Online privacy is a perennial hot topic, but so is having to pay for yet another digital subscription. There are many subscription-based virtual private network (VPN) services on the market, but if you want to protect your iPhone and iPad from prying eyes for free, there are a handful that actually deliver decent protection without the monthly fees. Just be ready for a few trade-offs.
Free VPNs always come with limitations, but several reputable services offer genuine protection for Apple devices. Here's our top five.
1. Proton VPN
Swiss-based Proton VPN retains the top spot in July 2025 with unlimited data and no ads. Unlike many free VPNs, there's no monthly data cap or speed throttling after reaching a limit. The service uses AES-256 encryption, features a kill switch, and has undergone full third-party security audits to confirm it keeps zero logs. The only negatives are that you're limited to five server locations (Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the U.S.) and you can't manually choose specific servers.
2. PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN offers 10GB of monthly data across servers in 13 countries as no cost. What sets it apart is that it's the only top free VPN that reliably works with U.S.-based Netflix, alongside other platforms like BBC iPlayer and Disney+. Just bear in mind that 10GB won't last long if you're streaming. The Swiss-based company maintains a no-logs policy, and a kill switch on supported platforms. In speed tests, PrivadoVPN Free reached 950 Mbps, making it the fastest free option.
3. Windscribe
Windscribe gives you 10GB of monthly data with server availability in 11 countries. It also works in restrictive locations thanks to its Stealth protocol. The service unblocks five Netflix regions (France, Germany, Romania, Switzerland, and the UK) and allows torrenting on most free servers. Windscribe includes ad blocking and allows unlimited device connections. However, the iOS app interface may feel complicated at first, especially if you're not tech-savvy.
4. Hide.me
Hide.me offers servers in seven countries: Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and U.S. The Malaysian-based service recently removed its 10GB monthy cap and has undergone a third-party security audit, and the free service includes a rare kill switch on iOS. However, speeds are throttled to 1Mbps on the free plan, so it's only really a good option if you need a quick solution and you're not streaming video.
5. VPN Hotspot Shield
VPN Hotspot Shield provides unlimited data and is generally reported to offer minimal speed loss on its free plan. The service includes optional malware blocking and features a simple interface on iOS. However, one big downside is its logging policy – it collects IP addresses, visited domains, and approximate location data, making it a lot less privacy-focused than competitors.
Summing Up
When it comes to the best free VPN service for your iPhone and iPad, Proton VPN Free wins out for maximum privacy and unlimited browsing. Alternatively, give PrivadoVPN a try if you just need something for limited video streaming. Alternatively, if you can stomach another subscription, it's worth checking out the free trials from premium services offered by Proton, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, all of which promise complete protection, consistent streaming support, and extensive server options.
