Proton VPN is the one to recommend when privacy is the actual goal rather than a marketing line — open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction and a free tier that is genuinely usable rather than bait.
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👍 What we like
- The only major free VPN with no data cap and no ads
- Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy law
- All apps are open source and independently audited
- Secure Core routes through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries
- Made by the Proton Mail team, with a long privacy track record
👎 What could be better
- The free tier is limited to a few countries and slower speeds
- Smaller server network than NordVPN or CyberGhost
What is Proton VPN?
Proton VPN comes from the Swiss team behind Proton Mail, and it is built around privacy rather than streaming convenience. It is the rare free VPN that does not monetise you: no data cap, no ads, no logging.
Key features
Every app is open source and independently audited, which is still unusual in this market. Secure Core routes traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden before it exits, protecting against a compromised exit node. NetShield handles ad and malware blocking, and paid plans unlock the full server network and streaming support.
Who is Proton VPN for?
Proton VPN is for people who take privacy seriously and want to verify the claims rather than trust them. If you want maximum speed and streaming reliability above all, NordVPN is stronger. For the most extreme privacy stance, compare Mullvad.
What people use Proton VPN for
Genuinely free protection
Occasional secure browsing without paying or accepting a data cap.
High-privacy browsing
Journalists, researchers and anyone who needs verifiable privacy guarantees.
Escaping surveillance
Secure Core adds protection against network-level observation.
How to get started with Proton VPN
- 1Create a free account
The free tier needs no payment details and has no data limit.
- 2Install the app
Open-source clients are available for all major platforms.
- 3Connect
Free users get a handful of countries; paid unlocks the full network.
- 4Optional: enable Secure Core
On paid plans, route through a hardened country first for extra protection.
Expert tips
Unusually, the free tier is good enough to evaluate the service properly.
Blocking ads and trackers at DNS level speeds up browsing noticeably.
It costs speed, so save it for sessions that actually need it.
Proton VPN pricing
Prices are indicative and change often — confirm on the official site.
Proton VPN FAQ
Is Proton VPN really free?
Yes. The free plan has no data cap, no ads and no logging, though it limits you to a few countries and slower speeds than paid plans.
Is Proton VPN good for streaming?
On paid plans, yes. The free tier is not intended for streaming and generally will not unlock those services.
Where is Proton VPN based?
Switzerland, which has strong privacy protections and sits outside major intelligence-sharing agreements.
Are the apps open source?
Yes — all Proton VPN clients are open source and have been independently audited, so the claims can be checked rather than taken on trust.
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