ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service developed by Proton AG, the same team behind Proton Mail. Designed with privacy and security as core priorities, ProtonVPN leverages Switzerland’s strong privacy laws and a transparent development approach to appeal to users who want protection from tracking, surveillance, and insecure public networks.
Privacy and jurisdiction
One of ProtonVPN’s main selling points is its Swiss base of operations. Switzerland has favorable privacy protections and is outside EU and US jurisdictions, which can make compelled disclosure harder. ProtonAG emphasizes a no-logs policy; the company states it does not store users’ browsing activity or connection logs that could be used to identify users. ProtonVPN also publishes transparency reports and has had independent security audits of its apps and infrastructure.
Security features
ProtonVPN supports modern VPN protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, giving users a balance of speed and compatibility. It offers strong encryption, a strict kill switch that blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops, and built-in DNS leak protection. Additional privacy-oriented features include Secure Core (multi-hop routing through privacy-friendly countries for extra anonymity), Tor over VPN to access the Tor network directly through the app, and split tunneling on supported platforms to route selected traffic outside the VPN.
Open-source and audits
ProtonVPN’s desktop and mobile apps are open-source, allowing security researchers and technically inclined users to inspect the code. Proton has commissioned independent audits of its apps and infrastructure and publishes findings, reinforcing trust through transparency.
Performance and servers
ProtonVPN maintains a global server network with specialized servers for streaming and P2P. WireGuard support delivers competitive speeds suitable for HD streaming, video calls, and large downloads. Performance will vary by server load and location, but paid plans generally offer better speeds and access to higher-capacity servers than the free tier.
Plans and free tier
ProtonVPN offers both free and paid plans. The free tier provides a limited set of servers and modest speeds, but it is notable for being genuinely usable without time limits—a rarity among free VPNs. Paid tiers unlock the full server network, Secure Core, streaming-optimized servers, higher speeds, and the ability to connect more simultaneous devices.
Use cases and limitations
ProtonVPN is well-suited for privacy-conscious users, journalists, travelers on public Wi-Fi, and anyone who needs reliable encrypted connections. It can also be used for streaming and torrenting on supported servers. Potential downsides include higher costs for top-tier plans versus some competitors and variable performance on free servers.
Conclusion
ProtonVPN stands out for its privacy-first philosophy, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and advanced features like Secure Core and Tor integration. For users prioritizing transparency and strong privacy safeguards, it’s a solid option to consider.#1#