Proton VPN Review

9 / 10Excellent
BestVPNEditorial Team of BestVPN.fyi
ProtonVPN: Switzerland's Answer to Global Internet Security Needs?
"ProtonVPN impresses with its strong security features, expansive server network, and broad platform compatibility, despite some noted areas for improvement."

Pros & Cons

  • Strong Security and Privacy Features:
  • No-logs Policy
  • Free Plan Available:
  • Large Server Network
  • Broad Platform Compatibility
  • Mixed Reviews
  • No Parental Controls
  • Limited P2P Support

Quick facts

  • 📱Devices (up to): 10
  • 🖥️Servers: 6500
  • 🌍Available countries: 112
  • 📍Company location: Switzerland
  • 🔒Logging policy: No logs
  • 🎥Streaming: Yes
  • 🌊Torrenting: Yes

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4.49EUR / month

Coupon codes are not applicable

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Proton VPN, a Switzerland-based VPN service provider, is lauded for its user-focused features and robust security measures. Its high overall review score of 8.8 is a testament to its reliable service and dedication to user privacy. With various pricing options, a wealth of features, and a secure platform, Proton VPN continues to distinguish itself as a leader in the VPN industry.

In the complex landscape of VPN providers, ProtonVPN has managed to carve a significant niche. Hailing from Switzerland, a country renowned for its strict privacy laws, ProtonVPN is designed with the primary goal of enabling anonymous surfing on the internet​. Given its origin, it is backed by stringent Swiss data protection laws and a commitment to privacy that has earned it a strong reputation. The company has been a vocal advocate for online privacy and security and their commitment is reflected in their product​.

The primary strengths of ProtonVPN are its strong encryption, wide range of specialized servers, and the availability of a free subscription​​. It offers a strong security package, complemented by over 1700 servers across 60+ countries. Moreover, ProtonVPN supports the WireGuard protocol, provides access to the Tor network, and excels in streaming performance​. The service stands out due to its ability to work with popular platforms such as Netflix, HBO, BBC, and Torrent, among others, while maintaining commendable speeds and stability​.

Our tests have shown that ProtonVPN performs well in terms of speed, both with local and distant servers, and we observed no major fluctuations during day-to-day use. Even during periods of high latency with faraway servers, ProtonVPN managed to provide a smooth experience. Furthermore, the service performed admirably under regular usage conditions, with minimal hiccups while browsing, efficient torrent downloads, and uninterrupted video streaming. Its ability to unblock Netflix US and other region-locked content was also noteworthy, although it should be noted that this feature is not available with the free plan​.

Yet, it is not without its limitations. The lack of RAM-Disk servers and a slightly confusing menu design were some of the issues we came across during our review​. Also, the absence of live chat support and a pricing structure that leans towards the expensive side may deter some potential users​.

Despite these shortcomings, ProtonVPN has shown itself to be a robust and reliable service, offering a range of high-quality security features, clear transparency, and the option to pay anonymously. The service has made notable strides in overcoming previous weaknesses and has become more user-friendly over time​. As such, for anyone seeking a VPN that offers a balance between security, privacy, and performance, ProtonVPN remains a strong contender worth considering.

ProtonVPN Dashboard

About Proton VPN

Headquartered in the privacy-friendly Switzerland, Proton VPN is a provider known for its transparency and dedication to user privacy. The company even maintains a warrant canary to keep users abreast of any potential legal requests for data. Plus, all Proton apps have undergone a security audit, further solidifying the company’s commitment to user security.
Headquarters
Switzerland
Founded in

Pricing, Trial, Money Back, Cancellation

Proton VPN offers a variety of plans to cater to different needs:
  • Monthly plan: $9.99
  • 3-month plan: $9.99 per month
  • 6-month plan: $9.99 per month
  • Annual plan: $4.99 per month
  • 2-year plan: $4.49 per month
  • 3-year plan: $4.49 per month
For those unsure about committing to a plan, Proton VPN offers a free plan to allow users to test their services. If unsatisfied, users can avail of a 30-day money-back guarantee. Cancellations on a monthly basis are also permitted.

Features

Proton VPN comes loaded with numerous features aimed at enhancing user experience and security:
  • Kill Switch: This feature ensures your IP address and other sensitive information aren’t accidentally exposed in case of VPN connection drops.
  • Split Tunneling: Allows you to choose which part of your traffic is routed through the VPN and which part accesses the internet directly.
  • Concurrent Devices: With Proton VPN, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously under one account.
  • Double VPN: Your traffic is passed through two separate VPN servers for added security and anonymity.
  • Ad and Malware Blocker: This feature helps protect you from harmful malware and intrusive ads.
Dedicated IP
Yes
Parental Controls
No
Split Tunneling / Bypassing
Yes
P2P Support
Yes
Ad and malware blocking
Yes
Bandwidth limits and data caps
Yes
Live Chat
Yes
Customer Service 24/7
Yes

Is Proton VPN Secure? Privacy & Logging

Security is one of Proton VPN’s main selling points. It employs AES-256 encryption, widely regarded as nearly unbreakable, along with support for OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Proton VPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect or store any user activity data. Other security features include DNS leak protection, IPv6 leak protection, and a warrant canary.
Encryption
aes-256
OpenVPN
Yes
WireGuard
Yes
IKEv2/IPsec
No
Hydra
No
Config File Generators
No
Kill Switch Feature
Yes
No Logs Policy
Yes
DNS Leak Protection
Yes
IPv6 Leak Protection
Yes
Double VPN / Multi-Hop Feature
Yes
Server Obfuscation
No
Independent Security Audits
Yes
Warrant Canary
Yes

Apps & Platform Support

Proton VPN is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and Linux. Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox are also available, though currently, there’s no support for Edge.
iOS
Yes
MacOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Chrome
Yes
Firefox
Yes
Windows
Yes
Linux
Yes

Reviews from Elsewhere

Despite Proton VPN’s robust features and transparent policies, TrustPilot reviews present a mixed picture with a score of 2.6 based on 292 reviews. However, on the app stores, Proton VPN fares better with a score of 4.3 and over 94,100 reviews on Android, and a 4.6 rating from 18,100 reviews on iOS.
Trustpilot Rating
2.6 (out of 292 reviews)
Google Play Store Rating
4.3 (out of 94100 reviews)
iOS App Store rating
4.6 (out of 18100 reviews)

Payment Methods

Proton VPN accepts multiple payment methods including PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Bitcoin, and even cash payments.
PayPal
Yes
Sofort (Klarna)
No
Swish
No
iDEAL
No
Giropay
No
Amazon Pay
No
Google Pay
No
Apple Pay
No
Samsung Pay
No
Visa
Yes
Mastercard
Yes
Discover
Yes
American Express
Yes
Monero
No
Bitcoin
No
Ethereum
No
Wire transfer
No
Cash
Yes

Summary

In conclusion, Proton VPN is a comprehensive VPN provider that places a strong emphasis on security, privacy, and user-friendliness. With its wide range of features, transparent policies, and compatibility across various platforms, it remains a reliable choice for any VPN user.

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