A free VPN for iPhone is all it takes, at least, to get on-the-go anonymity!
About 37% of Apple users in Canada reported being extremely concerned about their data being monitored or traced online, especially when using certain apps or websites. And while Cupertino giant strives hard to ensure maximum privacy of their users online, most iOS users still feel that they should be doing more.
An iPhone may be safe, but it won’t be completely safe from hackers, especially when you connect to an open Wi-Fi and unknowingly invite hackers to join in on the fun. Now, got the chills? Well, me too!
Turns out your best protection against all sorts of online harm is installing the best VPN for iPhone and iPads. In addition to providing an extra layer of security to your supposedly “safe” device, the best yet free VPN for iPhone is an effective tool to unblock apps that may be unavailable in your region.
This also unlocks a whole new universe of streaming content, thanks to their ability to “spoof” location and make your iPhone appear to be from somewhere across the ocean. And if they’re available for free, hallelujah! But, Is there a completely free VPN for iPhone?
Well, thousands of free VPNs for iOS are available on the App Store. However, it’s important to note that most free VPNs for iPhones are not as secure as they claim to be. This is why we recommend using ExpressVPN, which offers lightning-fast speeds, top-notch security, and excellent unblocking capabilities. It isn’t 100% free but provides a 30-day money-back guarantee to try ExpressVPN risk-free.
Plagued with hundreds of security and privacy issues and shady policies, entirely free VPNs are usually the RED zone we don’t recommend crossing into– we will discuss this later in this blog. But for now, let’s dive into our guide for the best free VPN for iPhone to help you choose the right one for your VPN needs, and that too for Free!
What are The Best Free VPNs for iPhones and iPads? [Quick Summary]
Given the sheer amount of free VPN services available on the App Store and the potential baggage that comes with them, finding the best free VPN for iPhone can be difficult. But not anymore!
Thanks to our cybersecurity experts and their hours of testing, we have shortlisted the top free VPNs for iPhones capable of providing maximum security and privacy to iOS users.
- ExpressVPN – The best VPN for iPhone with a 30-day risk-free trial – Compatible with iOS Versions 12.0 and above. Known as the fastest iPhone VPN, delivering a blistering fast speed of 89.38 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection with 30 days free trial period. With 3000+ servers in 94 countries, you can browse from anywhere securely and freely.
- ProtonVPN – Free VPN Canada with unlimited data bandwidth – ProtonVPN is one of the rare VPN services, offering its users unlimited data bandwidth for free. Compatible with iOS version 12.1 and above. Delivers an average speed of 32 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. It has three servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan.
- Windscribe – a free VPN (10GB)that works – Compatible with iOS version 10.0 and above, Windscribe offers its users a 10GB/month data limit. In addition, with servers in 10 different locations, you can enjoy a streaming speed of 32 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
- Hotspot Shield – 500 Mbs free data for iPhone users – Compatible with iOS version 12.0 and above. Offers an average speed of 50 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection. It has only one server in the United States and offers 500 MB of data daily.
- TunnelBear – the user-friendly free VPN iPhone! – It offers a 500 Mb data allowance every month. It is compatible with devices running 11.0 iOS versions and above. It delivers an average speed of 50 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection and has around 32 servers in different locations.
What are The Best Free VPNs for iPhones and IPads in Canada? [In-Depth Analysis]
To help you find the best free VPN for iPhone in Canada, we tested multiple VPNs on various criteria, such as speed, security, bandwidth, and servers. A detailed analysis of the best free VPN for iPhone in 2022 is as follows:
1. ExpressVPN – the best VPN for iPhone
Key Features
- 3000+ servers in 90+ countries
- It offers unlimited bandwidth, and its iOS client is 53.3 MB
- Delivers a fast speed of 95.6 Mbps on a 100 Mbps base connection
- Unblock US Netflix, Hulu HBO Max, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLiv, and more
- Compatible with the 12.0 iOS version
- Five simultaneous connections
- 30 days Money back free trial
- Available for CA$ 3.16/mo (US$ 2.30/mo)!
ExpressVPN is hands down the best iPhone VPN out there, and we’re just as glad to recommend it as the best free VPN for iPhone and iOS users because of its 30 days risk-free money-back guaranteed trial period and its 2-year plan of CA$ 9.15/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save 49% and get 3 extra months FREE with 12-month plan with 3-months of free services.
