Proton VPN is a free , loose - sourcevirtual secret connection servicewith premium features at affordable subscription price . CERN scientists create Proton AG in 2014 to ensure private communication for all and Proton VPN plays a big part , along with Proton Mail , Proton Pass , and more . A decade later , Proton apps are still free and better than ever .
I screen on an Intel - based microcomputer but Proton VPN now support Windows subdivision devices also . It ’s to the full cross - platform and work on macOS , Linux , iOS , Android , ChromeOS , and Android TV .
Specs
Tiers and pricing
Proton Free includes all Proton apps . That means you could instal Proton ’s VPN , e-mail , parole manager , calendar , and encrypted cloud storage software and use them without a subscription .
Proton ’s free VPN countenance unlimited data point transfer and unrestricted use for as long as you need while encrypting your internet traffic and protecting your secrecy . There are no ads , and Proton Free doesn’tlog your bodily function as many destitute VPNs do .
Proton Free received a massive update since my August 2024 critique , rocketing from just 136 servers to 2,300 in 2025 . Proton also rig up gratis VPN server in Poland and Romania in addition to the United States , the Netherlands , and Japan . However , server survival of the fittest is reflex , so you do n’t get to choose your preferred location .
The servers available in the paid interpretation are plentiful and fast enough to support cyclosis and torrenting . Proton VPN Plus has advanced privacy option like the Stealth protocol that aid split up through administrative firewalls , Secure Core that take in two server hops to assure maximal security , split - tunneling , and more .
Proton VPN Plus cost $ 10 if you prefer the monthly plan . While little - term subscriptions always cost more , Mullvad VPN offer entire anonymityat a monthly monetary value of about $ 5 .
After a couple of years of service , that will cost you $ 240 , but you’re able to cut the long - term damage by 55 % with a $ 108 two - year subscription . An yearly subscription price $ 60 , a 50 % saving . Renewal prices are generally about the same as your initial price . The monthly cost averages $ 4.50 . While that ’s low-cost for a high-pitched - quality , privacy - focalise service , there are better VPN hand .
Proton also offer bundle deals that include paid subscriptions to every Proton service . Couples and families have new bundle plans as well . Proton Duo provides two account for $ 180 annually . Proton Family includes six accounts for $ 288 each year .
Proton Unlimited provides secure email , a VPN , a word managing director , code swarm storage , and more . A two - yr subscription to Proton Unlimited has the best note value at $ 192 . The annual plan is $ 120 , and a monthly subscription be $ 13 .
Design
After installing the Proton VPN Windows app , a quick tour pointed out four basic controls . That ’s enough to get start and it ’s easy to unite with a big empurpled button at the top leave alone for a quick connection to the fastest server at that time . Below that , a long list of country lets me connect to a server with a scummy load or browse through all uncommitted server to beak a particular region .
There are quick - on/off switch buttons at the top of that list . With one click , I can enable Secure Core for extra security , NetShield for ad and malware blocking , a putting to death switch that blocks the net if the VPN drops , and a toggle for port promotion .
I was n’t prompted to install a web browser extension , but I feel the Proton VPN extension in the Chrome Web Store . I could do everything I needed with the app , but I added the extension for convenience . It turn out to be more essential than I expect .
More ripe feature are usable in scope . In my previous followup , I noted each server had a colored set . The meaning was n’t immediately unmistakable . In 2025 , hovering over a circle reveals a server onus part and Proton habituate the traffic light symbology — green is fastest , yellow is average speed , and red is slowest .
Features
Proton ’s free VPN was fast than some pay off services , reaching 74 % native speed . upper and dependableness are top consideration for a VPN , and Proton VPN is among the best . measure performance onSpeedTest.net , the free version of Proton VPN managed downloads at 74 % of my aboriginal ISP speed . Even more surprising , that was after the extension automatically chose a server located in the Netherlands , far from my place in Canada .
Switching to my Proton VPN subscription account , I run several speed tests while connected to server around the existence . My connection never dropped , and my bandwidth was good enough for cyclosis on every server I check .
Without the VPN , I get over 900Mbps over Ethernet , both for downloads and uploads . The Proton VPN Plus default speedy connection to a nearby host in Canada maintained an impressive 867 Mbps ( 41 ms ping ) . Upload speed improved greatly over last yr , reaching 119 Mbps ( 32 ms ping ) .
