Proton VPN review 2025

Proton VPN is a reputable VPN that focuses on privacy and offers feature-rich plans, including a solid free option. Compared to other free VPNs on the market, Proton VPN stands out because it maintains a fast connection without compromising your privacy and is ad-free. Additionally, its fleet of over 9900 servers in 117 countries proves that Proton VPN is a suitable option for streaming, torrenting, and bypassing geo-restrictions.

Together with the Cybernews research team, I assessed its speed, privacy protection and streaming capabilities. In this Proton VPN review I share with you my impressions of its encryption, security features, and no-logs policy.

Proton VPN review – key takeaways

During the assessment process, I scored each category on a 10-point scale, where 10 is the highest score. Proton VPN showed exceptional privacy, security, compatibility, and speed capabilities while offering good value for money and getting a good score in customer support.

Here is the summary of key areas that I considered when evaluating Proton VPN:

• Privacy and security – 10/10. An audited no-logs policy – operating from privacy-focused Switzerland – and advanced encryption guarantees the security and privacy of Proton VPN users.
• Value for money – 9/10. Proton VPN allows users to select between a free version and a paid two-year plan with a starting price of $3.59/month. Both options offer solid feature packages. However, the paid version performs better and offers more security features.
• Speed and performance – 8/10. During our testing, the average speed loss was around 15%. Proton VPN is relatively fast and – despite occasional speed inconsistencies – maintains excellent overall performance, retaining up to 85%% of initial speed on average.
• Features and functionality – 9/10. The number of features vary, but Proton VPN provides not just necessary features, but also adds a selection of advanced features to its paid plans.
• Compatibility – 10/10. Proton VPN has a standout compatibility with most popular operating systems and streaming services.
• Customer support – 8/10. Proton VPN offers various ways of support including live chat, email, FAQ, and informational articles. However, there’s no phone support and live chat doesn’t have 24/7 availability.

Proton VPN price

Proton VPN offers a range of pricing plans designed to cater to different needs – from casual users to those seeking advanced features. Each plan varies in features, server access, and connection limits, allowing you to choose one that fits your needs and budget. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of Proton plans, pricing, and key features to help you decide which option is the best for you.

	Proton Free	Proton VPN Plus	Proton Unlimited
Monthly cost	–	$9.99/month	$12.99/month
Annual cost	–	$3.99/month	$9.99/month
Two-year cost	–	$3.59/month	$7.99/month
Servers and countries	Servers in five countries	9900+ servers across 117 countries	9900+ servers across 117 countries
Router support	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Strict no-logs policy	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
DNS leak prevention	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Kill switch/always-on VPN	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
VPN with 10 simultaneous connections	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
NetShield malware and ad blocker	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Proton Mail Plus, Proton Drive Plus, and Proton Calendar with premium features	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes

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Proton free version

Proton VPN is one of the few reliable VPN providers that offer a free version. While this version is more limited than the Proton VPN Plus, it still provides robust features. The free version limits users to one connection per account, but you can create multiple accounts if needed.

Moreover, you can choose from servers in only 5 countries, and your speeds won't be as good. Yet, as a free service, that's quite a generous package that will protect your privacy. Interestingly, even though it’s a free plan, Proton VPN managed to unblock Netflix in some regions, unlike other free VPN options. Just keep in mind that if you run into a problem – let’s say you cannot unblock Netflix – don’t expect customer support to help you.

Proton VPN Plus

The Proton VPN Plus plan costs $3.59/month and is a feature-packed option designed for users who seek comprehensive online privacy. Additional features include an ad and malware blocker, a strict no-logs policy, and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming platforms.

With access to over 9900 servers in 117 countries, Proton VPN Plus provides a broad reach for secure and unrestricted browsing, covering up to 10 devices on a single account. However, Surfshark offers unlimited device support with similar features for a lower cost, making it a competitive alternative for budget-conscious users.

During my experience with Proton VPN Plus plan, I noticed the VPN Accelerator feature really boosted connection speeds, making browsing and streaming smooth. Additionally, the inclusion of Tor over VPN offers an extra layer of privacy, ideal for users looking for heightened anonymity. Moreover, with the 30-day money-back guarantee, it feels like a low-risk option to try out this powerful service.

