The 4 Best VPN for iPad (2023 Update)

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How we test the best VPN for iPad

We tested free and paid VPN services for the following operating systems: Windows 10, 11, macOS, iOS, and Android. Each of the 30 tested VPNs went through these tests.

> Test 1: Logging policy

What is a logging policy?

Many people assume their privacy is guaranteed when using a VPN connection. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. The amount of privacy you get depends on the VPN provider’s policies. Remember that all data that gets routed through VPN servers can still be tracked unless deemed otherwise by the VPN provider.

Here are examples of what VPN providers can track:

• Online activities like the websites you visit and what you download
• Your real-time location through your public IP address

Our testing and research showed that about 30% of VPN service providers store user IP addresses and track 5% of their browsing habits.

The practice is more common among free VPN service providers like Hola VPN. This provider actively tracks user activities and sells their online habits and trends to advertisers and data brokers. It reinforces the saying: “if the product is free, you’re the product.”

VPN service providers must tell users what they do with the data in the logging policy. The confusing and vague language makes it difficult for users to understand the VPN provider’s true practices.

What do we test for?

The first step was to read every logging policy and privacy policy of the 30 VPN services we tested. We looked at what type of data each provider collected. For example, aggregated bandwidth usage or server load data doesn’t reveal information about the user.

But other collected information can be valuable to advertisers and data brokers:

• Browsing activity – We always look to see if VPN providers actively track what users do online. Even tracking and deleting the data at the end of the session isn’t good enough. Our opinion is that data shouldn’t be monitored at all or stored, even if it’s temporary.
• IP Address – VPN providers can track the originating IP address of all users routing connections through their servers. That data is enough to approximate the user’s location, address, and ISP. We believe this data shouldn’t be stored.

> Test 2: Ownership

What do we mean by ownership?

Many VPN services are owned by companies that are owned by other companies in a typical corporate holding structure. Based on the ownership structure, any number of companies can access user data.

But that’s not the biggest concern. Each country has its own data retention laws, and some are very intrusive. We need to know who owns specific VPN services and where the parent company is registered.

Interestingly, our investigation into ownership revealed that many subsidiaries offering VPN services belong to the same companies:

• Kape Technologies – This company based in the United Kingdom owns CyberGhost VPN, ExpressVPN, ZenMate, and Private Internet Access.
• Aura/Pango – This United States-based company owns TouchVPN, JustVPN, and Hotspot Shield. It also offers its VPN technology to other companies like Kaspersky, Bitdefender, PandaVPN, and others.
• CyberSpace – This company that owns Surfshark, Atlas VPN, and NordVPN, is registered in the Netherlands.
• Ziff Davis – This United States-based brand owns SaferVPN, StrongVPN, IPVanish, Buffered VPN, Perimeter 81, Encrypt.me, and many more.
• Gaditek – Our research shows that Pakistani company Gaditek is the owner of Unblock VPN, Ivacy VPN, and PureVPN.

What do we test for?

When looking at owners of VPN services, we want to know specific facts like jurisdiction, data retention laws in that jurisdiction, and any scandals throughout the company’s history.

For instance, here’s what we found in our testing of Kape Technologies and Ziff Davis-owned IPVanish:

• Kape Technologies operated under the name Crossrider prior to 2018. Crossrider created and operated a development platform used to create browser extensions. However, the platform was mostly associated with malware creators and various ad injectors. That’s a black spot on the company’s track record.
• IPVanish is linked to a data handover to Homeland Security back in 2016. Even worse, our research shows that the company’s privacy and logging policies stated it shouldn’t have had any data to give at the time. IPVanish has gone through two different owners since the Homeland Security incident.

> Test 3: Independent audit

What is an independent audit?

The world of VPN marketing is riddled with filler material and buzzwords. You hear things like “Military Grade Encryption” and “Zero-Log Policy” all the time. But providers can often claim benefits that aren’t true.

Independent audits investigate these claims. VPN providers can hire external auditors to review particular elements of their infrastructure or operation. For instance, auditors can analyze server infrastructure, privacy and logging policies, encryption protocols, etc.

