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

Apple has been working hard to improve the privacy and security settings of the iPhone over the years. If you want to really protect your data, however, you’re going to need to use a VPN.

With the recent release of the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus, it’s high time you take your digital privacy into your own hands. In this article, we go over the best free VPNs for iPhone and give you our recommendations for a more secure and affordable premium VPN.

After testing 25+ free VPNs, we ranked the top five free VPNs for iPhone (+1 bonus VPN!) below.

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 top on our best free VPN for iPhone list.

Why Proton VPN might be right for you:

• Unlimited data: Proton VPN is one of the few free VPN providers with no data cap. Free users don’t have to worry about being cut off from their VPN connection when they’re streaming a TV show or browsing the web.
• Open-source and independently audited VPN: When it comes to privacy and security, you’re all set with Proton 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: Proton VPN has an “Always On” mode for iOS users, so you never go online without the VPN, DNS leak protection, secure VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN), and easy access to the full suite of Proton’s security features: Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive (cloud storage).

Although, during our Proton VPN tests, we could unblock content on leading streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, there’s no guarantee that this will work every time when using its free version.

On top of that, Proton VPN only has three server locations (US, Japan, and The Netherlands) and is not the fastest VPN. Still, from our own tests with Proton VPN, we’re more than happy to 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 users with. 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 and provides a stable VPN connection.

Why PrivadoVPN might be right for you:

• Access to streaming services: With the exception of Netflix, PrivadoVPN is a free VPN service that can actually unblock streaming services. Unfortunately, there is a 10GB data limit, so PrivadoVPN is mostly suited for light users.
• High level of privacy: PrivadoVPN doesn’t keep any logs and even offers a kill switch. This will ensure your connection is automatically cut off if your VPN malfunctions unexpectedly, keeping your data away from your internet service provider at all times. Not many free providers offer a kill switch.
• Many server locations: PrivadoVPN has servers in the United States, The Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Argentina, France, and Brazil. Most of the time, free VPNs will only have a limited number of server locations.

More importantly, PrivadoVPN is one of the few VPN providers that actually unblock streaming services for free! Whether we wanted to watch HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, or live sports, this VPN provider could unblock it. Unfortunately, PrivadoVPN struggled with Netflix.

The biggest limitation to PrivadoVPN, and the main reason it’s not #1 on our best free VPN for iPhone list, is that there’s a 10GB data limit. After this, you can still use 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: A definite benefit is that 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 Alliance), it has a strict no-log policy and does not log IP addresses or other personal information.

The VPN service provided us with a stable VPN connection with decent 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. If you don’t have many requirements for your free VPN, Windscribe is a great iPhone VPN to try out!

4. Atlas VPN: Free VPN for iPhone without a subscription

Atlas VPN is a very solid iPhone VPN that offers a high level of security and fast VPN servers, making it a good contender in our best VPN for iPhone list. However, since there’s a 5GB data cap per month, it’s not an ideal VPN for streaming.

Why Atlas VPN might be for you:

• High speeds on all server locations: When testing Atlas VPN, we enjoyed a smooth, stable, and fast internet connection, regardless of whether we were connected to their VPN server in Los Angeles, New York, or The Netherlands.
• Excellent security features: With Atlas VPN, you can enjoy AES 256-bit encryption, as well as the WireGuard and IPSec/IKEv2 VPN protocols. The free version offers a kill switch (for when your VPN connection drops!) and even a split tunneling option to route only part of your traffic via the VPN.
• Easy-to-use iOS app: If you’re looking for a VPN that runs smoothly in the background of your iPhone and lets you connect with a single tap, it’s Atlas VPN. The UI is easy to navigate, and the iOS app works well.

On the plus side, we didn’t have to create an account or sign in to use Atlas VPN, making it a very on-the-go mobile VPN that’s easy to use on iOS. Keep in mind that Atlas VPN does collect some user data, mainly device identifiers.

The provider is also based in the United States, which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance. While you might find these limitations to be too much, it’s still a VPN that’s worth your consideration if you’re looking for a great iOS app.

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

During our tests, we found Hide.me an easy-to-use VPN that offers a pretty high level of security, it has a very limited number of VPN servers. In fact, you can only connect to eight separate servers in total. Among some other countries, there is a VPN server located in The Netherlands, Canada, Germany, and the United States (East Coast and West Coast).

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 for ourselves. This makes it a fantastic free beginner VPN.
• Solid privacy features available: Hide.me is a zero-log VPN that has been independently audited. It offers various VPN protocols (incl. OpenVPN and WireGuard). It’s also one of the few free iPhone VPNs that supports safe torrenting.

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 solid iOS app and a great support team available to help you out with any questions and queries.

