Best VPN for iPad: Only 3 iPad VPNs Passed Our Tests

As an iPad user, you are used to a high-quality online experience. You are also used to dealing with Apple, a company that prides itself on securing user privacy. But that is all within the Apple ecosystem.

Out on the Net, it’s a different story, and Apple can’t protect you out there. You need to take your security and privacy into your own hands. This is where a VPN for iPad devices comes into play. The right VPN will provide unbreakable security for your message traffic, along with a no-logs policy and system design that protects your privacy.

In this guide, we are going to examine the best VPNs for iPad based on the latest test results. We have now tested and recommend three VPNs that not only give you security and privacy but also give you the ability to bypass restrictions and view Netflix and other streaming content from sources around the world.

Top VPNs for iPad that we tested:

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for iPad with secure and reliable apps, fast speeds, a large server network that is great for streaming, and extra privacy features (with a 68% off coupon)
2. Surfshark – Reliable and budget-friendly VPN for iPad
3. ExpressVPN – A secure VPN for iPad with user-friendly apps

These are the criteria we used to rank the best VPNs for iPad in 2023:

1. Passes all our leak tests meaning there are no IP address leaks or DNS leaks that could expose your data online
2. Fast, reliable network of VPN servers
3. High-quality, easy-to-use VPN apps with no bugs
4. Support for secure VPN protocols and strong encryption
5. Offers a full money-back guarantee
6. Backed by a trustworthy, established company
7. Located in a jurisdiction that respects internet privacy and is located outside the US, UK, and other Five Eyes countries

With those criteria in mind, let’s dive right into our reviews of the best VPNs for iPad:

NordVPN – The best iPad VPN for 2023

When you apply our ranking criteria to the best VPNs on the market today, NordVPN ranks as the best VPN for iPad users. This VPN service is secure and reliable, with extremely strong encryption and VPN protocols. In our tests, we found it to offer easy-to-use apps that didn’t leak or have any issues with bugs. NordVPN has been a leader in the industry for years and is strategically based in Panama, one of the best privacy jurisdictions in the world.

Below you can see NordVPN running on an iPad connected to a VPN server in the USA:

One thing you cannot see in the image above is just how fast this VPN is. The speed comes from a combination of high-performance updates to the 5,700+ VPN servers in their 60-country network and their network-wide support for the WireGuard VPN protocol. WireGuard has a host of speed and security benefits, and the engineers at NordVPN have boosted its privacy to comply with their audited no-logs VPN status. The result was the NordLynx VPN protocol, which is secure, private, and very, very fast.

Yes, NordVPN clocked in at 755 Mbps on our test machine. That officially makes it the fastest VPN we have tested so far.

Another great feature you get with NordVPN for iPad is called Threat Protection Lite. Threat Protection Lite protects your iPad from “ads, unsafe connections, and malicious sites” while you are connected to a NordVPN server. This makes it similar to other VPNs with ad blocking built in.

Note: If you also use a Macintosh, there is a full version of Threat Protection which runs on macOS desktops and is even more powerful than Threat Protection Lite.

And these are not the only advanced features NordVPN brings to your iPad. Here is a partial list of those features:

• Double-VPN servers encrypt your traffic across two different servers in two different locations for additional security.
• P2P servers that are optimized for P2P (torrenting) traffic and have the security to keep your identity hidden at all times. We rate NordVPN as the best VPN for torrenting.
• Obfuscated servers that make your VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS traffic to hide it from VPN censors or other restrictions. (This is useful if you need a VPN for Russia, China, or other restricted countries.)
• Tor-over-VPN servers that pass your VPN traffic through the Tor (Onion) network to gain its anonymity benefits.
• Dedicated IP servers for those times when you need a fixed IP address but still want the security and privacy of NordVPN. (The dedicated IP VPN option is available as a paid add-on.)

See all NordVPN features here >>

NordVPN is also our pick for the best VPN for streaming on iPad or other devices. You can use this VPN to unblock Netflix so you can stream the world’s best content without ever leaving your home. You aren’t restricted to Netflix either. NordVPN is also a great VPN for Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Disney Plus, and most other major (and not-so-major) services.

