Best Antivirus for iPhone 2025: Real Protection Without the Battery Drain

iPhones are secure by design, but they’re not immune. In 2025, phishing links, data-leaking apps, public Wi-Fi threats, and account breaches are real risks for iOS users. While iOS blocks traditional malware, your iPhone still needs smart, privacy-focused protection.

We tested the best antivirus and security apps for iPhone that go beyond malware detection, offering VPNs, identity monitoring, scam protection, ad blockers, and data breach alerts.

The best iPhone security app in 2025 is TotalAV, which offers excellent scam protection, a built-in VPN, and an intuitive privacy toolkit. Surfshark and Nord Security are excellent alternatives, especially for users who want privacy across all their devices.

Quick Comparison: Best Antivirus Software for iPhone in 2025

Antivirus App	Best For	Key Features	iOS Compatibility	Pros	Cons
TotalAV for iPhone	All-in-one mobile security	WebShield for phishing protection VPN with AES-256 encryption Data breach monitoring System scan for app vulnerabilities	iOS 13 and up	Easy-to-use UI Fast performance Great value with antivirus + VPN combo	Some features require Total Security plan Limited customization options
Surfshark Antivirus for iPhone	Privacy-first users	CleanWeb ad/tracker blocking Breach alert scanner Real-time antivirus (via cloud engine) Unlimited device coverage with 1 account	iOS 13 and up	Lightweight and intuitive Excellent privacy focus Useful for multi-platform users	No local virus scan (iOS limitation) Requires full Surfshark One subscription
Nord Antivirus for iPhone	Passive protection and VPN users	Threat Protection Lite Integrated VPN (NordVPN engine) Tracker and malware URL blocking Cross-device breach monitoring	iOS 14 and up	Runs in background silently Strong VPN speeds Works well on multiple platforms	No full iOS malware scanning Few configurable security options

1. Why TotalAV Is Our Top Pick for iPhone Users

If you want complete mobile protection without complicating your setup, TotalAV for iPhone stands out in 2025. It delivers essential real-time web protection, a built-in VPN, and intuitive breach monitoring, all in a clean, fast app that doesn’t drain your iPhone’s battery.

Why We Recommend TotalAV for iPhone:

1. Real-Time Web Protection with WebShield: TotalAV blocks malicious, phishing, and scam websites before they load, making it ideal for secure mobile browsing on Safari or Chrome. The database is updated continuously via the cloud.

2. Integrated VPN with AES-256 Encryption: Comes with a high-speed VPN (based on TotalVPN tech) to encrypt all data traffic, which is perfect for using public Wi-Fi, streaming while traveling, and bypassing geo-blocks.

3. Data Breach Monitoring: TotalAV automatically checks if your email, passwords, or credentials have been leaked in known breaches. You get real-time alerts and guidance for securing your accounts.

4. Privacy Cleaner & App Insights: The iOS app includes a privacy cleaner to clear Safari cookies and cached trackers. It also shows permissions and data usage for installed apps, giving you tighter privacy control.

5. System Optimization Tools: Though iOS doesn’t allow antivirus scans like on Android, TotalAV helps identify unused apps, photos, and files to free up storage space.

Pros:

• Excellent web protection with real-time threat detection
• Fast, battery-efficient VPN included in the same plan
• Breach monitoring adds real value for security-conscious users
• Clean interface and fast performance on iOS 14+
• All tools bundled into one easy-to-use app

Cons:

• Antivirus scan not possible on iOS (due to Apple limitations)
• VPN and full breach monitoring require a paid subscription
• No real-time SMS or iMessage phishing filter

TotalAV Plans for iPhone:

Free Plan

• Basic app overview and system cleaner
• No VPN or WebShield
• No breach monitoring

Premium Plan

• Full VPN access (AES-256 encrypted)
• Real-time WebShield & tracker blocking
• Breach alerts, storage optimizer
• Priority support, regular feature updates

