Proton VPN Review 2026

Privacy-first VPN from the makers of ProtonMail

Best Free VPN 2026Best for Privacy Runners-Up
8.7
Visit Proton VPN

Quick Verdict

Proton VPN is the best VPN for privacy-conscious users who want a fully open-source, audited product backed by a company with a proven track record. The free tier is genuinely useful, the Swiss jurisdiction is ideal for privacy, and the Proton ecosystem integration adds real value. It narrowly misses the top spot due to slightly slower speeds.

Pros

  • Genuinely useful free tier (no data caps)
  • Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy laws
  • All apps are fully open source and audited
  • Stealth protocol for censorship circumvention
  • Part of the Proton privacy ecosystem (Mail, Drive, Calendar)
  • Port forwarding support

Cons

  • Speeds slightly below NordVPN and ExpressVPN
  • Free tier limited to servers in 5 countries
  • No dedicated IP option
  • No RAM-only servers
  • Smart DNS not available

Score Breakdown

Privacy
15%9.5
Speed
15%8.4
Streaming
12%8.2
Security
15%9.4
Server Network
8%8.0
Ease of Use
10%8.5
Torrenting
5%8.3
Device Support
8%8.5
Features
12%9.0

Speed Test Results

Baseline: 100 Mbps | Last tested: 2026-02-15

Proton VPN speed test results across 5 server locations. Higher is better.

Streaming Compatibility

ServiceStatus
Netflix(US, UK)
Disney+
BBC iPlayer
Amazon Prime
Hulu
HBO Max

Proton VPN Pricing

Monthly
$9.99/mo
1 Year
$4.49/mo
Best Value
2 Year
$3.59/mo
Renews at $4.49/mo
30-day money-back guaranteeFree Tier Available

Transparency Score

90/100
Excellent
Warrant Canary
Transparency Report
Open Source Apps
Ownership Disclosed
Last audit: 2025-03Auditor: SecuritumHQ: CH

Proton VPN's transparency score is based on audit history, warrant canary status, open-source availability, and ownership disclosure.

Cancellation Experience

Easy Cancellation2 steps | Refund in ~1 days

Frequently Asked Questions

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