Proton VPN – price, plans, free version, refund policy explained
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Proton VPN pricing 2026 starts at $2.99/month. It offers three plans: Proton Free, VPN Plus, and Proton Unlimited. Both paid tiers are available as monthly, 1-year, or 2-year subscriptions and include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I tested all the plans over two weeks to determine which one offers the best price-to-value ratio for most users, and it was the VPN Plus plan. For $2.99/month, it provides you with a premium VPN, a malware and ad blocker, and access to 20,300+ servers in 148 countries.
In this guide, you can learn more about Proton VPN’s pricing, refund policies, and what sets it apart from other VPNs. Keep reading to find out more about its plans and what they offer.
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Proton VPN plans and pricing 2026
Below, you’ll find a quick overview of the available plans for Proton VPN and how they compare across monthly, 1-year, and 2-year billing cycles. Keep in mind that the discounted rates apply to your first term and renew at higher prices after it. If you want to lock in the biggest discount for the longest term available, consider subscribing to a 2-year plan. And if you change your mind, all paid plans are backed up with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Free | VPN Plus | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-month price | $0.00/month | $9.99/month | $12.99/month |
| 1-year price | $0.00/month | $3.99/month | $9.99/month |
| 2-year price | $0.00/month | $2.99/month | $7.99/month |
| Get Free | Get Plus | Get Unlimited |
Proton VPN Plus plan price 2026
The Proton VPN Plus plan is great for users who primarily want a VPN for streaming. For $2.99/month, you get access to 20,300+ servers in 148 countries, making it a strong and reliable VPN for unblocking global streaming libraries. With the Plus plan, you can secure up to 10 devices and access faster servers.
The prices for the monthly plan start at $9.99/month, while a 1-year subscription costs $3.99/month ($47.88/year), and a 2-year subscription costs $2.99/month ($71.76 total). Such pricing places Proton VPN among more expensive providers, as based on the entry-level price paid per month, it’s only second to NordVPN ($3.09/month).
Proton Unlimited plan price 2026
Proton Unlimited is best suited for users who want an encrypted ecosystem for their online activity and personal data management. In addition to a VPN service, it gives you access to all the premium features of Proton products, including Proton Pass, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive. Your encrypted cloud storage increases to 500GB, and you get unlimited hide-my-email aliases, 50 vaults with Proton Pass, and unlimited folders and labels with Proton Mail.
Pricing is $12.99/month if paid monthly, $9.99/month ($119.88/year) for a 1-year plan, or $7.99/month ($191.76 total) for a 2-year plan.
Proton VPN free version
The Proton Free plan is a solid option for users who want baseline anonymity at zero cost. It's one of the most generous free VPNs on the market, as it comes with no data caps, speed restrictions, or time limits and gives access to servers in 10 countries.
However, the free plan has several limitations. You can only protect one device at a time, connection speeds are slower than on paid plans, and server locations are assigned automatically, making it a poor choice for streaming, gaming, or accessing content from specific regions.
Does Proton VPN offer a free trial?
No, Proton VPN doesn’t offer a free trial. Instead, it has a free version and a 30-day money-back guarantee. While neither of these options is the same as a free trial, Proton VPN decided to discontinue its free trial to prevent abuse from users who create multiple accounts to take advantage of VPN Plus servers and features.
If you want to try Proton VPN premium features, a 30-day money-back guarantee is your best option. It gives you enough time to test the service, and if you end up not happy with it, you can request a full refund within 30 days of your subscription.
Proton VPN payment methods, renewals, and cancellation
Proton VPN accepts payment in US dollars, euros, and Swiss francs. There are several payment options:
- Credit/debit cards. Proton VPN uses the 3-D Secure layer for extra protection of card transactions. Card payments are among the most convenient ways to pay, but they may raise privacy and security concerns since you have to provide sensitive information to complete the transaction. Refunds are processed back to your card.
- PayPal. A secure and popular payment method that does not involve your credit card. You need to have a valid PayPal account. Any potential refunds are sent there. If you are already a registered user with funds on your account, there is no reason to select a different method.
- Bitcoin. If you are a crypto enthusiast who values privacy, this might be your preferred method. You can scan a QR code to complete the transaction. You are still eligible to receive a refund if you pay by Bitcoin.
- Cash. This payment method requires you to send the money to the address specified on the Proton website. It’s a slow, inconvenient, and potentially risky way, depending on the quality of the shipping service you choose. Cash payments are non-refundable.
Out of all available payment options, Bitcoin is the best one for anonymity. Regardless of the payment method you choose, if you wish to get a refund, you have to contact Proton’s support team within 30 days of purchasing your VPN plan.
