protonvpn free

ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused virtual private network developed by Proton AG, the company also behind Proton Mail. Based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN emphasizes strong privacy protections, transparent practices, and a user-friendly experience across desktop and mobile platforms. It’s designed for people who want robust online privacy without sacrificing usability. Security and privacy form the core of ProtonVPN’s value proposition. The service enforces a strict no-logs policy and benefits from Swiss jurisdiction, which has strong privacy laws. ProtonVPN uses modern encryption standards and supports major VPN protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Built-in features such as a system-wide kill switch, DNS leak protection, and support for perfect forward secrecy help ensure that your traffic remains secure even if a connection unexpectedly drops. One of ProtonVPN’s standout features is Secure Core, a multi-hop architecture that routes traffic through privacy-friendly servers before it exits to the public internet. This adds an extra layer of protection against network-based attacks and makes it harder to trace traffic back to an individual user. ProtonVPN also offers Tor over VPN functionality for direct access to the Tor network without using a separate Tor browser. ProtonVPN provides a free tier that gives basic access to a limited number of servers with moderate speeds—useful for casual users or those testing the service. Paid plans are tiered and unlock faster servers, more simultaneous connections, advanced features, and access to servers optimized for P2P and streaming. Pricing and plan names change occasionally, but ProtonVPN generally positions itself competitively among premium VPN services. Performance is generally solid, especially on paid plans that allow access to high-speed servers and WireGuard. Real-world speeds depend on server load, geographic distance, and local network conditions, so experiences vary. ProtonVPN also maintains a commitment to transparency: its apps are open-source and the company has participated in independent security audits and published some of the results. ProtonVPN is a good fit for privacy-conscious users, journalists, activists, and everyday users who want a straightforward VPN with strong privacy features. It’s also suitable for streaming and P2P use on paid tiers. Potential downsides include occasional price competitiveness compared with budget VPNs and the fact that the free tier has speed and server limitations. Overall, ProtonVPN combines strong privacy practices, modern security tech, and an approachable interface, making it a reliable choice for anyone seeking a serious, user-friendly VPN from a company known for its privacy-first ethos.