TOP of the best free VPN servers for iPhone and iPad in Russian

Name

Our assessment

Description

More details

5.0

• High-speed VPN for iOS
• Convenient applications for iPad and iPhone, up to 6 devices per account
• Advanced settings for advanced users
• 5500+ servers in almost 60 countries

Visit nordvpn.com

4.5

• Unlimited speeds and number of devices per account
• Subscription management via the App Store, trial period
• Ad and malware filtering
• Application whitelist and other advanced options

Visit surfshark.com

4.5

• Laconic and clear application interface
• KillSwitch and auto-connection function
• Free trial period for 7 days
• Reliable encryption and leak protection

Visit the site rusvpn.com

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

– a virtual network protected by encryption. Provides maximum privacy, since even the provider cannot see and scan your traffic. A kind of tunnel is organized to a special server (or a network of servers), from which your actual requests are sent.

It's good when you have a powerful PC and a cable network connection at your disposal. But if you have a mobile device - an iPhone or iPad, then the security issue moves to a slightly different plane: how to properly configure the client and how to secure all your connections (after all, on mobile devices there are more connections and they are all practically public), how to choose the most reliable option (applications can only be downloaded and installed from the official store). Below is our ranking of the best VPNs for iOS.

Nord VPN – the best VPN service for iOS → detailed review

NordVPN is the best VPN for iOS. This is a proven service that you can trust with your data without fear. When you start studying it in practice, you realize that this is fair. Users choose NordVPN because of its high security standards, no logging, and powerful servers that maintain good connection speeds even when connecting over thousands of kilometers.

NordVPN offers all the necessary tools to ensure user privacy and protect their devices from unauthorized access. If the encrypted connection is broken, Internet access is terminated, DNS is protected from leaks. The service offers advanced features - double encryption, a hidden connection that even providers cannot track, support for peer-to-peer networks.

Pros:

• Up to 6 devices per subscription.
• About 6,000 connection points in 60 countries.
• High equipment performance.
• Bypassing the Chinese firewall and other national blocking systems.
• Refusal to collect user data other than mailing address and payment information. You can pay for access with bitcoins and not reveal anything about yourself.
• Unblocking Netflix and other streaming services while maintaining a speed sufficient for comfortable video viewing.
• 24/7 support, as well as an in-app knowledge base.

Minuses:

• You cannot pay for your subscription via PayPal.
• P2P is supported only by selected servers.

Price:

The app has a free 7-day period to test VPN functionality and speed. If you are satisfied with the quality of the services provided, then for further use you need to pay for a license. The cost of a subscription depends on how long you purchase it for. When purchased on the website, one month costs $11.95. An annual plan will cost $59 ($4.92 a month), a two-year plan will cost $89 ($3.71 a month). For long-term subscriptions, a refund is guaranteed within 30 days if you decide to cancel the service. The subscription can also be managed from the App Store - from 524 to 899 rubles/month. Family sharing is supported.

ExpressVPN

January 2020Jobs in Argentina

Available applications:

• PC
• mac
• iOS
• Android
• Linux

Website: www.ExpressVPN.com

Money back guarantee: 30 DAYS

ExpressVPN is a bestseller due to its military-grade encryption, fast speeds, and global network. This provider offers more than 2,000 servers to choose from in 94 countries, including Argentina.

ExpressVPN is proven to work well with a number of geo-restricted streaming services, including US Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ESPN and more. Fast speeds are almost guaranteed. Additional benefits include 24/7 live chat support.

World class safety standards are the norm for the course; they include 256-bit AES encryption, which is often referred to as "military grade". Other security features include internet shutdown and DNS leak protection, so your information always remains protected in an encrypted tunnel.

This provider only stores non-identifying metadata and IP addresses remain hidden. It offers easy-to-use apps for Android and iOS, as well as clean desktop versions for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. One subscription allows three simultaneous connections.

Pros:

• Operates a network of over 3,000 servers covering 94 countries, including Argentina
• Greater options for unblocking geo-blocked content
• High speed downloads and video streaming
• It's hard to win in privacy and security
• 24/7 support via chat

Minuses:

• Slightly more expensive than other services

BEST FOR ARGENTINA: ExpressVPN is our top pick. Fast, reliable, easy to use and unblocks a wide range of streaming services. High quality security and privacy features. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

Read our ExpressVPN review.

