NordVPN: VPN Fast & Secure

NordVPN has been on the App Store since late 2014 and, now at version 9.7.0, it remains one of the most downloaded VPN apps on the platform. The 197 MB install is on the heavier side for a utility, and the free download masks a subscription requirement for full use. With 682K ratings averaging 4.66, the user base is clearly satisfied, but the app's value depends heavily on what plan you pay for and what you actually need from a mobile VPN.

Quick to Connect, Polished to Use

The one-tap connection flow is genuinely as simple as advertised. Open the app, hit connect, and you are tunneled within seconds. NordVPN has built custom protocols aimed at keeping speeds competitive without dropping security standards, and on a fast home network the overhead is noticeable but not painful. For a casual user who just wants encrypted traffic on public Wi-Fi, the experience feels near-frictionless.

The Cost and Size Question

At 197 MB, NordVPN is a chunky download for what is fundamentally a connection manager. The free tier is effectively a trial wrapper around a paid subscription, so budget-conscious users should go in with eyes open. The app is updated actively, with the latest push in June 2026, which signals ongoing maintenance, but each major update cycle has historically prompted subscription upsell prompts that some users find intrusive.

Who This Is Actually For

NordVPN on iOS suits frequent travelers, remote workers on shared networks, and anyone wanting a single app that handles IP masking and traffic encryption without manual configuration. It is less compelling for power users who want granular protocol control or split-tunneling depth, since iOS system restrictions limit how far any VPN app can go on that platform regardless of the developer.