Best VPN for iPhone in 2024

These days, people use their iPhones for everything from banking to booking flights. A VPN is one way to keep your sensitive data secure during these transactions. NordVPN enhances your security even more with additional safeguards against cybercriminals.

For example, the malware protection feature prevents your phone from downloading malware, malicious software designed to steal your data or harm your device. Meanwhile, the dark web monitor lets you know if your accounts have been hacked. NordVPN’s meshnet feature is another security asset, allowing you to create a private encrypted network for work collaboration and file sharing.

Beyond these perks, NordVPN covers all the basics we look for in terms of security in a VPN, like split tunneling, which lets you route some data through an encrypted VPN while allowing others direct access to the internet. It’s a convenient way to personalize your digital protection.

NordVPN is a strong choice for anyone who is looking to take their cybersecurity seriously. In addition to essential VPN features, like split tunneling and DNS protection, the higher-tier plans also have perks like malware protection and dark web monitoring. The only drawback we found was some confusion around the customer service offering.

Value

With prices starting at $12.99 and a broad selection of security features, NordVPN offers an excellent value for money to any iPhone user who wants to proactively protect their data. This provider also gives you a dedicated IP address, which can be useful for accessing work resources remotely and can help you avoid online nuisances, like CAPTCHA requests.

VPNs offer either a dedicated IP or a shared IP, which is used by multiple people at the same time. While shared IP addresses are more cost effective, they aren’t considered as secure as dedicated IP addresses. While NordVPN includes a dedicated IP, not all of the providers we surveyed do — so this is a noteworthy value add.

Functionality

Our research team found that NordVPN checked all the boxes in terms of what we were looking for in a VPN. For example, the provider offers protection against domain name system (DNS) hijacking by giving you a private DNS. A DNS is an internet protocol that takes human-readable internet addresses (domain names) and translates them into a machine-readable format (numerical IP addresses).

A private DNS is created by you, instead of by your internet service provider (ISP). If you use your ISP’s DNS, the ISP can see what you’re doing online. ISPs are often legally required to keep these records, which are often unencrypted, sometimes for years. A private DNS is one essential criterion NordVPN meets.

Support

NordVPN has a comprehensive online support center. If you’re just getting started, the setup tutorials can be helpful. The provider also has email support, with an email address readily available online, as well as chat support. That said, we couldn’t find chat support to test it out. It may be that you need to log into a NordVPN account for this feature.

While NordVPN doesn’t appear to offer telephone support, it’s extremely rare among the providers we surveyed (only one offers phone support with limited hours). So, given the industry standard, we aren’t sure we can count the lack of phone support against NordVPN.

Learn more: Read our full NordVPN review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

If you’re looking for a VPN to cover multiple iPhones, say for your entire small business or family, Surfshark has you covered. While some of the VPN services we found limit the number of connections/devices you can have, Surfshark does not. Having just one account to manage multiple devices cuts down on admin and costs.

Setting up a VPN for multiple devices is straightforward. Once your account is set up, you simply need to download the Surfshark app to it and log in with your account credentials. Do that for all your iPhones (and other devices, like computers and tablets) and you’re good to go.

With all your iPhones protected, you can enjoy Surfshark’s excellent range of features, which covers all the VPN essentials we’d expect, from DNS protection to anonymous browsing. Like most reputable providers, Surfshark has a “no logs” policy, meaning it doesn’t track, store or monitor your activity.

Surfshark offers unlimited connections for all your devices, not just iPhones. The fantastic variety of features, coupled with the clear pricing, provides a solid value for money. We were also pleasantly surprised by the customer service, which lived up to its promise of being available 24/7.

Value

Surfshark’s pricing is clear and transparent, with three tiers of protection available. The cheapest monthly plan starts at $15.45 per month. However, as with the majority of the providers we surveyed, you can save significantly on monthly costs when you sign up for a longer contract. With a 24-month plan, for example, the price for the basic starter plan drops to less than $3.00 per month.

Overall, we think Surfshark offers an okay value for money given the breadth and depth of features, plus the fact that you get unlimited connections. However, Surfshark has the highest pricing of all the providers we surveyed. We do think you can get the same service and features elsewhere for less.

