Proton VPN reviews
Proton VPN is a community-driven VPN service.
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Security & encryption
Proton VPN is a Switzerland-based VPN service that keeps no logs of your internet activity which can compromise your privacy. Our apps are all open source and use only the most secure VPN protocols. Below you can learn more about our privacy and security features.
Strong encryption protocols
Our apps use OpenVPN and IKEv2 because they are secure VPN protocols, and we implement them at their strongest encryption settings.
For example, both OpenVPN and IKEv2 use the following security features:
- AES-256 is an NIST-approved cipher that protects your actual data. It is used by the US government to secure top secret information.
- RSA-4096 is a cipher that secures the TLS key exchange used to establish a secure connection between your device and our VPN servers. There are no known methods to defeat RSA when used with a 4096-bit key size.
- Forward secrecy generates new keys for each VPN session, so even if one session is somehow compromised, no others are. Keys are also rotated regularly within each session
Our apps offer several additional security features to ensure your safety on the internet. DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak protection ensure that your data is always routed through our servers and never to a third party, for example. Meanwhile, our optional kill switch feature stops your internet connection if the VPN ever disconnects, keeping your data protected.
“Regardless of which plan you choose, you’re backed by an impressive security and privacy.”
“It's hard not to be impressed with the lengths Proton's gone to to shore up security and privacy in both its Proton Mail and Proton VPN service.”
“A good VPN I suggest is @protonvpn fast, free, secure, open source and Swiss (which is outside of 5,9, & 14 eye global surveillance cahoots program.”
“I highly recommend @ProtonVPN for an extremely secure VPN with a great reputation. And you can bundle it with @ProtonMail to make your email private instead of having google or yahoo, etc from scraping your inbox and selling your data.”
Trust & transparency
Proton was founded by MIT and CERN scientists, and our ethos is grounded in research, peer review, and transparency. To this end, all our apps are 100% open source so that anyone can examine and collaborate with us to improve our code.
GDPR- and HIPAA-compliant.
Proton VPN’s apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are also audited for vulnerabilities by third-party security firms, the results of which are freely available for anyone to view.
What little data Proton VPN keeps (such as billing information) is protected by Swiss data privacy laws that are among the strongest in the world. We are fully GDPR- and HIPAA-compliant.
Proton VPN publishes a transparency report that details any notable legal requests we receive.
Unlike some other VPN services, Proton VPN is completely open about who we are. The physical address of our headquarters and the names of our directors are a matter of public record(new window), and the names and backgrounds of our leadership team are readily available.
“We were impressed to see that all Proton VPN apps are now open source and audited, though, a level of transparency you'll rarely see elsewhere.”
“Top tier provider dedicated to superior security and transparency.”
Open source of quote(new window)“I really like their transparancy, which makes this trustworthy. If they are lying about keeping logs, we could go to their headquarters and speak to them if we wanted, and we know their names, which means they have a reputation to uphold. They also have a very popular mail service, which means if they lie about their policies, they would not only loose most of their vpn subscribers but also mail users. They have everything to lose by lying. Many other vpn companies are hiding their identity, which means if it was discovered they were logging, they could just shut down and start a new company.”
Open source of quote(new window)“You're right to be careful about choosing a trustworthy VPN. Here is a summary of the reasons that are most convincing for me personally: It's run by one of the most reputable companies in the online privacy industry (ProtonMail), the apps have been audited independently. They chose to be based in Switzerland according to these reasons. If you don't want to pay, they have an unlimited free plan that is purportedly supported by paying users, rather than ads or data logging (this is the reason why I first used ProtonVPN, though I'm on a paid plan now)."”
“Excellent! Trustworthy! Reliable! Helps you get through the day safely without prying eyes looking at you. From a trusted company and a country where privacy is actually valued!”
“This is the only free VPN I trust. No logs, no data selling, and they are 100% straight forward with you in their privacy policy. It’s one of the most secure free VPN’s available and I would highly recommend it.”
Ease of use
Our service is very easy to use and requires zero technical know-how. Once you have installed one of our apps, just select one of our VPN servers to connect to.
Quick Connect
Your connection will now be secure, and you will appear to access the internet from the location of the VPN server you have selected. Our apps even offer a one-click Quick Connect button, which allows the app to pick the best server for you.
- Create a free ProtonVPN account
- Download one of our apps
- Connect to one of our VPN servers
- Your internet connection is private and secure
“Famous Swiss security in an easy-to-use VPN”
“It places an enormous emphasis on security and user privacy, and has an excellent client that's very easy to use.”
“Totally worth it! Easy to use. Easy to connect 👍.”
