Best Free VPN for iPhone 2024: Our Objective Comparison

iPhones are known for their blazing-fast performance but also tight security. However, venturing online makes this security obsolete, as you’ll still be vulnerable to various online threats. Therefore, using the best free VPN for iPhone in 2024 seems like a good option.

A VPN for iPhone will hide your original IP, encrypt your connection, and protect you from hackers, snoopers, and online surveillance. It will keep you anonymous online, so you can keep browsing the web unbeknownst to anyone else.

Furthermore, a good iPhone VPN will let you bypass geo-restrictions online. It can then let you unblock Netflix, watch BBC iPlayer, or enjoy shows and movies on HBO Max. These are all great reasons for using a VPN for iPhone, but can a really free VPN for iPhone do all of this for you?

Well, today, we answer this question and give you our favorite free VPNs for iPhone in 2024. Make sure you stick around because you’re gonna get 9 providers in total!

Best Free VPN for iPhone 2024 (For 30 Days)

Let’s get to the subject right away. Right before we present the best really free VPN for iPhone, let’s briefly talk about our favorite premium choices. These are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost, which are currently the best Virtual Private Networks for iPhone users.

However, you know that these providers aren’t free, but that’s not a problem. We’ll give you a trick to use them for free for 30 (or 45) days, which, in the end, will turn out to be the best option. After all, you won’t spend any money, so we strongly suggest trying any of them out.

ExpressVPN: Use It for Free for 30 Days With THIS Trick!

As you know ExpressVPN is far from being a free iPhone VPN in 2024. But as we said, you can apply a simple trick to use it without losing any money. Namely, ExpressVPN offers an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscription plans.

This means that, whatever plan you choose, you can get a FULL refund in the first 30 days of your purchase with no quibble. But, to use ExpressVPN as a free VPN for iPhone, you obviously need to choose a plan first.

Get ExpressVPN for iPhone Risk-Free

You can get the annual plan, for instance. It offers a 49% discount and 3 months free, drastically dropping the price. Alternatively, the monthly plan works fine for this solution, and at around 13 bucks, it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Once you choose the plan, you can use ExpressVPN limitlessly in the first 30 days. Remember that it has unlimited bandwidth, so you can enjoy streaming or downloading to your heart’s contempt. Right before the first 30 days expire, contact ExpressVPN through live chat.

This time, say that you want to get a refund, and if they ask you why, state that you don’t need a VPN anymore. In a few minutes, they should issue a request for a refund. Depending on your payment method, you’ll get your money back in a few hours or a few business days.

And that’s how you can use ExpressVPN for free for 30 days. Despite paying at the start, you get reimbursed afterward, and with the money back in your account, you lost exactly $0. Try it out, it’s risk-free!

Why ExpressVPN Instead of a Really Free VPN for iPhone?

Obviously, ExpressVPN is way ahead of every other 100% free VPN for iPhone. It offers more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries and the fastest speeds you can get. This guarantees a smooth browsing experience with no interruptions or connection drops.

What’s more, ExpressVPN’s iOS app is really good. It’s easy to use and offers easy access to all of its features. One of them is 256-bit AES encryption, making sure your connection is always secure. Although it doesn’t offer Network Lock for iOS, ExpressVPN has many other qualities.

For instance, its Lightway protocol is the best on the market, along with its RAM-based servers that offer the maximum level of security. Privacy-wise, ExpressVPN has a no-logging policy verified by PwC.

As such, we have an official confirmation of its no-logging practices that will have a huge positive impact on your privacy. iPhone users will surely like its streaming capabilities. ExpressVPN works with Netflix US, so you can enjoy intriguing shows and movies easily.

Not only that but it can also unblock Hotstar outside of India and let you access BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+ abroad. Apart from the iPhone, ExpressVPN supports ALL platforms you can think of, including its Android counterpart and desktop and TV devices.

Making things even better, there are 8 simultaneous connections on a single account, along with 24/7 customer support through live chat. All of this makes ExpressVPN extremely reliable and surely a much better option than really free VPNs for iOS in 2024.

CyberGhost Has a 45-Day  Money-Back Guarantee – Take Advantage of It Now!

The last best risk-free VPN for iPhone users is CyberGhost. This provider comes with some of the cheapest prices around and you really can’t beat a VPN that’s both affordable and reliable. As said, the provider offers a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans.

Much like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, you can use it risk-free on your iPhone by following the same trick. Go to its website (use the button below) and claim the cheapest possible deal, which is usually a 2-year plan with a few free months on top of that.

