Let’s be honest using public Wi-Fi at a café, airport, or hotel feels risky. A free VPN app can secure your connection and add a much-needed layer of privacy. The catch? The free VPN world is packed with sketchy apps and big limitations.
That’s why I did the homework for you. I tested dozens of apps to find the best free VPNs for iPhone and Android that are reputable, safe, and actually usable. In this guide, you’ll find my top picks, simple setup steps, and clear streaming notes.
Table of Contents
- What Is a VPN and Why Do You Need One?
- How I Tested These VPNs
- 8 Best Free VPN Apps for iPhone and Android
- 1. Proton VPN Free – Best for Unlimited Data & Privacy
- 2. Windscribe Free – Best All-Round Free VPN
- 3. PrivadoVPN Free – Best for P2P File Sharing & Browsing
- 4. TunnelBear Free – Best for Beginners
- 5. Hide.me Free – Best for Privacy on Android
- 6. Kaspersky VPN Free – Best Simple VPN App
- 7. Hotspot Shield Free – Best for Quick Short-Term Use
- 8. Urban VPN – Best for Unblocking Content with Lots of Server Choices
- Best Free VPNs for Streaming
- Free vs. Paid VPNs: What's the Difference?
- Safety Tips for Using a Free VPN
- Final Thoughts
What Is a VPN and Why Do You Need One?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an app that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your real IP address by sending your connection through a secure VPN server. To websites, it looks like you’re browsing from the server’s location not your own.
On your phone, this is incredibly useful. It protects your personal information from being snooped on when you’re using public Wi-Fi, reduces tracking from apps and your internet provider, and can sometimes help you bypass basic geo restrictions on websites.
For example: You might need to change your country on Amazon to access region-specific products or content.
How I Tested These VPNs
To make this list, a VPN had to be more than just free. I tested each app based on:
- Security: I looked for modern protocols like WireGuard, strong encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection.
- Privacy: A clear no-logs policy and independent audits were non-negotiable. No sketchy app permissions or in-app trackers allowed.
- Speed: I measured download speeds and latency during both peak and off-peak hours.
- Limitations: I looked at data caps, the number of available server locations, and any features locked behind a paywall.
8 Best Free VPN Apps for iPhone and Android
Here’s a roundup of the safest and most reliable VPN apps you can use on your phone.
1. Proton VPN Free – Best for Unlimited Data & Privacy
Proton VPN is the top choice if you need unlimited data, period. The privacy-focused team behind ProtonMail offers a premium security experience without the cost, making it perfect for securing all your browsing without worrying about a cap.
However, the free version is designed purely for privacy and security. If you want to unblock streaming services, download files, or access servers in over 120 countries, you’ll need to upgrade. The “VPN Plus” plan unlocks the highest speeds, full P2P support, and gives you access to a massive global server network for a truly unrestricted experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Completely unlimited data. | ❌ Speeds can slow down during peak times. |
| ✅ No ads or trackers. | ❌ Streaming or torrenting is blocked on the free plan. |
| ✅ Strong security with a kill switch. | |
| ✅ Independently audited and open source. |
Price: Starts around $4.49/month.
2. Windscribe Free – Best All-Round Free VPN
Windscribe’s free plan is one of the most generous and flexible available. It gives you a solid 10 GB of data per month and access to servers in a wide variety of countries, which is rare for a free service. Its powerful ad and tracker blocker, R.O.B.E.R.T., adds an excellent layer of security.
The 10 GB data cap is the main reason to upgrade. If you find yourself running out of data or want access to the full server list for more reliable streaming, the “Pro” plan is the way to go. It gives you unlimited data, access to servers in over 69 countries, and a more consistent connection for a complete VPN experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Wide selection of free locations. | ❌ The free 10 GB data cap can be limiting for heavy use. |
| ✅ Includes a powerful ad & tracker blocker. | |
Price: Starts at $5.75/month (billed annually)
3. PrivadoVPN Free – Best for P2P File Sharing & Browsing
PrivadoVPN offers a great free experience with 10 GB of monthly data and surprisingly fast speeds. Its standout feature is its official support for P2P traffic, making it one of the few free options that you can safely use for torrenting.
The free plan is excellent, but it limits you to a handful of server locations and just one device connection. Upgrading to a premium plan gives you unlimited data, allows you to connect up to 10 devices at once, and unlocks access to their entire global server network, including servers optimized for streaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Wide-range of servers. | ❌ Data cap can be limiting. |
| ✅ Good connection speeds. | |
| ✅ Allows P2P/torrenting. |
Price: Starts around $1.11/month (for multi-year plans)
4. TunnelBear Free – Best for Beginners
TunnelBear is the most beginner-friendly VPN on the market. Its app is fun, simple, and makes the concept of a VPN easy for anyone to understand. It’s also backed by strong security credentials, including independent audits.
Here’s the thing: the free version is more of a trial than a long-term solution. The tiny 500 MB monthly data cap is extremely restrictive. To use TunnelBear for anything more than checking a few emails, you’ll need to upgrade. The “Unlimited” plan removes the data cap completely, making it a viable option for all your daily browsing and streaming needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Very user friendly design. | ❌ The data cap is 500 MB per month. |
| ✅ Has been independently audited for security. | ❌ Not available in India. |
| ✅ Access to all servers on free plan. |
Price: Starts at $3.33/month (for a three-year plan)
5. Hide.me Free – Best for Privacy on Android
Hide.me offers a strong, privacy-focused free plan with a generous 10 GB of data per month. It comes with some great advanced features, like a kill switch to protect your data and split tunneling on its Android app, which is rare for a free service.