Functionality

Surfshark includes the must-have features our research team looks for in any VPN, like strong encryption, DNS protection and a kill switch. A kill switch is designed to safeguard your data if your VPN connection drops. In case of an interruption, it cuts off your internet connectivity so you aren’t ever browsing unprotected.

Surfshark also has a few unique features that can enhance online security, like its alternative ID function. This creates an entirely separate online identity, complete with email, for you to use. This safeguards your real-world identity when you’re surfing online and can even reduce the likelihood of spam emails.

Support

Surfshark has an online help guide that covers a range of useful topics, from how to set up your VPN to how to initiate two-factor authentication (2FA). If you can’t find what you need in the online resource center, you can submit a request online or live chat with an agent.

We tried the live chat feature and were pleasantly surprised by how effective it was. Although we were first connected to a bot, we were also given the option to connect directly with a live agent. When we pressed the “live agent” button, it took about a minute until we had an actual human chatting with us. According to Surfshark, this service is 24/7. We did successfully reach the support team outside of regular business hours.

Learn more: Read our full Surfshark review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

We were impressed by the customer service offered by Surfshark, but then we tried PureVPN. This provider really makes a point of connecting with its customers and keeping the lines of communication open on all fronts. Users can benefit from a comprehensive support area, where you can browse troubleshooting and setup guides.

You can also create a ticket in the support center using your VPN account credentials. PureVPN readily posts a customer support email online and has a dedicated contact page where you can submit a query. The provider promises to get back within a few hours of a customer contact. Sure enough, our test query got a reply within an hour.

Finally, there is live chat customer service available 24/7. Although chat support first goes through a bot, if your problem isn’t solved, you can then request to “chat with support” and you’ll be connected to an actual human within minutes.

PureVPN’s prices seem to be in line with industry standards at first glance. However, once you factor in add-ons like dedicated IP, the price goes up. Plus, you need to sign up for an advanced plan for basics like end-to-end file encryption. While we aren’t sure about the cost-for-value proposition, we admit that the functionality is solid and the support is excellent.

Value

PureVPN’s pricing is clearly posted online and in line with what we found from other providers of a similar caliber. However, beware that a dedicated IP will cost you an extra $4.99 per month. If you go for this add-on, PureVPN ends up being even more expensive than Surfshark, which has the most expensive base prices of all the providers we surveyed.

While PureVPN does have a comprehensive feature set, we aren’t sure it’s worth the added cost, once you factor in the dedicated IP extra charge. Also, note that PureVPN does limit you to 10 devices. If you want to connect more than 10 devices, you’ll have to pay extra yet again (more than $5.00 every month).

Functionality

PureVPN has a few features that make it particularly user friendly, in our view. The smart server selection uses an algorithm to pick the fastest available server for you, for example, while one-click protection allows you to turn any network private at the click of a button on your iPhone.

The provider fulfills the essential criteria our research team surveyed, like a kill switch and no logs policy. We also like that PureVPN has signed up for third-party audits from a well-known audit firm, ensuring that it’s living up to its promises of zero logs. One caveat: a dedicated IP costs extra.

Support

Our personal experience with PureVPN’s support was excellent, as we were able to connect with a friendly live chat agent within minutes. We also looked at what real-world users had to say about the customer service and found that many agreed with us. The customer service was described as “top notch” by one user. We have to agree.

We found that PureVPN additionally stood out from the crowd because of the variety of support options available. If you don’t want to deal with chat, for example, you can submit a ticket or write an email.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

You shouldn’t have to pay big bucks just to keep your private information safe when you’re using your iPhone online. ProtonVPN is the answer if you’re looking for a more cost-efficient VPN. This provider offers a basic plan starting at less than $10 per month. It also has a free plan — the only provider we surveyed that offers this possibility.

Now, downloading a random free VPN from the internet can be risky, as these sometimes have malware or other harmful components that can mess up your iPhone. However, ProtonVPN is a reputable provider and promises no catches with its free version.

For example, you don’t have to worry about surprise ads or having your browser history secretly sold. Of course, the free plan has limitations. It can be used only on one device, for example, so if you want more than one iPhone covered, you’ll have to pay up.

If you want a VPN but simply don’t have the budget for it right now, ProtonVPN’s free service is a major value add. Not surprisingly, the free VPN doesn’t have access to all features or premium customer support. Still, it’s a solid value add for the cost conscious.

