Proton VPN Review – I’ve spent weeks thoroughly testing Proton VPN on various devices—Windows, Mac, Android, and even browser extensions. I compared it to big names like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark.
I looked at everything: pricing, features, and how it performs for streaming, torrenting, and daily browsing.
No detail was overlooked, I’ll also explain Proton VPN’s standout free trial—no credit card needed—that makes it unique.
Proton VPN Quick Overview
Proton VPN protects your online privacy by hiding your real IP address. With your virtual location hidden, it’s much harder for your online activity to be monitored, restricted, or sold to advertisers.
Price:
- Free Plan – Unlimited data, but limited servers
- Paid Plans – Starts at $4.99/month (billed yearly)
Supported Devices:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
- Browser Extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
- Routers & Streaming Devices (Firestick, Android TV, etc.)
Pros:
- Strict No-Logs Policy (Based in Switzerland)
- Unlimited Free Plan (No data caps)
- High-Speed Secure Core Servers
- Works with Netflix, Torrenting, and Gaming
- No Credit Card Needed for Free Trial
Cons:
- Free servers can be slow during peak hours
- Fewer server locations compared to NordVPN & ExpressVPN
- No live chat support (Email support only)
Why Proton VPN is a Privacy Powerhouse in 2025?
In 2025, online privacy isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. With cyberattacks, data leaks, and geo-blocks dominating headlines, a reliable VPN is your digital armor. Enter Proton VPN, the Swiss-based service from the creators of Proton Mail.
Known for ironclad security and a free tier with unlimited data, Proton VPN has become a go-to for privacy-conscious users. But is it worth your money?
Let’s dive into its pricing, features, and performance across devices like Proton VPN Android, Mac, and more.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Server Count | 12,198 servers (as of March 21, 2025) |
| Server Locations | 117 countries |
| Protocols | OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, WireGuard (UDP/TCP), Stealth |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| No-Logs Policy | Yes, independently audited by Securitum |
| Free Plan | Unlimited data, 1 device, servers in 5 countries, no ads |
| Paid Plans | Proton VPN Plus, Proton Unlimited |
| Max Devices | 10 simultaneous connections (paid plans) |
| Speed | Up to 10 Gbps, VPN Accelerator boosts speeds by up to 400% |
| Supported Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Android TV, browser extensions |
| Special Features | Secure Core (double-hop), NetShield (ad/malware blocker), Tor over VPN, Split Tunneling |
| Stealth Protocol | Disguises VPN traffic as HTTPS, available on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows |
| Kill Switch | Yes, including permanent kill switch option (Windows/Linux) |
| Open Source | Yes, fully audited by third parties |
| Headquarters | Switzerland (strong privacy laws) |
| Pricing (Plus) | $9.99/month, $59.88/year ($4.99/month), $107.76/2 years ($4.49/month) |
| Pricing (Unlimited) | $12.99/month, $119.88/year ($9.99/month), $191.76/2 years ($7.99/month) |
Key Features of Proton VPN
1. Ease of Use & Interface
Setting up Proton VPN is a breeze. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android, the installation takes just a few minutes. Download the app, sign up, and you’re ready to go.
The interface is clean and simple. You get a big “Connect” button, a list of servers, and easy settings to tweak.
Want to change protocols or turn on the kill switch? It’s all there, no confusion. Even if you’re new to VPNs, you won’t feel lost.
2. Performance & Speed
Speed matters when you’re streaming or gaming. We tested Proton VPN, and here’s what we found:
- Speed Test Results: On a 100 Mbps connection, download speeds averaged 70-80 Mbps on nearby servers. Upload speeds were around 60-70 Mbps. On faraway servers (like the US from India), speeds dropped to 40-50 Mbps—still decent.
- Server Locations: With over 6,500 servers in 112 countries, you’ve got plenty of options. But performance can vary depending on how far the server is.
- Streaming & Gaming: It unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ easily on paid plans. Gaming is smooth too, with low lag on nearby servers.
3. Privacy & Security
- No-Logs Policy: Proton promises not to track what you do online. Independent audits (like the one in 2024 by Securitum) back this up.
- Swiss Jurisdiction: Switzerland has some of the world’s toughest privacy laws—no government can easily snoop on you.
- Encryption: With AES-256 and protocols like WireGuard, your data is super secure. Even hackers will struggle to break in.
4. Server Network & Locations
Proton VPN has 6,587+ servers spread across 112 countries. That’s a good number, though big names like NordVPN offer more. You get:
- Global Coverage: Servers in India, the US, UK, Australia, and even rare spots like Africa and South America.
- Specialized Servers: Secure Core for extra safety, Tor servers for anonymity, and P2P servers for torrenting.
