Best VPN for iPhone (& iPad)

As explained above, the best VPN for iOS (iPhone & iPad) in September 2020} is ExpressVPN. It is the most complete VPN service for all iOS devices, scoring remarkably well in our speed, privacy, streaming and ease-of-use tests.

ExpressVPN is one the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, especially connecting to far away locations, and it has never leaked our real IP location on any device, including our test iPhone and iPad.

ExpressVPN’s security is of the highest standard, with connections to its 3,000 VPN servers secured with AES-256 encryption and VPN protocols like OpenVPN. It can also unblock most streaming services, including over 19 Netflix libraries.

The only thing missing from ExpressVPN’s app for iPhone is a VPN kill switch. It’s a shame, but the fact we didn’t suffer any VPN connection drops in thousands of hours of testing reassures us that ExpressVPN is still the best VPN for iOS in 2020.

We’ve actually created a page dedicated to the very best free VPNs for iOS. But if you want to cut to the chase, the best free VPN for iPhone (and iPad) is Windscribe.

Typically, free iPhone VPNs come in one of two varieties: a stripped-back limited version of a paid product, or an unrestricted but inferior product from a potentially untrustworthy VPN provider.

Generally speaking, Windscribe is neither. It doesn’t have that many limitations compared to other free VPNs. In fact, its 10GB monthly data cap is one of the most generous we’ve seen.

Also, you can connect to 20 different VPN locations across 10 different countries.

Windscribe’s custom iOS app is very easy to use, and absolutely free: you won’t need to enter any payment details whatsoever. If you’re reading on your iPhone or iPad, tap the link to download Windscribe.

Not only is it perfectly safe to use a VPN on an iPhone, we go as far as to say it’s unsafe not to use one.

Using a VPN on a mobile device is incredibly important, especially if you have the Wi-Fi toggle always turned on. This means your iPhone is always looking to connect to new WiFi hotspots. Some of these hotspots could be rogue, and dangerous.

If you regularly use free WiFi at train stations, cafes, fast food restaurants or hotels, your phone may have been left exposed to hackers.

A VPN is a fast, inexpensive, and extremely effective way to protect your iPhone and iPad from potential hackers, snoopers and cyber criminals.

The only danger of using a VPN on iPhone? Using a bad one.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of free VPNs that can’t be trusted. These unsafe VPNs may access your iPhone’s files, sell your personal data, or even infect your device with malware.

Sinc 2016, we’ve spent over 30,000 hours testing and reviewing VPNs, so you can rest assured that the VPN apps we recommend are all safe.

There are two ways to set up a VPN on your iPhone/iPad: downloading and installing the VPN app directly onto your device, or installing it on your home router (for home use).

We’ll cover how to install a VPN directly on your device, which is what most people do as it makes switching VPN servers a great deal easier.

Once you’ve downloaded the VPN from the App Store, follow the on-screen prompts to install it on your device.

Then, choose which protocol you’re going to connect with. We always recommend OpenVPN since it strikes the best balance between speed and security, but IKEv2 is a good alternative.

For the best possible VPN speeds, connect to a VPN server close to your physical location (unless you want to get an IP address from another country). The best VPN services have an ‘automatic’ setting that does this for you.

Once you’re connected to a VPN server, the VPN software will run in the background, and you can use your iPhone or iPad as you normally would.

Another useful tip is to ensure your VPN kill switch is always turned on. This security feature cuts off all internet traffic in the unlikely event of a VPN connection drop. This way you’re protected all the time and your true IP address won’t accidentally leak.

If you want a more in-depth run-through on the above setup process, read our user-friendly guide on how to install a VPN on iPhone, complete with step-by-step instructions and helpful screenshots.

Using an unsecured WiFi network is very risky, and it’s mind-boggling as to why so many public places, as well as hotels and restaurants, don’t secure their WiFi hotspots.

Here are three dangers of using an unsafe WiFi hotspot:

1Rogue WiFi networks

Cyber criminals creat fake (rogue) free WiFi networks, luring internet users to connect to them. Once you connect to a rogue hotspot, all the data you transmit over that WiFi network could be harvested by cyber criminals.

2Man-in-the-middle-attach (MITM)

An MITM attack is when a hacker intercepts the data being transferred between two (or more) devices.

A hacker can either actively ‘eavesdrop’ (snoop) on supposedly private communications, or actually alter communications.

3Malware attacks

MITM attacks can also involve viruses and malware being injected into your device.

Our advice is to always use a safe VPN on public WiFi. A mobile VPN encrypts all your web traffic, and some VPNs even have built-in malware protection.

For more information, read our full guide on how to stay safe on public WiFi.

This is a fair question – your smartphone’s battery is precious, and some apps can be battery-intensive.

A VPN will use up your iPhone’s battery, but only slightly.

First of all, there will only be a difference when the VPN is actually being used to encrypt and transfer data (like when you watch YouTube, for example).

Secondly, the difference will be so minor that you it’s extremely likely you won’t even notice it at all, which is a good thing.

The benefits of using a VPN to keep your iPhone secure far outweigh the potential extra battery usage.

It’s absolutely fine to leave your VPN on all the time on your iPhone or your iPad.

As we’ve explained above, a VPN will have very little effect on battery life and can only make you more secure online.

Of course, there will be some instances where you’ll need to turn it off: for example, if your free VPN is running low on data. Unless one of those situations arises, then there’s no reason to turn the VPN off.

No, your iOS VPN will not use more mobile data.

We get it – you’ve not got much data left on your plan for the month and it costs a fortune to buy more, but there’s no need to worry.

Your VPN will encrypt all the data sent and received from your handset, but it won’t add to it. Your mobile data consumption will be exactly the same as if you weren’t using one.

Apple has never put out a statement or a press release stating its view on iPhone owners using VPNs.

However, we can make some assumptions about Apple’s stance by looking at the iPhone itself. In fact, the most recent iOS versions are all very accommodating towards VPNs.

If you open the Settings app and then go to General>VPN, you’ll see the option to manually configure a VPN. This is a feature Apple included deliberately.

If you’ve already installed a VPN, you’ll see a toggle switch that allows you to easily turn the VPN on and off. You can even have more than one VPN installed, and use that Settings menu to manage both VPNs.

When your iPhone VPN is connected you’ll see a small ‘VPN’ icon at the top of the screen when you swipe to open Control Centre.

Mobile VPNs are our favorite security tool for iPhones and iPad, given their multiple uses and versatility. However, there are other security apps that you should also have on your device.

Here’s a list of useful apps that you may want to start using for extra security, and peace of mind.

1Avira / Norton Mobile Security

Avira Mobile Security and Norton Mobile Security are two of the most known security apps that protect you from several online dangers. Useful features include:

• WiFi security
• Virus protection
• Phishing protection
• Identity protection

2Lookout

Lookout is an app focused on identity theft protection and software protection. Lookout monitors your personal and financial information and alerts you when it’s exposed.

Other features include:

• Out-of-date software alerts
• Safe web browsing
• WiFi protection
• Breach monitoring

3Last Pass

LastPass is one of the best password managers available. If you don’t use a password manager, you should. It’s one easiest ways to make sure that you use strong passwords, and avoid having them stolen by keylogger software.

Other good password managers are 1Password and Dashlane.

4Robo Shield

Robo Shield is a spam call blocker. The app identifies spam calls and allows you block them.

It’s database is updated regularly, and over time you will receive less annoying phone calls.

As mentioned above, these security apps should be used in conjunction with a mobile VPN.