Here are some industry examples:

• NordVPN was audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2020. The auditor reviewed the server configuration, infrastructure, and logs and interviewed employees.
• ExpressVPN was audited by PwC in 2019 to determine if its TrustedServer technology actually wiped data after a server reboot.
• Private Internet Access’s audit by Deloitte analyzed the relationship between the server environment and the VPN provider’s privacy policy.
• Cure52 audited Surfshark in 2021 to investigate potential flaws in the server infrastructure.

What do we test for?

Our analysis looks at past independent audits or lack thereof. We want to find out what the auditor analyzed, and any flaws uncovered during the process.

> Test 4: Available VPN protocols

What is a VPN protocol?

VPN protocols govern communication guidelines and rules between a VPN software and a VPN server. It tells both how to identify each other, sets authentication and login rules, dictates how data is sent, says how the encryption works, etc.

No two VPN protocols are the same. That’s why the choice of protocol significantly impacts the user experience, security, VPN connection times, download speeds, and more.

Here are the most common VPN protocols:

• OpenVPN – This is by far the most versatile VPN protocol and an open-source solution. It sets itself apart by balancing security, speed, and flexibility. Almost all VPN service providers have apps that support the OpenVPN protocol.
• WireGuard – It was designed to improve IPsec and OpenVPN open-source protocols. Considered a next-gen protocol, WireGuard has simplified code, enabling it to register higher download speeds.
• IKEv2 – Cisco and Microsoft created IKEv2 as a superior VPN protocol for security-minded users. Our testing showed that security comes at the expense of download speed.
• L2TP/IPsec – It’s one of the oldest and most simplistic protocols, with slow speeds.
• PPTP – Another early VPN protocol with significant vulnerabilities.

Although many VPN providers use open-source and well-established protocols, some design proprietary protocols. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Hotspot Shield are great examples of this. But only ExpressVPN has a proprietary VPN protocol that’s open source.

• ExpressVPN created the Lightway protocol
• NordVPN based its NordLynx protocol on WireGuard
• Hotspot Shield built its Catapult Hydra VPN protocol from scratch

Many users and VPN apps go with OpenVPN by default because of its reliability. Others may prefer IKEv2 or WireGuard. But VPN protocols can be situational, making it hard to rank one as the best overall.

What do we test for?

We take each VPN provider and their software and look at the supported VPN protocols. Then, we analyze whether the protocols are available on all devices or offered only on certain operating systems.

> Test 5: Supported encryption standard

What is an encryption standard?

An encryption standard details how VPN software encrypts digital data. The first Data Encryption Standard (DES) was released in 1977 as a symmetric key algorithm. That meant encrypting and deciphering data was done using the same encryption key.

The U.S. government replaced DES with AES, or Advanced Encryption Standard. AES is a variation of the Rijndael block cipher and uses 128-bit block sizes with key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits.

VPN protocols often use AES-128 and AES-256 encryption protocols in GCM and CBC versions. GCM is preferred because it allows writing in parallel, making it faster. Each block supports isolated encryption, thereby making GCM more secure.

What do we test for?

We look at the default encryption standard of every VPN software we test. We also look for alternative encryption standards. For instance, AES-128 isn’t bad if it’s run on GCM. Otherwise, we want to see AES-256 to feel more comfortable.

> Test 6: Basic security features

What are basic security features?

Every VPN app should offer several standard security features:

• OpenVPN and WireGuard – While OpenVPN remains the gold standard among open-source protocols, WireGuard is an excellent alternative and potential title contender.
• AES-256 encryption – There’s no current encryption standard used in VPNs that’s more secure. Even modern computing technology can’t hack it with brute-force tactics.
• Split tunneling – It allows programs to connect to the internet through the ISP, bypassing the VPN tunnel, and vice versa.
• Kill switch – It automatically kills the internet connection and prevents data leaks when the VPN tunnel’s encryption drops, even if for a fraction of a second.

What do we test for?

We test VPN providers to see which of these features they offer. Ideally, we want to see all of them. Then we test whether the split tunneling and kill switches function as advertised.

