VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks are incredibly useful tools to have in your networking arsenal and there are plenty of reasons to use VPN apps. They can keep your identity protected online, allow you to browse safely even on shady WiFi networks, help you circumvent a lot of regional restrictions on websites, access blocked content on the web, and do a lot more. So, if you’re looking to protect your privacy while browsing the internet on your iPhone, here are the 15 best free VPN apps for iPhone that you can use in 2022.
Best Free VPN Apps for iPhone and iPad in 2022
Apple recently brought the new iCloud Private Relay feature to iPhones that works a lot like VPNs, allowing your browsing activities to be encrypted. However, there are a couple issues there. For one, Private Relay doesn’t work if you’re trying to unblock access to websites. Plus, it’s only available with a paid iCloud+ subscription. So if you’re looking for a free VPN app for your iPhone, iCloud Private Relay is definitely not going to work for you. But don’t worry, our list contains 15 best free VPN apps for iPhone.
While all the apps mentioned below offer paid options, we are featuring them because of their robust free plans. They each handle their free plans differently. While some will restrict you on usage, some might restrict you to using only a selection of their servers. Others might put cap on the speed of connection. So read the list and find the app whose restriction don’t bother you and go with that one. With that out of the way, let’s get to our list, shall we? As always, you can use the table of contents below to navigate between the apps.
1. Proton VPN
My top pick for the best free VPN app on iPhone is definitely Proton VPN. There are many things that Proton VPN does right, not the least of which is the fact that the free tier of Proton VPN is completely usable. With Proton VPN you get unlimited bandwidth for free. Plus, you can choose between servers based in the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, so you can pretty much access websites across three different continents.
Obviously, there are more servers supported by Proton VPN. In fact, it has over 1400 servers in 60+ different countries, but accessing them requires a paid subscription. Apart from that, however, Proton VPN offers a ton of useful VPN features. You get support for always-on VPN/kill switch, P2P servers and torrent support, and more. Notably, Proton VPN uses AES-256, 4096-bit RSA, and HMAC with SHA384 encryption.
Recently, ProtonVPN has released a new Stealth protocol that is aimed at allowing people to access the internet in countries that censor access to it. The protocol is available for all users of ProtonVPN including those on the free tier. Bonus points to Proton for doing that.
What’s more, Proton VPN lets you connect up to 10 devices at the same time and comes with a powerful adblocker to shield your personal information against malware and intrusive website trackers. Not to mention, you can also use it to stream videos on any streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, and more. As privacy, Proton has a no-log policy, so you can rest assured that your browsing history and activity aren’t stored by the VPN. Moreover, it is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, which means it is not required to comply with any international surveillance requests so your data will always remain safe.
Pros Cons Unlimited bandwidth for free No-log policy Paid plans are quite expensive AES-256 bit encryption P2P servers and torrent support
Download Proton VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans starting from $59.99/year)
2. Windscribe VPN
Another top-notch free iPhone VPN app that should give a try is Windscribe VPN. What puts it at the forefront is double-hop encryption, which means your data is encrypted twice and travels through two servers before it gets to the internet.
Windscribe VPN offers a kill switch, which means your data will absolutely never wander out of your VPN tunnel. Plus, the app offers split-tunneling that offers you the flexibility to use both public and private networks at the same time. That’s not all, it also uses SHA512 encryption to secure your data and provides safeguards against DNS leaks.
In the free version of Windscribe VPN, you will get 10GB of monthly data, which is one of the highest offered by apps on this list. Plus, it supports P2P servers and torrenting as well. Talking about the pro version, it provides unlimited bandwidth and lets you take advantage of all the servers located in 60 countries. In terms of security, Windscribe VPN has a no-log policy to protect your browsing history. However, note that the company is headquartered in Canada, which is a part of the Five Eyes intelligence coalition, so it may be forced to share whatever data it has on you with government agencies. That includes things like the amount of data you use every month, as well as the timestamps for your activity.