Get CyberGhost for Your iPhone Now

Once you’re done, install CyberGhost on your iPhone and enjoy using it with no limits. The provider offers unlimited bandwidth, so you can really do whatever you want without any worries. Right before the first 45 days expire, contact its customer support through live chat and request a refund.

They’ll give you your money back immediately, without asking unnecessary questions or requesting specific conditions. Alternatively, you can go for its 1-month plan but in this case, you get only 14 days of risk-free use, so we recommend cheaper long-term options.

Either way, the provider offers plenty of options so you can enjoy this free VPN for iPhone for 45 days hassle-free.

Why Should You Use CyberGhost?

CyberGhost packs 11,700+ servers in 100+ countries, which is one of its most impressive features. On top of that, this iPhone VPN comes with blazing-fast 10 Gbps speeds thanks to WireGuard and IKEv2 support on iOS devices.

The provider is very easy to use and we like the presence of streaming servers capable of unblocking a huge array of platforms. They’re optimized for Netflix but also foreign TV channels, Hulu, Disney+, and many other prominent services.

The provider has a kill switch, along with 256-bit encryption and split tunneling. All of this is backed by a no-logging policy with an audit from Deloitte, as well as transparency reports published a few times a year, which proves that the provider is trustworthy.

Its apps also include an ad blocker and you can enjoy IPv6/DNS leak protection for added security. CyberGhost has 7 simultaneous connections – less than ExpressVPN but more than NordVPN, and its 24/7 live chat support is available in multiple languages.

The only downside is that it won’t work in China but other than that, this is an amazing provider. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and other platforms, offering native apps that you can easily install. All of this for a price that goes a tad above $2 a month… it can’t get much better!

NordVPN Can Also Be Used for Free for 30 Days – Check This Out!

Not satisfied with ExpressVPN? In that case, feel free to check out NordVPN. This VPN comes at cheaper prices, yet offers almost the same level of quality. Moreover, it offers the aforementioned 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so you can apply the same trick.

This provider is the cheapest in its long-term plans, making them a recommended option. However, you can get its monthly plan that costs similarly to ExpressVPN, get a subscription, and enjoy NordVPN limitlessly.

Start Using NordVPN on iPhone for Free

Once again, it does offer unlimited bandwidth, letting you browse the web on your iPhone with no worries. If you want to use it as the best free VPN for iPhone, you need to get a refund by contacting NordVPN through live chat before the first 30 days expire.

Doing so, you’ll need to clarify that you want your money back because you don’t need a VPN anymore. If you’re using a VISA to pay for NordVPN, after issuing a refund, the money will be in your bank account in around 3 business days.

And this means that you successfully used NordVPN for free for 30 days, without losing even a cent of your money.

Why Use NordVPN?

Conversely, this is also a much better option than any 100% free iPhone VPN. Unlike ExpressVPN, it offers 6,100+ servers in 60+ countries, which is a tad more. Its speeds are impressive, as well, giving NordVPN an obvious advantage over free providers.

We use it daily and its iOS app is really satisfying to use. Even on iOS, it offers P2P servers but also tons of security features that you’ll enjoy. There’s a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, and NordLynx, a proprietary protocol for maximum security and performance.

Double VPN servers will double your encryption, while obfuscated servers are here to bypass censorship in China. Being a great premium service, you can expect NordVPN to not store any logs of your personal information.

This is confirmed in an external audit by PwC and Deloitte, proving that NordVPN indeed stores no information that could be traced back to you. NordVPN will also be reliable in terms of streaming. And before you ask – yes, it DOES work with Netflix!

However, the VPN can be used to watch Amazon Prime Video and many other streaming services outside of their respective countries. Thanks to great performance, your streaming experience will be smooth and buffer-free.

And if you want to protect other devices, the VPN got you covered. iPhone aside, NordVPN works on Android, Windows 10 & 11, and macOS, giving you 6 simultaneous connections. Needless to say, this is a great option for iPhone users seeking the best possible performance and security.

Top 6 Best REALLY Free VPN for iPhone – Our Favorite Choices

If ExpressVPN and NordVPN aren’t what you want, that’s completely okay. After all, these are not free VPNs per se, as you still have to rely on their 30-day money-back guarantee. In that case, we’ll give you the best REALLY free VPNs for iPhone in 2024.

Really free means that you don’t have to pay anything to use them. In some cases, these providers won’t require you to make an account either, so downloading them and using them is very simple. By the way, we have 6 of them today.

However, if you decide to go this route, make sure you’re aware of the compromises you’ll going to deal with along the way. That said, let’s unwrap our list now:

1. ProtonVPN

Do you want unlimited bandwidth free of charge? Well, you might want to consider ProtonVPN as the best free VPN for iPhone. It offers no bandwidth limits, letting you browse the web as much as you like, forever – sounds cool, huh?