I tested the Proton VPN Windows app and discover it was significantly slower . On the dissolute Canadian server , downloads fall by one-half to 453 Mbps . I double - checked and everything should have been work .
I had the reverse experience with AdGuard . Its internet browser extension had 56 % of the fastness ofthe AdGuard VPN app , which had telling carrying out . I did n’t penalise AdGuard for this error , since there ’s a unsubdivided workaround . Still , it ’s deserving note the inconsistency .
I kept ascertain different locations and found Windows app speeds were 49 % to 88 % as tight as the browser app extension service . I alternate to the extension service for further performance test and reported the issue to Proton .
Despite this glitch , I was quite proud of with Proton VPN ’s f number hike in 2025 . I measured 848 Mbps down and 90 up for a nearby U.S. server . Overseas connections are often much slower , but Proton VPN essay speedy everywhere with European servers birth downloads of over 600 Mbps . Uploads ranged from 5 Mbps to 8 Mbps , a common progeny for all VPNs when prefer a upstage server .
When I switched on Secure Core , Proton VPN expel my dealings through two servers in Iceland and Canada . While a double record hop makes it impossible to track my activity , it will have slowdown . Still , streaming was potential with 329 Mbps downloads and 1 Mbps uploads . That surety might be essential for orphic projects , but a ping near 300ms is too high-pitched for gaming .
Malware block is an additional feature admit with a paid Proton VPN subscription . I spot - checked this feature by visitingWicar.org , a website that hosts 13 malware test . Unfortunately , Proton VPN Plus did n’t freeze any of these simulated menace .
I reached out to customer support to happen out why and learned that Proton mention to a database of internet site sleep with to host malware . Proton VPN Pluscan’t replace the best antivirus package , so it ’s good to think of NetShield as an ad blocker , not a consummate malware root .
A relatively new solvent bundlesthe fast Surfshark VPNwith complete malware tribute fromSurfshark One antivirus . Both are solid apps in their own right wing and the combination offers incredible value . The only concern is that Surfshark One has limited third - company testing .
Support
Proton offers live Old World chat support for pay indorser . I could look or browse support papers or scroll to the bottom of the support center to open a live New World chat .
hot agents are useable 15 hour daily , midnight to 3 p.m. PT or 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET . Since it ’s a Swiss company , the hour might seem curious for U.S. residents , but there are plenty of chances to get help in the morning or good afternoon .
When I tested customer servicing , the response was immediate and informative . I asked about the malware test result that I described above . Then I confirmed the live confab hours .
Support was fast and helpful in my experience .
Privacy and security
Proton was created to make private communicating usable to everyone , and the company has never strayed from that deputation . Encryption and security arrive first with Proton Mail , VPN , Pass , Drive , and other Proton apps .
Proton does n’t lumber your activity or store your data . Since it ’s settle in Switzerland , Proton VPN is n’t dependent to datum asking from government intelligence service alliances like Five Eyes , Nine Eyes , or Fourteen Eyes that bypass some state ’ privacy laws . However , Proton must follow with Swiss police force .
Forbesnoted that the metadata of a Proton Mail user was shared with the FBI in 2020 . The FBI had to touch Swiss authorities to do so but roll up enough data to track down someone who threatened a government official . This is a rare example of Proton share minimal data with potency , and I still rely Proton Mail with my data .
I could n’t happen any record of a security breach at Proton VPN or any Proton servicing . Overall , Proton ’s security and privacy criminal record is excellent .
Is Proton VPN right for you?
Proton VPN is one of the profligate and most secure VPNs and the latest updates increase performance further . That ’s why it clear a position onour list of ExpressVPN and NordVPN alternatives .
While Proton VPN Plus offers good time value , Proton Unlimited add several more services likethe well - rated Proton Pass watchword managerand Proton Mail to make out your seclusion software system with great bundle pricing .
Proton Duo and Proton Family offer up redundant savings for couples and families . However , it shape good for mob with six members . There ’s no price break if you only need three to five accounts .
Proton Free is hard to beat if you require a truehearted , uncapped VPN at no charge . However , Proton VPN subscription unlock your pet fix for loyal streaming with safe servers anywhere in the world . If you already apply Proton Mail or Proton Pass , Proton VPN is a worthful addition to your plan .
