I tested more than 50 VPNs and listed the best (and safest) ones for iOS. These VPNs all work on iOS 16 (and older versions) and protect you whether you’re at home or on the go. However, keep in mind that all free VPNs come with restrictions like smaller server networks, slow speeds, and data caps. I always recommend a premium provider like ExpressVPN. It’s not 100% free, but it definitely deserves the #1 spot because it doesn’t limit you the way free VPNs do. It has world-class security, it’s super fast with unlimited data, and it unblocks dozens of streaming sites. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I made sure this policy is trustworthy, and I got my money back in 3 days hassle-free. Start With ExpressVPN Risk-Free
Best Free VPNs for iPhone and iOS — Full Analysis (Updated in March 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for iOS With Robust Security Features and a High-Speed Global Network
ExpressVPN has a secure iOS app that safeguards your online information. It offers AES 256-bit encryption, which is the highest encryption level available. In addition, ExpressVPN’s perfect forward secrecy keeps you extra secure. This means that even if hackers were to find the encryption key, they couldn’t use it to get hold of any information because it constantly changes. I could choose between multiple protocols on the iOS app, including ExpressVPN’s own Lightway protocol. Lightway UDP was the fastest during my tests. It’s lightweight but super secure, so it’s great for conserving battery life on your iPhone. If you’re not sure which protocol to use, you can always select the “automatic” option in the iOS app. This way, ExpressVPN chooses the most appropriate one for your network. Moreover, ExpressVPN takes your privacy seriously. It comes with IP/DNS leak protection and a strict no-logs policy to keep your online data private. Its policy has been audited and verified by independent security companies, so you know it’s trustworthy. For an extra layer of security, ExpressVPN uses RAM-based servers. This means that all data is wiped upon each reboot of the server. Moreover, its headquartered in the British Virgin Islands (outside the 14-Eyes Alliance), which means that they’re not obligated by law to hand over your personal information). It has a high-speed server network (all P2P friendly). When I tested 10 of its nearby servers in the UK, Germany, and Spain, my speeds averaged 75.6 Mbps — this is 15 times faster than what you need for smooth HD streams. I was even more impressed when I connected to long-distance servers in the US, and my speeds only dropped by 6%. With ExpressVPN’s unlimited data and superfast speeds, you can browse, torrent, and stream on your iPhone without slowdowns. ExpressVPN even works in countries with online censorship (like China and Iran). However, keep in mind that non-government-approved VPNs can be illegal in some countries. We don’t condone any illegal activities, so be sure to check the local rules and regulations of VPNs to be safe. I liked how easy-to-use ExpressVPN’s iOS app is. After installing it (which only took 2 minutes), I could connect to the fastest nearby server with just one tap. The app has an intuitive settings menu that allows you to customize it the way you’d like to. You can’t use ExpressVPN’s kill switch or split tunneling feature on the iOS app, but it does come with other unique features like “Password Generator” and “Threat Manager”. The VPN is compatible with iOS 12 and higher. Moreover, due to its Smart DNS (called MediaStreamer) and 5 device connection allowance, it’s possible to use ExpressVPN on all your Apple devices. MediaStreamer lets you use ExpressVPN to unblock streaming platforms on your Apple TV. And since your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone, ExpressVPN will encrypt the watch data as well. ExpressVPN isn’t 100% free, but it is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that you can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free. You get full access to its extensive server network, unlimited data, superfast speeds, and robust security features. If you’re not impressed, you can get all your money back within 30 days. I made sure this policy is trustworthy and asked for a refund on day 27 using its 24/7 live chat support. After explaining why I wanted to cancel, the chat agent quickly approved my refund and I had my money back in 3 days. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today
2. CyberGhost — Superfast Speeds to Browse and Stream on Your iPhone Without Slowdowns
