Surf the web privately,
freely, and securely.
Free forever.
Swiss-based, no-logs, open-source. Unlimited data, no ads. Your online activity deserves protection — not surveillance.
✓ No logs
✓ Swiss-based
✓ Open source
✓ Audited
🛡️
Privacy without compromise
Free
Unlimited data
No speed caps, no data limits. Unlike other free VPNs, Proton VPN never throttles your connection or sells your bandwidth.
Free
No ads
Your free account is supported by paid users — never by advertisers. Zero trackers, zero interruptions.
Plus
NetShield
DNS-level filtering blocks ads, malware, and trackers before they load — on all your devices.
Plus
VPN Accelerator
Boost speed by up to 400% with our proprietary acceleration technology, exclusively for Plus users.
Plus
Secure Core
Double-hop encryption through Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden — built for high-risk scenarios.
Plus
Global server network
140+ countries, 10 Gbps nodes. Free users get 10 countries (auto-assigned), Plus unlocks all.
Choose your plan
Free
$0 forever
No credit card. No ads. No data limits.
- ✓ Unlimited data
- ✓ No ads
- ✓ 1 device
- ✓ 10 countries (auto)
- ✓ Standard speed
- ✕ Streaming unlock
- ✕ P2P / BitTorrent
- ✕ NetShield
- ✕ Secure Core
Plus
$4.99 / month
Billed annually. Cancel anytime.
- ✓ Unlimited data
- ✓ No ads
- ✓ 10 devices
- ✓ 140+ countries
- ✓ 10 Gbps + VPN Accelerator
- ✓ Streaming unlock
- ✓ P2P / BitTorrent
- ✓ NetShield
- ✓ Secure Core
30-day money-back guarantee
Made for your everyday
Access the free internet
Bypass censorship with Stealth protocol and alternative routing.
Learn more →One account. All of Proton.
Your Proton account gives you access to all encrypted services. Upgrade to Plus to unlock advanced features across Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass.
Simple, transparent pricing
Plus
$4.99 /mo
Billed $59.88 yearly. 10 devices, 140+ countries, streaming, NetShield, Secure Core.
Get Plus30-day money-back guarantee
Business
Custom
For teams and organizations. Centralized management, dedicated support.
Contact salesTrusted by experts
TechRadar
“Proton VPN’s free tier is the most generous we’ve tested — unlimited data and no ads make it a standout.”
— TechRadar, 2026
CNET
“Swiss privacy laws, open-source apps, and regular audits — Proton VPN walks the walk.”
— CNET, 2026
Trustpilot
★★★★★ 4.6 out of 5 · 12,000+ reviews
Based on user reviews
Frequently asked questions
Privacy & Security
How does Proton VPN protect my privacy?
- Step 1: Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. This means your data is not subject to US or EU mass surveillance alliances, and Swiss authorities cannot compel us to log your activity without a specific court order.
- Step 2: We operate a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited five times. Our entire network infrastructure is designed so that no user activity is ever recorded, stored, or shared with third parties, including government agencies.
- Step 3: All Proton VPN apps are open source, meaning anyone can inspect our code for security flaws or backdoors. This transparency ensures that we cannot secretly compromise your privacy, and it allows the global security community to continuously verify our claims.
- Step 4: We use strong encryption protocols, including AES-256 and ChaCha20-Poly1305, to secure your connection. These ciphers are considered unbreakable by current computing standards, protecting your data from interception even on hostile networks.
- Step 5: Our Secure Core architecture routes your traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries. This means that even if one server were compromised, your true IP address and activity would remain hidden behind an additional layer of encryption.
- Step 6: We have a transparent privacy policy that clearly states what data we do and do not collect. We never sell your data, never display ads, and never track your browsing history — the free version is supported entirely by paid subscriptions.
- Step 7: Regular security audits and penetration tests are conducted by independent third-party firms, and we publish the results publicly. This ongoing accountability ensures that our privacy protections remain effective against evolving threats.
Free Tier
What are the limitations of the free version?
- Step 1: The free version provides unlimited data and bandwidth, which is extremely rare among free VPNs. You can browse, stream, and download without worrying about monthly data caps or speed throttling after a certain threshold.
- Step 2: However, free users can only connect one device at a time. This means you cannot protect your phone and laptop simultaneously unless you upgrade to Plus, which allows up to 10 devices on a single account.
- Step 3: Free users have access to only 10 server locations, and these are automatically assigned by the app. You cannot manually select a country or city, which may limit your ability to access region-specific content or optimize for speed.
- Step 4: The free tier does not include streaming unlock features. Services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ are only available on Plus, so free users cannot bypass geo-restrictions for entertainment purposes.
- Step 5: P2P and BitTorrent traffic are blocked on the free plan. If you need to download torrents, you must upgrade to a paid subscription that supports file sharing on specific servers.
- Step 6: Advanced security features such as NetShield (ad and malware blocking) and Secure Core (double-hop encryption) are exclusive to Plus. Free users still get strong encryption, but they miss these extra layers of protection.
- Step 7: Despite these limitations, the free version remains an excellent choice for casual users who want basic privacy protection without spending money. It is genuinely free forever, with no ads and no hidden costs.
Streaming
Can I use Proton VPN to unblock Netflix and other streaming services?