In addition, NordVPN supports a wide selection of VPN routers. This is useful if you need a VPN for Apple TV.

How to use NordVPN on your iPad

It is easy to install and use NordVPN on your iPad. Here is the 4-step how-to guide:

1. Get yourself a NordVPN subscription (the 68% off coupon will get you the best price currently available.)
2. Follow the online instructions to download and install the NordVPN app on your iPad.
3. Open the app on your iPad and log in to it.
4. Click the Quick Connect button. This connects you to the best (fastest) VPN server for your location. If you want to stream Netflix with a VPN or other content from a specific region of the world, select a NordVPN server from that region and log into that instead of using the Quick Connect button.

It couldn’t get much simpler than that. But if something goes wrong, don’t worry. NordVPN has 24/7 live chat support and their experienced team will get you sorted out as fast as possible.

Note: The first time you log into a NordVPN server on your iPad, you may be asked to allow the VPN app to add configurations to your device. Go ahead and do this and you will be up and running in minutes.

If you want more information on this impressive VPN service, check out our in-depth NordVPN review.

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Surfshark – High performance iPad VPN for a low price

Surfshark is our #2 pick as the best VPN for iPad users. This Netherlands-based service is very similar to NordVPN. Surfshark is an audited no-logs VPN with many of the same advanced features, along with the raw speed to give NordVPN a run for its money. At the same time, it has a couple of features that might cause you to make Surfshark your #1 iPad or iPhone VPN.

What are those features that may give Surfshark the edge over NordVPN?

One is price. Surfshark is definitely a cheap VPN and even less expensive than NordVPN. If you use the Surfshark discount coupon here, you should be able to get this high-quality VPN for a low, low price of under $2.50 per month. Two other leading VPNs in the “cheap” category are NordVPN and Atlas VPN.

The other special feature of Surfshark is that it supports an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. This makes Surfshark a great choice if you need a VPN for multiple devices. Most of the big VPN services, such as NordVPN and CyberGhost, give you around six simultaneous connections with your subscription.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark has an attractive and easy-to-use iOS VPN app for your iPad. That app and the other Surfshark apps have passed our leak tests with no problems. Surfshark is now based in The Netherlands, a good privacy jurisdiction. Surfshark has been around since 2018 and has an excellent track record, including passing independent security audits.

Here’s what the Surfshark client looks like on the iPad:

The Surfshark VPN server network is large and geographically dispersed, with more than 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries. Like NordVPN, all Surfshark’s VPN servers have now been upgraded to diskless (Ram-only) servers for enhanced privacy. Additionally, to speed your data through the network, all Surfshark servers now have at least one 1 Gbps port, and many servers are being upgraded to 10 Gbps ports.

Surfshark also uses the WireGuard VPN protocol and is the second-fastest VPN we have tested, just behind NordVPN. It routinely outperforms other leading VPNs, as you can see in the Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison. Be aware that the IKEv2 VPN protocol is probably set as the default on your iPad, so you may need to switch to WireGuard manually.

One of Surfshark’s advanced features is CleanWeb, which works much the same as NordVPN’s Threat Protection Lite. We recommend you turn it on along with WireGuard to get the best speed and security all at the same time.

Some of the other advanced Surfshark features you can use on your iPad include:

• Double-VPN (Multi-hop) servers that encrypt your traffic over two hops
• Bypasser split tunneling controls which data goes through the VPN tunnel and which goes directly to its destination unprotected.
• Camouflage mode (obfuscated servers) to hide the fact that you are even using a VPN

Surfshark also offers an antivirus option under the Surfshark One title. This is great if you want to combine a VPN with antivirus in a bundled subscription.

Surfshark does a great job when it comes to both connecting to streaming services and for torrenting. It typically beats out the competition in this category, as you can see in the Surfshark vs Proton VPN comparison.

