ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused virtual private network (VPN) developed by Proton AG, the Swiss company best known for Proton Mail. Built with strong privacy principles and a commitment to transparency, ProtonVPN aims to protect users’ online activity from surveillance, tracking, and ISP throttling while offering useful features for streaming, torrenting, and secure browsing.
Core features and privacy
ProtonVPN emphasizes privacy through its no-logs policy and Swiss jurisdiction, which benefits from strong privacy laws. The service uses modern encryption and supports industry-standard VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, ensuring secure connections and good performance. A standout feature is Secure Core — traffic is routed through multiple hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries before exiting to the internet, adding an extra layer of protection against network-level surveillance.
Security-conscious users will also find a built-in kill switch, DNS leak protection, and support for Tor over VPN on specific servers. ProtonVPN’s apps are open-source and have undergone third-party audits, reinforcing its transparency claims.
Plans and usability
ProtonVPN offers a free tier alongside paid plans that unlock higher speeds, more server locations, P2P-friendly servers, and streaming-optimized endpoints. The free plan is attractive for casual users who want a reliable, privacy-respecting option without cost, but it limits available servers and bandwidth compared to paid tiers. Paid plans vary by features and the number of simultaneous connections, and some bundles include Proton Mail premium for comprehensive privacy services.
The apps are user-friendly, available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers. The interface makes it easy to select servers, enable Secure Core, or choose specialty servers for torrenting or Tor. Advanced settings let experienced users control protocols, split tunneling, and other technical options.
Performance and use cases
Performance with ProtonVPN is generally solid, especially when using WireGuard, which offers a good balance of speed and security. For streaming and bypassing geo-restrictions, paid plans tend to perform better, with dedicated servers that reliably access popular streaming services. P2P users should connect to designated servers to ensure optimal speeds and policy compliance.
Who should choose ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN is well-suited for users who prioritize privacy and transparency — particularly those who value Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and advanced security features like Secure Core and Tor integration. It’s also a practical choice for general consumers needing a dependable VPN for streaming or safe Wi-Fi browsing. If you require the fastest possible global coverage or extremely cheap bulk plans, compare pricing and server counts with competitors; otherwise, ProtonVPN strikes a strong balance between privacy and usability.
Getting started
Sign up on the ProtonVPN website, choose the plan that fits your needs, download the app for your device, log in, and connect to a server. Enable the kill switch and any specialty functions (Secure Core, split tunneling) as needed to match your threat model and usage.#1#