What Does a VPN App Do?

VPNs, or virtual private networks, route your internet connection to a remote server via an encrypted tunnel. That means you’re always protected. No one can see what you’re up to; no one can access your personal data or any other information about you or your online activities. As a bonus, a VPN conceals your IP address behind an anonymous IP address, so you can browse without worrying who might be tracking your online movements.

I’ve spent years working with and testing the industry’s leading VPNs to get a sense of exactly how well they work and make recommendations for our readership. One thing I can tell you, if you’re using one of the best VPNs, you’re going to be significantly more secure than the people who aren’t. In a world where data breaches affected over 1,6 billion people in 2024 alone, you need every available advantage to stay ahead of cybercriminals and avoid identity theft.1

What is a VPN App?

A VPN’s app is its command center. You use it to connect to the VPN, to choose which servers you want to log on to, and to adjust settings. It’s the user interface that lets you take control of your digital security.

Of course, there are as many different VPN apps out there as there are VPNs. Some come with a kill switch that shuts down your online activities any time the VPN fails. Others offer split tunneling, which lets you split your internet connection so you can stay logged on to the regular internet at the same time you’re logged on to the VPN. Some select the best server for you. Others let you control decisions like that. In fact, we’ll let you in on a little secret. A VPN’s app can actually tell you quite a lot about the VPN service itself. Certainly, you never want to choose a VPN with a confusing app.

So, let’s dive just a little deeper into the world of the VPN app. How do these apps work? What can you do with them? And what do they reveal about the services they represent?

The VPN App

Let’s talk about what a VPN app actually does, starting with its basic function: protecting you when you’re online.

Once you install a VPN app on your device, you can use it to connect to a secure server through an encrypted tunnel. Most VPN apps allow you to do this with a click of a button. With NordVPN, for example, you simply open the app and click the Quick Connect button. The app makes decisions for you, like choosing the best server for your situation and deciding on the right protocol.

>> Check It Out: NordVPN review

A Quick Connect button is all well and good, but your VPN should give you the option to exert a little more control over its features if you want. You might prefer to choose which protocol you’re using, for example. Most VPN apps offer several options here. OpenVPN gives you maximum safety with its battle-tested security. If you’re willing to sacrifice that experience for speed, WireGuard is your friend. It’s the newer protocol that’s been turning heads since publicly launching in 2017 with better performance than OpenVPN.

Likewise, you should be able to choose the server you want. If you’re looking to access Netflix content that’s available only in Germany, for instance, you’ll want to connect to a German server. Most VPN apps also let you choose the server with the lightest traffic so you get a faster connection.

>> Read More: Best VPNs for Germany

Many VPN apps come with additional features that provide even more security and productivity.

• Kill switch: A kill switch instantly cuts your internet connection if your VPN drops unexpectedly. That way, your real IP address never gets exposed, even for a second. It’s like having an emergency brake for your privacy.
• Split tunneling: If your VPN app has a split tunneling feature, you can log on to the regular internet at the same time you’re logged on to the VPN. We use it at the corner coffee shop when we’re working from home. We connect to the office through the VPN, but we stream our Spotify tunes through the coffee shop’s Wi-Fi.
• Multihop: The best VPNs offer multihop technology (also called Double VPN). When you turn on this feature, your connection bounces through at least two servers instead of one. This also adds multiple layers of encryption, making it virtually impossible for anyone to trace your online activities back to you.

• Camouflage mode: Many VPNs have begun offering access to what are known as obfuscated servers. When you’re connected to one of these servers, your VPN traffic looks like regular internet traffic – perfect for getting around VPN blocks.
• P2P configured servers: If you’re into torrenting, you might want to look for a VPN that offers P2P configured servers. These VPNs make it easy to connect to torrenting sites. Again, your VPN app should let you choose exactly which server is right for your particular needs.

Most VPN apps let you make these adjustments any time you open them. You should also be able to save your preferences, so that those Quick Connect buttons remember all your favorites.

We configure our VPN to use the WireGuard protocol every time. OpenVPN is still the gold standard for security, but for everyday browsing, WireGuard’s speed boost is hard to beat. Plus, we can always switch back to OpenVPN whenever we need that extra layer of protection, like when we’re doing online banking or handling sensitive work documents.

Setting Up a VPN App

You don’t necessarily have to use an app to gain access to a VPN. There are ways to manually install a VPN on your device. Installing your VPN through an app, though, is infinitely easier. Don’t believe us? Compare the processes.

