Proton VPN Review (2026) – Best Free VPN?

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Proton VPN Review Overview

About Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a popular choice among top-tier VPNs, ranking 4th in our Best VPN in India 2026 recommendations. A group of researchers found the proton in 2014 at CERN. The company then launched its first product, Proton Mail. In 2017, current CEO Andy Yen and his team launched Proton VPN.

The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Starting with just 10,000 users, Proton AG has today gained over 100 million users worldwide. The VPN covers 18600+ servers across 125 countries worldwide.

To offer free and open-source technology with the utmost data privacy, the company has developed other useful software. Under one umbrella, users will gain access to Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, Lumo AI, and Proton Wallet.

Proton VPN Speeds

Proton VPN delivered good speed due to its 10 Gbps servers and WireGuard support. To assess the impact, I tested Proton VPN Plus performance using speedtest.net.

My baseline internet speed is 200 Mbps with a ping rate below 7 ms. Let’s see how Proton VPN Plus affects these speeds:

Speed in India

Proton VPN Plus delivers good speed while connected to Indian servers. The download speed decreased by only 8% to 184 Mbps, and the upload speed decreased by 46% to 108 Mbps. 

Speed in the US

When connected to a US location, the upload speed dropped by around 64%. I got 71 Mbps upload speed on average. The download speed decreased by only 15% (169 Mbps), which is reasonable given the long-distance server connection from India.

If compared to our top 2 VPN recommendations:

• NordVPN: Proton VPN Plus performed better than NordVPN on US servers. On Indian servers, ProtonVPN again comes out ahead, with faster download speeds and upload speeds.
• Surfshark: Proton VPN and Surfshark deliver competitive speed on Indian servers. In fact, for a distant server, it outperformed Surfshark.

Proton VPN Servers

Servers Locations

Proton VPN has expanded its network to 18,600+ Secure Core servers across 129 countries worldwide. The server locations cover popular nations like the United States (5585 servers in 22 cities), the UK (789 servers in 6 cities), Singapore, Japan, Canada, etc. In India, it offers 30 virtual servers across Mumbai due to India’s new laws on data logging by VPN companies.

Compared to Surfshark (4500+ servers in 100 countries) and NordVPN (9,000+ VPN servers covering 188 countries), Proton VPN Plus now offers wider coverage in locations. But most of its servers are virtual. 

RAM Servers

Unlike NordVPN or Surfshark, Proton VPN does not offer RAM-only servers. The provider found no added security benefits of using RAM-only servers, so cited four main reasons for not offering them:

Proton cited four main reasons for not offering them:

1. Hackers can access data stored in RAM while the device is on.
2. Proton VPN offers full-disk encryption, encrypting all data on its drives.
3. The company maintains an audited no-logs policy.
4. Their physical servers are located only in countries with no data retention laws.

Proton VPN has explained its decision, but I’m still a bit skeptical. Other premium VPNs also use similar security features like virtual servers, full-disk encryption, no-logs policies, and audits, and many even add RAM-only servers for extra security.

Obfuscated Servers

In countries like China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey, VPN use is heavily restricted. If you’re trying to get around censorship in these regions, Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol can help. It hides your VPN traffic and is available on all plans, even the free one.

To turn it on, just go to the settings. On Windows or macOS, open Preferences → Connection → Protocol and switch from ‘Smart’ to ‘Stealth.’ On mobile, you’ll find the Protocol option in settings, just select Stealth from there.

From what users report, Stealth mode doesn’t always work reliably in countries like China.

Dynamic or Static IP Address

For security and privacy reasons, Proton VPN provides dynamic IP addresses to users on its individual and family plans. If you need a dedicated IP address, you’ll have to subscribe to a business plan, such as Proton VPN Professional or the Proton Business Suite.

Currently, Proton VPN offers around 22 dedicated server locations, including India (Mumbai), the United Kingdom (London), and multiple locations in the United States. Dedicated IPs are available as a paid add-on, typically costing around $9.99 per user per month, depending on the plan.

Proton VPN Streaming Performances

ProtonVPN can unblock many streaming platforms, but my experience wasn’t very smooth this time. In India, it worked with ZEE5, Disney+ Hotstar, and JioCinema. It also supported Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video in the US.

