# PrivateVPN vs Melon VPN

PrivateVPN and Melon VPN both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 76% of Melon VPN's written reviews are positive against 28% of PrivateVPN's. Melon VPN also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PrivateVPN sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Melon VPN sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for PrivateVPN against 4.5 for Melon VPN. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5K and 5.7K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of PrivateVPN's written reviews are positive against 76% of Melon VPN's.

PrivateVPN ships an update every 2 months, Melon VPN weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PrivateVPN | Melon VPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/privatevpn/id1168424870/reviews)** | [4.5 (5.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/melon-vpn-fast-proxy-lowcost/id1458080487/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5K | **5.7K** |
| Positive reviews | 28.3% of reviews | **75.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 30 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PrivateVPN Global AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1586972255) | [Wildlook Tech Pte Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1627290628) |

## What reviewers say

### PrivateVPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/privatevpn/id1168424870)

Enhance your online security and privacy with a virtual private network. Access blocked websites, encrypt your data, and browse anonymously. Enjoy a reliable and secure internet connection with servers worldwide.

**Highlights:** Secured connection, Access blocked websites, Reliable data encryption, Online anonymity, Global server network, No logs stored

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $9.99 | per month |
| Quarterly subscription | $24.99 | per 3 months |
| Yearly subscription | $69.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast connection
- 💡 Dedicated IP option
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔒 Good privacy and security

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🔍 Poor server selection
- ⚠️ Unreliable performance
- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 🤖 Unresponsive customer support

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Incompatibility with iOS updates
- Inability to turn off VPN
- Blocking of internet access

**Requested features**

- More server locations
- Improved connection stability
- Better app interface
- Ability to cancel subscription


### Melon VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/melon-vpn-fast-proxy-lowcost/id1458080487)

This app offers a fast, secure, and private internet connection with unlimited bandwidth. It features a simple one-touch connection, a strict no-log policy, and global server access. Enjoy a better, more anonymous online experience with no advertisements.

**Highlights:** No ads SDK, Super-fast connection speeds, Unlimited bandwidth, Global VPN servers, One-touch connect, Strict no-log policy, Smart server selection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Melon VPN Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| VIP Monthly (Discount) | $7.99 | per month |
| VIP Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly subscription | $9.99 | per 3 months |
| VIP Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| VIP Yearly (Discount) | $29.99 | per year |
| VIP Year (Discount) | $34.99 | per year |
| VIP Yearly (Discount) | $39.99 | per year |
| VIP Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| VIP Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime VIP | $99.99 | one-time |
| VIP Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔒 Provides privacy and security
- 💡 Generous free offering with no subscription required

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues or disconnects
- 💰 Ads can be intrusive
- 🌐 Limited server locations available in free version

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes on some devices
- Incompatibility with certain apps or websites

**Requested features**

- More server location options
- Ability to bypass ads or extend free usage time
- Automatic connection on startup


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PrivateVPN free?

PrivateVPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Melon VPN free?

Melon VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PrivateVPN or Melon VPN?

PrivateVPN is rated higher. PrivateVPN averages 4.6 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while Melon VPN averages 4.5 from 5.7K ratings.

### Do PrivateVPN or Melon VPN have ads?

Neither PrivateVPN nor Melon VPN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PrivateVPN or Melon VPN?

PrivateVPN ships an update every 2 months, and Melon VPN weekly. Most recently, PrivateVPN was updated on September 24, 2026 and Melon VPN on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*