CyberGhost’s speeds are really fast. I used my iPhone 14 to test servers and got an average speed of 45.6 Mbps. Although these speeds are not as fast as ExpressVPN, they were still more than enough for me to watch Twilight in Ultra HD on my iPhone (you only need 25 Mbps for that). It also offers unlimited data, so you can watch your favorite shows for hours without annoying interruptions. To keep your iPhone protected, the VPN uses several advanced security features, including AES-256 bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, WiFi Auto Protect, and IP/DNS leak protection. Moreover, you can switch between multiple security protocols, including WireGuard and IKEv2. I recommend using WireGuard as it’s a secure and fast protocol. I compared protocol speeds using my iPhone 14 and WireGuard was the fastest. Your privacy is also protected with CyberGhost. It adheres to a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and confirmed by Deloitte, ensuring that your data and activity are not tracked. Plus, its headquarters are in Romania, outside the 14-Eyes Alliance. It also offers special NoSpy servers — located at its headquarters, that are only accessible by its own staff members for extra security. Its large network of 9,074 servers in 90 countries gives you access to global content from anywhere. It even offers streaming-optimized servers for different streaming platforms in different countries. When I used my iPhone 14 to connect to its US servers, I could always access my US Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu accounts. The iOS app is compatible with iOS 13 and up, and it’s an excellent choice for VPN beginners — the whole setup process only took me 5 minutes. It offers a “Best Location” feature, which automatically chooses the fastest server nearby. Moreover, I particularly liked that you can add servers to your favorites by tapping the star beside it, so I never have to search or scroll to find the servers I want. A downside is that CyberGhost doesn’t work in China. However, customer support confirmed with me that it works well in other countries with online censorship (such as Iran and Turkey). Of course, make sure you inform yourself of the local rules and regulations surrounding VPN-use to avoid breaking any laws. The VPN isn’t 100% free, but it offers a generous money-back guarantee. With this, you can try CyberGhost for free for up to 45 days. I tried its refund policy to make sure it’s trustworthy. After 41 days, I asked for my money back using its 24/7 live chat. The chat agent asked me a few questions about my user experience and quickly approved my request. My money was refunded in 4 days. Try CyberGhost Free Today
3. Proton VPN — Unlimited Data to Protect Your iPhone at All Times
Proton VPN’s free iOS app offers unlimited data, so you can surf the web on your iPhone without getting cut off. Most free VPNs only give you a couple of GBs per month (sometimes only 500MB), so unlimited data is rare. Moreover, it has fast speeds as well. When I used my iPhone 14 to test 3 free servers, I got an average speed of 43.5 Mbps. Its iOS app offers several security features to keep your personal information safe. It comes with AES 256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and multiple security protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2). The kill switch safeguards your connection further as well — you don’t have to worry about your data being exposed if the VPN suddenly disconnects. However, I was disappointed that I couldn’t use the ad- and malware blocker (called NetShield) because it’s blocked with the free version. Proton VPN has a strict no-logging policy to keep your data protected. In addition, its iOS app is independently audited and open-source, which creates an extra layer of transparency. On top of that, its headquarters are located in Switzerland (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance), meaning that it can’t be forced to share your online data with member countries of this agreement. The app is compatible with iOS 12 and up, setup is simple, and you don’t need to provide payment info. I could connect to the fastest server within seconds using the “quick connect” button. However, I was disappointed that you can only use Proton VPN’s extra security features if you provide your contact details. Plus, the free VPN only offers 1 device connection, so I couldn’t connect all my devices at the same time. It offers a small server network of about 100 free servers located in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands (not P2P-friendly). So, although I had fast speeds during testing on my iPhone 14, you may have slower speeds depending on your location, the time of day, or user congestion. Moreover, I wasn’t able to unblock any streaming platforms with the free version of Proton VPN (although I could still watch Netflix Originals). When I wanted to ask a question about Proton VPN’s servers, I found out that it doesn’t offer 24/7 customer support, either. Instead, I had to contact them by email. It took 2 days to get an answer back, which I think is relatively long compared to other free VPNs (like hide.me) that have live support. Luckily, Proton VPN offers an extensive knowledge base on its website where you can find most answers to your questions. Start FREE with Proton VPN