Pros Cons Kill switch Based in Canada and may be forced to share your data with government agencies Double hop SHA512 encryption 10GB free data No-log policy
Download Windscribe VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $8.99 per month)
3. Hide.me VPN
There are very few free VPN apps that are as functional as Hide.me. Unlike many other VPN apps, Hide.me a good set of basic features that you can use to browse the web while concealing your digital identity. Moreover, the app offers you the option to choose from multiple locations and also protects your privacy with a strict no-logs policy.
Another feature that makes Hide.me a strong contender is a host of essential features like split-tunneling, AES-256 encryption, as well as support for multiple VPN protocols including IKEv2, OpenVPN, SoftEther, and SSTP. For an additional layer of defense, the app tunnels your connection over multiple VPN locations. With the auto server selection feature, Hide.me automatically connects you to the most preferred server. This smart play facilitates smooth and speedy browsing experience.
Not just that, Hide.me also offers 10GB of free bandwidth per month which should be sufficient for basic needs. However, you can subscribe to the paid plans to unlock features like unlimited bandwidth and access all the servers without any restrictions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| IP leak protection | Some servers are very slow |
| 10GB free bandwidth | |
| Auto-server selection | |
| No logs |
Download Hide.me VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $12.99 per month)
4. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a well-known VPN app with a pretty intuitive user interface and fast servers. You can use it to connect to the desired server and browse securely from a number of locations. Depending on your needs, you can choose to let the app decide on the best location to VPN from, or you can select the location that you want. In the free plan, TunnelBear offers 500 MB of data per month, which may be quite low but it could be sufficient if you aren’t a heavy user.
Taking about security, TunnelBear provides AES-256 bit encryption to provide uncompromised protection to your privacy. Additionally, it also offers a much-needed safeguard from ISPs. Hence, websites and advertisers can’t track your physical location. Notably, TunnelBear is one of the very few VPN services that are independently audited by a third party. So, you can count on it to walk the talk.
Moreover, TunnelBear boasts strong servers in more than 22 countries including the US, UK, Cana, France, and more. Thus, you can access your favorite apps and websites anywhere by keeping both your identity and sensitive information protected. In a nutshell, should you want to go for a highly efficient VPN app for your iOS device, TunnelBear can be a strong contender for your needs.
Pros Cons Pretty neat user-interface Offers only 500 MB of data per month in the freemium version Provides essential safeguard for personal data Servers are available only in around 22 countries AES-256 bit encryption Easy set-tup
Download TunnelBear from the App Store (Free, $6.99/month)
5. HotspotShield
Thanks to a host of user-friendly features, HotspotShield has received high ratings (4.5 stars out of over 148k ratings) in the App Store. Widely rated as one of the fastest VPN apps, HotspotShield offers servers in more than 115 locations. Furthermore, it also allows you to access all the basic features without needing to register or enter your credit card, which is yet another plus if you don’t want to share your personal information.
Even on the protection front, HotspotShield is up to the mark due largely to the military-grade encrypted traffic between the servers and the connected device. Combine this with a trusted no-log policy that plays a key role in safeguarding your private information from the prying eyes and HotspotShield appears to be a safe bet in all aspects.
What’s more, HotspotShield is integrated with 1Password, which is one of the best password managers, to help you manage your passwords with ease and also keep them protected from hackers. But keep in mind that HotspotShield’s freemium version doesn’t have much to offer. So, you will need to subscribe to the pro version ($12.99/month) to use all the features without any restrictions.
Pros Cons Military-grade encrypted traffic Requires some learning curve Integrated with 1Password One of the fastest VPN servers Clean-user interface
Download HotspotShield from the App Store (Free, $12.99/month)
6. SurfEasy VPN
Both in terms of ease of use and feature set, SurfEasy VPN should live up to your expectation. While SurfEasy doesn’t offer a full-fledged freemium version, you can upgrade to the premium version to unlock all the essential features at a comparatively low price point ($1.99/month). Yeah, you read that right! This is exactly what you should get to use premium VPN features without burning a hole in your pocket.
