Advanced security features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Utilizes next-generation encryption to ensure data security. Private DNS to reduce the risk of third-party spying. Non-VPN privacy tools like Dark Web Monitoring and Threat Protection
Kill switch, split tunneling, and MediaStreamer DNS for enhanced user security and streaming experiences. Effective unblocking of various streaming services. User-friendly app design across various platforms. Lightway protocol for swift connectivity speeds and reduced power consumption.
Extensive app customization for both beginners and power users. User-friendly settings, detailed advanced settings, and split tunneling. Strong commitment to user privacy with a proven no-log audit.
Are you trying to find a reliable VPN for your iPhone? With privacy threats on the rise, choosing the right VPN for iPhone is essential for safeguarding your online activity. This guide offers a concise comparison of the top VPNs available in 2024, focusing on security, speed, and simplicity, enabling you to make a decision that fits your needs without unnecessary complexity.
Key Takeaways
- ProtonVPN, Surfshark VPN, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are top VPN picks for iPhone in 2024, each offering unique features like advanced security, fast connection speeds, user-friendliness, and special functionalities for various user needs.
- When choosing a VPN for an iPhone, critical factors to evaluate include security features (like no-logs policy and encryption protocols), connection speed impacts, user interface simplicity, and the cost relative to the value and features provided.
- Setting up a VPN on an iPhone involves downloading an app or manually configuring settings, and personalizing the experience to suit individual preferences for protocols, features, and usage — all to ensure enhanced security while using mobile data.
VPN Service | Best For | Price | Key Features | Pros | Cons | Overall Rating | LEARN MORE |
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NordVPN | Security | $3.71/month (2-year plan) | Double VPN, Onion over VPN, Advanced Encryption | Military-grade encryption, robust security | Concerns about transparency, intermittent Kill Switch | 4/5 | |
ExpressVPN | Overall Performance | $8.32/month (1-year plan) | Kill switch, split tunneling, MediaStreamer DNS | Wide privacy features, strong customer support | Higher price | 4/5 | |
Surfshark | Budget Shoppers | $2.49/month (24-month subscription) | Multi-hop connections, Kill Switch | Budget-friendly, strong encryption | Inconsistent P2P speeds | 4/5 |
Top VPNs for iPhones in 2024
Securing your iPhone with a VPN is merely the initial step. Choosing the best iPhone VPN to fulfill your unique requirements is the subsequent step. Fortunately, 2024 has brought a wealth of reliable and user-friendly VPN services for iPhone users. Among these, the top best iPhone vpns are:
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ProtonVPN
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Surfshark VPN
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NordVPN
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ExpressVPN
These VPN services stand out due to their exceptional performance and commitment to user privacy.
Due to its advanced security features, ProtonVPN has emerged as a top pick among iPhone users., such as Secure Core, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and Adblocker (NetShield). It also boasts a strict no-logs policy and Tor over VPN, making it a reliable choice for securing your iPhone through a VPN server.
Conversely, Surfshark VPN and NordVPN are renowned for their quick loading times and outstanding performance. These features make them perfect for iPhone users who demand speed and efficiency from their VPN service.
Lastly, ExpressVPN puts a premium on user-friendliness for iPhone users, offering a stable and attractive iPhone VPN app. Designed for easy use, ExpressVPN’s iOS app places privacy at the forefront, making it an excellent choice for iPhone users seeking a balance of convenience and security.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a perfect choice for iPhone users looking for a cost-effective VPN solution that doesn’t compromise on security features. Despite being budget-friendly, ProtonVPN offers a robust free VPN version that provides exceptional security features. This includes robust VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, which exclude insecure protocols like PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. The Proton VPN iOS app also includes NetShield Ad-blocker to prevent ads, malicious scripts, and tracking.
The free VPN service of ProtonVPN for iPhone maintains the same level of security and privacy as its premium version, despite having certain limitations such as slower speeds, fewer server locations, and a daily data limit of 500MB. However, ProtonVPN has been evaluated as providing faster connection speeds on iPhones compared to other iOS VPN apps, making it a dependable option for mobile internet usage.
In terms of user-friendliness, ProtonVPN’s iPhone app is recognized for its intuitive interface, making it one of the best VPN choices for easy navigation and enabling quick connections to servers with minimal effort.
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN is another excellent choice for iPhone users, offering unique features that enhance the browsing experience. The VPN service offers distinctive features including:
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A built-in pop-up and ad blocker
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An IP address randomizer
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A MultiHop option that routes traffic through two VPN servers
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The flexibility of unlimited simultaneous connections.
