ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service developed by Proton AG, the Swiss company behind ProtonMail. Built from the ground up with privacy in mind, ProtonVPN combines strong encryption, transparent policies, and user-friendly apps to protect online activity from surveillance, tracking, and common network threats.
Privacy and jurisdiction
One of ProtonVPN’s strongest selling points is its Swiss jurisdiction. Switzerland has robust privacy laws and is outside the intrusive surveillance alliances that affect some other countries, which makes it a favorable home for a privacy-focused VPN. ProtonVPN operates a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store connection logs that could identify your online activity.
Security and technology
ProtonVPN uses modern, secure VPN protocols including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. WireGuard, in particular, provides high performance with strong cryptography and low latency, making ProtonVPN suitable for streaming and gaming. Proton’s clients are open-source, allowing independent security researchers to inspect the code — a level of transparency that reassures privacy-conscious users.
Unique features
Secure Core is a standout ProtonVPN feature. It routes user traffic through multiple servers located in privacy-friendly countries (starting from a core server) before exiting to the internet, adding an extra layer of protection against network-based attacks and IP leaks. ProtonVPN also supports Tor-over-VPN, which lets you access .onion sites through the Tor network without running a separate Tor client. Other practical features include a kill switch (to block traffic if the VPN connection drops), split tunneling (to exclude selected apps from the VPN), and DNS leak protection.
Plans and usability
ProtonVPN offers a free tier with limited server access and medium speeds — a good way to try the service without commitment. Paid plans unlock higher speeds, access to more countries and servers, Secure Core, streaming-optimized servers, and P2P support on certain servers. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, plus guides for routers and other devices, making setup straightforward for most users.
When to use ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is well-suited for users who want strong privacy protections, safe browsing on public Wi‑Fi, secure remote work access, or tools to bypass geo-restrictions. If transparency, open-source software, and Swiss privacy rules matter to you, ProtonVPN is a compelling option. Try the free plan first to evaluate performance, then upgrade if you need the extra features or faster speeds.