ProtonVPN is a top-tier VPN service popular for its unwavering commitment to browsing safety, security, and freedom. This Swiss VPN provider makes good on these promises with revolutionary encryption protocols and an extensive server fleet catering to eight million customers.
This ProtonVPN review delivers an in-depth assessment of the VPN's major features and real-time performance. Does ProtonVPN live up to the hype, or is it just another "wannabe" VPN service? Stay tuned for answers!
| Headquarters | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Number of servers | 2,978 |
| Connected devices | Up to 10 |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Does VPN keep logs? | No |
| Devices | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux |
| Extensions | Chrome and Firefox |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth, IKEv2 |
| Best price | $4.99/month |
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Is ProtonVPN good? Looking at its 4.6-star and 4.3-star ratings on the App Store and Google Play, respectively, it's fair to say that ProtonVPN ranks among the best VPN services worldwide. Although there's the argument of doctored reviews, our ProtonVPN test shows that these ratings hold water. This Swiss-based VPN provider is in a league of its own!
ProtonVPN sets itself as an industry leader with 2,900+ servers across 68 jurisdictions worldwide. As such, you'll always get access to a server delivering lightning-fast speeds 24/7. Utilizing add-ons like Secure Core, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and Adblocker (Netshield), ProtonVPN ensures your browsing experience is secure and free from nagging intrusions. And with a no-logs policy, you're certain that no one (not even ProtonVPN) has a clue about your internet traffic.
Here are some of the perks of making ProtonVPN your choice VPN provider:
As a Swiss-based VPN provider, ProtonVPN doesn't log user activity and distribute it to third-party entities, all thanks to its no-logs policy. During your browsing sessions, ProtonVPN goes the extra mile to route your traffic via an encrypted tunnel, keeping your personal data and passwords safe over untrusted or public internet connections
ProtonVPN has a fleet of 2,978 servers across 68 countries. That said, this secure VPN has a 10 Gbps server network that works alongside a dedicated suite of VPN Accelerator technologies to bolster browsing speeds by more than 400%. What's better? ProtonVPN utilizes an advanced network TCP flow control algorithm offering connection stability all day long.
ProtonVPN unblocks an extensive array of media streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, and HBO Max. As such, you can stream your favorite shows premiering from anywhere in the world, right in your home! And with ProtonVPN's unique VPN Accelerator technology, buffers are relegated to the background, ensuring your streaming experience is silky smooth.
ProtonVPN encrypts network traffic via extremely secure channels — AES-256 and ChaCha20. For context, VPN connections established using OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols will enjoy protection from AES-256. It'll take the best hackers billions of years to successfully break its setup. That said, those on the WireGuard VPN protocol get full-time protection from ChaCha20 which is just as secure as AES-256, but faster
But ProtonVPN has other safety extras up its sleeves. Notable mentions include:
If you were still questioning "is ProtonVPN legit," here you have your answer!
Created by the scientists who converged at CERN, ProtonVPN has amassed a stellar reputation over the years for being a high-speed VPN service that upholds your virtual privacy, eliminates censorship, and ensures security while you surf the internet with public WiFi. This VPN provider ensures speed is evergreen via up to 10 Gbps servers in over 60 countries. That way, you can seamlessly connect to speedy servers in an instant.
As we've established, ProtonVPN has a special VPN Accelerator feature that ensures the fastest speeds feasible, regardless of your location and ISP (internet service provider). This add-on works in real-time by creating diverse connections simultaneously, weaving past obstacles that can impede your internet connection. With ProtonVPN, you'll have access to your favorite sites and media streaming sites without experiencing delays, bandwidth throttling, and buffering.
ProtonVPN cements itself as a jack of all trades with a robust compatibility listing. This VPN service is usable on Android and iOS devices. You can also use ProtonVPN to safeguard your internet trail on your Mac, Windows, and Linux-based PC. Furthermore, this top-tier VPN provider works seamlessly with smart TVs.
