10 VPN for iPhone without a subscription 2025

iPhones are pretty secure, but they’re not bulletproof. If you’re browsing on public Wi-Fi or just want to keep your stuff private, a VPN helps. Yeah, the big names charge money, but who wants another subscription ?

Good news: Some free VPNs actually work without selling your data to the highest bidder. After testing a bunch, here are the 10 best free VPNs for iPhone in 2025

1. ProtonVPN
2. Windscribe
3. TunnelBear
4. Hotspot Shield
5. AVG Secure VPN
6. Opera VPN
7. Hide. me
8. VPNbook
9. Betternet
10. Psiphon

As of 2024, approximately 31% of global internet users, equating to over 1.5 billion individuals, use Virtual Private Network.
Source : Exploding Topics

ProtonVPN

Most free VPNs are either garbage or downright risky. You’ll deal with snail-speed connections, or a flood of annoying ads. But ProtonVPN ? Shockingly, it’s actually decent.

Seriously, free VPNs love to screw you over. Some make your YouTube videos buffer like it’s 2005. Others just straight-up sell your browsing history to advertisers. ProtonVPN? It’s like finding a $20 bill in an old jacket, shockingly decent for something free

Why ProtonVPN’s Free Version Doesn’t Suck?

• They’re based in Switzerland , and they’ve proven in court they don’t track your activity.
• Uses AES-256 encryption along with OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec
• Cuts your internet if the VPN drops, so your real IP doesn’t leak.
• Stops your ISP from snooping on what websites you visit.
•  Unlike 90% of “free” VPNs, Proton doesn’t bombard you with pop-ups or install hidden junk.
• The app is simple.
• Free servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan.

The Downsides ?

• Only one device at a time
• No torrenting on free servers
• Occasional wait times 

How to SetUp Proton VPN for iPhone?

Getting ProtonVPN running on your iPhone takes 2 minutes

Step 1: Download the App

Step 2: Sign Up for Free

Step 3: Log In & Connect

• Tap “Connect”.
• Open the app again and log in with your new details.
• You’ll see three free server locations (US, Netherlands, Japan). Pick one.

Pricing plan of Proton VPN for iPhone

If you are interested in a paid plan, the pricing table

Windscribe VPN for iphone

Windscribe is like an invisible cloak for your internet connection. When you turn it on

• You can access websites and shows that might be blocked in your country
• Your online activity becomes private
• Hackers can’t spy on public Wi-Fi

Why People Like the Free Version

Unlike most “free” VPNs that are actually scams, Windscribe gives you

• 10GB free data every month 
• No sneaky ads or malware
• Works with Netflix sometimes

How It Protects You

• Uses bank-level encryption 
• Hides your real location 
• Blocks ads and trackers automatically

Is It Really Safe?

The company is based in Canada which has some data-sharing laws. They promise not to log your activity, but if absolute privacy is critical, you might want a VPN based in Switzerland instead.

Windscribe VPN for iPhone

Windscribe provides a dedicated app for iPhone users, available on the Apple App Store. Visit the Apple App Store and download the Windscribe VPN app.

Open the app and sign up for a free account. Choose a server location from the list and tap to connect. The app will automatically connect you to the selected server

Explore the app’s settings to change your connection preferences.

TunnelBear

Many VPN services promise strong privacy protection. TunnelBear is different because it has a fun design with cartoon bears. But is it a good VPN? I have used it for years, and here is my honest opinion.

What I Like About TunnelBear?

• It’s Easy to Use
• They’re Transparent

Every year, TunnelBear publishes an independent security audit. Most VPNs claim “no logs,” but how many prove it? TunnelBear does.

The Free Plan Is Actually Useful

2GB/month isn’t much, but it’s enough for checking emails on public Wi-Fi or accessing a blocked site in a pinch.

Works Well for Basic Privacy

If you just want to hide your traffic from your ISP or avoid sketchy coffee shop Wi-Fi, TunnelBear does the job. The AES-256 encryption is standard , and I’ve never had DNS leaks while using it.

