VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, are extremely valuable networking technologies, and there are several reasons to utilise VPN software. They can safeguard your online identity, let you to surf safely even on sketchy WiFi networks, help you evade many regional limitations on websites, access banned content on the internet, and much more. So, if you want to secure your privacy while accessing the internet on your iPhone in 2022, here are the 12 best free VPN applications for iPhone.
Best Free VPN Apps for iPhone and iPad 2022
With iOS 15, Apple introduced a new iCloud Private Relay capability to iPhones that functions similarly to VPNs, allowing your browser habits to be encrypted. However, there are a handful of drawbacks. For one thing, Private Relay does not work when attempting to unblock access to websites. Furthermore, it is only accessible with a premium iCloud+ membership. So, if you’re searching for a free VPN programme for your iPhone, iCloud Private Relay isn’t going to cut it. But don’t worry, our list includes the top 12 free VPN applications for iPhone.
While many of the applications listed below include paid versions, we chose to highlight them because of their extensive free plans. They each manage their free plans in a unique way. While some will limit your usage, others may limit you to using only a subset of their servers. Others may impose a speed limit on the connection. So look through the list and choose the app whose restrictions don’t annoy you. Let’s get this out of the way and get to our list, shall we? As always, you may browse between applications by using the table of contents below.
1. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is unquestionably the finest free VPN software for iPhone. There are many things that Proton VPN does well, not the least of which is that the free tier of Proton VPN is fully functional. You get unlimited bandwidth for free when you use Proton VPN. Furthermore, you may pick between servers in the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands, allowing you to browse websites on three distinct continents.
Obviously, Proton VPN supports a larger number of servers. It really has over 560 servers in 43 countries, but accessing them needs a paid membership. Apart from that, Proton VPN provides a plethora of essential VPN functions. You receive support for Always-on VPN, P2P servers, and torrents, among other things. Proton VPN employs AES-256 encryption, 4096-bit RSA, and HMAC with SHA384 authentication. While Proton VPN has a Kill Switch feature for Windows and Mac, it is not accessible on the iPhone app.
Download Proton VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans starting from €4 per month)
2. Windscribe VPN
Windscribe VPN, another free iPhone VPN software, has several reasons to make it your go-to VPN on your iOS device. Windscribe on your iPhone employs double-hop encryption, which means that your data is encrypted twice and passes through two servers before reaching the internet.
Windscribe VPN has a kill switch, which ensures that your data will never leave your VPN tunnel. It also supports split-tunnelling, which allows you to connect to both public and private networks at the same time. It also employs SHA512 encryption to keep your data safe. Windscribe VPN additionally protects against WebRTC and DNS leakage.
Download Windscribe VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $9 per month)
3. Hide.me VPN
Hide.me VPN is another free VPN app for iPhone that I recommend you try. Hide Me has a slew of outstanding features, even in its free tier, making it a strong contender for the best free VPN software. Unlike some other free VPNs, Hide.me does not display advertisements to you, even in the free tier. Hide.me has a rigorous no-logs policy to preserve your privacy, and you may pick between 5 different locations.
It also has split-tunnelling, AES-256 encryption, and compatibility for different VPN protocols such as IKEv2, OpenVPN, SoftEther, and SSTP. The free version of the service provides 10GB of bandwidth per month, which is quite adequate. However, you may upgrade to a subscription plan to have access to additional services such as fixed IP, dynamic port forwarding, and more, as well as unlimited bandwidth.
Download Hide.me VPN from the App Store (Free, paid plans start at $3 per month — billed annually)
4. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a well-known VPN application. The TunnelBear iOS app allows you to connect to a VPN and surf safely from a variety of places. You may let the programme determine the optimal location to VPN from, or you can choose a specific location. TunnelBear’s free subscription provides 500 MB of bandwidth per month, which may seem insufficient if you aren’t a big user. Furthermore, the programme uses AES-256 bit encryption and has robust servers in over 22 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, and others. In a word, if you’re looking for a simple and safe free VPN for your iOS device, TunnelBear is a solid candidate.
Download from the App Store (Free, $4.99/month)
5. Hotspot Shield
Another iOS VPN software that has garnered great reviews in the App Store is Hotspot Shield. When you initially use the app, you are prompted to sign up (or sign in). If you don’t want to create an account, you may skip it. Aside from having one of the fastest VPN servers, the programme supports over 70 locations. Even in terms of security, Hotspot Shield is up to the task, thanks in large part to the military-grade encrypted traffic between the servers and the connected device. Furthermore, it is linked with 1Password, one of the finest password organisers, to help you manage your passwords easily while still keeping them safe from prying eyes. However, keep in mind that the free edition of Hotspot Shield does not have much to offer. To utilise all of the features without limits, you must subscribe to the pro version (one-year plan: $7.99/month).
