Apple prides itself on keeping iPads safe and secure - and sure, you're generally much less vulnerable to online threats than you would be if you were using an Android tablet. However, iPads aren't totally invulnerable to cyberattacks, hackers, and malware.
That's where a VPN comes in handy. Virtual private networks route your data through a secure tunnel, encrypting it, and making it unreadable to anyone who tries to snoop on your browsing activity. In addition to this boosted digital privacy, you'll also be able to check out streaming content from overseas, since VPNs give you a shiny new IP address in the same location as the server you choose.
There are a lot of services on the market, however, and figuring out the best VPN for you can be a bit of a pain. I've got years of experience putting providers to the test, though, and have compared the iOS apps, security tools, speed, and price of today's top dogs to curate this shortlist of the best iPad VPNs in 2024.
The three best VPNs in 2024
Need a quick answer? Check out my top 3 iPad VPN picks below:
1. <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Frecommended-deal%3Foffer%3D3monthsfree" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN: the best iPad VPN in 2024
ExpressVPN's apps are a joy to use—especially on iPad. The fresh design is easy to navigate and all of the VPN's security tools are exactly where you'd expect them to be. Plus, ExpressVPN excels when it comes to unblocking content from around the world.
ExpressVPN is undeniably expensive, but it sweetens the deal with 3 free months of coverage and 1-year of cloud storage when you grab a 12-month plan. See for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. <a href="http://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=564&url_id=10992&aff_id=3013&aff_click_id=hawk-custom-tracking&aff_sub2=hawk-article-url" data-link-merchant="go.nordvpn.net"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NordVPN: the best balance of speed, security, and style
NordVPN is a titan of the VPN industry—and it's not hard to see why. Its iOS apps are well-designed and stacked with features that'll keep nosy third parties at bay. It's also the quickest VPN I've tested in a long time, which is great news if you're looking for a streaming companion.
Check out NordVPN's all-in-one security suite without risking a penny thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. <a href="http://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer_id=61&aff_id=1691&aff_click_id=hawk-custom-tracking&aff_sub2=hawk-article-url" data-link-merchant="get.surfshark.net"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Surfshark: the best budget-friendly VPN
Surfshark combines reliable tools, impressive speeds, and awesome unblocking power into prices that won't break the bank. I like how user-friendly the Surfshark apps are, too, even if you're totally new to VPNs, and the clutter-free design.
One Surfshark subscription will bag you unlimited simultaneous connections to share amongst family and friends—so, try it for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The best iPad VPNs available now
Why you can trust Creative Bloq
To help you find your perfect match, I've compared the tools and performance of my top iPad VPNs, and discussed my most recent test results. I'll also dig in to everything I liked about each service—as well as some reasons you might be better off shopping around.
The best VPN overall
1. ExpressVPN
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
One of the most popular VPN services around, ExpressVPN works really well on iPad, and is therefore our top pick for most users. It has more than 160 server locations across 94 countries, and iOS users also get access to its new VPN protocol, Lightway, which reliably delivers one of the fastest VPN connections around. It’ll reconnect near-instantly if the connection is interrupted for any reason.
ExpressVPN is comparatively expensive – the cheapest option works out to $8.32 per month if you sign up to a 12-month commitment. While there are cheaper alternatives, the excellent performance of ExpressVPN makes it worth the price tag in our book – plus, there’s very responsive customer support if you run into any issues.
Our ExpressVPN review goes into more detail.
The best iPad VPN with antivirus
2. NordVPN
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The team behind NordVPN walk the walk when it comes to user privacy, as well as talking the talk. The service has been independently audited multiple times for its commitment to not logging any user information or data, and it also has conducted regular penetration-testing audits, concluding that there were no severe vulnerabilities detected. If you need to keep your browsing secure and safe, this is a great choice.
With more than 5,100 servers across more than 60 countries, NordVPN offers comprehensive coverage. The only real point against it is the pricing – getting the best deal requires a multi-year commitment, and if you read the fine print you’ll notice that the price can shoot up once your initial commitment is over. There’s also no free trial, which is a shame.
Read our NordVPN review for more.
The best cheap iPad VPN service
3. Surfshark
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you're working with a limited budget, or just want to bag a bargain, then you'll want to check out Surfshark. The service manages to offer a ton of features without compromising on quality, and even has its own ad-blocking and MultiHop tools. Surfshark's iOS apps look great—they're intuitive, easy to use, and joining a server is as easy as tapping the location of your choice. Oh, and on that note, Surfshark has a massive network of more than 3,200 servers in over 100 countries. That makes it an awesome pick for HD streaming.
You can take Surfshark for a test run without risking a penny thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. If anything goes wrong, or if you need help choosing a server, friendly agents are available 24/7 via live chat and will be happy to help you troubleshoot.
Visit our Surfshark review for more information.
The best of the rest
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Hide.me is a massively versatile service that you can try for free—and one that doesn't pile on the usual limitations that free VPNs impose. You'll get 10 GB of data and P2P support if you go with the free version, but you'll need to upgrade to make use of Hide.me's unblocking power. During my most recent tests, I was able to unblock sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer without any hiccups, and all in crystal-clear HD.
Advanced users will enjoy Hide.me's extensive customization options—there are plenty of settings to sift through in order to truly tailor the VPN to your liking. However, Hide.me's iOS app is equally as accessible for new users who want a plug-and-play solution that'll keep them secure as they go about their day-to-day browsing.
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Private Internet Access (PIA) has carved out a niche for itself in the VPN world as a super-secure service that really, seriously, puts user privacy first. Its proven its no-logs claim in court on multiple occasions and boasts tough encryption, P2P support, and a kill switch that'll keep your data safe from prying eyes even if the VPN connection happens to drop. The iOS app has some handy features that make life a bit easier, too, like a Favorites system and server latency information, and optional support for Siri shortcuts.
You'll also get unlimited simultaneous connections when you sign up to PIA. You can share the love with friends and family, or secure a small army of gadgets in your own house. PIA, similar to Surfshark, is a budget-friendly provider that won't break the bank—but comes stuffed with features you can customize down to the last detail.