Proton Unlimited

Proton Unlimited is priced at $7.99/month. It’s an all-in-one solution for privacy-focused users. Proton Unlimited doesn't just offer a VPN; it bundles Proton’s most powerful privacy tools into one package, adding encrypted email, secure cloud storage, and a password manager, as well as the VPN. These features make a real difference for users who value keeping their personal information safe across all platforms.

The 500GB encrypted cloud storage is ideal for securely storing essential documents, photos, and files. Proton Mail – with end-to-end encryption – ensures private communication, keeping your inbox secure. Meanwhile, the password manager further simplifies security, letting you manage and protect all your passwords in a single, encrypted vault.

Payment options, renewals, and refunds

Proton VPN supports main payment options, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, bitcoin, cash, and bank transfers. Speaking of renewal conditions, Proton VPN keeps them rather vague. However, no matter which plan you go for, Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Is Proton VPN safe?

Yes, Proton VPN is a safe VPN to use on a daily basis. It ensures the protection of your data with a range of secure tunneling protocols and market-leading AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. While it doesn’t have RAM servers, the provider offers a kill switch, two-factor authentication, and an always-on VPN feature. This tool makes sure your data is always encrypted.

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You can see Proton VPN’s security features in this table.

Encryption protocols

Like many popular VPN service providers, Proton VPN uses AES-256 encryption for its connections to the server fleet. So, it's using a key length of 256 bits, which is virtually unbreakable by brute force even with the most powerful current hardware currently available. For you as the VPN user, this means that no one will be able to see what you're doing online.

Proton VPN also uses ChaCha20 with WireGuard. This means that when you use the protocol, your connection is automatically encrypted with a ChaCha20 cipher. It is equally as secure as AES-256. It’s also faster.

To establish a connection between your device and the VPN servers, the service uses several tunneling protocol options: WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP or UDP variant), IKEv2/IPsec, and Stealth.

Open source apps

In the past, Proton VPN used to be a closed source provider, like many other VPN providers on the market. Not that long ago, they did a complete 180 turn and went open-source with all of their apps. You can go to their GitHub and read through all their documentation yourself.

Proton VPN also publicly declared that it's regularly audited by independent security experts. So, not only was it a smart PR move, but it also creates additional reassurance.

No-logs policy

In its privacy policy, Proton VPN claims that the provider follows a strict no-logs policy. They promise not to log their users' traffic, discriminate against device types, or throttle your connection.

When creating an account, you still have to provide confirmation that you are human. Among the possible options for confirmation are additional email and SMS.

The only bit that deserves criticism is their stance on privacy policy changes. According to their policy, if they ever change it, "Continued use of the Service will be deemed as acceptance of such changes." If one day they decide to introduce data logging and sell your data to third parties – that's your problem. But if you enable privacy policy changes as your notification preference, you'll be notified regarding it.

On a more positive note, Proton VPN has recently gone under a security audit performed by Securitum, a security auditing company. It was concluded that the provider has no significant flaws in their privacy policy.

All things considered, we conclude that Proton VPN is certainly a privacy-friendly VPN service.

Leak tests

DNS leak tests show whether a VPN is giving away your real IP address. This can happen if a device sends DNS traffic outside the encrypted tunnel of the VPN. However, Proton VPN doesn’t come unprepared – it offers a DNS leak protection feature that is always on.

We put Proton VPN to a DNS leak test to see just how well it works using ipleak.net. We connected to a random server – in this case Bulgaria – and checked it on the site. The IP leak test showed that our IP address is located in Bulgaria, meaning there were no leaks detected.

Advanced security features

For a VPN to be considered good, it’s necessary to offer additional functionalities besides simply hiding your IP address. It’s important that the VPN service you choose also provides good security and performance features, and Proton VPN does just that.

