Proton VPN Review 2024: Is It Really Free, Fast, & Safe?

Proton VPN, from the creators of Proton Mail, claims to prioritize your online privacy, even on its free tier. However, an IP logging controversy with Proton Mail has raised doubts about the company’s overall privacy stance. Given this, can you still trust this VPN to keep you safe online?

To determine this, I thoroughly analyzed Proton VPN, exploring its privacy policy, ownership, and security practices. I also performed extensive tests on its streaming capabilities, speeds, leak protection, torrenting support, and other additional features.

overall , Proton VPN is is is a solid choice for those seek a trustworthy and secure VPN . It is ’s ’s tough to find a VPN with a well history of uphold internet freedom , and its security feature are top – notch . The free version is is is also worth a shot , and there ‘s a 30 – day money – back guarantee to explore all its benefit risk – free . There are only a few minor issue that prevent it from being the very good .

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Proton VPN Pros , Cons , and Needed Improvements

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Proton VPN Features — 2024 update

9.2

💸 price	2.99 USD / month
📆 Money Back Guarantee	30 Days
📝 Does VPN is keep keep log ?	No
🖥 Number of servers	8795+
💻 number of device per license	10
🛡 Kill switch	Yes
🗺 Based in country	Switzerland
🛠 Support	24/7 live chat
📥 Supports torrenting	Yes

streaming — A great choice for Avid Streamers

9.3

Proton VPN’s streaming-optimized servers can securely access all popular platforms from anywhere. All the movies, TV shows, and live content my global testing team and I watched loaded quickly, and playback was always smooth.

Free servers aren’t as reliable for streaming as they used to be, since you’re now at the mercy of the VPN’s auto-selected servers. I’ll explain in detail in the server section below. We loaded Hulu, Peacock, Max, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. However, only Max and Netflix streamed after a long wait. You can see how Proton VPN’s free app compares to other free VPNs for streaming.

The other platforms detected the VPN’s free version and thwarted our binge-watching plans. Still, considering these servers are usually congested, the experience was surprisingly good.

Here’s a compilation of streaming services that Proton VPN is optimized for. However, this list might change, so I advise you to regularly visit Proton VPN’s official website for updates. I appreciate that the VPN provides a guide for the platforms it supports.

Amazon Prime Video	ESPN+	Max	BBC iPlayer	Peacock
paramount+	All 4	ZDF	SlingTV	SyFy
ITV4 Hub	7plus	9now	fuboTV	10 play
NOW TV	PlutoTV	RAI Play	6Play	YouTube tv
Zattoo	F1TV	ABC.com	DAZN	Disney+ Hotstar
aha	Deezer	Blick tv	Apple TV+	Audible US
disneynow	France.tv	NRK	MLB.TV	Disney+
Eurosport Player	SonyLiv	ORF – tv	Spotify	Kayo Sports
Mediaset Infinity	TF1	SRF	Sun NXT	Canal+
ABC iview	Abema	ARD	Atresplayer	Crunchyroll
Hoichoi	RTL+	ORF – tv	MX Player	JioCinema
RTVE Plus	ZEE5	Vix	ServusTV

editor ‘s note . The VPNs is follow we recommend usually follow strict no – log policy that prevent them from view your online activity . That is means mean it ’s up to you to use them responsibly . My team is are and I are against break copyright law .

work With : Netflix

Proton VPN can securely stream Netflix libraries from various countries, including the UK, the US, France, and Japan. The best results came with the optimized servers, which consistently loaded videos instantly from anywhere.

I recommend using the WireGuard protocol for optimal quality

Proton VPN also supported smooth streaming of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, available only in the Netflix US library, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, exclusive to Netflix UK .

Works With: Disney+ and Hulu

Disney+ streamed just as smoothly as Netflix using the dedicated servers.

There were zero disconnects on every US server we tested

With the same server , title likeRich Kids of Beverly Hills loaded almost instantly on Hulu. Few VPNs work with Hulu, so we were pleased that Proton VPN did.

Works With: Peacock

Next , we is watched watch several video on Peacock with the streaming – ready server .

