7 Best Free VPNs for iPhone and iPad in 2024

When it comes to digital privacy, iPhones and iPads are among the safest devices ever built, but that doesn’t mean they can keep you 100% secure online. So, you might want to get a free VPN on an iPhone to encrypt your data and ensure your digital privacy. However, you should also know that free VPNs can come with quite a few limitations.

Most free VPNs have slow speeds and data caps, which is inconvenient if you’re planning to unblock and stream media content. They also come with small server networks, limited features, weak security, and limited device support. What’s more, some free VPNs even log your data and sell it to third parties, and we've also seen free VPNs designed to propagate malware.

The best VPN for iPhone should keep your Web browsing data safe and provide a vast server network with ultra-fast speeds. That’s why we recommend using a premium VPN’s free trial, which is a great way to benefit from advanced security features in a secure manner. 

In this article, we’re going to explain more about the best free VPN for iPhones and best free VPN for iPads (including free VPN trials), as well as walk you through how to use one. We'll also explain how to choose the best option, explain the limitations of free iPhone VPNs, and which ones to avoid, and we'll finish with a round of helpful FAQs.

Best Free VPNs for iPhone - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best Free VPN Trial for iPhone and iPad in 2024
2. Surfshark - Free iPhone VPN Trial with Ultra-Fast Speeds
3. ExpressVPN - Free VPN Trial for Privacy-Conscientious Users
4. Proton VPN - Best Free VPN for iPhone and iPad with Unlimited Data
5. Windscribe - Free iPhone and iPad VPN for Streaming
6. Hide.me - Free VPN for iOS for Bypassing Geo-Blocks
7. Atlas VPN - Beginner-Friendly Free VPN for iPhone without Subscription

How to Get a Free VPN Trial for iPhone and iPad

To get a free VPN trial for your iPhone or iPad, you need to sign up, download and install your chosen VPN app on your device, and connect to a server. Here’s how:

1. Sign up for a VPN trial (we recommend NordVPN's 30-day risk-free trial).
2. Download and install the VPN app on your iPhone or iPad.
3. Launch the VPN and log-in to your account.
4. Choose any server location you want to connect to.
5. Leave the VPN running in the background. That’s it!

Unlike free VPN providers, NordVPN comes with unlimited bandwidth, high-speed connections, over 6,000+ servers, and can unblock any website, digital service, or app. You won't have to worry about your privacy either, as NordVPN is an often-audited no-logs VPN service.

The Best Free VPNs for iPhone and iPad in 2024

To find the best free VPN for your iPhone or iPad, you need to stick to certain criteria. That said, first, make sure that your chosen VPN offers a free plan. Also, it should offer a native iOS app so that you can install it from the App Store (and keep it updated), the easy way. You'll also want unlimited bandwidth or a generous data allowance.

Let's not forget about security, either. There should be strong VPN protocols, tough encryption, and a no-logs policy. Next, you'll want fast speed and fluid performance, as well as plenty of servers around the world in as many locations as possible. Related to that, there should be the ability to bypass geo-blocks, as well as a kill switch - to prevent accidental data leaks.

Ensure you get enough simultaneous connections as well. Pay attention to the price as well, as you don't want to overpay if you decide to become a paying customer at some point. That's why you'll need a generous money-back guarantee in addition to reliable customer support. Aim for 24/7 live chat support, which is always the best way to troubleshoot issues.

Based on the criteria listed above, these are the 7 best VPNs for iOS devices in 2024:

1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated Best Free VPN Trial for iPhone and iPad in 2024

NordVPN is the best free VPN trial for iPhone and iPad, allowing you to test-drive its features for 7 days. But you'll need to activate this trial on an Android device, and then you can use your credentials on any handheld or desktop device. Aside from that, you can also subscribe to NordVPN directly, and you'll get its unlimited 30-day risk-free trial based on its money-back policy.

NordVPN offers a brilliantly designed iOS/iPadOS app. It also has unlimited bandwidth, which means you can leave it running in the background at all times. On top of that, you'll get ultra-tough protocols such as OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec, coupled with AES-256 and/or ChaCha20 encryption. Needless to say, there's also a no-logs policy (audited many times in the past).

