Proton
Proton VPN
Proton VPN delivers elite privacy and strong WireGuard speeds, but long-term reliability and server control frustrate power users.
Get this if you want uncompromising privacy jurisdiction, but skip it if you need granular server selection and rock-solid connection stability.
Owners consistently praise Proton VPN for its Switzerland-based jurisdiction, strict no-logs policy, and transparent open-source apps that undergo independent audits. The introduction of WireGuard has dramatically improved everyday performance, with many owners reporting fast download and upload speeds that handle daily browsing, streaming, and torrenting with ease.
However, the community frequently highlights significant drawbacks regarding control and consistency. Owners express frustration over the inability to manually select specific servers within a country, leaving them stuck with congested default hubs. Furthermore, long-term subscribers report recurring connection drops, occasional speed slumps, and compatibility blocks with specific banking sites and regional login providers.
Customer support experiences remain mixed, with technical assistance receiving better marks than billing or general inquiries, which often suffer from slow response times. While the free tier is widely celebrated for offering unlimited bandwidth and strong security, paid long-term plans face criticism for high costs relative to some competitors.
Owners Love
- +Strict Switzerland-based no-logs policy backed by independent audits and open-source transparency
- +High-speed connections using the WireGuard protocol for daily browsing and streaming
- +Generous free tier featuring unlimited bandwidth and robust security protections
Owners Flag
- −Inability to manually select specific servers within a country, leading to potential congestion
- −Recurring connection drops and unpredictable stability issues reported by long-term users
- −Website and banking service blocks caused by VPN detection
"The past couple of days, Proton VPN is really slow the last week and become unusable."
After 6–12 Months
Long-term subscribers frequently note that while speeds have improved overall through protocol updates, recurring connection drops and fluctuating server performance over months of daily use can test patience.
Best for
Privacy-focused users who prioritize transparent, audited security and strong free-tier protections.
Not for
Power users who demand manual server selection and absolute connection stability for heavy tasks.
Verdict based on owner experiences across owner communities. Last updated October 2026. How we build a verdict →
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What owners report, topic by topic
Privacy and Security
Owners highly value the Switzerland jurisdiction, transparent open-source apps, and strict no-logs policy.
Speed and Performance
Speeds are generally fast with WireGuard, though some owners experience sudden slowdowns and inconsistent connections.
Server Control
Owners dislike the lack of granular control, noting they are restricted to an auto-selected hub per country.
Free Tier
The free option is widely praised for unlimited bandwidth despite lacking streaming and torrenting support.
Inside Proton VPN
Images provided by the maker.
Proton VPN pricing
| Plan | Per month | Term |
|---|---|---|
| VPN Plus2 yearsBilled $83.76 for the first 24 months, then $83.88 every 12 months | $3.49 | 2 years |
| VPN Plus1 month | $9.99 | 1 month |
| Proton Unlimited2 yearsBilled $191.76 for the first 24 months, then $119.88 every 12 months | $7.99 | 2 years |
| Proton Unlimited1 month | $12.99 | 1 month |
A free plan is also available.
Prices last checked on October 14, 2026. Promotions and prices change, so confirm on the official site before you buy.
Seen what owners report? Compare the current plans on the official site.
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Specifications
- Servers
- 20,000+ in 140+ countries
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Free plan
- Yes, servers in 10 countries chosen at random
- Devices at once
- 10 on VPN Plus, 1 on Free
- Open source apps
- Yes
- Streaming and P2P
- Paid plans
- Money-back guarantee
- 30 days
- Ad and malware blocker
- NetShield, paid plans
Key Features
- ✓20,000+ servers in 140+ countries on VPN Plus
- ✓Up to 10 devices at once on VPN Plus
- ✓NetShield blocks ads, trackers and malware
- ✓Secure Core sends traffic through an extra server hop
- ✓Kill switch keeps your IP hidden if the connection drops
- ✓Streaming and P2P supported on paid plans
- ✓Open source apps, based in Switzerland, no activity logs
- ✓Free plan: 1 device, servers in 10 countries, no ads
Proton VPN: common questions
Does Proton VPN have a free plan?
Yes. Proton Free protects 1 device at a time at medium speed, with servers in 10 countries chosen at random. It shows no ads and follows the same no-logs policy as the paid plans.
How many devices does VPN Plus cover?
Up to 10 devices at the same time.
Can I stream and torrent with Proton VPN?
Streaming and P2P are included on VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited, not on the free plan. How well streaming works in practice is covered in the owner verdict above.
Where is Proton VPN based?
Switzerland. Proton says it keeps no activity logs, and its apps are open source so anyone can inspect the code.
What does Proton Unlimited add over VPN Plus?
Proton Unlimited bundles VPN Plus with the premium plans of Proton Pass, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton Drive, including 500 GB of storage.
Can I get a refund?
Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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