Best of 2026
The best security apps that cost nothing to start, ranked by our editors.
Our pick: Surfshark VPN: Fast VPN App leads with an editor score of 4.3. Surfshark is a well-rounded VPN with a credible 2025 Deloitte audit, unlimited device connections, and a bundled toolkit that makes it genuinely competitive for households and frequent travelers. How we score.
| # | App | Best for | Price | Editor score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surfshark VPN: Fast VPN App | Families, frequent travelers, and... | Free | 4.3 |
| 2 | Proton VPN: Fast & Secure | Privacy-conscious users who want a... | Free | 4.3 |
| 3 | NordVPN: VPN Fast & Secure | Frequent travelers and remote workers... | Free | 4.2 |
| 4 | VPN by Private Internet Access | Privacy-conscious power users who want... | Free | 4.2 |
| 5 | VPN Windscribe: Fast & Secure | Privacy-conscious iOS users who want... | Free | 4.2 |
| 6 | ExpressVPN · Secure & Fast VPN | Frequent travelers, remote workers, and... | Free | 4.1 |
| 7 | 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet | Casual users who want faster, cleaner... | Free | 4.1 |
| 8 | TunnelBear: Secure VPN & Wifi | Casual everyday users who want quick... | Free | 4.1 |
| 9 | IPVanish VPN: Fast & Secure | Frequent travelers and everyday users... | Free | 3.9 |
| 10 | X-VPN: VPN Fast & Secure | Travelers and public-Wi-Fi users who... | Free | 3.8 |
Surfshark is a well-rounded VPN with a credible 2025 Deloitte audit, unlimited device connections, and a bundled toolkit that makes it genuinely competitive for households and frequent travelers.
Read the full Surfshark VPN: Fast VPN App review
Proton VPN is the most credible free VPN on iOS right now, built on a genuine privacy foundation rather than marketing promises, though the full feature set requires a paid subscription.
Read the full Proton VPN: Fast & Secure review
NordVPN is a polished, actively maintained VPN that earns its enormous user base through a genuinely fast one-tap experience, but the free download is essentially a demo and the subscription cost is the real decision...
Read the full NordVPN: VPN Fast & Secure review
PIA delivers a credible, feature-rich VPN with a verified no-logs policy and the built-in MACE ad blocker, making it one of the more honest and capable options in a crowded category.
Read the full VPN by Private Internet Access review
Windscribe is one of the few VPNs whose no-logs policy has been stress-tested in actual court proceedings rather than polished marketing copy, making it a genuinely credible security tool for iOS users who take privacy...
Read the full VPN Windscribe: Fast & Secure review
ExpressVPN delivers audited privacy, servers across 105 countries, and a consistently polished iOS experience, though its premium pricing makes the most sense only for users who rely on a VPN daily.
Read the full ExpressVPN · Secure & Fast VPN review
1.1.1.1 with WARP is a genuinely useful, low-effort privacy upgrade for everyday mobile browsing, though it falls meaningfully short of what a full-featured VPN delivers.
Read the full 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet review
TunnelBear remains one of the most approachable VPN apps on iOS, delivering genuine one-tap protection across 48-plus countries, though the free tier's data cap means serious users will need a paid subscription to get...
Read the full TunnelBear: Secure VPN & Wifi review
IPVanish is a competent, well-maintained VPN that earns its strong store rating through consistency rather than innovation, making it a solid pick for casual users who want straightforward connection protection without...
Read the full IPVanish VPN: Fast & Secure review
X-VPN delivers a genuinely audit-backed, no-data-cap free tier with an impressive protocol roster, but its best features sit firmly behind a subscription wall that the app never lets you forget.
Read the full X-VPN: VPN Fast & Secure review