Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a freemium VPN service from Proton, a company founded in 2014 and based in Geneva, Switzerland. It encrypts traffic with AES-256 or ChaCha20 through WireGuard or OpenVPN, and describes its service as no-logs, open-source, and independently audited. The free plan has unlimited data, no artificial speed limits, and no ads; it supports one device at a time and connects to randomly selected servers in 10 countries. Paid plans list 10-device support and access to a network advertised as 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. Other features include a kill switch, streaming and torrent support, NetShield DNS filtering for ads, trackers, phishing scams, malicious sites, and malware, and VPN Accelerator, which can increase VPN speeds by up to 400%. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV. VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited are listed at $0.00 per month, with the first month and renewal at $0.00. Payments can be refunded in full within 30 days, and subscriptions can be canceled at any time.

Proton VPN pairs a limited-device free option with broader platform support and security features. The listed paid-plan billing is $0.00 monthly, and refunds are available within 30 days.

It suits people seeking a VPN with a no-cost option, including users who want streaming or torrent support. Those needing more than one simultaneous device can consider the listed 10-device plans.

Proton VPN is a virtual private network from Proton AG, a Geneva-based company founded in 2014. It is best suited to people who want a no-cost VPN without a data cap, or a larger server network and room for multiple devices on a paid plan. Its strongest trade-off is generous free usage against a one-device limit and randomly selected servers.

Overview

The free plan removes two common constraints: it has unlimited data, no artificial speed limits, and no ads. But it allows only one active device and selects servers randomly from 10 countries, so it is a better fit for individual, occasional use than for a household or anyone who needs to choose a location.

VPN Plus expands support to 10 devices and access to 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. Proton Unlimited also supports 10 VPN devices and includes all premium Proton products, with 500 GB of storage. Both paid plans show monthly billing at $0.00 for the first month and $0.00 on every monthly renewal.

Key features

Privacy and protection

Proton VPN says it is no-logs and open-source, and describes its no-logs policy as independently audited. Traffic uses AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption with WireGuard or OpenVPN. A kill switch adds a safeguard for users who do not want traffic to continue outside the VPN if the connection drops; streaming and torrent support broaden its everyday uses.

NetShield uses DNS filtering to block ads, trackers, phishing scams, malicious websites, and malware. That broadens the service beyond encrypting a connection, though it is not a substitute for a complete security suite. VPN Accelerator is advertised as capable of increasing speeds by up to 400%; that ceiling is a potential benefit, not a speed guarantee.

Servers and support

The advertised 20,000+ servers across 140+ countries give paid subscribers a wide choice of locations. Free users do not get that same control: their servers are randomly selected from 10 countries. Support includes help, contact, and live chat channels, while VPN Plus includes priority support and live chat.

Pricing

Proton Free

Proton Free costs nothing and requires no credit card. It includes unlimited data, no artificial speed limits, no ads, one device at a time, and randomly selected servers in 10 countries. It is the clearest choice for a single-device user who can accept limited location choice; it is not suited to people who need simultaneous connections across devices.

VPN Plus

VPN Plus is free, billed at $0.00 for the first month and renewing at $0.00 every month. It supports 10 devices and advertises access to 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. The 30-day money-back guarantee and the ability to cancel at any time reduce commitment, but the displayed renewal amount remains $0.00. This plan fits users seeking broader location choice and multi-device coverage without the additional Proton products bundled with Unlimited.

Proton Unlimited

Proton Unlimited is free, with $0.00 charged for the first month and $0.00 for each monthly renewal. It includes all premium Proton products, 10 VPN devices, and 500 GB of storage, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Choose it over VPN Plus if the included Proton products and storage are useful; otherwise those additions do not improve the stated VPN device allowance.

Payments can be refunded in full within 30 days, and subscriptions can be canceled at any time. Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and Proton credits.

Platforms

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV. That spread accommodates desktop, mobile, and several TV devices, while the plan limits still determine how many can connect at once.

Who it's for

Proton VPN suits users who value an unlimited-data free tier, audited no-logs claims, or paid access across many devices and locations. The free plan is especially practical for one-device use where server selection is not essential. Users who need several simultaneous connections or deliberate country selection should consider a paid plan; those who want VPN service only on multiple devices should weigh whether Proton Unlimited's extra products and storage are worth choosing over VPN Plus.

Pros and cons

• Pro: The free plan has unlimited data, no artificial speed limits, and no ads, avoiding common free-tier restrictions.
• Con: Free users are limited to one device at a time and randomly selected servers in 10 countries.
• Pro: Paid plans support 10 VPN devices, and VPN Plus advertises 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries.
• Pro: AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption, WireGuard or OpenVPN, a kill switch, and an independently audited no-logs claim provide a substantial privacy feature set.
• Con: Proton Unlimited adds premium Proton products and 500 GB storage, but retains the same 10-device VPN limit as VPN Plus.
• Pro: Cancel-anytime terms and a full refund within 30 days lower the risk of trying a paid plan.

Alternatives

Browse our VPN services directory to compare options, or see Free VPN Services for more no-cost choices.

• Windscribe is another freemium option, with a free plan that gives 10 GB per month across 10 countries; choose it if that capped allowance and its listed platform coverage suit you better than Proton's one-device free tier.
• Hotspot Shield has a free Basic plan limited to one device, 500 MB daily data, one U.S. virtual location, and 2 Mbps; it is an alternative for users whose needs fit those tighter limits.
• hide.me is another freemium VPN with apps for web, desktop, and mobile platforms.
• Amnezia VPN offers a free trial and open-source client and server software.
• TunnelBear provides 2 GB of secure browsing on its free plan; consider it if that allowance is enough for your use.
• NordVPN is a paid-only option, with its Basic plan priced at $14.69 a month on a one-month term.
• Bitdefender Premium VPN is freemium, offers a free trial, and lists 10-device support on its monthly plan.
• Surfshark is a paid alternative that advertises unlimited simultaneous devices on its Starter plan.

Verdict

Choose Proton VPN if you want an unlimited-data free plan or a broad paid server network with 10-device support, plus a strong stated privacy feature set. The main reason to look elsewhere is the free plan's single-device cap and lack of server choice; even on a paid plan, Proton Unlimited makes most sense only if its other premium products and storage matter to you.