone
- CyberGhost – The best VPN for streaming on iPhone
- Proton VPN – Best for security and privacy
- Surfshark – Best for unlimited concurrent connections
Best iPhone VPN Providers in 2026 Reviewed
The best VPN for iPhone presented below are premium choices. Free VPN for iPhone won’t be mentioned here because their limitations make them poor choices. If you want the best possible security, performance, and everything else, premium choices are inevitable. These five are both amazing and affordable.
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Huge server network
- It works with streaming services
- Double VPN for more privacy
- Threat Protection Lite blocks ads and trackers
- Audited zero-logging policy
- Affordable biennial Basic plan
Cons
- No obfuscated servers on iOS
- Higher renewal cost
NordVPN is easily the best VPN for iPhone in 2026. It’s affordable and offers a good-looking iOS app. Users on the Apple Store have rated it highly for many reasons, one of which is a server park of 8,800+ servers in 130 countries. The VPN even has dedicated P2P servers for iPhones, which no other VPN offers on iOS.
Plus, this best iPhone VPN has the strongest encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. If you enable the OpenVPN (TCP) protocol, you can use Double VPN, obfuscated, and onion over VPN servers. They allow you to double your encryption, bypass censorship, and browse the dark web, respectively.
NordVPN even has NordLynx, a proprietary protocol based on WireGuard. It delivers solid speeds and top-tier security. As it’s based in Panama, NordVPN stores no logs, having its zero-logging policy verified by PwC and Deloitte. With it, you can also enjoy Netflix US and unblock Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ABC, and Hotstar.
Even on an iPhone, you’ll get NordVPN’s Threat Protection Lite for ad-blocking and Siri shortcuts that make it easier to use. What’s more, there are applications for all mobile and desktop platforms, as well as 10 simultaneous connections on a single subscription. NordVPN is an almost flawless iPhone VPN provider.
However, it has slightly higher renewal prices after the welcoming deal. But you’ll hardly find a better VPN deal for this price, regardless of the platform you’re using. In the end, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so feel free to get its cheapest deal below and test it out today, 100% risk-free.
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- Easy-to-use iPhone app
- Fast Lightway Turbo protocol on iOS
- Great for watching Netflix
- Multiple third-party audits
- Reliable automatic kill switch
- DDoS protection for gamers
Cons
- Slightly higher prices
- It lacks some advanced features
This is one of the top iPhone VPNs for its extremely easy-to-use app on iOS. It installs in a few seconds and supports one-tap connections, letting you enjoy security in the blink of an eye. Simultaneously, it has over 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, offering exceptional performance and speed.
iPhone users will value security. ExpressVPN includes 256-bit AES encryption, IPv6/DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling. It also has Lightway Turbo, an in-house VPN protocol thatoffers blazing-fast speeds and rock-solid security. Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is a great VPN for privacy.
On your powerful iPhone, you can also stream content. ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming. It works with at least ten Netflix catalogs and lets you unblock BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Hulu no matter your real location. On top of that, it offers the best VPN app compatible with Apple TV.
In our tests, ExpressVPN showed no IP leaks, with no lags or slowdowns. Moreover, its wide compatibility lets you install and use it on all devices, up to 14 at a time. To top it all off, 24/7 live chat support is ready to tackle issues at your command. The VPN doesn’t have many downsides, except for a higher price.
It also lacks Multi-hop servers, seen in NordVPN and Surfshark. But even the price is easily remedied by a 73% discount and four free months for the Basic biennial plan. At only about $3.49 per month, ExpressVPN is close to NordVPN price-wise. Click the link below to get ExpressVPN and test it risk-free.
3. CyberGhost
Pros
- Affordable biennial plan
- Dedicated streaming servers
- Bank-grade 256-bit encryption
- Over 12,000 VPN servers
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No obfuscation (won’t work in China)
- No dedicated P2P servers on iOS
CyberGhost is extremely affordable, offering a reliable iPhone VPN app. It has over 12,000 servers in 100 countries, all of which you can enjoy on your iPhone. On Windows, it offers dedicated P2P and streaming servers. On iPhone, you get only the latter, given that iPhones aren’t great for torrenting.
Nevertheless, CyberGhost is surprisingly secure if you consider its affordable prices. 256-bit AES encryption safeguards your connection, while the kill switch and IP leak protection prevent you from exposing your identity to the public eye. You won’t find OpenVPN on an iPhone due to compatibility issues.
However, CyberGhost offers IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols. CyberGhost stores no logs of your browsing history or IP address and backs those claims up with transparency reports published every three months and an audit from Deloitte. Its Romanian jurisdiction is also very privacy-friendly.
CyberGhost can unblock a few Netflix libraries and give access to other streaming platforms and US TV channels. They work well, offering substantial streaming performance. Unlike NordVPN’s ten, CyberGhost comes with seven simultaneous connections, a bit worse, even at this price point.
