ProtonVPN
by Proton AG · Utilities & Tools · VPN & Security
A privacy-focused VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with a generous free tier and Swiss jurisdiction.
Quick Answer: ProtonVPN has a verified Real Score of 4.3/5 based on 16,250 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.6/5. Highly recommended by verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 16,250 verified reviews
Gap Alert: ProtonVPN's App Store rating is 0.3 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Generous free tier with no data limit
- Swiss privacy jurisdiction
- Open source and audited
- Secure Core servers
Common Complaints
- Free tier limited to 3 countries
- Slower speeds on free tier
- Smaller server network
- Higher price for premium features
Verified Reviews (20)
Best free VPN that isn't a scam
Unlimited data on the free tier with no ads and no data selling. Three countries and medium speeds but it's a genuine free VPN from a trusted privacy company. Rare and valuable.
Swiss privacy laws protect you
Based in Switzerland with some of the strongest privacy laws globally. Outside Five Eyes and EU jurisdiction. For privacy-conscious users, the legal protection is meaningful.
Open source builds trust
All ProtonVPN apps are open source and independently audited. You can verify the code yourself. In an industry full of shady operators, this transparency is refreshing.
Secure Core adds extra protection
Routing through privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) before exiting to your destination adds jurisdictional protection. Secure Core is ProtonVPN's unique advantage.
Free tier speeds are frustrating
The free tier works but speeds are noticeably slower during peak times. For basic browsing it's fine but streaming or large downloads are painful. Understandable but limiting.
Proton ecosystem integration
Using ProtonVPN with ProtonMail, ProtonDrive, and ProtonCalendar creates a privacy-first digital ecosystem. One account for all Proton services. The integrated privacy suite is compelling.
NetShield blocks ads and malware
The DNS-based ad and malware blocker works well without impacting speed. Enabled it and forgot about it. Quiet background protection that just works.
Server network is smaller than competitors
1700+ servers in 60+ countries. Not bad but NordVPN has 5500+. In some regions the limited server count means connecting to a farther server with higher latency.
Mission-driven company matters
Proton was founded by CERN scientists focused on privacy rights. The company mission isn't profit-maximization but privacy advocacy. Supporting Proton supports internet privacy.
P2P support on paid tiers
Dedicated P2P servers that handle torrenting well. Good speeds and no throttling on paid plans. For privacy-focused torrenting, ProtonVPN's jurisdiction adds extra protection.
VPN Accelerator genuinely helps
The VPN Accelerator technology improved my connection speed by 30-40% on distant servers. The speed optimization is noticeable and makes distant servers more usable.
No advertising or trackers ever
ProtonVPN has never used trackers or advertising in their apps. Zero analytics, zero tracking. In an industry where free products often sell your data, this is genuinely trustworthy.
Premium price is above average
$10/month or $5/month on a 2-year plan. Not the cheapest but you're paying for Swiss privacy, open source, and no-compromise ethics. Whether that's worth it depends on your priorities.
Tor over VPN built in
One-click Tor routing through ProtonVPN without installing the Tor browser. Access .onion sites through the VPN app. The simplicity of the Tor integration is excellent.
Kill switch is reliable
The always-on kill switch prevents any data leaking when the VPN connection drops. Tested it multiple times and it works flawlessly. Essential for real privacy protection.
Streaming works on Plus tier
The Plus tier unblocks most streaming services reliably. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ all work. Not as extensive as NordVPN but covers the major platforms.
Linux app is excellent
Full GUI app for Linux, not just CLI. Rare in the VPN world and much appreciated. Linux users deserve the same experience as Windows and Mac users.
Supporting internet freedom
Proton provides free VPN access in countries with censorship. The company actively fights for internet freedom. Using ProtonVPN feels like supporting a good cause.
Wireguard implementation is solid
ProtonVPN's WireGuard implementation is fast and stable. The modern protocol provides excellent speeds with strong encryption. Technology choices here are sound.
The ethical VPN choice
If privacy ethics matter to you - open source, audited, Swiss jurisdiction, mission-driven company - ProtonVPN is the clear choice. You pay slightly more for genuine principles.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026