4. Avira Phantom VPN — User-Friendly App to Connect All Your iOS Devices
Avira Phantom’s free iOS app is easy to use, making it a great choice if you’re new to VPNs. You can connect to a server in 1 tap by simply clicking the big connect button. Plus, during my tests, I liked to use the “Nearest Location” feature which automatically connects you to the fastest server nearby. The app is compatible with iOS 11 and higher. Moreover, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so I could protect all my iOS devices. The VPN keeps your iPhone protected with military-grade 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. Moreover, I liked its “Auto-connect” feature which will automatically connect the VPN when it detects an untrusted WiFi network. The VPN adheres to a strict no-logging policy, so it doesn’t log any personal information from your iOS device. However, a small downside is that it’s headquartered in Germany, which is not known as being a privacy-friendly country. I had good speeds with Avira Phantom VPN. When my iPhone 14 was connected to its US servers, my speeds were a decent 39.5 Mbps. This was fast enough to download a 250MB file in less than a minute. However, my speed without the VPN was 64.9 Mbps, so it’s a 39% drop from my base connection, which is not great. Its network is big for a free VPN, consisting of 37 free server locations worldwide (all support torrenting). However, I couldn’t unblock any streaming platforms when I tested 15 servers during my tests. The pages wouldn’t load, or if they did, I received a proxy error that said a VPN was detected. With a data cap of 500MB per month, Avira Phantom VPN isn’t a good VPN for streaming anyway (it’s just enough to stream in HD for 30 minutes). Luckily, you can get 500MB extra per month if you sign up with your email address. Although Avira Phantom VPN’s free version offers a knowledge base to find answers to most of your questions, it doesn’t allow you to contact its customer support. This was a bit annoying since I had some specific questions about certain security features that I couldn’t find in the knowledge base. Start FREE with Avira Phantom VPN
5. hide.me — Customizable iOS App to Keep Your iPhone Secure
With hide.me you can customize the security settings to your liking. I was impressed by this as many free VPNs have very few customization options (if they even have any at all). During my tests, I could switch between protocols (IKEv2 and OpenVPN), configure DNS settings manually, and toggle certain security features on and off. These security features include a kill switch and “connect on application start". Moreover, the VPN uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection. When I tested for IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks on my iPhone 14, none were found on ipleak.net. Your personal information is protected with hide.me. You don’t have to sign up or register to use hide.me’s many features, either. Most free VPNs block these options to encourage you to upgrade. And while Proton VPN comes with some nice customization options, you can’t use them unless you register. However, hide.me does keep logs of your assigned IP addresses and random VPN username, but none of this can be traced back to you (plus, it’s deleted every few hours). In addition, your privacy is also well protected since the VPN is located in Malaysia, which is outside the 14-Eyes Alliance. From a privacy perspective, hide.me is a solid choice. I had good speeds with hide.me. When I used my iPhone 14 to connect to its servers, I got an average speed of 35.6 Mbps. Combined with its 10GB of free data per month, I was able to browse the web without interruptions. However, it’s not enough to binge-watch TV series, as you can only stream in HD for about 3 hours before running out of data. The VPN only offers 5 free server locations that all support torrenting (Canada, the Netherlands, US East, US West, and Germany). You may have slow speeds due to long-distance connections if you live far away from the US or Europe. I also wasn’t able to access any region-specific content on Netflix. Moreover, when I tried to unblock Hulu, Disney+, and other popular streaming platforms, I always got an error message that a VPN was detected. You can use hide.me’s app on iOS 12 and up. It has an intuitive interface and even works with iOS’ dark and light mode. I particularly liked that you can filter the servers by ping, which allowed me to select a responsive connection for playing games on my iPhone. That being said, all you have to do is tap “Enable VPN” to connect to a server. The VPN even offers 24/7 live chat to free users as well as an extensive knowledge base. I could send a support request through the app, which was really convenient — I didn’t have to exit the app to contact support in the browser. Start FREE with hide.me
6. Hotspot Shield — Catapult Hydra Protocol for Fast Long-Distance Connections
Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra protocol keeps your speeds super fast when connected to long-distance servers. This means that although the VPN only offers 1 free server (in the US), I still had fast speeds more than 5,000 km away (I’m located in Western Europe). The free version of the app says that your speeds are limited, but when I tested it on my iPhone 14, my speeds averaged around 34.4 Mbps. The VPN keeps your iPhone protected with AES 256-bit encryption in combination with Perfect Forward Secrecy. Moreover, its leak protection keeps your data safe from prying eyes. When I ran its server through a test on ipleak.net, I didn’t find any leaks. However, the free version of Hotspot Shield doesn’t offer a kill switch. The app is compatible with iOS 12 and up and is super easy to set up — it only took me 5 minutes. What’s more, you don’t even need to register to use the iOS app. This made me feel extra secure as I didn’t have to give any contact details. There’s also a built-in knowledge base in the app, so you don’t have to switch to your browser to get answers to most of your questions. Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to the live chat with my free account and the app does generate some branded pop-up ads which were a bit annoying. I was a bit concerned that the VPN’s headquarters are located in the US (inside the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance). Moreover, I found that Hotspot Shield logs your bandwidth consumption and the duration of the VPN sessions. Luckily, all data is anonymous and thus unidentifiable, so it’s still a good choice if you want to keep your iOS device protected. Hotspot Shield offers 15GB of data per month, but it limits you to only 500MB per day, which is enough to check your email, update your social media, or download small files. However, it’s not enough to stream in HD, as you need about 2-3 GB for 1 hour of HD streaming. The data cap combined with the fact that I couldn’t unblock any streaming platforms makes Hotspot Shield’s free plan a pass for streaming. Start FREE with Hotspot Shield
7. TunnelBear — Large Server Network to Access Global Content on Your iPhone
TunnelBear’s free version allows you to use its entire server network. This is impressive since most free VPNs only give you access to a few server locations. You can access content worldwide in 47 countries and get good speeds since there will most likely be a server close to your actual location. However, when I tried to access my Netflix US account, I couldn’t watch any region-specific content (only Netflix Originals). Moreover, I wasn’t able to unblock any other streaming platforms. Your iPhone’s data is protected with TunnelBear. It has AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and automatic WiFi protection. The latter automatically detects unprotected networks and sends you a warning, asking you to connect the VPN. Additionally, TunnelBear also comes with leak protection. I ran tests on 10 of its servers and didn’t find any leaks whatsoever. I was pretty disappointed that there’s no kill switch and the only protocol available on iOS is IPSec. It has fast speeds on local servers, so you can browse and stream without slowdowns. When I tested its UK, France, Germany, and Netherlands servers, I had an average speed of 30 Mbps. However, I was a bit disappointed when I connected to its long-distance servers — my speeds sometimes dropped to as low as 8 Mbps. Its iOS app is user-friendly and perfect if you’re new to VPNs. It offers a one-click connect button that automatically connects you to the fastest server nearby. Moreover, I found using the TunnelBear app a fun experience — it shows a world map and every time you connect, you see a cartoon bear going through a tunnel from your actual location to the server location. It’s a bit disappointing you don’t have access to live support should you need assistance. The app is compatible with iOS 12 and higher. Unfortunately, it comes with a data cap of 500MB per month, making it a good option only for light browsing, but a poor choice for streaming or torrenting. However, I found that you can get an extra GB of free data per month by tweeting the company. When I did this, it only took 5 minutes for the extra data to be applied to my account. Start FREE with TunnelBear
Quick Comparison Table: Best Free VPNs for iPhone & iOS
The table below shows the most relevant features for each of the free VPNs in this list. You can compare the average speeds, iOS compatibility, and data limit per month. Moreover, I’ve also included the number of server locations of each VPN, whether you need to sign up to use it, and whether it could access US Netflix. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today
Tips on How to Choose the Best Free VPN for iPhone and iOS
While searching for the best free VPNs for iPhone, these were the criteria I used. Feel free to use this yourself when choosing a free VPN for your iOS device.
