The best VPN for kids on mobile, tablet and console

It’s quiet at home, the kids are playing on the iPad, Fortnite is playing on the PlayStation and YouTube is playing a remix of the song you’ll be humming while you hang your laundry tonight. Idyllic at first glance. But what we can’t see may be a bigger problem than a broken screen or a mysteriously deleted photo gallery. Kids today are online practically around the clock – and with that comes increased risk.

Now, hand on heart. How many times have we heard that “the child was on the internet at an inappropriate time, with inappropriate content, and ideally on Wi-Fi in a shopping mall where even a retired hacker would feel like he was in a candy store”? This is exactly why it makes sense to start looking into VPNs for kids.

What is VPN and why do children need it?

A VPN (virtual private network) is like a digital umbrella these days. It hides the IP address, encrypts the connection and can bypass geoblocks. But more importantly, when you set it up for your kids, it helps protect their privacy, prevents third parties from monitoring their activities and protects them on public Wi-Fi networks.

And this isn’t just paranoia. Anyone can connect to school Wi-Fi networks or shopping malls. And if your child opens an app that puts data on there without encryption, they can suddenly become an easy target.

But a VPN isn’t just about security. When you have gaming consoles, streaming apps, YouTube Kids or a mobile app like TikTok in your home, a VPN can:

• prevent spying by operators and advertising platforms,
• restrict access to inappropriate content (using DNS filters),
• Increase stability when playing online games (lower ping, less lag),
• add another layer of parental control.

What to look out for when choosing a VPN for kids?

Not every VPN is suitable for children’s devices. Some services can’t block dangerous sites, others have complicated settings that a child can bypass in two clicks. Here are a few key things to look for:

• Parental control features – for example, the ability to filter content, time limit connections or view usage reports.
• Easy to manage from one device – ideally by setting up a VPN on your router, or via a custom app for each mobile.
• Kill Switch and Auto-connect – so that the VPN stays on during a network outage and can’t be easily turned off.
• Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch – because surfing is everywhere these days.
• Speed and stability – no kid can stand a VPN that slows down YouTube or interferes with gameplay.

1. NordVPN – When you want to make sure your kids are safe online

NordVPN isn’t just a marketing term that jumps out at you from every other YouTube ad. After a few years of using it at home, I can say that this VPN is the perfect choice if you want to protect your kids while maintaining a reasonable level of control without unnecessary complications.

Why NordVPN for kids?

• Threat Protection – a feature that automatically blocks dangerous websites, ads and trackers. Ideal when your child is surfing the internet and clicking on everything that sparkles.
• Auto-connect – you set it up once and the VPN automatically turns on whenever it’s needed. The child won’t even know that something is running in the background.
• Kill Switch – if the VPN fails, the connection will be disconnected immediately. No surfing without protection.
• Dark Web Monitor – alerts you if your child’s email appears on the dark web. Great prevention.
• Meshnet – securely connect devices, for example when your child is playing with friends and you don’t want them to connect via public IP addresses.

Advantages of NordVPN

• Speed – iPad, iPhone, and PS5 all run virtually lag-free with NordVPN.
• Apps for everything – iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, but also Smart TVs and routers.
• Easy to use – kids can’t get to the settings if you keep an eye on the password.
• Setup on the router – protect your entire household, including devices where VPNs are not normally installed (e.g. Nintendo Switch).
• Apple Screentime compatibility – ideal for parents who use iPhones and want to keep an eye on things.

What could possibly be wrong?

• NordVPN can’t directly set time limits or block specific apps – you’ll need to deal with parental controls in the system (e.g. Screentime or Family Link).
• Some of the more advanced features may be more complex for the average user, but most are not essential for child protection.

Tip from practice

On your iPhone or iPad, I recommend turning on Auto-connect on trusted networks and setting the Kill Switch. That way, your child can connect safely at home or out and about without having to deal with anything. And if the VPN goes down? iOS will let you know.

