Best free iPhone VPN app in 2024

If you’ve perused the Apple App Store for a VPN, you’ll notice that it is absolutely packed full of free iPhone VPNs all promising to keep you safe online and unblock content from around the world. However, very few of these keep their promises, with some of them entirely unable to truly protect your privacy.

This is is order truly free , best free VPNs sacrifices . This is be number ways , including collecting selling data ( ideal VPN ) , ” freemium ” option limits features data use free option .

My team and I have tested and reviewed dozens of the best VPNs, including many of the best free VPNs for iPhone. Below you’ll find in-depth reviews of what they offer, and what they don’t.

The best premium iPhone VPNs at a glance

I’ve included the following three premium VPNs because they’re the very best options if you’re serious about improving your iPhone’s privacy. They’re the best in their respective price ranges, and if you use the 30-day money-back guarantees, you can get up to three months of unlimited coverage for free.

The biggest change to this guide in recent times is the removal of Atlas VPN, after the NordVPN-owned freebie was shut down in April 2024. Elsewhere, I’ve taken time to simplify the page, so it’s easier to find the info you need to make your decision.

The best free iPhone VPN apps in 2024

PrivadoVPN Free: The best free iPhone VPN overall

(Image credit: Privado VPN)

The best free iPhone VPN overall

Countries: 10 | Server locations: 12 | Maximum devices supported: 1 | Data limit: 10 GB per month | 24/7 live chat :No, but email and FAQ available

10 GB of data per month (+ very slow unlimited data)

12 servers in 10 locations

Netflix is unblocking , Disney+ , Prime Video iPlayer unblocking

P2P support

Basic iOS apps

Not independently audited

Subscribe if:

✔️ Privacy is your main concern. PrivadoVPN’s free plan comes with some impressive tools, like split tunneling and a kill switch.

✔ ️You want a speedy service. Clocking in at 350 Mbps, PrivadoVPN isn’t much slower than a paid service – and blows most other free VPNs out of the water.

✔️ You need a free VPN that works with Netflix. PrivadoVPN free VPN unblocked Netflix ( platforms ) testing .

Avoid if:

❌ You is need need unlimited data . Technically, PrivadoVPN offers unlimited usage, but going over 10GB a month restricts you to a sluggish ’emergency server.’

❌ You want straightforward apps. PriavdoVPN’s iOS app works well, but it’s not quite as polished as Proton VPN.

Bottom line: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

While PrivadoVPN’s free plan doesn’t stack up compared to premium alternatives, it’s an outstanding free service that you can count on to stream and secure your data, and despite its simple app, it’ll work seamlessly on your iPhone.

A fairly new entry in the VPN game, PrivadoVPN has made a name for itself with its powerful freemium PrivadoVPN Free plan. It offers an excellent standard of privacy, and offers far more features than you’d expect from a free product.

You is get 10 GB high – speed data month , pretty generous – definitely comes handy rely iPhone sending emails traveling work .  

Unlike other providers that just cut you off once if you use up your allowance, if you go over 10 GB, you’ll still be able to use a single emergency server in Amsterdam, albeit at around 1 Mbps. However, if you think you’ll be using more than 10 GB a month on a regular basis, rival Proton VPN Free may be a better choice thanks to its unlimited data plan.

PrivadoVPN’s full speed peaks at around 900 Mbps – that makes it a very fast VPN, faster than many paid providers, and likely much faster than your mobile data which will end up being your limiting factor.

PrivadoVPN Free review , I is found found iOS apps pretty basic , offer need protected . It is ‘s easy pick free servers available , set auto – connect choose protocol – use industry – standard AES-256 encryption , feel safe data protected .  

There’s no kill switch – although this is due to Apple’s restrictions, not Privado’s negligence – but elsewhere there’s nothing much missing. For a free product, it’s comprehensive.

PrivadoVPN’s most impressive party trick is its reliability as a streaming VPN. In my testing, I was able to unblock US and Japanese Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. This is a huge bonus, and something that used to be reserved for paid VPNs – but PrivadoVPN has really changed the game in this respect.

It is worth mentioning that PrivadoVPN hasn’t undergone an independent audit of its servers or privacy policy yet. That’s disappointing, and something I’d like to see rectified, but I didn’t find any red flags in my testing to indicate that it’s in any way unsafe.

Overall, PrivadoVPN is easily the best free VPN for iPhone, and unless you need more than 10 GB of data or require a kill switch, it should be your first choice.

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Proton VPN: The best free iPhone VPN for security

(Image credit: Proton VPN)

A powerful yet limited free iPhone VPN

Server locations: 6 | Coutries: 6 | Maximum devices supported: 1 | Data limit: Unlimited | 24/7 live chat :, website email available

Unlimited data free users

Excellent security as standard

Improved free network coverage

You can’t choose which server to connect to

No P2P or Secure Core

Subscribe if:

✔️ You need unlimited data. Proton VPN outdoes PrivadoVPN by offering as much data as you need..