Of course, you can also install it on Smart TV, Fire TV Stick (it is one of the best VPNs for Fire TV Stick), Windows, Android, and other platforms. CyberGhost is extremely affordable and has a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans. It’s a shame it lacks obfuscation, making it useless in China.
4. Proton VPN
Pros
- Verified no-logs policy
- Massive server selection
- VPN Accelerator for better speeds
- Reliable free VPN with unlimited data
Cons
- Customer support could be improved
- Average overall performance
This Swiss provider is among the best VPNs for iPhone in 2026, mainly due to the security and privacy. Besides, its iOS app works well with its updated look and design. Proton VPN will blow you away despite its place. 16,900+ servers in 125+ countries sound impressive even when comparing Proton VPN to NordVPN.
When you take into account bank-grade encryption and a kill switch, it gets exciting. Proton VPN supports OpenVPN on iOS, and there’s WireGuard for stable performance. While Proton VPN isn’t very fast, you get VPN Accelerator to speed things up. Plus, NetShield blocks ads to declutter web pages.
Another important feature is Secure Core. Secure Core connections that route your traffic through two servers, making your IP address untraceable. Proton VPN boasts about its Swiss jurisdiction. It stores no logs of IP addresses, DNS queries, and browsing history, with a respectable external audit on its no-logs policy.
Proton VPN also performs well for streaming. Its paid version works with Netflix US, and you can unblock BBC iPlayer reliably. Similarly, it offers 10 simultaneous connections and works on all desktop and mobile devices. Sadly, no 24/7 live chat support is present in the free version, and for us, this is one of its main downsides.
Even though it’s not the cheapest VPN for iPhone, you can claim its cheapest deal below and get a 30-day money-back guarantee. The biennial plan has the best savings, letting you get Proton VPN for around $3.00 per month, based on the current promotion. Find more details in our Proton VPN review.
5. Surfshark
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Camouflage Mode (censorship)
- Virus protection on all devices
- One of the best iPhone VPNs for streaming
Cons
- Occasional long connection times
- No antivirus in the cheapest plan
The best VPN for iPhone doesn’t have to be expensive. Surfshark proves that by offering a feature-rich app for iOS that works with no bugs or connection losses. Surfshark’s app is a hallmark of iOS security that many VPNs should look up to. This app lets you access 4,500 servers in 100 countries.
Furthermore, the VPN gives you MultiHop servers for routing your traffic through multiple servers and enjoying added security. You’ll enjoy 256-bit encryption with a kill switch, ad-blocker, and good-performing WireGuard protocol. On iPhones, a NoBorders mode is available for bypassing stringent censorship.
We especially like its Rotating IP feature. It periodically rotates your IP, making it untraceable by anyone. If you pay a bit over one dollar a month on top of your subscription, you can get the Surfshark One plan that offers bonus security features, most notably, antivirus. You don’t have to pay more for a crystal-clear no-logs policy.
Surfshark stores no logs of user-identifiable information, which is audited by Cure53 and Deloitte. If security is an afterthought for you, Surfshark is reliable for streaming. Our tests showed that it works with over thirty Netflix libraries and other popular streamers, more efficiently than other iPhone VPNs.
It is also a very good VPN that can be installed on Kodi for streaming. Surfshark allows an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. All this can be purchased for $1.99 per month with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you need a cheap VPN for your iPhone, we believe Surfshark is one of the standout options.
Why Should I Use the Best VPN for iPhone?
iPhone and Android devices are, generally speaking, safer than their Windows counterpart. However, a Virtual Private Network isn’t always strictly about safety, so here’s why you should use a VPN for iPhone in 2026:
Browsing Anonymously
It’s not all about security, but to a certain extent, it is. A Virtual Private Network must be safe and secure to be legitimate. With that in mind, you should use it if you don’t want your ISP or hackers breathing down your neck at every online footstep. Since the ISP sees your online activity, every shred of privacy is instantly lost.
Your IP address can be used to track your location and discover other information about you. A VPN works by hiding your original IP address, in which process, you also encrypt your connection and make it invisible to your ISP. To learn more, read our guide on how to change your IP address on your iPhone.
The benefit is that you can enjoy the internet without anyone knowing what you do online. For example, you can watch adult content, enjoy gambling (see our article on using a VPN for Stake casino), or download files on your iPhone, and you’ll be the only one knowing about these activities.
Streaming on Geo-Restricted Platforms
Streaming is a big selling point of VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. You will find many geo-restricted platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hotstar. Netflix has different catalogs of shows and movies depending on your location. If you’re not in the USA, you can’t watch Netflix US.
But if you get a US IP address with the best VPN for iPhones, you can fix this issue. In this case, Netflix will see your location as the US, giving you access to the full catalog. The same, of course, applies to BBC iPlayer, which you can access with a UK IP address, and so on. With a VPN, bypassing geo-blocks is a breeze.
Saving Money on Online Purchases
Whether you’re paying with PayPal or Apple Pay, you cansave a chunk of cash on online purchases. Physical and digital goods often have location-based prices, which is typically the case with flight tickets. They cost more in very developed countries, while less developed regions have the luxury of paying lower prices.
