The Best Free VPN for iPhone: Our Top 5 Picks for 2024 (2024)

The iPhone 16 series is set to be released later this year, and Apple has worked tirelessly to improve iOS security with each new version. However, if you want to really protect your data, you’re going to need to use a VPN.

We like saving money as much as the next person! That’s why we’ve tested 25+ free VPN services to list the best free VPNs for iPhone.

Below, you can read all about how these VPNs fared in our testing. Keep in mind that, as nice as it is to save on costs, free VPNs come with significant restrictions and limitations. That’s why we recommend having a look at Surfshark, one of the most affordable premium VPNs in the world.

Right now, you can grab 84% off your new Surfshark subscription! What’s even better is that Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial so you can see how the VPN compares to the best free VPNs for iOS – and ultimately make your own decision.

Best Free VPNs for iPhone

Different iOS users have different needs. Chances are that you’re looking for a free VPN with specific features, or maybe even a free VPN that’s also compatible with Mac.

For a quick overview of how each free VPN provider compares to another, check out the table below.

Our best free iOS VPN is Proton VPN, thanks to its secure encryption and ability to unblock streaming services.

Keep reading below to find out more about our best free iOS VPNs.

1. Proton VPN: Best free VPN iOS (iPhone and iPad)

If you’re looking to optimize your iOS security with a free VPN, Proton is an excellent choice. Our overall browsing experience using this free VPN app was smooth and lag-free. Proton VPN also has a strict no-logging policy, which is one of the reasons it is #1 on our best free VPN for iPhone list.

Why Proton VPN might be right for you:

• Unlimited data: You don’t have to worry about being cut off from your VPN connection: Proton is the only free VPN in this list without a data cap. Useful for browsing and streaming!
• Open-source and independently audited VPN: Thanks to its open-source development, Proton VPN is continuously improved and adapted, making it a top choice for iPhone users.
• Valuable security features: When using Proton, we were very impressed by its “Always On” mode for iOS users. You also have full DNS protection and a selection of secure VPN protocols.
• Full security suite: get access to all of Proton’s security features: Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive (cloud storage).

When testing Proton VPN, the one disappointment was that the VPN only has three server locations: US, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Still, after using the VPN on iPhone and iPad for a while, we happily recommend this easy-to-use and secure VPN!

2. PrivadoVPN: Secure VPN for streaming on iPhone

When testing PrivadoVPN, we were impressed by the high standard of security and privacy it provides. This zero-logs VPN doesn’t store any private information and offers AES 256-bit encryption. It’s also a safe VPN for torrenting and P2P file sharing.

Why PrivadoVPN might be right for you:

• Access to streaming services: With the exception of Netflix, PrivadoVPN managed to unblock leading streaming sites for us. Unfortunately, the 10 GB data limit puts restrictions on streaming.
• High level of privacy: PrivadoVPN doesn’t keep any logs and even offers an automatic kill switch. This prevents your real IP address from leaking should your connection fail.
• Many server locations: PrivadoVPN has servers in 10 locations, including the United States, The Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, UK, and more.
• Advanced security features: With SmartRoute (split-tunneling), PrivadoVPN distinguishes itself from most free services.

The biggest limitation to PrivadoVPN, and the main reason it’s not #1 on our best free VPN for iPhone list, is that the free version has a 10GB data limit. After this, free users can still access the VPN, but your speeds will be abhorrent (1 Mb/s speeds).

Even so, it’s a great free VPN if you want to unblock content and browse the web safely.

3. Windscribe: High-speed VPN with many servers

After evaluating Windscribe extensively, we can certainly recommend it as one of the best free iPhone VPNs. It’s the only VPN in this list of free iPhone VPN apps that offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

Why Windscribe might be right for you:

• Very secure free iPhone VPN app: With AES 256-bit encryption, a wide range of protocols (IKEv2, OpenVPN, Stealth, and Wstunnel), and DNS leak protection, Windscribe will certainly optimize your online security.
• Extra ad blocker feature: Windscribe comes with a built-in ad blocker feature that kept annoying ads at bay when we were browsing online.
• Strict, no-log policy: Despite the fact that Windscribe is located in Canada (part of the 5 Eyes), it has a strict no-log policy.
• Unlimited devices: You can have unlimited simultaneous connection with Windscribe, so we used it on all our iOS devices without issue!

The VPN service provided us with a stable VPN connection with great speeds and could actually unblock various streaming apps, including Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and the Netflix US library. It also provides iPhone users of the free plan with access to a VPN server in 10 countries.