Feature	How it works
Kill Switch	Ensures your IP address is never exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted
NetShield ad blocker	Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious scripts and prevents connections to unwanted domains
Secure Core	Prevents MITM and timing attacks by using high-security double VPN implementation
DNS leak protection	Ensures that your browsing history is never leaked to your internet provider
Tor over VPN	Allows visiting .onion sites from the convenience of your regular browser
Proton Pass	Adds an additional layer of security and makes your password management easier
Forward Secrecy	Generates a new encryption key for each session, keeping your browsing history secure
VPN accelerator	Enhances speed performance by up to 400% when connected to a VPN server over a long distance
Two-factor authentication	Secures your account and keeps it safe from cybercriminals
Port forwarding	Improves performance and allows accessing local resources through your VPN connection

NetShield

NetShield is Proton VPN's advanced feature designed to block ads, trackers, and malware to ensure a safer and cleaner browsing experience for users. It achieves this by intercepting and filtering DNS requests through Proton VPN’s private resolver rather than relying on third-party providers. This ensures that domains known for phishing or malicious software are effectively blocked.

As a result, users can enjoy a more secure and faster browsing experience, as NetShield prevents unnecessary content, such as ads, from loading. In addition, this feature protects your online privacy by blocking trackers that monitor your web activity, and it can be customized to choose the level of protection that best fits your needs.

Secure Core

Secure Core is a double VPN feature that lets you connect through 2 VPN servers. The connection goes from your device to a VPN server. It then connects to another VPN server and finally reaches its destination. The first VPN server in the chain is always located in a privacy-friendly location.

For users, this means an added layer of security and privacy that comes with routing internet traffic through multiple servers before leaving the VPN network. This makes it harder to track your online activity and identify your true IP address. It also creates a safety shield against potential monitoring attempts.

Kill switch

Proton VPN's kill switch is a feature that is responsible for disconnecting your device from the internet connection if your link to the VPN server is disrupted. A kill switch monitors your connection, detects issues, blocks your access to the internet, and restores your connection once it’s safe.

Proton VPN’s kill switch is the last line of defence when it comes to safeguarding users’ IP address and keeping it uncovered. It makes sure that your data remains encrypted even if your VPN goes down.

Split tunneling

Proton VPN includes split tunneling that allows you to encrypt the whole connection, exclude certain apps, or select only particular apps to use the encrypted tunnel on. Most impressively, Proton VPN’s split tunneling works not just on the app level but also on the IP level. You can disable the VPN for specific websites, and that level of precision is hard to find.

This feature allows the user to direct selected internet traffic through a VPN. It increases internet speed and gives access to services that otherwise might be blocking VPN traffic, such as banking services or certain streaming platforms.

Tor over VPN

With the Tor over VPN feature, your connection first runs through the Tor network and then reaches the VPN server. This means, you can access the dark web without going through the trouble of using the Tor browser.

As a user, with the Tor over VPN feature, you can add an extra layer of security to your internet connection, which protects you from potential threats that are posed by compromised servers within the Tor network.

Alternative routing

This feature is what all Proton services use to combat anti-censorship. Alternative routing automatically kicks in when the apps detect that your connection is subject to censorship. Then, the app will try alternative connections to reach Proton servers. Note that this feature is turned on by default.

Thanks to this feature, users can enjoy increased accessibility of content – that otherwise would be blocked due to geographic restrictions or censorship – and improved performance.

Proton Pass

Proton Pass is Proton VPN’s password manager that’s available for free to all Proton users. This tool adds another layer of digital security and lets you manage passwords without a hassle.

Proton Pass users can store their logins and have their online identity protected with no additional cost. Whether on iOS, Android, Firefox, or Chromium-based browsers like Chrome and Edge, Proton Pass ensures easy access across platforms. With Proton Pass, generating secure, unique passwords for each site, quick sign-ins with autofill, encrypted note storage, and shielded inbox protection through hide-my-email aliases becomes easy. All data, including metadata, is end-to-end encrypted, maintaining your privacy.

Speed and performance: is Proton VPN fast?

For our Proton VPN review, we tested it on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 device (AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U processor, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) with Windows 11 Pro operating system installed. We checked the download and upload speed retention rates in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.

Please beware that internet speeds change frequently depending on location, ISP, software, time of day, and other factors.

