Proton VPN
Swiss-based VPN with a generous free tier, Secure Core architecture, and open-source apps.
Server Network
20,000
servers in 148 countries
Logging Policy
Kill switch included
Jurisdiction
Switzerland
Headquarters
Connections
10
Simultaneous devices
Pricing Plans
30-day money-back guarantee · Free tier available
| Plan | Price | Effective Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Yearly | $47.88 | $3.99 |
| Biennially | $71.76 | $2.99 |
Free plan includes servers in 5 countries, limited to 1 device, medium speeds. No data cap. No ads.
Features
What Proton VPN offers out of the box
Server Network
20,000 servers across 148 countries
Protocols
Review Scores
Proton VPN Review — Privacy You Can Trust, Free · Tested 2025-11-20
Overall
8.0
Performance
7.5
Privacy
9.5
Security
9.0
Streaming
6.5
Torrenting
7.5
Ease of Use
8.0
Value
8.5
Best for Privacy, Limited for Streaming
Proton VPN earns top marks for privacy and transparency. The free tier is genuinely useful, but paid plans need higher speeds and better streaming support to fully compete with NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Pros & Cons
What sets Proton VPN apart — and where it falls short.
Pros
Genuine free tier with no data caps, no ads, no logs
Headquartered in Switzerland — strong privacy jurisdiction
Secure Core architecture protects against network-level attacks
Open-source apps with published audit reports
NetShield ad blocking included on all plans
Cons
Speeds are below average, even on paid plans
Limited streaming support — Netflix only works inconsistently
Smaller server network (69 countries vs 100+ for competitors)
No live chat support — email and ticket-based only
Free tier limited to 2 Mbps and 1 device
Streaming Support
Verified streaming compatibility for major platforms
Torrenting
Overview
Proton VPN is developed by Proton AG, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail, the world’s largest encrypted email service. Swiss privacy laws provide some of the strongest data protection globally. Proton VPN benefits from the company’s broader mission of building a privacy-first internet ecosystem.
The server network includes 2,900+ servers across 69 countries, all physically owned and operated by Proton — no third-party or virtual servers. The service supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols, with a focus on strong encryption (AES-256) and Secure Core architecture that routes traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries.
The free tier is genuinely useful — no data cap, no ads, no logs — with servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan, though speeds are intentionally limited to 2 Mbps and only one device is allowed. Premium plans unlock the full network, up to 10 devices, high-speed streaming, and features like NetShield ad blocking, port forwarding, and Tor over VPN.
Independent security audits by Securitum and SEC Consult have verified Proton VPN’s no-logs claims and application security. The company also publishes its transparency reports and source code for community review.
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Browse VPNs by feature, protocol, platform, country, or streaming service.
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