Best Free VPN for iPhone: 6 Reliable Services

A quick search online will shower you with a litany of free VPNs for iPhone. Unfortunately, most of them aren’t worth your time due to numerous shortcomings. Generally speaking, free services aren’t the epitome of quality. They’re quite the opposite.

If we factor in security and privacy issues, we get a recipe for disaster. However, we don’t want to be defeatists and say that the best free VPNs for iPhones don’t exist. To prove that we really think that, we prepared 6 awesome free iPhone VPN services for you.

To be clear, the premium VPN services for iPhone we presented recently are much better. But if you’re looking for security and privacy and don’t want to pay anything, the options we’ll discuss today will make the cut and provide so much more – at least some of them.

Best Free VPN for iPhone: Our 6 Favorites in 2024

This list will include not only free providers but also some premium options accessible via a free trial. After testing dozens of 100% free VPNs for iPhones, we discovered that the majority of them are underwhelming for day-to-day use.

For this reason, we felt the urge to include 3 free trial options with more servers, stronger security, and generally better features. Our ranking is below:

1. NordVPN – #1 rated free VPN for iPhone for up to 30 days (best overall)
2. ExpressVPN – fast, secure, and reliable, with a 30-day free trial
3. Private Internet Access – a security-oriented free iPhone VPN for 30 days
4. Proton VPN – 100% free option with unlimited monthly bandwidth
5. Hide.me – a free VPN with no logging
6. PrivadoVPN – streaming and torrenting-friendly service that costs nothing

Want to find out more about our favorite picks? Read our short reviews below.

1. NordVPN (30-day free trial)

If you accept no less than near-perfection, consider NordVPN as the best free VPN for iPhones in 2024. It’s a paid provider by default but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to get a refund and enjoy the VPN for 30 days without losing money.

Just to make it clear, you’ll need to purchase the VPN beforehand, as its 7-day free trial is available only for Android users. NordVPN puts no restrictions and includes unlimited bandwidth, 10 Gbps server speeds, and 6,300+ servers worldwide.

Moreover, this service is the fastest free VPN usable on iPhone. This makes it great for streaming on Netflix and playing online games without lag. The VPN also includes Meshnet, which lets you route your traffic through another device’s IP address.

The iOS app includes Double VPN servers and Onion Over VPN servers that are welcome for going on the dark web. NordVPN’s app contains NordLynx, an in-house protocol for superb security and privacy. AES-256 encryption is also there.

Coupled with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and RAM-only servers, NordVPN is easily the safest free VPN compatible with iPhones. Rest assured, the Panamanian provider keeps no logs either, so everything you do online is shrouded in a super-secure network.

Unlike Proton VPN and other non-paid options, it allows for 10 simultaneous connections and has round-the-clock 24/7 support. The only downside is that it’s free for a limited period but on the other hand, it’s WAY better than really free VPN apps for iPhone.

Try NordVPN Risk-Free for 30 days

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2. ExpressVPN (30-day free trial)

ExpressVPN is simple to use, offers 3,000+ servers, and comes with incredible support for iOS phones and tablets. It’s free for 30 days thanks to a money-back guarantee. Unlike NordVPN, it offers a 7-day free trial if you sign up using your iPhone.

Your credit card info is required but that’s not an issue if you cancel your trial beforehand. ExpressVPN’s iOS app offers a mighty kill switch but also Advanced Protection to shield you from privacy-infringing ads, trackers, and malicious sites.

Its addition of Parental Control can block porn sites and adultery. ExpressVPN is very secure thanks to a no-logging policy certified many times by PwC, KPMG, Cure53, and other cybersecurity auditors. We love ExpressVPN for its modern security infrastructure.

It uses 256-bit encryption with the Lightway protocol that ensures not only ultimate security but also blazing-fast speed. Being an amazing free VPN for iPhones, ExpressVPN works for streaming and all servers are optimized for P2P file sharing in complete privacy.