Since WireGuard is the tunneling protocol that typically offers the best speeds, it’s not surprising that Proton VPN came out to be relatively fast during our tests. Proton VPN uses VPN Accelerator to enhance speed and performance. By leveraging multiple processor cores and optimizing network routes, it ensures faster and more efficient VPN connections.

The VPN showed the best download and upload retention rates in Australia. In the UK, the US, and Canada, Proton VPN download and upload speeds were slower but never fell lower than 40%.

Overall, compared to the fastest VPNs in 2025, Proton VPN was rather slow during the tests.

Speaking of speed retention, here’s how Proton VPN compares to other popular VPNs:

	The US server	The UK server	Japan server
Proton VPN	85%	94%	92%
NordVPN	90%	97%	94%
Surfshark	86%	94%	93%
ExpressVPN	77%	92%	89%

Proton VPN performance with other protocols

Although WireGuard is considered one of the fastest protocols on the market, it’s not the only option that Proton VPN offers. The provider also includes OpenVPN (TCP or UDP variant), IKEv2/IPsec, and Stealth protocols.

Protocol	Best use case
WireGuard	Best Proton VPN protocol overall
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)	Best Proton VPN protocol for overall security
IKEv2/IPsec	Best Proton VPN protocol for Wi-Fi connection
Stealth	Best Proton VPN protocol for bypassing firewalls

Proton VPN offers several connection options tailored to different needs for speed and security. WireGuard provides the best performance, keeping about 85% of your original internet speed and works well on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

OpenVPN is available in two versions on Proton VPN: UDP and TCP. The UDP version is quicker, retaining about 75% of your original speed, while the TCP version prioritises stability over speed, maintaining around 23% of your original speed.

Proton VPN has IKEv2/IPsec for mobile users, which is great for smoothly switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, keeping around 38% speed. There's also a new Stealth protocol which helps keep your online activities hidden. Though it’s slower, retaining only about 20% of speed.

Overall, Proton VPN is a flexible choice. It keeps internet speeds reasonably fast and stable, whether you're close to the server or far away. You can also choose different protocols depending on your needs.

Proton VPN compared to other VPNs

When choosing a VPN, it’s important to compare how they stack up against one another. Different VPNs cater to different needs, whether it’s streaming, torrenting, or security. Here's how Proton VPN looks compared to other VPN market options:

Brand	Rating	Price (lowest price per month)	Free version	Servers	Streaming	Logging	Ad blocker	Simultaneous connections
Proton VPN	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$3.59/month	✅ Yes	9900+ servers in 117 countries	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+	No logs, independently audited by Securitum	✅ Yes	10
NordVPN	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$3.39/month	✅ Yes (7-day trial)	7200+ servers in 118 countries	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	No logs, independently audited four times by PwC and Deloitte	✅ Yes	10
Mullvad VPN	3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$6.00/month	❌ No	695+ servers in 46 countries	YouTube	No logs, not audited	✅ Yes	up to 5
ExpressVPN	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$4.99/month	✅ Yes (7-day for mobile devices)	3000+ servers in 105 countries	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	No logs, independently audited by Cure53	✅ Yes	8
Surfshark	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$2.19/month	✅ Yes (7-day)	3200+ servers in 100 countries	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte	✅ Yes	Unlimited

How does Proton VPN work?

When you launch Proton VPN, you'll first notice its expansive app window. You can connect using the interactive map or select a server from the list on the left side with just a click. The main dashboard grants access to essential features like the kill switch and Secure Core servers, enhancing your security. Additionally, the NetShield feature in the main menu blocks ads, stops trackers, and alerts you about malicious websites.

From the main menu, you can customize profiles with preferences like color, protocol, country, and server type, streamlining your experience for activities like streaming. Proton VPN impresses with its privacy features, making it an ideal choice for advanced users. You can initiate a quick connection directly from the main menu.

Quick Connect in Proton VPN links you to the fastest server automatically, saving you time. You can personalize settings by selecting preferred countries or server types, ensuring a quick, reliable connection tailored to your needs. In the advanced settings, you can enable split tunneling for specific apps.