From $1.59/mo (billed annually)
30-day money-back guarantee

Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal
Billing: Annual subscription (auto-renews, cancel anytime)

Best For:

• iPhone users who want lightweight but powerful protection
• Remote workers and frequent travelers relying on public Wi-Fi
• People who want an all-in-one security suite with VPN, breach alerts, and web protection

Final Word:

TotalAV’s iPhone app gives you all the essential security features without clutter. While iOS doesn’t allow traditional virus scans, TotalAV makes up for it with a top-notch VPN, phishing protection, and privacy tools, all in a single app that feels native to iPhone. It’s our go-to recommendation in 2025 for iOS users.

2. Why Surfshark Antivirus Is Ideal for Privacy-Focused iPhone Users

If you’re an iPhone user who values privacy across all your devices, Surfshark delivers one of the best mobile protection suites in 2025. While iOS restricts full antivirus scans, Surfshark’s app covers what matters most: a privacy-first VPN, phishing prevention, breach alerts, and identity protection, all bundled into a single lightweight app.

Why We Recommend Surfshark for iPhone:

1. CleanWeb iOS – Phishing & Ad Blocker: Surfshark’s CleanWeb tech helps block malicious sites and intrusive ads system-wide. Though it’s browser-limited on iOS, it still protects Safari and Chrome from many phishing threats and scam domains.

2. Secure VPN with Unlimited Devices: The Surfshark VPN (included in the same app) is fast, battery-efficient, and supports IKEv2/WireGuard protocols with AES-256 encryption. Use it to protect your data on public Wi-Fi and stream privately from anywhere.

3. Identity Protection & Breach Alerts: The “Surfshark Alert” tool checks whether your email or personal data appears in any known data breaches. You get real-time notifications if your accounts are compromised.

4. Real-Time Location Privacy Tools: Surfshark One includes GPS spoofing (on Android) and IP masking for iOS, which helps limit how much your real location can be tracked by apps and websites.

5. iOS Optimization & Ease of Use: Surfshark’s iOS app is lightweight, visually clean, and supports Face ID, Siri Shortcuts, and fast switching between profiles. It runs smoothly on iOS 14 and newer.

Pros:

• Unlimited device support (perfect for families or power users)
• Excellent VPN performance and privacy standards
• Useful breach monitoring and alerting tools
• Simple, unified interface on iPhone
• Lightweight app with minimal battery drain

Cons:

• No antivirus scanning (iOS restriction)
• Full protection only available with a paid Surfshark One plan
• CleanWeb filtering is browser-limited on iOS

Surfshark Plans for iPhone:

Free Plan

Not available, requires subscription to Surfshark One

Surfshark One (Premium)

• VPN (AES-256 encrypted) with unlimited data
• CleanWeb ad/tracker/phishing blocking
• Identity monitoring (data breach alerts)
• Antivirus (on desktop), real-time alerts, private search

From $1.99/mo (billed annually)
30-day money-back guarantee

Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, crypto
Billing: Annual subscription (auto-renews, cancel anytime)

Best For:

• Privacy-first users with multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.)
• People who want a secure VPN bundled with breach alerts
• Travelers and professionals relying on public or untrusted Wi-Fi

Final Word:

While Surfshark can’t perform real-time virus scans on iPhone due to iOS limitations, it more than makes up for that with a robust privacy suite, including a top-tier VPN, breach monitoring, and tracking protection. It’s perfect for users who want privacy and usability without trade-offs.

3. Why Nord Antivirus Is a Strong Privacy Pick for iPhone Users

If you want a security-focused iPhone experience with minimal manual setup, Nord’s Threat Protection Lite delivers essential protection in a seamless app. While iOS doesn’t allow full antivirus scanning, Nord provides ad blocking, tracker prevention, and strong VPN encryption, making it perfect for staying private on the go.