Bonus: TunnelBear: Free VPN for iPhone with large server network

If it were not for the fact that TunnelBear has a devastatingly low data limit of 500 MB/month, this would be our best free VPN for iOS.

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. Not only did we manage to unblock multiple streaming services when testing TunnelBear, we also had access to servers in 40+ countries.
• Kill switch and high-end encryption: In terms of security, TunnelBear has got your back. You don’t have to worry about your data leaking through. They even have obfuscation to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, which is useful in certain countries.
• User-friendly VPN: TunnelBeal is a fun VPN to use. We found the software very intuitive and engaging, which put a spin on the generally plain VPN user experience.

By tweeting about TunnelBear, we could up our limit to 1,500 MB. But, this wasn’t enough to do much online, which we found unfortunate since TunnelBear can unblock streaming services and offer various security features that improve online privacy!

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 trying out a provider that will not offer you some of the functionalities you may be looking for.

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

• Compatibility with iOS: Of course, the first thing we look at is how well the iOS app works. You want a free VPN that’s easy to install and navigate. Ideally, you don’t have to create an account to use a free VPN. On top of that, the settings should be easy to manage.
• Server network size: The higher the number of VPN servers in a provider’s server network, the more options you have to get past geo-restrictions. Most free VPNs will only have a single VPN server in a location, so it’s a plus if there are more options.
• Unblocking capabilities: Can the free VPN unblock the best video streaming services? We make sure to test various platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Disney Plus.
• Privacy policy: With free iPhone VPNs, you have to pay extra attention to how they treat your data. Does the VPN log any user data? Have they ever been audited?

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 (VPN) for your iPhone or iPad, there are several limitations you should be aware of.

These are the restrictions of a free VPN:

• Data caps: With the exception of ProtonVPN, all free VPNs in this list cap the data available to users on a daily or monthly basis. With a data cap, you won’t be able to play games, stream your favorite series, or browse the web for long periods while connected to a VPN.
• Poor unblocking capabilities: A key feature of a VPN is its ability to unblock streaming services or apps that are otherwise restricted to iPhone users in a particular country or region. Free VPNs, unfortunately, don’t have robust unblocking capabilities.
• Security vulnerabilities: Free iPhone VPNs are less often audited by external parties. On top of that, there are plenty of dodgy providers out there who intend to infect devices with malware and malicious code.
• Private data collection: Due to these lower security standards, some free VPNs inadvertently log or leak your private information due to lower security standards. Free VPN apps might also sell user data to advertisers.
• Limited server locations: Free VPN apps generally only offer a handful of free servers. A limited selection of servers reduces your online freedom. On top of that, a free VPN server can get crowded more easily since many people are using it at once.
• 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 NordVPN, the #1 VPN for iPhone, you can enjoy a 30-day free trial!

What’s New on iPhone 15?

This is the year of the iPhone 15! Apple’s line-up 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 privacy settings.

Some new privacy tools to be rolled out by Apple in the iPhone 15 series include:

• 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.

What’s great about the iPhone 15 privacy settings is that they complement a VPN very well! The advantage of still using a VPN with an iPhone 15 is that it will allow you to unblock foreign streaming services, apps, and websites.

Best VPN for iPhone (and iPhone 15): NordVPN

Our best VPN for iPhone, including the iPhone 15, is NordVPN! The NordVPN iPhone app has always been highly effective on all iOS devices, and the iPhone 15 is no exception. This efficient, user-friendly, and secure VPN service can unblock any streaming platform you want and keeps your data safe at all times.

During our NordVPN tests, we found the iOS app very easy to use: you can connect to any of NordVPN’s 5,800+ VPN servers with a single click. Switching from one VPN server to another only takes a couple of seconds.

On top of that, our best iPhone VPN comes with lots of extra security tools you won’t find with free VPN services, including Threat Protection (detects malware), a Dark Web Monitor, and Double VPN (connect to multiple VPN servers at once).

We love NordVPN for its affordability! There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on any plan, and the provider often offers great deals. At the moment, you can get up to 65% off if you sign up right away!

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 best iPhone VPN service on the market right now!

How to Install a Free VPN 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.

The instructions outlined below apply to most of the apps discussed in this article. Without further ado, here’s how you can install a free VPN on iOS:

1. Go to the App Store.
2. Search for the VPN app you’d like to install.
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. Select your preferred settings and server location. This step is optional, and you can skip it if you are still figuring out how VPNs work.
8. Turn on the VPN by toggling the on/off button or power button.

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 VPN 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 NordVPN as the best VPN for iPhone. NordVPN has over 5,800 servers worldwide and a fantastic iOS app! On top of that, it has a 30-day free trial that you can always make use of.

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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