Renewal policy
Your Proton VPN subscription is renewed automatically on a monthly, yearly, or bi-yearly billing cycle. Keep in mind that the subscriptions renew at standard rates that are higher than the initial discounted rate.
If you don’t want to continue the subscription, you can need to cancel it through your Account dashboard. If you don’t have access to your Account dashboard, alternatively, you can cancel your subscription by contacting Proton VPN’s customer support.
Cancellation policy
You can cancel your Proton VPN subscription any time. If you subscribed through Proton’s website, you can easily cancel it by signing in to your account. Please note that if you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play Store, the process might differ.
After the cancellation, the subscription will expire at the end of your current billing cycle. After that, your account will be downgraded to Proton Free.
How to cancel a Proton VPN subscription
If you decide to no longer proceed with Proton VPN’s paid services, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Here’s a short step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Open https://account.protonvpn.com/login and log in
- On the sidebar, locate and select Subscription
- Scroll down to Cancel Subscription and click Continue
- Click Cancel subscription
- Before confirming your choice, read the terms carefully and then click Cancel subscription
- Select a reason for canceling your subscription; it’s a mandatory step in the cancellation process
- Your subscription is now canceled
Why purchase a Proton VPN subscription?
Proton VPN is one of the most privacy-focused VPNs on the market. Because of its strong security, reliable performance, and transparent approach to privacy, Proton VPN consistently ranks on our best VPN list. Whether your main activity is browsing, streaming, gaming, or using public Wi-Fi, Proton VPN helps keep your data secure while giving you access to a large global server network. To learn more about its strengths and weaknesses, read our full Proton VPN review.
| Pricing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Not the cheapest VPN available, but it offers excellent value with premium privacy features and flexible plans. |
| Privacy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Based in Switzerland, outside major surveillance alliances, with a strict no-logs policy, open-source apps, and independent security audits. |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Delivers consistently fast performance thanks to its high-speed network and support for the WireGuard protocol but can experience dips during peak times. |
| Streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Reliably unblocks many popular streaming services and offers dedicated servers optimized for streaming. |
| Torrenting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent for P2P file sharing, with dedicated torrent-friendly servers and strong privacy protections. |
Proton VPN price compared to other premium VPNs
If you'd like to see how Proton VPN compares to other leading VPN services, check out the side-by-side comparison table below. It highlights key differences in pricing, making it easier to find the VPN that best fits your needs and budget.
| VPN provider | Rating | Starting price | Free trial | Money-back guarantee |
| NordVPN | $3.49/month | 3-day free trial on Google Play | 30 days | |
| Surfshark | $2.49/month | 7-day free trial on Google Play and Apple App stores | 30 days | |
| Proton VPN | $2.99/month | Free version | 30 days | |
| ExpressVPN | $2.49/month | 3-day free trial on Google Play and Apple App stores | 30 days | |
| CyberGhost | $1.59/month | 24-hour for Windows and macOS, 3-day for Android, and 7-day for iOS | 30 days | |
| IPVanish | $2.19/month | 7-day free trial on Google Play and Apple App stores | 30 days |
FAQ
How much does Proton VPN cost in 2026?
Proton VPN pricing starts at $2.99/month, but a free version is also available with limited functionalities.
Is Proton VPN worth the price?
Yes, Proton VPN is worth the price for users who want a large server network and strong streaming performance. Its server fleet is larger than that of competitors, such as NordVPN and Surfshark, making it a great option for streaming and accessing content from around the world.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Proton VPN?
Surfshark is a cheaper alternative to Proton VPN. It costs from $2.49/month, which is not only $1 cheaper, but it also offers unlimited device connections and well-rounded security, making it a great budget service.
What is the best price for Proton VPN?
The best price for Proton VPN is the VPN Plus plan at $2.99/month when you choose a long-term subscription. It offers the best value, giving you access to Proton VPN's full server network, streaming support, high-speed connections, and advanced privacy features at a highly competitive rate.
How can I pay for Proton VPN?
Proton VPN accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and cash. It accepts payment in US dollars, euros, and Swiss francs.
Can you change your Proton VPN plan any time?
Yes, you can change your Proton VPN plan any time. You can upgrade to access additional features immediately or downgrade to the free plan through your account settings.
Can I use Proton VPN for free?
Yes, Proton VPN offers a free plan with unlimited bandwidth, making it one of the few reputable VPNs that don't impose data caps. However, upgrading to a paid plan unlocks access to its full server network, faster speeds, streaming support, and advanced features.