Android

Here’s what you have to go through to get a VPN onto an Android device:

1. First, you’ll need to sign up with a VPN. That involves navigating to your chosen VPN’s website and signing up for a subscription.
2. Once you’ve signed up for a subscription, the VPN should give you a set of information you’ll need to set up the VPN on your device: a username, a password, a server address.
3. Next, open the Settings app on your phone.
4. Navigate to your Network & Internet settings.
5. Navigate to VPN setup. You may need to enter Advanced features to access this screen.
6. Choose Add a VPN.
7. Enter the required information (username, password, server address, etc.).
8. Choose Save.

Each time you connect to the VPN, you’ll need to do so manually:

1. Return to the Settings app.
2. Return to the Network & Internet settings.
3. Choose Advanced.
4. Choose VPN.
5. Select the VPN you want you’ve set up.
6. Enter your username and password.
7. Choose the server you want to connect to.
8. Choose Connect.

It’s a similar process doing a manual install on any other type of device: Windows devices, Macs, and iPhones.

>> Find Out More: Best VPNs for Android

If you’re using a desktop or laptop, you’ll need to download the app from the VPN’s website rather than Google Play or the App Store, but the process works the same and is just as easy. Hooray for apps!

iOS

Here’s how to install a VPN on an iPhone:

1. Using your Safari browser, download the VPN configuration file from your chosen VPN.
2. Close the Profile Downloaded pop-up.
3. Under your device’s settings, navigate to General.
4. Navigate to Profile.
5. Choose the name of your VPN.
6. Choose Install and enter your device passcode.
7. When a warning pops up, choose Install.
8. When installation is complete, choose Done.
9. To connect to a VPN, return to Settings.
10. Navigate to General.
11.  Choose VPN.
12. In the VPN menu, select a server and move the toggle to On.

>> Check Out: Top VPNs for iPhone

Choosing the Right VPN App

There are dozens of VPNs out there, and while there are plenty of duds, there are also a fair number of really great services that offer great security for a reasonable price. How do you choose between them?

First, you should consider our complete guide to VPNs, which will help you decide which features are right for you. The fact is, every person is different, and what you need in a VPN will be different from what others may need from theirs.

You can learn a lot about a VPN simply by looking at its app features. Here are the key questions to ask yourself when you’re shopping for a VPN app:

• How much control do you want? If you’re fairly new to VPNs, you might want to consider one with an app that does the choosing for you. You may not be sophisticated enough yet to know which servers are best. You may not know the difference between OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Lightway protocols. That’s OK. These VPNs will take care of you. On the other hand, if you have some very precise places you want to go and things you want to do, you want an app that gives you as much control as possible.
• How much security do you need? If you’re someone who’s dealing in sensitive information, you need as many security features as you can get. You want to make sure your VPN app lets you choose the OpenVPN protocol. You want a kill switch. And ideally, you want the option to use multihop and to log on to obfuscated servers.
• What features are you seeking? How do you plan to use your VPN? Are you traveling to countries where VPNs are banned and looking to stay safe? Or are you more interested in accessing streaming services in other countries? If you’re trying to keep Kim Jong Un from arresting you, security is probably your chief concern. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to download a hard-to-find Mexican sitcom, you’ll probably want a VPN with lots of servers in Mexico and fast speeds.
• What’s the right price for you? There are plenty of high-quality and affordable VPNs out there. Of course, if you’re looking for a VPN with top-of-the line features, you may have to pay extra. ExpressVPN is pricey, for instance, starting at $12.99 for a single month in 2024. But you get all the latest safety technology, like their proprietary Lightway protocol. You can also get a discount on most VPNs if you sign up for long-term subscriptions. A single month of Ivacy, for example, costs $12.95. If you’re willing to commit to their five-year plan, you only pay $1.69 per month.

>> Digging Deeper: Best VPNs for Netflix

The Bottom Line

Remember that old saying? There’s an app for that! And boy, has that turned out to be prophetic. There are apps that identify birds by their songs, monitor your sleep patterns, guide you through mindfulness meditation, and turn your couch potato lifestyle into a fitness journey.

But here’s the thing – there may be no more important app on your device than your VPN app. It lets you connect to the internet through an encrypted tunnel, concealing your actual IP address behind an anonymous, untraceable address. This helps keep you safe in an increasingly dangerous digital world. With cyber threats evolving faster than ever, there’s really nothing more valuable than that peace of mind.