How to set up Surfshark on your iPad

Getting the Surfshark VPN up and running on your iPad is an easy job if you follow the instructions here:

1. Use the coupon below to get the best price available on a Surfshark VPN subscription.
2. Download the Surfshark VPN app for iOS from the Surfshark website and install it.
3. Open the app and log in to it.
4. Click the Connect button to connect to a nearby server. If you are logging in to view content from another geographic region, don’t click the Connect button. Instead, select a server in the region you want access to and connect to that one.
5. If asked to let Surfshark Add VPN Configurations, click Allow for the best performance.

As mentioned earlier, we strongly urge you to select the WireGuard protocol for the fastest, most secure connections and enable CleanWeb for enhanced privacy and security.

Note: If you would like a detailed head-to-head comparison of our two best VPNs for iPad, check out this NordVPN vs Surfshark article.

For more information on this fast, cheap, and reliable service, check out our in-depth Surfshark VPN review.

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ExpressVPN – Premium performance at a premium price

ExpressVPN has all the characteristics needed to make this list. It passed our leak tests, is fast and reliable, and uses secure protocols with strong encryption. Its apps are high-quality and easy to use (you can see their app in action on the iPad below).

The company is trustworthy and established in the British Virgin Islands, a great location for a VPN. Like the other VPNs profiled here, ExpressVPN has had their no-logs status confirmed by third-party audits. And like the others, they offer a full 30-day money-back guarantee, if you decide you don’t want to keep using their service.

So why is ExpressVPN #3 on this list instead of #1 or #2? There are several reasons, which will cover below.

While ExpressVPN is fast, it is not as fast as either of our two leaders. Instead of going with WireGuard, ExpressVPN created the Lightway VPN protocol. With Lightway, ExpressVPN sees a significant improvement in performance and security. But as our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN tests demonstrated, NordVPN with WireGuard is much faster than ExpressVPN with Lightway.

As we saw earlier, both NordVPN and Surfshark supplement their full feature set with a number of advanced features that most of the VPN industry does not possess. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, sticks mostly to the basic VPN feature set and has few advanced features comparable to those of NordVPN or Surfshark.

Another thing holding ExpressVPN back is its price. Even with the discount coupon we have arranged for you, ExpressVPN is much more expensive than either of the other two.

On the positive side of the ledger, ExpressVPN provides apps for a wide range of devices and operating systems. It can unblock Netflix and most streaming services very well, and they have a special MediaStreamer app that may get you access to streaming services when the full VPN doesn’t. ExpressVPN is also a great choice if you need a VPN for Hulu or Amazon Prime, which is why it’s on our list of the best VPNs for streaming.

When it comes to features, ExpressVPN was a leader in the move to diskless servers, which definitely boosts your privacy and security. Their kill switch is called Network Lock, and it does exactly that, quickly and reliably without letting your data leak out.

But that’s about it. You won’t find those advanced features and multiple server types that the other guys have. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. If all you are looking for is an extremely solid and easy-to-use VPN for your iPad (and don’t mind spending a bit more money) then ExpressVPN could be exactly the VPN you need. To find out, use the discount coupon below to get the best available price for ExpressVPN.

How to set up ExpressVPN on your iPad

The ExpressVPN app is easy to download, install, and use on your iPad. Follow the instructions below and you will be up and running in just minutes:

1. Use the ExpressVPN Coupon Deal at the end of this section to get a discounted deal on a subscription.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app for iOS from the ExpressVPN download page and install it.
3. Launch the app.
4. Click the Connect button to connect to an ExpressVPN server. Connect to a server located near your physical location for normal VPN use. But if you are connecting so you can view content from another geographic region, connect to a server in the geographic region where the content is located.
5. If the iPad asks you about letting ExpressVPN Add VPN Configurations, you should do so to get the full benefits of your ExpressVPN subscription.

You’ll find even more information on this quality service in our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

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Alright, now that we have covered the best VPNs for iPad in detail above, we can get to some frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Why do I need a VPN for my Apple iPad?

You need a VPN for your Apple iPad for the same reasons you need one for your computer or smartphone. The best iPad VPN will:

• Keep your personal and sensitive information safe from internet snoops.
• Make it safe to use free and public WiFi services while on the go.
• Give you access to Netflix and other streaming services while you are outside your normal geographic region.
• Give you access to Netflix libraries and other streaming services from around the world without leaving your house.

