The 6 Best Free VPNs For iPhone (A Complete Guide)

VPN are extremely valuable networking tools, and there are a variety of reasons to utilize VPN apps. If you’re looking for a VPN for your iPhone, though, you may be overwhelmed by the various options and unsure which free one is ideal for you. That said, what are the best free VPNs for iPhone users?

The following are six of the best VPNs for iPhone devices:

  1. ExpressVPN Protect Security And Privacy
  2. Proton VPN Fast And Secure VPN
  3. HotspotShield VPN And Wifi Proxy
  4. Windscribe VPN Secure Your Network
  5. TunnelBear Secure VPN And Wifi
  6. Hide.me VPN Fast And Secure

This list provides the best free VPNs for your iPhone, whether it’s for an extra layer of online security or to avoid geoblocks and enjoy that well-deserved Netflix or BBC marathon. In light of that, let’s take a look at why these free VPNs are the best and what value they bring to your iPhone device.

best free vpns for iphone

6 Of The Best Free VPN’s for iPhone Users

With iOS 15, Apple has added a new iCloud Private Relay function to iPhones that works similarly to VPNs, allowing you to secure your browser activities. There are, however, a handful of concerns. For starters, if you’re trying to unblock access to websites, Private Relay won’t function. 

Furthermore, it is only available as part of a premium iCloud+ membership. So, if you’re searching for a free VPN program for your iPhone, iCloud Private Relay isn’t going to cut it. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered in this list of the top free VPN apps for iPhone.

Best VPN Overall
Best VPN Features

While all of the apps listed here have premium versions, I’ve chosen them because of their extensive free plans. Their free plans are handled differently by each of them. While some will limit your consumption, others may limit you to only using a subset of their servers and impose a speed limit on the connection. 

So, look through the list, pick the program whose limitations don’t annoy you, and rest assured while you use the best free VPNs can give you. With that said, starting with the famous ExpressVPN, here is what they have to offer.

ExpressVPN Protect Security And Privacy

expressvpn

Although ExpressVPN is not free; however, you may test it out undeniably risk-free as a high-end service. I had 30 days to request a complete refund if I was not pleased. You couldn’t do much better than the ultrafast ExpressVPN for streaming in the greatest possible quality.

It currently has 3,000 servers in several places worldwide, including the United States, Japan, and Germany. It merely takes a few seconds to connect, and the large variety means you’ll have no trouble finding titles that are only available in other countries.

ExpressVPN’s servers are not just fast but also dependable. When trying to connect to Netflix Canada or Amazon Prime Video UK, I regularly got through the blockages.

ExpressVPN features a straightforward iOS app to ensure that its service is available on your favorite Apple devices. Alternatively, you may use ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer to gain VPN access on any WiFi-enabled device. 

ExpressVPN significantly reduces the risk of malware assaults thanks to its robust verification mechanism. With its Lightway Protocol, I felt confident that my data would stay private even when I transferred servers. 

It also employs AES-256 encryption, the same as that employed by government agencies such as the US. You should contact the live chat assistance that is available 24/7 for more personalized help.

Features

  • It has fantastic speeds for uninterrupted HD streaming.
  • 3,000 servers provide unrestricted access to geoblocked websites
  • You may view it on any WiFi-enabled device using MediaStreamer.
  • Five devices can be connected at the same time.
  • Money-back guarantee for 30 days.
  • Services like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Vudu, and more are supported services.
  • Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Apple TV, and more are all supported.

Read more about ExpressVPN in our full review.

ProtonVPN Fast And Secure VPN

protonvpn

Proton VPN is undoubtedly one of the best free VPN apps for iPhone. There are many aspects about Proton VPN that are excellent, not least of which is that the free tier is fully functional. You get unlimited bandwidth for free with Proton VPN. 

You may also pick between servers in the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, allowing you to view websites from all three continents. Obviously, Proton VPN supports a more significant number of servers. It has more than 560 servers in 43 locations, but accessing them requires a paid membership. 

Proton VPN, on the other hand, has a slew of handy VPN capabilities. You receive Always-on VPN, P2P servers, and torrent support, among other things. 

