Best Free VPNs for iPhone in 2026

The best free VPN for iPhone in 2026 is Proton VPN: unlimited data, no ads and an audited iOS app. hide.me is the best choice if you do not want to create an account, and Surfshark offers a premium free trial through the App Store. If you need streaming or more devices, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are the best paid upgrades.

We have updated this guide since our last version. Atlas VPN, which we listed before, shut down in April 2024 and PureVPN no longer has a free plan. Prices below were checked in November 2026.

Quick summary of the best free VPNs for iPhone in 2026

See numbers 6 to 10 of the best free VPNs for iPhone

Private Internet Access

6. Private Internet Access: Best budget premium VPN

Proven no-logs record and unlimited devices for very little.

7. IPVanish: Best for unlimited devices

Unlimited devices and a straightforward iOS app.

PureVPN

8. PureVPN: Best for extra features

Audited no-logs policy and optional dedicated IP at a low price.

9. PrivateVPN: Best for beginners

Simple app and friendly support for first-time VPN users.

F-Secure VPN

10. F-Secure VPN: Best for simplicity

Turn it on and forget it, from a long-established security company.

Best free VPNs for iPhone compared

How the 10 picks compare on the details that matter most.

Product	Free plan	Paid plans	Devices	Money-back guarantee
Proton VPN	Yes, unlimited data	From about $4.49/mo (2-year)	1 on Free, 10 on paid	30 days on paid plans
hide.me	Yes, no sign-up	Low monthly cost on long terms	10 on paid plans	30 days
Surfshark	No, free trial via the App Store	From about $2/mo (2-year)	Unlimited	30 days
ExpressVPN	No	From about $3.49/mo (2-year Basic)	10 to 14, by plan	30 days
NordVPN	No	From about $3.49/mo (2-year Basic)	10	30 days
Private Internet Access	No	From about $2.03/mo (3-year)	Unlimited	30 days
IPVanish	No	From about $2.49/mo (2-year)	Unlimited	30 days on yearly plans
PureVPN	No, low-cost trial at times	From about $2.15/mo (long plan)	10	31 days
PrivateVPN	No	From about $2/mo (3-year)	10	30 days
F-Secure VPN	No, free trial	From about $40/year	Depends on plan	30 days

1. Proton VPN: Best free VPN for iPhone

Proton VPN has the best free plan you can get on an iPhone. There is no data cap, no ads and no time limit, and the iOS app is clean and quick to connect.

The free plan covers one device and a handful of countries picked automatically. That is plenty for public Wi-Fi and everyday privacy; paid plans add streaming, P2P and the full server network.

Proton VPN key features

• Unlimited free data.
• No ads or tracking.
• Open-source, audited iOS app.
• Swiss privacy jurisdiction.

2. hide.me: Best free VPN without an account

hide.me lets you use its free plan on iPhone without signing up, so there is no email address tied to your activity. Its no-logs policy has been audited.

Recent reviews report the old monthly data cap on the free plan has been removed; check the app for current limits.

hide.me key features

• No-account free plan.
• Audited no-logs policy.
• WireGuard and IKEv2 on iOS.
• Auto-connect on untrusted Wi-Fi.

3. Surfshark: Best free trial on iPhone

Surfshark is a premium VPN, but new users can usually start a free trial through the App Store. After that, it is one of the cheapest premium VPNs and allows unlimited devices.

Set a reminder to cancel the trial in your Apple ID subscriptions if you do not want to keep it.

Surfshark key features

• Unlimited devices.
• CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking.
• Camouflage mode on restrictive networks.
• Streaming support.

4. ExpressVPN: Best premium VPN for iPhone

When you are ready to pay, ExpressVPN has the most polished iPhone app. Lightway reconnects quickly when you switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, which matters on a phone.

It is independently audited and runs RAM-only servers.

ExpressVPN key features

• Lightway protocol.
• Network Lock kill switch.
• Threat Manager blocks trackers.
• RAM-only servers.

5. NordVPN: Best for iPhone security features

NordVPN brings its full security toolkit to iPhone, including Threat Protection against malicious sites and fast NordLynx connections.

