VPNs have become quite common in today’s world, and here we have listed some of the top iPhone VPNs in 2024.
The digital world is not the safest place in the world. Cybersecurity is as much a resource as physical security. That is where VPNs come in. Without going into technicalities and jargon, a VPN encrypts your data, for example, the IP address, before your device connects to the internet. Essentially, it comes between the internet, which is a public domain by its very nature of sharing, and your device.
Now that the necessity of having a VPN has been established, the next question is which VPN to choose. That is the topic this article addresses, especially for iPhones. We have listed four of the best VPNs currently on the market.
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Criteria for selection: How to select the best iPhone VPNs?
These are our criteria for selection:
- Privacy
Privacy is, of course, the foremost concern for a VPN. A VPN must have some basic security features for it to be any good. An industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption over the encryption and IKEv2 VPN protocols or ChaCha20 with WireGuard are a must. A VPN should also have some basic features like DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.
However, if you want to ramp up your privacy barriers, then consider a VPN provider that works out of privacy-friendly jurisdiction and has obfuscation services. Also, a RAM-only server architecture is the safest bet. Some other small features to look out for are TOR-over-VPN functionality, ad and tracker blockers, and multi-hop connections. As a last check, go through third-party security audits of your preferred VPN. - Speed
What use is privacy if using a VPN sends you back two decades when downloading a file took a day? Well, to be fair, VPNs always will slow down the internet speed by virtue of the encryption of data and subsequent passing of the connection through at least one server before allowing it through to the destination.
But if you are streaming, downloading, gaming, video calling, or doing any bandwidth-intensive activities, then you will want to choose a VPN that ensures the least internet speed loss. Our advice would be to go for a service that guarantees less than 25% of speed loss. - Usability
This factor relates especially to iPhone VPNs. Not every VPN user is going to be a cybersecurity expert so all the features have to be available at the click of a button. Good customer service is always a bonus that many customers are thankful for and show their gratitude by coming back.
For travelers, VPNs should ensure that their network of servers is widespread enough to avoid any significant time lag. Also, they have to be able to access geo-restricted content from across the globe. - Cost
Cost is a limiting factor for many people. The good news is that even the most premium VPNs don’t cost too much. If you opt for a monthly subscription, the cost range for typical VPNs is $5-$13. But if you want to go cheaper, then opt to pay annually, which would end up costing about $30-$100.
The internet is littered with advertisements touting zero-charge or free VPNs. Try not to be tempted by these because, in nine cases of 10, your privacy will get compromised somehow. However, Proton VPN is that tenth case which is free and also trustworthy. Also, most VPNs offer some form of money-back guarantee. - Device support
Not all iPhone users would have a whole Apple kit, like a MacOS laptop or iPad. So it’s important to check whether a selected VPN runs on multiple OS. Most of the ones we’ve listed run on all the major platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Linus, Android/Android TV, FireTV, SmartTV, and more. Those few VPNs that don’t run on some OS can be used with a suitable GUI.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at the top four iPhone VPNs in 2024.
Top four iPhone VPNs in 2024
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is currently the best iPhone VPN overall. Everything from its user experience to technicalities is streamlined. Starting with the interface, it’s minimalist design works for both seasoned users and newbies. Server locations are connected to in a snap, something other VPNs struggle to achieve.
Moreover, ExpressVPN has a kill switch, protocol selection, and an Advanced Protection tool for blocking ads, trackers, and harmful sites. Also, a password manager called Keys is included free-of-cost in the package.
ExpressVPN unblocks content from a variety of streaming sites, like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. An area where this VPN slacks behind its competitors is speed. Some speed tests indicate that ExpressVPN loses up to 25% of its speed. The speed is affected adversely or positively depending on how far or near the device is to the connecting server.
Still, ExpressVPN’s speed is consistent across protocols and server locations. For the best speeds, we recommend the Lightway protocol, proprietor ExpressVPN, whose main aim is to bolster speed and security. The speed is also inversely proportional to the bandwidth intensity of the activities. For example, gaming-related activities will naturally result in slower speeds.
Coming to privacy, ExpressVPN makes the impressive claim of collecting zero logs, a statement verified by a 2023 no-logs audit by KPMG. The Lightway protocol was updated with post-quantum protection recently, a measure against future quantum computers.
ExpressVPN also introduced encryption enhancements to protect against threats like eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Through the TrustedServer technology, the RAM-only server architecture reinstalls the entire software stack with every reboot, ensuring maximum protection against outside attacks.
Currently, the monthly plan is priced at $12.95/month, the biyearly plan at $9.99/month, and the annual plan at $6.67/month.
Surfshark
Surfshark is the most versatile and budget-friendly VPN on this list of iPhone VPNs. Versatile because of its ease of use and the features it presents and budget-friendly because you’d be hard-pressed to find any other VPN this cheap that offers all that Surfshark does. Among its various features are multi-hop connections, obfuscation, an IP rotator, an ad and tracker blocker, and a kill switch.
Multi-hop connections are special in Surshark, especially the double-hop one. It allows the user to not only direct their connection to not one but two different servers but also allows it to use those servers directly. Most VPNs with this feature have default server pairings.
