ProtonVPN comes from the same team behind ProtonMail, and privacy is genuinely at the core of what they build, not a marketing angle. The Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and Secure Core architecture make it one of the most technically credible VPNs available. Whether it is right for you depends a lot on what you need it for.
Speed: Fast, With One Caveat
ProtonVPN scores 5/5 for speed in our database. Standard servers perform excellently, with independent tests showing speed retention of over 90% on WireGuard. The VPN Accelerator feature can boost speeds by up to 50% on congested or distant servers.
The caveat: Secure Core servers are significantly slower. Secure Core routes your traffic through privacy-friendly countries (Iceland, Switzerland, Sweden) before exiting, which adds latency. If you are using Secure Core for maximum protection, expect speeds to drop noticeably. For standard browsing and streaming, regular servers are fine.
Security: Best-in-Class
ProtonVPN encrypts by default with AES-256 and reaches AES-256 at maximum, with RSA-4096 handshake encryption. The encryption score is 4/5 (slightly below Mullvad and NordVPN due to the lack of post-quantum encryption at time of writing).
Leak protection scores 5/5: IP, DNS, WebRTC, and data leak protection are all present. No user data leaks have been documented in ProtonVPN’s history. All apps are open-source, meaning anyone can review the code.
Secure Core is the standout security feature: it routes traffic through two servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions before exiting. This protects against compromised exit nodes, a genuine threat model for high-risk users.
No-Logs Policy: Audited by KPMG
ProtonVPN’s no-logs policy scores 5/5 in our database. The most recent audit was conducted by KPMG, and the results are publicly available. Proton has consistently maintained no-log operations, and being headquartered in Switzerland means Swiss law governs any legal requests for user data. Swiss privacy law is among the strongest in the world.
Jurisdiction: Switzerland
Switzerland is not part of Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes. Swiss law does not require data retention from VPN providers. This scores 5/5 and is one of the main reasons serious privacy users choose ProtonVPN over competitors based in the Netherlands or USA.
There is one nuance: in 2021, Proton Mail was required by a Swiss court to collect an IP address after being accused of involvement in a climate activist case. Proton has since implemented a stricter policy requiring Swiss legal orders before complying with any request. VPN and mail are separate products under different legal rules, but the incident is worth knowing.
Ownership: Proton Technologies AG
ProtonVPN is fully owned by Proton Technologies AG, a Swiss company with no corporate conglomerate involvement. Ownership transparency scores 4/5 (not a perfect 5 because some organizational details are not fully public). This is still far better than Kape Technologies-owned VPNs like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PIA.
Streaming: Decent But Not Best-in-Class
ProtonVPN scores 3/5 for streaming. Netflix (multiple libraries) works reliably, as does Amazon Prime Video. Disney+ and BBC iPlayer are variable, Hulu is inconsistent, and Peacock is unreliable. If streaming is your primary use case, ExpressVPN or NordVPN are more consistent.
Features
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 supported
- Stealth protocol (custom obfuscated protocol): yes, useful in restrictive countries
- NetShield (ad and malware blocker): yes, scores 5/5
- Split tunneling: yes
- Tor over VPN: yes, via Tor servers
- Secure Core: yes
- Port forwarding: yes (useful for torrenting)
- Simultaneous devices: 10 on the Plus plan, 1 on the free plan
ProtonVPN has a free plan that is genuinely free, not crippled with data caps. It limits you to servers in 5 countries and 1 device, but the unlimited bandwidth and no ads make it one of the only trustworthy free VPN options.
Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Per month (annual) | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| VPN Plus | $9.99 | $3.99 | $47.88 |
| Proton Unlimited | $12.99 | $7.99 | $95.88 |
At $47.88 per year, the Plus plan is mid-range. The money-back guarantee applies, but ProtonVPN prorates refunds rather than offering a full 30-day refund, which is a genuine downside.
How ProtonVPN Compares
| Criteria | ProtonVPN | NordVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| No-logs | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Panama | Sweden |
| Streaming | 3/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Devices | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Price (annual) | $47.88 | $59.88 | $66 |
ProtonVPN sits between the streaming-focused mainstream VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) and the pure-privacy option (Mullvad). It is the strongest all-rounder for users who care about privacy but still need some streaming capability.
Who Should Use ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the best choice for users who want credible, audited privacy without giving up all streaming functionality. It is particularly strong for journalists, researchers, and activists. The free plan is also one of the only legitimate free options for users who want basic protection without cost.
Try ProtonVPN (free plan available)
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Our verdict: ProtonVPN is the most trustworthy mainstream VPN in 2026. The Swiss jurisdiction, KPMG audit, open-source apps, and Secure Core architecture give it a privacy foundation that NordVPN and ExpressVPN do not match. The streaming limitations and prorated refund policy are real drawbacks. For privacy-first users, it is the top pick. For streaming-focused users, NordVPN is more consistent. ProtonVPN scores 4.1/5 overall.
FAQ
Is ProtonVPN safe? Yes. It is one of the most audited VPNs available, with open-source apps, a KPMG-verified no-logs policy, and Swiss jurisdiction. It is consistently among the top picks for security-conscious users.
Does ProtonVPN have a free plan? Yes, and it is one of the only genuinely usable free VPN plans. No data caps, no ads. Limitations are servers (5 countries) and devices (1 at a time).
Does ProtonVPN work in China? Inconsistently. The Stealth protocol helps, but ProtonVPN does not reliably bypass China’s Great Firewall. Astrill VPN and ExpressVPN have better track records for China.
Why is ProtonVPN more expensive than Surfshark? ProtonVPN’s per-year cost is slightly higher than Surfshark. Part of that reflects the investment in their open-source development, independent audits, and Swiss infrastructure. Whether that premium is worth it depends on how much you value the privacy credentials.
The ecosystem question
Proton VPN increasingly sells as a citizen of the wider Proton suite (Mail, Drive, Pass, Calendar), and the bundle changes the value math for the privacy-curious: one subscription replaces three or four privacy-tool payments, with the VPN as the network layer of a coherent stack. Buyers comparing it head-to-head with standalone VPNs should price the suite they’d otherwise assemble; buyers who only want the tunnel can ignore the ecosystem entirely and judge the VPN on the review above. Both readings are fair, and the free tier remains the no-risk way to start either journey.
(Scores from the comparison dataset as of this update; Proton ships fast, and the streaming column especially is worth rechecking in the table between review cycles.)
Keep reading: NordVPN vs ProtonVPN 2026: Speed and Features vs Privacy Principles and Mullvad vs ProtonVPN in 2026: The Privacy Specialists Compared.