ExpressVPN even has the Keys password manager built into its free VPN app for iPhones. We love its inclusion of Network Lock, a kill switch, as well as App Split Tunneling to exclude certain apps from using a VPN. ExpressVPN, however, lacks Double VPN servers.

It also offers only 8 simultaneous connections, making it inferior to NordVPN. However, this number is significantly higher than the limitations of truly free VPNs that work on iPhones, as they’re usually capped at 1. ExpressVPN is a phenomenal option overall, with minor issues that could easily be overlooked.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free for 30 days

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3. Private Internet Access (30-day free trial)

If you want a free solution for your beloved iPhone, PIA VPN could also be great. This is another paid provider with a nifty 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day trial through mobile devices. However, its price is so low, and at only around $2/mo, it’s nearly free.

Private Internet Access offers unlimited simultaneous connections, beating all other services on this list. While not faster than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it’s way quicker than the best really free iPhone VPNs. It’s also ultra-secure, with features like bank-grade encryption and RAM servers.

PIA includes the MACE ad blocker and WireGuard to ensure stable performance and rock-solid security. We appreciate its obfuscation thanks to Shadowsocks which makes the provider work in censored regions. iPhone users will love its dedicated streaming servers.

This service works with BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and other platforms. Plus, it’s properly optimized for torrenting that can be performed without costing you a cent. We picked this provider because of its strong privacy, which is reflected in its audited no-log policy.

Private Internet Access has a range of Dedicated IP addresses and full Smart DNS support. If you pay $1/mo on top, you’ll get an antivirus for your computer that’s almost on the level of top-tier antivirus software.

Being a great complimentary VPN for iPhone, Private Internet Access is simple to install and use, making it beginner-friendly. It lacks a dedicated Firestick app but if you love Apple, you’d likely prefer Apple TV and the newly-launched PIA app for tvOS.

Try PIA VPN Risk-Free for 30 days

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4. Proton VPN – best totally free and unlimited VPN for iPhone

Moving on with the list, we have Proton VPN. This is a 100% free VPN for iPhones that you can use without cost or credit card info. Simply go to its site, sign up without paying, and download the app. We tested Proton VPN and loved its unlimited bandwidth and snappiness.

Proton VPN also offers excellent security and won’t store logs of your online footprints. We discovered features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and even WireGuard support. After testing the provider for IP and DNS leaks, the results were phenomenal – no leaks!

The provider offers 5 locations, however. They include the USA, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. Sadly, there’s no option to pick one, instead, you’re connected to the fastest location. This instantly makes Proton VPN a bad option for avoiding geo-blocks.

Admittedly, the service isn’t optimized for streaming to begin with, so you’re doomed from the start. P2P traffic was blocked in our tests, so torrenting is another no-go. Proton’s premium features are lacking, making Secure Core and NetShield absent from the app.

As its server fleet is small, it’s among the slowest free VPN providers that work on iPhone. Overcrowding is typical, resulting in connection instabilities and slowdowns. Proton is a complimentary provider worth trying if your demands aren’t too high.

If you care about privacy and security and want to enjoy “light” browsing, it’s perfectly fine. However, if you’re into streaming, torrenting, and bandwidth-heavy internet usage, NordVPN, our #1 rated free VPN provider for iPhone is ten times better.

Try Proton VPN for free

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5. Hide.me – secure and free VPN usable on iPhone

Hide.me is an almost ideal really free service. Its security is top-tier, with AES encryption, a kill switch, RAM servers, and Private DNS. Being from Malaysia, Hide.me doesn’t store ANY logs and has several audits under its belt to prove that. Off to a good start.

We love Hide.me’s unlimited bandwidth that makes this provider so much more valuable. Compared to Proton, it offers 8 locations and you can pick the one you like! Some of them are the USA, Singapore, the Netherlands, Canada, and a few others.

Hide.me’s apps are also intuitive and work on all devices, including iOS phones and tablets. Now, being a 100% VPN app for iPhones, it lacks streaming and P2P support, which is a shame. Surprisingly, it only supports OpenVPN and not WireGuard – another minus.