Why We Recommend Nord Antivirus for iPhone:

1. Threat Protection Lite for iOS: Blocks known malicious websites, phishing links, and intrusive ads at the DNS level while you browse. It works quietly in the background with little to no setup needed.

2. Industry-Leading VPN Included: NordVPN, bundled with Threat Protection Lite, uses AES-256 encryption, has an audited no-logs policy, and supports Onion over VPN and double encryption. It’s ideal for privacy-conscious users and secure streaming.

3. Tracker and Ad Blocking in Safari: On iOS, Nord’s system helps limit tracking scripts and pop-up ads in Safari using configuration profiles. It’s not as customizable as desktop versions, but works well for everyday use.

4. Data Breach Scanner and Dark Web Monitoring: Included in Nord’s Security Suite, this feature lets you know if your credentials appear in data leaks. Alerts are sent directly through the iOS app.

5. Optimized for iOS Battery and Performance: Nord runs smoothly on iOS 14+ and integrates with Face ID, Siri, and Apple’s security model. It’s one of the most efficient VPN+security apps we tested.

Pros:

• VPN + ad/tracker blocking in one app
• Includes breach scanner and dark web alerts
• Excellent encryption and privacy reputation
• Lightweight on battery and system performance
• Easy to use for beginners and pros alike

Cons:

• No virus scanning (due to iOS limitations)
• Some protection (like full Threat Protection) only on Mac/Windows
• Limited filtering customization on iOS

Nord Antivirus Plans for iPhone:

Free Plan

No free plan for Threat Protection or VPN

Standard Plan

• Secure VPN (AES-256, no logs)
• Threat Protection Lite for Safari
• Breach alerts and a password scanner

From $3.49/mo (Standard plan, annual billing)
30-day money-back guarantee

Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, crypto
Billing: Annual or 2-year options (auto-renews)

Best For:

• iPhone users who want a top-tier VPN and light ad/tracker blocking
• Travelers or remote workers on public Wi-Fi
• Fans of the Nord ecosystem who use Mac/Windows as well

Final Word:

Nord doesn’t offer full antivirus for iOS because Apple doesn’t allow it, but its Threat Protection Lite covers essential threats like malicious sites, phishing pages, and tracking. With a built-in premium VPN and strong security credentials, it’s one of the most complete privacy tools available for iPhone.

How to Choose the Right iPhone Security App

When it comes to iPhones, antivirus tools are less about scanning files and more about blocking online threats, protecting privacy, and securing connections. Apple’s built-in defenses are strong, but third-party apps add crucial layers like VPNs, breach alerts, and anti-tracking tech.

1. Understand What iOS Allows (and Doesn’t)

Apple restricts traditional antivirus engines on iOS. So, any legitimate “iPhone antivirus” will typically offer:

• Phishing and malicious site protection
• VPNs for encrypted browsing
• Ad/tracker blocking in Safari
• Data breach monitoring

Avoid apps claiming to scan your iPhone like on Windows or Android, because iOS doesn’t allow it.

2. Look for Safari + System-Level Protection

The best iPhone tools offer filtering at the Safari level or DNS level. These block:

• Pop-ups, banner ads, and autoplay video ads
• Malicious links in emails, DMs, or social media
• Third-party trackers and fingerprinting scripts

3. VPN Bundles Make a Big Difference

Because iOS sandboxing limits what apps can scan, a bundled VPN ensures:

• Your traffic is encrypted (AES-256)
• Ads and trackers are blocked before they load
• You can safely browse on public Wi-Fi

Look for services using protocols like WireGuard or IKEv2 for speed and stability.

4. Battery Efficiency and Native iOS Support

Your iPhone security app should:

• Run quietly without draining your battery
• Support Face ID, Siri Shortcuts, and iOS Widgets
• Auto-update definitions and rules in the background

Bonus if it works seamlessly with iOS 17+ and future updates.

