Privacy and audits30 of 35
Security features15 of 20
Apps14 of 15
Everyday use10 of 10
Price12 of 20
VPN service · Proton AG
Proton VPN
VPN from Geneva-based Proton with a free plan that has no data cap, open-source apps and yearly no-logs audits.
In short
- The free plan has no data limit and works on 1 device at a time, on servers in 10 countries1,3.
- VPN Plus costs $6.99 a month on a 1-year plan, or $3.49 a month for the first 2 years, then $83.88 a year1,2.
- Securitum has audited the no-logs policy every year since 2022, most recently in 20264.
- Secure Core routes paid users' traffic through two servers in different countries12.
- VPN Plus covers 10 devices at once1.
Proton VPN is the pick for people who want a free plan without a data cap3. Paid plans add Secure Core double-hop routing and 10 devices, and Securitum audits the no-logs policy every year1,4,12. The catch: post-quantum encryption is still only planned, and the servers use encrypted disks rather than running from memory alone9,10.
Best for: People who want a free VPN with no data limit.
Where the points come from
Privacy and audits 30 of 35 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| No-logs audit since 2024 | YesSecuritum reviewed server configuration and logging on site; the 2026 report is public, after yearly audits since 20224. | 10 / 10 |
| App security audit since 2024 | YesIn December 2025 Proton linked the latest audits of all its apps by security researcher Ruben Santamarta5. | 5 / 5 |
| RAM-only servers | NoProton says its servers are bare-metal and use full disk encryption9. | 0 / 5 |
| Open-source apps | YesProton says all its apps are open source; the Windows app is under GPL-3.05,6. | 5 / 5 |
| Anonymous sign-up | YesProton accepts cash sent by post to its Geneva office7. | 5 / 5 |
| Transparency report | YesThe transparency report covers Proton VPN requests through 2025 and was updated in January 20268. | 5 / 5 |
Security features 15 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | YesThe Windows app offers WireGuard and Stealth, which Proton says is based on WireGuard9,11. | 5 / 5 |
| Kill switch | YesProton says all its apps have a kill switch for when the VPN connection drops9. | 5 / 5 |
| Post-quantum encryption | NoProton lists post-quantum encryption as planned for its new protocol code10. | 0 / 5 |
| Multi-hop | YesSecure Core passes traffic through two servers, on all paid plans12. | 5 / 5 |
Apps 14 of 15 points
Everyday use 10 of 10 points
Price 12 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan with no data cap | YesProton Free has no data limits and no time limit1,3. | 5 / 5 |
| Price on a one-year plan | $6.99/moVPN Plus, $6.99 a month on the 1-year plan2. | 0 / 8 |
| Same price on renewal | YesThe 1-year plan is $83.88 a year, and VPN Plus renews at $83.88 every 12 months1,2. | 7 / 7 |
The rule behind each line: how we score VPN services.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Free1 device | Free1,3 | $0 | No data limit; servers in 10 countries |
| VPN Plus, monthly10 devices | $9.99/month2 | $9.99 | |
| VPN Plus, 1 year10 devices | $83.88/year1,2 | $6.99 | $6.99 a month |
| VPN Plus, 2 years10 devices | $83.76 for 24 months1 | $3.49 | Then renews at $83.88 every 12 months |
| Proton Unlimited, 2 years | $191.76 for 24 months1 | $7.99 | Then renews at $119.88 every 12 months |
The 2-year VPN Plus deal costs $3.49 a month for the first 24 months, then renews at $83.88 a year1. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies1.
Strengths
Other VPN services
- 2
WindscribePeople who want a free VPN or a pay-per-location plan79/100$5.75/moprice on a one-year plan - 3
Mullvad VPNPeople who want to sign up without an email and pay one flat price78/100$5.59/moprice on a one-year plan - 4
SurfsharkHouseholds with many devices on one subscription76/100$3.79/moprice on a one-year plan - 5
Private Internet AccessPeople who want a steady yearly price and open-source apps72/100$3.99/moprice on a one-year plan
Proton VPN vs Windscribe · Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN · All 9 VPN services
Sources
- Pricing | Proton VPN, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- The best VPN for speed and security, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Free VPN with no ads and no speed limits | Proton VPN, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Proton VPN no-logs audit, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- All Proton VPN apps are now open source and audited, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- ProtonVPN/win-app, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Payment options | Proton, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Transparency report | Proton, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Proton VPN features, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Introducing Proton protocols: a new VPN protocol codebase for faster, more reliable apps, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- How to change VPN protocols, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- What is Secure Core? | Proton VPN, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Download VPN | Proton VPN, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Install Proton VPN on your router, Proton. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: protonvpn.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Proton AG.