Proton VPN: Protect Your Data with Secure Core Technology

An Overview of Proton VPN

Proton AG, a Swiss company well known for their secure email service, Proton Mail, introduced Proton VPN as a virtual private network service in 2017. Operating from their headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, Proton VPN emphasizes privacy and security, catering primarily to privacy-conscious individuals and businesses looking to safeguard their online activities. With servers in over 110 countries, they offer coverage in multiple regions, ensuring that users worldwide can access content securely and privately. Proton AG announced a transition to a nonprofit structure under the Proton Foundation in 2024, reflecting their commitment to user privacy and security rather than profit motives.

Proton VPN’s key features include an extensive server network of more than 6,500 servers and advanced privacy tools, such as support for the Tor network and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. Their service enables access to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer, allowing users to bypass geo-restrictions. The VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling, a speed accelerator, and dedicated business servers. Proton VPN offers scalable pricing plans, ranging from a free tier to more comprehensive paid plans, making them accessible to many users.

Proton VPN’s commitment to privacy and security is central to their service. They operate under a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not track or store user activity. To secure user data, the VPN uses AES-256 encryption, forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection. Being Swiss-based, they benefit from strong privacy laws that protect users from surveillance. Users can try the service risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee to explore their features before committing to a paid subscription.

Features & Services

• Anonymity: Proton VPN prioritizes user privacy by allowing you to sign up without providing personal data. You can create an account using a Proton Mail or Proton Pass email alias, allowing you to enjoy private internet without sharing details
• IP address masking: Proton VPN's fundamental feature is their ability to mask your true IP address, preventing websites from accurately tracking your online activities. By using Proton VPN, your actual location and identity are concealed
• Split tunneling: Proton VPN offers split tunneling, a feature that allows you to route some of your traffic through the VPN tunnel while other traffic can access the internet connection directly. This is particularly useful if you need to access local content while maintaining privacy for other online activities
• Ad blocker: NetShield, Proton VPN’s ad-blocking feature, filters out display ads, trackers, and malicious content. By preventing tracking by advertising networks or being the target of malicious scripts, blocking these elements makes your browsing experience faster, more private, and more secure
• Tor over VPN: Proton VPN offers seamless integration with the Tor anonymity network for an added layer of privacy. With this feature, you can access .onion sites directly through their servers, eliminating the need for separate Tor browser setups
• Alternative routing: In situations where access to Proton VPN servers is blocked, the alternative routing feature steps in. It routes your connection through third-party networks, such as AWS, ensuring you can bypass censorship efforts and maintain access to the free internet
• Kill switch: Proton VPN includes a kill switch that automatically blocks all network traffic if the connection is interrupted. This ensures your public IP address remains protected and never exposed during disconnections
• Always-on VPN: The always-on VPN feature instantly reconnects your device to the VPN if the connection drops, preventing any potential privacy breaches and ensuring continuous protection
• Custom obfuscated servers: Proton VPN offers custom obfuscated servers that conceal your use of a VPN. This feature is particularly useful in regions with restrictive internet regulations or where VPN usage is monitored or blocked, allowing you to browse freely and privately
• Port forwarding: Port forwarding enhances your ability to access local resources remotely and improves peer-to-peer (P2P) performance. Proton VPN gives you greater control over your network traffic by allowing you to route connections through specific ports, providing private internet access

Protocol and speed

Proton VPN supports several VPN protocols aimed at providing a balance between security and performance. The WireGuard protocol is recognized for offering both speed and strong encryption, using advanced cryptographic techniques such as ChaCha20 and Diffie-Hellman elliptic curves. In addition, they support OpenVPN, a widely used and trusted protocol, which benefits from its open-source nature and proven reliability. Proton VPN also offers the IKEv2 protocol, particularly useful for mobile users as it helps maintain stable connections when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

The service includes servers with speeds up to 10 Gbps, which can benefit users looking to stream content. Additionally, the VPN Accelerator feature aims to improve connection performance by up to 400%, particularly when connecting over longer distances. This combination of protocols and speed features is designed to enhance the user experience without sacrificing security.

