We tested on real iPhones — no marketing claims. Here are the VPNs that actually work with iOS 17/iPadOS and stay connected.
Ranked by stability, reconnection speed, and App Store quality
Excellent iOS app — IKEv2 stability, reliable on-demand rules
Good value iOS VPN — WireGuard support, unlimited devices
Streaming focused — dedicated iOS servers, good App Store rating
Understanding Apple's unique VPN requirements
iOS manages VPN connections differently than other platforms. Apps must handle background networking properly to maintain stable connections when you switch between Wi-Fi and cellular, or when the device sleeps. We test this extensively.
On-demand connection rules let your VPN automatically connect when needed — like on untrusted Wi-Fi networks. This iOS-specific feature is crucial for seamless protection, but not all VPN apps implement it correctly. We verify which ones actually work.
iOS devices are frequently used on public Wi-Fi — coffee shops, airports, hotels. A good iOS VPN must connect reliably on these networks, handle captive portals correctly, and maintain protection without breaking your connection. We test on real public networks.
Everything we tested on real iPhones and iPads
| Provider | iOS Protocols | On-demand Rules | Streaming | App Store Rating | Price | iOS Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
E
ExpressVPN
iOS Optimized
|
WireGuard, IKEv2✓ Both protocols stable
|
Full SupportAuto-connects on untrusted Wi-Fi
|
✓ Netflix US/UK✓ BBC iPlayer✓ Hulu
|
4.7
|
$1.99/mo |
9.6/10
|
|
N
NordVPN
iOS Native
|
IKEv2, OpenVPN✓ Excellent IKEv2 implementation
|
Full SupportReliable auto-connection
|
✓ Netflix US/UK✓ BBC iPlayer✗ Hulu limited
|
4.5
|
$3.99/mo |
9.2/10
|
|
S
Surfshark
iOS Compatible
|
WireGuard, IKEv2⚠ WireGuard sometimes unstable
|
LimitedBasic on-demand rules
|
✓ Netflix US✓ BBC iPlayer✓ Hulu
|
4.3
|
$2.49/mo |
8.4/10
|
|
C
ProtonVPN
iOS Streaming
|
IKEv2, OpenVPN✓ Stable IKEv2 connection
|
Good SupportWorks well on public Wi-Fi
|
✓ Netflix (dedicated)✓ BBC iPlayer✓ Streaming servers
|
4.6
|
$2.75/mo |
8.8/10
|
|
P
Private Internet Access
iOS Open Source
|
WireGuard, IKEv2✓ Open source iOS app
|
Full SupportCustomizable rules
|
✗ Netflix blocked✗ BBC limited✗ Streaming poor
|
4.2
|
$2.03/mo |
7.9/10
|
Our specialized iOS testing methodology
We test on actual iPhones and iPads running iOS 17/iPadOS. Multiple device models, different iOS versions, real-world conditions.
We test reconnection speed, background stability, and network switching (Wi-Fi to cellular). Apps must maintain protection seamlessly.
We verify on-demand connection rules work correctly on untrusted networks, with proper SSL certificate validation and automatic connection.
We analyze App Store ratings, user reviews, update frequency, and developer responsiveness to iOS bugs and security issues.
Everything you need to know about VPNs on iPhone and iPad
iCloud Private Relay only works in Safari and only hides your IP from websites. A VPN protects all your internet traffic from all apps, allows you to choose your location, and works on any network. Private Relay is limited, often doesn't work on public Wi-Fi, and can't unblock streaming services. For real privacy and flexibility, you need a proper VPN.
Yes, all the VPNs we recommend work on both iOS and Android. Your subscription covers multiple devices — ExpressVPN allows 5 devices, NordVPN allows 6, and Surfshark allows unlimited devices. You can use the same account on your iPhone, Android phone, Windows PC, and more simultaneously.
Modern VPNs with proper iOS integration have minimal battery impact. WireGuard protocol is especially efficient. The VPNs we tested showed 3-7% additional battery drain during active use. On-demand rules actually help by only connecting when needed. Poorly designed VPN apps can drain battery significantly — another reason we only recommend properly tested options.
Yes, properly configured iOS VPNs don't interfere with Siri, iMessage, FaceTime, or other Apple services. These services use direct connections that bypass the VPN tunnel when needed. However, location-based features may show your VPN server location instead of your real location.
This is exactly what VPNs are designed for. On public Wi-Fi, VPNs encrypt your connection and protect against threats like man-in-the-middle attacks. The on-demand feature in iOS VPNs can automatically connect whenever you join an untrusted network. This is essential protection when using airport, hotel, or coffee shop Wi-Fi.
Avoid them. Free iOS VPNs typically log your data, inject ads, have severe speed limits, or contain malware. Many free VPN apps on the App Store are actually data collection tools. The few legitimate free options (like Proton VPN's free tier) have such strict limitations they're not practical for real use. For reliable iOS protection, paid VPNs are essential.