Quick Match by Use Case

User Type	Best Option	Why
Privacy-focused users	Surfshark Antivirus	Blocks ads/trackers, includes VPN, unlimited devices
Travelers / public Wi-Fi users	Nord Antivirus	Strong VPN, phishing protection, breach alerts
All-in-one security seekers	TotalAV for iPhone	VPN, anti-tracking, browser protection, password leak checker

How We Tested These iPhone Security Apps

To ensure our iPhone antivirus recommendations reflect real-world performance, we conducted structured tests over a 3-week period. Each app was evaluated for threat protection, system impact, usability, and Safari integration under common use scenarios.

Test Setup

Devices Used:

• iPhone 14 Pro (iOS 17.4.1)
• iPhone SE (2nd Gen, iOS 16.7)

Browsers:

• Safari (default), Chrome (for VPN routing & DNS blocking validation)

Network Environments:

• Secure home Wi-Fi (100 Mbps)
• Public networks (café Wi-Fi with captive portals)
• Cellular LTE/5G (with VPN active)

Use Case Scenarios:

• Opening phishing simulation emails and smishing texts
• Streaming via Safari and the YouTube app
• Browsing shopping and social media sites
• Using banking, crypto, and productivity apps
• Traveling with frequent VPN switching (US–EU–Asia)

Metrics Evaluated

Category	Metric	TotalAV	Surfshark Antivirus	Nord Antivirus
Safari Ad Blocking	Banners / pop-ups blocked	✅	✅	✅
Phishing Protection	Fake login page detection	✅	✅	✅
VPN Performance	Avg. download speed (Mbps)	82 Mbps	88 Mbps	85 Mbps
Tracker Blocking	# of trackers blocked (10 sites)	104	132	98
Battery Impact	1hr browsing + VPN drain	-4%	-3%	-3%
App Performance	Crashes / bugs during 5-day use	None	None	None
iOS Integration	Face ID, widgets, background tasks	Full support	Full support	Full support

Key Takeaways

• Surfshark Antivirus led in tracker blocking and battery efficiency, making it great for privacy-first users.
• TotalAV offered the strongest phishing protection and a highly intuitive iOS app with real-time alerts.
• Nord Antivirus had excellent VPN performance and seamless auto-connect on public networks.

Final Verdict

In 2025, protecting your iPhone is less about viruses and more about staying private, secure, and scam-free wherever you go.

• TotalAV is perfect for most iPhone users. It’s lightweight, intuitive, and includes a great VPN, scam filter, and breach alerts.
• Surfshark One is ideal for anyone who wants powerful privacy tools across all their devices with unlimited coverage.
• Nord Security is best for users who prioritize VPN performance, secure browsing, and clean, real-time breach protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do iPhones really need antivirus in 2025?

While iOS blocks traditional viruses, iPhones can still fall victim to phishing links, malicious websites, unsafe Wi-Fi networks, and data leaks. A good security app adds real-world protection with VPNs, scam filters, and breach alerts.

Does the iPhone have better security than Android?

iPhones are more locked down by design, but Android has caught up in recent years. iOS offers better app store filtering and sandboxing, but both platforms benefit from additional privacy tools, such as VPNs and breach monitors.

What is the best security for an iPad?

The best iPad security apps are the same as for iPhone: TotalAV, Surfshark, and Nord Security. All three work seamlessly on iPadOS and offer VPN, breach alerts, and safe browsing tools with excellent battery performance.

Will antivirus apps drain my battery on iPhone?

Not if you choose the right ones. TotalAV, Surfshark, and Nord are all optimized for iOS and run quietly in the background without draining power.

What’s the best antivirus for iPhone with VPN?

TotalAV, Surfshark, and Nord Security all include premium VPNs in their plans. TotalAV is the most user-friendly, Surfshark offers unlimited devices, and Nord delivers blazing-fast VPN speeds.

Can antivirus apps protect against data leaks?

Yes. All three top picks offer breach monitoring features that alert you if your credentials or email have been compromised online.