ExpressVPN CouponSpecial Offer - Get 3 Months of Extra FREEGET DEALCoupon Applied Automatically

Surfshark – reliable VPN for iPhone → detailed review

Surfshark is one of the most popular VPN services in the world. It does not collect data about users - at most you will leave e-mail and payment information. Moreover, when third parties request to provide information about clients, Surfshark warns the latter of the existence of such interest.

Surfshark offers to install tunneling through 800 servers located in 50 countries. Among them there are both physical and virtual points. The servers show excellent performance and allow you to watch high-quality videos while bypassing geo-blocking of streaming services.

Pros:

• Unlimited number of devices per subscription.
• Collection of minimal information about users.
• Whitelister feature, which allows you to disable VPN for individual programs.
• Additional disguise tools that hide the VPN connection even from the provider.
• Automatic disconnection if encryption is disabled.
• Multi-encryption is the transfer of data through a number of servers to confuse the traces.

Minuses:

• To try the service for free, you still need to provide payment information. You can cancel your subscription at the end of the trial period if you decide to cancel the service.
• There are fewer servers than other popular services.
• The definition of the optimal server is not always correct. You often have to check locations manually to find the fastest point.

Price:

You can use the application for free for 7 days. All features of the service are available to you so that you can evaluate its functionality and decide whether to pay for a subscription. The cost of a monthly license is $12.95. If you pay for six months, you will save 50% - the subscription costs $38.94 ($6.49 a month). For a 1-year license they ask for only $59.76 ($2.49 a month). The service also offers a set of two additional services: mail protection and freeing search engine results from advertising and recommendation links. Price: $0.99 monthly.

Subscription management through the App Store – from 299 to 799 rubles/month (3590 per year).

How does a paid VPN differ from a free one?

Reading reviews from people who have already tried more than one application for secure Internet access, they note that many free services have a number of significant drawbacks:

1. In reality, the IP address is not hidden.
2. The operation of the gadget slows down significantly.
3. Does not hide location data.

I wonder what kind of VPN the most expensive computers in the world use and how much do they need an independent encryption system? Perhaps this function was built into them directly at the development stage? Speaking about the basic differences between paid and free services, I will highlight the following:

• number of servers in different countries of the world;
• protocols used and their number;
• how many devices can be connected simultaneously for operation.

RUSVPN - the best Russian-language VPN for iOS → detailed review

RusVPN is a high-quality service organized by a Russian team. There's really no shame in him. The coverage is growing every year, and although the project only started in 2022, it already has servers in 50+ countries, serious power and a lot of additional tools (password generator, leak or virus check, etc.).

The client for iOS is more than friendly, settings are completed in one or two clicks, the speeds are sufficient for watching streaming video, downloading torrents and for any other tasks. With RUSVPN you don't have to worry about the security of your data even on public Wi-Fi networks.

Pros:

• All popular platforms are supported, there are even ready-made configurations for routers and OpenVPN (you can use one account on all your devices).
• The most simple setup and installation.
• Russian is the native language for technical support.
• No logs or tracking (the company operates outside the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation).
• A large number of locations and selection of servers by task (for example, for Netflix or Amazon, for YouTube, etc.).
• Reliable encryption and protection.

Minuses:

• Free test for iOS for only 7 days.
• There is no indication on the official website about connection restrictions, but there is one - no more than 5 connections to different servers at the same time.

Price:

To check the quality of service, maximum speed and available locations, you will have as much as 7 days. Next, you will have to pay for a subscription on the RUSVPN website or through the App Store. Official prices – from 129 rubles/month (if paid immediately for 3 years, 4644 rubles). Subscription for a year – 2388 rub. (works out at 199 rubles/month). The most expensive monthly write-off, 399 rubles. Prices in the App Store are slightly different: a month – 399 rubles, six months – 1790 rubles, a year – 2390 rubles.

PureVPN

4.5
Read review

PureVPN is supported on all iPhone smartphones. Install the application and connect to 6,500 servers in 140 countries. The program independently selects the optimal location for connection. PureVPN uses IKEv2 and IPsec protocols to secure traffic. So you can connect to public Wi-Fi networks and remain protected. With a subscription to the service, you will get access to torrents and additional functions: separate traffic tunneling, emergency disconnection from the network.