Hide.me’s performance is far from ideal. After testing it on many occasions, we noticed how slow it can be when watching YouTube and downloading files. Hide.me also doesn’t support simultaneous connections, so only one device can be protected at a time.

However, we must admit we love its 24/7 live chat support and how fast and helpful it is. Be aware that Hide.me lacks a heap of its premium security features – MultiHop is one of many. That said, you’ll be limited to basic stuff that should still be enough for day-to-day use.

This provider offers a premium plan too and it’s significantly better. We ranked Hide.me high on the list of the top 10 VPNs for 2024. But that’s only its premium version. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access remain better choices, however.

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6. PrivadoVPN – best server coverage

Our last recommendation is PrivadoVPN. This provider offers some great speeds for a free service coupled with full P2P and streaming support. Besides, it’s the only 100% free VPN on this list that works with Netflix, so it’s a welcome change.

PrivadoVPN includes 10 countries to pick from – more than Proton VPN and Hide.me. Simultaneously, it’s pretty secure, as it’s based in Switzerland like Proton VPN. The service includes WireGuard but also offers IPv6 leak protection for incredible security.

In this app, you’ll find split tunneling and a kill switch to preserve your privacy even if the VPN connection breaks. PrivadoVPN’s logging is minimal, so don’t expect it to store your IP address, browsing history, and so on. Now, the provider is by no means perfect.

It has a glaring issue that puts it at the backside of our list – limited monthly bandwidth. With 10 GB a month, it’s hard to fully utilize PrivadoVPN’s offers. Yes, it works for torrenting and streaming but limited bandwidth makes these activities unenjoyable.

We noticed that PrivadoVPN is the only provider without audits here. As a free iPhone VPN, it’s logical to expect the lack of simultaneous connections and more advanced security features – Control Tower DNS is the missing link.

Despite offering more locations than Proton VPN and Hide.me, its 10 countries are still underwhelming compared to NordVPN’s 110+. Needless to say, NordVPN is a far more advanced provider with more prevalent qualities.

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Free Trial vs Free VPNs for iPhone Differences

You might be wondering how different complimentary and free trial VPNs are. As you’ve noticed, the top 3 providers are much better than the latter 3 options usable without credit card info or any cost. If you’ve failed to see their differences, let us explain them to you.

Bandwidth & Performance

The most noticeable difference is in performance. Free VPNs for iPhone for 30 days are better because they offer unlimited bandwidth AND excellent performance thanks to 10 Gbps servers. The latter 3 options can be used for nothing and without cost.

However, these free providers offer outdated 1 Gbps servers that are frequently overcrowded and slow. Proton VPN is really slow, for example, while PrivadoVPN is fast and offers only 10 GB of monthly bandwidth, so there’s always a compromise.

For your information, we tested Proton VPN’s free version using the Dutch server:

Now, here are NordVPN’s speed test results using one of its servers in the Netherlands – the difference is night and day:

Since we mentioned server overcrowding, it’s good to notice their server parks. Free providers for iPhone offer 5-10 countries and usually no more than 250 servers. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA have 4,300, 3,000, and 30,000+ servers respectively.

They also have from 91 to 111 countries, making it easier to find a fast server.

Torrenting & Streaming

Except for PrivadoVPN, no other free VPN for iPhone has torrenting and streaming support. That’s a waving red flag for many users, especially those who have a VPN to watch Netflix. In comparison, the first 3 free providers allow for both.

They work with a myriad of streaming portals and have thousands of P2P-friendly servers that can be used for limitless, safe, and anonymous torrenting. PrivadoVPN allows for both as well, but again, with 10 GB a month, you can only do so much.

Device Compatibility

By device compatibility, we think about simultaneous connections. While all free VPNs are compatible with iPhones, the latter 3 offer only ONE connection per account. So, you install and use a VPN on your iPhone but when you try to use it on your computer, you can’t.