However, performance was not consistent. I often had to switch servers to find the IPs that aren’t blocked for streaming. And I also faced frequent Google CAPTCHA checks, which were annoying.

Privacy

Proton VPN claims to be the first VPN provider to open-source apps for every platform. They maintain transparency, ethics, and stringent security to offer a trustworthy VPN service.

Privacy Policy

As mentioned above, Proton VPN collects and deletes user data. They do nothing that may cause logging user traffic, throttle the internet, or discriminate. Both their free and paid products adhere to the same privacy cautions.

In fact, they store data for maintaining accounts in encrypted format on their servers (Switzerland and Germany). However, for equal service quality, they may impose speed restrictions on free VPNs in case of excessive data consumption.

Overall, I’m really impressed with Proton’s privacy policy. Their policy clearly informs and justifies to users how they handle user data, what services they offer for user privacy, and what features they avoid in their products (like no RAM servers) to prevent identity threats. 

No-logs Policy

Whether using a free or paid VPN, you must check if the VPN provider keeps any logs. If so, your data is at risk because the provider may share this information with third-party authorities for businesses. Hackers often misuse these user logs for cybercrime.

Well, Proton offers a no-logs VPN for both free and paid users. They don’t keep any records of user information, session usage, or metadata. They don’t collect any data related to your website visits, traffic, content you access, session length, or location-based information.

Security Audits

Proton VPN claims to deliver unparalleled transparency and accountability. Hence, their policies are audited four times by an independent organization. 

• Securitum Audit (2025): Between August and September 2025, Securitum reviewed technical infrastructure, including Proton-owned bare-metal servers, WireGuard authentication, and no-logs policy in Zurich, Switzerland. The audit found no evidence of user activity tracking, metadata logging, and confirmed strong user privacy, even after introducing new features.
• Securitum Audit (2024): In July 2024, a reputed Europe-based security auditing company, Securitum, independently audited all Proton Apps. The agency confirmed no significant security issues.
• Securitum Audit (2023): The same organization performed an audit from April to May 2023. They assured no privacy breaches after analyzing its no-log policy, VPN configuration files, randomly selected VPN servers, and server deployment process.
• Securitum Audit (2022): In February 2022, the same auditor performed a detailed technical audit. The report confirmed Proton VPN‘s high privacy standards with a zero-logs approach.

Plus, you can find a detailed transparency report on their website. The report notifies the number of legal requests received for user data.

Proton VPN Headquarters

Proton AG is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The country is well-known for its privacy-friendly laws and political neutrality. It’s outside of any intelligence alliances, so they’re not legally obliged to share user information under any circumstances.

Privacy Comparison

I’m quite impressed with the transparent privacy policy offered by Proton VPN. All their features and measures are clearly documented. Their strict no-log policy, transparency reports, headquarters location, and privacy actions confirm the company’s commitment to data privacy.

One thing to note: A single organization, Securitum, has performed all four security audits. Unlike NordVPN or Surfshark, no Big Four accounting firm (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG) has reviewed its no-logs policy. 

Proton VPN History

Proton VPN has maintained a clean track record since its launch. However, Proton Mail has been criticized due to one security incident. In 2021, Proton Mail disclosed the IP address and email ID of a French activist. 

Earlier, their privacy policy claimed that Proton did not log any user data. But after this incident, they changed their privacy statement, which feels a bit concerning. The new policy confirmed that they do not log IP addresses by default. However, they will keep it if the user is associated with any privacy-breaching incidents (like spamming, DDoS attacks, etc.). 

The policy also states that Proton will only disclose limited user data if it is legally obligated by a binding request from Swiss authorities. So, even if Proton VPN has no such track record, I‘m skeptical about changing privacy statements. 

Proton VPN Security

Proton VPN encrypts user data using AES-256-bit or ChaCha20-grade encryption. In 2019, they also added full-disk encryption as an essential security upgrade. 