Value

Although ProtonVPN’s free version covers only one device, given that no other provider on our list has this option, we think it’s a great value (and we love the no-ads policy). If you’re someone who has never used a VPN before, the freebie can be a good way to test it out with zero risk.

ProtonVPN also stands out for its commitment to leveling the playing field in terms of internet access. The provider’s “stealth” technology is specially designed to avoid detection, so that the VPN can be used in countries where government censorship of internet usage is an issue.

Functionality

The free plan from ProtonVPN is limited in terms of device connections and functionality. However, if you’re willing to pay for a plan, you’ll get great security coverage. The provider’s basic paid plan allows for up to 10 devices and includes essential features like custom DNS, split tunneling and malware protection.

One standout feature is the VPN Accelerator, a set of technologies designed to increase VPN speeds. Using a VPN can infamously slow down internet connectivity, which can be annoying for streaming or gaming. VPN Accelerator helps overcome limitations and keep you up to speed, literally.

Support

ProtonVPN’s support center is available for all users and provides basic tutorials, like how to set up your account and access content. The provider also has an online contact form, where you can send a report request, as well as a customer service email you can use.

Paid plans have access to priority support, including live chat. Unfortunately, to access this option, you need a ProtonVPN customer account. We thus weren’t able to test it out for ourselves. The company does promise 24/7 support, with support centers in Taiwan and North Macedonia in addition to its headquarters in Switzerland.

Learn more: Read our full ProtonVPN review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Server locations can impact performance and speed — connecting a server that’s closer to your actual location can result in faster speeds. A diversity of server geographies is also helpful for bypassing certain countries’ censorship laws.

With this in mind, our research team looked at each VPN provider’s number of servers as well as the number of locations the provider has servers in. CyberGhost boasts an impressive 126 server locations in 100 countries, including 21 dedicated IP locations. Although the company no longer posts its server numbers publicly, at last count it had more than 11,000 servers overall — more than any other on our list.

This kind of diversity and reach can be a big plus if you travel frequently. Being able to use your VPN seamlessly in different countries is a must, especially if you’re on the go for work. People located in countries where censorship is an issue can also benefit from the geographic range of servers.

CyberGhost’s variety of server locations make it a great pick for people who are often traveling or who are located in countries where internet censorship is an issue. Overall, the features you get for the given price are solid, although multi-factor authentication would be nice. The customer service was also a bust in our test run.

Value

CyberGhost’s pricing is comparable to other providers with similar functionality, but a dedicated IP address will cost you extra. The number of countries where a dedicated IP is available is also limited, covering only 12 countries.

As with most of the providers we surveyed, you’ll get the most bang for your buck if you sign up for a long-term plan. CyberGhost is the only provider we researched that doesn’t have annual pricing, instead offering one-month, six-month and two-year contracts. For reference, a one-month plan costs more than $12.00, while a two-year plan slashes the monthly price to less than $2.50.

Functionality

CyberGhost’s core features measure up to the competition, including functions like split tunneling, kill switch, anonymous browsing and DNS protection. CyberGhost also boasts great streaming functionality, with optimized servers specifically for HBO Max, Disney+ and Netflix. If you’re a gamer, you’ll be happy to hear that this VPN also has gaming-optimized servers.

We were surprised to find that the provider doesn’t have multi-factor authentication, which seems standard among the majority of companies we surveyed. Multi-factor authentication provides an added level of security beyond a simple password. It could entail sending a one-time code to your email or iPhone, for example.

Support

CyberGhost has an extensive online database of FAQs, which is a good starting point for any technical troubles you may encounter. You can also submit a request online using a contact form if you need more personalized assistance.

Another option is the live chat feature. We tried it out and were definitely let down. While some live chats from other providers immediately present a button to connect with a live agent, CyberGhost’s chatbot asked a series of questions and then seemed to stall out when we requested to be connected to a live agent.

Learn more: Read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Whether you’re a regular Roblox player or addicted to Minecraft, if you’re a fan of iPhone games the last thing you want is your VPN interfering with the gaming experience. We picked IPVanish as a top contender for iPhone gamers thanks largely to its great speeds and low latency/ping rate.

For every provider on our list, our research team tested upload and download speeds. Upload speeds refer to how fast data is transferred from your device to the internet, while download speeds refer to how fast data is transferred to your device. Basically, the higher the number of upload and download speeds, the better.