What does that mean? It means you can get an IP address from a less-developed country and buy the same flight ticket at a severely lower price. This trick can be applied to booking hotel rooms as well. Before you go abroad, you can use a VPN for traveling to seek out the lowest prices in different countries and save plenty.
Public Wi-Fi Protection
Public Wi-Fi networks are a rest haven for hackers who can easily steal your personal info because these networks have little to no protection. When connecting to public Wi-Fi, you must use a VPN to change your IP address. You get encryption, which prevents hackers from accessing your device and stealing any information.
Playing Games Online Without Lag
We’re all aware of bandwidth throttling during bandwidth-hungry activities online. Gaming is one, and our ISPs tend to slow our internet speeds to reduce congestion and preserve the network infrastructure. That’s a bit of a stretch, as your ISP’s network is capable of handling extreme loads.
Either way, if you feel like your speed is throttled and you’re not maximizing your gaming performance on your iPhone, consider using a VPN. It encrypts your connection and conceals your IP address from the ISP. With no ability to track your activities and see what you do online, the ISP also can’t control your internet speeds.
This lets you play games at full speed. Not only that, but a VPN for iPhone will protect you from DDoS/swatting attacks while gaming and provide additional privacy always welcome for games like COD Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Among Us, Fortnite, and others.
Betting Online Abroad
Apple Store is full of betting apps related to online bookies and online casinos. Some are geo-restricted, but with a VPN, you can change your online location and unblock them. If you’re a fan of betting or gambling, a VPN helps you access these sites wherever. Find more about our favorite gambling VPNs if you’re a fan.
How to Install and Use an iPhone VPN
Tech-savvy users will know exactly how to install a VPN on an iPhone, but we’re all different, and some of you never used a VPN. Installing and using a VPN on this device is extremely easy, so here are the required steps:
Get a Subscription
The first step to using a VPN on an iPhone is to get a subscription. In this example, we’ll use NordVPN, which offers 73%+ discounts for its biennial plans. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can obtain a full refund in the first 30 days if you no longer need it or don’t like it.
Once you pay for a subscription and enter your email, you can create a secure password and complete the account creation. This process takes virtually a few minutes and can be done on any device.
Download a VPN Onto Your iPhone
Now, you need to download the NordVPN app on your iPhone. Visit the Apple Store, search for NordVPN, and download the app from there. Within a few seconds, it will be installed, so open it up and log in by providing the email and password you created in the first step. Once you’ve done that, you’ll see a dashboard:
Connect to a VPN Server
You can now connect to the recommended server by tapping on the Quick Connect button or opening the server list and tapping on the server location. As you can see, the dashboard will turn green, indicating that your connection is successful. You can go online and bathe in your privacy, safety, and anonymity – congrats.
Conclusion
Getting the best VPN for iPhone in 2026 is easy when you know what to look for. All five discussed options are excellent for privacy, security, streaming, and everything else. While NordVPN is our favorite iPhone VPN app, we gladly recommend choices like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.
They are great NordVPN alternatives, but they’re not that much inferior to it. In the end, know that every VPN provider offers at least a 30-day money-back guarantee and is risk-free to test. Considering their reliability, privacy, and security, it’s highly unlikely you’ll find them lacking in any way.
FAQ
🕵️♀️ Should I use a free VPN for iPhone?
No. We advise against using a free iPhone VPN. All free VPNs are limited in the security and performance you get. With weaker encryption and questionable no-logging practices, a vast majority of free VPNs are simply not worth it. Moreover, pretty much all limit your monthly data and have slow speeds, making them barely usable.
They also don’t work with Netflix and offer a few server locations, so bypassing geo-blocks online is impossible. No one should use free VPNs if seeking the best possible Virtual Private Network. However, we encourage you to test a free VPN on your iPhone. and compare it with any of the paid providers we presented.
📱 Is an iPhone VPN necessary?
Nothing is necessary except for basic human needs. And no, a VPN isn’t necessary, and you can use your iPhone as it is, without additional protection. As a result, you won’t have online privacy, and your internet experience will suffer. Everything we said explains that a VPN for iPhone is important in 2026.
It safeguards your online privacy, preventing your ISP and hackers from spying on you and stealing your personal information. Apart from that, you can expand your internet horizons and gain access to thousands of blocked websites. If these benefits are attractive to you, then you should get one of the VPNs from the list.
🏆 What is the best VPN for iPhone?
Our tests have shown that NordVPN takes the crown and is the #1 VPN for iPhones. Thanks to the fastest speeds, rock-solid security, and exceptional performance, this is the provider we would recommend. ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are popular alternatives that are almost as good in all aspects.
📵 Can I use an iPhone VPN on Android?
Yes. If you ever change your iPhone for an Android phone, you can install the VPN app you’ve used before. All providers on our list work on both iOS and Android, making them suitable even if you’re using two phones with different platforms, such as these two.
