Best VPN for iPads

Apple iPads have a decent security rating among users, so the large fanbase doesn’t surprise us. But while the device keeps you fairly safe against viruses and malware, what about internet privacy? You risk sharing private data like websites you visit when browsing the internet.

That’s why the safest option is to use a VPN. Whether you want to watch top-quality movies on Max or play online games, a virtual private network will keep your privacy protected. But what’s the best VPN for iPads?

You’ll find a list of top-rated providers, such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, below. Keep reading to discover how to identify the best VPN for iPad, especially if you plan on watching live streams online!

Our pick for the best VPN for iPads: NordVPN

NordVPN has been in the market since February 2010. Its main office is in Panama because the country’s data retention laws aren’t mandatory. Thanks to that, NordVPN truly guarantees a no-log policy. That means even the company doesn’t keep any info about your internet browsing. There has been some controversy regarding the supposedly non-existent VPN logs serving as a way to catch criminals, but that referred to other VPN providers.

NordVPN has an extensive range of amazing features aimed at security and convenience. A dedicated IP address, dark web monitor, and threat protection features that identify potential malware are all great additions to this service.

Why NordVPN?

NordVPN is compatible with all devices using iOS 13.0 or newer. That means you can use the app on iPad Mini from the 5th generation and iPad Air 2 and newer.

Another great thing is that you can use NordVPN on up to six devices with a single registered account. That means you can use it on other gadgets and operating systems. Apart from being among the best VPN for Roku solutions, this makes NordVPN a true all-around provider for all your devices.

From the perspective of streaming live TV and on-demand movies, this VPN is an excellent option. All their servers are reliable and offer maximum uptime. And most locations have multiple servers, so even if one connection goes down, it’s easy to change. The network kill switch feature will keep you protected in these scenarios. If you lose the VPN server connection, it stops all internet traffic automatically to ensure your browsing remains private and safe.

Top features

• Obfuscated servers and double IP change. If you use an obfuscated server, nobody can see you use a VPN to connect to the internet. And changing your IP address twice adds even more security and ensures your IP remains protected.
• Strong encryption and private DNS. NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, which ensures advanced protection. And your DNS queries will remain private for added security.
• Reliable and fast connections. You’ll find the provider has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries, which allows you to bypass geographic restrictions easily. The connections feature fast speeds to maximize support with live TV streaming services like DirecTV Stream.
• Compatible with Siri. The app created by NordVPN supports voice control since it’s 100% compatible with Siri. You can set shortcuts and adjust your connection without using your hands.

Best for bypassing geographic restrictions: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is compatible with all iOS devices that run a 12.0 or newer operating system version. That’ll secure wide coverage for your iPads. The standard premium VPN features are all there, including unlimited bandwidth and a no-log policy.

The provider ensures that it uses encrypted and private DNS across all servers. The Network Lock is the kill switch feature to avoid any issues if you lose the connection. VPN split tunneling is convenient since it only enables using a VPN for certain internet activities.

ExpressVPN uses a Lightway protocol. It’s a pioneering security feature that ensures fast browsing while guaranteeing maximum safety. The platform applies AES-256 encryption, which is a standard in the security industry.

Reasons to choose

ExpressVPN has servers in over 90 countries across five continents. Thanks to that, you can bypass geographic restrictions easily. It’s no wonder the platform found a spot among the best VPNs to unblock American Netflix. You can also use it to watch streaming services available worldwide, especially since the connection quality and speed are impressive.

The provider offers a 30-da money-back guarantee, indicating it has great trust in its quality of service. ExpressVPN has reasonable prices and multiple plans to choose from, ensuring everyone will find their preferable option easily.

Reasons to skip

ExpressVPN offers support for up to five devices with a single account. And while that’s great, other platforms support even more devices. So, if you plan for the entire household to use a VPN, you might get better value for money elsewhere.

While the connections are reliable, you might notice it takes time to disconnect from a server. The software requires several seconds, so it’s necessary to be patient and wait for it to finish.