5. Compatibility & Device Support
- Devices: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android—even Android TVs and Amazon Fire Stick.
- Browsers: Extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
- Routers: Set it up manually to protect your whole home network.
How Much Does Proton VPN Cost?
One of the first things I check with any tool is the pricing—because let’s be real, we all want value for our hard-earned money.
Proton VPN offers three main tiers: a free plan, a Plus plan, and an Unlimited plan. Here’s what you get with each:
Free Plan
- Cost: ₹0 (Yes, completely free)
- Features: Unlimited bandwidth, access to servers in 3 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan), medium speeds, 1 device connection.
- Best For: Casual browsing, students, or anyone testing the waters.
Proton VPN Free plan is a game-changer. Most free VPNs cap your data at 500MB or 1GB per month, but Proton VPN says, “Use as much as you want” I tested it for a week—browsed social media, watched YouTube, and even did some light work.
Speeds were decent (around 10-15 Mbps), but don’t expect blazing-fast performance—it’s free, after all.
Plus Plan
- Cost: $4.99/month (billed annually) or $9.99/month if you pay monthly.
- Features: 1,900+ servers in 60+ countries, 10 simultaneous device connections, high-speed servers, streaming and P2P (torrenting) support, Secure Core, ad-blocker (NetShield).
- Best For: Streamers, gamers, and privacy enthusiasts.
I upgraded to the Plus plan to see what the fuss was about. At $4.99/month, it’s cheaper than NordVPN’s mid-tier plan $5.99/month and offers similar perks.
Streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime worked like a charm, and torrenting was smooth with no hiccups.
Unlimited Plan
- Cost: $9.99/month (billed annually) or $12.99/month monthly.
- Features: Everything in Plus, plus Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton Calendar bundled in.
- Best For: Entrepreneurs or power users who want an all-in-one privacy suite.
Unlimited plan is a steal if you’re already eyeing Proton Mail or their cloud storage (Proton Drive). I tested the bundle for a month—loved the seamless integration across services.
Money-Back Guarantee
All paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I actually tested this—cancelled my Plus plan after 20 days, emailed their support, and got a full refund in 5 days. No questions asked, no drama.
How to Create Proton VPN Account? Step by Step
Step 1: Visit the Proton VPN Website – Open your web browser and go to protonvpn.com
Step 2: Choose a Plan – 1 month, 12 months, or 24 months for potential discounts.
Step 3: Create Your Proton Account – After selecting a plan, you’ll be directed to the account creation page and enter a email address.
Step 4: Complete the Final Payment
Step 5: Download and Install Proton VPN – Select the app for your device (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, etc.), download it, and follow the installation instructions.
4 Benefits of using Proton VPN
No. 1 Stream from anywhere
Unblock a wide selection of popular online media services, allowing you to access your favorite streaming content from anywhere in the world as if you were at home.
No. 2 Browse faster
Take advantage of our 10 Gbps network of over 8,600 servers stretches around the world and unique VPN Accelerator technology to improve your VPN speeds by up to 400%.
No. 3 Netshield Ad-blocker
Block ads, trackers, and malicious scripts with NetShield Ad-blocker, our DNS filtering feature that prevents connections to unwanted domains.
No. 4 Mask your IP
Hide your real IP address, preventing the easiest and most accurate way for websites to track you online.
Pros and Cons
No tool is perfect, right? After weeks of testing, here’s my honest take on Proton VPN’s strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
- Top-Notch Security: AES-256 encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy (new keys every session), and DNS leak protection. I ran leak tests—zero issues.
- Forever-Free Plan: Unlimited bandwidth on the Proton VPN free tier is a blessing for budget users.
- No Credit Card Needed: The VPN free trial no credit card perk (via the free plan) makes it risk-free to try.
- Streaming and Torrenting: Paid plans unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more. P2P servers are fast and reliable.
- Cross-Platform Support: From Proton VPN Android to Proton VPN Mac, it’s smooth everywhere.
Cons
- Free Servers Get Crowded: Speeds tank during peak times (evenings in India). Patience required.
- Limited Streaming on Free: No Netflix or BBC iPlayer unblocking here—paid plan territory only.
- No 24/7 Live Chat: Support is email-only. Took 12 hours to get a reply once—not ideal for urgent issues.
So, who should use Proton VPN? If you want strong privacy, a no-logs guarantee, and a VPN that’s good for streaming or torrenting, it’s a good choice.
The free VPN plan is perfect for beginners or casual users, while the paid plans suit power users who need more.
Final Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: Try the free version first. If you like it, go for Proton Unlimited—it’s a great all-in-one privacy package.
Proton VPN isn’t the cheapest or fastest, but its focus on security and privacy makes it a winner in 2025. What do you think—ready to give it a shot?