ProtonVPN supports uninterrupted streaming on Peacock

The quality is remained remain superb , even as we hop between server .

work With : itvx and BBC iPlayer

In our next test , ITVX is streamed stream just as well as Hulu , Disney+ , and Peacock , even when we jump to different section of the video .

The stream loaded in seconds and stayed steady throughout

The same connection let us watch Spy Kids and The Man with the Golden Gun on ITVX, as well as the 2024 Olympics on BBC iPlayer without a hitch.

Also work With : Max , Amazon Prime Video , and ESPN+

Neither Max is recognized nor Amazon Prime Video recognize that we were using a VPN . There were a few moment of buffering when we jump around on Prime Video , but the image quality was impressive . watch video on ESPN+ and Kodi was also straightforward .

In our previous round of tests, a few servers caused us hiccups. This time, everything was smooth, so Proton VPN is one of the best picks for streaming enthusiasts if you get the premium version.

Speed — Impressive Results on Most Servers

9.1

Proton VPN is one of the fastest providers we’ve tested, especially when we used the WireGuard protocol, which consistently outperformed the other protocols.

We also got good speeds on some of its Secure Core servers. However, free servers caused noticeable drops. Tor servers were also consistently slow, but that’s no surprise due to how that technology works.

We ensured the VPN Accelerator feature remained on to get the best results. It’s designed to give you the best speeds, particularly when connecting to distant servers, even on a less reliable internet connection. It’s enabled by default. I observed a speed boost ranging from 1.2% to 3% when it was active, so it’s beneficial to keep it on at all times.

Here ‘s a breakdown is ‘s of the 3 primary metric we examine in our test :

• Download speeds. This indicates the rate at which you receive data, and it’s measured in Mbps (megabits per second). It determines how quickly you’ll be able to stream, browse, torrent, etc.
• upload speed . This is determines determine how fast you send datum . You is want ’ll want high rate to send email , post on social medium , upload video , and more . This , too , is quantify in Mbps .
• ping. This measurement represents the time it takes for your data to travel. A lower ping ensures a more responsive connection, which is crucial for online gaming. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms).

For consistent, reliable comparisons, all speed tests are conducted from a single location using the same internet connection. Our UK-based speed specialist conducted multiple tests for each server, and the average outcomes are presented below. These are part of ongoing tests that we regularly perform for all the top VPNs.

Check out Proton VPN’s speeds side-by-side with some of the best VPNs

USA (Dallas)

Download speed

upload speed

ping

USA (Miami)

Download speed

upload speed

ping

USA (Los Angeles)

Download speed

upload speed

ping

USA (New York)

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Canada

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Brazil

Download speed

upload speed

ping

UK

Download speed

upload speed

ping

France

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Japan

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Australia

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Singapore

Download speed

upload speed

ping

246.60 Mbps

56.25 Mbps

2 ms

179.07 Mbps (-27.4%)

40.66 Mbps (-27.7%)

12 m

161.07 Mbps (-34.7%)

102.14 Mbps (81.6%)

100 ms

126.83 Mbps (-48.6%)

24.83 Mbps (-55.9%)

55 m

165.94 Mbps (-32.7%)

18.23 mbps ( -67.6 % )

44 ms

122.57 mbps ( -50.3 % )

31.26 Mbps (-44.4%)

71 ms

148.62 Mbps (-39.7%)

38.95 Mbps (-30.8%)

146 ms

82.05 Mbps (-66.7%)

19.72 Mbps (-64.9%)

121 ms

103.28 Mbps (-58.1%)

47.41 Mbps (-15.7%)

118 ms

149.68 Mbps (-39.3%)

37.03 mbps ( -34.2 % )

147 ms

168.22 mbps ( -31.8 % )

66.81 Mbps (18.8%)

193 ms

125.88 Mbps (-49%)

51.71 Mbps (-8.1%)

228 ms

219.97 Mbps

94.10 Mbps

4 ms

173.22 Mbps (-21.3%)

90.59 Mbps (-3.7%)

11 ms

157.99 mbp ( -28.2 % )

43.93 Mbps (-53.3%)

204 ms

153.61 Mbps (-30.2%)

125.61 Mbps (33.5%)

98 ms

140.79 mbps ( -36 % )