The best part? You can connect up to 10 revives simultaneously on the VPN's Plus Plan. As such, you're guaranteed protection even when you switch devices.
Don't want to download the ProtonVPN application? No worries. This VPN provider has got you covered with browser extensions valid on Chrome and Firefox.
Before we delve into ProtonVPN's subscription packages, it's pertinent to note that this service has a unique free plan available to those looking to test out its capabilities. The free ProtonVPN package gives users access to servers in three countries (NL, US, and JP) and protection on one device.
Unlike the free plans of most VPN services, ProtonVPN's variant stands out as the only alternative that:
But despite the advantages bound to the free plan, you'll need to go premium for the full ProtonVPN experience. And contrary to popular notions, these packages are budget-friendly. What's better? Subscribing for a longer timeline can get you discounts up to 57% at the best price, and all ProtonVPN plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Here's the Proton pricing overview:
| One Month Plan | One Year Plan | Two Year Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProtonVPN | $11.49/month | $5.99/month | $4.99/month |
| Proton Unlimited | $12.99/month | $9.99/month | $7.99/month |
Note that the "Proton Unlimited" tier offers the premium offerings of all products under the Proton umbrella — ProtonVPN, ProtonMail, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass.
ProtonVPN accepts subscription payments via an array of transaction alternatives, including:
Note that you can only use Bitcoin to upgrade an existing package and not purchase a new plan. Additionally, payments made with cash or bank transfers are non-refundable.
If you encounter issues while using ProtonVPN, your first port of call should be its vast knowledge base that hosts different categories, including Account, Download and Setup, General Information, Troubleshooting, and Speed and Bandwidth. Each segment fields comprehensive information on related issues you might be facing.
If you can't find a fitting answer here, consider creating a support ticket. It works like email support, so you'll receive a reply in your mailbox. Plus users will receive speedier responses than those using ProtonVPN for free.
ProtonVPN also has its own unique subreddit (r/ProtonVPN). At the time of writing, this community has 48,000 members. So, if you'd like to get the consensus opinion from other ProtonVPN users, we recommend creating a post here. You'll get replies from community members and moderators alike.
And in line with other ProtonVPN reviews, this VPN service doesn't have unique live chat functionality. While this may be a drawback for many, the availability of other support channels should offer some respite.
Do the features fitted to ProtonVPN tickle your fancy? If yes, it'll please you to know that creating an account on ProtonVPN is seamless. Here's how to go about it:
After creating an account, you are redirected to a page to download the ProtonVPN application specific to your device. After downloading and installing the application on your phone, launch it and input your login credentials (email address and password). Once you’ve inserted these data bits, you are led to the server screen where you can choose servers across 68 jurisdictions without hassles. The experience is just as smooth when downloading the app on either Android or iOS, as well as on a Windows laptop.
Although ProtonVPN was created by a team of tech-savvy individuals, they've managed to dial things down with an application that's easy to use for al. You'll find several tech-themed settings; however, there are detailed snippets to explain what you're getting into.
We found that ProtonVPN fulfills the "plug and play" box. As a new user, all you do is insert your login credentials and choose a server. Another thing we noticed about the ProtonVPN app was its clutter-free interface. After encountering some clunky VPNs, ProtonVPN offers a new lease of life.
One ProtonVPN feature everyone will love is the "Quick Connect" feature. With this, ProtonVPN automatically connects you to what it believes to be the best server for your location at any given time.
ProtonVPN also has a color system that showcases server status – Green indicates low server load, Yellow showcases medium server load, and Red indicates high server load. This is also a cool feature, and you'll want to go for the green servers as those have the fastest connection speeds.
Overall, the ProtonVPN application shows that simplicity truly is the ultimate sophistication. Techy add-ons are well-explained, and personalization and usability are top-notch. Tech-savvy individuals might see the "Settings" area as somewhat limited, but ProtonVPN does the heavy lifting in the background without your input. Just do your thing, and ProtonVPN is always in the shadows to protect!