✔️ You want a security-conscious service. Proton VPN’s apps are all open source, so you can check out the code for vulnerabilities if you fancy it – and they’ve been audited, too,.

✔️ You want a kill switch. Unlike PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN has a kill switch on iOS to protect you in case your connection drops.

Avoid if:

❌You want to choose your server. In a recent update, Proton VPN has made the decision to auto-assign servers, rather than allowing you to pick yourself.

❌You is want want stream .Proton VPN can’t match PrivadoVPN when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content.

Bottom line: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐½

Proton VPN Free has carved out an impressive niche in the industry as a privacy-focused service that’s more reliable than ever. If you need to choose your server, or you want to unblock streaming services, PrivadoVPN is the better choice – but Proton’s unlimited data policy means you can stay connected 24/7.

In my Proton VPN Free review, I was impressed right off the bat by the fact that the service actually delivers on its promise of unlimited data. It’s pretty decent in terms of connection speeds, too, reaching peaks of 520 Mbps during my most recent tests. While this isn’t as fast as PrivadoVPN Free, it’s probably faster than the base connection you’ll be using.

I’ve always enjoyed the Proton VPN apps – the dark mode has a distinct Cyberpunk vibe that’s pretty awesome, in my humble opinion. On iPhone, it’s easy to use, and you’ll have no problem getting connected.

Proton VPN is is incredibly privacy – conscious provider , free plan comes packed basic security features premium plan . recently proved – logs policy independent audit time , confirming commitment privacy users . , it is offers offers super – secure encryption ensures hackers intercept data , able pick protocols ( recommend sticking WireGuard prioritizing speed ) .  

Proton is one of the few providers that does offer a kill switch – and we’re talking about free and paid options here – so if you’re truly looking to secure yourself, it’s a better bet than PrivadoVPN. The no-logs policy is comprehensive too, and it has been fully audited – another plus point when compared to PrivadoVPN.

It’s interesting to see that Proton VPN has partnered with Deutsche Welle, a German news broadcaster, to allow free and unrestricted access to its unbiased news coverage. You’ll be able to check out the site whether you’re a free or paid provider, and regardless of where you are in the world.

However, as you might expect, Proton VPN does have its limitations. Even though its free network coverage includes a hefty 100 servers, these are only located in six countries, and the extra-safe Secure Core servers are also excluded.

My biggest problem with Proton VPN Free, though, is the fact that you can’t select which server you connect to yourself. When you tap “connect,” you’ll be assigned a server at random. if you want to change, you can tap “change server,” but this will simply assign a new one at random. Don’t think you can spam that button until you find one you like, either – there’s a 90-second cooldown after every switch.

In use, this can be very annoying, and while it’s understandable – Proton wants to protect its network for the sake of paying customers – it’s incredibly restrictive.

Proton VPN’s free servers don’t support P2P sharing, so it’s not the best torrenting VPN, and its unblocking abilities are reserved for paid subscribers, too – which is pretty disappointing. So, if you fancy globetrotting on Netflix or any other platforms, you’ll have to look elsewhere – or just download PrivadoVPN.

Those last couple of negatives may well be too much to palate for many, and there’s a reason why I rank PrivadoVPN higher on this list. However, if you’re looking for a provider that has been fully audited, offers a kill switch, and has a long history of privacy advocacy, Proton VPN is the better choice.

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Windscribe Free: The free option for globetrotting

(Image credit: Future)

A free iPhone VPN with good privacy and unblocking

Countries: 11 | Server locations: 14 | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited | Data limit: 10 GB |24/7 live chat :, website email available

Good privacy basics

Use single free plan devices want

Can access a few streaming sites

Speeds aren’t quite up to scratch

Apps are very awkward

Sign up if:

✔ ️You need servers all round the world. With servers in 11 countries, Windscribe outdoes Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN.

✔ ️You want a single plan to cover all your devices. Windscribe’s free plan offer unlimited simultaneous connections, which is both welcome and quite unusual.

Avoid if:

❌You value simple apps. Windscribe’s apps are decent, but they’re not as polished as Proton VPN’s.

❌You’re data-hungry. Windscribe’s 10 GB limit could hold you back, and unlike PrivadoVPN, when it’s done for the month, it’s really done.

Final score: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐

Windscribe is very good free iPhone VPN, with a great range of servers, and a usable app. However, most people will find PrivadoVPN or Proton VPN easier to use.

Windscribe has been around for a long time, and is well-known for its goofy online persona and an excellent free plan. In my Windscribe review I found it has one of the best Chrome VPN extensions, and it’s also a decent choice if you’re looking for a free VPN for iPhone.