2. ExpressVPN – Speed, simplicity and reliability for kids and parents

ExpressVPN is the kind of service that doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary settings and just works. If you’re looking for a VPN that you can set up in minutes and don’t have to go back to every time your child turns on their tablet or console, ExpressVPN is a great option.

Why ExpressVPN for Kids?

• Minimalist and intuitive app – no complicated menus, no confusing options. On = protected.
• TrustedServer technology – servers run only on RAM, so nothing is stored on them. Even if someone physically acquired the server, the data just isn’t there.
• Split Tunneling – you can choose which apps go through the VPN and which don’t. For example, so that YouTube Kids runs securely, but a local school app runs outside the VPN.
• Automatic connection – Similar to NordVPN, you can set the VPN to start automatically when you connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Router support – ExpressVPN has its own firmware for routers, which means you can protect devices where you wouldn’t normally install a VPN.

Benefits of ExpressVPN

• Excellent speeds – one of the fastest VPNs on the market. Video streaming, online gaming and video calling are all seamless.
• Apps for consoles and Smart TVs – With MediaStreamer, you can bypass geo-blocking even on devices without VPN support.
• Simple interface – ideal for parents who don’t want to spend hours setting up.
• Stability and reliability – ExpressVPN runs like a Swiss watch. No outages, no problems.

What can be a minus?

• ExpressVPN doesn’t have as many additional security features as NordVPN (e.g. ad blocking and tracker blocking).
• Higher price compared to the competition, although the quality corresponds to it.
• There is no integrated parental filter – this means that you need to combine it with another tool to block inappropriate content.

Tip from practice

If you have gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox) at home and your kids play online, I recommend deploying ExpressVPN on your router. Not only will you protect your connection, but you can also improve the ping when connecting to certain game servers.

3. Surfshark – a VPN for the whole family (and still enough for grandma’s tablet)

Surfshark is often classified as an “affordable” VPN, but don’t be fooled. What it offers could easily cost twice as much. If you’ve got multiple kids, multiple devices in the house, and the occasional “visitor” who wants to “just hang out on the Wi-Fi for a while,” Surfshark is the obvious choice.

Why Surfshark for kids?

• Unlimited devices – set up a VPN on everything in your home. Phones, tablets, computers, consoles, TVs… even the fridge could do it if it had a display.
• CleanWeb – automatically blocks ads, trackers and phishing sites. Works great for normal surfing and gaming.
• Parental Control (with DNS filter) – can restrict access to inappropriate sites. Just switch in the settings.
• Auto-connect + Kill Switch – a basic security feature that makes it virtually impossible for your child to surf without a VPN.

Benefits of Surfshark

• Cost-effective – it’s one of the cheapest premium VPNs, especially on a long-term subscription.
• Clear app – for iOS, Android or Windows. Parents can handle it without instructions and the child can’t get by without a password.
• “Invisible on LAN ” – your child will not be visible to others on the school network. A small but handy feature.
• 2FA (two-factor authentication) – extra security for the parent account.

What can be a minus?

• Occasionally, CleanWeb does not start automatically – you need to manually enable it in the settings.
• Not ideal for complete technophobes – although the app is simple, some of the advanced features can be confusing.
• Servers are not as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN – it depends on your location.

Tip from practice

I recommend Surfshark to anyone with, say, three kids and five devices in the living room. No need to count licenses – everything will work, everywhere. And if a child turns off the VPN, it can be checked in the app or via email notifications.

4. Private Internet Access (PIA) – For parents who want to be in control

Private Internet Access, or PIA for short, is a VPN service that appeals mainly to those who like to play with settings and want to “tweak” their child protection to suit themselves. It’s not the most user-friendly VPN on the market, but what it lacks in simplicity it makes up for in customization options and an emphasis on privacy.

Why PIA for children?