Proton VPN uses AES-256, 4096-bit RSA, and HMAC with SHA384 encryption. While Proton VPN has a Kill Switch feature for Windows and Mac, it is not accessible on the iPhone app. Because Proton VPN offers a no-log policy, you can be confident that your browsing history and activities will not be kept. 

Furthermore, because it is located in Geneva, Switzerland, it is not obligated to comply with any foreign surveillance demands, ensuring that your data is always secure.

Features

  • Data and bandwidth are unrestricted.
  • There are servers in three different places, including the United States.
  • Bypass restrictions on the internet.
  • There is a strict no-logs policy in place.
  • AES encryption with 256 bits and a rigorous no-logs policy.
  • There’s an AdBlock built-in.
  • YouTube and Kodi are supported.
  • Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux are all supported.

Read more about ProtonVPN in our full review.

HotspotShield VPN And Wifi Proxy

hotspotshield

The premium version of Hotspot Shield is one of the best paid-for services on the internet, and it ranks at the top of many lists of the fastest VPNs. It’s no surprise, then, that the free version is so popular.

The free plan had restricted me to 500MB of data each day (around 15GB per month). That may sound tight, but compared to a couple of the other restrictions on this list, it’s one of the more lenient restrictions, although, of course, not a patch on the unlimited data you get with paid-for services.

If security is your first priority, HotspotShield is on the same page as other premium VPNs, offering the same military-grade encryption. In addition to its security, Hotspot Shield Free received high marks in my tests for its ease of use. You won’t find the hair-pulling user experience given by certain rivals, whether on mobile or desktop.

If you pay $2.50 per month for the Premium version of Hotspot, you can choose from 70 countries to anchor yourself to. It allowed me to access just about anything I wanted; in the free version, I had been limited to one US-based location that Hotspot Shield chose for me, and I had to put up with ads when using my iPhone.

Features

  • Every day, you’ll get 500MB of free data.
  • For iOS devices, there is a dedicated app.
  • It has a built-in Adblock and 256-bit AES encryption.
  • The forward secrecy feature is ideal.
  • YouTube and Kodi are supported.
  • iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, Chrome, and Firefox are all supported.

Read more about Hotspot Shield VPN in our full review.

Windscribe VPN Secure Your Network

windscribe

Windscribe VPN is another free iPhone VPN program with many reasons to be your go-to VPN on your iOS device. Windscribe employed double-hop encryption on my iPhone, which meant that my data was encrypted twice and passed through two servers before reaching the internet. 

Windscribe VPN has a kill switch, which ensures that my data never left my VPN tunnel. It also supports split-tunneling, which allows me to connect to both public and private networks simultaneously. It also protects your data with SHA512 encryption. Windscribe VPN additionally protects against WebRTC and DNS leakage.

Windscribe VPN offers 10GB of monthly bandwidth in its free edition, one of the most incredible amounts supplied by any program on my list. Additionally, it supports P2P servers and torrenting.

Although Windscribe VPN claims a no-log policy, it is based in Canada, which is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence consortium, so it may be required to disclose whatever information it has on me with government agencies. 

It contains information such as the quantity of data I use each month and the timestamps on my activities.

Features

  • The app provides a kill switch.
  • It uses SHA512 encryption with two hops.
  • You receive ten gigabytes of free data.
  • There is a “no-log” policy in place.

Read more about Windscribe VPN in our full review.

TunnelBear Secure VPN And Wifi

tunnelbear

TunnelBear is a well-known VPN app. The TunnelBear iOS app allowed me to connect to a VPN and surf safely from various places. When using the app, I had the option of letting the program find the best VPN location for me, and I also had the option to choose one. 

TunnelBear’s free plan gives you 500 MB of data per month, which isn’t much but maybe plenty if you’re not a big user. Furthermore, the program uses AES-256 bit encryption and has robust servers in over 22 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and others. 

That said, TunnelBear was a candidate for me when I needed a safe and straightforward free VPN for my iOS device.

Features

  • Every month, you get 500MB of free data.
  • Torrenting is possible with TunnelBear.
  • AES 256-bit encryption is used.
  • HBO GO, YouTube, and Kodi are all supported.
  • iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android are all supported.

Read more about TunnelBear VPN in our full review.