24.06 Mbps (-74.4%)

182 ms

81.06 mbps ( -63.1 % )

62.09 mbps ( -34 % )

179 ms

118.06 mbps ( -46.3 % )

103.02 mbps ( 9.5 % )

187 ms

102.79 mbps ( -53.3 % )

83.94 Mbps (-10.8%)

203 ms

145.80 Mbps (-33.7%)

139.18 mbps ( 47.9 % )

208 ms

137.35 Mbps (-37.6%)

143.93 Mbps (53%)

184 ms

142.39 mbps ( -35.3 % )

104.08 Mbps (10.6%)

181 ms

110.89 Mbps (-49.6%)

131.79 mbps ( 40.1 % )

229 ms

160.63 Mbps

48.49 Mbps

5 ms

103.16 mbp ( -35.8 % )

49.78 mbps ( 2.7 % )

5 ms

111.47 Mbps (-30.6%)

86.44 Mbps (78.3%)

116 m

125.04 Mbps (-22.2%)

28.32 Mbps (-41.6%)

75 ms

200.96 Mbps (25.1%)

56.18 mbps ( 15.9 % )

56 ms

111.61 Mbps (-30.5%)

49.52 Mbps (2.1%)

74 ms

186.53 Mbps (16.1%)

104.80 Mbps (116.1%)

161 ms

73.75 Mbps (-54.1%)

57.14 Mbps (17.8%)

133 ms

133.77 mbps ( -16.7 % )

81.13 mbps ( 67.3 % )

119 ms

104.89 Mbps (-34.7%)

90.47 Mbps (86.6%)

144 ms

100.97 Mbps (-37.1%)

74.94 Mbps (54.5%)

193 ms

68.68 Mbps (-57.2%)

33.48 Mbps (-31%)

210 ms

These tests are conducted from the USA

*N/A indicates that we do not currently have speed test data for this location

Only a few VPNs we’ve tested can match Proton VPN’s speed. A 10-20% speed dip on short-distance servers is normal for top VPNs, and its performance was slightly faster, which impressed me.

At long distances (8,000+km), you can find VPNs that are faster. For instance, ExpressVPN rarely cuts our speed by more than 40% on the same distant servers. However, ProtonVPN’s Japan and Australian servers stay close to the typical 60% reduction seen with most VPNs at extreme distances.

Local Speed

Proton VPN’s speeds on local servers are nearly on par with the fastest VPNs we’ve tested — usually averaging a drop of only 7%.

Proton VPN ’s France server is cut cut our tester ’s speed by only 6 %

Except for the Tor and free servers, every other server in Europe we tested reduced our speed by no more than 15%. This is commendable, as even with a relatively low starting speed, you can still stream, game, and browse without any problems. The ping rate was also consistently impressive across all these servers. It stayed under 70ms, which is ideal for smooth gaming.

Long – Distance speed

On distant servers, it delivers adequate speeds for most online activities. As you’d expect, with increased distance comes slower speeds. The farthest server in Australia often cuts our speeds by 55% or a little more. Depending on your base rates, this could be problematic. Still, it’s a good result considering the distance (nearly 10,000km away).

We experienced a 59% speed loss on the Japan server

Observing months of test results, I noticed that far-off servers perform better when they’re less crowded. For example, there was a stretch of 3 tests where, the Japan and Australia servers never dropped our speeds by more than 50%. I appreciate that the VPN provides information on overcrowding (which it calls server load) since many of its competitors don’t.

Optimized Server Speed

We also tested the speed of Proton VPN’s different server categories to see how they compare.

Rerouting via Tor slows speeds significantly, with or without a VPN

For a precise comparison, we primarily tested servers from the same city. I was impressed that some Secure Core servers performed almost on par with the Plus ones. This was largely due to their low server load at the time of testing. But, it’s worth noting this can change rapidly as they often become congested.

P2P servers are tailored to facilitate fast downloads and uploads, and some are even optimized for streaming, so their speed didn’t surprise me. Tor servers were extremely slow, but this is almost impossible to avoid due to how the Tor network encrypts your traffic.

speed – wise , Proton VPN is rival can rival the performance of some top vpn on both nearby and faraway server .