• Custom DNS option – ideal if you want to set up your own list of blocked sites or use a dedicated DNS for parental control.
• MACE blocker – an effective tool for blocking ads, malware and tracking scripts. Protects children from unwanted content and risky sites.
• Open-source apps – parents who are tech-savvy will appreciate the transparency and code review.
• Kill Switch and Auto-connect – a commonplace feature that ensures the VPN will always run.
• Support for a wide range of devices – including Linux, which geek households will appreciate.

Benefits of PIA

• Extreme customizability – from encryption type to port settings.
• Large server network – over 35,000 servers, which is the largest of all the services mentioned.
• Excellent value for money – long-term plans are affordable.
• The possibility of paying anonymously – for example, using cryptocurrencies, if one is concerned about maximum privacy.

What can be a minus?

• A more complex interface – it’s not a completely “plug and play” solution. It requires a bit more technical thinking.
• Less intuitive parental controls – compared to NordVPN or Surfshark, you have to set up DNS filters manually.
• Occasionally fluctuating speed – some servers are not as stable as premium competitors.

Tip from practice

If you have older children or teenagers at home who “already know” how to bypass basic security, PIA will give you the tools to tame their creativity. I recommend using your own DNS settings and setting up a VPN directly on your router – this will bypass attempts to shut down the app on mobile.

5. CyberGhost – Convenient one-click child protection

CyberGhost is the perfect choice for parents who want a quick solution without having to study manuals. This VPN relies on simplicity, yet offers enough protection for kids’ daily online activities. Whether it’s securely watching videos, playing games, or connecting to public Wi-Fi, CyberGhost can handle it without any hassle.

Why CyberGhost for kids?

• Tailored profiles – CyberGhost offers preset modes, such as for streaming, safe surfing or anonymous downloads. Just choose and the VPN will set everything up for you.
• Malware and ad blocking – automatically protects against malicious sites, perfect for kids who click on every colourful button.
• Auto-connect – simple setup where the VPN turns on automatically on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Smart TV and console support – also protects gaming devices and smart TVs.
• Large server network – over 12,000 servers in more than 100 countries ensure a stable and fast connection.

Benefits of CyberGhost

• Very simple interface – even those who are not very good with technology can do it.
• A long subscription at a low price – for a longer commitment, it’s one of the most affordable VPNs.
• Up to 7 devices can be protected simultaneously – ideal for the average family.
• Transparent policy – regularly publishes privacy reports.

What can be a minus?

• CyberGhost doesn’t offer as detailed setup options as PIA or NordVPN.
• Occasionally, some streaming servers are unavailable, which can be frustrating for children who want to watch foreign content.
• Parental controls are rather basic – they rely mainly on blocking dangerous sites, not on advanced filtering.

Tip from practice

CyberGhost is great if you want to quickly secure your younger children’s devices and make sure they don’t encounter dangerous sites during normal use. Setup is a matter of minutes, so perfect for parents who want to be “done” before afternoon coffee.

Summary: Which VPN is right for your kids?

Every family has different needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all ideal VPN for children. Here’s a quick rundown of when to reach for which service:

What else to know about child protection online?

A VPN is a great foundation, but it’s certainly not the only step a parent should take. Here are some bonus tips from my own experience:

• Combine a VPN with parental controls on your system – whether you’re using Apple Screentime, Google Family Link or specialist apps like Qustodio.
• Explain to your children why they use a VPN – if they know it’s for their safety, they won’t feel the need to turn it off.
• Check your settings regularly – kids are resourceful, and if they find a way around a VPN, they’ll try it.
• Consider a VPN on your router – this will also protect devices where a VPN cannot be installed normally.
• Keep an eye on what apps your kids are using – some games and apps collect more data than they should.

When it comes to protecting children in the digital world, it is not about banning everything, but about creating a safe environment where they can move around without fear. And a VPN is one of the simplest and most effective tools to achieve this.

If I had to pick one service for a regular family? NordVPN. But if you have a bunch of kids and a bunch of devices at home, Surfshark will save you. And those who like to play with the details will appreciate PIA.