Proton VPN review 2024
Proton VPN is recognized for its emphasis on privacy and security. With its Secure Core architecture, independently audited no-logs policy, and open-source software, it ensures a secure browsing experience.
Price: | From $3.59/month |
Servers count: | 8,300 + servers in 112 countries |
No logs policy: | No logs |
Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+ |
Coupon: | Proton VPN coupon 64% OFF |
- Strong privacy and security features
- Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
- Free tier available with basic security features and no ads
- Only a few servers are available for free users
Proton VPN is one of the best VPN services for users who are privacy-conscious and are interested in bypassing geo-blocks and censorships. With 8300+ servers in 112 countries, Proton VPN serves as a decent option for torrenting and streaming, but the VPN goes further than that. Proton VPN is one of the best for speed, servers, country count, streaming and price.
Proton VPN offers advanced encryption (AES-256 and ChaCha20) and tunneling protocols (including WireGuard and OpenVPN). It follows an independently audited no-logs policy, blocks ads and trackers, masks your IPs, has a reliable kill switch, and offers split tunneling, among other features.
In this article, I will guide you through Proton VPN privacy chops, what streaming services it can unblock, features, speeds, customer support options, and more details that are important when choosing the best VPN for you.
Proton VPN review – key takeaways
- Proton VPN is the best choice for excellent security and privacy, featuring robust AES encryption and a kill switch that protects your data if the connection fails. Proton VPN ensures privacy through its independently audited no-logs policy and supports anonymous Bitcoin payments. Its open-source apps enhance reliability and allow for expert evaluation of its technology.
- Proton VPN offers a two-year plan starting at $3.59/month, and there's also a free version that includes unlimited data and access to servers in five countries. Additionally, you can try the Proton VPN Plus or Proton VPN Unlimited plans risk-free for 30 days, thanks to their money-back guarantee.
- Our speed tests reveal that Proton VPN's free version ranks the fastest compared to other VPNs. 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 speeds on average, thanks to WireGuard and its proprietary VPN Accelerator feature.
- Proton VPN excels at streaming, easily unblocking platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, as confirmed by our latest tests. However, these powerful unblocking features are not available in the free version.
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
Is Proton VPN safe?
Yes, Proton VPN is a safe VPN to use. With a range of secure tunneling protocols and market-leading encryption, you can be sure your data is fully protected. While it doesn’t offer RAM servers, the provider provides such security measures as a kill switch, two-factor authentication, and an Always-on VPN feature. The latter makes sure your data is always encrypted.
You can see Proton VPN’s security features in this table.
Encryption | AES-256-CBC with SHA-512 hash function, ChaCha20 |
Tunneling protocols | WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and Stealth |
Kill switch | ✅Yes |
Forward Secrecy | ✅Yes |
Two-factor authentication | ✅Yes |
RAM servers | ❌No (full-disk encryption) |
Always-on VPN | ✅Yes |
Privacy policy | No logs, independently audited by Securitum |
Encryption protocols
Like many popular VPN service providers, Proton VPN uses AES-256-CBC 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. For you as a VPN user, this means that no one will be intercepting 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. Moreover, 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-sourced
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.
They also publicly declared they would invest in third-party security audits. So, not only was it a smart PR move, but it also creates additional reassurance. There are no results yet, but we'll keep you in the loop when that changes.
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.
That said, there are some exceptions to the rule. They do log timestamps of your connection that get overwritten on each session. They claim this is to maintain account security from brute force attacks.
When creating an account, you still have to provide confirmation that you are human. Among the possible options for confirmation are another 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 decided 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 a VPN. However, Proton VPN doesn’t come unprepared – it offers a DNS leak protection feature that is always turned 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, in 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.
How much does Proton VPN cost?
You can choose from three different Proton VPN Plus plans: 1-month, 1-year, or 2-year. The annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Proton VPN out before committing long term.
Free | Plus | Unlimited | |
Monthly cost | – | $9.99/month | $12.99/month |
Annual cost | – | $3.99/month | $9.99/month |
Two-year cost | – | $4.99/month | $7.99/month |
Servers and countries | Servers in five countries | 8300+ servers across 112 countries | 8300+ servers across 112 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 |
If you want to save money in the long run, consider the annual Proton VPN subscription plans.