> Test 7: Advanced security features

What are advanced security features?

Advanced security features are extra functions VPN apps can perform to improve user privacy. Here are some of the advanced security features we look for:

• Dedicated IP address – It’s the ability to use a unique IP address given by the VPN provider. This helps users access restricted servers that deny access to unauthorized IP addresses. It can bypass blacklists and avoid captcha. It can even prevent going through multiple verification processes when accessing online banking apps with constantly rolling IP addresses.
• Malware, tracker, and ad blocker – It’s the ability to block ads, cookies, and access to unsafe URLs associated with malware and phishing attacks.
• Double VPN – The ability to bounce between two VPN servers. Routing internet traffic using VPN server chaining adds extra IP and privacy protection and doubles the encryption.
• Obfuscation features – An obfuscated server is a unique type of VPN server that alters digital data. It makes it seem as if it’s not routed through a VPN server. It’s one of the best ways to bypass VPN filters in UAE, China, and other highly censored regions.
• RAM servers – This is another niche VPN server that doesn’t use traditional hard drives. Using RAM instead, the VPN server can easily wipe data after every reboot. It’s an excellent security measure against confiscated or stolen servers. This data is not recoverable.
• GPS override – The feature enables users to use the VPN server’s GPS location as their own. Also called GPS spoofing, this function can prevent even Facebook trackers and Google Maps from pinpointing your real location.

What do we test for?

We test which of these features are offered by VPN service providers and if they work as intended.

> Test 8: IP leak

What is an IP leak?

Mobile and desktop devices come with public and private IP addresses. They use their private IP addresses when communicating on the same network. However, communicating over the internet requires using public IP addresses.

Public IP addresses are assigned by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). It can be an IPv6 address, though IPv4 addresses are still the main industry standard. Nevertheless, your public IP address is shared among all devices using your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

Here’s why IP addresses pose a threat to your online privacy:

• IP addresses show an approximate location down to the zip code or neighborhood
• IP addresses combined with browsing history data can help identify users and compile detailed surfing habits

VPN software can prevent this by encrypting the internet connection and swapping the public IP address with the VPN server’s IP address.

Here’s what this accomplishes:

• Your ISP won’t know what websites you visit or what you download, despite knowing that you use a VPN service. Therefore, it’s unable to monitor and log your surfing habits.
• Websites and apps you use can’t see your IP address. Instead, they see the VPN server’s IP address and can’t find out where you are or who you are.

But this is where IP leaks can be dangerous. Leaks mean that your original public IP address becomes visible instead of the VPN server’s address. Even if for a moment, it offers an opportunity to log relevant data about you.

What do we test for?

We run an IP address lookup while connecting through a VPN app. If our IP address shows up, we know that the VPN service is prone to IP leaks.

> Test 9: DNS leak

What is a DNS leak?

The DNS, or Domain Name System, is responsible for removing the real IP address of websites from their written domain names. For example, accessing SoftwareLab.org takes you to 165.227.148.211 due to the DNS.

Think of it in terms of a phonebook for the internet where DNS servers behave as phone operators. They can associate the domain name with its real IP address. Internet Service Providers often operate DNS servers.

Because of this, ISPs get a detailed overview of users’ browsing histories. It’s expected, given that you need to go through DNS servers to reach your desired websites. But quality VPN service providers should offer their own DNS servers.

DNS leaks happen when the queries go through an ISP’s DNS server instead of the VPN tunnel and the VPN DNS server. These leaks can occur due to human error and making improper configurations to the VPN app’s settings. Or it can happen when VPN providers don’t have dedicated DNS servers.

What do we test for?

Similar to an IP leak test, we run DNS server lookups on VPN services. If the VPN service can’t show its own DNS servers, the danger of a DNS leak is loud and clear.

> Test 10: WebRTC leak

What is a WebRTC leak?

Web Real-Time Communication, or WebRTC, allows web browsers to establish communication channels with various websites in real time. It’s what enables live video and audio streaming without extra software.

When the browser and website communicate and exchange data, they share your local and public IP address. This standard WebRTC functionality doesn’t make it easy to fix or prevent IP sharing.