In contrast, when it comes to ping rate, the lower it is, the better. A lower ping number means less lag time or “latency,” which means a smoother gaming experience. In our tests, IPVanish had high upload and download speeds and low ping rates (in fact, the lowest ping rate of all iPhone VPNs we tested).

IPVanish is clearly a great pick if you’re a gamer. That said, we aren’t sold on this VPN provider in general. Some functions are lacking, like multi-factor authentication and a dedicated IP. Plus, the price is on the high side. We did love the fast customer support response, though.

Value

IPVanish’s prices are at the upper end of the spectrum of providers we surveyed, although still in line with industry norms. Is the cost worth it? You will get a solid array of essential VPN features for an unlimited number of connections.

With IPVanish, there is no option for a dedicated IP at all, which is unusual among the providers we surveyed. While some offer a dedicated IP only at an additional cost, the option is at least there. Some experts suggest shared IPs like IPVanish’s can be detrimental to security. IPVanish, on the other hand, suggests that a dedicated IP can increase tracking risks.

Functionality

IPVanish includes the core features we’d expect to see in any reputable VPN, like a kill switch, threat detection and split tunneling. The automatic startup feature means your VPN activates as soon as your device detects any internet traffic so that you’re always safe. If you don’t want to think about having to turn a VPN on and off, it’s a convenient perk.

If you aren’t just an iPhone user but also use other Apple products, you might be interested in Apple TV’s VPN app too. This is a dedicated app that helps protect your streaming privacy and ensure seamless usability, even when you’re traveling.

Support

Like the other providers on our list, IPVanish has an online support center that addresses common customer queries, from setup to billing. Beyond this, it’s possible to submit a question or concern online through a support contact form. There is also a chatbot available.

We gave it a try and, after a brief exchange with a bot, we were given the option to leave a message for the support team or request a live chat. When we clicked “live help,” we were asked to provide our email, the appropriate department we wanted to contact and a quick message describing the issue. We were pleasantly surprised to be connected to an online support agent within seconds.

Learn more: Read our full IPVanish review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

A quick look at IVPN’s website is all it takes to see that this provider places a premium on honesty and transparency. The bare-bones site doesn’t have any slick marketing talk or dazzling graphics. In fact, unlike some of the providers we surveyed, IVPN explicitly does not “promise anonymity” or taut “military-grade encryption. Instead it shares guides for customers so they can better understand the level of protection a VPN can achieve.

As a privacy advocate, IVPN also puts its money where its mouth is, donating regularly to organizations like the Tor project and Open Rights Group. The IVPN business model is based solely on paid subscriptions (no paid reviews) and IVPN has an entire section on its website summarizing its ethical guidelines.

The provider also has third parties do external security audits of its systems and publishes information about the results openly. In short, if transparency from a VPN provider is your priority, IVPN is a great pick.

If you are worried about privacy, IVPN is made for you. Unique features like the ability to register without an email address (and pay with Bitcoin) protect your identity in a way most providers can’t. We also think the value is great, given the low cost. Unfortunately, the customer support options are more limited compared to the competition.

Value

IVPN offers excellent value for money. If you don’t count the free plan from ProtonVPN, IVPN is the most affordable option of all the providers we surveyed, with prices not exceeding $10.00 per month. We think the cost is well worth it, given the range of core features, including private DNS server, antitracker and kill switch.

There are two clear tiers of plans to choose from, with packages ranging from one week to two years (as usual, a lengthier package saves you money in the big picture). The standard package caps usage at two devices, while the advanced package allows for seven devices.

Functionality

IPVN meets the essential criteria our research team set out for a basic VPN provider, from DNS protection to kill switch. IVPN also has some unique assets in the interests of privacy, like allowing for anonymous registration with no email required and allowing Bitcoin payments for further anonymity.

That said, IVPN does not “promise” anonymous browsing, unlike some providers, but the level of protection this provider offers seems to be comparable. It looks like it’s largely a matter of IVPN wanting to be transparent about the limitations of any VPN provider, which is fair. Even some of the top contenders on our list have been the subject of breaches. Nothing is ever 100%, and IVPN acknowledges that.