In terms of security, Surfshark VPN uses advanced VPN protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. These protocols provide robust protection and are paired with secure encryption standards like AES-256-GCM with OpenVPN and IKEv2, and ChaCha20 with WireGuard, safeguarding user data from unauthorized access.
While Surfshark VPN does cause a decrease in connection speed of approximately 20-30%, it addresses this by prioritizing bandwidth for high-demand servers, resulting in better maintained speeds. This makes it a reliable option for iPhone users who rely heavily on mobile data.
NordVPN
NordVPN comes packed with the following features to ensure robust security and privacy for iPhone users:
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Next-generation encryption
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Strict no logs policy
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Threat protection
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Meshnet
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Dark web monitor
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Double VPN
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Automatic kill switch
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DNS leak protection
NordVPN also ensures fast connection speeds for iPhone users by optimizing their servers and network infrastructure. Users can further improve speeds by switching between internet protocols like TCP and UDP.
In terms of usability, NordVPN offers a map-style interface for its iPhone app. However, the usability of this interface on smaller screens may vary among users, as some may find it less suitable compared to alternative interfaces.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is known for its visually appealing and reliable VPN with a large network of servers. It offers strong security measures, including robust encryption and a no-logs policy. Additionally, it includes unique features such as support for streaming, online shopping, and anonymous browsing.
In terms of user-friendliness, the ExpressVPN app is recognized for its straightforward and intuitive interface on iPhones, allowing users to easily navigate and control their VPN connection.
While ExpressVPN is priced higher than many of its competitors, its features and performance validate the investment for those seeking a dependable and user-centric VPN solution.
Evaluating iPhone VPN Services
Before settling on a VPN for your iPhone, you should critically assess a variety of factors. These include:
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The VPN’s security features
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Connection speed
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User interface
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Cost
By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that you select a VPN that not only meets your needs but also provides the best value for your investment.
In assessing the security features of a VPN, its privacy protection should be a focal point., including a no-logs policy and encryption protocols such as Cisco IPsec, IKEv2, and L2TP.
It’s possible for a VPN to reduce internet speed on iPhones by up to 50%. This could pose challenges for activities such as gaming and streaming, but there are strategies that can be employed to enhance speed while using a VPN.
In terms of cost, expect to pay between $5 to $13 per month for a high-quality iPhone VPN service. It’s important to consider the pricing of the service in relation to the features provided and compare prices with other VPN services to determine the best value for money.
Security Features
Robust security is a critical consideration when selecting a VPN for your iPhone, and top VPN providers like ProtonVPN and NordVPN offer strong encryption methods such as 256-bit AES encryption and ChaCha20 encryption across different protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.
A no-logs policy is another important feature to look for in a VPN, as it ensures that the VPN provider does not retain any history of your online activities. This enhances your privacy and prevents the accumulation of confidential information.
Some iPhone VPNs, like IPVanish, also offer a kill switch feature, which automatically severs your device’s internet connection if the VPN connection is lost. This protects your data from potential exposure.
Connection Speed
While a VPN provides enhanced security and privacy, it can also affect your internet speed. VPNs like ProtonVPN and Surfshark VPN are known for their fast connection speeds. ProtonVPN, for instance, can provide speeds of up to 300 Mbps, depending on network conditions.
However, Surfshark VPN users may notice a decrease in connection speed of approximately 20-30%. Despite this, Surfshark VPN prioritizes bandwidth for high-demand servers, resulting in better maintained speeds.
NordVPN, on the other hand, is acknowledged as the fastest VPN with speeds reaching up to 527.1 Mbps in specific tests. Therefore, while a VPN can potentially decrease your internet speed, choosing a VPN known for its speed can mitigate this impact.
User Interface & Compatibility
The user interface of a VPN is another important factor to consider. VPN interfaces on iOS devices are meticulously designed to be user-friendly and straightforward, providing an intuitive experience for users.
For instance, the ProtonVPN app for iPhones offers an intuitive interface, making it a popular choice for easy navigation and enabling quick connections to servers with minimal effort.
Similarly, Surfshark VPN provides an intuitive interface for iPhone users, facilitating straightforward login, connection, and management of Surfshark locations.
Cost & Value
While the cost of a VPN service is an important consideration, it’s equally important to assess the value that the service provides. The monthly subscription fee for ProtonVPN for iPhone users is 9.99 €, while the annual subscription fee for NordVPN for iPhones is $153.36.
Some VPN services, like Surfshark VPN, even offer a complimentary trial to iPhone users. This allows users to test the service before committing to a subscription.