Security Protocols

Under security protocols, you’ll find a few options in Proton VPN:

• OpenVPN: This is a secure, flexible, and open-source protocol. Proton VPN is compatible with both TCP and UDP. However, OpenVPN UDP generally offers better speed advantages than OpenVPN TCP.
• WireGuard (UDP and TCP): For the best speed during heavy-bandwidth streaming, I would recommend this protocol. It’s lightweight and considered the most advanced.
• Stealth Protocol: Proton offers this protocol to bypass censorship. You can use it in countries like China, where VPN use is restricted.
• Smart Protocol: This is arguably the best feature of Proton VPN. When you enable “Smart,” it’ll automatically select the best protocol based on your current location and network conditions.

DNS Leak Test

Like NordVPN and Surfshark, Proton VPN offers best-in-class DNS leak protection. 

Premium VPNs help encrypt DNS records (Domain Name System) to mask user identity. If a DNS leak occurs, your internet service provider (ISP) will be able to track and monitor your online activity. 

I performed a DNS leak test using IPleak.net. As you can see, the IP address has completely changed from the original one. The IPv6 address is also undefined or masked, showing a secure VPN connection.

So, it’s sure that if you’re using Proton VPN, no outsider or third party can access its DNS servers. And it provides IPv6 leak protection by default on its application.

Kill Switch

A kill switch ensures your privacy by automatically blocking all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops or gets interrupted. Proton VPN offers a system-wide kill switch across all supported devices.

You can enable or disable manually from the mobile or desktop app. Proton VPN also includes a “Permanent Kill Switch”, which blocks all internet traffic at all times, even if you disconnect the VPN, close the app, or restart your device.

Security Comparison with Premium VPNs

Proton VPN introduces users to best-in-class security upgrades, like any premium VPN. Apart from basic security features (Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, WireGuard protocol), it has launched many added features like a ‘Permanent Kill Switch’ or ‘Smart Protocol’.

However, unlike NordVPN or Surfshark, Proton doesn’t offer RAM servers for its VPN. Plus, their privacy policy was recently updated after the Proton Mail incident. So, these are a few things that may bother privacy-enthusiast users.

Pricing

Proton VPN’s free plan gives you access to 10 randomly selected servers and allows just 1-device connection, with no ad-blocking or malware protection.

If you want more features, Proton used to offer two main plans: Proton VPN Plus for a full VPN experience, and Proton Unlimited, which includes extras like Mail, Drive, Calendar, a password manager, and more. Recently, they also introduced a new ‘Proton Duo’ plan for two users.

For individuals, I’d recommend the Proton VPN Plus two-year plan. It’s currently discounted from $119 to $72. So, you’ll save around 70% by paying just $2.99 per month

Money-Back Guarantee

Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with all its plans. You can cancel your subscription anytime within 30 days of purchase. Unlike their other products, where you’ll receive a refund only on a prorated basis (unused portion of the service period), you don’t need to worry. Here, you’ll get a full refund. This is applicable only once per user.

Payment Options

The company accepts payments through Credit & Debit cards (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, etc.). You can also pay using PayPal or Proton Credit. To purchase Proton Credit, you can only use Bitcoin, bank transfer, or cash.

Competitor Pricing

Compared to NordVPN or Surfshark, Proton VPN Plus is more expensive. Surfshark Starter offers the lowest price for a 2-year plan at $2.09/month or $58.52 biannually. Even Surfshark One, which includes Antivirus and malware protection, costs less at $72.52 biannually or $2.59/month.

NordVPN is generally considered the top-ranked among all premium VPNs. The NordVPN Basic 2-year plan costs $2.88/month ($80.73 biannually), lower than Proton VPN Plus. NordVPN Plus, which includes NordPass, an ad-blocker, and 10-device access, costs $3.75/month ($105.03 biannually).

Coupon Code

Proton VPN Plus is offering a flat 70% off on a 2-year Proton VPN Plus plan. Plus, you’ll get 5GB of encrypted cloud storage and free access to a password manager and private email. Use my discounted link and select the 24-month VPN Plus plan. The coupon code will be automatically applied during checkout.

Proton VPN Customer Support

Proton VPN‘s official website provides a comprehensive knowledge base categorized by features, troubleshooting, getting started guides, and more. They regularly publish informative blog posts to raise awareness and educate users.

