Proton VPN Review (2026): Swiss VPN with a Free Plan

What is Proton VPN?

Who is behind Proton VPN

Proton VPN is made by Proton AG, a Swiss company from Geneva founded in 2014 – the same company behind Proton Mail, Proton Drive and Proton Pass. Its main shareholder is the non-profit Proton Foundation, and Proton says it has no venture capital investors. That makes Proton one of the few large VPN providers that is not owned by an investment group.

Proton VPN covers almost everything a mainstream VPN does: apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, Android and Apple TV, browser extensions, a kill switch, streaming support and up to 10 devices on one subscription. The apps are open source, and Proton publishes a yearly no-logs audit.

Where Proton VPN hosts your data

Proton runs its own network (AS209103), so its website is served from Switzerland rather than from a US cloud. As a VPN, Proton routes your traffic through its server network of 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. Secure Core servers first route your connection through Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden.

Checked 25 Oct 2026. Hosting can change – report a change.

Proton VPN pricing

Proton VPN has a free plan and paid plans. Free works on one device with servers in 10 countries and has no data cap, which is rare for a free VPN. VPN Plus costs $3.49 a month on the two-year plan and renews at $83.88 a year afterwards, so the price roughly doubles after the first term. Every paid plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Compared with NordVPN, Proton's intro price is the same ($3.49 a month on two years), but Proton's renewal price ($83.88 a year) is lower than NordVPN's ($139.08 a year).

Features, security and audits

Proton VPN supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and its own Stealth protocol for networks that block VPNs. Paid plans add Secure Core multihop, port forwarding, the NetShield ad and tracker blocker, and streaming support for Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+. Securitum has audited Proton's no-logs policy every year from 2022 to 2026. A dedicated IP is not mentioned on Proton VPN's features page.

What users say about Proton VPN

On Trustpilot Proton VPN has 2.1/5 from 1,021 reviews (checked 25 October 2026). That is low for a product of this quality, so read recent reviews before you buy – NordVPN scores 4.2 from over 51,000 reviews.

Pros and cons

Verdict on Proton VPN

Verdict: Proton VPN is the most complete VPN from Europe: a network in NordVPN's league, streaming, port forwarding, open-source apps audited every year and a free plan to test it. Watch the renewal price and set a reminder before the first term ends. Best for: anyone leaving NordVPN or another big VPN who wants the same features. Not for: people who need a dedicated IP.

Proton VPN is ranked #1 in Best European alternatives to NordVPN and in Best European VPN services.

Similar European VPNs

Proton VPN: FAQ

Is Proton VPN a European company?

Yes. Proton VPN is made by Proton AG in Geneva, Switzerland. Switzerland is not in the EU but is part of EFTA, with its own data protection law.

Is Proton VPN free?

Yes, there is a free plan for one device with servers in 10 countries and no data cap. Paid plans start at $3.49 a month on a two-year plan.

Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?

They are close. NordVPN has more countries and a much higher Trustpilot score; Proton VPN has a free plan, open-source apps, yearly no-logs audits, Swiss jurisdiction and a lower renewal price.

Does Proton VPN work with Netflix?

Yes. Proton VPN's paid plans officially support Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+.