Using a VPN service allows you to do what most modern web browsers struggle with. VPN apps can allow WebRTC connections to go through as long as they have proper authorization. Simultaneously, the VPN app sends the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours to maintain your privacy.

What do we test for?

We run a WebRTC lookup on every VPN service we test. If we notice our IP address displayed, we know the VPN app has WebRTC leaks.

> Test 11: Download speed via OpenVPN

What is OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is the leading open-source VPN protocol used by most VPN service providers. It’s an important distinction because it enables everyone to inspect, analyze, critique, and better the code. That’s the main reason the protocol has continued to improve since its release in 2001.

These days, OpenVPN is dubbed one of the most secure protocols. It’s also known for its reliable connection and dependable speeds on various operating systems.

OpenVPN protocols come in two versions:

• User Datagram Protocol (UDP) – Often used as the default option, UDP enables faster download speeds.
• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) – It enables users to have more control over data transmissions if they’re comfortable with sacrificing download speed.

Since WireGuard was introduced, some VPN apps seem to prefer it over OpenVPN. It’s arguable that WireGuard permits superior download speeds to OpenVPN or at least has the potential to do so consistently in the future.

What do we test for?

We put all of the best VPN services against each other in download speed tests using the most-used OpenVPN protocol. Our tests are conducted at a speed of 1 Gbps or 1,000 Mbps to get as much as we can from each VPN app.

> Test 12: Supported speed via WireGuard

What is WireGuard?

WireGuard is purported to be the successor to OpenVPN. It’s an open-source VPN protocol created to work faster, smoother, and easier than IPsec and OpenVPN. For instance, WireGuard uses only 4,000 lines of code compared to the nearly 500,000 lines of code found in OpenVPN and IPsec. It can provide significant advantages to debuggers and auditors.

Despite being designed for Linux-based systems, WireGuard is available on Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS, covering all important devices and platforms.

On average, WireGuard outpaces OpenVPN in download speeds by up to 60%. That’s according to data gathered from multiple VPN services and servers.

What do we test for?

We test all top VPN services on Windows systems using the WireGuard protocol. We use an internet connection of 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) to get the most out of our testing and avoid throttling the VPN protocol.

> Test 13: (Virtual) VPN servers and locations

What are (virtual) VPN servers?

VPN servers are unique servers that host dedicated VPN software. The software enables servers to establish encrypted VPN tunnels with their VPN clients. Sometimes, VPN servers use specialized hardware too. For example, Surfshark and NordVPN use RAM servers specifically for their VPN services.

Most VPN providers use physical VPN servers. Each server could be installed in a different state or country, as indicated in the app. That means that connecting to a VPN server routes your traffic through a physical server at the specified location. And you gain the IP address of the server while browsing.

Not all countries have the best infrastructure to host physical VPN servers. For instance, less developed or emerging countries tend to lack server parks. Andorra is a great example of this. The country doesn’t have physical VPN servers, but you can still find VPN servers in Andorra.

Such servers are called virtual VPN servers. They can give users a local IP address from a specific location even when the server is in a different location. In this example, Andorra servers could be hosted in France, Spain, or other regions.

This is important to know because many VPN providers list too many locations. Most providers with large networks spread their servers between 60 or so countries. Additional server locations are offered through virtual servers.

What do we test for?

We start by examining the number of servers a VPN service provider offers and their locations. After that, we test whether the servers are available on a city or country level to determine whether they’re physical or virtual.

> Test 14: Streaming compatibility

What is compatibility with a streaming service?

Not all streaming services let users access the same content from all over the world. Netflix has many shows that are only available to U.S. users but not abroad. The same applies to Disney+, PrimeVideo, and others. Then you have streaming services that aren’t available outside the U.S. or Canada, like Hulu.

VPN services offer the tools to bypass these geo-restrictions and filters. By logging in with a designated VPN IP address from the United States, users may access Hulu or restricted Netflix libraries from halfway across the world.