Getting a VPN for your iPad is a no-brainer. Furthermore, all of the VPNs we recommend in this guide offer 30 day money-back guarantees. This allows you to test out products and cancel within the 30 days if it doesn’t meet your needs, effectively like a free trial VPN.

Do I need a VPN if I have iCloud Private Relay?

If you have an iCloud+ subscription, you have access to iCloud Private Relay. This service is designed to protect your online privacy, but it does not replace a VPN. Private Relay passes your internet traffic through two separate, secure internet relays (servers). The design is such that the first relay only knows what your IP address is, but not your online destination. The second relay knows your online destination, but not your real IP address.

Private Relay is like a VPN in that it protects your privacy. However, it only works for websites you visit using the Safari web browser. Even then, it only works for websites that use the old, insecure HTTP protocol instead of the newer, encrypted HTTPS protocol.

VPNs allow you to select servers in different countries to get access to content in those countries or evade the internet blocks certain countries impose upon their citizens. Private Relay is explicitly designed to prevent you from doing these kinds of things.

While iCloud Private Relay is a nice improvement for iPad users, it does not eliminate the need for an iPad VPN.

How do I watch Netflix on iPad with VPN?

Assuming you have already installed a premium VPN on your iPad (one that can unblock Netflix libraries around the world), it is easy to watch Netflix on your iPad. Here are the basic steps you need to follow:

1. Launch the VPN and log onto a server in the country or region that has the Netflix content you want to view.

2. Log into Netflix normally. You should see the Netflix content available to people in the same location as the VPN server.

3. Select the content and view the way you would normally.

If you do not see the right content, the first step is to close Netflix, clear the browser cache, then log into Netflix again.

If that doesn’t work, contact the VPN technical support team and ask them to tell you which server to connect to for the Netflix content you want to view. All of the iPad VPNs we recommend have 24/7 live chat systems backed by experienced support personnel who should be able to help you get connected quickly.

This same advice also holds true if you need a VPN for BBC iPlayer or any other streaming platform.

iPad VPN FAQ: Questions and answers about the best VPNs for iPad

Here are answers to people’s most frequently asked questions when looking for a VPN for iPad:

Conclusion: Why you need a VPN for iPad in 2023

To wrap this up, let’s quickly go over why you need an iPad VPN today. There are three big reasons: privacy, security, and the ability to bypass restrictions like geo-blocking.

To protect your privacy

Privacy is an increasingly rare and valuable commodity in today’s world. From your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to almost every website you visit, they all try to record any information they can about you. Once they have it, they will probably either use it for their own marketing efforts or sell it to the highest bidder. Or both.

A quality iPad for your VPN will keep your ISP from tracking your activities. It will also hide your identity (in the form of your IP address) from the locations you visit online.

To add security to your connection

Pretty much any public (and not a few private) networks could be targeted by hackers looking to get past your computer’s security to all that juicy personal data. A secure VPN like the ones we profiled in this article will help protect your computer from attacks by hackers and other hostile forces.

To bypass online restrictions

From governments trying to control what their people see and hear, to corporations trying to prevent people from the ‘wrong’ location from streaming content, groups are trying to divide the internet into little kingdoms they control. The best VPNs for iPad help you bypass restrictions and get full access to the internet.

We’ve done the hard part for you

If you are interested in any of these topics, getting a VPN for iPad use is your next logical step. While there are literally hundreds of VPNs on the market, we’ve made things easy for you by profiling the three best iPad VPNs right here.

NordVPN remains our top choice for an iPad VPN. It stands out from the rest with secure and fully-featured apps for iPad and all devices. The additional Threat Protection feature is a great advantage for blocking ads, trackers, and malware that can infect your device. And with the 68% off coupon, you can get some great savings.

Three options to choose from, not hundreds. Best of all, you can’t lose. All three of these are excellent products, and any one of them will do the job for you. And since they all offer 30-day money-back guarantees, you can try any or all of them without risk.

This best VPN for iPad review was last updated on September 22, 2023.