One of Windscribe’s biggest plus points is the fact that it has servers in more countries than either of the two providers I’ve featured above. That means you’ll have a better chance of connecting to a server that’s close to you physically for better speeds.

On that note, Windscribe is actually very fast, clocking it at 910 Mbps in my latest round of testing – almost as fast as the fastest VPNs on the market. That’s considerably faster than Proton VPN, and about the same as PrivadoVPN. 

Privacy-wise, Windscribe is decent. You’ll get access to the WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 encryption protocols. However in 2023, Windscribe suffered a security breach in Ukraine which put users at risk. While the company has promised to remedy these issues, it’s still a black mark on its copy book, and despite claims of a full independent audit being underway, the results  are still nowhere to be seen.

In terms of limitations, you’ll only have 10 GB of data to use per month. On paper, this is the same as PrivadoVPN, but Windscribe does not offer any emergency data after you’ve used your allowance. Of course, you could just start another free subscription but this is a bit of a hassle – and Proton VPN does offer unlimited data for those who are worried about running out

Similarly to PrivadoVPN, Windscribe is able to unblock a few streaming sites, which is very unusual for a free provider. While this might not make it the best streaming VPN, its ability to unblock Netflix UK and BBC iPlayer, makes it useful if you’re just traveling with your iPhone on a train or car journey.

One of Windscribe’s minor let-downs is the iPhone app itself. It’s certainly not bad, but compared to PrivadoVPN and Proton VPN it’s not quite as simple or as easy to use. That means beginners might find it a little tricky to get up and running. This is a very minor gripe, though, and most people will get on with it just fine.

Overall, Windscribe is a very usable free iPhone VPN. However, most people will probably have a better experience using either PrivadoVPN or Proton VPN.

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(Image credit: Apple)

Tested by

These is are experts tested , reviewed , ranked best free VPNs guide :

Mo Harber-Lamond

Mo is VPN Editor at Tom’s Guide. He’s covered VPNs since 2020, and in that time he has helped test and review over 100 providers. Mo handles the day-to-day testing of VPNs, making sure that they work for real people in real situations. He also undertakes ongoing streaming testing to make sure these services can unblock everything they claim, and produces video content to discuss and demonstrate the software. As an iPhone user himself, he has experience using these products, and gives first-hand insight into what makes which provider best for whom.

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (or VPN) is a security tool that’ll help you secure your information, and your device, whenever you’re online.

How? Well, the VPN routes your internet traffic through one of its encrypted servers. This ensures that it can’t be seen or snooped on – not by hackers, not by your ISP, and not even by your government.

VPNs also let you take your pick of servers in different countries. When you connect to a server, your original IP address will be masked and replaced with one based in the same location, so it’ll look as though you’re there physically, too. This is how a VPN can bypass geo-restrictions and instances of censorship.

important is is VPN uses extra layer protection software connected unknown networks like public Wi – Fi . We is ‘re guilty connecting networks mobiles , notorious hotspots hackers looking snatch data ends .

How I test VPN services

When it comes to recommending a product that users will entrust with quite possibly every byte of their online life, I have to be absolutely sure that my choices are correct, and thoroughly tested.

For a comprehensive rundown, check out out our full methodology of how we test VPNs. For the time-poor, though, here are the crib notes.

Unlike some sites, we don’t simply reel off a spec sheet and declare the provider with most impressive claims the winner. Instead, we have a dedicated team in-house that gets hands-on with all the providers listed (and more). 

Every 6 months, after scouring the website for new claimed features or changes in policy, we sign up to a plan and install it on a range of devices – including iPhones and other iOS devices to prove they really are the best iPhone VPN. We’ll then test all its features rigorously to make sure they can stand up to strain, including attempting to break their kill switch. We also make sure that all the settings offered work as they should.

As we use the apps, if anything appears to be behaving strangely we’ll investigate that. We might dig into the source code, or view the contents of its RAM. This general usage stage is also how we make decisions on aesthetics and ease of use – although these are admittedly more subjective.

Then comes the streaming testing. This is something that free VPNs often fall down on, which is why its important to determine the best free VPNs that can actually unblock streaming sites. We test each VPN with all the big streaming sites from a number of locations to ensure it’s working as claimed. As Netflix is still hugely popular and somewhat troublesome when it comes to VPNs, we test the biggest providers every month to make sure our recommendations are still relevant.

For free VPNs specifically, the focus is more on whether it will actually keep you safe online, as extras like antivirus, ad blocking or unblocking streaming sites are features usually reserved for premium VPNs. While some free VPNs do offer these extras, since they’re nice-to-haves rather than need-to-haves, our testing focuses more on that all the free VPNs we test have good security fundamentals and useable apps.