However, since Windscribe has a data cap of 2GB per month, we didn’t have much time to stream. It’s possible to increase your 2GB to 10GB per month if you confirm your email address.

4. Hide.me: Free VPN for iOS with great customer support

Hide.me is an easy-to-use VPN with a solid iOS version. It has a limited number of VPN servers available, but locations include Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Why Hide.me might be right for you:

• Access to premium features during the first week: Want to see what it’s like to try a premium VPN? Hide.me lets you use their premium plan for seven days when you create an account.
• Customer support available: We were impressed by the expertise of the Hide.me customer support agents when we tested Hide.me. This makes it a fantastic free beginner VPN.
• Solid privacy features available: Hide.me has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. It offers various VPN protocols (incl. OpenVPN and WireGuard).
• Torrenting allowed: When testing Hide.me, we were able to safely torrent, which was a pleasant surprise.

Unfortunately, we struggled to unblock Netflix with Hide.me, which makes it unsuited for streaming. Considering the 10GB data limit, you wouldn’t have been able to binge-watch a new show either way.

Still, Hide.me is a free VPN service with a good iOS app and a great support team available to help you out with any questions and queries.

5. TunnelBear: Free VPN for iPhone with many servers

If it were not for the fact that TunnelBear has a devastatingly low data limit, this would be our best free VPN for iOS. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections, obfuscation technology and is a VPN outside of the 14 Eyes alliance.

Why TunnelBear might be right for you:

• Access to streaming services worldwide: TunnelBear is one of the best VPN providers that lets you stream with a VPN for free. You have access to servers in 40+ countries and TunnelBear lets you unblock multiple streaming services.
• Kill switch and high-end encryption: In terms of security, TunnelBear has got your back. They even have obfuscation to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN.
• User-friendly VPN: We’ve found TunnelBeal a fun VPN to use. The software is very intuitive and engaging, which put a spin on the generally plain VPN user experience.
• Unlimited connections: If you have multiple iOS devices, TunnelBear will cover them all.

By tweeting about TunnelBear, we could up our limit to 1,500 MB. But, this wasn’t enough to do much online, as we found out when testing TunnelBear.

It’s also a shame that customer support is quite limited with TunnelBear: priority is given to paying customers. Even so, it’s a fun VPN to try that certainly has a good deal to offer!

How We Picked the Best Free VPNs for iPhone

Not every free VPN is worth your time. That is why we thoroughly tested and researched the VPNs in this article to ensure you do not waste any time looking around.

So, to give you the best recommendations for a free iPhone VPN, we’ve taken the following factors into account:

• Compatibility with iOS: You’ll want a VPN with a great iOS app that is easy to install and navigate. Ideally, you don’t have to create an account to use a free VPN.
• Server network size: The bigger a VPN’s server network, the more opportunities you have for bypassing geo-restrictions.
• Unblocking capabilities: Can the free VPN unblock the best streaming services? We test the VPN for various platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Disney Plus.
• Privacy and security: When assessing iPhone VPNs, we examine a provider’s privacy policy thoroughly to make sure it treats your data with care.

It’s important to keep in mind that free VPNs come with various risks and limitations. Whether you want to use a VPN to stay anonymous online or to unblock foreign streaming services, you’re generally better off with a premium VPN.

Don’t want to pay too much money? With the best VPN deals and coupons, you can enjoy a premium experience without breaking the bank.

Limitations of Free VPNs

While it’s tempting to get a free virtual private network for your iPhone or iPad, there are several limitations you should be aware of.

These are the restrictions of a free VPN:

• Data caps: Most free VPNs cap data available to users on a daily or monthly basis. This limits your ability to game, stream, or browse extensively.
• Poor unblocking capabilities: Unfortunately, free VPN services tend to lack robust unblocking capabilities. This means you won’t easily access local iPhone apps or services.
• Security vulnerabilities: Free iPhone VPNs are audited less frequently than premium providers and may even infect devices with malware and malicious code.
• Private data collection: Due to lower security standards, some free VPNs inadvertently log, leak, or sell user data.
• Limited server locations: Free VPN apps generally only offer a handful of free servers, which get crowded easily.
• No unlimited simultaneous connections: While there are some free services that offer unlimited simultaneous connections (Windscribe), it’s generally unlikely you’re able to use your free VPN service on more than one device at once.