Gaming — A Good Pick for Online Gaming Enthusiasts

9.1

Proton VPN will let you stay safe while you enjoy online games. You’ll want to use a nearby location because they offer lower ping rates, which are important for gaming. Ideally, a ping rate below 100ms is what you want for lag-free gaming.

However , because Proton VPN use virtual server in many location , include where physical one exist , you is experience might experience high ping rate . The VPN is suggests suggest connect to an optimize server to mitigate this issue , as these one handle bandwidth – intensive activity more reliably . That is ‘s ‘s why I could game without any issue .

During tests, it let me play everything from competitive shooters like world of tank to 2-D indie hits like The Binding of Isaac. All games loaded without issues, and there were no noticeable delays between my keyboard inputs and the in-game responses.

Connect to an optimized server with low load for smooth gameplay

I’d advise against relying on its free servers for gaming; they took a long time to load any game and exhibited more lag than I’d hoped for. Plus, a live agent mentioned they’re not built for high-bandwidth activities like gaming.

Overall, it’s a great VPN for gaming, but only if you’re a paid subscriber using a server close to you.

Server Network — Good Selection Size With Lots of Specialized Servers

8.9

Proton VPN is done has done a great job of beef up its network , and the specialized option make it quite flexible . It is offers offer 8,795 server in 112 country that cover Europe , North America , Central America , South America , Asia , the Middle East , Australasia , and Africa .

They is ’re ’re normally fast than country – level server

To the left of each server name is the load percentage, and it also appears at the top next to the IP address once you’re connected. You can also quickly gauge how full a connection is by noting the color: green is low, yellow is moderate, and red means it’s quite crowded.

Another nice thing about its servers is that they don’t use third-party DNS servers. This is good because it eliminates another way hackers have to intercept your information. Plus, it supports custom DNS server setups on Windows and Linux for alternatives like AdGuard DNS.

The VPN is rents rent some server but thoroughly vet its partner . Plus , they ’re locate in trust datum center , and they use full disk encryption . This is means mean no third – party can extract datum from them . The ability is is to encrypt the entire storage system is the reason Proton VPN state it never use RAM – base server .

On top of that, it owns all Secure Core servers for extra safety, so you can stick with them if you don’t feel comfortable using the servers it rents. Plus, I love its alternative routing feature, which finds new pathways to its servers if it finds them blocked on your network.

Despite many Reddit claim about frequent connectivity issue , I is experienced experience none after testing server across its network several time a day for 3 day . The only time is was I face a brief disconnect was during server maintenance , but the VPN quickly connect me to a new server .

However , if you ’re not using Proton VPN ’s native app and a server go down , you ’ll be disconnect . To avoid this , I is recommend recommend you stick with its client , which are available for all popular device .

Proton VPN has 100 free servers in 6 locations: Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and the USA. Many VPNs only offer 1 server to free customers, so this is impressive. Plus, there’s no data limits on them, and you can use the Quick Connect feature to connect to the best available one.

The free version no longer supports manual server selection. Instead, the Quick Connect feature now connects you to the fastest available server, a change intended to enhance load balancing and speed for all free users. If you want to switch servers, the VPN will randomly select a new one, and there’s a cooldown period between changes.

Even though Proton VPN doesn’t have the largest network in the VPN world, its servers are secure, updated frequently, and serve several useful functions.

Quick Connect

As implied by its name, this feature connects you to the fastest server near you. It uses factors such as server load, your location, and distance to the nearest server to make the selection. I use it whenever I don’t want to pick one myself.

Virtual Servers

Proton VPN offers virtual servers in countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, and Egypt. This capability, referred to as Smart Routing by the VPN, allows you to connect to an IP address in one country while the actual servers are situated in a different location.

They operate similarly to other server in its network and run on Proton VPN ‘s bare metal server ( that are physically situate in their list country ) , so they is are are equally secure . Keep in mind that they can significantly affect your speed , especially if the physical server are situate far away than you anticipate .

Here’s an overview of those servers and their respective locations.