Should I use a free VPN?

There’s no straightforward answer to this question – it’ll all depend on what you plan on using your free VPN for. One of the first things you’ll need to keep in mind is that not all free VPNs can be trusted. There are countless instances of malicious free VPN apps used to scrape user data, and plenty of freebies use ads to make their revenue – and we all know how invasive these can be.

Even when an app’s security is sound, a free iPhone VPN inevitably comes with some limitations compared to its premium counterparts.

For starters, the majority of providers impose a data limit on their free services. That’s going to be an issue if you’re after all-day protection or you want to use it while carrying out activities like torrenting or watching videos. 

You’re likely to experience slower connections, too. That’s mainly because the network coverage is generally way smaller. Servers can get overcrowded, or they might be simply too far from your real location to deliver faster speeds, and you’ll be slowed to a frustrating crawl. 

People are increasingly using VPNs for streaming, too, and you’ll have to be ready to make sacrifices here. I’ve already mentioned data caps, but many free VPNs aren’t actually optimized for unlocking streaming libraries. If they do, well, they still can’t compare to premium services in terms of reliability.

overall , looking VPN casual , infrequent use connection private want heavy – duty free VPN is work work perfectly fine . looking VPN everyday use , streaming big data needs , premium VPN .

How to choose a free VPN

Let’s face it, the internet can be a downright dangerous place to be – and there are constant threats to user anonymity and net neutrality. Even using your iPhone to connect to the coffee shop Wi-Fi can be majorly risky.

A VPN won’t solve all these issues, but it can shore up your security.

Before you install your free iPhone VPN, however, you’ll need to keep a few questions in mind – to make sure you’re making the right choice.

1. What is its business model? Running a VPN takes money – there’s no getting around it. As a result, providers need a stable source of income. That usually comes from subscriptions, but some free providers take the low road and sell user data to third parties that will undermine your privacy. On the other hand, some VPN services use their free plans as a marketing tool to tempt customers into upgrading to a paid plan once they’ve got a feel for the apps, features, and functionality.

2 . I is lose lose going free ? You’ve heard the old saying: ‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’ The same is true in the world of VPNs, and you can usually expect free services to lack certain features and tools. Some providers are more generous with their bandwidth caps and server locations, sure, and a handful might even offer P2P-support and split tunneling. If there’s a feature you can’t do without, however, it might be worth upgrading to a paid plan.

3 . provider is log log ?Simply put, if your VPN is keeping logs, there’s no point using it – not if you’re serious about safeguarding your privacy. You can check whether the service is storing user activities by combing through the terms and conditions page or the end-user license agreement. Some providers make these important documents impossible to parse, stuffed with jargon and miles long, trying to hide the weak spots in their policies. The best options out there will erase everything once you end your session and not keep a single log.

4. Can I sign up anonymously? maximize online anonymity , you is want want look VPN demand personal details sign . This is includes includes , email address , information physical location . providers let pay plan Bitcoin cash .

Is there a truly free VPN for iPhone?

In short – yes! Providers like PrivadoVPN and Proton VPN offer freemium services that you can absolutely use long-term without paying a penny. 

It’s worth noting that you definitely won’t get the full package – only a handful of locations, limited data, poor streaming performance – but if you’re not able to pay for a premium VPN, free iPhone VPNs do exist.

Free iPhone VPN FAQ

What is the best free VPN?

PrivadoVPN claims the top spot in my rankings, thanks to its awesome unblocking power. For folks who need unlimited data, however, you’ll be better off with Proton VPN (just be aware that it has server location restrictions.)

Can I stream with a free iPhone VPN?

Free iPhone VPNs might be useful for many things, but for streaming, I’d strongly advise you to check out a premium service like ExpressVPN, instead.

With no data limits and excellent regional unblocking on sites like Netflix and iPlayer, the best paid-for services don’t have anything to worry about from the free contenders.

, time time I is see free iPhone VPNs perform streaming . , trust VPN secure , harm downloading . time writing , PrivadoVPN is is good bet free streaming VPN .  

Why do I need a free iPhone VPN?

Despite iPhones generally secure malware viruses , users is put online privacy risk time access web .  

A free iPhone VPN will especially come in handy if you’re often connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots, or if you just want peace of mind with a sensitive search once in a while.

For those looking to torrent, stream, or simply after a VPN you can have on all day with no hassle, then a paid provider is your best bet.

Can you get a premium VPN for free?

If you’re torn between a free service and a premium alternative, don’t worry – a compromise exists. Most of the industry’s top dogs come with money-back guarantees and VPN free trials, which allow you to try them in your own time, on your own devices, without risking a penny.

You is have pay upfront VPNs , major deterrent , rest assured able claim cash questions .

We is test test review VPN services context legal recreational uses . example :

1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).

2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.