Privacy & Security Features

• Secure core feature: Proton VPN’s Secure Core server offers a significant defense against network-based attacks. It routes traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden. This makes it difficult for adversaries monitoring exit servers to track your actual IP address or match your traffic
• No logs policy: Proton VPN adheres to a strict no logs VPN policy, meaning they do not track or store information about your online activities. Swiss law, known for its strong privacy protections, backs this policy, ensuring that user data cannot be handed over to third parties
• DNS leak protection: With this provider, your DNS queries are securely routed through their encrypted tunnel, preventing any leaks to third-party DNS providers or your internet service provider. This ensures that your browsing history remains confidential
• AES-256 encryption: Proton VPN employs open source AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption algorithms to safeguard your data. These industry-leading encryption standards ensure your online privacy remains intact
• Forward secrecy: Proton VPN uses forward secrecy, which generates a new encryption key for each session. Even if a key were compromised, it would only affect that specific session and not expose any previous or future encrypted data
• Two-factor authentication: They have two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account. You can protect your account from unauthorized access by requiring both a password and a second verification form, such as an app code
• Full disk encryption: Proton VPN’s servers have full disk encryption. Even if a server is compromised, attackers won’t be able to access any of the encrypted data stored on it, adding a layer of physical security

Pricing & Plans

Proton offers a variety of pricing plans for users with different needs. The Proton VPN Plus plan starts at a monthly plan of $9.99. For users looking for longer-term options, there’s a one-year plan priced at $4.99 per month, billed at $59.88 for the first 12 months. Alternatively, the two-year plan is priced at $4.49 per month, billed at $107.76 for the first 24 months. This plan includes access to over 6,500 servers in more than 110 countries, supports up to ten devices simultaneously, and provides features like split tunneling, ad-blocking, VPN Accelerator, fast P2P downloads, and priority customer support with live chat.

Proton Unlimited offers full access to all Proton services, including Proton Mail, VPN, Calendar, Drive, and Pass, for those seeking more comprehensive coverage. The monthly plan is priced at $12.99 per month, billed monthly. The one-year plan costs $9.99 per month, billed at $119.88 for the first 12 months, while the two-year plan is priced at $7.99 per month, billed at $191.76 for the first 24 months. This plan is ideal for users looking for a unified solution for privacy and security across email, file storage, password management, and VPN, with protection for up to ten devices.

Lastly, Proton offers a free plan, which includes unlimited access for one device with no ads and no logs. This plan provides essential privacy features for those who need basic VPN protection without any cost, making it a solid choice for users who want to try their services without committing to a paid subscription.

Business plans

In addition to personal plans, they provide business solutions through their B2B plans:

VPN Essentials

• Monthly plan: $8.99 per user per month
• One-year plan: $6.99 per user per month, billed annually
• Two-year plan: $5.99 per monthly user, billed every two years

This plan provides essential network monitoring and secure internet access, making it ideal for businesses needing fundamental protection.

VPN Professional

• Monthly plan: $11.99 per user per month
• One-year plan: $9.99 per user per month, billed annually
• Two-year plan: $8.99 per user per month, billed every two years
• Dedicated server and IP: Available as an add-on for $49.99 per month on the monthly plan, $39.99 per month on the one-year plan, or $35.99 per month on the two-year plan. This add-on gives businesses a private server and IP for more control and security

This plan is suited for businesses requiring advanced network security and access management, including dedicated secure gateways for enhanced control and security.

VPN Enterprise

This plan offers tailor-made solutions for larger organizations with specific security needs. Pricing is customized based on the organization’s requirements, and businesses are encouraged to contact Proton to design a plan that fits their unique needs.

Secure Your Data With Proton VPN

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

• Global server network: Proton VPN boasts a vast network of over 6,500 servers in more than 110 countries, ensuring fast and reliable connections wherever you are
• Strong privacy jurisdiction: Based in Switzerland, they benefit from the country’s strong privacy laws. Switzerland is outside of the EU and not a member of any surveillance alliances like Five Eyes, ensuring that your data is protected from government interference
• Simple user interface: Proton VPN is designed with simplicity, featuring a clean interface with easy-to-use controls. The quick connect button allows users to connect to the best available server instantly, and the always-on feature ensures that your connection stays secure, even if there’s a disruption in service
• Supports Tor browser and P2P: They are compatible with the Tor browser, allowing users to access the Tor network directly through the VPN for enhanced anonymity. Additionally, the service supports peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, making it ideal for users who frequently download and share files securely
• Scalable pricing: Proton's pricing structure is designed to fit all budgets. Users can start with basic features at lower tiers, such as the free plan, and scale up as their needs grow. As users require more advanced features, higher-tier plans provide additional security tools, server access, and more device connections
• Built-in security suite: Proton VPN comes equipped with a robust set of security features. This includes an ad blocker that prevents unwanted ads, tracking scripts, and malware protection, which helps protect your device from malicious threats. The kill switch feature automatically disconnects your internet if the connection drops, ensuring your real IP address is never exposed
• Speed accelerator: Proton VPN offers a speed accelerator that improves performance, particularly over long distances. This technology optimizes protocols, reduces latency, and helps maintain high-speed connections even when connecting to distant servers
• Streaming and content unblocking: Proton VPN excels at unblocking geo-restricted content and supports streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more
• 30-day money-back guarantee: For paid plans, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free. This ensures that you can test out all the features and, if unsatisfied, receive a full refund within 30 days
• Free plan: They offer a free tier, which provides unlimited access to the VPN for one device with no ads and no logs. This, combined with their features, makes them a competitive free VPN service