You'll also be happy to hear that NordVPN is among the fastest VPNs, no matter if you connect to its nearby or remote servers. Speaking of its servers, you'll get 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries. You can also use those to bypass all kinds of geo-blocks. No matter if you wish to stream Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, (HBO) Max, or YouTube TV, you won't encounter any geo-blocks.

Being the best free VPN for iOS, NordVPN also brings an exceptional kill switch across all its supported platforms. It also gives you 6 simultaneous connections - not the most generous offer, but it should be more than enough for most users.

You can get started with NordVPN for $3.39/month (2-year subscription plan). Every plan is covered by a generous 30-day money-back policy. And, in terms of support, you get 24/7 live chat support, as well as plenty of installation guides, tutorials, FAQs, and more.

2. Surfshark - Free iPhone VPN Trial with Ultra-Fast Speeds

Surfshark is an ultra-capable free trial VPN for your iPhone, which you can use for 7 days without paying. Just download the app, agree to a subscription plan, and you won't be charged before the first week of use ends. Also, you can sign up for Surfshark directly, and you'll be covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee, which comes without any limitations.

You can find and download Surfshark from the iOS App Store, as it offers a modern-looking iOS VPN app. Also, it imposes no bandwidth restrictions, so you can use it 24/7. Aside from that, Surfshark will protect your data using OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec, paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. Being a reputable VPN, it also features an audited no-logs policy.

We also can't complain about Surfshark's speed either. It features fast and smooth performance, even when using highly remote servers. You'll get access to 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, and yes, those can unblock any type of content - including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Paramount+, Max, Disney+, and countless more.

You should also know that Surfshark works not only on an iPhone but also on computers, other phones, tablets, streaming devices, and even routers. On top of that, it supports unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a huge benefit.

We'll also add that Surfshark is priced at $2.29/month (2-year plan). You can also count on this VPN's 30-day money-back policy to make your purchase risk-free. There's also 24/7 live chat support, which helps you resolve any issue in no time.

3. ExpressVPN - Free VPN Trial for Privacy-Conscientious Users

ExpressVPN is a handy VPN free trial that focuses on privacy protection. You can try it risk-free for 7 days on your iPhone and iPad, and you can use the same credentials on other devices as well. Of course, you can also sign up directly to get its 30-day trial, as per the VPN's money-back guarantee.

You'll find its native iOS/iPadOS on the App Store, so getting started with ExpressVPN is quite easy. Also, you'll get unlimited bandwidth, as well as ultra-strong protocols like OpenVPN, NordLynx, as well as IKEv2/IPsec. Those are paired with AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy, ensuring that not even ExpressVPN knows what you do online.

We can also praise ExpressVPN's performance, as it features stable connections and solid speeds. Then, you get access to 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, all of which are obfuscated. Without any surprise, you can use ExpressVPN to bypass censorship and defeat any geo-block on sites such as Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube TV, and countless more.

There's also a kill switch across all its supported platforms, which is called 'Network Lock' in this case. Let's not forget to mention that ExpressVPN supports 8 simultaneous connections, which seems quite generous.

Lastly, ExpressVPN is priced at $6.67/month for its 1-year plan. No matter which plan you pick, you'll be covered by the VPN's 30-day money-back policy. You'll also gain access to 24/7 live chat support in addition to several other support channels.

4. Proton VPN - Best Free VPN for iPhone and iPad with Unlimited Data

If your goal is to avoid data caps, Proton VPN is easily the best completely free VPN for iPhone. This VPN offers a truly free plan with no gimmicks involved. You also get a native VPN iOS app, so getting started with Proton VPN takes no more than a couple of minutes.

Unlike most other free VPNs, you are not constrained by monthly traffic limits, which means you are free to watch movies, listen to music, and browse the Web without restrictions. Also, you get premium-level protocols, like OpenVPN and WireGuard, high-end encryption, and yes - there's also a no-logs policy. Proton VPN is one of the most trustworthy free options in that regard.