“This is the best VPN app out there. It has got the best balance between privacy, convenience, performance, and price. No ads and caps while on the free plan easily obliterate the rest of VPN apps.”
Open source of quote(new window)“I prefer to use @ProtonVPN Fast reliable and easy to use and most important it's made by @ProtonMail scientists and engineers You must try at least once”
Open source of quote(new window)“My personal recommendation is @ProtonVPN which has a free tier that you can use forever. It doesn't keep logs so even if someone did try and make hem hand over data, there's nothing to hand over. It's quick, easy to use and easy to set up on your phone and PC.”
Performance & features
Proton VPN is committed to maintaining very fast connections across our entire global VPN server network. Many of our Plus servers are connected to 10 Gbps networks, which can result in very high performance(new window).
Prevent DNS and IPv6 leaks
Our apps offer an exciting range of features. They will keep you safe on the internet by preventing DNS and IPv6 leaks, and all of them feature a kill switch to stop you from accidentally connecting to the internet if the VPN connection fails.
“Proton VPN's base speeds sent it blazing past most of our roster of tested services”
“It also offers a suite of advanced privacy tools usually reserved for far more expensive products.”
“Definitely the best VPN app on the market. Connections are amazing, the price it's fair and the free servers offer amazing speed and almost no slowdowns.”
“Proton is by far the easiest, fastest, and most reliable VPN I’ve ever used”
Open source of quote(new window)“@ProtonVPN give whoever runs server USA-FL #33 a raise or something. That server held on hard during a huge download I had been feeding through there. Lasted 2 days with no speed drop or transfer. Another reason why I’m quickly loving the Proton suit of services”
Open source of quote(new window)“Thank you Proton for making the app natively work on Google Chromecast with Android. I turned on my Chromecast on Christmas day to find the Proton VPN app icon had changed. I thought that's strange. I proceeded to launch the app and to my surprise it has been redesigned for Android TV...”
Customer support
Our knowledgeable customer support team will personally assist you whenever you encounter a problem. As a community-driven service that relies on your support to build a more free and open internet, our interests are closely aligned with yours. We therefore take great care to resolve any question, request, or issue promptly and efficiently.
The Proton VPN website features a support center that makes it easy to get up and running with our service. It includes:
Guides on how to set up a free account, how to enable two-factor authentication for your account, how to reset your Proton VPN account password, and a description of how our human verification account security feature works.
Full and easy-to-follow download and setup guides for our Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS apps.
General information, such as how to share your VPN connection via an Android hotspot and which browsers you can use with Proton VPN.
In-depth guides on accessing streaming content from the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Hotstar, Peacock, and HBO Max.
Troubleshooting tips which address specific concerns raised by our users.
A speed and bandwidth guide that provides a detailed explanation of the apps’ user interface.
If you require further assistance, simply contact our expert support team.
“We found Proton VPN’s customer service to be friendly, thorough, and helpful.”
“As part of our VPN Proton VPN review, we checked out the knowledge base on the company’s site and found it to be extremely helpful, containing the answers to all the most common questions that might arise.”
“I would give the new app 6 stars for the way its now organized. Much better. I love the service and the app.”
“really am a novice at this kind of stuff but they help me and now everything is running just fine . They have very good response rate for their customer service I’m impressed . Thanks”
Open source of quote“I've never once had a service ticket be answered in less than 12 hours, so they are pretty good on this front. And I've sent in maybe 10 or 20 in the last couple of years (usually for some questions about UI functions that I didn't get or something, so stuff that is super low priority for them and I still get a fast response...”
Open source of quote(new window)“Having a great experience so far with @ProtonVPN! Also if you have any questions: their customer service is top notch 👏”
Pricing & Free VPN plan
Proton VPN offers three paid plans, plus a Free plan with no data limits or artificial speed restrictions.
“Its amazing free version that has no limit on data usage, it's an Editors' Choice winner and one of the best VPNs”
“Regardless of which plan you choose, you’re backed by an impressive security and privacy”
“One the best vpns out there. I'm using the free version and it's more than enough. Love these guys. Keep up the great work.”
“This beats the “free” vpns on the app market, its fast reliable and no ads, and most importantly its secure and works as described.”
Open source of quote(new window)“At any time of year (heck - EVERY time of year) having a VPN is too danged useful - so why not have a Swiss-designed VPN that is as reliable as their knives and timepieces, yet doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I have used Proton VPN for months - and it has not cost me a thing. Are they paying me? No...”
Access to our fastest servers and all our advanced features
- 10 VPN connections
- Servers in 110+ countries
- Highest speed (10Gbps)
- Strict no-logs policy
- P2P/BitTorrent support
- Adblocker (NetShield)
- Secure Core VPN
- TOR over VPN
- Access blocked content
