Thanks to a variety of useful apps for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and macOS, you can get more out of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. Developers ensure that your Apple devices become more versatile, but discovering new applications is sometimes difficult because the range is so wide.
That is why we would like to list some useful apps for you so that you can discover new possibilities. The four apps we are highlighting today have a theme VPN services. Would you like to receive Apple tips? Then it is worth installing the appletips app on your iPhone or iPad.
VPN apps
With a VPN (Virtual Private Network) you can not only improve your online privacy, but also connect more securely to public Wi-Fi networks and access content that is otherwise restricted. Whether you travel often, regularly use unknown networks or simply want to protect your data from prying eyes: a VPN is now almost indispensable on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
In the App Store you will find countless apps that offer VPN services, but not all of them are equally reliable or user-friendly. We have selected three useful apps that work excellently within the Apple ecosystem, are easy to use and help you stay anonymous and safe online.
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the most popular and reliable VPN services for Apple users, with native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that integrate seamlessly with iOS 18+ and macOS Sonoma or later. The app offers lightning-fast connections via the NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard), a kill switch to prevent data leaks, and Threat Protection Pro to block malware, trackers and ads – ideal for daily surfing, streaming and working on public Wi-Fi.
With more than 7,400 servers in 118 countries, AES-256 encryption and a strict no-log policy (audited by independent parties), NordVPN ensures top privacy and access to geo-blocked content such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer. The interface is intuitive with Quick Connect, auto-connect at startup and 24/7 support, making it a perfect fit for the user-friendliness of the Apple ecosystem.
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Category: Services, Productivity Developer: Nordvpn SA IAP 4+ 196MBDOWNLOAD FOR FREE |
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is an easy-to-use and secure VPN for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It supports high-speed connections up to 10 Gbps with apps using WireGuard, IKEv2 and Stealth protocols. The company is based in Switzerland, which ensures strong privacy, and the apps are open source and secured. They offer a free plan with unlimited data and premium features like NetShield, Kill Switch, VPN Accelerator and access to over 13,000 servers in over 120 countries.
The app for iPhone and iPad is easy to use, with a Quick Connect button, the ability to select servers by country or city (sorted by crowds), widgets, Guest Mode and Always-On VPN for constant protection, which is ideal for mobile use and streaming such as Netflix. For Mac, there are fast connections via the menu bar, Secure Core servers and split tunneling, although installation sometimes requires additional steps. Recent updates (2026) have improved stability and network options.
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Category: Services, Productivity Developer: Proton AG IAP 4+ 258MBDOWNLOAD FOR FREE |
SurfShark
Surfshark VPN is an affordable and versatile choice for Apple users, with native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that run on iOS 13+ and macOS Ventura or later. The app excels in speed thanks to the WireGuard protocol, offers a kill switch, CleanWeb adblocker against malware and trackers, and an intuitive interface with Quick Connect and auto-connect functions – perfect for everyday use on public WiFi or streaming.
With more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries, AES-256 encryption and a strict no-log policy, Surfshark ensures strong privacy and access to geo-blocked content like Netflix. Compared to NordVPN, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous device connections (vs. max. 10 with NordVPN) and a lower price, but NordVPN has a larger server network and slightly faster speeds for intensive tasks.
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Category: Productivity, Services Developer: Surfshark IAP 17+ 349MBDOWNLOAD FOR FREE |
ClearVPN
ClearVPN is a simple and easy-to-use VPN app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, designed specifically for Apple users who don’t want complicated configurations. With one click you can activate connections for anonymous surfing, faster streaming or a specific location in 40+ countries, backed by a kill switch, AES-256 encryption and a strict no-log policy – ideal for everyday use on public Wi-Fi or traveling. The app integrates seamlessly with Shortcuts and widgets, and offers tools like ad blocking for a clean browsing experience.
ClearVPN is part of Setapp, the popular subscription platform with 250+ Mac and iOS apps, so you can use it as a Setapp subscriber at no extra cost – just search, install and log in via QR code. This makes it extra attractive for Apple fans who already have Setapp, with access to up to 6 devices simultaneously and servers optimized for speed and streaming such as Netflix.
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Category: Services, Productivity Developer: MacPaw Way Ltd IAP 12+ 134MBDOWNLOAD FOR FREE |
Other app suggestions
Naturally, the above four applications are only a small selection of the complete range within this category. If you have any other suggestions, please share them in the comments so you can introduce other users to new apps.