Best for an easy-to-use solution: IPVanish

IPVanish is another platform with over a decade of tradition in providing this service. You get unlimited bandwidth with each subscription tier offered. The provider offers 24/7 support and uses encrypted browsing to shield your web browser from potential hackers.

The platform has over 2,000 servers from more than 75 locations. Servers have decent speed, and you can expect convenient features like a VPN kill switch and split tunneling.

Reasons to choose

The platform comes with a Connect On Demand option. It detects an untrusted domain or network and secures your connection. If you are in locations where it’s not easy to connect to a VPN, you’ll appreciate the Alternative Connection mode.

WireGuard security protocol is the one used by IPVanish. It maximizes security while ensuring servers deliver top speeds. Combined with AES-256 encryption, you get excellent protection from this platform.

Reasons to skip

IPVanish has over 40,000 IP addresses available for its customers. Although that’s a huge number, it also means that there’s no guarantee you’ll be the only one using the IP address.

Another consideration is that the company’s headquarters are in the United States, which raises the topic of mandatory data retention applied in the country.

How to set up a VPN on your iPad?

First, we strongly suggest picking a premium VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. After signing up, you have two options to add a VPN. The first one is adding the connection manually, which includes the following steps:

1. Enter Settings, and then pick General.
2. Head to the VPN settings and pick Add VPN Configuration.
3. Insert all details, such as the connection type, remote ID, description, etc.
4. Add your VPN credentials and activate a proxy if necessary.
5. Finish and activate the VPN connection.

The above requires knowing and entering loads of technical data. It’s easier to install a VPN with the provider’s app. The majority have one for iPad devices. Follow these steps to set everything up:

1. Head to the manufacturer’s website and download the iPad app. Some apps are also available on the Apple iOS store.
2. Install the app and run it.
3. Enter your credentials. You might need to enter the device’s password to confirm adding a new configuration.
4. Connect to the desired server and activate it to start browsing.

Is there a built-in iOS VPN?

The short answer is that iPads or other Apple devices don’t come with an integrated VPN option. There’s some confusion regarding the Private Relay feature. But this isn’t even a default iOS feature since it’s only available if you subscribe to iCloud+.

Private Relay only works in Safari, so you need to use that browser. The feature uses two independent relays. That means Apple and your network provider can see your IP address but not the website addresses you are browsing. That’s because Private Relay encrypts DNS records. It also uses a second relay to design an alternative IP and use it to communicate with the website.

While it somewhat contributes to your internet security, Private Relay is entirely different from a VPN. It forces you to use the Safari web browser and only works for websites. Also, there aren’t features like bypassing geographic restrictions or using a connection kill switch.

It’s worth noting that iPads and other Apple-made operating systems have fantastic VPN support. You can easily install apps and even set up a VPN manually. Once you complete everything, check out our Flixed TV guide to see what’s on at any moment.

Our takeaway: It’s worth investing in a VPN for iPad

Apple iPads are powerful, fast, and convenient portable devices. You can use them for browsing internet sites but also watching streaming services. Thanks to the excellent speeds of premium VPNs, you can enjoy anything from VOD platforms like Apple TV+ to live TV streaming services like Fubo and Philo.

The good news is you have plenty of VPN services that work fantastic on iPads. NordVPN seems to be the best choice, but you can also try ExpressVPN and IPVanish. Using a VPN will add an important protection layer when using the internet, so don’t forget to activate it when going online!

Aneeca Younas • Author

Aneeca Younas is a graduated journalist with years of experience writing in different niches based in Oakland, CA. She is a huge movie fan that also enjoys watching sports. That's why she spends hours daily using various streaming services. Over the years, Aneeca profiled herself as an expert in cable-free and VOD platforms.

Lisa Holden • Editor

Lisa Holden is an editor and creative based in Houston, TX. Lisa holds a BA in African-American Studies from Temple University and has spent her career working in news publications and magazines, even founding a magazine herself. She began working as an editor for Flixed in 2023. When she’s not editing or working on one of her many creative endeavors (whenever that is), she enjoys traveling to new places and biking on sunny days.