This top-rated VPN service offers a massive server network of about 3000+ in 90+ countries, which is suitable for streaming worldwide content. In addition, the performance of ExpressVPN is exactly what you require for an iOS 15 free VPN. It’s easy to download, simple to use, and runs almost all the features you have on your mobile.
It shows consistently fast speed and lets you stream content seamlessly. Our testing showed a super-fast speed of 89.38 Mbps download, and 84.66 Mbps upload on a 100 Mbps base connection.
In addition, with ExpressVPN’s fast servers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer in Canada, Zee5 Indian content library, BT Sport live, Hulu, US Netflix, and any local streaming service.
There are some extras, too, like the ability to switch protocols. In addition, it has some pretty good privacy and security features, with options to show your current IP address and location. With this facility, you can check if there are DNS and WebRTC leaks and generate secure passwords. Even you can split your VPN tunnel, enjoy VPN service, and keep your actual IP address on for internet browsing.
We know what you’re thinking – why is there a premium VPN in the best free VPNs list? Well, that’s because ExpressVPN is the best, and we don’t want our readers to miss out on the greatness just because they want to save some bucks.
There’s no such thing as the best free VPNs because free VPNs aren’t usually the best! Best VPN is only synonymous with ExpressVPN, which is exceptional in every aspect, including impeccable performance, fast speed, and extraordinary unblocking capabilities.
Believe us; you won’t find a better VPN for iPhone than ExpressVPN. And if you’re still making up your mind, there’s a 30-day no objections money-back guarantee to take advantage of.
Pros and Cons of ExpressVPN
2. ProtonVPN – Free VPN for iOS users with Unlimited data bandwidth
Key features
- Three servers in 3 countries (USA, Japan, and the Netherlands)
- Offers unlimited bandwidth
- Works with YouTube only
- iOS client size is 73.5 MB
- Allows only one device per account
- Compatible with 12.1 iOS versions and above
ProtonVPN is one of the rare VPN services, offering unlimited bandwidth in its free version. It also has a dedicated VPN app for iOS, compatible with 12.0 and above iOS versions.
ProtonVPN also offers three USA, Japan, and Netherlands servers. However, it only allows a single login option per account. With ProtonVPN, you can bypass geo-resections and get YouTube TV live in Canada, but you cannot unblock any other streaming service.
We found its speed a bit inconsistent during our testing. Its speed is relatively slow, and we encountered several buffering and lagging issues while using ProtonVPN. Since this provider is based in Switzerland, it is away from the jurisdictions of the Five Eyes Alliance. It works with OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec protocols.
Speaking of security features, it uses AES 256-bit encryption, IP leak protection, and a strong no-logs policy. Unfortunately, while it offers a built-in ad blocker, it doesn’t have a dedicated kill switch for iPhone users.
Moreover, ProtonVPN allows everyone to sign up for a 7-day free trial without any credit card requirement – Yes, it’s a free VPN for iPhone without a subscription!
Pros and Cons of ProtonVPN
3. Windscribe – the most reliable free VPN for iPhone
Key Feature
- Limited servers in 10 countries
- Offers 10 GB/month bandwidth
- Unblock YouTube, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer
- Its iOS app file size is 93.1 MB.
- This free VPN Ipad is compatible with the 10.0 iOS version
- Allow unlimited multi-logins
Windscribe is another outstanding iPhone VPN that supports bypassing geo-restricted streaming sites and anonymous browsing over the internet. It offers around ten servers in different locations, including US and UK.
It comes with a 10GB/month bandwidth limit to stream 10+ hours of content. And if you’re running out of data, you can tweet about this service and get 5GB of additional data.
With Windscribe, you can bypass geo-restricted websites, including Peacock TV in Canada and more on your iPhone. However, it couldn’t bypass the robust VPN detection mechanism of Netflix.
Pros and Cons of Windscribe
4. Hotspot Shield – 500MB/day free VPN for iPad
Key Features
- Offers 500Mb per day bandwidth
- It only works with YouTube
- 3200 servers in 80+ countries on the premium plan
- Allows five multi-logins
- Its iOS app file size is 98.3 MB.
- Compatible with 12.0 iOS versions or above.
Hotspot Shield is one of the reliable free VPNs for iPhone users. It offers a dedicated iOS app with robust security features for users looking to strengthen their iPhones.
It offers both premium and free versions; the latter comes with a 500MB/day data limit. It’s enough for browsing only because you can exhaust the entire limit within just 30 minutes if you choose to stream a video with a Hotspot shield.
