protonvpn.com

November 26, 2025

What ProtonVPN.com Is and What It Offers

ProtonVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service run by Proton AG, the same Swiss company behind Proton Mail. It’s designed to secure your internet connection, protect your privacy, and let you access content without regional restrictions. The service has been around since 2017 and has grown significantly since then, both in server coverage and features.

You can get to it directly at protonvpn.com, where they explain what they do, how it works, and offer downloads and pricing for various plans. On the homepage you’ll see information about their server network, security features, privacy policies, app support across devices, and links to pricing and support.

At its core, ProtonVPN masks your real IP address, encrypts your traffic, and routes it through secure servers so that your internet activity isn’t exposed to your internet provider, advertisers, or most third parties. The company emphasizes that privacy is a fundamental part of their mission, rooted in their origins at CERN and their work building privacy tools like Proton Mail.

Core Features and Security

ProtonVPN has a fairly robust set of features that you’ll see described on its site and referenced in independent reviews:

  • No-logs policy: The company says it doesn’t log your traffic or online activity, and this has been independently audited.
  • Strong encryption: VPN traffic is encrypted so websites and networks can’t easily intercept what you’re doing. Many industry tests find Proton uses modern standards like WireGuard alongside traditional choices.
  • NetShield ad and malware blocking: This is Proton’s DNS-level blocker that attempts to stop ads, trackers, and known malicious domains.
  • Large server network: ProtonVPN advertises thousands of servers in over 120 countries, which helps with performance and bypassing geo-blocks.
  • Open source clients: All of the apps are open source, meaning anyone can inspect the code to confirm it works as advertised.

Security-focused features like a kill switch (which cuts your internet if the VPN drops) and DNS leak prevention are also included, even on free plans, according to independent testers.

How It Works

The basics of any VPN are the same across providers: ProtonVPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. That tunnel hides your real IP address and encrypts everything you send and receive until it exits the VPN server. In practice:

  1. You open an app (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, etc.) and connect to a ProtonVPN server.
  2. Your device’s traffic is encrypted before it leaves your network.
  3. The internet sees the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours.
  4. Responses come back through the secure tunnel to your device.

This helps protect you on public Wi-Fi, hides browsing from your ISP, and lets you access services that might be geo-blocked in your location.

The service also integrates with popular streaming platforms and claims to unblock libraries on Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more — though performance varies by server and time.

Pricing and Plans

ProtonVPN has several tiers:

  • Free plan: This is one of the key selling points. It offers unlimited data with no speed caps and basic privacy and security features. You can connect to a limited set of servers, and the speeds can be lower than paid tiers because servers may be crowded.
  • Paid plans: These usually start around a few dollars per month when billed annually and unlock full server access, faster speeds, more simultaneous connections, advanced features like Secure Core (routing your traffic through multiple secure hops), and priority support.
  • Money-back guarantee: Most paid tiers come with a 30-day refund window.

The company explains its plans clearly on the pricing page, and you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel through your account.

Pros: Security, Privacy, Transparency

ProtonVPN tends to be praised for several areas:

  • Privacy-first approach: Being based in Switzerland, Proton operates under strong privacy laws, which helps enforce its no-logs stance. Many independent audits confirm this claim.
  • Generous free plan: Unlike many free VPNs that throttle speeds or restrict bandwidth, ProtonVPN’s plan doesn’t limit data and doesn’t show ads.
  • Open source apps and audits: The transparency around its code and security audits is a positive for trust.
  • Good for a range of uses: From basic online privacy to streaming and torrenting, it’s flexible enough for many people, according to testers.

Cons and Limitations

There are trade-offs, too:

  • Price vs features: While ProtonVPN’s paid plans offer strong security, they aren’t always the cheapest or fastest compared with some competitors. Independent reviews note that pricing is higher than some rivals that offer more raw speed or extra features.
  • Latency and responsiveness: In some tests, ProtonVPN’s servers showed higher latency than competitors, which matters for gaming or real-time apps.
  • Feature disparities across platforms: Some advanced features (like split tunneling) aren’t available everywhere or are newer on platforms like Linux and Mac.

Practical Use Cases

People choose ProtonVPN for different reasons:

  • Privacy protection on public or untrusted networks.
  • Avoiding ISP tracking or restrictions.
  • Accessing content blocked by region or censorship.
  • Torrenting or P2P sharing with encryption.
  • General security for web browsing and apps.

It’s also used by journalists, activists, and others for anonymity and security — partly because of Proton’s broader mission and branding around privacy tools.

Key Takeaways

  • ProtonVPN is a VPN service focused on privacy and security, run by the Swiss company Proton AG, also behind Proton Mail.
  • It offers both a generous free plan and paid tiers with advanced features and better performance.
  • Strong encryption, a no-logs policy, open source apps, and independent audits are central to its appeal.
  • The server network spans over 120 countries, good for bypassing geo-blocks and accessing global content.
  • Pricing is competitive in the privacy-centered segment, but some rivals may offer faster speeds or cheaper long-term deals.

FAQ

Is ProtonVPN safe to use?
Yes. Independent reviewers and security analyses find it uses strong encryption, includes essential privacy tools like a kill switch, and maintains a verified no-logs policy.

Can I use ProtonVPN for streaming?
Yes. It supports unlocking major streaming services, but performance and reliability can vary by server and time of day.

Does the free plan throttle speed?
No, ProtonVPN’s free tier doesn’t artificially cap data or speeds, though server load can make connections slower.

How many devices can I connect?
That depends on the plan, but paid subscriptions allow multiple simultaneous connections across phones, tablets, laptops, and routers.

Is it better than other VPNs?
It’s strong on privacy and transparency, but some competitors might be faster or cheaper for certain users. Choice depends on your priorities — privacy vs. speed vs. price.