Proton VPN Review (2025)

Proton VPN, developed by Proton AG, a Swiss-based company founded by CERN scientists, stands out as a top-tier VPN service prioritizing privacy, security, and accessibility. With a robust free tier and feature-rich paid plans, it’s a compelling choice for users seeking online anonymity and unrestricted internet access. Below is a detailed review based on its features, performance, and value.

Key Strengths

1. Unmatched Privacy and Security: Proton VPN operates under Switzerland’s stringent privacy laws, outside the jurisdiction of surveillance alliances like Five Eyes. Its strict no-logs policy, independently audited, ensures no user activity or IP addresses are stored. All apps are open-source, allowing public scrutiny for vulnerabilities, and use strong encryption (AES-256, ChaCha20, and 4096 RSA) with Perfect Forward Secrecy. Features like Secure Core (multi-hop routing through privacy-friendly countries) and full-disk encrypted servers provide advanced protection against cyber threats and man-in-the-middle attacks.

2. Best-in-Class Free Plan: Proton VPN’s free tier is exceptional, offering unlimited bandwidth, no ads, and access to servers in five countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland). Unlike most free VPNs, it doesn’t compromise privacy or sell user data, making it ideal for casual users. However, it limits users to one device, lacks torrenting support, and doesn’t allow manual server selection.

3. Extensive Server Network: With over 6,500 servers across 110+ countries, Proton VPN ensures reliable connections worldwide, particularly in regions like Africa and Asia where other providers may lack coverage. Paid plans unlock high-speed 10 Gbps servers, city-level server selection, and features like VPN Accelerator, which boosts speeds by up to 400% through optimized routing.

    

4. Streaming and Torrenting: Proton VPN Plus and Unlimited plans excel at unblocking streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. It supports P2P file-sharing on dedicated servers, making it a great choice for torrenting. The free plan, however, doesn’t support streaming or torrenting.

5. User-Friendly Apps with Advanced Features: Proton VPN’s apps are intuitive across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even Android TV, with a sleek interface featuring a world map for server selection. Advanced features include Profiles (customizable connection settings), NetShield (ad and malware blocker), Split Tunneling, and a Kill Switch (though the macOS version has noted limitations due to T2 chip issues). The Stealth protocol helps bypass censorship, making it effective in restrictive regions.

6. Transparency and Trust: Proton VPN’s open-source framework, regular third-party audits, and transparent reporting of legal requests enhance its credibility. Its community-driven ethos and transition to a Swiss non-profit structure further solidify its commitment to user privacy over profit.

    

Areas for Improvement

1. Speed Variability: While Proton VPN is fast, with an average download speed loss of around 16%, it’s not the fastest compared to competitors like NordVPN (3% loss). Speeds vary by location and server load, and the free tier is throttled compared to paid plans.

2. Customer Support: Support is limited to email tickets and a knowledge base, with no live chat option. Some users report slow response times, which can be frustrating for urgent issues.

3. Pricing: The free plan is unbeatable, but paid plans start at $9.99/month, with annual plans at $4.99/month ($59.88/year) and two-year plans at $4.49/month ($107.76). While competitive, it’s pricier than some rivals like Surfshark. The Proton Unlimited plan ($8.99/month for two years) bundles additional services (Proton Mail, Drive, Pass), which may not appeal to VPN-only users.

4. Free Plan Limitations: The free tier’s restrictions (one device, no streaming/torrenting, limited server locations) may push users toward paid plans for full functionality.

Performance Testing

Recent tests (April 2025) show Proton VPN delivers solid speeds for browsing, streaming, and gaming, with minimal latency (e.g., 49ms vs. 43ms without VPN). It reliably unblocks geo-restricted content and maintains stable connections, though speeds drop more significantly on distant servers (e.g., Japan from Europe). No IP or DNS leaks were detected, though the macOS kill switch issue warrants caution for Apple users.

Pricing and Plans

• Free: Unlimited data, 1 device, 5 countries, no logs, no streaming/torrenting.

• VPN Plus: $4.49–$9.99/month, 10 devices, 6,500+ servers, streaming, P2P, NetShield, Secure Core.

• Proton Unlimited: $8.99/month (two-year plan), includes VPN Plus, Proton Mail, Drive, Pass, and 5GB cloud storage.

A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to paid plans.

Who It’s For

Proton VPN is ideal for privacy-conscious users, frequent travelers, and streamers seeking a secure, versatile VPN. Its free plan suits budget users needing basic protection, while paid plans cater to power users requiring advanced features, multi-device support, and streaming/torrenting capabilities. However, those prioritizing top speeds or live support may consider alternatives like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Verdict

Proton VPN earns its reputation as a privacy powerhouse with a stellar free plan, robust security, and a vast server network. While it lags slightly in speed and customer support, its transparency, open-source apps, and streaming prowess make it a top contender. For users valuing privacy above all, Proton VPN is hard to beat.

Homepage Link: Proton VPN