Want to see how a free VPN compares to a premium one? With Surfshark, one of the best VPNs for iPhone, you can enjoy a 7-day free trial!

Last year, the iPhone 15 series was released, which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Compared to other smartphones, Apple is known to provide its iPhone users with more robust security measures as long as they know how to optimize their iOS privacy settings.

The privacy tools included on the iPhone 15 models are:

• iMessage Contact Key Verification: Ensures communication without external interference.
• Biometric authentication: An updated version of Face ID recognition will be introduced.
• Enhanced privacy controls: Hide your email address, monitor insecure passwords, and keep track of app permissions.

We’re big fans of seeing these privacy features included and have high hopes for the iPhone 16 series, which is set to come out later this year.

Even so, the drawback of these features is that none fully encrypt your traffic. There’s no free Safari VPN, as of yet. You will need to download a VPN for iPhone, or at the very least a free proxy for iPhone, such as the Opera VPN proxy.

Only a VPN will let you unblock foreign streaming services, apps, and websites.

Best VPN for iPhone: Surfshark (Affordable Alternative!)

If you’re looking for a premium VPN for iPhone, look no further! This VPN is highly effective on iOS, offers unlimited connections, and is available at a low price of only $ 2.49 a month.

This is a worthy investment, considering the fantastic quality of the VPN: not only will you be able to unblock any streaming service you like, but Surfshark also offers a wide range of security features that bring your iPhone to a whole new level!

Features:

1. No speed limitations: Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs in the world and outperforms free VPNs easily on this front. You won’t ever experience any speed throttling.
2. Unblock streaming platforms: This VPN provider can bypass even the strongest geo-blocks. With 3200+ servers across 100 countries, you get yourself worldwide coverage.
3. Top-notch security: Unlike some free VPNs, Surfshark has never had security vulnerabilities that could put your privacy at risk. RAM-only servers prevent your data from being stored.
4. iOS app is unparalleled: Of course, the most important thing is that Surfshark works fantastically on iPhone and iPad!

If you want to make use of our limited offer, you can secure a discount of 84% now. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. Of course, you’re also more than welcome to use Surfshark’s 7-day free trial first.

A free VPN can get you a long way, but it doesn’t compare to what you can do with a premium VPN in any way. Have a look at the most affordable iPhone VPN service on the market right now!

How to Install a Free VPN App on iOS

Installing a free VPN on your iPhone is quick and easy! Even though the process may seem daunting, there are some simple steps to follow.

You can download a VPN for iOS by following these instructions:

1. Go to the App Store.
2. Search for the VPN app you’d like to install. We use Proton, the best free iPhone VPN as an example.

   

3. Click on the “Get” button next to the app.

   

4. Authorize the download using FaceID or your passcode.
5. Open up the VPN app once the download is complete.

   

6. Create an account if it is required. Some VPN apps may require you to sign up or create an account.

   

7. Complete the steps, then turn on the VPN by toggling the on/off button or power button.

Once you’ve finished setting up the VPN client, iOS is fully protected by your VPN!

Free VPNs to Avoid for iPhone

There are several free VPNs that you should avoid for iPhone or iPad, either because they’re not compatible with iOS or because they’ve got security vulnerabilities.

We’ve listed a few of them in the table below.

Start Using a VPN for iPhone Today

If you want to enhance your iPhone’s privacy and security without spending any money, we recommend downloading the best free VPN for iPhone: Proton VPN. This free service has some of the best encryption protocols, can actually unblock Netflix, and has unlimited data.

The downside of a VPN like Proton is that you only get access to three server locations. This limits how much content you can unblock! On top of that, you don’t get any of the additional security tools that come with a premium VPN.

If you’d rather fully optimize your online experience and you don’t mind paying a couple of bucks a month, we recommend Surfshark as the best alternative to a free iPhone VPN.

Surfshark has a huge server network and a fantastic iOS app! On top of that, there’s a 7-day free trial and a limited offer that gets a whole 84% off your plan! This makes Surfshark a super cheap alternative to a free VPN service.

Want to know more about free VPNs for different operating systems? Check out our guides below:

• The Best Free VPNs for Android
• The Best (Truly) Free VPNs for Linux
• Top Free VPNs for PC: Best No-Cost Options for Windows

Lauren MakAuthor

Senior Journalist

Lauren is an internal censorship and security-focused journalist with an eye for how technology affects society. With a background in International Relations and North American Studies, Lauren has a passion for helping understand the importance of privacy, freedom, and internet safety.

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