Disadvantages

• Limited customer support: While they offer live chat support for paying customers, free users can only access email-based support and knowledge-base articles. This limitation may frustrate users who need more immediate assistance using the free plan
• Lack of diverse payment methods: Proton VPN’s payment options are somewhat limited compared to other VPN providers. While they accept major credit cards and PayPal, they do not offer as many alternative payment methods, such as cryptocurrency or regional payment systems
• Limited simultaneous connections: The free plan allows only one device connection, and even the premium plans are limited to 10 simultaneous connections. This may be a downside for users with many devices or those who need to share their connection

The Customer Experience

Proton VPN has received mixed reviews across various platforms. On Trustpilot, the service holds a rating of 2.2 out of 5, while they score significantly higher on G2 with a 4.0 out of 5 and on Capterra with a 4.6 out of 5. On Sitejabber, they have a 3.5 out of 5 rating. Their mobile app is highly rated, with 4.5 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, reflecting strong customer satisfaction among mobile users.

Positive feedback

Customers have praised this provider for their strong privacy and security features, even in the free plan. Many users noted the high level of encryption and no-logs policy, which helped them feel confident in protecting their personal data. Users also appreciated the quick response times from customer support, highlighting the availability of helpful information online for those new to VPNs.

Proton VPN’s server network and speed also received positive feedback, with customers mentioning reliable connections across multiple devices, including laptops, desktops, and mobile phones. Many valued the advanced features like split tunneling, multi-hop connections, and support for the Tor network. Their ability to unblock georestricted content on streaming platforms was another frequent point of praise. Users were also impressed with the easy-to-use interface, noting the convenience of the quick connect button and the stable performance over long periods of usage.

Critical feedback

Some customers expressed concerns over Proton VPN’s pricing, feeling it was relatively high, particularly for the business plans, and that the server network could be limited in certain regions. Users also mentioned frequent disconnections and occasional connection issues, affecting their overall experience, particularly those relying on stable connections for streaming or work-related tasks.

Several reviews highlighted poor customer support, with users frustrated by slow response times and issues with the refund process. Others were dissatisfied with account management issues, such as confusion over subscription cancellations and the inability to maintain multiple active subscriptions simultaneously. The removal of features from the free plan, such as the ability to manually select servers, was another common complaint, with users feeling pressured to upgrade to paid plans. Additionally, some users found that Proton VPN didn’t always bypass certain geo-restrictions or work reliably with streaming services.

Customer Support Options

Proton VPN offers several ways to reach their support team. You can email them at support@protonvpn.zendesk.com or submit a ticket through their website. Existing customers can access live chat through the customer portal for more immediate assistance.

Additionally, they provide a helpful blog and support page that covers common questions and topics about their VPN service, making it simple for users to find answers to frequently asked issues.

The Bottom Line

Proton VPN is a strong option for users seeking privacy and security in their internet access. Founded in 2017, the service offers robust privacy features, including a strict no-logs policy, AES-256 encryption, and DNS leak protection. With a global network of over 6,500 servers in 110+ countries, Proton VPN is designed to serve individuals and businesses, providing flexibility with scalable pricing options, from a free plan to more advanced business subscriptions.

While Proton VPN has been praised for their extensive feature set, including support for Tor, split tunneling, and streaming platform unblocking, they have also faced some criticism. Users have noted occasional connection issues, pricing concerns, and limitations with customer support, especially for free users. However, Proton VPN remains a leading choice in the market for those who prioritize security and privacy.

If you're still weighing your options for a VPN provider, we recommend taking a look at our reviews of the top providers and utilizing our comparison tool to assist in your decision-making process. Additionally, visit our blog for valuable industry insights and expert advice.

Secure Your Data With Proton VPN