Quick Verdict
Pros
- Open-source apps & audited code
- Free tier with unlimited data
- Swiss privacy jurisdiction
- Secure Core (double-hop) servers
- Excellent torrenting support
Cons
- Limited streaming unblocking
- Smaller server network
- Slower speeds than top-tier
Table of Contents
Overview
Proton VPN, developed by the team behind Proton Mail, earns our #6 ranking in 2025 for its uncompromising focus on privacy, open-source transparency, and Swiss jurisdiction. Based in Geneva, Switzerland—known for strong privacy laws—Proton VPN operates under a strict no-logs policy independently audited by Securitum and Cure53.
What sets Proton VPN apart is its commitment to open-source software. All apps are fully open-source and regularly audited, allowing anyone to verify the code. The free tier offers unlimited data (a rarity), making it ideal for budget-conscious users. While it lacks the massive server network and streaming prowess of top-ranked providers, Proton VPN excels in privacy, torrenting, and ethical operations.
This review is based on 200+ hours of testing across 30+ locations, including speed benchmarks, leak tests, streaming trials, and code audits. For users prioritizing transparency and privacy over speed or entertainment, Proton VPN is a standout choice.
Features & Functionality
Proton VPN delivers a privacy-first feature set with unique capabilities:
3,000+ Servers
Network in 91 countries with Secure Core locations.
Open-Source Apps
All clients publicly auditable on GitHub.
Secure Core
Double-hop routing through privacy-friendly countries.
WireGuard Protocol
High-speed, modern encryption standard.
Free Unlimited Tier
No data caps, no ads, no logs.
NetShield Ad-Blocker
DNS-based blocking of ads, trackers, malware.
Specialty Features
Proton VPN's unique privacy tools include:
- Secure Core: Routes traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before connecting to exit server
- Tor Over VPN: One-click access to Tor network
- P2P Servers: Optimized for torrenting with port forwarding (Plus tier)
- Split Tunneling: Exclude apps or IPs from VPN tunnel
- Always-On VPN: Kill switch with auto-reconnect
Pricing & Plans
Proton VPN offers a unique tiered structure with a truly free plan and integrated Proton ecosystem bundles:
Free
- Unlimited data & time
- 3 countries (US, NL, JP)
- Medium speed
- 1 device
- No ads or logs
Plus (1-Year)
- All 91 countries
- 10 simultaneous devices
- Secure Core & Tor servers
- NetShield ad-blocker
- Port forwarding
- Priority support
Visionary
- Everything in Plus
- Proton Mail Visionary
- Proton Drive 500GB
- Proton Calendar
- Early feature access
Important Pricing Notes
Free Tier: Truly unlimited—no data caps, no speed throttling beyond server load, no ads.
Renewal Rates: Same as initial pricing (no bait-and-switch).
Money-Back Guarantee: 30-day refund on paid plans.
Payment Options: Credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, cash (by mail for anonymity).
Performance & Speed
We tested Proton VPN across 30+ locations using 1 Gbps baseline connections:
Speed Test Results
WireGuard delivered average speeds of 680 Mbps on nearby servers—solid but trailing leaders like NordVPN. Long-distance connections (e.g., US to Australia) averaged 180 Mbps. Secure Core reduced speeds by ~40% but maintained usability.
Streaming & Gaming
Proton VPN unblocked Netflix US and BBC iPlayer reliably but struggled with Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime in most regions. Gaming latency averaged 24ms with minimal jitter—excellent for competitive play.
Ease of Use
Proton VPN balances privacy power with user-friendly design across all platforms.
Desktop & Mobile Apps
Clean, modern interface with color-coded server list (green = fast, red = loaded). Quick connect chooses optimal server. Mobile apps include split tunneling, NetShield toggle, and dark mode.
Browser Extensions
No official browser extensions—full app required for maximum security.
Smart Features
Profiles allow custom server/connection rules. Auto-connect on untrusted Wi-Fi. Kill switch blocks all traffic if VPN drops.
Customer Support
Proton VPN offers solid support with a focus on self-service:
Support Channels
- Email Support: Responses within 24 hours (Plus/Visionary: priority)
- Knowledge Base: 200+ detailed guides and troubleshooting
- Community Forum: Active user discussions
- No Live Chat: Email-only for paid users
Support Quality
Email responses were technical, accurate, and helpful. The extensive documentation reduces support needs. Free users get community support only.
Security & Privacy
Proton VPN sets the privacy benchmark with unmatched transparency:
- Open-Source: All apps audited and verifiable on GitHub
- No-Logs Policy: Independently audited (2024 by Cure53)
- Swiss Jurisdiction: Outside 14-Eyes, strong privacy laws
- Secure Core: Hardened servers in former military bases
- Perfect Forward Secrecy: AES-256 + ChaCha20 encryption
- Full Disk Encryption: Servers use encrypted drives
- NetShield: DNS filtering for malware/phishing
Our leak tests showed zero DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks. Proton VPN is one of the few providers with fully open-source, audited code across all platforms.
How Proton VPN Compares (#1–#5 & #7–#10 in Our Rankings)
Proton VPN ranks #6 for its privacy excellence but trails in speed and streaming:
Bottom Line
Proton VPN earns #6 through unmatched transparency, open-source code, and Swiss privacy protection. The free unlimited tier is revolutionary, while paid plans deliver robust security for privacy enthusiasts. It falls short in streaming unblocking and raw speed compared to top providers.
We recommend Proton VPN if you need: Maximum transparency, open-source verification, free unlimited protection, or Swiss jurisdiction outside intelligence alliances.
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