Support

IVPN’s help center covers basic troubleshooting issues and terminology. If you’re curious about learning more about internet privacy, the IVPN blog will also be of interest to you. This is also where IVPN publishes information about its third-party security audits.

In terms of customer support, IVPN is less responsive than some of its competitors. You have to contact support by writing an email and then wait for them to get back to you, which they promise to do within a few hours. According to the provider, it can take up to 24 hours “in rare cases.” We did receive a response to our test query in less than 24 hours.

Learn more: Read our full IVPN review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

If you’ve never used a VPN for iPhone before (or at all), you may be reluctant to commit to a long-term contract without testing it out first. ExpressVPN offers a risk-free VPN trial with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

While some providers do offer free trials, these trials may not include customer support or will cover only limited server locations. Plus, some providers on our list have the trial capped at a mere seven days! This isn’t a lot if you’re trying to really test out all the features to the max, for everything from work to streaming.

ExpressVPN’s free trial gives you full access to all of the provider’s benefits and comes with a money-back guarantee. You can cancel for any reason within 30 days by reaching out to the support team. Since the support team is available 24/7 and easy to access (according to our tests), it shouldn’t be a huge issue to cancel.

ExpressVPN gives you the option to try out all features of its services without any risk, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. While it delivers on most of the core features we’d expect, it’s lacking some, like a dedicated IP. We also found the call-out to influencers and affiliates worrisome. That said, our experience with customer service was positive.

Value

ExpressVPN’s prices are at the higher side of the spectrum of providers we surveyed. Overall, the basic features we’d expect from a solid VPN are available, like split tunneling and multi-factor authentication. However, the number of simultaneous connections is capped at eight (some providers offer unlimited connections). There is also no dedicated IP.

Express VPN doesn’t specify the number of servers it has while many competitors do provide this information. We’re not confident about the relatively high price tag, given the lack of transparency and limitations we’ve flagged here. We also noticed ExpressVPN has information on its website clearly targeting “influencers” and “affiliates.” If these partnerships are paid, the actual value ExpressVPN brings to the table may be questionable.

Functionality

Apart from not having a dedicated IP option, ExpressVPN’s features cover the essentials of a VPN, from a no-logs policy to DNS protection. ExpressVPN also boasts “best-in-class” encryption, with AES-256 encryption (something we’ve seen some other providers tout as well). But just what does that mean?

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 is an encryption algorithm. It uses a 256-bit key to convert data or plain text into a numerical cipher. In case you want to know how good it really is: the U.S. government uses AES to protect its classified data. ExpressVPN backs up this tech with its “TrustedServer technology,” which ensures that none of your data is ever written to a hard drive.

Support

Like the other providers we surveyed, ExpressVPN relies on an online support center as its first line of customer service. You’ll find troubleshooting guides, account management tips and other resources. There is also the option to email customer support.

ExpressVPN further offers live chat support 24/7. The chat contact information is readily posted online. To access it, you need to provide an email and answer a few questions from a bot. You’ll then be connected to a human agent. Overall, the process was fast and painless. We also noticed some online reviewers praising the support team, so we aren’t the only ones who were impressed.

Learn more: Read our full ExpressVPN review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

PIA is transparent about the features that are and aren’t included in its VPN package and provides clear add-ons in case you want to pay more to boost your security coverage. The antivirus add-on scans websites and files to detect threats, “quarantining” those that are deemed dangerous and providing you detailed reports about it all.

There is also a dedicated IP add-on. Now, we should note that some providers include a dedicated IP in their basic packages. However, others charge extra or don’t even provide the option. We like PIA’s clarity, making this an optional extra you can or cannot opt into.

If you want maximum control over your internet security, these personalization measures make it possible. In terms of costs, you won’t pay more than $5 per month for either the antivirus add-on or the dedicated IP add-on. It’s also worth noting that PIA offers unlimited devices so you can get these perks for more than just your iPhone.

PIA’s optional add-ons are a nice way to make sure you’re paying only for features you need and not shelling out money for functions you don’t even use. Unfortunately, PIA did poorly in our speed tests. On top of that, the cost savings this provider offers are minimal. The customer support was prompt, though!

Value

PIA’s prices are comparable to the more expensive plans on our list, coming in at about $1 less. While the feature set is comprehensive, PIA performed poorly in our research team’s speed tests. We’d likely rather just pay the extra dollar for a provider that offers faster services.

