The best VPN for iPhone in 2025 – top choices based on expert testing

Open NordVPN’s iOS app for the first time, and you’ll see a clean, clear layout free from unnecessary clutter. A big quick-connect button lets you secure your connection with a single click. When disconnecting, you’ll be asked to confirm the action or pause the VPN for a set period of time, though you can bypass this via NordVPN’s convenient iPhone widget.

Another prominent design feature in NordVPN’s iOS app is its server map. Extremely responsive, it can save you from scrolling through a lengthy list of server locations – though we often find the traditional list to be quicker. One slight criticism with the iOS app is that the settings menu isn’t easy to find, requiring you to dig through menus to reach settings that’ll optimize your VPN connection should you wish to – an issue you won’t face with a provider such as ExpressVPN.

NordVPN has no shortage of features spread across multiple subscription tiers. NordVPN security products, such as NordPass, its password manager, are included in select subscription tiers, but come with their own iOS apps, while Threat Protection, the basic version of Threat Protection Pro available on iOS, is integrated into the app itself.

This tool isn’t the most effective, blocking only 24% of malware sites and 34% of phishing sites during our testing, but it was a capable ad-blocker, stopping 84% of ads it faced. By comparison, Threat Protection Pro, available only on PC and Mac, stopped 79% of malware sites and 87% of phishing sites, so it would be good to see similar results reach iOS in the future.

There are multiple VPN protocols to choose from, the standout of which is NordVPN’s proprietary protocol, NordLynx. Also of note is NordWhisper, a new NordVPN protocol for evading VPN censorship. A variety of specialty VPN servers are available, too, including Double VPN, which routes your internet traffic via two servers for an extra layer of encryption, Onion Over VPN, which routes your VPN connection via the Tor Network for added security, and P2P optimized servers, which is great for those looking to efficiently torrent with their VPN connection.

Although Meshnet – NordVPN’s feature for creating secure, private networks between devices – is available for iOS, NordVPN has announced that the feature will be discontinued from December 1, 2025. This is unfortunate, given that the feature is unique to NordVPN, and we’ve found it to be very useful – especially when needing to transfer large files quickly or remotely access media servers while on the go.

NordVPN has consistently ranked among the fastest VPNs. In our latest round of speed tests, it maxed out at over 950 Mbps over its WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol. The speed was evident in my time using NordVPN’s iOS app. Browser pages loaded quickly, and I was able to stream in high resolution with no lag or buffering, even when connecting to servers further afield. OpenVPN speeds weren’t so high, achieving only 176 Mbps – though this is more than enough to stream or game comfortably if you’d rather the added security OpenVPN provides.

When it comes to your data’s security, you can’t go wrong with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol, which uses ChaCha20 encryption, or OpenVPN with its 256-bit AES encryption. Both are highly secure but if you’re also looking for speed boost, NordLynx is your best bet. NordVPN has also consistently passed our leak tests with flying colors, and I found the iOS app to be no exception. It’s also great to see that NordVPN’s no-logs policy was audited by Deloitte at the end of 2024 – meaning there’s added reassurance that your data could never be found on a NordVPN server should a data request from authorities be granted.

Surfshark’s app is responsive and clearly laid out, if a little cluttered in the home view. The quick-connect button, though useful, sits on top and therefore gets in the way when scrolling. Yet there are handy shortcuts for quickly connecting to the fastest server location or the nearest country. It’s also possible to filter by MultiHop, Static IPs, and Dedicated IPs.

The footer menu makes it easy to navigate between the VPN, extra features, and your settings. Switching up your settings is quick and convenient thanks to toggle buttons. Although settings are well explained, the app could benefit from explaining the differences between the various VPN protocols on offer, as not all users will be familiar with them.

Surfshark’s iOS app is packed with features, putting it on a par with NordVPN. Although multiple subscription tiers are available, everyone gets access to MultiHop servers, ad and tracker blocking, and even Surfshark’s Alternative ID feature, with which you can generate an alternative name, email address, and phone number to protect your real information.

A Surfshark One subscription opens up dark web monitoring, a private search engine, and antivirus protection. Unfortunately, the latter isn’t yet available for iOS. Surfshark’s iOS widget is available in three sizes, making it even quicker to connect to a server. Currently in beta is a split tunneling feature, so you can choose which websites can bypass the VPN connection.

