Proton VPN is the privacy-focused VPN from Proton AG, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail. Positioned as a secure, audit-backed service, it appeals to users who prioritize confidentiality, transparency, and strong encryption. In 2025, Proton VPN remains a standout, especially for privacy-conscious travelers and streamers. Let’s break down how it performs in security, speed, usability, pricing, and overall value.
Pros
- Best-in-class privacy with Swiss laws and audits.
- Super-fast WireGuard speeds.
- Free plan with unlimited bandwidth and strong privacy.
- Advanced features: Secure Core, Tor over VPN, NetShield.
- Open-source and highly transparent.
Cons
- Higher-end plans are costlier than some budget rivals.
- Customer support response times may lag behind others.
- Slightly less server coverage in North America/Europe compared to competitors
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Security & Privacy
Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, benefiting from robust Swiss privacy laws and neutrality, a significant advantage for shielding user data from surveillance alliances. Securitum independently audits its no-logs policy and publicly confirmed repeatedly.
Proton’s apps are open-source and were independently audited in 2020 by SEC Consult, reinforcing transparency. Proton also publishes detailed transparency reports showing legal requests and how they’re handled; none succeeded due to no stored logs.
Security features include AES‑256 encryption with support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and their stealth protocol to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS. They also offer specialized Secure Core servers, multi-hop routing through privacy-friendly countries, and NetShield ad and malware blocking.
Performance Metrics
Proton VPN delivers impressively fast performance. A Tom’s Guide ranking dubbed it the fastest overall VPN, achieving peak speeds of 1,198 Mbps over WireGuard, outpacing even heavyweights like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
Independent reviews note strong overall performance. TheBestVPN.com praises its 88% speed retention, excellent streaming access, and robust privacy protections under Swiss law. CyberInsider also highlights above-average speeds, solid privacy posture, and good server coverage across 122 countries.
Streaming is highly supported, Proton VPN reliably accesses Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more. Torrenting is well-supported via P2P servers with port forwarding.
Usability & Features
Proton VPN offers a well-designed, modern app across major platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux (GUI), iOS, Android, Android TV, Chromebook, and even browser extensions. The updated UI is praised for its beauty and functionality, with features like split tunneling, kill switch, DNS leak protection, settings profiles, and a world map interface.
Key advanced features:
- Secure Core: multi-hop routing through secure countries
- Tor over VPN: route traffic through the Tor network directly
- Port forwarding and NetShield (ad/malware protection)
One standout integration: Vivaldi browser now includes Proton VPN Free for desktop users, offering easy access to privacy.
Pricing & Value
Proton VPN offers a competitive free tier with unlimited bandwidth and decent speeds, unique among VPNs. Paid plans start at $3.59/month for long-term commitments, with prorated 30-day money-back guarantees.
Despite higher monthly tiers, Proton’s focus on security, free usage, and open-source integrity delivers substantial value for privacy-minded users.
Final Verdict
Proton VPN is best suited for privacy-conscious individuals seeking audited, open-source VPNs, as well as streamers and torrenters who prioritize speed and reliability. It’s also an excellent choice for users looking for a robust free VPN option or those desiring advanced features like multi-hop routing or Tor integration. However, it may not be ideal for budget-only users sensitive to price or those who require 24/7 live customer support or the absolute cheapest VPN available.
Our Overall Proton VPN Rating: 9.0/10
- Security & Privacy: 9.5/10 — Swiss jurisdiction, audited no-logs, open-source, transparency.
- Performance: 9/10 — Extremely fast, high retention, strong streaming, and P2P.
- Usability & Features: 9/10 — Intuitive UI, advanced features, broad platform support.
- Pricing & Value: 8.5/10 — Offers a free tier and substantial value for privacy, though at a higher cost if unsubsidized.
StageSeat's Top 5 VPNs of 2025
| Best For | VPN | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Proton VPN | 9/10 |
| Best for Unlimited Devices | Surfshark | 8.7/10 |
| Best for Reliability | ExpressVPN | 9/10 |
| Best for Advanced Security | NordVPN | 8.5/10 |
| Best for Value | CyberGhost | 8.3/10 |
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about Proton VPN.
Yes. Proton VPN’s no-logs policy is independently audited and enforced under strict Swiss privacy laws.
Extremely fast, it’s ranked the fastest VPN in 2025.
Yes. It reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and others, with excellent performance.
Absolutely. Proton VPN Free offers unlimited bandwidth, strong encryption, and ad-free browsing, albeit with limited features and servers.
Secure Core (multi-hop routing), Tor over VPN, NetShield ad/malware blocking, open-source apps, and Swiss jurisdiction for top privacy.
