The team behind ExpressVPN, one of the best VPNs, has launched EventVPN, a brand-new free VPN with privacy at its core.
EventVPN is available to download now via the Apple App Store, and claims to be the first to "blend premium VPN architecture with a privacy-first advertising model."
Features include unlimited bandwidth – something not usually seen amongst the best free VPNs – and a kill switch. It also utilises RAM-only servers, supports post-quantum encryption, and offers a very generous 20 server locations for free users. There's also a paid version, which costs $69.99 per year.
On its launch day, we gave EventVPN a quick spin. Here are some of our first impressions.
Our day-one verdict
We'll test EventVPN in detail soon. But for now, this is our day-one verdict.
Positives ✅
For a free VPN, EventVPN packs a punch. It's fast and claims to have unlimited bandwidth – and we never ran into any caps in our testing. Its server spread is the best we've ever seen for a free VPN, and your data is protected by a kill switch and class-leading encryption.
All this is backed up by ExpressVPN's infrastructure, and it benefits from the paid provider's excellent no-logs and security audit record.
Negatives ❌
The app is full of ads. You have to view a full 30-second ad each time you connect or disconnect from the VPN, and when running a speed test. EventVPN says your personal data is never used for advertising purposes, but we haven't yet verified this for ourselves.
You can only protect one device, but this is common for free VPNs. It's also only available on iPhone and Mac.
If you can cope with the intrusive ads, it's a very powerful free VPN. If not, there are better options out there.
Premium privacy at no cost
In a blog post, ExpressVPN says EventVPN has been designed to put "cutting-edge privacy technology in the hands of those who need it most." It warns of "low-quality free VPNs" harvesting your data in order to sell it on, and how EventVPN is a direct response to this.
EventVPN doesn't rely on a backend or database to manage users. It uses Apple account validation and subscription receipts to confirm you have an active subscription.
No personal data is needed to log in. We downloaded the app, read the introductory messages, and were ready to go.
EventVPN issues an anonymous token to connect securely to its ExpressVPN-powered infrastructure. The use of self-wiping RAM-only servers further adds to this, with no user data being stored.
Ads are present in the free version of EventVPN. In-app advertising is run through Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) and Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA) systems.
You have the ability to choose ad permissions, and whether or not you receive personalized ads. The IDFA system creates a unique, random device identifier, which keeps personal information private.
The blog post states "any advertising stays entirely separate and distinct" from the VPN hardware.
A great range of free VPN features
For a free VPN, EventVPN packs in a lot of features. There's a kill switch, RAM-only servers, and its infrastructure is the same one that powers ExpressVPN – meaning it has been audited and is a verified no-logs service.
Your data is protected by ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption, as well as ExpressVPN's new post-quantum WireGuard protocol.
There's a 10 Gbps server network, and access to a claimed 35 countries. However, in our brief testing we could only find 20 countries available on the free plan – this may grow as EventVPN matures. Either way, this server spread far exceeds anything offered by other reputable free VPNs.
We found that its speeds are rapid. We used the app's built-in speed test tool, as well as Google's speed test tool, to measure speeds on a UK and US VPN. Both locations topped out at over 500 Mbps.
Unlimited bandwidth means you can browse the web without running out of data. We haven't tested this claim yet, so can't say whether any throttling or speed reductions occur after a certain amount of data usage. However, this is a boon for privacy, and means anyone can connect and go about their day, safe in the knowledge their VPN is up and running.
We haven't had the chance to test out EventVPN's streaming capabilities. In theory, fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and access to ExpressVPN's infrastructure could see it compete with the best streaming VPNs.
Upgrading to the paid version will see your device limit increase to eight, with 125+ locations available. It costs $69.99 per year – or $9.99 for a single month – although we were offered a one-time in-app offer to subscribe for $34.99 per year. The price appears to be the same in GBP.
The app also has built-in secure browsers, including Brave and DuckDuckGo, for added online privacy.
"The nature of privacy is changing materially across the world. Social media bans, censorship, and restrictions of digital accessibility are on the rise and, in many ways, have become expected," said Shay Peretz, Chief Operating Officer at ExpressVPN.
"Each and every time online privacy is threatened, downloads of unsafe VPNs peak. Privacy should be a human right, not just limited to those who can pay for it with money."
There are ads – and they're intrusive
While EventVPN's app is sensibly laid-out, it's certainly not as easy-to-use as ExpressVPN.
The major downside of the app is the ads: it's full of them. You have to sit through a 30-second ad after pressing "Connect," and then sit through another one when you want to disconnect. This means changing servers takes at least one minute.
Ads sit across the top of the home screen, and they play at least twice when running a speed test – once before commencing the test, and then again before you can see the results.
These ads allow for such a feature-packed VPN. You may think they're a fair trade-off. But we wouldn't be surprised if some see the app as unusable.
The home screen's UI didn't blow us away, and it's a little rough around the edges. However, it's interactive and allows you to swipe between a selection of recommended servers.
You can access your profile and settings in the bottom right corner and see all server locations by clicking "See All Locations" just below the connect button.
For free users, there are servers in every continent and countries include the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan, Brazil, India (via Singapore), Turkey, and Canada.
All countries except the US have one location. The US boasts 17.
How to download EventVPN
EventVPN is available now, but only for Apple users. iPhone and Mac VPN apps can be installed from the App Store, and no sign-up details appear to be required.
Search for EventVPN on the Apple App Store and click "Get." Once downloaded, simply open the app, follow the instructions, and you're ready to go.
At launch, EventVPN comes with Liquid Glass support for the newly released iOS 26. If you're looking for one of the best iPhone VPNs but have a strict budget, you may want to check out EventVPN.
ExpressVPN clarified that EventVPN is separate from ExpressVPN, with separate subscriptions. ExpressVPN remains the provider's "flagship service."
It said "EventVPN is built for simplicity on iOS and macOS, while ExpressVPN provides a full-featured privacy experience across devices and operating systems."
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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