By default, the app chooses the most optimum server location to route your traffic through, but if you want, you can change the location to a country that you prefer. The strict no-log policy along with the A-256 bank-grade security can go a long way in protecting your privacy from trackers.
Plus, SurfEasy provides a handy tracker blocking algorithm that keeps cookies (used by data trackers) at bay so that you can browse the web with the needed security. Add to that the WiFi hotspot protection as well as the support for more than 28 countries and SurfEasy turn into a pretty good VPN that can fit into most people’s needs. But keep in mind that the freemium version of this VPN app has several limitations and you will need to upgrade to the premium ($1.99/month) offering to unlock all the features.
Pros Cons Fast connection Outdated user-interface Reliable no-log policy WiFi hotspot protection A-256 bank-grade security
Download VPN by SurfEasy from the App Store (Free, $1.99/month)
7. VPN in Touch
VPN in Touch is a neat VPN app with a sole focus on offering a simplified experience while also ensuring your digital identity has the required shield to remain concealed. Although VPN in Touch may not be feature-rich, it’s up to the task when it comes to security and privacy. One of my favorite features of this app is the data compression algorithm which can be very helpful for the folks who always look for ways to cut down data usage other than simply enabling low data mode on iPhone.
Better still, VPN in Touch has a reliable ad blocker that ensures you can browse the web smoothly without being entangled in ads. Aside from speeding up your browsing experience and enhancing your privacy, the ad blocker can also play a pivotal role in improving the battery life of your iPhone. While VPN in Touch is available for free, you will have to dole out some bucks ($4.99/month) to access all the goodies without any limitations. Overall, VPN in Touch is one of the best VPN apps for iOS and is definitely worth a try.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean user interface | Doesn’t offer much customization |
| Provides the needed protection to your data | |
| An efficient data compression algorithm | |
| Integrated ad blocker |
Download VPN in Touch from the App Store (Free, $4.99/month – data usage-based plans available)
8. Ultra VPN
Ultra VPN, previously known as HexaTech, has long been a noted VPN app. Probably the best part about this app is the intuitive user interface that feels snappier. And with a great deal of customization on offer, you can fine-tune the app to suit your needs better. For starters, the app allows access to over 110 international virtual locations in 81 countries. If wide coverage is top of your mind, you should give it serious consideration.
Even better, Ultra VPN lets you connect up to 5 devices at once so that you can browse the web securely on any of your devices. The unlimited bandwidth offers you the freedom to browse the web and stream videos without having to bother about data limitations. On the security front, Ultra VPN is a safe bet with a focus on keeping your browsing activity private and anonymous. And with the military-grade encryption to boot, it’s second to none when it comes to defending your sensitive information against trackers. Do note that Ultra VPN offers a very limited free plan. So, if you want to use this VPN app without any limitations you will need to shell out $12.99/month.
Pros Cons Delivers military-grade encryption The Freemium version is very limited Connects you to a VPN server based on optimum performance At $13/month, the premium version is comparatively expensive Connect up to 5 devices at once Unlimited bandwidth and connection up-time for premium members
Download Ultra VPN from the App Store (Free, $12.99/month)
9. Daily VPN
This one is the sort of VPN app that can suit most people’s tastes due largely to the flexibility it offers. First and foremost, the app has a pretty good freemium variant unlike many other rivals in the market. And second, it lets you surf the web anonymously without eating into plenty of bandwidth. As far as the global network is concerned, it’s at par with more than 100 servers across over 20 countries. Similar to other apps on this list of best VPN apps for iPhone, Daily VPN also uses 256-bit encryption to secure your data. It can also be used to unblock content over YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and all the best streaming services. On top of all. if you ever find the free version not meeting your demands, you can upgrade to the pro version ($12.99/month) to unlock more servers and even remove ads.
Moving to security and privacy aspects, Daily VPN does log your IP address but obfuscates and anonymizes it immediately. The company only keeps your IP address in its logs while you’re connected to the VPN. The logs are deleted when you end your session. Even though Daily VPN doesn’t associate your IP address with your activity online, it’s still not as good as some of the top VPN apps on this list, such as Proton VPN which has a strict no-log policy.
