Proton VPN Review
"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
Subject to additional terms and conditions of Proton VPN.
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.
About Proton VPN
- Headquarters
- Switzerland
- Founded in
Pricing, Trial, Money Back, Cancellation
- 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
Features
- 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
- 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
- iOS
- Yes
- MacOS
- Yes
- Android
- Yes
- Chrome
- Yes
- Firefox
- Yes
- Windows
- Yes
- Linux
- Yes
Reviews from Elsewhere
- 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
- 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.