Hide.me VPN Fast And Secure

hide me vpn logo

Hide.me is an effective VPN service that comes with a simple iOS app. The free edition provided me with 2GB of data each month, which is more than enough to watch one episode of my favorite series.

It gave me access to servers in five different countries all around the world. Singapore, Canada, the United States of America (east), the United States of America (west), and the Netherlands are among them. However, I was not confined to just one of the three server locations since you’ll have limitless server swaps.

Hide.me is a satisfyingly simple tool to use, and I had no trouble navigating it during my tests. I had also found the speeds to be rather amazing. Even while switching between places, I was able to stream and browse with little latency or buffering.

A thorough examination of my speeds revealed that they were not intentionally throttled, which is unusual for a free VPN.

Most geoblocks on streaming sites will be readily bypassed. HBO GO and Amazon Prime Video were both available to me. I was also able to watch Netflix Canada. Hide.me has 256-bit AES encryption, an ad blocker built-in, and IP leak prevention. Even on the free plan, you may pick from a variety of security procedures.

It’s also worth noting that this Malaysian company adheres to its privacy policies. It doesn’t save your connection logs, protects your data using several protocols, and has the all-important kill switch.

You may utilize their live chat service 24/7 if you need assistance with setup or simply have a query about hide.me.

Features

  • Users with a free account can utilize up to 2GB of data each month.
  • Dedicated app for iPhones users.
  • There are free servers in five countries.
  • Hide.me uses military-grade encryption, kill switch, and IP leak protection.
  • It has an integrated adblocker.
  • HBO GO, Netflix Canada, Sky GO, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube are all supported.

What To Look For When Browsing For An Excellent VPN For iPhone

Over the last several years, there has been an increase in worldwide challenges to individual privacy, with long-held rights to anonymity and net neutrality being challenged under the guise of legitimacy.

While virtual private networks aren’t a silver bullet for staying safe, secure, and private online, they are an important part of the toolkit for those seeking these freedoms.

You can get one for free without spending a penny if you don’t already have one. However, remember that not all free VPN services are made equal, and some may potentially jeopardize your security. Before you go ahead and download and install one, ask yourself these five questions.

1. What Is The Business Model Of The Company?

Providers are in it for the money, and running a business like this is expensive, especially if it is popular. Some companies, like Dropbox, may utilize their free version as a marketing tactic to attract potential consumers to upgrade to a premium version after they are satisfied with the free one. 

On the other hand, most will sell user data or offer anything to a third party, putting your privacy at risk once more.

2. How Does It Protect My iPhone?

Most providers encrypt your data while you surf the web using a desktop program that runs in the background. However, this just addresses part of the issue. Your iPhone can still be fingerprinted because of the permissiveness of tracking solutions that can be found on practically any page online. 

Windscribe, for example, takes a more comprehensive approach by incorporating the equivalent of a super ad-blocker.

3. Is It Worth Going For The Chosen Free Version?

A free product is almost always going to have some corners cut, which is true of all suppliers. Some provide additional free bandwidth, major locations, and even ad blocking, P2P, and firewall protection, with a simple paid upgrade route that unlocks limitless bandwidth, more locations, and OpenVPN configurations.

4. Does Your Internet Service Provider Keep Track?

Make sure your service provider does not track your online activities. You may typically find this information on the terms and conditions website or in the end-user licensing agreement or EULA. 

Unfortunately, many providers prefer to annoy end customers with lengthy terms and conditions or privacy policies that often conceal important information about how they function. On the other hand, services that delete everything when your session ends and don’t store logs are on the opposite extreme of the spectrum.

5. Do I Have The Option To Sign Up Anonymously?

For utmost anonymity, having a service that you can subscribe to without providing an email address and that takes Bitcoin payments is pretty much the best you can get online. Some services also support double hopping, allowing you to further disguise your traffic by effectively doubling down on anonymity.

Conclusion

While utilizing VPN apps frequently limits your internet speed, it’s still a good idea to utilize VPN services (the best ones), especially while surfing on a public network. VPNs can also let you access geo-restricted content that you wouldn’t be able to access otherwise. There are several advantages to browsing the internet over a VPN server. 

So, if you’re even somewhat concerned about your internet privacy, My list of the best VPN apps for your iPhone should absolutely be considered.

Best VPN Overall
Best VPN Features
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