Pros Cons Pretty good freemium variant Stores IP addresses while you’re connected More than 100 servers across over 20 countries Unblocks content over YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Uses 256-bit encryption to secure your data
Download Daily VPN from the App Store (Free, $12.99/month – cheaper plans available)
10. Larva VPN
If I were to pick a VPN app based on a clutter-free user interface and easy-to-use tools, “Larva” would probably be the frontrunner. Unlike many rivals, Larva VPN doesn’t require any registration to get started. Simply open the app, connect to your preferred server and you are ready to go.
Furthermore, Larva VPN uses faster nodes in major interconnect locations in order to maintain a minimum backbone network of 40 Gbps. Thus, you can expect your Netflix binge-watching to be smooth sailing. Besides, it also works across proxies so that you can browse the web with complete peace of mind. Another area where I have found Larva quite good is blocking ads, malware, and phishing sites which can not only bolster your privacy but also accelerate browsing speed. Since the VPN connection is two-way encrypted with a rotating 256-bit key, you can bank on it to offer enhanced protection to your privacy. The addition of a no-log policy and the kill switch further bolster its profile as a secure VPN app for iOS.
Pros Cons Two-way encrypted with a rotating 256-bit key Server switching doesn’t always feel seamless Uses faster nodes in major interconnect locations Doesn’t log your activity Hassle-free setup
Download Larva VPN from the App Store (Free, $7.99/month)
11. X-VPN
Equipped with over 8000 servers across more than 50 global locations, X-VPN has got everything covered to be your favorite VPN app for iPhone and iPad. Notably, X-VPN lets you choose from 12 different protocols and allows you to run a speed test to check the server. It offers a decent freemium version with the basic tools so that you can hide your privacy online without having to spend any money. X-VPN has a clean interface and provides a quick setup. What’s more, the app hardly involves any learning curve.
One of the highlights of this app is the ability to offer a fast and stable connection. To prevent a slow connection from destroying your binge-watching or web browsing, the app automatically sets the fastest servers. Even in terms of security, X-VPN has got you fully checked off with features like a kill switch, DNS leak, and the smart IP checker (premium only). That’s not all, it supports up to 5 devices and has a trusted privacy policy to protect your personal data. Taking everything into account, it deserves to be rated as one of the top free VPN apps for iOS and iPadOS.
Pros Cons Over 8000 servers in more than 50 global locations The premium version is a bit on the expensive side Easy to set up and offers a fast connection Kill switch DNS leak test
Download X-VPN from the App Store (Free, $7.99/month)
12. VPN – Proxy Unlimited Shield
Proxy Unlimited Shield delivers fast and seamless servers so that you can stream high-quality videos and browse the web without having to deal with sluggishness. The app neither forces you to register nor requires you to log in. Thus, you can start using this VPN app without having to share your personal information. Since it provides unlimited bandwidth, you won’t have to worry about data usage or cut short the usage of your bandwidth either.
Notably, Proxy Unlimited Shield also makes it dead simple to connect to any network. Just select a preferred network, hit the connect button and you are all set. As for security and privacy, the app doesn’t save any of your logs. That means you won’t have to worry about eliminating your browser history. Interface-wise, Proxy Unlimited Shield has looked neat to me. Moreover, it supports multiple devices for the same account, which is great for both family sharing and seamless switching from one device to another.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited bandwidth | UI looks dull |
| No registration/login | |
| No log is saved | |
| Support for multiple devices |
Download Proxy Unlimited Shield from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $11.99 per month)
13. VPN Vault – Super Proxy App
If you are on the lookout for a VPN app to amp up your gaming, VPN Vault could be a better choice for you. The VPN app takes advantage of the WireGuard protocol to lower latency and boost high performance which can play a vital role in enhancing your gaming. Even better, this protocol can also deliver higher peak speeds when connected to a VPN server closer to your physical location.
