Which VPN provider delivers the best security for your smartphone?
VPNs have long been used to give employees access to company servers or students the chance to access databases from home, but consumer VPNs have a host of different uses.
For many people, their iPhone is the only Internet-capable device they want or need. As such, it becomes the hub of lots of personal information they don’t want hacked or shared. In addition, some people want to use VPNs to view video or other content that is limited by their region. Regardless of their motivation, iPhone and iPad users have a slew of different options to consider when seeking out the VPN provider that best suits their needs.
Compare VPNs that work with iPhones, iPads and other iOS devices
Note: All VPN services are charged in US dollars.
| VPN service | Server coverage | Logging policy | Monthly cost | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1,500+ servers 94 countries |
Some connection logs in aggregate form | $8.32 | Sign up More info |
 |
1,080 servers 61 countries |
No logs | $5.75 | Sign up More info |
 |
850+ servers 60+ countries |
No logs | $6.49 | Sign up More info |
 |
3,272 servers 25 countries |
No logs | $3.33 | Sign up More info |
 |
750+ servers 141 countries |
No logs | $5.98 | Sign upMore info |
 |
720+ servers 190+ countries |
Connection logs | $4.99 | Sign up More info |
 |
700+ servers 70+ countries |
No logs | $5.00 | Sign upMore info |
 |
20+ countries | No logs | $4.99 | Sign upMore info |
 |
3,000+ servers 50+ countries |
No logs | $4.99 | Sign up More info |
Prices last checked August 2017
Looking for something else? We've compared 20+ VPN services for every device and purpose.
Why should iPhone users consider using a VPN?
While plenty of people associate VPNs with people wanting to hide their identity online, a VPN is actually an extra level of security for all the data that you’re sending and receiving.
Think about how much data you have on your iPhone at any one time: passwords, access to your bank account and credit cards; all of your contacts’ information; personal documents and photos; basically every single thing that you have connected your iPhone to.
If you shop a lot online or travel a lot and find yourself relying on free Wi-Fi hotspots, a VPN is a great idea.
What are some of the key features to look for?
Ideally, you want your VPN to work just as well as the hard-wired or Wi-Fi connection that you use at your home or office. For starters, that means high rates of speed, both for surfing and for uploading/downloading information. If the provider you choose only has a few physical sites for its VPNs, it’s going to lag. You also need to ensure the VPN you use doesn’t record log files. Log files are recorded by your operating system (OS) and sent to the site you’re visiting, detailing where you’re coming from. Since the whole purpose of the VPN is to be anonymous, you definitely don’t want a company that allows log files to exist.
What’s the best free VPN to use with my iPhone?
There are lots of free VPN providers out there, but a few sneaky caveats come with signing up to a free VPN. It takes money to offer and maintain VPN services, so if these companies aren’t making their money from an upfront fee, they’re making it somewhere else. This can be from advertising that appears on your VPN based on what sites you visit or just the straight sale of your information to third parties.VPNs are supposed to be private. If you’re using a free one, it virtually guarantees someone is watching you.
Will my VPN work on an iPad?
Unless your VPN specifically states otherwise, it will work with an iPad. Most websites will have a download button for iOS products that you can click. Then just follow the directions to install the VPN.
How to setup a VPN on your iPhone or iPad
An overwhelming majority of VPN services will have an iPhone app to download to install their services automatically on your device. If that download doesn’t trigger an instant install or if you wish to change VPN services, go to your home screen and tap “Settings” followed by “General”. One of the General settings will be “VPN” which you can tap followed by “Add VPN Configuration”.
Tap “Type” and select the VPN type. You should be able to get this information from the download page of the product you are using. Go back to the previous screen and input your VPN settings information and your username and password before clicking “Done.”