But live chat and priority support are exclusive to paid users. Free users can still get help with the support request form and email. If you encounter any issues, you can submit a detailed query on their site. Otherwise, you can write directly to [email protected].

One limitation to note: Unlike NordVPN or Surfshark, Proton VPN doesn’t offer live chat support without signing in. Plus, I haven’t found any button on their desktop application for live chat.

P2P

For paid users, Proton VPN offers peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing. You can use any server for torrenting. However, Proton VPN also offers special servers optimized for P2P sharing.

You’ll find the button named “Port Forwarding” on their desktop app. This option helps increase internet speed for the best torrenting and gaming experience. Although the speed can sometimes be inconsistent, I haven’t faced any major issues while torrenting. 

When connected to the nearest Thailand server, I got a download speed of 758.4 Kbps with an expected download time of 38 minutes. So, torrenting with Proton VPN Plus won’t disappoint.

Additional Features

Free VPN

Proton Free is already a popular VPN among millions of users. It ranked in the top 1 position in our best free VPN recommendations for 2026. You can download the app for your desktop and mobile for secure browsing.

The free version stands for consistent connection speeds, advanced security standards, and unlimited bandwidth. However, it offers only 10server locations (Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, and the United States). You can use it on only 1 device at a time. Additionally, it doesn’t offer malware protection or torrenting support.

Tor over VPN

Tor, or The Onion Router, is an open-source network. Journalists and individuals sharing political views who want to hide their identity primarily use this network to conceal their IP addresses. Many individuals enhance their anonymity by using Tor with a VPN.

Proton VPN has introduced a “Tor over VPN” feature. This eliminates the need to separately download any app or use a dedicated Tor browser. Within the Proton VPN app, you’ll find special labels for Tor servers, as stated in the image above. Connect to these servers, and your traffic will be automatically routed through the Tor network. 

Multi-Device Access

Proton VPN Plus offers the highest number of device connections compared to Surfshark or NordVPN. It allows you up to 10 simultaneous connections. This means you can use it on your laptop, mobile, and TV at the same time.

Netshield Ad-blocker

We often have to deal with annoying display ads while visiting websites. To speed up browsing, Proton VPN Plus includes a Netshield Ad-blocker. First, it prevents loading domains with malware, spyware, and other malicious software. Second, it blocks ads and online trackers from ad tech companies.

You’ll find the “Netshield Ad-blocker” button under “Countries.” Upon clicking, it will provide you with options to:

1. Turn off the blocker entirely.
2. Block only malware.
3. Block malware, ads, and trackers.

This feature has been very helpful to me when accessing news websites. I don’t need to download a separate ad-blocker app. 

VPN Accelerator

VPNs can slow down your internet speed due to the encryption process used to mask your IP address. To reduce VPN-induced lags, Proton VPN offers the VPN Accelerator feature for its Plus users. It claims to boost speed by 400% and provide a more stable connection.

You can find the VPN Accelerator in the ‘Connection’ section of the settings. To test it, I ran speed tests before and after enabling it. While there wasn’t much change in upload speed, the download speed improved noticeably.

Secure Core

For extra security, Proton VPN Plus includes a Secure Core feature. These are special servers located in privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. When enabled, your traffic is routed through multiple servers before reaching its final destination for a double-hop connection.

For example, countries with restrictive VPN usage (China, Russia, etc.) or strong surveillance systems (UK, USA, etc.) have the legal power to monitor VPN servers in their countries. Proton VPN can prevent these high-risk countries from analyzing data traffic with this extra protection. 

Perfect Forward Secrecy

Session keys are used to encrypt and decrypt your data quickly and automatically. Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) or Forward Secrecy (FS) refers to an encryption system that changes these keys frequently.

Proton VPN‘s security protocols and encryption support PFS. The provider keeps your browsing history secure by using unique encryption keys for each session. Therefore, even if your encryption keys are compromised, your data will remain protected. 

Split Tunneling

If you want the best browsing speeds, you can route sensitive traffic through the VPN while letting regular traffic use your normal internet. This is possible with split tunneling. Earlier, Proton VPN offered this feature only on Android, Android TV, and Windows.