In order to shield your privacy from trackers, VPN Vault smartly changes your IP address and offers secure access to apps. The fully encrypted traffic keeps your identity hidden on public Wi-Fi and unsecured networks. As a result, hackers won’t be able to decipher your internet traffic. With fast servers located in several countries including the US, Canada, UK, India, France, South Korea, and more, it offers you the needed liberty to choose a preferred server. Since it does not store your browsing history, you won’t have to bother about purging your browsing sessions. Just like most of its rivals, VPN Vault provides a very limited free version (200 MB data) and unlocking the full potential of the app will require you to spend $11.99/month.
Pros Cons WireGuard protocol for lower latency and higher performance The free version offers just 200 MB of data Wi-Fi hotspot protection Doesn’t store your browsing history Fast servers located in several countries
Download VPN Vault from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $9.99 per month)
14. Free VPN by Free VPN.org
Touted to be the safest and most private VPN for iPhone, this free VPN app has looked like a safe bet to me. Due largely to thousands of global virtual locations, it has got you covered in terms of wide coverage. Plus, it boasts efficient acceleration to provide faster network speeds and high-bandwidth tunneling. As a result, you can expect your video streaming and intensive web browsing to be a smooth-sailing experience.
Thanks to the native ad blocker, it allows you to keep ads, ad trackers, and ad analytics at a fair distance. The ad blocker plays a vital role in not only boosting security and privacy but also speeding up your browsing experience. Besides, the app provides an auto-connect VPN configuration that prevents unwanted interruptions and also keeps your online privacy always protected. What’s more, it comes with a private browser with a host of customizable preferences to let you browse the web with complete peace of mind. Additionally, it also offers handy tools to let you check your network speed and IP location.
Pros Cons Faster network speeds and high-bandwidth tunneling Auto-connect VPN configuration doesn’t always work perfectly Native ad blocker Auto-connect VPN configuration Comes with a private browser
Download Free VPN by Free VPN.org from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $12.99 per month, affordable plans available)
15. Speedy Quark VPN
Last but not least, Speedy Quark is up to the mark when it comes to offering fast connection and shielding your online privacy. Speedy Quark has over 3,000 servers located in more than 85 countries. Notably, it allows you to quickly change servers as many times as you need. Hence, you have the freedom to switch to a preferred server to browse the web or stream videos.
Speedy Quark shields your personal information with military-grade encryption and doesn’t store any logs when browsing. Add to that the trusted IP as well as DNS protection and it seems to have checked off all the essential boxes to be your reliable safeguard for protecting yourself from cyber threats. Better still, it lets you access all sites/apps and works with Netflix and torrents which is yet another plus. You can use Speedy Quark with up to 5 devices simultaneously which can come in super handy for family sharing.
Pros Cons No longs when browsing Lacks intuitive user-interface IP and DNS protection More than 3000 servers in over 85 countries Works with Netflix and torrent
Download Speedy Quark VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $11.99 per month)
Bonus: Use Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS
You can also check out Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 free DNS service that’s free for anyone to use. While this isn’t exactly a VPN app, the 1.1.1.1 DNS app (iOS/Android) uses a VPN to route your search traffic to Cloudflare’s free 1.1.1.1 DNS. The company promises that it will never store your personal information on its servers and that it won’t sell your data to third parties. Plus, there’s no registration required to use their free DNS, and unlike most VPN services that have monthly usage limits, Cloudflare’s service is completely free for unlimited usage. You can check out our article on how to set up Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS in case you don’t want to use the app. Also, if you’re not a fan of Cloudflare, you can check out some of the top Cloudflare alternatives as well.
Use These iPhone VPN Apps to Secure Your Online Privacy
While using VPN apps usually slows down the speed with which you can access the web, it’s still advisable to use VPN services (the good ones), especially when you’re browsing on a public network. VPNs can also let you access geo-locked content, that you would otherwise not be able to access. There are a lot of advantages to using a VPN server to browse the internet. So, if you’re even remotely conscious about your privacy online, you should definitely consider using a VPN app for your iPhone. Also, you should check out our list of best VPN apps for Android TV and best VPN apps for Fire TV stick, if you’re looking to unblock content on your smart TV.