Our selection of VPNs with a free trial for iOS allows you to connect from 8 to unlimited devices on a single account. This means you can protect your iPhone, Windows computer, macOS laptop, router, and Fire TV Stick, and still have room for more devices.

Security & Privacy

If you can use a VPN without costing you a cent, security, and privacy are always questioned. We picked complimentary services with top-tier privacy and security but most of them, outside of this list, can’t brag about this feature.

Hola VPN, Urban VPN, Turbo VPN, and others are prone to storing logs and selling your sensitive information to third parties. They also provide weaker security and many times, leak your IP and DNS address because of an unstable or unencrypted connection.

Still, there are differences between free trial and free VPNs that work on iPhones. As you saw, Proton VPN is missing its Secure Core and NetShield features in the free version. Hide.me misses WireGuard and MultiHop, while PrivadoVPN lacks its Control Tower DNS.

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access have all of their advanced features at your fingertips. They also have several third-party audits on no-logging policies, so they’re more trustworthy. While the difference might be negligible for some, it’s still there.

For instance, WireGuard is much better than OpenVPN in security, privacy, and speed, so it influences your experience directly. Hide.me’s lack of this protocol makes the provider far worse than, let’s say, NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

Some Free VPNs for iPhone to Avoid in 2024

100% free services like Proton VPN, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN aren’t the most popular options in some regions. However, they’re safe and secure, and for a free VPN for iPhone, that’s one of the most important aspects.

Unfortunately, most free VPNs on iPhones aren’t great and they suffer from countless unforgivable issues. Below are some of the worst providers you can use that our team would never recommend.

• Hola VPN: Easily the #1 worst option to use on your iPhone. It has a bad reputation wherever you look online for heavy logging and selling users’ information to third parties. Even your geolocation, full name, and IP address are stored on Hola’s servers. The most concerning thing is Hola’s exploits by hackers that have likely stolen tons of information and compromised thousands of users.
• Betternet: This is a popular free iPhone VPN but for no apparent reason. It’s free but far from safe. Again, it keeps logs and is based in the US, one of the worst jurisdictions for privacy. It also limits your bandwidth to 500 MB a month, offers no streaming support, and is frequently recognized as malware by many anti-malware tools.
• Turbo VPN: A free VPN for iOS that barely works. It leaks your IP address and fails to provide proper security. It’s also a Singaporean company and Singapore is suspected of cooperating with the 14 Eyes Alliance in data collection and espionage.
• Urban VPN: This one offers unlimited bandwidth and a wealth of locations. Unfortunately, the only thing it does properly is change your IP address. The VPN keeps logs of all your private data, it’s incredibly slow, and blocks streaming and torrenting. It also has NO features in the app and is prone to leaking your IP address. A bad, bad choice.

Pros & Cons of Really Free VPN Services for iPhone

Using a risk-free VPN or a free trial of VPN services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Private Internet Access poses no risk. These providers are secure and will protect your identity online. Additionally, they do not store any logs of your personal information, making them ideal choices.

Unfortunately, 100% free VPNs for iPhone have some advantages and noticeable shortcomings. If you haven’t read our guide carefully, here are the most notable pros and cons of free solutions:

Conclusion

Our ranking of the top 6 free VPNs for iPhone is done at this point. We ensure you get the highest level of security and privacy no matter which one you choose. However, for the best possible experience, it’s recommended to utilize the free trials offered by the first 3 VPNs.

They include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. Apart from security and privacy, they offer unlimited traffic, excellent performance, streaming abilities, P2P optimization, and a litany of advanced features.

Proton VPN, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN aren’t bad but they’re far from impressive. While their safety is non-negotiable, they lack fast speed, large server networks, torrenting/streaming support, and simultaneous connections.

On the other side, these VPNs compatible with iPhones are free forever and require no credit card information. Now that you have all of this information in your pocket, it’s time to decide based on your preferences and needs.

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