Proton VPN Overview
Proton VPN comes from the same Swiss company that created ProtonMail, bringing serious privacy credentials to the VPN world. Based in Switzerland with some of the world's strongest data protection laws, Proton VPN positions itself as the choice for users who prioritize privacy above all else.
What sets Proton VPN apart is their commitment to transparency. All their apps are open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code to verify their privacy claims. They also offer a genuinely useful free tier, which is rare in the VPN industry.
But privacy credentials don't mean much if the service doesn't perform well in daily use. We tested Proton VPN extensively to see how it stacks up against the competition in terms of speed, streaming capabilities, and overall user experience.
✓ Pros
- Strong Swiss privacy laws protect user data
- Open-source apps you can verify and trust
- Secure Core routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries
- Solid free tier with unlimited data
- Regular independent security audits
- No-logs policy verified by auditors
- Built-in ad and malware blocker (NetShield)
- Supports up to 10 devices simultaneously
✗ Cons
- Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- Limited streaming server options
- More expensive than many competitors
- Smaller server network compared to top providers
- Free tier has limited server access
- No dedicated streaming profiles
Security and Privacy
Proton VPN's security foundation is rock-solid. They use AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by governments and militaries worldwide. Their implementation of the WireGuard protocol is particularly well-done, offering excellent security with good performance.
Swiss Privacy Laws
Switzerland has some of the world's strongest privacy protections. Unlike countries in the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance, Switzerland has no mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers. This means Proton VPN can truthfully claim they don't store logs because they're not legally required to.
Secure Core Technology
Proton VPN's unique Secure Core feature routes your traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden before reaching its final destination. This provides an extra layer of protection against network monitoring and traffic analysis.
While this double-hop approach can slow down your connection, it's invaluable if you're in a country with heavy internet surveillance or if you're dealing with sensitive information.
Open Source Transparency
All of Proton VPN's applications are open-source, meaning security researchers can examine the code for vulnerabilities or privacy issues. This level of transparency is rare in the VPN industry and shows real commitment to user privacy.
Speed Performance
Speed performance is where Proton VPN shows some inconsistency. In our testing, speeds varied significantly depending on server location and time of day. Here's what we found:
Speed Test Results
US East Coast servers: Average download speeds of 85-120 Mbps on a 200 Mbps connection. Upload speeds maintained well at 40-55 Mbps. Ping times averaged 25-35ms.
European servers: Slightly better performance with 95-140 Mbps download speeds. The Switzerland and Netherlands servers were particularly fast and reliable.
WireGuard vs OpenVPN: WireGuard consistently delivered 20-30% better speeds than OpenVPN, with significantly lower battery usage on mobile devices.
VPN Accelerator
Proton VPN includes VPN Accelerator technology that uses multiple parallel connections to improve performance. In our testing, this feature provided noticeable improvements on longer-distance connections, particularly when connecting from the US to European servers.
Streaming and Unblocking
Streaming performance is decent but not exceptional. Proton VPN can unblock major streaming platforms, though it doesn't have the specialized streaming servers that some competitors offer.
Netflix Performance
We successfully accessed Netflix US, UK, and several other regional libraries. However, access isn't guaranteed on all servers, and you might need to try a few different ones to find one that works consistently.
Other Streaming Services
- Hulu: Works reliably with US servers
- BBC iPlayer: Accessible with UK servers, though occasionally blocked
- Disney+: Mixed results depending on server and region
- Amazon Prime Video: Generally works well
While Proton VPN can handle streaming, it's not their main focus. If streaming is your primary concern, you might want to consider providers with dedicated streaming servers.
Key Features
NetShield Ad Blocker
Built-in ad and tracker blocking that works across all your devices and apps, not just your web browser.
Kill Switch
Automatically blocks internet access if your VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
Split Tunneling
Choose which apps use the VPN and which connect directly to the internet for optimal performance.
Tor over VPN
Access the Tor network through VPN servers for maximum anonymity and privacy protection.
P2P Support
Optimized servers for torrenting and file sharing with good speeds and strong privacy protection.
Multi-Platform Support
Native apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux with consistent features across platforms.
Pricing and Plans
Proton VPN's pricing is on the higher side compared to budget options, but reasonable given their privacy focus and Swiss location.
Free Plan
The free tier is genuinely useful with unlimited data, which is rare. However, you're limited to servers in just three countries (US, Netherlands, Japan) and can only use one device at a time. Speeds are also limited, but it's perfect for testing the service.
Paid Plans (as of October 2025)
- VPN Basic: $4.99/month (billed annually) - Core VPN features, 2 devices
- VPN Plus: $7.99/month (billed annually) - Plus features, streaming servers, 10 devices
- Proton Unlimited: $12.99/month (billed annually) - Includes ProtonMail, Drive, and Calendar
All paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test the service.
Ready to Try Proton VPN?
Start with their free tier or get full access with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get Proton VPN →Final Verdict
Proton VPN is an excellent choice if privacy is your top priority. The Swiss jurisdiction, open-source transparency, and Secure Core technology make it one of the most trustworthy VPNs available. The free tier is also genuinely useful, making it easy to test before committing.
However, if you need the fastest possible speeds or extensive streaming capabilities, other providers might serve you better. Proton VPN's focus on privacy sometimes comes at the expense of raw performance.
Best For:
- Privacy-conscious users who want maximum protection
- People living in countries with heavy internet surveillance
- Users who value open-source transparency
- Anyone wanting a solid free VPN option
Not Ideal For:
- Users who prioritize speed over privacy
- Heavy streamers who need reliable access to all platforms
- Budget-conscious users looking for the cheapest option
Bottom Line: Proton VPN delivers on its privacy promises with Swiss protection, open-source transparency, and innovative security features. While speeds can be inconsistent and streaming capabilities limited, it's an excellent choice for privacy-focused users who don't want to compromise on security.