A lot of people presume that using an iPhone is so secure that you don’t need a VPN. After all, Apple bakes privacy into the fabric of iOS, and most websites now use encryption by default. But after testing dozens of VPNs on my iPhone, a VPN is actually more beneficial than you might think.
While Apple’s iCloud Private Relay can hide your IP address and encrypt your Safari traffic, it doesn't extend to other apps like Google Chrome, Netflix, Facebook or Instagram. That's where a VPN comes in. It encrypts all of your internet traffic – no matter which app or browser you're using – helping to protect your privacy by hiding your IP address, preventing your internet provider from seeing your browsing activity.
A VPN has another ace up its sleeve that iCloud Private Relay can’t match, and that’s the ability to change your virtual location, so you can watch BBC iPlayer while you're on holiday and stream all your favourite shows wile you’re abroad. I’ve tested a range of services to find the best VPNs for iPhone in 2026.
Read more: Best VPNs, reviewed
The best VPNs for iPhone in 2026 are:
- Best overall – ExpressVPN: From £2.62 per month, Expressvpn.com
- Best budget buy – Surfshark: From £1.69, Surfshark.com
- Best for security – NordVPN: From £2.59 per month, Nordvpn.com
- Best free VPN – Windscribe: Free, Windscribe.com
Read more: Best cheap VPNs, reviewed
ExpressVPN
Best: iPhone VPN overall
Number of servers: More than 3,000
Number of server locations: 105 countries
Number of simultaneous devices supported : Up to 14
Why we love it
- Blazing fast
- Great streaming support
- Clean and simple UI
Take note
- Not as many advanced features such as double VPN and specialised P2P servers
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs I’ve tested on my iPhone. The app is uncluttered and easy to use, letting me choose from a number of countries, or letting the smart location feature pick the fastest nearby server for me automatically. It’s quick to switch servers too, and you can choose between ExpressVPN’s own Lightway protocol and IKEv2 for speed and reliability.
But it’s also kitted out with some really neat features. Not only was it fast during my tests, but the ExpressVPN app has a Network Protection feature (a kill switch), which blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. The app features a built-in, fully customisable threat manager that blocks trackers and malicious websites, along with ad blocking and parental controls. ExpressVPN Keys, its secure password manager, is also integrated directly into the app, letting me store unlimited passwords, notes and credit card details across devices.
All ExpressVPN servers run on RAM-only infrastructure, meaning data is wiped every time a server restarts. You can also run IP, DNS and WebRTC leak tests directly inside the app to check your privacy settings. It’s incredibly fast at both connecting to a server and while browsing and streaming while using that connection.
In terms of streaming, I tested ExpressVPN by connecting to the default United Kingdom server on my iPhone, and it performed flawlessly. It allowed me to stay connected to my favourite streaming services while using UK servers, giving me confidence that they would work seamlessly while travelling abroad. During my tests, I had no issues accessing libraries of popular streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix and ITVX, with reliable speeds and no buffering throughout.
Last year, ExpressVPN also introduced three separate pricing tiers. The basic tier gives you the VPN, use on 10 devices and lite protection starting from £1.99 per month. If you want the password manager and advanced protection, as well as a free three-day eSIM and use on 12 devices at once, then the advanced tier is for you, costing £2.49 per month.
There’s also a pro tier for business users, which throws in a free dedicated IP address. No longer one of the most expensive VPNs around, I love its simple interface, fast servers and excellent streaming performance. It’s a great all-rounder for the iPhone, with a kill switch, a threat manager, built-in live chat support in the app and a nifty password manager.
Who is it best for?
If you want the very simplest VPN for your iPhone, while still offering top-notch security and speed, this is it. ExpressVPN is cheaper than NordVPN now, and it’s a doddle to use.
