Protecting your iPhone privacy isn’t optional anymore. ISPs track everything. Apps harvest data. Public WiFi exposes your info.

But finding the right iPhone VPN means wading through dozens of options that all promise the same thing. Most fail to deliver. After months of testing five leading VPN services on iOS devices, clear winners emerged.

The best iPhone VPNs balance speed, privacy and usability without forcing you to become a networking expert. Let’s break down what actually matters.

Surfshark Wins on Value and Features

Surfshark delivers premium VPN performance at budget prices. Most iPhone VPNs charge $10-15 monthly. Surfshark costs $48 for your first year.

What makes it stand out? Split tunneling on iOS. Most VPN providers dropped this feature from their iPhone apps years ago. Surfshark kept it. Plus, you get unlimited simultaneous connections instead of the typical 5-10 device limit.

The Alternative ID feature generates fake personas for online signups. No more giving websites your real name, address or email. That’s clever privacy protection most competitors don’t offer.

Speed tests showed 21% average slowdown. Not the fastest, but plenty quick for streaming Netflix or gaming on cellular data. During testing, Surfshark unblocked content on Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, Netflix and HBO Max through various global servers.

However, Surfshark’s monthly plan costs $15.45. That’s steep. Stick with annual billing for the best deal.

Comparing iPhone VPN services on price, speed and streaming capabilities

ExpressVPN Remains the Easiest Choice

ExpressVPN‘s iOS app feels like Apple designed it. Everything works exactly how iPhone users expect. Tap once to connect. Swipe to change servers. Done.

The minimalist interface hides powerful features underneath. ShuffleIP changes your IP address for every website you visit. Post-quantum protections guard against future threats from quantum computers. Both work automatically in the background.

Testing revealed only 18% speed loss. That’s impressive. Plus, ExpressVPN unblocked every streaming service thrown at it. Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max. All worked flawlessly.

The downside? Price. ExpressVPN costs $100 per year after your first billing period. That’s considerably more expensive than Surfshark or Proton VPN. But you’re paying for polish and reliability that beginners appreciate.

NordVPN Crushes Speed Tests

NordVPN recorded just 3% average speed loss during 2025 testing. That’s absurdly fast. Most VPNs slow your connection by 20-30%.

Why does speed matter? Streaming 4K video on your iPhone requires bandwidth. Mobile gaming demands low latency. Video calls need consistent performance. NordVPN handles all three without breaking a sweat.

The 8,000-plus server network across 126 countries gives you options. Traveling internationally? Find a nearby server for fast connections. Want foreign Netflix content? Plenty of locations to choose from.

Split tunneling routes some apps through VPN while others connect directly

NordVPN’s specialty servers add privacy features power users appreciate. Tor over VPN routes traffic through the Tor network first. Double VPN bounces connections through two servers instead of one. Meshnet creates virtual networks for secure file sharing.

But there’s a catch. Annual plans renew at $140 per year after your first billing period. That renewal price stings. However, if speed matters most, NordVPN delivers results no competitor matches.

Proton VPN Balances Free and Paid Plans

Proton VPN offers the only free iPhone VPN plan worth using. No data caps. No speed throttling. No ads. No selling your information to third parties.

The free tier limits you to 10 countries and one simultaneous connection. That’s fine for casual use. Upgrade to premium and you unlock 14,900-plus servers in 127 countries with 10 simultaneous connections.

Proton’s Stealth protocol bypasses VPN blocks. Useful in restrictive countries or on networks that block standard VPN traffic. Guest mode on Android lets you use Proton VPN without creating an account. That feature arrives on iOS in 2025.

Speed tests showed 16% average slowdown. Solid performance. During testing, Proton unblocked nearly every streaming service attempted, including tough-to-access Netflix libraries in Egypt. Only ExpressVPN and Surfshark matched that accomplishment.

Premium plans cost $36 for your first year. That’s reasonable pricing for what you get. Plus, the free tier lets you test before committing money.

Private Internet Access Disappoints on Speed

ISPs track everything, apps harvest data, public WiFi exposes info

PIA costs less than most competitors. Just $40 for your first year. Customizable apps appeal to tinkerers who enjoy tweaking settings.

But speed tests revealed 48% average slowdown. That’s double what you’d expect from a fast VPN. Plus, Google and other websites constantly threw CAPTCHAs during testing. Annoying.

Split tunneling on MacOS is nice. The app design feels dated compared to slicker alternatives like Surfshark or ExpressVPN. For a bit more money, you get significantly better performance elsewhere.

What Actually Matters in iPhone VPNs

Privacy features come first. AES 256-bit encryption over OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols. ChaCha20 with WireGuard. Kill switches that work. DNS leak protection. Audited no-logs policies you can verify.

Speed determines usability. The best iPhone VPNs drop your connection speeds by 25% or less. Anything slower creates frustration during streaming or video calls.

Server networks enable access. More servers in more countries means better options for unblocking content and finding fast connections while traveling.

Usability matters more on mobile. You’re not sitting at a desk with a keyboard and mouse. Tapping through menus one-handed while standing on a train requires simple, intuitive app design.

Device support extends value. Most people own multiple gadgets. Your VPN should work on Windows PCs, Mac laptops, Android phones and streaming devices. Not just iPhones.

NordVPN's 8,000 servers across 126 countries deliver fast streaming performance

Skip These Common Mistakes

Free VPNs usually compromise privacy. They either log your data, inject ads or sell your information to third parties. Proton VPN is the rare exception.

Monthly plans waste money. VPN providers charge 2-3x more for monthly subscriptions than annual plans. Yes, annual billing requires upfront payment. But you save 60% or more.

Ignoring renewal prices causes sticker shock. Many VPNs offer cheap first-year pricing then jack up renewal rates. Read the fine print before buying.

The Verdict on iPhone VPNs

Surfshark delivers the best overall value with extensive features, unlimited connections and competitive pricing. ExpressVPN wins for beginners who want effortless setup and bulletproof reliability. NordVPN dominates speed tests and satisfies power users. Proton VPN offers the only trustworthy free plan plus solid premium options.

Your choice depends on priorities. Need speed? Pick NordVPN. Want simplicity? Choose ExpressVPN. Seeking value? Grab Surfshark. Testing before buying? Try Proton’s free tier.

But here’s what matters most. Any reputable VPN beats no VPN on your iPhone. Mobile browsing exposes you to ISP tracking, public WiFi snooping and app data harvesting. Protection requires action.

Choose a service that fits your budget and needs. Install it today. Your future self will thank you when your data stays private instead of becoming someone else’s product.