TunnelBear Free VPN for iphone

• You have Access to servers in over 20 countries.
• They use AES-256-bit encryption to protect your data.
• TunnelBear does not log user activity.
• A kill switch feature that blocks all unsecured traffic if the VPN connection drops.
• They offer a simple interface with one-click connection.

How to Get Started with TunnelBear VPN for iPhone?

Go to the App Store and download the TunnelBear app.

Open the app and create a free account.

Verify your email address to activate your account.

and tap the switch to connect to the VPN. Select your desired server location from the list of available countries.

Hotspot Shield VPN for iphone

Hotspot Shield acts like an armored car for your internet traffic. Instead of sending your data out in the open where anyone can see it, it locks everything down in a secure tunnel. Here’s what that actually means for you

What It Really Does

• Hides your browsing from Wi-Fi snoopers
• Stops your ISP from tracking which sites you visit
• Prevents hackers from stealing passwords on public networks

The Good Stuff

• Fast connections 
• One-tap protection
• Works in tough places 

Key Features of Hotspot Shield Free VPN for iPhone

• They offer Military-Grade Encryption.
• They use a proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol for better speed.
• You can access 80+ Global Servers.
• They Unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
• You can Works on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android,
• They offer an Automatic Kill Switch.

AVG Secure VPN for iphone

AVG Secure VPN is the middle child of the VPN world. It gets the job done, but you’ll always wonder if there’s something better out there. I’ve tested it for weeks, and here’s what real users should know before committing.

Downloading the app is very fast, but the design looks old and not very modern. However, connecting to the VPN is very easy. This is good for beginners, but people who need more settings might not like it

During my tests, US servers delivered 60-80 Mbps . What surprised me was the inconsistent performance across locations. The UK server gave me a solid 95 Mbps one day, then struggled to hit 30 Mbps the next. For basic browsing and emails? Perfectly fine. For 4K streaming or gaming? You’ll feel the lag.

What You’re Actually Getting

The Good

• Simple AF app – One-tap connect
• Decent speeds 
• Kill switch included 
• P2P allowed 

The Bad

• No ad-blocker 
• Avast baggage 
• Mediocre unblocking 

Opera VPN for iphone

Opera VPN is integrated directly into Opera Touch for iPhone and other Opera browsers like Opera for Android/desktop.if you need stronger security or app-level protection, a standalone VPN is better.

What Opera VPN Does:

• Built-in & Free 
• Encrypts Browser Traffic 
• Changes IP Address 
• No Logs Claim

Key Limitations

• Browser-Only Protection 
• No Advanced VPN Features 
• Owned by a Chinese Company

How to Use Opera VPN on iPhone?

Install Opera Touch

• Open the App Store on your iPhone.
• Search for “Opera Touch” and download it.

Launch Opera Browser

• Open the Opera Touch app.
• Go to Settings
• Tap the Opera logo (O) in the bottom-right corner.
• Select “Settings” (gear icon).
• Enable VPN

Hide.me VPN for iphone

Do you want a cheap VPN? hide.me is a good choice. The free version gives you unlimited data and 8 server options. The speed is not very fast, but it works well for normal internet use, videos, and small downloads. If you end up liking it, the paid upgrade is a solid deal at $9.95/month. That’s cheaper than most big-name VPNs.

Pros & Cons of hide.me VPN

The Good

• Truly private,
• Works with streaming & torrenting.
• Free plan available (10GB/month).
• WireGuard support 

The Bad

• Free plan has limited servers.
• Not as fast as ExpressVPN/NordVPN.
• No ad-blocker 

Who Should Use hide.me VPN?

• Free VPN seekers .
• Privacy-conscious users who want an audited VPN.
• Streamers needing access to Netflix, Disney+, etc.
• Torrent users looking for a secure P2P option.