- Step 1: Yes, Proton VPN Plus supports streaming unlock for popular platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and many others. Our dedicated streaming servers are optimized for video playback and regularly updated to bypass geo-blocks.
- Step 2: To access streaming content, you need to manually connect to a server in the country where the content is available. Plus users can select from over 140 countries, making it easy to appear as if you are browsing from the US, UK, Japan, or anywhere else.
- Step 3: For best results, we recommend using the VPN Accelerator feature, which can improve speed by up to 400%. This reduces buffering and allows smooth HD or 4K streaming even on distant servers.
- Step 4: Some streaming services actively block VPN traffic, and while Proton VPN works hard to stay ahead, there may be occasional interruptions. Our support team continuously monitors and updates server IPs to maintain access.
- Step 5: Note that the free version does not support streaming unlock. If unblocking geo-restricted content is important to you, you will need a Plus subscription, which also includes 10 device connections and other advanced features.
- Step 6: Proton VPN is compatible with major streaming devices, including smart TVs via Smart DNS, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and gaming consoles. You can also share your Plus account with family members using the 10-device limit.
- Step 7: We recommend testing the streaming functionality during the 30-day money-back guarantee period. If you are not satisfied with the performance, you can request a full refund with no questions asked.
Speed & Performance
How fast is Proton VPN, and does it slow down my connection?
- Step 1: Proton VPN uses high-performance servers with 10 Gbps network interfaces and the proprietary VPN Accelerator technology, which can increase speed by up to 400%. In our tests, Plus users typically experience only a 10–20% speed reduction compared to their base internet connection.
- Step 2: Free users may experience slightly slower speeds because they are automatically assigned to servers with higher load. However, unlike many free VPNs, Proton VPN does not artificially throttle or cap your bandwidth — the speed difference is due to server congestion, not intentional limiting.
- Step 3: To maximize speed, Plus users should enable VPN Accelerator in the app settings and connect to the nearest available server. Using the WireGuard protocol (available on most platforms) also provides better performance than older protocols like OpenVPN.
- Step 4: The physical distance between your location and the VPN server affects speed. Connecting to a server in a nearby country usually yields faster results than connecting to a distant continent, so choose your server location wisely based on your needs.
- Step 5: Proton VPN offers unlimited bandwidth on both free and paid plans, meaning you can stream, download, and browse as much as you want without worrying about data caps. This is a significant advantage over many competitors that limit free users to a few gigabytes per month.
- Step 6: If you notice slow speeds, try switching to a different server or protocol. The app includes a quick-connect feature that automatically selects the fastest server for your location, and you can also run a speed test within the app to diagnose issues.
- Step 7: Overall, Proton VPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs in independent reviews. Whether you are on the free or Plus plan, you can expect reliable performance for everyday browsing, streaming, and downloading.
Devices
Which devices and platforms does Proton VPN support?
- Step 1: Proton VPN offers native apps for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Each app is designed to be intuitive and provides a one-click connection experience, making it easy for anyone to use.
- Step 2: For browsers, you can use Proton VPN alongside any browser. On Android, there is also a dedicated browser extension available for Chrome and Firefox, though the full app provides more advanced features like NetShield and Secure Core.
- Step 3: If you want to protect your entire home network, Proton VPN can be configured on compatible routers. This allows all devices connected to your Wi-Fi — including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and IoT devices — to benefit from VPN protection automatically.
- Step 4: The free plan supports one device at a time, while Plus allows up to 10 devices simultaneously. This means you can protect your phone, laptop, tablet, and other family members' devices all under a single subscription.
- Step 5: Proton VPN also works with streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Android TV. For these platforms, you can use the Smart DNS feature or install the VPN directly if the device supports it.
- Step 6: Linux users can choose between the command-line interface (CLI) and a graphical user interface (GUI) app. Both are open source and support all the same security features as the desktop apps for Windows and macOS.
- Step 7: We continuously add support for new platforms and devices based on user feedback. If you have a specific device in mind, you can check our support documentation for detailed setup guides and compatibility information.
Billing
How does the 30-day money-back guarantee work, and can I cancel anytime?
- Step 1: All paid Proton VPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try Plus or Business for a full month, and if you are not satisfied for any reason, you can request a full refund with no questions asked.
- Step 2: To request a refund, simply contact our customer support team through the online form or email. You do not need to provide a detailed explanation — just let us know you would like to cancel and receive your money back.
- Step 3: Refunds are typically processed within 5–10 business days and are issued to the original payment method. Depending on your bank, it may take a few additional days for the credit to appear on your statement.
- Step 4: You can cancel your subscription at any time from your Proton account dashboard. Once cancelled, you will not be charged again, and your plan will remain active until the end of the current billing period.
- Step 5: There are no cancellation fees or hidden charges. We believe in transparent billing, so the price you see at checkout is the price you pay — no surprises, no automatic upsells.
- Step 6: If you are on a free plan, there is no payment information required and no cancellation necessary. The free plan never expires, so you can continue using it for as long as you like without any obligations.
- Step 7: We also offer prorated refunds for unused portions of annual or two-year subscriptions if you cancel after the 30-day period, though this is handled on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to ensure you feel confident and satisfied with your purchase.