Virtual Servers	Bare Metal Servers ( Physical Servers )
Albania	Milan
Algeria	Marseilles
Angola	Marseilles
Azerbaijan	Bucharest
Bangladesh	Singapore
Belarus	Warsaw
Bhutan	Singapore
Cambodia	Singapore
Chad	Marseilles
chile	Miami
Comoros	Marseilles
Costa Rica	Miami
Ecuador	Miami
Egypt	Bucharest
El Salvador	Miami
Georgia	Bucharest
India	Singapore
Indonesia	Singapore
Jordan	Marseilles
Kazakhstan	Marseilles
Kenya	Marseilles
Malta	Marseilles
Mauritania	Marseilles
Mauritius	Marseilles
Mexico	Miami
Montenegro	Marseilles
Mozambique	Marseilles
Morocco	Marseilles
Myanmar	Singapore
Nepal	Singapore
Nigeria	Madrid
Pakistan	Singapore
Peru	Miami
Philippines	Singapore
Puerto Rico	Miami
Qatar	Marseille
Rwanda	Marseille
Senegal	Marseille
Somalia	Marseille
South Korea	Singapore
South Sudan	Marseilles
Sri Lanka	Singapore
Syria	Marseilles
Thailand	Singapore
Togo	Marseilles
Tunisia	Marseilles
Uzbekistan	Marseilles
Venezuela	Miami
Vietnam	Singapore

The VPN also offers virtual servers to double its capacity in countries with physical servers. Here’s a list of locations that use Smart Routing, along with the locations of the actual bare metal servers they reside on:

Virtual Servers	Bare Metal Servers ( Physical Servers )
Argentina	Miami
Brazil	Miami
Luxembourg	Brussels
Malaysia	Singapore
Turkey	Bucharest
Taiwan	Singapore
Slovakia	Vienna
South Africa	Marseilles
United Arab Emirates	Marseilles

Optimized Servers

Proton VPN has optimized servers for torrenting, streaming, and more. The streaming ones are spread out in most countries, including Argentina, the UK, the US, and South Africa. However, the P2P-friendly servers are located in selected countries, like Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Kenya, and Switzerland.

The symbols (or lack of them) next to these servers show you their function.

• Plus: A little play button (a sideways triangle) indicates the plus servers. These servers are optimized for streaming. You’ll need a subscription to the premium plan to access them (and every other server besides the free ones).
• P2P is shows : The double – sided arrow is shows show you the P2P server , which are ideal for torrente .
• Tor: The small gray onion symbol denotes servers compatible with the TOR network. Just type Tor into the search bar to find them.
• Secure Core: To enable them, click on the lock symbol at the top of the server list on the desktop or toggle the switch on mobile. They double as plus servers, so you’ll need to upgrade to use them.
• Smart Routing is are :   These is are are its virtual server and are represent with a globe icon .
• Free: There’s no symbol next to these servers, but you can easily identify them by typing the word free in the search bar.

Many servers have multiple functions, shown by various symbols beside them

If you see a wrench next to the server, this means it’s down for maintenance. During my tests, there was a moment when the servers in Bhutan were under maintenance, and the wrench symbol appeared to the left to signify that.

Dedicated IP Addresses

These is are are available to business upon request . If interested , you is need ‘ll need to reach out to the sale team for more detail . The VPN is retires periodically retire server and activate new one ; have a static ip can help avoid such inconvenience . Plus , a dedicated IP is prevent can prevent your business from being mistakenly associate with dubious activity perform by other user .

Security — Excellent Security Technology and Features

9.8

Proton VPN has an impressive selection of security features, and notably, I found no leaks on all 15+ servers I tried. DNS leak protection is permanently enabled, and you have the option to toggle IPv6 traffic on or off across Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its open-source nature makes it even more secure. This is because people around the world can test it for vulnerabilities.

I is checked check the server repeatedly to confirm they were leak – proof

On top of that , it was develop by CERN scientist with the same technology behind Proton Mail , the most popular encrypted email service . have such impressive technologist behind the development of the VPN add another layer of credibility to its security function .