VPNbook VPN for iphone

VPNBook gives you free VPN servers without making you sign up. Sounds great, right? Just download their OpenVPN files or use the sketchier PPTP option, and boom, you’re connected. But before you start celebrating, there are some major catches.

The Good, and The Ugly

• Free
• Decent Speeds

The Bad

• PPTP is a Privacy Nightmare 
• They Log Your Connections 
• No Apps, No Hand-Holding 
• Server Locations? Barely Any. 

Who’s This For?

• Tech nerds who don’t mind fiddling with config files.
• Temporary use cases 
• People who absolutely refuse to pay for a VPN

Betternet VPN for iphone

When you see a free VPN that promises one-click privacy, your brain should scream “What’s the catch?” I tested Betternet for weeks, and here’s the truth.

The Quick Reality Check

• The Good
  • Literally just tap one button to connect,
  • Won’t choke your data with limits,
  • unblocks Instagram/Facebook at school ,
• The Bad
  • Tracks WAY more than it admit,
  • Random speed drops that’ll make you rage-quit YouTube,
  • Useless for Netflix, banking, or anything actually important.

The Scary Fine Print

Their “no logs” policy? Mostly fiction.

• Logging your real IP address
• Selling aggregated “anonymous” data (wink, wink)
• Pushing constant upgrade nags

Psiphon VPN for iphone

Psiphon is special. It helps people in countries where many websites are blocked. Normal VPNs are better for watching shows or downloading. But if your internet has many restrictions, try Psiphon

 The Good

• Bypasses Hardcore Censorship 
• Free + Unlimited Data 
• Auto-connects to the Fastest Protocol 
• No Registration Needed.

 The Bad

• Not Fully Private 
• Canadian-Based 
• Weird Speed Fluctuations 
• Useless for Streaming 

Comparison table of VPN for Iphone

Feature	ProtonVPN	Windscribe	TunnelBear	Hotspot Shield	AVG Secure VPN	Opera VPN	Hide.me	VPNBook	Psiphon
Security	AES-256, OpenVPN, IKEv2	AES-256, OpenVPN, IKEv2	AES-256, OpenVPN, IKEv2	AES-256, Catapult Hydra	AES-256, OpenVPN	Basic encryption	AES-256, OpenVPN, IKEv2	AES-256, OpenVPN, PPTP	VPN, SSH, HTTP Proxy
Privacy	No-logs, Switzerland	No-logs, Canada	No-logs, Canada	Some logs, USA	Some logs, Czech Republic	Logs user data, Norway	No-logs, Malaysia	Claims no logs, lacks transparency	Some logs, Canada
Speed	Good	Good	Moderate	Very fast	Good	Variable	Good	Variable	Moderate
Server Locations	50+ countries	60+ countries	20+ countries	80+ countries	50+ locations in 36 countries	Servers in 5 regions	75+ locations in 50+ countries	Limited, few countries	Multiple countries, undisclosed
Usability	User-friendly, multi-platform	Easy-to-use, multi-platform	User-friendly, multi-platform	Easy-to-use, multi-platform	Simple, integrated with AVG	Very easy, limited to Opera	User-friendly, multi-platform	Requires manual setup	Easy-to-use, multi-platform
Free Version	Yes, limited speed/servers	Yes, 10 GB/month, limited servers	Yes, 500 MB/month	Yes, 500 MB/day, limited servers	No, 7-day free trial	Yes, completely free	Yes, 10 GB/month, limited servers	Yes, completely free	Yes, completely free
Extra Features	Secure Core, Tor over VPN	Ad/tracker blocker split tunnelling	GhostBear mode	Malware/phishing protection	None notable	Built into Opera browser	Ad/tracker blocker split tunneling	None notable	Split tunnelling, Stealth Guard

Conclusion

Need a free VPN for iPhone? Some are good, but free ones always have problems—like slow speed, fewer countries to connect to, or ads. Before using one, check if it hides your location properly and read how it uses your data.

Read Also: 14 Differences between Proxy and VPN

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