• Works on iPhone 6 and higher versions
• 31 day money back guarantee
• Free version 7 days
• Technical support is available 24/7

PureVPN

Atlas VPN is the cheapest VPN for iOS

Atlas VPN is the most interesting service in terms of price/quality ratio. The owner of this VPN is the American company PEAKSTAR TECHNOLOGIES. They entered the market relatively recently, hence the delicious prices. Despite the fact that the main office is registered in the USA, AtlasVPN does not have any privacy or security problems: no logs are recorded, and request history is not transmitted anywhere.

The provider has one of the largest networks in the world, provides high connection speeds and uses reliable (military-grade) encryption algorithms.

Pros:

• A very convenient client for mobile devices.
• Sufficient choice of locations.
• The service even works in China and provides access to important resources (NetFlix, HBO, BBC iPlayer, Disney +, etc.).
• The speed is suitable even for 4K content.
• One of the most affordable subscriptions on the market.
• There are no restrictions on the number of devices in your account.

Minuses:

• A small trial. Unlike the PC client, the mobile application does not have access to free locations.
• The application does not yet support the Russian language.
• The list of supported platforms currently only includes the most popular ones (for example, there are no browser plugins; Atlas VPN cannot be run on Linux systems or routers).

Price:

Subscription prices on the official website start from $1.49 a month (if paid for 3 years at once, a total of $50.04 one-time). If paid annually – $29.88 (converted to $2.49/month). Monthly charge – $9.99. Subscriptions when paying through the App Market - from 799 to 3890 rubles. (depending on the period: month/year).

FAQ

1. What is the difference between paid and free VPNs? The capabilities of free VPNs are often limited. This may be a limitation of transmission speed, traffic volume, number of servers and some functions. Therefore, free VPNs are usually suitable for simple tasks such as web surfing or communication. However, using them to watch a movie or TV series in high quality, play or download a heavy file will be problematic.
2. Do VPN providers store user data in logs?
   Some providers keep logs, while others follow a no-log policy. It all depends on the provider itself. This information may be specified when concluding a user agreement.
3. Do you need to configure an anonymizer after installation
   ? An anonymizer is a site that is able to change the user’s IP address, helping to bypass the blocking of closed resources. Anonymizers do not require downloading or configuration. Just go to the official website of the service and enter the desired link in the search bar.

Hotspot Shield – free VPN for iOS → detailed review

Hotspot Shield is a proven VPN that offers a free plan with limited functionality. However, its capabilities are sufficient to ensure the security and confidentiality of the user's personal data.

When you connect, the app defaults to the server that is closest to your actual location. This allows you to minimize speed losses when transmitting traffic over a secure channel. You can select a location manually if necessary - for example, to bypass geo-blocking. To manually change the server, you must pay for a subscription.

Pros:

• Free version in the application.
• Up to 5 devices per subscription.
• Reliable data encryption.
• Physical and virtual server locations in 27 countries.
• Automatic network disconnection in case of problems with the VPN connection.
• Speed ​​sufficient to watch high-quality videos while bypassing geo-blocking on Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services.
• Unlimited bandwidth.
• Moneyback function for 45 days.
• Family subscription (favorable prices for several people with their own accounts).
• Phone spam blocking option on iOS.

Minuses:

• The exact number of servers is unknown. When connecting, you can select a country; whether a physical or virtual server is used is not clear.
• Limitations of the free version: prohibition on manually changing the location, only the nearest server is available.
• It is unclear if there are servers with P2P support.

Price:

HotspotShield has a free version that you can use without any time limit. It has reduced functionality and has an advertising block. To get rid of banners and get all the features of the service, purchase a license. One month costs $9.99. A year of use of the service can be purchased for $83.88 ($6.99 month). HotspotShield does not offer longer subscription periods. But there is a plan with antivirus, phone spam blocker and password manager - from $7.99 to $12.99 per month. And a family subscription – $11.99-19.99/month for 5 users at once. Trial – 7 days. Subscriptions in the App Store – from 379 to 7390 rubles. (depending on the period).