Its no-logs policy has been audited by Deloitte several times.

NordVPN key features

• NordLynx protocol.
• Threat Protection Lite on iOS.
• Meshnet.
• Dark web monitor on higher plans.

6. Private Internet Access: Best budget premium VPN

PIA is the cheapest well-proven premium VPN. Its no-logs claims have held up in court, its apps are open source, and one account covers unlimited devices.

The iOS app has more settings than most, which power users will like.

Private Internet Access key features

• Unlimited devices.
• Open-source apps.
• MACE tracker blocker.
• Servers in all 50 US states.

7. IPVanish: Best for unlimited devices

IPVanish covers every device in your household with one account. The iOS app is straightforward, with a kill switch and on-demand Wi-Fi protection.

It is a good alternative to PIA if you prefer a simpler interface.

IPVanish key features

• Unlimited devices.
• On-demand auto-connect.
• Kill switch.
• WireGuard support.

8. PureVPN: Best for extra features

PureVPN was one of our free picks before, but it no longer offers a free plan. It is still a solid low-cost VPN with an audited no-logs policy and useful add-ons such as a dedicated IP.

The 31-day refund window gives you time to test it.

PureVPN key features

• Dedicated IP add-on.
• Audited no-logs policy.
• 10 devices.
• 31-day refund.

9. PrivateVPN: Best for beginners

PrivateVPN keeps things simple, which makes it a good first VPN. Its support team is helpful and the app has very few confusing options.

The server network is small, so it is better for privacy than for streaming from many countries.

PrivateVPN key features

• Simple iOS app.
• 10 devices.
• Helpful support.

10. F-Secure VPN: Best for simplicity

F-Secure VPN is the most hands-off option: switch it on and it protects your connection and blocks tracking sites. It is also included in F-Secure Total with antivirus.

The server list is small, so it is not the best for streaming.

F-Secure VPN key features

• One-switch protection.
• Tracking protection.
• Included in F-Secure Total.

How to set up a VPN on your iPhone

1. Download the VPN from the App Store.
2. Open it and sign in, or start the free plan.
3. Tap Allow when iOS asks to add a VPN configuration and confirm with Face ID or your passcode.
4. Tap Connect. A VPN icon appears in the status bar.
5. Optional: turn on auto-connect for untrusted Wi-Fi in the app settings.

Free vs paid iPhone VPNs

	Good free VPN	Paid VPN
Cost	$0	About $2 to $5 a month on long plans
Data	Unlimited on Proton VPN	Unlimited
Locations	A few, often chosen for you	Full network
Streaming	Rarely	Yes, on the leading services
Devices	Usually one	10 or unlimited

If you mainly use your iPhone on public Wi-Fi, a good free VPN is enough. If you travel, stream or protect a whole family, a paid plan is worth it. See our full ranking of the best VPN services for more.

Best practices for using a free VPN on iPhone

• Only use free VPNs that explain how they make money and have an audited no-logs policy.
• Turn on the kill switch or Always-on setting if the app offers one.
• Keep iOS and the VPN app updated.
• Remember a VPN does not stop phishing. Pair it with a password manager and good habits.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a truly free VPN for iPhone?

Yes. Proton VPN’s free plan has no data cap, no ads and no time limit. hide.me also has a free plan you can use without an account.

Are free iPhone VPNs safe?

The ones on this list are. Many other free VPNs collect and sell data or show heavy ads, so stick to providers with audited no-logs policies and a clear paid plan.

Does a free VPN drain my iPhone battery?

Slightly. Modern protocols such as WireGuard and Lightway are efficient, so most people notice little difference.

Can I use a free VPN for Netflix on iPhone?

Free plans rarely unlock streaming catalogs from other countries. A paid VPN such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN works far more reliably.

Final thoughts

For a free iPhone VPN, Proton VPN is the clear first choice, with hide.me for maximum anonymity and Surfshark’s free trial if you want to test a premium service. When you are ready to pay, ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer the best iPhone experience.