Finally, it’s important to consider the refund policy of the VPN service. For instance, ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscription plans, giving users peace of mind.
Setting Up & Personalizing Your iPhone VPN
After selecting a VPN, the subsequent step involves setting it up on your iPhone. This involves:
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Installing the VPN app
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Configuring the VPN app to suit your needs
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Some VPNs also allow manual configuration, providing greater control over your VPN settings.
To set up ProtonVPN, one should download the app, sign in using their credentials, and take advantage of the Quick Connect feature. For NordVPN, users need to download the app and then follow the provided instructions to log in and connect to the servers.
You can also manually configure a VPN on your iPhone. To do this, follow these steps:
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Go to the Settings app
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Navigate to ‘General’
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Select ‘VPN’
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Choose ‘Add VPN Configuration’
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Input your VPN’s information to finalize the setup.
Once your VPN is set up, you can personalize your experience by adjusting the settings according to your needs. Here are some options you can consider:
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Change VPN protocols
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Create custom profiles
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Adjust connection settings
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Select preferences for language and location
Installing & Configuring the VPN App
To install a VPN app on your iPhone, you should first select a trusted service. Once you’ve done this, it’s typically a matter of downloading the app from the App Store and following the specific instructions provided by the app.
For ProtonVPN, users should download the app, log in with their credentials, and utilize the Quick Connect feature. This allows users to connect to the best server for their location and network conditions.
For Surfshark VPN, users can navigate to the Settings, select VPN Settings, and add a new VPN configuration. This allows users to input the necessary details for their selected VPN protocol.
Manual VPN Configuration
If you prefer to manually set up your VPN, you can do so through the Settings app on your iPhone. This gives you greater control over your VPN settings, allowing you to:
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Customize your experience according to your needs
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Choose specific servers or locations
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Adjust encryption protocols
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Enable or disable features like split tunneling or kill switch
To manually set up Surfshark VPN on an iPhone, follow these steps:
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Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
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Navigate to the VPN Settings.
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Add a VPN Configuration.
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Select the type of VPN protocol being used (e.g., IKEv2, OpenVPN).
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Enter the necessary VPN details, such as the server address, username, and password.
While manual configuration requires a bit more effort, it gives you the ability to tailor your VPN experience according to your specific needs. This includes selecting your preferred VPN protocol, setting up custom profiles, and adjusting other settings for optimal performance and security.
Customization Tips
Customizing your VPN settings can enhance your browsing experience and ensure that your VPN meets your specific needs. Here are some ways you can customize your VPN settings:
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Change VPN protocols
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Create custom profiles
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Adjust connection settings
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Select preferences for language and location
In ProtonVPN, users have the capability to modify VPN protocols, establish personalized profiles, and tailor the toolbar within the application. Within Surfshark VPN, users can access the Settings tab, navigate to VPN Settings, and personalize auto-connect and kill switch options.
By customizing your VPN settings, you can ensure that your VPN experience is tailored to your needs. Whether you’re looking to enhance your security, improve your connection speed, or simply make your VPN easier to use, customization can help you get the most out of your VPN service.
Using a VPN with Mobile Data
Employing a VPN in conjunction with mobile data on your iPhone yields numerous advantages. For one, it enhances your internet security and privacy by encrypting your data and masking your real IP address. This makes it difficult for hackers or third parties to intercept and access your information.
In addition, a VPN can help you:
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Bypass online restrictions and censorship
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Access content that might be blocked in your region
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Access content from your home country, even when you’re traveling frequently
However, it’s worth noting that using a VPN can increase your mobile data usage, due to the encryption and tunneling processes used to secure your data. As such, it’s important to monitor your data usage when using a VPN with mobile data.
Enhancing iPhone Cybersecurity Beyond VPNs
Although a VPN is a crucial instrument for bolstering your iPhone’s cybersecurity, there are other measures you can adopt. There are several other security tools and features you can use to further protect your iPhone.
For instance, you can install an antivirus application on your iPhone to enhance browsing safety and protect against phishing and malicious websites. You can also enable Apple’s built-in security features, such as a strong passcode, Face ID or Touch ID for authentication, and network security features like VPN and WPA2/WPA3.
By combining a VPN with other security measures, you can ensure that your iPhone is as secure as possible, protecting your data and privacy from potential threats.
Summary
In conclusion, securing your iPhone with a reliable VPN is a crucial step in protecting your online privacy and security in 2024. Whether you choose ProtonVPN, Surfshark VPN, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN, it’s important to evaluate each service based on their security features, connection speed, user interface, and cost. Remember, the best VPN is the one that meets your specific needs and provides the best value for your investment.