Really free. A free VPN doesn’t ask you to commit to a subscription right away. I made sure that all the VPNs in this list are either completely free or have a trustworthy, tried-and-tested money-back guarantee. Advanced security and privacy features. All the VPNs I shortlisted have AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection to keep your online information protected. Plus, I read through every logging policy and made sure that the VPNs in this list don’t store your identifiable data. A user-friendly iOS app. You should choose a VPN app with an easy-to-use interface for a hassle-free experience. All these VPNs have simple apps that are easy to use on an iPhone or iPad. Fast speeds and enough data. To stream, torrent, and browse without annoying slowdowns, you should look for a VPN with good speeds and enough data. I checked all the data limits to make sure you can get at least 1GB of usage per month. I also conducted speed tests to ensure that you won’t experience buffering or long load times. Can unblock some streaming sites. A lot of free VPNs won’t unblock streaming sites at all. I managed to find a few free VPNs that can at least access Netflix Originals. Good customer support. It’s important to always get the help you need without having to wait for too long. I checked that the VPNs have customer support or an extensive knowledge base on their websites.
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Warning: Risks of Free VPNs
Many free VPNs for iPhone can put your online safety at risk. These are some of the risks to be aware of when you consider downloading a free VPN:
Free VPNs can record and sell your data. Free VPNs often sell your online information to advertisers and other third parties to make a profit. To protect your online privacy, use a VPN with a strict zero-logs policy. Free VPNs may leak your data due to weak security features. Because free VPNs typically lack the resources to keep their security features up to date, data leaks occur. Be sure to use a VPN with AES 256-bit encryption and IP/DNS leak protection to safeguard your online information. Free VPNs can infect your device with viruses and malware. Although this isn’t a huge concern since Apple is very strict about which apps can be in the App Store, it’s still something that’s happened with free VPNs in the past. In addition, since most free VPNs rely on advertisements to generate profit, they often spam you with ads that can increase the chance of infecting your device with malware.
Free VPNs to Avoid
It’s best to avoid the free VPNs listed below as they’re risky to use. These free VPNs may record your data and share it with third parties (such as advertisers). Moreover, some of these free VPNs leaked my IP address, which means they can’t be trusted to protect your online privacy.
Hola: Hola is not a real VPN but a P2P network, meaning that you share your personal IP address with everyone in the network. If someone were to use your IP and conduct illegal activities, you could be held accountable. Moreover, it logs the times you connected, the websites you visit, and your IP address. TurboVPN: This VPN is full of advertisements and trackers. Moreover, it records your online data and sells it to advertisers to make income. Betternet VPN: Used to have a malware-infected app. Moreover, it has an intrusive logging policy as it logs the URLs you’ve visited, your location, and the device you’re using.
Other free VPNs to avoid include: CrossVPN, Stealth VPN, Totally Free VPN, DotVPN, FreeVPN, OkVPN, EasyVPN, SuperVPN, ArchieVPN, HatVPN, sFly Network Booster, One Click VPN, and Fast Secure Payment.
Will a free iPhone VPN work with Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms?
Unfortunately, most free VPNs don’t work well for streaming. They often don’t have the resources to upgrade their server networks to keep up with IP blocks enforced by popular streaming sites. They also limit your data and speeds too much to stream anything for long. The top 2 VPNs in this list reliably unblocked Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms. On top of that, they have superfast speeds and unlimited data, so you’re never limited to how much or how long you can stream. However, keep in mind that they’re premium services that offer money-back guarantees (so they’re not 100% free). I couldn’t find any 100% free VPN that would unblock popular streaming sites reliably. I was either blocked from the site by a paywall (telling me I had to upgrade to the VPN’s paid plan to access the site), or was met with an error message. In some cases, I could access Netflix, but only Netflix Originals were available.
Will my free iOS VPN work with my other devices?