Another cool thing about ProtonVPN is its focus on privacy and security. The iOS app of ProtonVPN is jam-packed with features. Some of them include bank-grade encryption, WireGuard support, and a reliable automatic kill switch.

iPhone users will enjoy its ease of use given that it requires only a free account, after which, you can use it without any issues. Moreover, we should mention its no-logging policy. Despite being free, ProtonVPN stores NO logs of your personal info, which is a huge relief.

After all, their no-logs policy is verified by SEC Consult, and thanks to its Swiss jurisdiction, you can expect the country’s stern privacy laws to play in ProtonVPN’s favor. But what about performance and streaming?

Well, ProtonVPN will most likely disappoint you. It offers just 3 server locations and not the best speeds. This is coupled with the lack of P2P servers that NordVPN has, along with the inability to bypass geo-restrictions effectively.

Even with its servers in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands, ProtonVPN will not work with Netflix libraries from these countries. Not to mention the inability to unblock BBC iPlayer or Hotstar due to the lack of VPN servers in India.

ProtonVPN also offers one connection per account, unlike ExpressVPN and NordVPN which give 5 and 6 of them respectively. Also, we should point out that there’s no 24/7 live chat support, so don’t expect to get help in a few minutes.

While ProtonVPN doesn’t support routers, it at least supports all desktop and mobile platforms. However, it leaves a lot to be desired if you’re into streaming and high-speed browsing. For security and unlimited bandwidth, this is really THE best free VPN for iPhone – period.

Visit ProtonVPN

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2. Hide.me

Hide.me is a security bulwark based in Malaysia. This provider has a LOT to offer, which sort of applies to the cut-down, free version. Its highlight is security and ease of use because, apart from making a free account, Hide.me won’t require anything else to use it.

Once you do so, you can enjoy a vast array of features. Hide.me will offer OpenVPN support, an automatic kill switch, and even 256-bit AES encryption to its free users. Furthermore, the VPN’s privacy-friendly jurisdiction surely implies that there’s a no-logs policy.

Indeed, it stores no logs and with an external audit, its no-logging policy is officially verified. Surprisingly, Hide.me isn’t very slow and is faster than ProtonVPN. However, that applies to its 10 GB bandwidth cap that you’ll spend pretty quickly.

After that, Hide.me offers unlimited bandwidth but with MUCH slower speeds that make it nearly impossible to use properly. In the free version. Hide.me doesn’t have streaming support, so you can’t utilize this bandwidth to watch Netflix or Hulu abroad.

Besides, it offers just 5 server locations, out of which, 2 are in the US. Other locations include Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, which is a bit better than ProtonVPN but still not great. What’s not great is the exclusion of WireGuard in the free version.

On the good side, Hide.me does offer 24/7 support through live chat. But you should be aware of its single connection per account that won’t let you protect multiple devices at the same time. That’s something you can easily do with premium VPNs, by the way.

As a free VPN for iPhone, Hide.me is really good. If you don’t mind its bandwidth limit and no streaming support, this could be a viable option. However, make sure you browse the web carefully, not to spend all 10 GB of allowed bandwidth.

Doing so will drastically decrease speeds and believe me – you don’t want to experience that change! To learn more, check our Hide.me review.

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3. TunnelBear

TunnelBear is a Canadian VPN provider mainly known for its free offering. Although a bit overrated, TunnelBear has its qualities. One of them is surely a beautifully crafted iOS application that’s unique compared to all other VPNs.

Surprisingly, TunnelBear has a large server network for a free provider. It sports around 500 servers in 40+ countries, which is really impressive. And, to make things better, its features like GhostBear, VigilantBear, and rock-solid encryption make its security top-notch.

This is a Canadian VPN, so its 5 Eyes jurisdiction isn’t the best one. However, TunnelBear still offers a no-logs policy, proving that it stores no logs of your IP address, browsing history, or DNS requests. What’s the catch, then?

The catch is that you get only 2 GB of bandwidth a month. It sucks, yeah. You can expand this by 1 GB by Tweeting about TunnelBear, but is it really going to improve anything? Most likely not. Performance-wise, TunnelBear isn’t gonna win any medals.

It’s surely not going to be great for torrenting and streaming. TunnelBear doesn’t work with Netflix US and unblocking BBC iPlayer or HBO Max will be mission impossible. Not to mention no simultaneous connections and its inability to work in censored countries.

That is in spite of its GhostBear feature for bypassing censorship. Nevertheless, the VPN is known for its subpar customer support which you’ll find infuriating. And if you plan on buying its premium plan to get some improvements, don’t.