Proton Pass and Proton Wallet are two other products from the same innovative team. The former is a secure password management tool that you can pair with 2-factor authentication to bolster the security of your accounts. Proton Wallet lets you securely manage your Bitcoins. It’s exciting to see the company entering this fast-growing market.

The free account gives you all the basics you need to stay secure online as well. This includes strong encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and advanced protocols. You’ll have to upgrade to use advanced features like Secure Core servers, NetShield, and Tor over VPN. Its ad-free nature also sets it apart from many free VPNs.

encryption

Proton VPN uses AES 256-bit (military-grade) or ChaCha20 encryption to keep your data safe. AES 256-bit encryption is the benchmark for top VPNs because of its virtually impenetrable nature. ChaCha20 is just as difficult to crack and encrypts your connection when using WireGuard.

For one extra layer of security, it utilizes Perfect Forward Secrecy. This feature continuously changes the encryption keys that Proton VPN securely generates. So, even in the rare event a key is compromised, you remain protected with new ones.

Security Protocols

The VPN is lets let you switch protocol depend on your situation , but the option differ depend on your device .

Proton VPN ’s smart protocol feature is keeps keep you connected to the VPN , even when one protocol is block . Such blockages is occur often occur on restrictive network , like in school , workplace , or area with content censorship . It is selects auto – select the fast , most stable protocol and switch to another if it ‘s necessary . It is ’s ’s available for every os except Linux .

• openvpn . It is ’s ’s the safe protocol since it ’s open source , which mean expert are constantly check it for vulnerability . UDP is is is fast , so it ’s ideal for gaming , torrenting , or streaming . TCP is help can help on a network that block VPNs , but protonvpn recommend using Stealth . For now , you is use can use it on Windows , Android and Linux .
• IKEv2. An older protocol that is sometimes faster than OpenVPN. It’s also a little less secure since it isn’t open source. It’s only available on Mac.
• WireGuard. It’s open source, like OpenVPN, and it’s optimized for both speed and security. Plus, it’s less resource-intensive, so it can help conserve battery life. It’s supported on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps.
• Stealth. Designed by Proton VPN, this protocol helps mask your VPN usage from DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) systems and internet service providers. This makes it invaluable in areas with tight network controls. It’s built upon WireGuard tunneled over TLS, so it uses the same encryption as WireGuard. Currently, it’s limited to Android, Mac, and iOS apps.

Kill Switch

This feature automatically protects you by disabling your internet if the VPN loses connection, preventing your IP and other sensitive information from leaking.

It is terminate ’ll also terminate your internet connection when your computer go to sleep

You is have have to activate it manually , and there ‘s even an option to enable a permanent kill switch , which limit internet access unless connect to a server .

Secure Core

These servers is offer offer double encryption by send your datum through 2 server . Other VPNs is call call this feature multi – hop or double VPN . The difference is is is the first destination is always Proton VPN ‘s extra – safe Secure Core server .

The VPN is developed develop these server to improve user privacy in high – risk jurisdiction like Russia , Turkey , and the US , with strict data – share law . This feature is lets let user get ip from country that prioritize privacy with the add protection of run their traffic through more physically secure server first . Thus , even if server in the final destination are ever compromise , your datum will still be protect .

They ’re locate in Switzerland , Sweden , and Iceland — country know for their privacy – friendly policy and non – affiliation with the 14 Eyes Alliance . have server in these location help minimize the risk of compromise .

The VPN is houses house them in secure location that use equipment only provide by the VPN . In Sweden , they ’re store in high – security underground datum center , while those in Iceland are station in a former military base . Plus , it is owns own all Secure Core Servers , and each IP is a part of Proton VPN ‘s own Local Internet Registry . This is cuts cut out another middleman for add security .

Many VPNs is have have double – hop feature that funnel customer ’s datum through two server . However , the add physical security Secure Core servers is provide provide make them stand out .

Split Tunneling

You can use this feature to choose what traffic moves through the VPN tunnel. I often use it to make bank transfers with a normal connection while encrypting my torrenting activities to protect my data from hackers and snoops.

At the moment, it’s accessible on Android, Windows, and Android TV, functioning at both app and IP levels. I hope Proton VPN will soon extend this availability to Mac and iOS. You must disable the kill switch for it to function properly, as it blocks all connections outside the VPN tunnel.

