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Proton VPN

Proton VPN review

A VPN built by CERN scientists to make privacy the default. Open source, independently audited, and headquartered in Switzerland.

Proton VPN costs from CHF 4.99/mo · 13 plans · Free plan available · prices checked Oct 12, 2026

By Ciroapp Editorial Team · Updated Sep 16, 2026
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Proton VPN homepage screenshot

At a glance

Quick overview for Proton VPN: rating, pricing summary, key features, and highlights.
Pricing verified Oct 12, 2026

Ciroapp score

4.1/ 5

Proton VPN builds trust the verifiable way: open-source apps, independent audits, a Swiss no-logs base, and a free tier with unlimited data that most rivals don't match. Speeds drop on multi-hop routes, support is ticket-based, and you'll need to check the official site for current plan costs. Overall, it's one of the most trustworthy picks for privacy-focused users.

Pros

  • Pros:Apps are fully open source and subject to regular independent security audits, so privacy claims can be verified rather than taken on faith
  • Pros:The free tier offers unlimited data with no time limits, which is rare among reputable VPN providers
  • Pros:Secure Core multi-hop routing through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden protects you even if an exit server is compromised

Cons

  • Cons:The free plan limits you to a small set of locations, one device, and no specific server choice, and it generally cannot unblock streaming services
  • Cons:Secure Core and Tor over VPN routes add extra hops, so throughput drops noticeably compared with single-hop connections
  • Cons:Customer support is primarily ticket and email based, with no guaranteed 24/7 live chat
Best for
  • Privacy-conscious users who want open-source clients and audited no-logs claims they can verify themselves
  • Anyone seeking a genuinely usable free VPN with no data caps or time limits
  • Journalists, activists, and travelers who need Secure Core multi-hop and Tor over VPN for high-risk situations
This section is a summary. Detailed sections about features, use cases, pricing, and reviews follow below.

What is Proton VPN?

Proton VPN was created by scientists who met at CERN, and since its 2014 launch the team has pursued a simple goal: an internet where privacy is the default rather than an upgrade. Rather than positioning itself as just another VPN, the company treats the product as a comprehensive protection layer for every connection you make, backed by open-source apps and regular independent audits. By hiding your real IP address, it makes it substantially harder for websites, advertisers, and networks to monitor, restrict, or monetize your activity.

Proton VPN is a virtual private network service operated by Proton, the Swiss privacy company behind Proton Mail. It encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through Proton's own servers, masking your real IP address so your location and activity are harder to track, block, or sell to third parties. The service includes apps for major desktop and mobile platforms, a free tier with no data limits, and premium capabilities such as Secure Core multi-hop routing, streaming-optimized servers, and Tor over VPN.

Should you choose Proton VPN?

Quick buyer guidance before you compare plans or click through.

Choose it if

  • Privacy-conscious users who want open-source clients and audited no-logs claims they can verify themselves
  • Anyone seeking a genuinely usable free VPN with no data caps or time limits
  • Journalists, activists, and travelers who need Secure Core multi-hop and Tor over VPN for high-risk situations
  • Households and power users who want up to 10 devices covered on one subscription
  • Existing Proton Mail or Proton Drive users consolidating on a single Swiss privacy ecosystem

Skip it if

  • Users who need unlimited simultaneous connections on the cheapest possible plan, since paid accounts are capped at 10 devices
  • Anyone who relies on 24/7 live-chat support, as Proton's support is primarily ticket based
  • Free-tier users whose primary goal is unblocking streaming services or choosing specific server locations
  • Buyers who prioritize the largest possible global server footprint over a smaller, self-owned and audited network

Next steps before buying

  1. 1Visit protonvpn.com and create an account with your email address; the free tier requires no payment details
  2. 2Download the app for your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, or Android TV) and sign in
  3. 3Connect to a server, then enable the kill switch and NetShield in settings before browsing
  4. 4If you need streaming servers, Secure Core, or 10 simultaneous devices, compare plans on the official pricing page and upgrade; paid plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can evaluate them risk-free
  5. 5Run the apps on all your devices under one account and review the settings on each to confirm the kill switch is active everywhere

Proton VPN Key Features

✨ IP address masking and encryption

Every connection is tunneled through Proton's servers, so websites, networks, and trackers see a shared VPN IP instead of your own. With your virtual location hidden, your activity is far harder to monitor, restrict, or sell to data brokers.

✨ Open-source apps and independent audits

All Proton VPN clients are open source, so anyone can inspect how the software handles your data rather than trusting a privacy policy. The company also commissions regular third-party audits to verify that its security and no-logs claims hold up.

✨ Secure Core multi-hop servers

Paid plans can route traffic through hardened Secure Core servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions such as Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden before it exits through a regular server. Even if an exit server were compromised, the origin of the connection stays hidden.

✨ NetShield, kill switch, and protocol options

NetShield filters ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level before pages load. A kill switch cuts traffic if the VPN connection drops so data never leaks in the clear, and the apps support WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 with Smart Protocol selecting what works on restrictive networks.