TunnelBear is the same in its premium version, with unlimited bandwidth being the only improvement. That said, you’re much better off with ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

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4. Hotspot Shield

As we approach the end of the list, we have Hotspot Shield as one of the best free VPNs for iPhones in 2024. This provider offers a native iOS app that’s easy to use, with a modern, yet sleek interface. Aesthetics play a big role here, and so does security – to an extent.

Namely, Hotspot Shield does its best to make your connection secure in the free version. It doesn’t offer OpenVPN, but you get Hydra, its proprietary protocol that so far, showed no issues. 256-bit AES encryption is here too, and a kill switch works really well.

iPhone users can also use IKEv2, but Hydra is a bit better option overall. What’s not better is the absence of a no-logs policy. Namely, Hotspot Shield stores a lot of information related to your IP address, DNS queries, and geo-location, making it not the most privacy-oriented choice.

This downside is exacerbated by a bandwidth cap of 500 MB a day, which isn’t enough for serious web browsing. Moreover, Hotspot Shield offers one server location in the US, and, as you can guess, it’s not going to work with Netflix US, HBO Max, Hulu, and other US-based platforms.

Hotspot Shield prioritizes its premium users by omitting 24/7 live chat support for free users. Along with unstable performance and slow speeds, this is yet another shortcoming that makes Hotspot Shield VPN not the most viable choice on this list.

If you value its good-looking app and you find 500 MB a day enough, you might consider it. However, beware of its malicious logging practices and constant ads on the iOS app that will surely ruin your experience… and privacy!

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5. Windscribe

Before wrapping up our list of the best free VPNs for iPhones, let’s talk about Windscribe. We like Windscribe because of its minimalistic app that has all the necessary features for iPhone users. Even better, you don’t need to make an account to use it!

Just download the app from the Apple Store, open it up, connect to the server, and voila. Windscribe’s free version packs 256-bit AES encryption for securing your connection, while iOS users can enjoy OpenVPN, WireGuard, and a kill switch that works flawlessly.

Furthermore, the server fleet is more than decent. You get around 500 or so servers in 50+ countries, although that number is a bit reduced for free users. Still, Windscribe’s performance isn’t bad and you won’t experience very slow speeds that will cripple your browsing experience.

This is balanced by – you guessed it – limited monthly bandwidth. I mean, without an account, it gives you 5 GB a month, but by making an account, you get 10 GB. This is not enough for P2P or streaming, where Windscribe will show bad performance anyway.

It won’t work with Netflix and you can forget about watching foreign TV channels limitlessly. I don’t like its Canadian jurisdiction, to be honest, but still, Windscribe’s no-logging policy is pretty straightforward and trustworthy.

iPhone users who don’t mind the lack of simultaneous connections and poor customer support might consider Windscribe. And if you find 10 GB of monthly bandwidth enough for your needs, feel free to test it out.

I’m sure that, after a certain period, you’ll find it unsatisfactory and look for a better choice. ExpressVPN or NordVPN perhaps… Learn more in our Windscribe review.

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6. Atlas VPN

Here’s the last best free VPN for iPhone in 2024 – Atlas VPN. Atlas VPN is a subsidiary of NordVPN, which speaks volumes about its reputation. The VPN is extremely easy to use as well and iPhone users won’t have to go through unnecessary steps.

Just make a free account and start using it – simple! Atlas VPN’s free version is all about security, so you still get important features like OpenVPN, 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch that will prevent potential IP and DNS leaks.

Despite its US jurisdiction, Atlas VPN is a no-logging service even in the free version. Its no-logs policy has a third-party audit, in the same fashion as NordVPN. This makes Atlas VPN a safe and secure option for iOS users who don’t want to pay a dime.

Unfortunately, its 5 GB bandwidth cap isn’t very welcome – not even for mobile users. Atlas VPN also isn’t very fast, making browsing a tad slower than we would like. Sadly, it doesn’t offer dedicated streaming servers in the free version and that’s a major downside.

This means you won’t be able to watch Netflix US, Canada, or unblock any geo-restricted streaming platform. Besides, it offers 2 server locations in the US and Netherlands, making it very hard to access major streaming portals in the UK, Canada, or India.

P2P is forbidden as well, and Atlas VPN removes some features found in the paid version. It doesn’t support WireGuard in the free plan, and you also don’t get the same level of performance.

As a free iPhone VPN, it comes with no 24/7 live chat support and only one connection per account. Device support is far from being excellent, though. With no support for routers or Firestick TV, using it on other platforms won’t be as enjoyable.

