Proton VPN
Swiss-based privacy-first VPN with audited no-logs policy and unlimited free tier
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based VPN service from the creators of Proton Mail, offering a genuinely unlimited free plan alongside premium tiers with advanced privacy features. It operates over 20,000 servers across 140+ countries with open-source, independently audited apps and focuses on transparency, security, and digital freedom under Switzerland's strict privacy laws.
How we scored it
Six-factor weighted score. Each dimension scored 0–10 by our editorial team across testing periods of 3–18 months. No vendor influence.
What it actually costs
Intro pricing shown — see the renewal note for what you'll pay after the introductory term. We don't hide the second-act price.
The real cost
What you'll actually pay across 4 years, including the renewal cliff. We blend the math so you see the true monthly cost.
When the bill actually arrives
Most hosts advertise intro pricing prominently and renewal pricing in the fine print. Here\'s the trajectory drawn to scale.
Proton VPN against the field
The highest-scoring alternatives in the same category, compared on the figures we hold for all of them.
| Proton VPNThis page | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReviewCost score | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Cheapest plan | Free | — | — |
| From | — | $3.49/mo | $3.09/mo |
| Renews at | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Biggest strength | Audited no-logs policy and full open-source codebase provide exceptional transparency | Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers consistently fast speeds, particularly with Lightway Turbo on Windows | Fastest VPN in independent 2026 tests—82% speed retention with NordLynx protocol, minimal latency on local and mid-distance servers |
| Biggest drawback | No 24/7 live chat support—email-only, with 1-3 day response times reported | Device limits (10/12/14) lag behind competitors like Surfshark and PIA that offer unlimited simultaneous connections | Renewal pricing jumps significantly—2-year Basic plan renews at $219.48/year ($18.29/mo), a 529% increase over introductory $3.09/mo rate |
Prices are the published figures at the time of writing and change often. Renewal pricing is shown where the vendor publishes it. See how we review.
What people ask about Proton VPN
Straight answers to what buyers actually ask, drawn from the documentation and published user reports.