Best free VPN for iPhone

A virtual private network, or VPN, is the go-to tool for millions around the world who use its privacy and security features to safeguard their data and their devices from snooping bad actors and cybercriminals. By hiding your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, the best VPNs anonymize you on the internet and make it impossible for hackers, ISPs, and government authorities to track your online activities. 

Getting a free VPN is often the first thought of those new to VPNs who would like to get to know the service and ascertain whether or not they need a VPN for their iPhone in the first place. While a free service is great for trial purposes—and some of the best ones come with unlimited data, tens of servers, and even unblocking capabilities—they are still miles behind their premium counterparts. 

Additionally, the chances of a free VPN logging and selling your data or infesting your device with malware are a lot higher than if you just got the cheapest VPN on the market. However, there are some reliable free VPN providers as well that you can install on your iPhone right now and enjoy basic protection along with plenty of extra useful features. Read on to find out what they are, what purposes they serve, and if a free VPN is going to cut it for you. 

BEST VPNS FOR IOS IN 2024 – PAID FOR SERVICES

Even the best free VPNs are limited in their offerings—because they want to entice you with upgrades so that you ultimately switch to a paid plan for more benefits. Considering this, and given that you would actually need one of the best VPNs for iPhone if you are serious about protecting your device and your digital privacy, it makes so much more sense to sign up for a premium service from day one. 

The best part is that you can get a paid-for VPN service for free by using its money-back guarantee. These are usually around 30 days, meaning you will have ample time to try out the service without putting any money on the line. Plus, ‘premium’ VPNs are premium in their offerings and not necessarily their pricing—you can get one of the best cheap VPNs for less than $3 a month!

On that note, here are my top three iOS VPN recommendations:

1. The best iPhone VPN in 2024: Nord VPN

With more servers than Express VPN and Surf shark and world-class unblocking capabilities, Nord is the best streaming VPN I’ve tested. It’s also the fastest service, easy to use, and cheaper than Express VPN—and has a 30-day money-back guarantee will allow you to try it out risk-free before committing.

2. The easiest to use iPhone VPN app in 2024: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a great VPN for both beginners and VPN veterans, with an intuitive and feature-packed iOS app that comes with rock-solid privacy features, excellent encryption, and blazing speeds. It also boasts one of the largest networks of servers, strong unblocking capabilities, and friendly 24/7 support.

While it’s not as cheap as NordVPN or Surfshark, an extra 3 months of protection and 1 year of Backblaze cloud storage for free make it every bit worth the price—and so does a free password manager and an ad & malware blocker. Put ExpressVPN to the test with a 30-day money-back guarantee and see for yourself why we rate it so highly.

3. The best cheap iPhone VPN: Surfshark
Surfshark is the best choice for iPhone users on a tight budget, but despite that, its feature-set can put to shame some of the most premium providers. You get outrageous speeds, reliable security, and unlimited simultaneous connections, as well as servers in a hundred countries. 

Although it lacks Express and Nord’s advanced tools, everything else from unblocking powers to ease of use to device compatibility is top-notch. Be sure to make the most of its 30-day money-back guarantee to see if you’d like to stick with it long-term.