We'll also add that the free version of Proton VPN actively throttles download and upload speeds, so you should keep that in mind. That said, the most obvious drawback is that you are only allowed access to a handful of servers in 5 countries. Those countries are the US, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland.

Also, Proton VPN can unblock select sites, but streaming Netflix and YouTube and accessing similar platforms could turn out to be problematic. Accessing Spotify or Pandora should work great, though. In terms of your privacy protection, know that you'll get a kill switch, so you'll be kept safe no matter what you decide to do online.

We'll also add that you're limited to a single connection only. To lift that limit, you'll need to become a paying customer, which you can do for $4.99/month (2-year plan). Proton VPN will cover your purchase with its 30-day money-back policy. Lastly, you won't find 24/7 live chat here, but Proton VPN's email support is fast enough to resolve any issue.

5. Windscribe - Free iPhone and iPad VPN for Streaming

There are a few good VPNs that make it as easy to start browsing the Web securely as Windscribe does, especially when it comes to the iOS version. Even though it has a couple of strict limitations, Windscribe offers a free subscription plan with multiple sign-up options available. To get started, you can get its native iPhone VPN app and sign up in under a minute, and you'll also find a free iPad VPN app.

If you supply your e-mail address upon signing up, you'll get 10GB of data per month. Registering with a username gives you 2GB/month. There are also some occasional promotions that can increase your monthly allowance, but don't expect any drastic changes. On the plus side, Windscribe will also give you high-end VPN protocols and robust encryption, and there's a no-logs policy as well.

Also, since it brings more servers than other free VPNs, you can expect relatively fast speeds. That's because Windscribe features hundreds of servers in 11 countries, such as the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Hong Kong, and more. So, even as a free user, you'll still get to obtain many different countries' IP addresses.

We'll also add that Windscribe can be quite useful for bypassing geo-blocks. It even works with Netflix and other popular streaming services - but don't forget that you'll get a monthly data allowance. So, you'll get to stream online media for a limited time only. What you won't compromise will be your privacy, as Windscribe offers robust privacy protection, with a kill switch included.

Another perk is that Windscribe supports unlimited simultaneous connections. If you decide to unlock its features at some point, you'll need to pay $5.57/month (1-year plan). However, you'll only get a 3-day money-back guarantee. Also, there's no 24/7 live chat support, but you'll get email support.

6. Hide.me - Free VPN for iOS for Bypassing Geo-Blocks

Hide.me is a relatively basic option for bypassing geo-blocks, but it's also a totally free VPN that easily deserves your trust. You can use its free subscription plan to protect your privacy and even unblock an occasional website. Of course, it has a native iOS/iPadOS app that brings everything you need to create a safe online environment for your data.

This free VPN now comes with unlimited bandwidth, which means you can leave Hide.me running in the background at all times. It also features strong protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. Since Hide.me has a no-logs policy, you can rest assured that your Web traffic will be handled with care.

Even though Hide.me's performance can fluctuate, it brings medium-fast speeds most of the time. It's important to pick a less popular "VPN destination" to get faster performance. Speaking of that, there are dozens of servers in 7 countries - the US, the UK, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. So, there are no locations in Asia, sadly.

We've had plenty of luck using Hide.me to access Netflix, YouTube, and even iPlayer on occasion, but your mileage might vary. This VPN should work well for bypassing censorship, though. You'll also be happy to hear that Hide.me includes a kill switch, so there's no chance of going through a data leak.

Hide.me will give you a single connection, so there are no multiple connections here. If you decide to unlock this VPN, you'll need to pay $2.69/month (2-year plan), and you'll get a 30-day money-back guarantee as well. Lastly, no matter if you're a free or premium user, Hide.me will provide 24/7 live chat support.

7. Atlas VPN - Beginner-Friendly Free VPN for iPhone without Subscription

Atlas VPN is one of the top free VPNs in terms of user-friendliness. You can use its totally free plan to unblock sites, protect privacy, and even bypass censorship - but with some limitations. Everything this VPN includes is available through its native iOS app, so installing the VPN and creating an account should take a few minutes only.