It has around 3200+ servers in 80 countries, but you will get to access a single US server on its free version. Unfortunately, this means you won’t be able to unblock streaming services outside the US using Hotspot Shield.
If you’re aiming for a streaming-focused VPN for iPhone, we don’t recommend Hotspot Shield as it would only bypass YouTube.
Regarding security features, Hotspot Shield offers 256-bit encryption, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPSec protocols to make your connection impenetrable. It also has a built-in kill switch to ensure IP leakage when the connection drops.
Another thing you need to know about this provider is that its iPhone app is pretty ad-heavy. The frequent ad displays and pop-ups may get you annoyed sometimes, but other than that, it’s a pretty good Canadian VPN free of cost.
Pros and Cons of Hotspot Shield
5. TunnelBear – Secure and free VPN app for iPhone!
Key Features
- Based in Canada
- Multiple servers in 23 countries
- 500MB of bandwidth support per month
- Its iOS app file size is 289 MB.
- Compatible with 11.0 iOS versions and above.
- Allow 5 multi-logins
TunnelBear is one of the popular free VPNs for iOS users, offering servers in 23 locations. In addition, its dedicated iOS app is pretty interactive and user-friendly.
This Apple VPN offers 500MB/month, but you can get another GB free if you tweet about this company. It also lets you unblock different streaming services like YouTube and HBO Go. However, the accessible version of TunnelBear does not support BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, or any other geo-blocked streaming service.
Regarding its features, TunnelBear uses AES 256-bit encryption and VigilantBear – TunnelBear version of a kill switch, Auto Tunnel feature, and provides DNS/IP leaks protection to keep you secure online.
This free VPN for iPhone Canada also has a unique feature that lets you safelist and denylist any website or app you want.
Pros and Cons of TunnelBear
How do we select the best free VPNs for iPhones?
All the VPNs mentioned in this article are shortlisted according to the following criteria:
- Strict no-log policy – the best iPhone VPN should not keep logs of your online activities. We made sure that their policies didn’t have any hidden agendas.
- Strong encryption – almost all of our chosen VPN services offer AES 256-bit encryption. These services can route your online traffic through an impenetrable tunnel, which is hard to decrypt even for centuries.
- Unblocking capabilities – should be able to bypass even the strongest geofences implemented on streaming sites like Netflix, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and more. Instead, they should be able to let you access content from wherever you want.
- Compatible app for iPhone – We ensured that all our chosen VPNs had dedicated iOS apps compatible with all devices running 12.0 iOS versions and above.
- Customer support – the shortlisted free VPNs offer 24/7 technical support to their users.
- Extra security features – should have a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, and more.
Which Free VPN for iPhone Should you Avoid and Why?
You may find hundreds of free VPN services for iPhones claiming to be the best in the industry. But are free VPNs safe? Well, not exactly! These services don’t sell their product to you but rather make YOU into one. Yes, your data is quite precious to them, so they sell it to third parties and earn money.
There are several dubious free VPNs on the market, even some have good Apple store ratings, yet they are not so secure regarding privacy and security.
- FreeVPN – Unlimited
- DotVPN
- Totally free VPN
- Stealth VPN
- TurboVPN
- HolaVPN
- Betternet
- SuperVPN
- OkVPN
- CrossVPN
- Archie VPN
- One Click VPN
FAQs
Does an iPhone VPN use mobile Data?
Can I share a VPN connection via a personal Hotspot?
Can a VPN drain an iPhone battery?
Can a VPN help me bypass App store restrictions?
Does a free VPN affect internet speed?
Are free VPNs for iOS safe to use?
Conclusion
Staying anonymous and securing private data has become a big part of Apple’s agenda recently, but the company still hasn’t introduced its own iPhone VPN. So, getting the best free VPN for iPhone is the must option left for iOS users if they are tight on budget.
Although entirely free VPNs for android and iPhones won’t offer the same level of security and performance you can expect from premium VPNs. However, some free services are still quite bearable. Based on our testing, we found ProtonVPN the right pick for the free unlimited VPN for iPhone and androids, as it doesn’t limit bandwidth use. However, with this VPN, you won’t be able to unblock all geo-restricted websites and enjoy super-fast streaming speeds.
Therefore, it is recommended to go for a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN. It is the best in the industry with its super-fast speeds, unlimited data offering, 30 days free trial, three months free on a 2-year plan, and multiple other robust security features to provide you with the best VPN experience you’d ever have.