Privacy enthusiasts, journalists, and activists will find the Tor over VPN option valuable for maximizing anonymity. However, remember that this high level of security may significantly slow down your device, and it's intended only for special occasions.

Proton VPN is available on various platforms, maintaining a user-friendly experience across all devices. The setup is straightforward, allowing you to enjoy strong protection with just a few clicks.

How to download and install Proton VPN

Proton VPN is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android TV, Chrome, and Firefox. Of course, how you download this VPN depends on your device or operating system.

1. Go to the Proton VPN website and download the application
2. Install the Proton VPN app
3. Register your account and choose the preferred subscription plan
4. Download the app on other devices (Proton VPN is available on 10 devices simultaneously) and log in
5. Enjoy enhanced security and privacy

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Proton VPN servers and locations

The number of servers available to you depends on the plan you choose. The free plan allows you to choose servers from 5 different countries. However, if you opt for the VPN Plus or Unlimited plan, you can access over 9900 servers across 117 countries.

Proton VPN Plus offers 9900+ servers across 117 countries. The biggest number of servers (2336) are in the United States. You also can find plenty of servers in Canada, the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Fortunately, the servers span across the globe, including such countries as Ecuador, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, and South Africa.

The spread-out network of Proton VPN's servers ensures that it is easy enough to find a server close by and enjoy all the available security and privacy benefits. All Proton VPN Plus servers ensure streaming and P2P/BitTorrent support, access to NetShield (ad blocker), Tor over VPN routing, and VPN speeds of up to 10Gbps. Of course, the closer the server is to your actual geolocation, the faster the speeds you can expect.

Proton VPN also offers virtual servers. Using Smart Routing technology, the VPN can provide virtual servers that are not physically available in a certain country. This technology also expands the server capacity in countries where not many physical servers exist.

Proton Free users can only connect to servers in Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the US. So, you still get some coverage, although all options are equally as bad for users in, for example, South Africa. It's also the only plan that doesn't have P2P servers. The plus is that Proton VPN’s free version doesn’t have any data caps, which is a truly rare feature for a freemium VPN.

Is Proton VPN good for streaming?

Yes, Proton VPN is a good VPN to use for streaming. The VPN offers a decent number of servers located in 117 countries, which makes it accessible for users across the globe and enables streaming content from such popular markets as the US, the UK, and Canada.

Platform	Does it work?
Netflix	✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Yes
Hulu	✅ Yes
HBO Max	✅ Yes
Disney+	✅ Yes
BBC iPlayer	✅ Yes

If you're thinking of using your VPN not only for streaming, I recommend NordVPN, which offers an even larger fleet of 7200+ servers in 118 countries.

Overall, Proton VPN is pretty good at bypassing geo-restrictions and allowing you to access all of the best content around the world. After all, you’ll be able to unblock libraries in countries like the US and the UK. On top of that, you can use Proton VPN with Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Android TV, and Kodi (must be installed on the router).

Unblocking Netflix with Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a solid choice for unblocking the US Netflix library. While I couldn’t connect on the first try, the second attempt was successful. So, if Netflix shows the “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy“ message after connecting, just try to connect to a different server.

Once I connected to the United States server, I was quite surprised with the experience. There was no buffering at all. Sure, when connecting to libraries of other countries, I had different loading times, but overall, it was a pleasant experience. Proton VPN is a good contender to get on the list of the best VPNs for Netflix.

Unblocking other streaming services with Proton VPN

There are many popular streaming services available, and Proton VPN can unblock most of them.

Starting with YouTube TV, it worked without a hitch. All you have to do is make sure you pick a server with a lesser load to avoid buffering. We were also able to access Hulu libraries. While we had to switch between a few servers to find one that could unblock it, it worked great when we accessed it.

Proton VPN provides a streaming guide that explains how to use the VPN to unblock many services, including Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, ESPN+, NOW TV, ITV Hub+, TF1+, France.tv, ABC, Channel4, 9Now, fuboTV, Hotstar, Peacock, and Sling TV.

Overall, whether you want to unblock Max content or stream your favorite show on BBC iPlayer, Proton VPN can offer a great solution.