Download from the App Store (Free, $7.99/month – billed annually)
6. VPN by SurfEasy
VPN by SurfEasy, one of the highest-rated applications on the Software Store, is unquestionably a solid VPN app. By default, the software selects the most optimal server location to route your traffic through, but you may alter the location to a nation of your choice if you want. Your personal information is kept private thanks to the dependable no-log policy and A-256 bank-grade security. Furthermore, it has a useful tracker blocking mechanism that keeps cookies (used by data trackers) at bay, allowing you to browse the web with the necessary security. Add to that WiFi hotspot protection and support for over 28 countries, and SurfEasy transforms into a decent VPN that can meet the demands of the majority of users. However, bear in mind that the freemium edition of this VPN programme has some limits, and you will need to upgrade to the premium ($1.99/month) version to unlock all of the capabilities.
Download from the App Store (Free, $1.99/month)
7. Betternet
Betternet is a simple, easy-to-use VPN software with a lot of excellent feedback in the App Store. The app’s freemium version is restricted and includes advertising, which you can remove with in-app purchases ($35.99/year). It encrypts all of your data to protect it from data trackers. And, thanks to the trusted no-log policy, you shouldn’t have to worry about your sensitive data being abused.
Having said that, it’s worth noting that Betternet does track the domain names of websites you visit, albeit this information is anonymised and cannot be linked back to you. The VPN software also utilises your IP address to estimate your location, despite Betternet’s assertion that it does not log IP addresses at all. Aside from that, the programme includes servers in a variety of locations and does a good job of instantly connecting to the fastest VPN server so that you may surf at the appropriate speed. Overall, Betternet is the most user-friendly VPN software available on the App Store.
Download from the App Store (Free, $35.99/year or $11.99/month)
8. VPN in Touch
VPN in Touch is another VPN software for the iPhone that you may test. While it does not have a lot of features, it is enough for protecting your data. One of my favourite aspects of this software is the data compression technique, which may be quite useful for people who are always looking for ways to reduce data use other than simply turning on low data mode on their iPhone. It also has a reliable ad blocker, which ensures that you can surf the web without becoming bogged down by advertisements. Although this VPN app is free, you will need to pay some money ($29.99/year) to have full access to all of the features. Overall, VPN in Touch is one of the most dependable VPN programmes for iOS and is well worth a go.
Download from the App Store (Free, $29.99/year – data usage based plans available)
9. Ultra VPN
Ultra VPN, formerly known as HexaTech, is a simple VPN programme that does the job. You do not need to register before using the service, and connecting to the VPN server is simple and quick, requiring only the click of a button. The programme (like many others) links you to a VPN server based on optimal performance by default. It allows you to connect up to 5 devices at once, allowing you to safely access the web on any of your devices. And, with military-grade encryption, it’s second to none when it comes to protecting your sensitive data from trackers. It should be noted that Ultra VPN does not provide a fully functional free plan. So, if you want to use this VPN service without restrictions, you’ll have to pay $12.99 every month.
Download from the App Store (Free, $12.99/month – cheaper plans available)
10. Daily VPN
Because of the versatility it provides, this is the type of VPN programme that will appeal to the majority of users. First and foremost, unlike many of its competitors in the market, the app includes a decent freemium variant. Second, it allows you to surf the web anonymously without using up a lot of bandwidth. In terms of the worldwide network, it is comparable to more than 100 servers spread over more than 20 countries.
Daily VPN, like the other applications on this list of the best VPN apps for iPhone, secures your data using 256-bit encryption. It may also be used to unblock material from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and other popular streaming services. On top of that. If the free version does not fit your needs, you may pay to the pro version ($12.99/month) to unlock more servers and even remove advertisements.
Download from the App Store (Free, $69.99/year – cheaper plans available)
11. Larva VPN
If I were to choose a VPN programme based on its simple design and basic tools, “Larva” would most likely be the frontrunner. The best aspect is that it does not require any registration to get started. Simply launch the programme, connect to your desired server, and you’re all set.
Furthermore, it offers top-tier geo-streaming servers in over 40 countries and works across proxies, allowing you to browse the web with total peace of mind. Another area where I’ve found Larva to be particularly effective is in preventing advertisements, malware, and phishing websites. It’s also incredibly efficient in terms of decreasing bandwidth utilisation, with a low network of only 2%.
Download from the App Store (Free, $7.99/month)
12. X-VPN
X-VPN offers over 8000 servers spread across more than 50 global locations, making it a dependable VPN software for iPhone and iPad. Notably, it also provides a useful freemium edition with the essential functions, allowing you to protect your online privacy without spending any money.
X-VPN offers a cleaner UI that seems faster. One of the app’s strengths is its capacity to provide a quick and steady connection. The software automatically selects the quickest servers to prevent a poor connection from ruining your binge-watching or online surfing.
Download from the App Store (Free, $11.99/month)
Make Use of These iPhone VPN Apps to Protect Your Online Privacy
While utilising VPN programmes frequently slows down your internet connection, it’s still a good idea to utilise VPN services (the excellent ones), especially while surfing on a public network. VPNs can also allow you to access geo-restricted content that you would otherwise be unable to access. There are several benefits to utilising a VPN server to access the internet. So, if you’re even somewhat concerned about your online privacy, you should strongly consider utilising a VPN software for your iPhone.