✨ Free plan with no data caps

Proton VPN is one of the few reputable providers offering a free tier with unlimited data and no time limits, making it viable for long-term use rather than a throwaway trial. The trade-offs are a smaller set of server locations, a single device, and no ability to pick a specific server.

✨ Streaming, Tor over VPN, and P2P support

Paid plans include servers optimized for popular streaming services, letting subscribers reach home-country content libraries while abroad. Tor over VPN lets you access.onion sites without installing the Tor browser, and designated P2P servers are configured for safe torrenting.

Use Cases

💡 Staying safe on public Wi-Fi

On cafe, airport, or hotel networks, Proton VPN's encryption prevents network operators and nearby attackers from observing what you do. The kill switch ensures nothing leaks if the tunnel momentarily drops.

💡 Reducing ISP and advertiser tracking

Because your internet provider sees only an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server, it cannot build a browsing profile to use or resell. Sites see Proton's IP address instead of yours, which weakens ad-profiling and location-based targeting.

💡 Accessing home content while traveling

Streaming-optimized servers on paid plans are maintained to work with popular platforms, so subscribers can keep watching their home-country libraries abroad. This is one of the main reasons free-tier users upgrade.

💡 High-risk privacy for journalists and activists

Secure Core multi-hop routing and Tor over VPN are designed for users whose safety depends on concealing not just what they do online but where they connect from. Open-source code and audits add accountability that closed alternatives cannot match.

💡 Trying a trustworthy VPN at zero cost

Because the free plan has no data caps or time limits, it works as a genuine long-term option for light users and as an extended evaluation before committing to a paid plan.

Proton VPN pricing

FromCHF 4.99/mo

  • From the vendor's pricing page, checked Oct 12, 2026
  • 13 plans
  • Free plan available

Prices checked on Oct 12, 2026 from Proton VPN's pricing page

Proton VPN pricing page screenshotView pricing page screenshot
PlanBilled monthlyBilled annuallyIncludes
Proton Free
Free
—
VPN Plus
CHF 9.99/mo
—
VPN Plus - 1 Year Plan
—
CHF 6.99/mo
CHF 83.88 per year
billed annually
VPN Plus - 2 Year Plan
CHF 4.99/mo
—
Proton Unlimited
CHF 12.99/mo
—
Proton Unlimited - 1 Year Plan
—
CHF 9.99/mo
CHF 119.88 per year
billed annually
Proton Unlimited - 2 Year Plan
CHF 7.99/mo
—
Proton Duo
CHF 19.99/mo
—
Proton Duo - 1 Year Plan
—
CHF 14.99/mo
CHF 179.88 per year
billed annually
Proton Duo - 2 Year Plan
CHF 11.99/mo
—
Proton Family
CHF 29.99/mo
—
Proton Family - 1 Year Plan
—
CHF 23.99/mo
CHF 287.88 per year
billed annually
Proton Family - 2 Year Plan
CHF 19.99/mo
—

Price history

Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet.

Pricing notes

Proton VPN pricing:

See the vendor's official pricing page for current plan costs.

Cost calculator

Estimate what Proton VPN costs for your team.

Billing
Per month
CHF 9.99
Per year
CHF 119.88

VPN Plus states no user limit: shown as one price for the whole account. Check the price for 5 users with the vendor. Estimate based on published list prices, before taxes, add-ons and discounts.

How to pay less for Proton VPN

  • Start on the free plan and upgrade only when you hit its limits.
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Why use Proton VPN?

Most VPNs ask you to take their privacy promises on faith. Proton VPN reduces that trust problem by publishing its apps as open source, commissioning independent audits, and operating under Swiss jurisdiction rather than US or EU surveillance frameworks.

For anyone who wants a VPN they can actually verify — or a genuinely usable free option with no data caps — those differences matter more than marketing claims.

Try it nowView pricing

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Proton VPN FAQ

How much does Proton VPN cost?

Proton VPN's cheapest paid plan, VPN Plus - 2 Year Plan, costs CHF 4.99 per month. Paid plans range from CHF 4.99 to CHF 29.99 per month. Prices checked on Oct 12, 2026 from the vendor's pricing page.

Does Proton VPN have a free plan?

Yes. Proton VPN has a free plan (Proton Free); paid plans start at CHF 4.99 per month.

Has Proton VPN's price changed recently?

No. We have not detected a price change since we started tracking on Oct 1, 2026.

Can Proton VPN see what I do online?

No. The apps are open source and the service maintains a no-logs policy, meaning no records of your browsing activity, traffic destinations, or connection timestamps are stored. Independent audits verify these claims, and the company operates under Swiss jurisdiction rather than US or EU data-retention regimes.

Does Proton VPN work with Netflix and other streaming services?

On paid plans, Proton maintains streaming-optimized servers designed to work with popular platforms such as Netflix. The free tier generally cannot unblock streaming services, which is one of the main reasons users upgrade.

How many devices can I connect at the same time?

Paid plans support up to 10 devices connected simultaneously under a single account, covering laptops, phones, tablets, and Android TV. The free plan is limited to one device at a time.

What platforms does Proton VPN support?

There are native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV, plus browser extensions and manual configuration options for routers. This makes it possible to cover your entire household or device fleet with one subscription.

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