On desktop, you can enable it by going to Settings → Advanced → Split Tunneling. You’ll get two options: either exclude certain apps or IP addresses from the VPN, or choose specific apps/IPs to use the VPN.

This year, Proton introduced split tunneling on macOS, but it’s still in experimental mode. It only supports the exclude option, meaning you can only choose apps to bypass the VPN. As a result, it’s less flexible compared to Android or Windows.

Devices

Proton VPN offers separate applications to keep your devices secure.

• Desktop & Laptop: Windows, Linux, macOS, Chromebook
• Mobile: Android, iOS
• Browser Extensions: Chrome, Firefox
• Streaming Devices: Android TV, Apple TV
• Other Devices: Fire Stick, iPad

Unlike NordVPN, the Proton VPN browser extension for Microsoft Edge is not currently available.

User Interface

Compared to NordVPN, the Proton VPN desktop app is more user-friendly. It recently updated its design with an ultra-cool color palette. The desktop app shows a large map with a list of servers. You can quickly connect and disconnect with a single tap.

Even the macOS app has a similar design. You’ll find similar buttons and features categorized into different sections. However, it may take some initial effort to locate all buttons and settings.

For Android and iOS, the Proton VPN app design is slightly different. But all buttons and settings are clearly named/tagged, unlike some desktop apps. The Split Tunneling feature is missing in the iOS app.

Unlike Nord or Surfshark, Proton VPN is best suited for Linux users. It has an intuitive graphical user interface. You can easily install and access the app.

Performance & Reliability

I’ve been using Proton VPN for over a year. It ranks among the best free VPNs. However, the paid version can seem expensive if no discounts are available.

Proton VPN adheres to a strict no-log policy, which has been independently audited three times. It offers decent security features such as full-disk encryption, strong protocols, DNS leak protection, and more. You’ll enjoy many additional settings like Tor over VPN and a VPN accelerator.

In terms of performance, it provides decent speeds comparable to any premium VPN. However, this VPN doesn’t offer RAM servers, which raises security concerns. There are also some other minor drawbacks.

Proton VPN Pros

1) Excellent Speeds

I experienced only a 10–15% drop in speed during my tests with Proton VPN. Even when connected to distant servers like the US, the slowdown wasn’t significant. Proton VPN uses 10 Gbps servers and the WireGuard protocol, which helps reduce latency and maintain fast performance.

2) Increased Server Coverage

Earlier, Proton VPN had around 8,000 servers across 112 countries. Now, it has expanded to over 18,000 servers and added more countries. So, now Proton VPN offers much better global coverage.

3) Improved User Interface 

Proton VPN recently upgraded its UI for both desktop and mobile versions. It features a large map of VPN servers with an eye-soothing color palette. On mobile, all buttons are clearly labeled for easy access.

4) Netshield Ad Blocker

Netshield Ad Blocker is available only for paid users. It blocks privacy-invading ads, prevents malware, and stops online trackers.

5) Secure Core Servers

Secure Core servers are owned and operated by Proton. It routes your traffic through multiple secure locations (Iceland, Switzerland, Sweden) to enhance privacy and protect against network attacks. It may slightly reduce speed, but it ensures robust security.

6) User Privacy 

Proton VPN’s apps are open-source, which adds transparency. It also follows a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t store user data. The VPN is headquartered in one of the most privacy-friendly nations, Switzerland. 

7) Torrenting with Port Forwarding

Proton VPN supports torrenting and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. With port forwarding, you can connect to more peers, which can improve download/upload speeds, as well as provide more stable connections.

8) Audited in 2025

Its no-logs policy has been audited multiple times. In August 2025, Securitum conducted a review of Proton VPN’s technical architecture. No vulnerabilities or evidence of data logging were identified.

Proton VPN Cons

1) No RAM Servers

Proton VPN doesn’t offer RAM servers, unlike some premium competitors. Their justification for this omission may not be sufficient for users who prioritize the highest level of data security.

2) ProtonMail Criticism

Although Proton claims a no-log policy, it provided the IP address of a French activist to Swiss authorities. Following this incident, they changed their data disclosure policy, raising concerns.