How to download VPN on iPhone

The easiest way to set up a VPN connection is to download an app from one of the reputable online VPN providers. Many users ask the question “How to download VPN on iPhone?” We offer step-by-step instructions using Surfshark as an example.

Step 1: Select a VPN

Before choosing a specific service, you should fully evaluate your network usage needs and decide which VPN is best for you and your individual needs. Before installing a VPN on your iPhone, study the market. Companies like ExpressVPN and Surfshark are some of the best in the industry when it comes to working with iPhones and iPads.

Step 2. Installation

After choosing a VPN, download and install the application on your iPhone or iPad. Once opened, you will need to register or log in if you have already used this service on another device. Once the process is complete, you will be asked to allow the VPN configuration to be added to your device. Click Allow and the VPN will be automatically configured on your device.

Step 3. How to set up a VPN on iPhone? VPN connection activation and deactivation mode for IPhone/iPad.

To manage your VPN connection on your iOS device, follow these guidelines:

• Go to Settings on the main screen.
• Select General.
• Click on VPN. If you use multiple apps, you can select the one you want to deactivate or activate.
• Switch the status to "Connected" or "Disconnected" to enable or disable the VPN.

Step 4: Manual setup

If you prefer to personally set up a VPN on your iPhone, you will need to take a few extra steps to better control the process of connecting to the network.

Connection algorithm:

• Go to Settings on the main screen.
• Select General.
• Click on VPN.
• Under existing VPN options, select Add VPN Configuration.
• You can choose from three VPN types:

• IKEv2 (short for Internet Key Exchange) is a protocol developed by Cisco and Microsoft. IPSec is an encryption suite that provides strong security and privacy.

• L2TP is the most commonly used VPN with 256-bit encryption. Works slower than other protocols.

• After selecting the appropriate option, click on “Add VPN Configuration” to block it and return to the previous screen.
• Enter the appropriate VPN settings information, including description, ID, and server.
• Enter your username and password in the appropriate fields.
• Select Done.
• On the VPN Configuration screen, switch the status to Connected next to the IPhone VPN you just set up.

The manual configuration option proposed above is optimal for experienced users. For most everyday tasks it is overkill. Data security protection also works with automatic settings in a quality VPN application.

General list (10 pieces)

PREMIUM SERVICES (RECOMMENDED)
1. Guaranteed work in any conditions, affordable prices and high speeds, additional services in one account

   Our review

2. Any number of devices per user, ideal for torrents and streaming services

   Our review

3. Warm and friendly Russian-speaking technical support, the rest is the same as that of market leaders

   Our review

4. The most acceptable premium on the market, also any number of devices in one account

   Our review

AVERAGE (WITH NUANCES)
1. Hotspot Shield

   There is a free plan, but it is supposed to display advertising. Premium subscription is not the cheapest

   Our review

2. ExpressVPN

   Large network of servers, high speeds, split tunneling, but high prices

   Our review

3. CyberGhost

   Dedicated servers for streaming services, special filters for finding the optimal VPN server, reasonable cost

   Our review

4. Windscribe

   There is a free plan with traffic included, and the premium one includes tracker and ad blocking and selection of locations.

   Our review

5. TunnelBear

   Our own technologies for masking connections and tunneling, a large presence network, free traffic included

   Our review

6. Hola VPN

   There is a completely free version for PC, but only a paid subscription is offered for iOS

   Our review

From personal

Here I collect those VPN services that I have personally tried. This is paid, but the price tags are not so steep with a commercial approach, and the quality is high. Let's look:

• NordVPN
• CyberGhost
• ZorroVPN
• ExpressVPN

I don’t know how it is right now, but most likely everything remains at the same level. So I recommend that supporters of paid solutions choose from this list to suit their needs and budget. Proton was also mentioned above - its paid solutions were constantly recommended to me.

That's all. Write comments with your opinion below, ask questions, distribute answers. See you all soon. WiFiGid.

comparison table

To make it easier to understand the capabilities of the applications, we have compiled a summary table with the main characteristics.

The longer the subscription, the greater the savings. For example, when purchasing a tariff for a year, the discount can be up to 80%.