Needless to say, Proton VPN Plus is much more feature-rich than its free version. Unlike with the free plan, you get the NetShield ad blocker to get rid of ads and trackers, Tor over VPN, optimized speeds, and 10 device allowance per one account.
Proton VPN has quite a few payment options, including credit or debit card, cash, or a bank transfer. Plus, you can even pay with cryptocurrency if complete anonymity is what you’re looking for.
Overall, considering what you get for your money, Proton VPN plans are quite feature-loaded and generous. Not to mention that you even get a 30-day money-back guarantee that permits you to try the service out risk-free.
Proton VPN 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 5 countries only, and your speeds will not be as good. Yet, as a free service, that's quite a generous package that will protect your privacy. 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. Regardless, we've managed to unblock Netflix even on the free package.
Speed and performance: is Proton VPN fast?
For our Proton VPN review, we performed tests 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 influencing factors.
Download retention
|
Upload retention
|
|
Australia
|
80% (403 Mbit/s) | 76 % (384 Mbit/s) |
France
|
89% (447 Mbit/s) | 88 % (443 Mbit/s) |
Singapore
|
79% (396 Mbit/s) | 76 % (384 Mbit/s) |
United Kingdom
|
94% (471 Mbit/s) | 92 % (460 Mbit/s) |
US (NY)
|
90% (452 Mbit/s) | 89 % (448 Mbit/s) |
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.
The VPN showed the best download and upload retention rates in Australia. In the UK, US, and Canada, Proton VPN download and upload speeds were slower but never fell lower than 40%.
Overall, compared to the fastest VPNs in 2024, Proton VPN was rather slow during the tests.
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 84% 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 a server or far away, making sure websites and videos load quickly. You can 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, security, or other. Here's how Proton VPN looks compared to other VPN market options:
Brand | |||||
Rating | |||||
Price (lowest price per month) | $3.59/month | $3.09/month | $6.00/month | $6.67/month | $2.19/month |
Free version | ✅ | ✅ (7-day trial) | ❌ | ✅ (7-day for mobile devices) | ✅ (7-day) |
Servers | 8300+ servers in 112 countries | 6300+ servers in 111 countries | 695+ servers in 46 countries | 3000+ servers in 105 countries | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
Streaming | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+ | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | YouTube | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more |
Logging | No logs, independently audited by Securitum | No logs, independently audited four times by PwC and Deloitte | No logs, not audited | No logs, independently audited by Cure53 | No logs, independently audited by Deloitte |
Ad blocker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Simultaneous connections | 10 | 10 | up to 5 | 8 | 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 to malicious websites.
From the main menu, you can customise profiles with preferences like colour, 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. In the advanced settings, you can enable split tunnelling for specific apps.
Privacy enthusiasts, journalists, and activists will find the Tor VPN option valuable for maximising anonymity. However, remember that this high level of security may significantly slow down your device, and it's intended 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.
- Go to the Proton VPN website and download the application
- Install the Proton VPN application
- Register your account and choose the preferred subscription plan
- Download the app on other devices (Proton VPN is available on 10 devices simultaneously) and log in
- Enjoy enhanced security and privacy!
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 five different countries. However, if you opt for the Plus or Unlimited plans, you can access over 8300 servers across 112 countries.
Proton VPN Plus offers 8300+ servers across 112 countries. The biggest number of servers (957) can be located in the United States. You also can find plenty of servers in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, or Switzerland. Fortunately, the VPN's 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 10 Gbps. 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 allows expanding the server capacity in countries where not many physical servers exist.
Proton VPN Free users can only connect to servers in Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and the United States. So, you 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.
What security features does Proton VPN offer?
Proton VPN was released back in 2017 – not that long ago compared to other best VPN services. However, that doesn’t make it any less good. While the provider has focused on improving its apps, it also released an ad blocker (NetShield) in 2021, implemented the WireGuard tunneling protocol as well as a VPN Accelerator, and launched a Proton Pass (password manager) in 2023.
