A VPN is one of the best ways to protect your privacy online, and Proton VPN takes privacy more seriously than most. Built by the Swiss team behind Proton Mail, it runs on a strict no-logs policy with fully open-source, independently audited apps, and it's covered by some of the world's strongest privacy laws.
Proton VPN is also one of the only VPNs with a genuinely useful free plan, while its paid tiers add 20,000+ servers, up to 10 simultaneous connections, and strong streaming performance. It's an excellent fit for travel, streaming, and everyday online privacy.
Proton VPN features
Here are the main features of Proton VPN.
Why You Want It
Privacy-first VPN from the makers of Proton Mail + Genuinely free plan + 20,000+ servers in 145+ countries
Special Features
- Genuinely free plan with unlimited data and no ads
- Connect up to 10 devices at once
Provinces
ALL
Features
Estimated # Of Servers
20,075
# Of Connections At Once
10
Minimum Price Per Month
US$2.99
Maximum Price Per Month
US$9.99
Plan Length Required To Get Min Price Per Month (Years)
2
Money-Back Guarantee Length (Days)
30
Available On Windows
Available On MacOS
Available On Android
Available On IOS
The Proton VPN scores highly for privacy: it's Swiss-based, keeps no logs, and its apps are open source and independently audited. Add a large server network, strong streaming performance, up to 10 connections, and a genuinely free plan, and it's one of the most well-rounded VPNs we've reviewed. The main knocks are no native game-console apps and a high month-to-month price relative to its long-term plans.
Rating methodology
To get our scores for VPNs, we look at over 15 data points, taking into account things like pricing, number of servers, and devices it can be used on. We then compare these features to all other VPNs, giving each feature a score out of 5. We then put all these scores through our own algorithm to produce a final Genius Rating out of 5.
Proton VPN product rating: 4.8 stars
The Proton VPN scores highly for privacy: it's Swiss-based, keeps no logs, and its apps are open source and independently audited. Add a large server network, strong streaming performance, up to 10 connections, and a genuinely free plan, and it's one of the most well-rounded VPNs we've reviewed. The main knocks are no native game-console apps and a high month-to-month price relative to its long-term plans.
Learn more about our rating methodology.
The pros of Proton VPN
Here are the things we like about Proton VPN:
Pros
Privacy-first and Swiss-based
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. It runs a strict no-logs policy and its apps are fully open source and independently audited, so you don't have to take its word for it.
A genuinely free plan
Unlike most VPNs, Proton VPN offers a free plan with unlimited data and no ads. It's a rare way to get real VPN protection at no cost, though paid plans unlock far more servers and features.
Thousands of servers worldwide
There's no shortage of servers with Proton VPN. They currently have over 20,075 servers available, located in 145+ countries across the globe, with strong speeds for streaming and travel.
Part of the Proton ecosystem
Proton VPN is one piece of a wider privacy suite that also includes Proton Mail, Proton Pass, and Proton Drive. If you bundle them through Proton Unlimited, you get encrypted email, a password manager, and secure cloud storage alongside your VPN – all under one privacy-focused account.
Full 30-day refund
If you're not happy with how ProtonVPN performs, they offer a full refund within 30 days of purchase. The process for requesting a refund depends on how you purchased the product, whether on the website, through Google Play or on the App Store.
NetShield ad-blocker included
Tired of all those ads and browser trackers? Proton VPN includes NetShield with built-in ad-blockers, as well as features that help protect against malware and block trackers from monitoring your browsing habits.
The cons of Proton VPN
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind with Proton VPN:
Cons
No native game-console apps
You can use Proton VPN on most devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Apple TV. However, there are no native apps for game consoles like Xbox or PlayStation – you'd need to set it up at the router level instead.
Proton VPN alternatives
Here's how Proton VPN compares to other VPNs:
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Proton VPN | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Private Internet Access |
| Genius Rating | ||||
| Why You Want It | Privacy-first VPN from the makers of Proton Mail + Genuinely free plan + 20,000+ servers in 145+ countries | Get fast, secure VPN access on your device + 30-day money back guarantee. | Get access to American Netflix and more + A free password manager. | 30-day money-back guarantee + Built-in adblock for extra protection. |
| Estimated # Of Servers | 20,075 | 6,000 | 3,500 | 35,000 |
| # Of Connections At Once | 10 | 10 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Minimum Price Per Month | US$2.99 | $5.06 | US$3.49 | US$1.98 |
| Maximum Price Per Month | US$9.99 | $16.59 | US$19.99 | US$11.95 |
| Plan Length Required To Get Min Price Per Month (Years) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Show More | ||||
| Apply Now See more Proton products Compare | Apply Now See more NordVPN products Compare | Apply Now See more ExpressVPN products Compare | Learn More See more Private Internet Access products Compare |
FAQ
Is Proton VPN really free?
Yes. Proton VPN offers a genuinely free plan with unlimited data and no ads, though it's limited to one device and a smaller set of server locations. Paid plans unlock 20,000+ servers, up to 10 devices, and faster speeds.
What are Proton VPN's prices?
Proton VPN's prices start at US$9.99 if you go month by month, or US$2.99 if you sign up for a 2 year plan.
Where is Proton VPN based?
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, which has strong privacy protections. It maintains a no-logs policy and its apps are open source and independently audited.
Does Proton VPN work with streaming services?
Yes. Proton VPN works with popular streaming services and offers dedicated apps for Android TV and Apple TV, making it a solid choice for unblocking content while travelling.
Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone, and is not endorsed or sponsored by a bank, credit card issuer, rewards program or other entity. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website.
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