Is Proton VPN good for torrenting?

Yes, Proton VPN is a solid choice for torrenting because it supports P2P file sharing. While Proton VPN is sometimes inconsistent when it comes to speeds, the service has dedicated P2P-optimized servers for a better torrenting experience. However, you only get this feature with the paid plan.

On top of that, the best VPNs for torrenting are usually based in a privacy-friendly country. Proton VPN is no exception. It’s based in Switzerland, which is a country that doesn’t forbid torrenting. So, your file-sharing activities with this provider are going to be safe and anonymous. Especially, because Proton VPN has a strict no-logs policy, leaving all of your browsing activities up to you.

Overall, torrenting with Proton VPN won’t disappoint you. While it isn’t the fastest for that purpose, it does the job well.

Compatibility, interface, and ease of use

Proton VPN offers a range of apps for both desktop and mobile users. Whether you’re a Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android user, you can get an app for any of them.

Platform	Version	Experience
Windows	Windows 7 or higher	Best Proton VPN experience
macOS	macOS 10.12 or higher	Has advanced features
Linux	Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora	Trusted and easy-to-use app
Mobile	iOS 15.0 or higher and Android 6.0 or higher	Excellent apps on iOS and Android

Both desktop versions are quite similar and offer an intuitive design that's not over-cluttered. It’s worth noting that Windows users get the best Proton VPN experience because it has all the necessary security features.

Mobile apps have a similar UI as well. They’re very user friendly but it’s important to know that some of their functionalities differ.

Let’s take a look at what each option offers.

Windows

The Windows app has WireGuard and OpenVPN (TCP and UDP versions). When you install Proton VPN, it will additionally add a TAP-Proton VPN Windows Adapter to your Programs and Features. This is completely normal, and it includes the OpenVPN package to make your connection possible.

Out of all the available clients, the Windows app has the most settings. It includes alternative routing (also available on macOS), split tunneling, and custom DNS servers. So, if you're a Windows user, you're getting the best possible version for your money.

macOS

Proton VPN has an app for macOS that provides a secure and private experience. The app is open source and has been audited. Besides, it offers useful security features: kill switch, ad blocker (NetShield), and strong encryption. All the essential design elements are there, and the app is easy to use.

However, IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, and custom DNS servers are for Windows only. On the other hand, Mac users can enjoy the Stealth protocol and the notify unprotected networks feature that gives you a notification whenever you connect to an unprotected network. If that’s not enough, check alternative VPN options for Mac.

Linux

If you're a Linux user, Proton VPN will be a good match. It now has a trusted and easy-to-use app for Linux and is packed with security features. To start using Proton VPN on Linux, you’ll have to simply get its DEB package, install the Proton VPN repository, update the apt-get package list, and install the application. You can find loads of guides for different Linux distros on Proton VPN’s website.

Also, downloading and installing the app is easy, you just have to scroll down past the 3 steps mentioned in the article and choose which distribution is used. Then all installing tutorials are very easy. In addition, it has a full GUI and it's not terminal-based anymore.

The Proton VPN Linux app has an intuitive graphical user interface, which lets you activate features and connect to servers. The Linux app uses strong encryption – OpenVPN protocol at its strongest encryption settings.

Proton VPN mobile apps

Proton VPN has mobile apps for both iOS and Android – there’s little variety, and that's good news. More often than not, the iOS version is an Android app with half of the features missing – this is not the case.

Apple users even have the option to add the Proton VPN widget to the screen. Its previous implementation allowed it to connect to VPN with one click. It was then changed, so now the widget opens the app, connects, and then closes it. Proton VPN’s customer support agent informed us that this requirement was added due to Apple's system design.

Besides the fact that iOS users can enjoy alternative routing and cannot access the split tunneling feature, the iOS app is almost identical to Android. On both apps, you can use IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols.

There are quite a few UI improvements. For example, go into the country list, and click on a particular country. You can see the server load directly from the list. There's no need to connect to check it.

In terms of features, on both apps, you'll find Secure Core servers and Profiles. So, you get about as much usability as you get on a desktop. Overall, Proton VPN mobile apps can even rival their desktop clients, which is unusual.