This is great, in theory. However, that’s not always the case. Some streaming services like Netflix check for VPN use. If the platform notices users connecting via VPN, they lock them out. Sometimes users may get temporary bans, but sometimes turning the VPN service off will solve the problem.

In the beginning, VPN service providers were winning the cat-and-mouse game. But these days, streaming services are better equipped to handle these situations. That means very few VPN providers can stay ahead of streaming platforms.

What do we test for?

Our tests involve streaming platforms Netflix, PrimeVideo, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer in the U.S. For Netflix, we test additional libraries in the U.K, Australia, Germany, etc.

> Test 15: Torrenting compatibility

What is compatibility with a torrent network?

Torrenting is a preferred type of peer-to-peer (P2P) downloading. It doesn’t rely on a centralized service. Instead, it enables users to download files from each other using popular torrent clients like BitTorrent or μTorrent or direct from streaming sites like Popcorn Time and Kodi.

While not illegal, many torrent files are copyrighted material like movies, video games, software, and music.

What do we test for?

We test VPN services to see if they allow P2P downloads and which servers work best for it.

> Test 16: Annual price and price per device

What is the annual price and price per device?

VPN service providers often offer monthly and yearly subscriptions. Some VPN providers allow installing their software on unlimited devices. In contrast, other VPN service providers impose a limit on how many devices you can use.

What do we test for?

We compare annual subscription prices for all top VPN providers. After that, we calculate the price per connection by dividing the one-year plan by the number of parallel connections allowed.

What VPNs for iPad have we tested?

We have tested 30 paid and free VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). Proton VPN is the best free VPN service. But if you have the money, we recommend getting a paid VPN service.

In the best case, the free version allows you to protect only one device and doesn’t offer you unlimited bandwidth / unlimited data. And in the worst case, the free VPN providers show you ads or secretly sell your browsing history to advertisers and your internet service provider.

And should you be strapped for cash, don’t opt for an expensive VPN like ExpressVPN. Instead, get a cheap VPN, like Surfshark, that allows you to install it on an unlimited number of devices and share the cost with a friend.

• Astrill VPN
• Atlas VPN
• Avast SecureLine VPN
• Betternet VPN
• Bitdefender VPN
• CactusVPN
• CyberGhost VPN
• ExpressVPN
• HideME VPN
• HMA VPN (HideMyAss VPN)
• Hola VPN
• Hotspot Shield VPN
• IPVanish VPN
• Ivacy VPN
• IVPN
• Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
• McAfee Safe Connect VPN
• Mozilla VPN
• MullVad VPN
• NordVPN
• Norton Secure VPN
• Private Internet Access VPN
• PrivateVPN
• Proton VPN
• PureVPN
• StrongVPN
• Surfshark VPN
• Tunnelbear VPN
• VyprVPN
• Windscribe VPN

The best are: CyberGhost, NordVPN, and Surfshark.

Frequently asked questions

Languages, comparisons and Sources

Other comparisons on SoftwareLab.org:

• Best Antivirus of 2023
• Antivirus for Windows 11
• Antivirus for macOS
• Antivirus for Android
• Antivirus for iOS
• Antivirus with a VPN
• Best VPN of 2023

VPN privacy policies and independent audits:

• CyberGhost – Privacy Policy
• CyberGhost – Transparency Report
• ExpressVPN – Privacy Policy
• ExpressVPN – PWC Audit
• ExpressVPN – Lightway Audit
• ExpressVPN – Browser Extension Audit
• IPVanish – Privacy Policy
• NordVPN – Privacy Policy
• NordVPN – Privacy Policy Audit
• Surfshark – Privacy Policy
• Surfshark – Infrastructure Audit

VPN testing tools:

• BrowserLeaks – Data Leak Test
• Fast – Speed Test
• Speed Test – Speed Test
• Exodus – Privacy Audit Android

Custom VPN protocols:

• ExpressVPN – Lightway protocol
• NordVPN – NordLynx Protocol

VPN mergers and acquisitions:

• NordVPN and Surfshark merger
• Kape technologies buys CyberGhost
• Kape Technologies buys ExpressVPN
• Kape technologies buys Private Internet Access