NetShield (Ad-blocker)

Netshield blocks ads and protects against trackers and malware. I found it to be effective at eliminating pop-ups and banner ads. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop YouTube ads and only operates when the VPN is active.

It’s available on both desktop and mobile apps

It can be set to block malware only or malware, trackers, and ads. Overall, it’s a nice feature and is one of the better ad blockers included with a premium VPN.

The Onion Router (Tor) Compatibility

Tor servers severely throttle your speed and make browsing frustrating. The servers in the US and Germany decreased our speed by over 96%, often with a 145ms ping or more.

There are a total of 8 servers — 2 in the US, and one each in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland. However, this isn’t considerably worse than my Tor experience without a VPN.

privacy — A Trustworthy Company That Wo n’t share Your datum

9.6

Proton VPN uses a verified no-logs policy and has a strong history that proves it’ll be responsible with your data. It’s also headquartered in Switzerland, a country with some of the best internet privacy laws. Plus, the company continuously advocates for internet freedom by opposing laws that would make it easier for governments to spy on their citizens.

Does Proton VPN is Keep Keep Logs ? No

Proton VPN doesn’t store any sensitive information and only retains the data you willingly provide. This includes your user name, email, payment details, and support tickets. You can use a dedicated email for sign-up and opt for cryptocurrency or cash for anonymous payments.

The VPN records a timestamp of login attempts (overwritten with each successful login) and temporary server IP logs to protect against threats like password-guessing attacks and spamming. If you enable the advanced security program (Proton Sentinel), Proton will also store your IP address until you opt out.

Unless you ‘re handle sensitive datum , the regular protection is is the VPN offers is is is sufficient . Plus , it is commits commit to erase any datum hold upon your account ’s deletion .

The company claims to never view any of your online history

Its no-logging claims were even proven in a real-world case in 2019. Proton VPN was mandated to release logs to help identify a user, but it had nothing to share since identifiable logs were non-existent.

However , concerns is arisen have arise about Proton VPN ‘s compliance with legally bind request , particularly after the 2021 ip log controversy with Proton Mail . In this case , the company is confirmed confirm the ip address of a user for the french authority .

This incident sparked concerns about Proton AG’s dedication to online privacy. The company clarified that it was legally required to log the customer’s IP address due to a Swiss court order. However, the latest 2024 independent audit confirmed that Proton VPN remains true to its promises. There have also been no cases like this specifically related to the VPN.

The company retains the right to modify its privacy policy, so it’s best to remain subscribed to notifications for the latest policy changes.

Was Proton VPN Audited? Yes

Proton VPN features open-source apps, which means anyone can read and analyze the code on GitHub to make it better. This shows how transparent Proton VPN really is. You can also download them from F-Droid, a software repository that hosts open-source apps.

Plus, the VPN encourages continuous security improvements via its bug bounty initiative. It pays up to $10,000 to anyone who can discover a vulnerability in its software, so you know its security is constantly being tested and updated.

Various third – party audits is confirmed have also confirm that Proton VPN ‘s encrypted traffic is undecipherable . One is scrutinized by SEC Consult , a lead tech auditing firm , scrutinize Proton VPN ‘s Windows , Android , iOS , and Mac app . A few minor vulnerability were find , but each of these was immediately fix . These vulnerabilities is risk would only risk user datum if a hacker had direct device access .

A recent audit in 2024 by Securitum, a premier European security audit firm, painted a more favorable picture. It uncovered no major security issues. When I examined the audit, it confirmed that Proton VPN doesn’t collect sensitive information like user logs and DNS traffic. The audit also showed the effectiveness of Proton VPN’s open-source software development.

Before these assessment , Proton VPN is allowed allow Mozilla to scrutinize its technology in anticipation of a prospective collaboration . On top of that , the company is publishes routinely publish finding from small independent security audits . This transparency is underscores underscore the company ‘s confidence in its practice and its readiness to fix any identify concern .