Read the full ExpressVPN review now
Buy now £4.04, Expressvpn.com
Surfshark VPN
Best: budget iPhone VPN
Number of servers: More than 4,500
Number of server countries: More than 105 countries
Number of devices supported: Unlimited
Why we love it
- Kill switch available
- Lots of multi-hop server options
- Rotating IP addresses included
- Inexpensive
- Good for streaming
- Supports split tunnelling
Take note
- Notifications can get annoying
- A little hard to navigate
Acquired by Nord Security in 2021, Surfshark is a great value VPN that is filled with features that aren’t available on other VPN apps. While it’s admittedly a bit cluttered, more advanced users will enjoy having a wide range of options at their fingertips.
On the main home screen, you can quickly connect to your nearest server, see whether your real location and online activity are being hidden and encrypted, as well as search for specific country servers. There’s a dedicated location tab if you want more detailed server options, such as access to the fastest server, the nearest country, a static IP address (if you don’t want your server to change while browsing), and a list of MultiHop servers, which tunnel your traffic through two different servers for extra security. Surfshark gives you an actual list of MultiHop server pairs to pick from, unlike NordVPN’s Double VPN feature, which automatically selects one for you.
If you’re a Surfshark One subscriber, you’ll also be able to access the Surfshark Search engine directly inside the iPhone app, giving you access to organic search results unaffected by your GPS location. There’s also Surfshark Alert, which monitors your email addresses and personal information for leaks – though this is something included for free with NordVPN and ExpressVPN subscriptions. We also like that you have the alternative ID feature baked into the app.
The worst thing about the Surfshark app is its very annoying and very intrusive notifications. If you ever pass by a public wifi hotspot hosted by providers such as O2 or Virgin Media, you’ll be pinged and asked to connect to the VPN every single time. You also get bugged by promotional notifications, asking you to renew your subscription, so I just ended up turning off notifications altogether.
You’ve got access to WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (UTP) and OpenVPN (TCP) protocols, a clean web feature for blocking malicious ads and websites, but more excitingly, you’ve also got access to a kill switch, rotating IP addresses, which helps to stop you from being tracked online, and – best of all – a split tunnelling feature. Called Bypasser, it lets you exclude certain websites from the VPN tunnel – good for online banking.
In terms of streaming, Surfshark gave me access to UK Netflix, Disney+, as well as BBC iPlayer and ITVX during my tests. There was some slight buffering towards the start of each stream, but once it got going, it played through right until the end without stopping. Considering how cheap Surfshark is in comparison to the competition, it’s a really good service.
Who is it best for?
On a budget? Surfshark is the cheapest VPN with the same features as ExpressVPN and NordVPN. The two-year plan will see you pay less than £2 per month, and you can use it on as many devices as you want. Just remember to cancel ahead of time or the price of the subscription will go up after your first two years are up.
Read the full Surfshark review now
Buy now £1.69, Surfshark.com
NordVPN
Best: iPhone VPN for security
Number of servers: More than 9,500
Number of server countries: 167
Number of simultaneous devices supported: Up to 10
Why we love it
- Very customisable
- Lots of advanced features such as specialist servers and dark web monitoring
- Great for streaming
Take note
- User interface is a little messy
- Can be overwhelming for new users
NordVPN is a fantastic choice for iPhone users who like to get hands-on with their VPN settings. Simpler than ever thanks to a new redesign this year, it looks very similar to ExpressVPN in terms of simplicity.
Very feature-packed, you can quickly connect to the last used server or tap the “All locations” button to filter by countries, dedicated IPs, servers, MeshNet, obfuscated servers, Double VPN servers and Onion-over-VPN servers. Double VPN routes your traffic through two servers for extra encryption and Onion Over VPN routes traffic through the Tor network for enhanced privacy.
You can switch between multiple protocols, including NordLynx (its WireGuard-based protocol), IKEv2 and OpenVPN (UDP/TCP). Its Threat Protection feature blocks malicious ads and websites and you can even have this turned on when not connected to the VPN. The Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your email credentials are leaked in a data breach. An automatic kill switch is also built into the iOS app, ensuring your data remains protected if the VPN connection drops, though there’s no option to toggle this feature on or off.