Yes. All the free iOS VPNs shortlisted also work with Mac, Windows, Android, and more. Some VPNs on this list even offer router support, so you can set them up on devices that normally don’t support VPNs. Free VPNs have dedicated apps that work just as well with other devices. Remember that most free VPNs only let you connect to 1 device at a time, so even if it’s compatible with lots of your devices, you can’t connect them all at once.
Is there a safe free VPN for iPhone and iPad?
Yes, but only some free VPNs are safe to use on your iOS device. All the VPNs that are shortlisted here are super safe to use. They all offer essential security features (such as military-grade encryption and IP/DNS leak protection) and come with strict no-logs policies to keep your privacy and iOS devices protected. Keep in mind that free VPNs often come with annoying limitations such as slower speeds, smaller server networks, data caps, and weak security features. This is to encourage you to upgrade to a paid plan, but doesn’t make the VPN unsafe. Some free iPhone VPNs are flat-out dangerous and they include HolaVPN, Touch VPN, Flash VPN, and VPN Proxy Master.
What is the best free iPhone VPN for China, Turkey, Iran, and the UAE?
A good free iPhone VPN for a country with censorship uses obfuscation, military-grade encryption, and DNS/IP leak protection to keep you safe. However, there are only a few VPNs that can bypass the Great Firewall of China, including ExpressVPN. You should be careful using a VPN in China as it’s not allowed to use non-government-approved VPNs there. However, the government blocks the VPN services rather than going after users. No tourist has ever been fined in China for using a VPN. Either way, the team at vpnMentor recommends you read the most recent local laws surrounding VPN use to avoid breaking any of them.
Does iPhone have a free VPN built-in?
No. iCloud Private Relay (which came out with iOS 15) is sometimes confused with a VPN. This service is more of a proxy — it changes your IP address, but it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as a full VPN app. For example, Private Relay only works in the Safari browser, so your entire iPhone isn’t protected. You also can’t choose a virtual location and its speeds are pretty slow since it sends your traffic through 2 servers.
Why do I need a VPN for iPhone and iPad?
A VPN protects your online data (on iOS or whatever device you use it on) from hackers and other third parties such as advertisers. The latter will use your data to create targeted advertisements. Although this is not dangerous, it’s still a breach of your privacy. All the VPNs in this list offer essential security features to safeguard your personal information. And none of them log any of your data, so they can’t sell it to advertisers. A reliable iPhone VPN also hides your browsing history from your ISP or phone provider, encrypts your data, keeps you protected on public WiFi networks, and gives you access to geo-restricted content.
Do free iOS VPNs store logs?
None of the free iOS VPNs recommended here store any personally identifiable information. However, some other free iOS VPNs do keep logs and even sell it to third parties to make a profit. That’s why it’s so important to do your research before downloading a free VPN. The ultimate purpose of a VPN is to protect your privacy — if you use an untrustworthy service that collects and sells your data, you’re better off without a VPN at all.
Will a free VPN drain my iPhone’s battery?
Yes, a VPN will drain your iPhone’s battery. A VPN encrypts background processes and thus uses extra battery life. However, some free VPNs’ iOS apps are highly customizable, allowing you to change your settings in a way that will reduce battery consumption. To give an example, ExpressVPN uses its unique Lightway protocol, which is designed to be so lightweight that battery consumption is too small to notice. Another tip to make your iPhone’s battery last longer is dimming your screen’s brightness and remembering to close all background apps. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today
Protect Your iPhone With a Free VPN Today
Many free VPNs are not safe to use and sell your data to make money. Although it’s hard to find trustworthy free VPNs, I’ve created a list of several reliable ones. However, keep in mind that they all come with limitations such as data caps, slow speeds, or small server networks. For this reason, I recommend ExpressVPN for iPhone. It’s not 100% free, but it comes with features that most free VPNs don’t offer. Its iOS app has military-grade security features, unlimited data, and a high-speed global server network. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test ExpressVPN out risk-free. If you’re not impressed, you can always claim a refund.
The best VPNs for iPhone and iOS with money-back guarantees are…
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