VPN review · Ranked #4 of 7
Proton VPN review 2026
Swiss privacy focus with a genuine free tier.
Reviewed by the BestVPNOnline editorial team
Prices checked Nov 12, 2026How we rate
Our verdict on Proton VPN
8.9/10
Editorial score
#4 of 7 VPNs
Proton VPN is the privacy-first choice — Swiss jurisdiction, audited open-source apps, and one of the few free plans that does not rely on selling ads.
Best for:
- Privacy
- Free VPN trials
- Linux users
What we like
- Switzerland-based with strong privacy positioning
- Free plan with privacy-friendly limits (no ads)
- Secure Core routing available on paid plans
- Open-source clients aid transparency
What we don’t
- Free tier is limited compared with paid plans
- Streaming and speed expectations vary by plan tier
Price from
$2.99/mo
VPN Plus · 1-year plan
30-day money-back guarantee
We may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
On this page
Proton VPN spec sheet
As published by Proton VPN, checked Nov 12, 2026 against its official pricing page (opens in a new tab).
| Editorial score | 8.9 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Our ranking | #4 of 7 |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland |
| Server countries | 149 |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 |
| From price | $2.99/mo |
| Plan and term for that price | VPN Plus, 1-year plan |
| Money-back window | 30 days |
| No-logs audit | Published |
| Streaming | Marketed for streaming |
| Torrenting | Allowed on network (policy) |
| Free plan | Yes |
| Apps | 7 of 9 platforms we track |
Privacy & logging
Proton VPN operates under Switzerland jurisdiction, as stated by the provider. Open-source apps; annual independent no-logs audits by Securitum, the latest in 2026.
Free plan is publicly offered without ads (with speed/server limits).
Secure Core is a documented paid feature routing via hardened countries.
Device limits and country counts are published per plan on Proton’s site.
We report what Proton VPN publishes; we have not audited its servers ourselves.
Speed & network
We don’t publish lab speed tests: results swing by city, ISP and protocol, and invented league tables help nobody. What we can compare is network breadth. Proton VPN publicly lists servers in 149 countries, second-widest of the 7 VPNs we compare. Use the 30-day refund window to test speeds on your own connection.
- NordVPN150
- Proton VPN149
- ExpressVPN113
- Private Internet Access113
- Surfshark100
- CyberGhost100+
- PureVPN65+
Streaming & torrenting
Proton VPN markets its service for streaming. Catalog access changes as platforms update their detection, so treat any VPN as something to test: check the exact shows you watch inside the 30-day money-back window.
Its published policy allows P2P traffic on its network. Copyright law still applies with or without a VPN.
See our guides to the best VPN for streaming and the best VPN for torrenting.
Apps & platforms
Proton VPN lists apps or extensions for 7 of the 9 platforms we track, and allows 10 simultaneous connections.
- Windows: app available
- macOS: app available
- iPhone & iPad: app available
- Android: app available
- Linux: app available
- Fire TV: no app listed
- Routers: no app listed
- Chrome: app available
- Firefox: app available
Pricing & refunds
From price
$2.99/mo
VPN Plus, 1-year plan
Money-back
30 days
CyberGhost, PureVPN offer longer
Free plan
Yes
With limits vs paid plans
That’s the fifth-lowest from-price of the 7 we compare; PureVPN starts lowest at $1.49/mo (5-year plan (+3 months)). “From” prices are long-term promotional rates before VAT or sales tax; renewal pricing can be higher, so confirm the term at checkout.
Proton VPN VPN Plus1-year plan · 30-day money-back
Who should get Proton VPN, and who shouldn’t
Get it if you want…
- Privacy
- Free VPN trials
- Linux users
- Switzerland-based with strong privacy positioning
- Free plan with privacy-friendly limits (no ads)
Look elsewhere if…
- Free tier is limited compared with paid plans
- Streaming and speed expectations vary by plan tier
- You need more than 10 devices connected at once: Surfshark and Private Internet Access advertise unlimited.
- You rely on Fire TV or Routers: not on its supported-platform list.
Proton VPN alternatives
The next-best options in our ranking, side by side. Provider names open their reviews.
| Compare4 picks | This review | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | Editorial score 8.9 out of 10 | Editorial score 9.4 out of 10 | Editorial score 9.1 out of 10 | Editorial score 9.0 out of 10 |
| From / month | $2.991-year plan | $3.182-year plan (+3 months) | $2.492-year plan (+3 months)Lowest | $2.992-year plan (+4 months) |
| Server countries | 149 | 150Most | 100 | 113 |
| Devices | 10 | 10 | Unlimited | 10 |
| Money-back | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| No-logs audit | ||||
| Free plan | ||||
| Get it |
NordVPN reviewStrong all-rounder with a large global networkEditorial score 9.4 out of 10
Surfshark reviewUnlimited devices at a budget-friendly from-priceEditorial score 9.1 out of 10
ExpressVPN reviewPolished apps and TrustedServer RAM-only designEditorial score 9.0 out of 10- Proton VPN vs NordVPNHead-to-head comparison
- ExpressVPN vs Proton VPNHead-to-head comparison
Proton VPN FAQ
Is Proton VPN good in 2026?
Proton VPN is the privacy-first choice — Swiss jurisdiction, audited open-source apps, and one of the few free plans that does not rely on selling ads. Our editorial score is 8.9/10 based on published features — not invented lab tests.
How much does Proton VPN cost?
The VPN Plus plan starts at $2.99/month on a 1-year plan, before VAT or sales tax. Prices checked Nov 12, 2026 on Proton VPN's own pricing page and may change at checkout.
Does Proton VPN keep logs?
Proton VPN publishes a no-logs policy with audit materials. Open-source apps; annual independent no-logs audits by Securitum, the latest in 2026.
Our #1 pick for 2026
Still deciding? NordVPN is our top pick
Strong all-rounder with a large global network. From $3.18/mo (2-year plan (+3 months)) · 30-day money-back guarantee.
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