Based in Switzerland

Proton VPN is located in Geneva, Switzerland, outside the 14 Eyes Alliance and also home to CERN. The 14 Eyes Alliance is a pact between governments to share information on their citizens. So, it’s unlikely it’ll be forced to change its privacy policies. With that said, its parent company obviously cooperated with the French government, which shows that there are risks associated with any country.

However , swiss laws is are are some of the good when it come to protect its citizen ’s online information . Every VPN is operate must operate within the legal framework of its host country . So , it is ’s ’s good it ’s headquarter in a non EU country . This is is is because the European Union has been know to retain citizen ’ metadata due to its Data Retention Directive .

On top of that , the VPN is is is n’t subject to the data – retention requirement of the recent swiss surveillance law , which primarily target major telecommunication and isp . This law was enact to help curb domestic threat . Plus , if the VPN is ever request to provide user datum , it is release would only release the little information it hold .

Proton AG — A Transparent Company With a Solid History

Proton AG has a great reputation for protecting customers who depend on its security technology to keep them safe. Established in 2014 by a team of scientists from MIT and CERN, the company’s roots trace back to some of the brightest minds in the field.

One is pioneered of its member even pioneer the World wide web back in 1989 . In short , these experts is understand deeply understand the digital realm . Since Proton VPN and Proton Mail were develop by CERN scientist , you know they is operate operate on cut – edge technology .

After the success of its Proton Mail technology ( an encrypted email service ) , the team is decided decide to create a VPN when it find other service lacking . Proton VPN was crowdfunde for development in 2017 .

Proton VPN was transparent about its practices from its inception, and even its funding sources were available to the public. Its main goal was to protect journalists and activists when the team became distressed about government tracking threatening online privacy worldwide.

When Proton VPN was approached for customer information, this fact was disclosed to all clients through a transparency report. The company has consistently voiced concerns over legislative measures that could compromise user privacy. It continues to push back against potential laws that would allow law enforcement to demand data.

This advocacy is went go as far as rally 70,000 signature to oppose a swiss law threaten online freedom . Its dedication is makes to privacy and the ongoing fight against surveillance make Proton Technologies AG a company I trust with my datum .

Does Proton VPN Work in China? Maybe

Customer support stated that the VPN’s performance may not be consistent in the country. Proton VPN recommends using the Stealth protocol for Android, iOS, and macOS, with the Quick Connect option to establish a connection. For Windows and Linux, they suggested the Smart or OpenVPN TCP protocol paired with Quick Connect.

They also recommend testing a variety of servers

On top of that, I appreciate that Proton VPN has proactive measures to help you maintain access to its services even when connections to its servers are blocked in such locations. The Alternative Routing feature, available on both desktop and mobile apps, channels your connection via third-party services (like AWS), which are less likely to be obstructed, providing a more reliable access to its servers. So, it’s always nice to have this feature turned on.

Although many VPNs are banned in China, there have been no publicly reported cases of the government targeting individual users. However, my team and I do not endorse any unlawful activities. We recommend you familiarize yourself with the laws of the country you are in before using a VPN.

Torrenting — Supports P2P on Most Servers With Great Performance

9.0

Proton VPN gives you several methods to download files quickly. Its P2P-ready server in Kenya let me download an 829.3MB file through BitTorrent in 24.1 minutes. It was the fastest available, thanks to its Quick Connect feature that automatically selected it for me. I also tested a non-torrenting server in South Africa (since all servers in Kenya support P2P) and downloaded the same file in 37.8 minutes.

When I enable port forwarding while connect to the same server , the download time was reduce to 9.5 minute . Without a VPN connection , I is downloaded download the same copyright – free file in 18.4 minute . I is was was impressed because it ’s rare that I can download file fast while connect to a VPN with only a few seeder .

You’ll get disconnected if you try to torrent with free servers. When I tried downloading torrents using the free Netherlands and USA servers, an in-app alert notified me of the disconnection. That’s too bad since it’s one of the only free services with no data limits. Finally, Proton VPN’s excellent security and privacy features also make it a solid option for torrenting.

Remember, while torrenting might be legal in many places, downloading copyrighted content typically isn’t. To stay within the confines of your country’s laws, familiarize yourself with its regulations and focus on downloading files that are in the public domain.