ExpressVPN is often at the top of the list of best VPNs worldwide. This VPN provider has a vast server fleet of over 3,000 scattered across 94 different countries. What's better? These servers are all "high speed," guaranteeing buffer-free streaming, seamless browsing, and lightning-quick downloads without sacrificing your safety and privacy.
ExpressVPN utilizes TrustedServer technology to ensure traces of your internet activities are non-existent. That said, it also adopts military-grade encryption (AES-256) protocol to make certain that no third-party entity can access your browsing data, regardless of how hard they try.
Compatibility-wise, ExpressVPN has unique applications for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, and FireTV. You can even download the VPN's extension for Chrome and Firefox or get it fitted directly onto your router. ExpressVPN also has a storied knowledge base alongside email and live chat support to ensure your issues are resolved in record time.
ExpressVPN's discounted subscription plan for a year costs $8.32, slightly higher than what you'll get on ProtonVPN. However, with the sublime add-ons in its résumé, ExpressVPN is indeed worth the investment!
Although it lags behind ProtonVPN with only six simultaneous device connections, NordVPN shows who's boss with a 5,700+ server fleet across 60 countries. The VPN service also has a dedicated kill switch add-on that restricts internet access during VPN interruptions.
But that's not all! NordVPN also ensures internet safety by offering access to a Threat Protection feature that restricts common browsing threats, a Meshnet add-on that lets you create your private encryption network for data transmissions, a Dark Web Monitor functionality curated to tell you if your internet accounts have been compromised, and a Dedicated IP to gain access to IP-restricted networks. You'll also get access to revolutionary protocols like IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN, revered for their excellent security and reliability, not to mention Nord's very own NordLynx protocol.
NordVPN also has a 24/7 customer support system that delivers speedy resolutions via email and live chat. Many users cherish this VPN service as it delivers rock-solid internet protection at a cost-effective price point.
Windscribe is another top-tier VPN service available to those looking to protect their internet tracks. It doesn't have the "bells and whistles" of ProtonVPN, with just over 600 servers across 60 countries worldwide. However, Windscribe has a juicy free plan that gives users access to encrypted virtual protection capped at 10 GB monthly, making it an attractive option for those seeking internet safety without spending a dime.
If you'd like to enjoy premium protection, you can also do so at a budget price. By using Windscribe's unique "Build Your Own" plan feature, you can access a selected amount of servers at the monthly cost of $1 per server. You'll also get unfettered access to the platform's exclusive R.O.B.E.R.T feature, a customizable tool that blocks advertisements and prompts faster connections.
So, if you're searching for an efficient and sophisticated VPN service you can access for free or for a small token, rest assured that Windscribe VPN has got you covered!
ProtonVPN ranks among one of the best VPNs globally. And despite fielding a myriad of features, premium prices are budget-friendly. With over 2,900 servers across 68 countries, ProtonVPN delivers fluid and secure connections required to bypass censorship and access your favorite platforms without hassles. The no-logs policy will also ensure that your internet activity remains a secret forever. Compatible with diverse devices and featuring a layout usable by anyone, ProtonVPN has etched itself as a service worth investing in. And the best part? It's constantly evolving!
You can check our reviews to see how this technology stacks up against other VPN services. Safety is of utmost importance with VPNs and we focus on assessing areas like the encryption system, the level of anonymity of the VPN, and whether or not they've got a no-logs policy.
VPN download speeds vary greatly, especially with large files. Check out our in-depth ProtonVPN review, where we've discussed the top features of this service provider, including its download efficiency.
No VPN service is 100% perfect. And the same applies to ProtonVPN. What you should be looking for isn't a perfect VPN but one with minimal frailties. Read our exclusive ProtonVPN review to learn the drawbacks of this service and how reliable it is overall.
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