Spam guide › VPN
Do you need a VPN?
Maybe not. Here's what a VPN does, what it doesn't, and the free options already on your phone.
What a VPN actually does
A VPN sends your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN company's server. Websites see that server's location instead of yours, and the Wi-Fi network you're on (a coffee shop, hotel or airport) can't see what you're doing.
What it won't do
A VPN won't stop spam calls or texts, won't remove you from data broker lists, and won't stop websites you sign into from knowing who you are. It also doesn't make you anonymous: the VPN company itself can see your traffic, so who you pick matters.
You may not need one
Most websites already use HTTPS (the padlock), which encrypts what you send even on public Wi-Fi. A VPN mostly helps on networks you don't trust, when you don't want your internet provider logging the sites you visit, or when you want to appear in another location.
Free options you may already have
iPhone: iCloud+ includes Private Relay (Settings › your name › iCloud › Private Relay). It hides your IP address in Safari, but it isn't a full VPN, and other apps aren't covered. Google Pixel 7 and newer: VPN by Google is built in (Settings › Network & internet › VPN › VPN by Google). Any device: Proton VPN has a free plan with no data cap; you can't pick the server and it works on one device at a time.
Avoid random free VPN apps
App stores are full of free "VPN Proxy" apps from companies you've never heard of. Running a VPN costs money, so a free one with no paid plan is often paid for with your data. Stick with a known name or a built-in option.
Or, if you want a paid VPN
Worth it if you're often on public Wi-Fi, travel, or want one app covering every device. Look for an independent no-logs audit and a monthly plan you can cancel.
In no particular order. Prices and features change; check each site. A VPN is one layer, not a fix for spam. For that, start with the spam guide.