Atlas VPN will limit you to 5GB per month, and there's no way to increase that limit (unless you become a paying subscriber, of course). However, there are no limitations regarding the VPN's security, as you'll get protocols like WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20. A no-logs policy is also in place, ensuring that no one sees your Web traffic data.

We'll also add that Atlas VPN performs well for the most part. If you connect to overly remote servers, your speeds might drop, so it heavily depends on your physical location. And, when it comes to its locations, you can connect to servers in 3 countries - in the Netherlands and Singapore, and two locations in the US - in Los Angeles and New York.

On top of that, Atlas VPN works great for unblocking sites and bypassing streaming geo-blocks. Still, since it gives you 5GB/month, you won't get to stream as much as you want. That doesn't apply to your privacy protection, though, because Atlas VPN creates a leak-free environment and has a kill switch to prevent data leaks.

Another benefit is that you get unlimited simultaneous connections. If you decide to start paying for this VPN, you can get started for only $1.64/month, and there's a 30-day money-back policy in place. We'll also add that 24/7 live chat support is reserved for paying users only.

Free VPNs for iPhone & iPad: Compared

How to Choose the Best Free iPhone VPN in 2024?

To choose the best free VPN for iPhone, you need to pick one with a 100% free plan, a native iOS app, plenty of servers worldwide, and don't forget about security and privacy either. Here's everything you need to keep in mind:

• Free Plan - You need a VPN that offers a truly free subscription plan without any time-related restrictions. In other words, you'll want to sign up once and use your VPN indefinitely.
• iOS App - Avoid complicated VPN configuration procedures and get a VPN that offers a native iOS VPN app, which is listed on the iOS App Store. Also, pay attention to the app's design.
• Data Allowance - Most free VPNs come with a certain monthly or daily data allowance. You can also find free iPhone VPNs with unlimited bandwidth, but they come with other limitations.
• Security & Privacy - Ensure that you get the best free VPN for iOS with strong protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard), solid encryption, and an audited no-logs policy.
• Performance - Any VPN will slow you down a bit, and that's especially true for free VPNs. So, do your research and get a VPN that can promise tolerable throttling.
• Server Network Size & Distribution - You'll want plenty of nearby and remote servers to ensure you get the fastest possible performance, as well as the ability to unblock foreign websites.
• Ability to Unblock Content - Speaking of unblocking content, the best VPN should have no issues bypassing geo-blocks, which means you'll get to change location on your iPhone with ease.
• Supported Devices - Yes, you need a VPN with a native iOS app. However, you'll also want VPN apps for your other devices powered by Windows, macOS, or Android.
• Kill Switch - A kill switch will ensure that, if your VPN session becomes unstable for any reason, no data leaks can happen. Remember that even a split-second leak can expose your IP.
• Simultaneous Connections - It's true that most free VPNs offer a single connection only. If you want to protect more than one device, you need to find a VPN that supports that option.
• Pricing - We're talking about free VPNs here, but perhaps you'll want to become a paying user at some point. That said, you'll want a VPN with a good price and plenty of value overall.
• Money-Back Guarantee - Speaking of paying for VPNs, know that the best ones offer a 30-day money-back policy, giving you plenty of time to test-drive its capabilities.
• Customer Support - If something goes wrong, you'll be happy to have access to 24/7 live chat customer support, which is the best way to troubleshoot technical issues.

Why Free iOS VPNs Are Not as Good as Paid Ones?

Free iOS VPNs are not as good as paid ones because they come with limited features and slow speeds, and they can even endanger your privacy by tracking your online and collecting your data. Here are some of the pitfalls you need to avoid while choosing a free VPN:

• Free VPNs Don't Allow Unlimited Traffic - Free VPNs usually come with data caps, which are renewed every month. These caps are very restrictive - usually a lot smaller than what’s needed to watch an entire movie on Netflix.
• Free VPNs Provide Weak Security and Encryption - To boost their typically slow performance, most free VPNs use less secure protocols and questionable encryption.
• Free VPNs Expose Your Sensitive Information - Most free VPNs can't create strong enough data tunnels, which means they might leak and expose your IP and other sensitive data.
• Free VPNs Often Use Aggressive Trackers - With trackers also come ads that can take up the whole screen and force you to watch for a few seconds until the close button appears.
• Free VPNs Are Easily Breached - While premium VPNs use reputable data centers, free VPNs typically use cheap data centers that come with minimal data protection.
• Free VPNs Collect and Sell Your Data - Most free VPN apps collect data about your browsing and your device, which is then sold to advertisers.
• Free VPNs Might Infect You With Malware - We've seen many times in the past how free VPNs were used to propagate malware, which can harm your device in a big way.
• Free VPNs Often Bring Outdated Software - Since they don't update their apps often, free VPNs come with all kinds of vulnerabilities that allow malicious actors to prey on you.
• Free VPNs Rely on Shady Practices to Appear Trustworthy - This takes the form of inflated scores and false reviews, which is why many of the top-rated free VPN apps for iPhones are not quite as good as they say they are.

These reasons may be enough to consider going for a paid VPN service. If that’s the case, our top recommendation at the moment is NordVPN, which offers a 30-day risk-free trial.

With NordVPN, you'll get premium-level VPN features and absolutely no restrictions. On top of that, its 30-day money-back policy comes without any questions asked. However, if you'd like to explore more options, head over to our guide on the best free trial VPN.

Free iPhone VPNs to Avoid

When looking for a free VPN for iPhone, make sure to avoid the bad ones that can compromise your privacy. Here are some of the ones to watch out for:

• Hola VPN - Hola isn't actually a VPN since it uses a P2P network. As a result, your IP address is used to connect to other individuals, which means you share traffic with them. On top of that, Hola was caught spying on its users, which means that VPN can see your browsing history as well as pretty much anything you do online.
• Betternet - This is a true example of a free VPN with questionable practices. There are many reports that point to Betternet's use of less secure protocols, which creates plenty of vulnerabilities in your VPN session. The VPN also collects plenty of data about your device and your browsing history, which is probably sold to the highest bidder.
• Opera VPN - Opera is a popular brand, and you probably know it for its Web browser. Its VPN service is actually just a proxy. That means you don't get any encryption, which puts your privacy and safety at risk. Also, it's headquartered in China, so we don't know what kind of information it collects and how it uses that data.
• XGate VPN: This one remained one of the most popular VPNs on the App Store for a long time. There were inconsistencies in the app, including links that would lead nowhere. After reports surfaced claiming the app was fake, it got taken down. If you still have the app installed on your device, it’s best to get rid of it immediately, as it can charge your credit card an exorbitant fee once the trial is over.
• Beetle VPN: This one seemingly offers you a free trial but is actually “fleeceware,” meaning it’s designed to charge you a hefty fee week after week. The app, with over 420,000 downloads on the App Store, misleads users into downloading it for privacy protection.
• Buckler VPN: This is another “fleeceware” app. Like other similar scams, it doesn’t come with malware but can drain your bank account if left installed. This VPN, with 270,000 downloads, was flagged by Avast for its reputation as a scam.
• Hat VPN Pro: With nearly 100,000 downloads on the App Store, this VPN was widely used until Avast flagged it as fleeceware too, reporting the app to Apple. It had very high ratings and even fake rave reviews that would mislead people.

Final Thoughts

Getting a free iPhone VPN might sound like a great idea - but things aren't that simple. Most free VPNs deliver a limited set of features, a small number of servers, and some might even endanger your privacy. Aside from that, you'll experience slow speeds and have a hard time unblocking sites. That said, our strong recommendation is to think about a free trial VPN.

We recommend NordVPN, which comes with a 7-day trial and a 30-day money-back policy, which allows you to test-drive it on your iPhone for quite a while. Unlike any free VPN, NordVPN can keep you safe, optimize your connection, unblock sites, and help you experience how a truly powerful VPN works.

If you'd like to stick to a free option, you can try Proton VPN, which seems to be the best free VPN for iPhone and iPad. It does come with strong security policies and unlimited bandwidth, but it also impacts the speed of your connection and has a handful of servers only.

That's all for our guide on the best free VPN for iPhone. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!