💿 VPN server network: | 8300+ servers in 112 countries |
🛡️Tunneling protocols: | WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP and UPD), IKEv2/IPSec |
👁️ Data collection policy: | Independently audited no-logs policy by Securitum |
🔒Online protection: | AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, cryptographically secure VPN protocols, forward secrecy functionality, kill switch, Secure Core |
💻 Maximum connections: | 10 |
✉️ Customer support: | Email, support center, live chat (for Plus clients only) |
💰Money-back guarantee: | 30 days |
🆓 Free version: | Yes (Proton VPN Free) |
⚙️ IP addresses: | Shared |
💡Advanced features: | NetShield ad-blocker, DNS leak protection, Tor over VPN, split tunneling, VPN Accelerator, Quick Connect |
NetShield
Proton VPN NetShield is a feature that protects you against ads, trackers, and malware. It's available on Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, and iOS.
The way NetShield works is by using stronger checks in your domain name system (DNS) requests. So, instead of a DNS database supplied by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), or Google, you're using a DNS resolver managed by Proton VPN. So, while you're using a VPN, your online travels will stay private.
Once toggled on, NetShield blocks all blacklisted domains of phishing and malware websites. Besides, it also blocks trackers used by intrusive tech companies that spy on your movements across the web.
We tested Proton VPN NetShield using the Windows app and Chrome browser. With the AdBlock Tester, it scored 62 out of 100 points, removing everything except GIF and static images as well as Google Analytics tools.
During our own tests, we checked if the ad blocker could get rid of YouTube ads. We found that it can block most of YouTube ads on the browser but not all.
Proton VPN enhanced NetShield by introducing a NetShield Privacy Panel. It allows you to monitor how many ads, malware, and trackers the software has blocked. And on top of that, you can customize the level of protection – choose to block only malware, trackers, ads, or turn the NetShield off.
Overall, it also helps your browser load faster because the NetShield doesn't load unnecessary content, such as ads or trackers. So, you have a faster and ad-free browsing experience.
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.
Kill switch
Proton VPN's kill switch reliably cuts off your internet connection if your link to the VPN server is disrupted. You can enable the kill switch manually by clicking on the switch icon straight on the main window. During our tests, we had no persistent trouble with the kill switch feature, avoiding any leaks.
Quick Connect
By default, Proton VPN is set to connect to the fastest server automatically. However, you can tweak it to your liking. You can specify the countries or server types that you want to connect to when you press the Quick Connect button.
Quick Connect saves time and is shared between the apps, provided that the chosen tunneling protocol is supported on the device. Keep this in mind because if you configure the client on Windows to use OpenVPN, it won't work on Mac, which only supports IKEv2.
Profiles
Similar to the Quick Connect customization, it's also possible to use custom connection profiles. You can specify the color, the protocol, country, and server type. This way, you can avoid the hassle of manually selecting multiple settings each time you want to use torrents or watch a Netflix show.
Split tunneling
Proton VPN includes split tunneling, and it's one of the most advanced implementations of the feature we've ever seen. You can choose to encrypt the whole connection, exclude certain apps, or select only particular apps to use the encrypted tunnel.
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.
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. Just don't expect high speeds.
Alternate routing
This feature is what all Proton services use to combat anti-censorship. Alternative routing is built into all clients. It 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.
VPN Accelerator
VPN Accelerator’s purpose is to make VPN speeds significantly faster and improve overall performance. Instead of using the CPU power of a single core on the server processor, multiple are used, which helps make full use of the multi-core processors. The VPN Accelerator also improves speeds by changing how network routes are calculated and used, and increasing the efficiency of their infrastructure.
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.
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 become second nature. All data, including metadata, is end-to-end encrypted, maintaining your privacy.
Is Proton VPN good for streaming?
If you're looking for a VPN to use for streaming, Proton VPN doesn't disappoint. The VPN offers a decent number of servers located in 112 countries, which makes it accessible for users across the globe and enables streaming content from such popular markets as the US, the UK, or 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, we recommend NordVPN, which offers an even larger fleet of 6300+ servers in 111 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 USA and 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 we couldn’t connect on the first try, the second attempt was successful. So, if Netflix returns the You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy message after connecting, just try to connect to a different server.
Once we connected to the United States server, we were quite surprised with the experience. There was no buffering at all. Sure, when connecting to libraries of other countries, we had different loading times, but overall it was a pleasant experience and Proton VPN can surely go in 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 to pick a server with a lesser load to avoid slow 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 like a charm when we accessed it.
Proton VPN provides a streaming guide that explains how to use the VPN when unblocking many other services. This includes Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, ESPN+, NOW TV, ITV Hub+, Canal+, France.tv, ABC, Channel4, 9Now, fuboTV, Hotstar, Peacock, Sling TV, and more.
