Proton VPN
by Proton AG
Swiss no-logs VPN with open-source audited apps.
Score
Score
Our verdict
Proton VPN remains one of the strongest privacy-focused VPNs in 2026. It’s Swiss-based with a strict no-logs policy, fully open-source audited apps, and a much-expanded network—20,000+ servers across 140+ countries—plus Secure Core multi-hop routing for added protection. Performance is competitive thanks to WireGuard, a Stealth protocol for censorship circumvention, VPN Accelerator, and 10 Gbps servers on paid tiers. The free plan is generous for testing (unlimited data) but limited: one device, medium speed, and servers in 10 randomly assigned countries with no location choice. Pricing is clear across monthly, annual, and 24‑month terms, but note the fine print: the 2‑year price is an introductory promo that renews annually at a higher effective monthly rate. Proton also offers broader bundles—Proton Unlimited for one user, Duo and Family for households, and business VPN tiers with dedicated IPs on VPN Professional. The ecosystem now includes Proton Docs/Sheets and the Lumo AI assistant (as an add-on), making Proton compelling beyond VPN alone.
Overview
Screenshot
Score breakdown
Overall score
Scores are editorial assessments by the Compare Best AI team on a 0–10 scale.
Expert review
CBAI Editorial Team
Compare Best AI · Editorial Team
## Overview
How we tested
Days tested
7 days
Tasks evaluated
- ·Streamed geo-restricted libraries (Netflix/Prime) on optimized servers
- ·Measured WireGuard vs OpenVPN speeds with VPN Accelerator
- ·Bypassed DPI on Stealth protocol from a restricted network
- ·Seeded and leeched a Linux ISO via P2P with port forwarding
Method
Compared against NordVPN and ExpressVPN using identical inputs
Reviewer
CBAI Editorial Team
Plans & pricing
VPN Plus
- Medium VPN speed
- Connect to servers in 10 countries (randomly selected)
- BEST DEAL
- VPN Plus
- Get VPN Plus
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Advanced features and fastest speeds
- Secure 10 devices at a time
Get VPN Plus
- VPN Plus
- Get VPN Plus
- Proton Unlimited
- High-speed VPN
VPN Plus
- Medium VPN speed
- Connect to servers in 10 countries (randomly selected)
- BEST DEAL
- VPN Plus
- Get VPN Plus
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Advanced features and fastest speeds
- Secure 10 devices at a time
Get VPN Plus
- VPN Plus
- Get VPN Plus
- Proton Unlimited
- High-speed VPN
Pricing may vary by region. Always verify on the vendor's website.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Proton VPN | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans | |||
| Free plan available | |||
| Security | |||
| Fully open-source apps (audited) | |||
| Privacy | |||
| Secure Core multi-hop via owned servers | |||
| Advanced | |||
| Tor over VPN servers | |||
| Protection | |||
| Ad/tracker/malware blocking | |||
| Censorship | |||
| Stealth/obfuscated protocol | |||
| Business | |||
| Dedicated IP add-on | |||
Is it right for you?
Good fit for
Privacy seekers
Swiss jurisdiction, no-logs policy, open-source audited apps, and Secure Core improve anonymity beyond typical VPNs.
Frequent travelers
20,000+ servers in 140+ countries and Stealth protocol help bypass geo-blocks and censorship reliably.
Streamers
Streaming-optimized servers and VPN Accelerator deliver higher, more consistent speeds on paid plans.
P2P users
Port forwarding, P2P servers, and a kill switch make torrenting safer on paid tiers.
Less suited for
Set-and-forget free geo-unblocking
Free tier assigns 1 of 10 countries at random; you cannot choose locations for streaming.
Fixed long-term low price
The 24‑month rates are promotional and renew annually at a higher effective monthly cost.
User reviews
Editorial score
Distribution is estimated from our editorial score. Verified user reviews coming soon.
Use cases
Typical ways teams rely on this tool — from everyday tasks to specialized workflows.
- Privacy and anonymity
- Streaming and geo-unblocking
- Secure P2P/torrenting
- Bypassing censorship/firewalls
Privacy & compliance
Security & data practices
Highlights we track from the vendor's documentation. Always confirm current terms, subprocessors, and regional policies on their official site.
- No-logs policy
- Open-source apps
- Independent audits
- Swiss jurisdiction
- GDPR-ready
Details
Category
Price
- VPN Plus $3.49/mo
- Get VPN Plus $7.99/mo
- VPN Plus $4.49/mo
- Get VPN Plus $9.99/mo
Free version
Best for
- Bypassing geo-blocks and censorship
- Privacy and anonymity with no-logs and Secure Core
- Ad/tracker blocking with NetShield
- Safe P2P/torrenting on paid servers
Frequently asked questions
Proton VPN
Security & IT
Ready to get started?
Visit the Proton VPN website to explore plans and start your free trial.
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