Windscribe

Lately, I’ve been hearing about this service more and more often. Personally, I haven’t gotten around to testing it myself, but reviews and recommendations are all over the place. The main goody is 10 GB per month for each person. There are restrictions, like on streaming content, but it’s definitely worth a try. Bonus – 8 countries and an ad blocker.

OFFICIAL SITE

Download in AppStore

Paid vs. Free – which VPN to choose?

Historically, on Apple platforms, users actively pay for content and applications. But are VPNs worth the money? Why not find a free alternative and use it? In fact, you shouldn't skimp on your safety. Free VPNs are even a priori unsafe, since a large amount of personalized traffic passes through the servers, and you have to pay for computing resources.

Accordingly, where and how will the owners make a profit? They will sell their users' data to advertising networks or serve ads themselves. The only exception is the basic tariffs for paid services (there will most likely be restrictions on locations, traffic volume, etc.). The most correct answer is that it is better to use specialized paid VPNs. Moreover, you also need to make sure of the quality of the latter in advance. Not all paid VPNs are created equal.

When should you use a VPN?

The iOS platform has a well-deserved reputation for being highly secure. But if we talk about protection from hackers in public Wi-Fi networks, surveillance by providers or local network administrators, phones with the Apple nameplate are no better than their competitors. If you frequently access Wi-Fi from a café or airport on your iPhone, it's important to always have your mobile VPN activated.

Otherwise, you risk becoming a victim of cyber fraudsters. Also, due to incorrect Wi-Fi settings, you can lose data, logins, passwords and bank card details. The only way to reliably protect yourself from hackers over Wi-Fi is a VPN.

If you have never used a VPN before, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with their capabilities in our following articles:

• What is a VPN? Accessible in non-technical language
• Are VPNs legal?
• How to Install a VPN on iPhone

Conclusions and recommendations

A VPN service should be on every smartphone, at a minimum, to protect the device and personal data. It also allows you to bypass blocks that often block access to harmless content. We've collected five iOS apps that do these tasks better than others.

1. Nord VPN is the best VPN for iOS. Ensures confidentiality and privacy by providing advanced encryption tools. Allows you to create a list of programs whose traffic is not sent through the VPN channel.
2. Surfshark is a service that, in addition to traffic encryption, offers protection from malicious sites and removal of advertising (CleanWeb function).
3. RusVPN is an alternative service from the Russian team, no less high-quality and reliable compared to major market players, but with Russian-speaking technical support.
4. Atlas VPN – fast and secure VPN servers at the lowest price (if you buy a subscription through the official website). The provider allows you to connect any number of devices to one account.
5. Hotspot Shield is a VPN with powerful servers that allow you to connect to streaming services that are often geo-blocked: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, etc.

All applications perform their assigned tasks efficiently: protect personal information, encrypt traffic, and allow you to bypass territorial blocking. At the same time, the servers provide high transmission speeds, which are enough to watch videos on streaming services and comfortably download large files, including through peer-to-peer networks.

Pros and cons of connecting to a VPN

It’s not for nothing that connecting using a VPN has become widespread in Russia and abroad. The user receives an encrypted channel at his disposal, and this provides additional data security and anonymity on the Internet. VPN can provide additional protection for your passwords and payment card data. An important factor is access to blocked sites. If any resource has been blocked by Roskomnadzor, then by setting up a VPN, you can access it absolutely legally. Here is a partial list of features that a VPN offers:

• bypassing a ban in a game or on a website;
• access to sites and resources blocked at the state level;
• access to sites blocked by the employer at the local network level (just do not install a VPN on your work computer, otherwise the IT department employees will have questions for you);
• free access to foreign online stores (many of them, having determined the user’s location as Russia, send him to the local version of the site, the assortment of which may differ);
• protection from wiretapping by, for example, a system administrator at work.

True, this technology also has a number of disadvantages, among which the largest is the reduced connection speed. The more complex the encryption, the slower the data is transferred. However, this parameter varies among different VPN services. However, do not forget that a fast connection is synonymous with weak encryption. If a service offers you the maximum data transfer speed, then most likely it is not capable of reliably protecting your personal data. But it is great for gaining access to blocked resources.

Most services with truly strong encryption are generally paid. On the other hand, VPN is a relatively cheap way to protect data, which does not even require the purchase of special equipment.