With speeds surpassing 950 Mbps over the WireGuard protocol, Surfshark is the fastest VPN we’ve tested. Although NordVPN and Proton VPN also maxed out our testing line, it was Surfshark’s OpenVPN speeds of 460 Mbps that separated it. Something to note, however, is that Surfshark generally took a little longer to connect to servers than we may have expected.

Surfshark ticks every security-related box too. It proves encryption that’s effectively impossible to crack, the iOS app features a kill switch that can be toggled on or off as needed, and DNS leak protection means your ISP won’t see what you’re doing online. If all that’s not enough, Surfshark’s MultiHop routes internet traffic via two server locations for two layers of encryption. Plus, Deloitte recently completed a second audit of Surfshark’s no-logs policy, once again verifying that the VPN keeps no identifying logs.

Proton VPN’s iOS app isn’t just pretty either. It offers a quick connect button that is more flexible than most – since it can be set to a specific location, fastest country, or most recently used connection. Once connected, the map clearly pings your location so you can be sure you’re connected. Should you be interested, clicking on the server to which you’re connected displays key details such as the VPN protocol and server load, but that’s as far as details go initially, with more settings and features being located elsewhere – ideal if you’re new to VPNs and don’t want to be overwhelmed with data and settings.

The iOS app’s footer menu features easy-to-follow icons taking you to the home screen, server locations, and settings. The settings couldn’t be easier to adjust, either from dropdown menus or toggle buttons, and there’s a good level of explanation provided alongside settings to ensure beginners aren’t left confused. From the countries menu, you can also see each server’s load, but it’s not possible to filter by specialty servers aside from Secure Core, which makes finding them a little trickier.

Speaking of specialty servers, Proton VPN offers several unique choices. Secure Core servers are unique to Proton and provide an extra layer of encryption, routing your traffic via servers in secure data centers in countries with strong privacy laws, making it similar to multihop solutions offered by other iPhone VPNs but with several added security considerations.

You’ll also find Tor Over VPN servers, which route your VPN traffic via the Tor Network for added security, and servers optimized for P2P and streaming – the latter of which we found to make little difference to Proton’s overly successful streaming capabilities, which we’ll cover later.

Proton VPN’s iOS app is packed with features, including a Stealth protocol for navigating censorship. Proton VPN’s NetShield blocked 79% of ads in testing, but struggled with malware and phishing sites in comparison – blocking only 11% and 19% respectively. Further extras to be found in the iOS app’s settings include Always-on VPN and the option to allow LAN connections. Proton’s Alternative Routing tool lets the iOS app try alternative network routing for when you need to bypass firewalls and other network-related restrictions – perfect if you’re looking to connect in regions such as India or China, where online censorship and VPN restrictions are in place.

No matter the region you’re in, speed is key to good VPN performance, and Proton VPN is among the fastest. It peaked at over 950 Mbps using WireGuard in testing. Its OpenVPN speeds of 220 Mbps were faster than those of NordVPN and ExpressVPN, too. Proton’s VPN Accelerator feature plays a role in this, as it enhances connection speeds, particularly over long distances, by optimizing efficiency and creating a smoother path for your data. This was proven in our testing, as Proton VPN proved to be one of the fastest VPNs when connected intercontinentally, perfect for those travelling and wanting security on the move.

Proton is a company well known for its privacy-first products, including Proton Mail and Proton Drive. Proton VPN is no exception, as evidenced by its comprehensive no-logs policy, which has been independently verified in multiple audits, most recently in 2024. What's more, traffic is encrypted with ChaCha20 (WireGuard) or 256-bit AES (Stealth and OpenVPN), but if you do want an extra layer of protection, you can connect to a Secure Core server. Proton VPN is also one of the very few VPNs that lets you pay in cash, potentially allowing you to sign up for the service anonymously if you wish to go the extra mile to retain your privacy.

ExpressVPN has a beginner-friendly iOS app that’s quick and easy to download and install. Its large, quick-connect button means searching for a server couldn’t be easier with the iOS app prominently displaying the fastest VPN servers available. Plus, each server’s latency is displayed, allowing you to avoid overpopulated servers or those with higher latency.