3) Unreliable Streaming

Proton VPN doesn’t always unblock platforms like Netflix or Hulu consistently. Sometimes, you need to switch between multiple servers to find one that works. I also encountered frequent Google CAPTCHA checks, which can be frustrating.

4) Stealth Mode Not Working

The Stealth mode in Proton VPN is designed for obfuscation in countries where VPN usage is restricted. But many users reported it’s not reliable in regions like China, Iran, and some Middle Eastern countries.

Proton VPN Alternatives

1) Proton VPN vs NordVPN

NordVPN is an all-around VPN, based in Panama. The company offers a range of popular security products under the Nord Security umbrella, including NordPass, NordLayer, and NordLocker. It stands out for its exceptional security, impressive speeds, and better streaming support than Proton VPN.

In gaming, NordVPN includes two advanced proprietary protocols, NordLynx and NordWhisper. User will also benefit from many added features like Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, SmartPlay, 2FA protection, 100% RAM-based servers, and more.

NordVPN Basic plan starts at $2.82/month or $78 for 28 months. You can use my link to get an extra 4 months of free access.

2) Proton VPN vs Surfshark

Surfshark is the most value-for-money VPN in the market, launched in 2018. It’s headquartered in the Netherlands and offers 4500+ servers in 100 countries worldwide. This VPN also doesn’t have a device usage limit like Proton VPN. 

All the essential VPN features (kill switch, strong encryption, and RAM-based servers) are available in Surfshark VPN. Some added features include Bypasser, Camouflage Mode, CleanWeb, Alternative IDs, strong Antivirus Protection, and NoBorders Mode.

Surfshark VPN is available at just $1.68/month or $47. You‘ll get 4 extra months of access using my link.

3) Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a user-friendly VPN service headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. It’s known for its fast speeds and excellent streaming support. The VPN operates 3,000+ servers across 105 countries worldwide for a reliable global coverage.

Unlike Proton VPN, that struggle in restricted regions, ExpressVPN is effective for bypassing the Great Firewall and internet censorship in countries across the Middle East. It also offers 24/7 live chat support with real human agents, so users can quickly get help whenever needed. Plus, it has expanded its device limit to up to 14 devices for users on higher-tier subscription plans. 

Now, its pricing is also competitive with Proton VPN. ExpressVPN basic plan, including ad and malware blocking, starts at just $2.79/month.

Why Should You Trust Me?

I’ve been a dedicated VPN user since 2020. Over the past four years, I’ve tried and tested 30+ VPNs, both paid and free. So, while using VPNs hands-on for my work, I gained an unbiased understanding of different providers. 

I believe VPN is a complex category to understand. Hence, I’m here to simplify your journey with my years of research. Unlike many reviews that skim the surface, you’ll get straightforward clarification on the pros and cons of every VPN in my review.

Apart from reviews, you’ll find informative articles on VPNs explained, ways to reduce VPN latency, best gaming VPNs, best free VPNs, etc. You can also check out well-researched recommendations on Free VPNs and Paid VPNs.

Conclusion 

Proton VPN Free is one of the best free VPNs available in India. However, in this article, I focused more on its paid plan. Proton VPN Plus clearly offers more benefits, including support for up to 10 devices, unlimited bandwidth, priority support, and access to a large global server network.

The Plus plan stands out for its strong speeds, P2P torrenting support, and beginner-friendly interface. It also includes useful features like an ad blocker, malware protection, special servers for censorship-heavy regions, and Tor support.

To stay competitive with NordVPN and Surfshark, Proton VPN has also reduced its pricing. But I didn’t find its streaming performance consistent. I’m also not fully satisfied with the changes in its privacy policy and the lack of RAM-only servers.

Overall, my verdict on Proton VPN is neutral. The free plan is decent for beginners but limited. The paid plan is better suited for privacy-focused users who value audited, open-source, and no-logs protection, such as journalists, activists, or remote workers. 

It’s also a good option for torrenting and users who want Secure Core (double-hop) routing for added security. Proton VPN may disappoint if you’re looking for smooth, low-latency streaming.

Do you agree with my points? If interested in learning more about VPNs, leave a comment below!

FAQs