I also love that NordVPN has a built-in scam call protection setting, which detects dodgy marketing calls before they reach your phone. You can even use the scam checker to analyse links, files and text. Amazing that this is even a feature on the iPhone at all really.
In terms of streaming, NordVPN works perfectly. I tested it by connecting to both UK and US servers, and it performed brilliantly, letting me stay connected to services like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and ITVX. There were no buffering issues or slow speeds during my tests. There’s no in-app chat, though you can raise issues in the app and get a response via email. While it might feel a bit overwhelming for beginners, it’s a pretty secure and flexible option for advanced users who want a super customisable VPN for their iPhones.
Who is it best for?
If you want to customise everything and want the fullest VPN experience with fast speeds and lots of privacy features, then NordVPN is the provider for you. It’s a little pricier than ExpressVPN, but you get a lot more bang for your buck.
Read the full NordVPN review now
Buy now £2.59, Nordvpn.com
Windscribe VPN
Best: Free iPhone VPN
Number of servers: More than 1,000
Number of server locations: 10 (free), more than 85 (pro version)
Number of devices supported: Unlimited
Why we love it
- Free 10GB per month
- Fun user interface
- Works with BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Netflix and more
- Fair free plan
- RAM-only servers
Take note
- Not the fastest VPN in the world
- Based out of Canada
If you’re after a free VPN for your iPhone, Windscribe is my top pick. Based out of Canada, Windscribe offers users a generous 10GB of free data per month, if you sign up with a confirmed email address. Impressively, you can also sign up without providing an email – a rare feature among VPN providers, especially free ones – though you’ll be capped at 2GB of data per month, which is still substantial. While some free VPNs offer higher data allowances, finding one that lets you stream while travelling abroad is nearly impossible.
The Windscribe iPhone app is a little bit complicated and messy, with lots of text and buttons. The home screen features a prominent “connect” button for quick access to the nearest or selected server, and there are server locations specifically for streaming. A list of server locations is easily accessible, though it’s a bit tricky to tell which ones are free in the 10 available countries.
From the home screen, you can customise your experience by selecting from multiple protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth and WStunnel, so you can choose what you like in terms of speed and security.
I really like Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. tool, a domain and IP blocking system that blocks ads, trackers and malware at the DNS level. This tool is customisable, giving you control over your browsing safety while improving speed. All features, including ad-blocking, are available to free users – none of it is locked behind a paywall.
During testing, Windscribe’s free plan performed OK. Speeds are admittedly not the best, with streams taking a while to load. It was also a bit sluggish browsing the web on Safari, but the fact that I was able to access local streaming services was a real highlight – BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 were all accessible, and that’s not something you often see from a free VPN.
But is it safe? Windscribe has come a long way since the 2021 Ukraine server incident, where two unencrypted servers were seized by authorities. Since then, the company has completely overhauled its infrastructure to ensure something like that doesn’t happen again. It’s switched to RAM-only servers, meaning no data is ever stored permanently, and adopted perfect forward secrecy, so even if someone got their hands on a private key, they couldn’t decrypt past sessions. On top of that, keys are rotated regularly to keep things extra secure.
Windscribe has also had its systems independently audited. Its desktop apps were audited by Leviathan Security Group in 2021, its mobile apps in 2022, and its entire new infrastructure by PacketLabs in 2024. Each time, the issues that were found were promptly resolved.
While 10GB of data is sufficient for moderate use, it may not stretch far for those who frequently stream or download large files. But if you use it occasionally, Windscribe is a great option, and its flexibility to work without requiring personal information is a big win for privacy-conscious users. If you like Windscribe’s independence, not being owned by Kape or Nord Securities, you might enjoy the pro plan, which gives you unlimited access – no data limits and all of its suite of on-location servers.
Who is it best for?
If you don’t want to pay a penny, then Windscribe’s free tier is my favourite free VPN for iPhone users. There is a 10GB data cap, but it works exactly the same as the paid-for tier, meaning you can access streaming services while travelling abroad.