Some of the best VPN protocols in Surfshark are WireGuard, IKEv2, or OpenVPN. A Quick Connect function allows the user to connect to the fastest location, which is often the nearest country. But it can also connect any server of one’s choosing.
Surfshark struggles to connect servers, and this is perhaps its only vice. It might take as long as 30 seconds. Most other iPhone VPNs don’t have this issue. Surfshark has a private search engine that can be accessed from its app. This app has a new feature called Alternative ID that generates fake IDs for filling out online forms.
The pricing structure of Surfshark depends on the plan you opt for. Currently, the basic Surfshark Starter is priced at $15.45/month for the monthly plan, $2.99/month for the annual plan, and $1.99/month for the biennial plan.
The intermediate Surfshark One is priced at $17.95/month for the monthly plan, $3.39/month for the annual plan, and $2.49/month for the biennial plan.
The advanced Surfshark One+ is priced at $20.65/month for the monthly plan, $5.99/month for the annual plan, and $3.99/month for the biennial plan.
Surfshark One subscription at $51.04 + 4 months free [82% off]
NordVPN
NordVPN is the fastest iPhone VPN on this list. And it makes this known through its marketing. Fast connections, geo-blocking across the globe for streaming services, and privacy-focused functionality describe NordVPN succinctly. That’s why it works for both beginners and advanced users alike.
NordVPN’s iOS app is a somewhat impoverished version of its Android app, with a few missing features. It is similar to the desktop app in terms of user experience. The Quick Connect feature allows users to access Meshnet and Nord’s servers.
Some ancillary features include a permanently on kill switch, Threat Protection, dark web monitoring, and multifactor authentication. A Statistics dashboard displays information about the connection status, VPN IP address, protocols, and connection time.
NordVPN has some impressive privacy- and security-control features. The first ones are the basic Onion over VPN (Tor) browser and Double VPN, along with obfuscation servers. NordVPN has a no-logging claim which was verified by a 2023 audit by Deloitte. To be sure, it is impossible to be a hundred percent sure regarding such claims, and third-party audits can only provide some peace of mind.
NordVPN presents no problems when it comes to streaming content, like the US and UK Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video libraries in the iOS app. NordVPN has more than 6,300 servers across 111 countries in its network, more than Surfshark or ExpressVPN.
NordVPN is pricier than Surfshark but cheaper than ExpressVPN. It prices $13/month for the monthly plan, $60/year for the annual plan, and $83/two years for the biennial plan.
Black Friday deal: 70% off NordVPN - Get 3 extra months
PIA (Private Internet Access)
PIA is the most transparent and budget-friendly VPN. VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN may offer some initial discounts, but they jump back to their original pricing soon. However, PIA opts for a transparent pricing structure and keeps no price hikes in store for unassuming customers.
Despite the low cost, PIA offers a solid experience in its iOS app. A kill switch disconnects the internet if the server connection is broken and the user can choose from OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols. Other encryption settings allow the user to fine-tune the privacy control.
Most iPhone VPNs don’t allow split tunneling, but PIA is the exception. Split tunneling is to allow select applications to use one VPN server connection, but not others. PIA also has the option for unlimited simultaneous connections, whereas ExperssVPN and NordVPN limit this number to eight and 10, respectively.
PIA’s Automation feature automatically activates the VPN when connected to certain types of networks, like a public or open Wi-Fi network, specified by the user. For travelers, this feature is a lifesaver. Additionally, PIA boasts 35,000 servers across 91 countries, which includes all 50 US states. For entertainment purposes, PIA successfully unblocks Disney Plus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video on both US and UK servers.
With all these amazing features, it is unfortunate that PIA slashes the internet speed by about half. In comparison, Surfshark slows down the connection by a mere 17%. This is inevitable with VPNs, and for fiber internet connections don’t make much difference. However, for satellite internet users, the increased buffer time will be unavoidable, especially with streaming. For reference, Netflix recommends a minimum of 15Mbps.
PIA is priced at $40 for the annual plan, $12 for the monthly plan, and $79 for the triennial plan.
Other iPhone VPN options
The four VPNs we have listed are not the only ones. Many decent iPhone VPNs exist that do not actively market themselves or as much. Two of them are Proton VPN and IPVanish
As we mentioned, Proton VPN has a completely free plan that allows access to three server locations. The best part is that usage and speed have no restrictions. This VPN also has a premium version, priced at $10/month, $60/year, or $108/two years.
Proton VPN has around 8,200+ servers spread across 112 countries and offers 10 simultaneous connections. It sports open-source apps and is based in the privacy-friendly Swiss jurisdiction. Geo-unblocking foreign content happens in a jiffy, especially useful for streaming content on apps like Netflix and Disney Plus.
The next VPN is IPVanish. This is not the most streamlined or consistent VPN service for iPhones on this list. However, it is fairly easy to use. The home screen has a big Connect button that automatically connects you to a server. Alternatively, you can choose the Optimal Location option.
IPVanish also includes a split tunneling functionality, something not a lot of iPhone VPNs offer. However, IPVanish is expensive, priced at $13/month, $34/year, or $53/two years, depending on the plan. Most other VPNs offer much more features at a similar or even lower cost.