The free plan is great for secure browsing, but it limits you to a few locations and doesn’t work reliably for streaming. If you want to unblock streaming services or need access to their full network of over 2,600 servers for faster, more reliable speeds, upgrading to their “Premium” plan is the answer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ A wide range of locations to choose from. | ❌ Fewer free locations. |
| ✅ Includes a kill switch and has a clear no logs policy. | ❌ Connection speeds can be uneven. |
| ✅ Split tunneling on Android (lets you choose which apps use the VPN). |
Price: Starts at $2.69/month (for longer plans)
6. Kaspersky VPN Free – Best Simple VPN App
Coming from one of the biggest names in cybersecurity, Kaspersky VPN’s free version offers a simple and trustworthy way to secure your connection. It’s a no-frills, one-tap app that’s perfect for when you just need to quickly encrypt your connection on public Wi-Fi.
The free plan is very limited, with a 200-300 MB daily data cap and no option to choose your server location. To get unlimited data, a kill switch, and the ability to choose from dozens of server locations around the world, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium version, which unlocks the app’s full potential.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Trusted global security brand. | ❌ Very low daily data cap. |
| ✅ Simple one-tap connection. | ❌ No server selection (automatic). |
| ✅ Strong no-logs privacy policy. |
Price: Starts around $2.49/month.
7. Hotspot Shield Free – Best for Quick Short-Term Use
Hotspot Shield’s free plan is built for convenience, offering a flexible 500 MB daily data allowance and a simple one-tap connection that gets you protected quickly.
However, the free experience is supported by ads and is limited to a single US server location. To remove the ads, get unlimited data, and unlock access to their full network of over 115 virtual locations for reliable streaming, upgrading to their Premium plan is necessary.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ A daily data allowance of 500 MB. | ❌ The free version is supported by ads. |
| ✅ A fast, easy connection process. | ❌ Only offers one US server location. |
| ❌ Has had privacy concerns in the past and blocks streaming. |
Price: Starts at $7.99/month (billed annually)
8. Urban VPN – Best for Unblocking Content with Lots of Server Choices
Urban VPN’s free version is unique because it offers unlimited data and a huge list of server locations, which is almost unheard of. It achieves this by operating as a peer-to-peer (P2P) VPN, meaning your internet traffic is routed through the devices of other free users, and some of their traffic may be routed through yours.
This model is excellent for bypassing geo-restrictions, but it comes with significant privacy trade-offs. For a more secure and private connection that doesn’t share your device’s resources, upgrading to their premium plan is essential. The paid version uses a traditional, secure server network instead of the P2P system.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Unlimited data and bandwidth. | ❌ A few privacy concerns. |
| ✅ Huge selection of server locations. | |
| ✅ Good for bypassing geo-restrictions. |
Price: Starts at $3.59/month for a dedicated server network.
Best Free VPNs for Streaming
Let’s be real, this is a tough one. Free VPN servers are almost always detected and blocked by major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
If you absolutely have to try, Windscribe Free and PrivadoVPN Free sometimes work for a short period, but you should expect them to be unreliable. For dependable streaming access, you will need a reputable paid VPN.
Free vs. Paid VPNs: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Free VPNs | Paid VPNs |
|---|---|---|
| Data | Capped (500 MB – 10 GB/month) | Unlimited |
| Servers | Few locations (1–10) | Dozens of countries |
| Speed | Lower priority, slower | Consistently faster |
| Streaming | Rarely works | Reliable, dedicated servers |
| Privacy | Varies, some ads | Strict no-logs, audited |
| Devices | Usually 1 device | 5–10+ devices |
Safety Tips for Using a Free VPN
- Stick to reputable brands like the ones on this list. Avoid random apps in the app store that promise “100% free unlimited” service, as they are often filled with ads and trackers.
- Always enable the kill switch. This prevents your real IP address from leaking if the VPN connection drops.
- A note for users in India: Due to data retention rules, many VPN providers use virtual servers for India. For the best speeds from a location like Hyderabad, you’ll often get lower latency by connecting to servers in Singapore or the UAE.
Final Thoughts
A good free VPN is an excellent tool for protecting your privacy on public Wi-Fi and for casual browsing. Services like Proton VPN and Windscribe offer a safe and reliable experience without costing a dime. However, for heavy use, consistent speeds, and reliable streaming, you’ll eventually want to consider upgrading to a paid plan.
FAQs
Reputable options like Proton VPN, Windscribe, and Hide.me are perfectly safe for basic use. The danger comes from random, unknown apps that are often a front for data collection.
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN for lawful purposes like enhancing your privacy and security online.
No. The encryption process actually adds a small amount of data overhead, so you will use slightly more data with a VPN turned on.
It can use a small amount of extra battery. To minimize the impact, use the modern WireGuard protocol and connect to a server that is geographically close to you.
No. iCloud Private Relay is a great privacy feature, but it only works for the Safari browser and does not offer system-wide protection or the ability to choose your location like a true VPN.
