Head-to-head · Free VPNs for iPhone
TunnelBear vs Psiphon
TunnelBear leads on 0 checks, Psiphon on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreTunnelBear · 8.8/10
- Free planboth
TunnelBear scores higher on our rubric for free vpns for iphone: 8.8 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.
TunnelBear is the better fit for iPhone users seeking audited privacy and simple protection. Psiphon is the better fit for users needing VPN access on restrictive networks.
- TunnelBear fits best
iPhone users seeking audited privacy and simple protection
- Psiphon fits best
Users needing VPN access on restrictive networks
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Side by side
| Feature | TunnelBear 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | Psiphon 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #4 in Free VPNs for iPhone | #7 in Free VPNs for iPhone |
| Best for | iPhone users seeking audited privacy and simple protection | Users needing VPN access on restrictive networks |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $3.33/mo | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, Linux | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features TunnelBear 0/1 · Psiphon 0/1 | ||
| Ads in free app | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Free data limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Free server locations | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Simultaneous connections | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Supported protocols | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Streaming support | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| P2P support | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | TunnelBear provides encrypted VPN connections for consumers and teams, including an iPhone app. Users can connect through VPN locations in different countries, while features such as VigilantBear block traffic during reconnection and… Read the review → |
Psiphon is open-source censorship-circumvention software for people trying to access content blocked by governments, institutions, or networks. It is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, with a free service and optional… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
TunnelBear — where it wins
- Free plan includes 2 GB of secure browsing
- Annual independent security audits and a reconnection kill switch
- Offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols
Where it doesn't
- Free browsing is limited to 2 GB
- Streaming services may block VPN traffic
- Unlimited browsing and location selection require a paid plan
Psiphon — where it wins
- Combines VPN, SSH, and HTTP/SOCKS proxy connectivity with traffic obfuscation
- Automatically discovers servers across more than 20 selectable countries
- Offers open-source clients and split tunneling on Android
Where it doesn't
- It is designed for circumvention rather than conventional VPN use
- Whole-device tunneling depends on supported configurations
- Paid subscriptions are needed to remove ads and increase speed
- TunnelBear8.8/10 · Free plan
A straightforward iPhone VPN with a 2 GB free plan and privacy-focused protections.
Visit TunnelBearFull verdict → - Psiphon8.3/10 · Free plan
A free, multi-mode tool for reaching blocked content, with optional faster, ad-free subscriptions.
Visit PsiphonFull verdict →
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All free VPNs for iphone comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update