However, it’s easy to use and does a great job of providing security and privacy. For a free VPN for iPhone, that’s pretty much enough.

Visit Atlas VPN

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Compromises of Really Free VPNs for iPhone

As you already noticed, using a 100% free VPN for iPhone yields some compromises. Unlike ExpressVPN and NordVPN, these VPNs won’t give you their best free of charge.

But what exactly can you expect while using them? Here’s a brief list of all possible shortcomings:

Limited Monthly Bandwidth and/or Slow Speeds

The most common downside of each free VPN for iPhone is limited monthly bandwidth. Apart from ProtonVPN, pretty much none of the free VPNs will offer unlimited internet data. Even worse is the fact that this limit is very low – up to 10 GB a month.

ProtonVPN is great in this regard, but to counter this excellent offer, it also won’t give you the best speeds. VPNs with limited bandwidth tend to give you better performance (Hide.me for example) but that’s not the happiest solution due to bandwidth limits.

Either way, you will surely encounter any of these two issues, if not both of them at the same time. In comparison, premium providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN give you unlimited bandwidth AND great performance.

Small Server Fleet

Small server fleets are typical for free providers. Maintaining a huge server network takes a lot of money and without earning any from subscriptions, they can’t increase the server fleet. That’s why you get 2, 3, 4, or 5 server locations in almost all of the free VPNs we mentioned. So you won’t have much choice when it comes to getting a new IP address on your iPhone.

A small server fleet also means it’s easier to overcrowd the network. With many users connected at the same time, you’re bound to get subpar performance, unstable connections, and slow speeds.

No Streaming Capabilities

iPhone users won’t be able to enjoy geo-restricted content on Apple TV or Netflix with a free VPN for iPhone. These VPNs don’t have streaming capabilities and due to their small server networks, they can’t unblock any geo-restricted platforms.

As you’ll quickly find out, watching Netflix US, Disney+, HBO Max, and other platforms abroad will be impossible. On the other hand, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and even CyberGhost will work with these platforms with no issues.

Lack of Security and Privacy

Not every free VPN will be unsafe and privacy-unfriendly, but there is a big chance that this will be the case. Apart from ProtonVPN, Hide.me, and a few others, not many free VPNs are safe and secure for iPhone users.

Hotspot Shield, Hola VPN, Betternet, and many others are known for their weak security and logging practices. They’re also known for violating your privacy and selling collected information to third parties to make money.

Not to mention that they intentionally remove some premium features for free users to make them go for their paid plans. As such, these VPNs decrease your level of security, and with no focus on your privacy, they violate the entire purpose of using a Virtual Private Network in the first place.

Summary

To summarize our list of the best free VPNs for iPhone in 2024, it’s clear what is the best choice. We strongly recommend using ExpressVPN or NordVPN for free, even though it’s only for 30 days.

These two providers will offer the best possible experience on iOS, with no room for compromises.

Try ExpressVPN for free

If a 100% free iPhone VPN is what you want, then ProtonVPN is a good option. That is if you don’t mind certain compromises that will ruin your overall experience.

After all, it’s up to you to decide on the best VPN for iOS for your needs. Less-demanding users might get away with ProtonVPN but if you want to enjoy rock-solid security and unlimited streaming, none of the 100% free VPNs is gonna cut it.

FAQ

Still not sure about using a VPN on your iPhone? Let’s clarify everything with a few answers to the most typical questions.

⚠️ Should I avoid some free VPNs for iPhones?

Oh yeah, you absolutely should! Most notably, you should avoid services known for malicious logging practices and subpar security. We recommend avoiding Hola VPN, but also providers like Betternet, iNinja VPN, and many similar providers.

They do offer unlimited bandwidth, but you pay the price with your personal information and targeted ads that you get bombarded with. Risking your privacy leads nowhere and you don’t want to give out your personal info to malicious third-party companies, do you?

Instead, focus on verified solutions like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. With them, you’ll never have any privacy issues and you’ll always get the best possible performance.

?️ Can I use a VPN for an iPhone on my iPad?

Absolutely. Both iPhones and iPads use iOS and the VPNs you can find on Apple Store support both devices. So yes, you can use them on any device from your Apple ecosystem.

?️ Are free iPhone VPNs safe?

Some of them are and some of them aren’t. If you stick with ProtonVPN, Hide.me, or Atlas VPN, safety and security are going to be your last concerns. However, using the unsafe VPNs we mentioned earlier will surely get you into trouble.

The majority of free providers aren’t safe and secure and you should keep that in mind before using them. With the 6 choices we presented, you shouldn’t have any issues regarding your privacy and security… except for maybe Hotspot Shield which isn’t really that great.