Proton VPN Review 2026
PRIVACY KINGProton VPN is built by the team behind ProtonMail — scientists from CERN who built encrypted email before it was trendy. Every app is fully open-source and published on GitHub, meaning anyone can inspect the code for backdoors or vulnerabilities. The Secure Core feature routes your traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries (including a server literally inside a Swiss military bunker) before reaching the wider internet. Proton VPN's free tier is the best in the industry — unlimited data, no ads, no speed throttling, and no data selling. If transparency and verifiable privacy are your priorities, Proton VPN is unmatched.
Proton VPN at a Glance
Proton VPN earns our #4 ranking with a 9.1/10, scoring the highest privacy rating (9.8) of any VPN we've reviewed. Founded by CERN scientists who also created ProtonMail, the company has deep roots in privacy advocacy and an institutional commitment to transparency that no competitor matches.
Every Proton VPN app is fully open-source and has been independently audited. The company is based in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world and is outside all intelligence-sharing alliances. Proton VPN is also one of the few providers that publishes a transparency report detailing every legal request they receive.
The free tier deserves special mention -- it's the best free VPN available, offering unlimited data with no ads and no logging. Paid plans unlock the full server network, streaming support, and advanced features like Secure Core and NetShield.
- Privacy-first users who want maximum transparency
- Users who want open-source, audited apps
- People looking for the best free VPN available
- Journalists, activists, and users in restrictive countries
- ProtonMail users who want an integrated privacy ecosystem
Speed Performance
| Protocol | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | 469 Mbps | 37 Mbps | 10 ms |
| OpenVPN (UDP) | 275 Mbps | 23 Mbps | 17 ms |
| Stealth | 380 Mbps | 31 Mbps | 12 ms |
Privacy & Security
Switzerland is widely considered one of the best jurisdictions for privacy. Swiss law requires a court order for data requests, and Swiss authorities are not obligated to comply with foreign surveillance demands. Switzerland is not part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or Fourteen Eyes alliances. Proton VPN has fought and won legal challenges to protect user privacy in Swiss courts.
Streaming & Unblocking
Features & Apps
Pricing & Plans
Pros & Cons
- Highest privacy score (9.8) of any VPN we reviewed
- Fully open-source apps on every platform
- Swiss jurisdiction with strong legal protections
- Secure Core multi-hop through owned, hardened servers
- Best free VPN tier available (unlimited data, no ads)
- Published transparency reports
- Accepts cash payment for maximum anonymity
- More expensive than NordVPN and Surfshark
- Speeds trail behind ExpressVPN and NordVPN
- Peacock and DAZN streaming inconsistent
- Free tier limited to 5 countries at reduced speeds
- No dedicated IP option
- Fewer advanced features than NordVPN (no Meshnet equivalent)
Final Verdict
Proton VPN is built by the team behind ProtonMail — scientists from CERN who built encrypted email before it was trendy. Every app is fully open-source and published on GitHub, meaning anyone can inspect the code for backdoors or vulnerabilities. The Secure Core feature routes your traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries (including a server literally inside a Swiss military bunker) before reaching the wider internet. Proton VPN's free tier is the best in the industry — unlimited data, no ads, no speed throttling, and no data selling. If transparency and verifiable privacy are your priorities, Proton VPN is unmatched.
If privacy is your primary concern, Proton VPN is unmatched. Open-source code, Swiss jurisdiction, Secure Core routing, and a proven track record of protecting user data make it the top choice for anyone who prioritizes privacy above everything else. If you want the best all-around experience or prioritize streaming and speed, NordVPN and ExpressVPN still have the edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Builder, tinkerer, privacy advocate. I believe privacy is a right, not a product feature.