Proton VPN

★ 4.3

Swiss-based, open-source VPN with a genuinely usable free tier and no data cap

Last verified: May 2026

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Type
app
Pricing
freemium · Free tier: unlimited bandwidth, 3 server locations, 1 device. Plus ~$107.88/yr or $9.99/mo. Proton Unlimited bundle includes VPN + Mail + Drive + Pass.
Platforms
mac, windows, ios, android, chrome, firefox
Targets
vpn

Strengths

  • ✓ Free tier has no data cap — unlimited bandwidth on free servers (3 countries)
  • ✓ Swiss jurisdiction — Swiss law has stronger privacy protections than US, UK, or EU countries
  • ✓ Open-source apps with public code, independently audited (Securitum, SEC Consult)
  • ✓ NetShield ad/malware blocker available on paid plans (DNS-based)
  • ✓ Proton ecosystem integration — same account covers Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass
  • ✓ Stealth protocol bypasses VPN blocks in restrictive countries (Iran, Russia, China)

Weaknesses

  • ✕ Free tier is limited to 3 servers and significantly slower than paid — expect 30–50% speed reduction
  • ✕ Full feature set (NetShield, streaming, P2P, Stealth) requires paid plan
  • ✕ Paid plan at $9.99/mo is expensive relative to NordVPN or Surfshark's 2-year price
  • ✕ Proton Unlimited bundle ($12.99/mo) is the best value but bundles services you might not need
  • ✕ Smaller server network (~8,000 servers) than NordVPN — but covers most use cases

Best for

Users who want a privacy-credible VPN with a free tier to evaluate before paying, or who already use Proton Mail and want a bundled privacy stack

#vpn#privacy#security#free-tier#open-source#swiss

Proton VPN is built by the same Swiss team behind ProtonMail — open-source, independently audited, and legally protected by Swiss privacy law. Its free tier has no data cap, making it the only credible free VPN option: unlimited bandwidth on 3 server locations. Paid plans add NetShield ad blocking, full server access, and the Stealth protocol for bypassing VPN blocks.

At a glance

FieldValue
PricingFree (unlimited bandwidth, 3 servers); Plus ~$107.88/yr
Free tierYes — unlimited bandwidth, 1 device, 3 locations
JurisdictionSwitzerland
Open sourceYes
Ad/malware blockingYes — NetShield (paid plans)
No-log policyYes — audited
Last verifiedMay 27, 2026

What Proton VPN does well

  • The only honest free VPN. Every other “free VPN” either sells your data, caps bandwidth, or is a front for surveillance. Proton VPN’s free tier is funded by paid users — the business model doesn’t require monetizing your traffic. The free tier is slower and limited to 3 servers, but it’s legitimate.
  • Swiss jurisdiction. Switzerland’s legal framework provides stronger protections against government data requests than US, UK, or EU jurisdiction. A US court order does not compel Proton to hand over Swiss data.
  • NetShield. DNS-level ad, malware, and tracker blocking on paid plans. Similar to NordVPN’s Threat Protection — blocks at the network layer so it works in apps, not just browsers.
  • Proton ecosystem. If you already use ProtonMail, the Proton Unlimited bundle ($12.99/mo) gives you Mail + Drive + Calendar + Pass + VPN under one subscription — a significant value if you’re moving to a full privacy stack.

What Proton VPN doesn’t do

  • Anonymity without an account. Unlike Mullvad, Proton VPN requires an email address. Your Proton account is tied to your activity.
  • Speed on the free tier. Free servers are shared and congested. Expect meaningful speed reduction — usable for browsing and Reddit, not for 4K streaming.
  • Value at full price. At $9.99/mo, the standalone Plus plan is expensive. The Proton Unlimited bundle ($12.99/mo) is better value if you can use the other services.

Best for

Users who want to start with a free tier before committing, or who are building a full Proton privacy stack (Mail + VPN + Pass).

Alternatives

  • Mullvad VPN — more anonymous, no email required, €5/month flat.
  • NordVPN — faster, more servers, cheaper on 2-year plan, no free tier.
  • Surfshark — unlimited devices, competitive pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions — click any to expand.

Yes — bandwidth is genuinely unlimited on the free tier. The restrictions are: 3 server locations (US, Netherlands, Romania), 1 device, no NetShield ad blocking, no streaming/P2P, and slower speeds. For casual Reddit privacy (hiding traffic from your ISP), the free tier is sufficient. For speed-sensitive use or streaming, upgrade.

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