The iOS app’s home view even allows for quick access to ExpressVPN’s various Advanced Protection features as well as its dedicated help section. Both of these areas are laid out without excess clutter, and the Advanced Protections area offers easily-understood explanations for each of the features you may need – perfect if you’re new to VPNs. What’s more, dedicating an entire navigation section to help materials is something no other iPhone VPN listed does, and reaffirms why we see ExpressVPN as the best VPN for beginners.

ExpressVPN may not have as many features as some rivals, but it has quality extras nonetheless. Located in the Add-ons section of the iOS app, you’ll find ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection for blocking ads, trackers, malicious sites, and even adult sites. Advanced Protection’s ad-blocking capabilities were especially good in our testing, achieving a 90% blocking success rate – higher than any other VPN we tested. There’s also the option to set up ExpressVPN Keys, ExpressVPN’s password manager, which has its own iOS app.

While it lacks auto-connect, ExpressVPN does offer two stages of killswitch, Standard and Advanced, which block internet traffic and all network traffic, respectively. This should help to give you as much peace of mind as you need that your connection isn’t insecure.

As mentioned, ExpressVPN’s offering of Lightway, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard on iOS gives you more choice than any other provider listed. Lightway, ExpressVPN’s lightweight proprietary protocol, allows for fast, consistent connections. Our in-house speed tests found ExpressVPN peaked at 898 Mbps via Lightway, proving its capability for even the most bandwidth-heavy activities, including online gaming. Using the ExpressVPN iOS app’s built-in speed test, my speeds barely dipped when connecting to nearby server locations.

ExpressVPN has undergone more independent audits than most VPNs on the market, demonstrating confidence in its security, as well as providing trust and transparency. To date, there have been 23 audits, most recently by KPMG, which confirmed the VPN provider doesn’t keep logs as per its privacy policy. What’s more, the core codebase of ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is open-source. It also uses 256-bit AES encryption, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for malicious actors to intercept data. Plus, it’s now offering industry-approved post-quantum encryption, with ML-KEM now available on Lightway, should you wish to use it.

Although not difficult to use, the interface of PIA’s iOS app comes with a bit of a learning curve, largely due to the degree to which it can be customized. You can adjust what you see with options to make certain information visible or disappear from view, or otherwise switch up the order. For example, you may not be interested in knowing how long is left on your subscription but want to see how much data you’ve consumed. You’ll find a quick connect button, and it’s also possible to see each server’s ping and add specific server locations to a list of favorites for faster future reference. Luckily, the settings page is clearly laid out and well-explained, so less experienced VPN users aren’t left completely on their own trying to figure out what they need.

PIA doesn’t offer as many features as NordVPN or Surfshark. Worse still, a number of its main features aren’t actually available for its iOS app. As such, iOS users don’t benefit from its antivirus, ad blocker, or Double VPN servers, which is disappointing. There is the option to get a dedicated IP address, but this costs extra.

What PIA’s iPhone app does offer is Automation, letting you set how PIA behaves upon connection to different networks, whether that’s to always connect to the VPN, always disconnect, or to retain its current state. You’ll find a built-in kill switch feature, as well as a convenient iOS widget complete with a quick connect button.

The speed of Private Internet Access has taken a big step forward across our most recent speed tests, taking it to 436 Mbps, up from 330 Mbps on WireGuard. These speeds are half that of the other best VPNs for iPhone, but even then, you’ll have no trouble streaming or playing games on your iPhone. PIA’s OpenVPN speeds of 257 Mbps outperformed several big-name VPNs, too – great news if you’d prefer to stick to the more secure protocol. Plus, it had no issues unblocking any major streaming service we pitted it against, which is great if you’re looking to travel without missing out on home favorites.

PIA may not have many features in its iOS app, but it provides all of the essentials required to keep your data safe. This comes in the form of robust VPN protocols such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, which use 256-bit AES and ChaCha20 encryption, respectively. The VPN uses its own encrypted DNS servers to prevent DNS leaks and protect your privacy. PIA also has a strict no-logs policy, which was audited by Deloitte in 2024, verifying the VPN doesn’t log identifying information of users.