Overall, whether you want to unblock Max content or stream your favorite show on BBC iPlayer, Proton VPN might 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 luxury with the paid plan.
On top of that, the best VPNs for torrenting are usually based in a privacy-friendly country. And 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 |
The desktop versions are quite similar to one another and offer an intuitive and not over-cluttered design. 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.
So, 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 for 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), strong encryption, and more. 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. Not the case here.
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, too. 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 VPN 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 organised. 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 install VPNs on their own. 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 | ❌ |
✅ | |
Phone support | ❌ |
Guides or articles | ✅ |
FAQs | ✅ |
Alternatively, you can take things into your own hands and make use of the extensive Support Center. Here, you can find numerous articles divided in such categories as Account, General information, Billing, or Troubleshooting.
If you can't find your answer in the Support Center, or live chat is not available at the time, you can also create a support ticket. It’s sent through email, so you get a reply directly to your mailbox. If you're a Plus user, expect to hear a response in a couple of hours (we received a helpful guide in about 90 minutes); however, Proton VPN 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 most 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 is a strong choice in 2024 for those seeking a reliable VPN service. If you need a VPN to watch shows in places with internet restrictions without interruptions and stay safe online, go with Proton VPN. It provides strong security features such as AES encryption, a reliable kill switch, and an independently verified no-logs policy. If you're looking for a VPN to stream content from Netflix and Disney+ or need secure internet access in restricted areas, Proton VPN is a great option.
Proton VPN uses advanced technology like WireGuard and its own VPN Accelerator, ensuring fast and consistent speeds. Pricing starts at $3.59 monthly for 10 simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee. While Proton VPN doesn't offer 24/7 customer support, its comprehensive knowledge base can help solve many issues.
Overall, Proton VPN is easy to use and provides strong security and good streaming options, making it a great choice for many different uses.
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.
FAQ
Is Proton VPN trustworthy?
Yes, as another child of the same developer who made ProtonMail, Proton VPN should be considered trustworthy. The VPN offers a no-logs service, so your privacy is in good hands. The business itself operates out of privacy-friendly Switzerland.
Is Proton VPN really free?
Yes, just like their mail service, Proton VPN is entirely free to use as long as you like. It means that you get a bit more restricted version than you'd get if you were paying for your subscription. However, even the app looks the same.
Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?
Proton VPN might be a better option if you're looking for a free version. NordVPN is a paid-only provider, so the only way to use them is to pay for a monthly subscription. That said, as a paid service, Proton VPN offers fewer features than NordVPN.
Does Proton VPN work in China?
Yes, Proton VPN is among the VPNs that work in China. That’s because it supports the Stealth protocol which helps users bypass most firewalls and internet censorship without detection. You can enable the Stealth mode on Android, macOS, and iOS apps with all Proton VPN plans, including the free version.
How much does Proton VPN cost?
The prices of Proton VPN start from $3.59/month. There are two subscription options available – the free and Plus plans. You can get the Plus plan the cheapest if you opt for a 2-year option, resulting in $3.59/month. Otherwise, the 1-year plan comes at $3.99/month, while the 1-month choice will be $9.99/month.
Is Proton VPN legit?
Yes, Proton VPN is a legitimate VPN service. It offers well-rounded services, that includes a vast server fleet, strong encryption, cryptographically secure protocols, and an array of security features that make it a worthy and reliable VPN choice.
What are the disadvantages of Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is pricier compared to some other top VPNs on the market. You can save money by subscribing to the Proton VPN Free version, but it does not offer a great server fleet or all the security advantages that are available to the subscribers of Proton VPN Plus.
Can Proton VPN be detected?
Proton VPN has introduced the Stealth protocol for bypassing firewalls and VPN blocking methods. Additionally, the VPN employs alternative routing technology to avoid blocks by rerouting your internet connections using alternative paths.
Comments
Looks like your VPN settings are not configured correctly. I suggest following these steps that ProtonVPN suggested to make sure you are doing everything properly from your side: https://protonvpn.com/support/vpn-ip-change/.
If still no luck, give a shot and contact their support team for an in-depth view to your problem.
They even have a complete guide here.
Though, depending on what you want to do, the distance between the server and your location can also be a factor.
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