Browser extensions

Proton VPN offers browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome, which are available to users with Proton VPN Plus or Proton Unlimited plans. These extensions are ideal for those who need a lighter solution or have older systems that don't support full VPN apps. Installing the extension is simpler than setting up a VPN manually, especially on older operating systems, but it only protects browser traffic.

The extension includes features such as Secure Core, which routes your connection through two servers for enhanced privacy, and Auto Connect, which automatically connects you to a VPN when you open your browser. There's also Split Tunneling, which lets you exclude specific websites from the VPN to access local content alongside protected international sites.

Proton VPN's browser extension treats each browser instance as a single connection, but you can open as many tabs as you like within that instance. While it isn't available for Safari due to technical constraints, it is compatible with other major browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Brave.

The Proton VPN browser extensions are user-friendly and efficiently organized. While I prefer the full VPN app for complete protection, the extension is great for more casual use like streaming, offering a smoother experience with fewer interruptions. However, it has fewer features than the full app.

Proton VPN on router

Proton VPN offers a continuous VPN connection for all devices on your home network, perfect for devices that can't have VPNs installed. Whether you want to access international content on your smart TV or secure your gaming console, installing Proton VPN on your router is a smart choice.

Proton VPN is suitable for routers that support the OpenVPN protocol or can be set up with third-party firmware like DD-WRT, Fresh Tomato, or OpenWRT to add VPN capabilities. Proton VPN has easy-to-follow guides for many routers, including popular brands like Asus and Vilfo, and for VPN-specific routers like InvizBox that are ready to go right out of the box.

To check if your router is compatible and to get instructions on how to set it up, you can look at Proton VPN's detailed setup guides. This way, you can protect your entire network with Proton VPN.

Proton VPN customer support

If you run into any issues as a Proton VPN client, live chat is available to you. When we tested this option, the support agent was professional and helpful, but we were lucky because we tested the function during working hours. Proton VPN does not offer 24/7 live chat support. At least, not yet.

Support type	Proton VPN
24/7 live chat	❌ No
Email	✅ Yes
Phone support	❌ No
Guides or articles	✅ Yes
FAQs	✅ Yes

Alternatively, you can take things into your own hands and make use of the extensive Support Center. Here, you can find numerous articles divided into such categories as Account, General information, Billing, and Troubleshooting.

If you can't find your answer in the Support Center, or live chat is unavailable, you can create a support ticket. It’s sent through email, so you get a reply directly to your mailbox. If you're a VPN Plus user, expect to hear a response in a couple of hours (we received a helpful guide in about 90 minutes); however, Proton Free users might have to wait a little longer.

European users will have the best experience because it seems that the VPN’s customer support agents are located there. If you're from other continents, your customer support waiting times will likely be longer, so keep this in mind.

The service maintains its subreddit at r/ProtonVPN, so if you don't mind sharing your issue with other users publicly, you can find a solution there too.

Proton VPN video review

Check out our comprehensive Proton VPN video review and tutorial to learn everything about this provider in under seven minutes.

Proton VPN review summary: is Proton VPN good?

Proton VPN stands out in 2025 as a solid choice for those seeking reliable online security and privacy. With strong security features like AES encryption and a verified no-logs policy, it provides good options for accessing restricted content.

However, while it offers decent speeds and a competitive pricing model starting at $3.59/month, the lack of 24/7 customer support may be a drawback for some users. For those who prioritize speed and support alongside security, I recommend considering NordVPN as a more comprehensive alternative.

How we tested Proton VPN

Together with our team of experts, we conducted comprehensive testing of Proton VPN to assess its performance and security capabilities. We continually revisit Proton VPN and other products we review to provide the most current information to our readers.

Our testing process involved evaluating Proton VPN's connection speeds across servers in various regions worldwide. We also carried out real-world security evaluations, including checks on its encryption standards, the effectiveness of its kill switch, and DNS leak tests to ensure that Proton VPN was not exposing users' IP addresses. Additionally, we tested Proton VPN's applications on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, to assess their user-friendliness, functionality, and overall performance.

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