Buy now £0.01, Windscribe.com
Your questions on iPhone VPNs answered
What are the best iPhone VPNs?
If you’re looking to get a VPN for your iPhone, my top recommendation is ExpressVPN. It’s blazingly fast, worked with every single streaming service I tried and has a beautiful user interface that’s easy to navigate and simple to use. It’s packed full of features, and you don’t lose very much with the iPhone app.
If you want something a bit more comprehensive or customisable, then I’d opt for NordVPN or Surfshark – both excellent VPN options. For a free VPN, you can’t go wrong with Windscribe and the free 10GB of data per month, a service that works with most streaming services.
Why do you need a VPN for your iPhone?
Even though Apple’s iPhone has great privacy credentials, it’s not bulletproof. Your internet provider can still see which websites you visit, and apps can still collect data about how you use their own services. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address and makes it much harder for third parties, such as your ISP, to monitor your online activity. It’s also handy if you ever connect to public wifi in cafes, hotels or airports, where your data can be more exposed.
How can I use an iPhone VPN for location and encryption?
When you download a VPN, you’ll be asked to add a VPN profile in the Settings app. Once you allow this, it’s as simple as picking a country from the list and tapping “connect”. Your internet traffic gets encrypted and rerouted through that location automatically.
Does an iPhone VPN slow down your internet connection?
It can, but not by much, especially if you stick to nearby servers and VPNs that are known for their speed. You might notice a tiny dip in speed if you’re doing something data-heavy, but for most people, it’s not noticeable. The best VPNs are built to be speedy, so everything still runs smoothly in the background. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both lightening-fast.
Is an iPhone VPN safe?
Yep, as long as you go with a decent provider. Stick to VPNs with strong encryption, a no-logs policy and ideally a few third-party audits under their belt. Avoid free ones – they’re usually the ones doing the dodgy tracking you’re trying to get away from in the first place. You can trust that every VPN here has been vetted for their trustworthiness.
What can’t an iPhone VPN do?
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address and can make it look as though you're browsing from another country, but it isn’t a replacement for good security habits. It won’t stop you from falling for phishing emails or scam texts, and it can’t protect you if you hand over personal information to a fake website. Some VPNs include extras such as malicious website blocking, ad blocking and malware protection, but these are bonus security features – you won’t get this from a pure standalone VPN.
Do I need a VPN if I have iCloud Private Relay?
They actually do different things. Apple’s iCloud Private Relay is great for basic privacy, but it only works inside the Safari browser. It won't protect data from your other apps, like Instagram or your banking app, and it doesn’t let you change your country to stream while abroad. A VPN will cover everything you do online on your iPhone.
How do I watch Netflix on my iPhone with a VPN?
To watch Netflix with a VPN, just open your VPN app, connect to a server in the country you want to access and then launch the Netflix app. If you’re trying to access a Netflix library that you shouldn’t, it can go against the streamer’s terms of service, so be wary.
How I tested the best iPhone VPNs
I tested a number of VPNs on my iPhone 15 Pro Max to see how well they performed on iOS. I paid particular attention to speed and reliability, as well as how well they could help me stream my favourite shows while travelling abroad, staying connected to services from the UK. I also checked for strict no-logging policies to ensure my data stayed private.
As well as everything I expect from a good VPN, I also looked at other features such as multi-hop support for added privacy, split tunnelling to let you control which apps use the VPN and kill switch functionality to protect your data if the connection drops. I made sure these worked seamlessly on iPhone and weren’t just shoddy ports of the desktop application. I also assessed overall value, comparing subscription costs and free trial options to see which VPNs delivered the best experience for iPhone users. You can read The Independent’s full VPN testing methodology for more details.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alex Lee is The Independent’s senior tech critic who has written about VPNs and cybersecurity for a number of years. Having tested numerous VPNs on iPhones, he knows what works well in real-world situations, from privacy features to app usability. He also stays up to date with the latest developments in VPN technology and iOS to help you make the right choice.