We also had trouble determining the number of servers PIA has. Since server location/availability can theoretically impact access and speed, this could be seen as another red flag. Overall, we think consumers are better off with alternative providers. The minimal savings you’d get with PIA aren’t worth the drawbacks.

Functionality

Other than charging extra for a dedicated IP, PIA checks all the boxes in what we’d expect from a decent VPN provider. That said, we have to flag the results of our speed testing. Most of the providers we tested had upload and download speeds exceeding 300 Mbps.

Unfortunately, PIA’s numbers came in very low, with average download speeds of 244 Mbps and average upload speeds of 204 Mbps, barely clearing 200. PIA’s ping rates (latency) were also not the best. If you’re hoping to use your iPhone VPN for games or streaming, this lack of speed can pose real challenges.

Support

PIA’s help center includes guides, a knowledge base and a community forum where you can consult other PIA users with your questions. There is also a clear “contact us” button. When you click the “contact us” link, you’re taken to an online form to submit a customer service request.

It’s also possible to live chat with customer support. You’ll find the chatbot icon on the bottom right-hand side of the homepage. When you click it, you provide your email address. The bot then asks for a description of your issue while it connects you to someone. We were promptly connected to a human support agent. It’s available 24/7.

Learn more: Read our full PIA review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.

Some VPN providers offer only a single plan type, while others offer tiered pricing, with higher-tier plans having greater functionality. TorGuard VPN stands out for its diverse offerings, including a basic plan, a pro plan with additional features and a business-specific VPN plan.

If you use your iPhone in a small business setting, the business VPN may be worth a look (be forewarned, it costs more than three times as much as the cheapest available plan). The business plan provides extras like a private email.

Alternatively, you can pay for an anonymous email add-on for less than $5 per month. This gives you five email aliases and up to 5,000 emails per day, protecting both your identity and the content of your correspondence. Although some users may be satisfied with a straightforward VPN for their iPhone, others may find these diverse plan options attractive.

We like the unique packages TorGuard VPN offers, for example for businesses or those who want to protect their email privacy. While TorGuard costs a bit less than some of its competitors, the speed tests we ran make us wonder whether the cost cutting is worth it. That said, TorGuard offers 24/7 support, even for its lowest-tier plans.

Value

TorGuard is a mid-range provider in terms of price, coming in a bit cheaper than some of the bigger names on this list. However, the speed tests we ran were so abysmal, we’d caution against this option. Similarly to PIA, we just aren’t sure that saving a few bucks is worth the frustration that inevitably comes with slow service.

We do like the email add-on and see that as a potential value add for some users. Having an email alias is a great way to protect against cluttering up your “real” inbox with spam, for example. The “Anonymous Email” add-on gives you five email aliases.

Functionality

TorGuard is missing some core functions for iPhones, like split tunneling, that we’d consider a given for most VPN providers. The basic plan gives you up to eight connections, promises no logs and guarantees unlimited bandwidth. That said, when we put Torguard to the speed test, we were underwhelmed, to say the least.

In terms of upload speeds, TorGuard delivered 259 Mbps. Only PIA performed worse. In terms of download speeds, TorGuard came in dead last, with a measly 36 Mbps. For comparison, the next-slowest upload speed was PIA’s at 204 Mbps. The provider’s ping test likewise showed poor results compared to the competition.

Support

TorGuard promises “fast 24/7/365 support” even for its lowest tier plans. Of course, we put those claims to the test. As with all of the other providers we surveyed, TorGuard’s first line of defense in customer service issues is an online knowledge hub. There is also a community form, where you can connect with other TorGuard users.

The help page also has a “Contact Us” button with a link to email the support team. There is also the directive, “Click the chat bubble if online or email below.” We didn’t see a chat bubble, so this was confusing. In fact, we couldn’t find anywhere to access the chat support. It may be that you need to log into your account to access chat. We also found a TorGuard forum complaining about a decline in customer support.

Learn more: Read our full TorGuard VPN review.

Our editorial team created our expert opinion scores. The expert score contributes to 10% of the data-focused methodology, which underpins our Blueprint rating for each company. The expert score combines first-person experience, subject matter expertise and extensive research to develop these metrics as another source of truth for readers during their decision-making process.