ProtonVPN

Overview

ProtonVPN emerged from the team behind ProtonMail, the encrypted email service founded by CERN scientists in 2014. Launched in 2017 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ProtonVPN benefits from some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. Swiss legislation does not require VPN providers to log user activity, and the country sits outside the EU, the Five Eyes, and the Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliances. This legal foundation, combined with the team's deep expertise in cryptography and security, makes ProtonVPN a standout choice for privacy-focused users.

The service operates over 3,000 servers across 70+ countries, with a growing network that continues to expand. All ProtonVPN applications are fully open-source, with code published on GitHub for public scrutiny. The free tier is genuinely useful — offering servers in 5 countries with no bandwidth limits, no advertisements, and no speed throttling — making it the best free VPN option currently available.

Privacy and Security

ProtonVPN's no-logs policy is robust and has been independently audited by Securitum. The company collects only an account email address and timestamp of the last successful login (not connection logs, IP addresses, or activity data). Swiss law provides an additional safeguard: even if compelled by a Swiss court, there are no traffic logs or IP addresses to hand over.

The Secure Core feature is a distinctive security offering. It routes VPN traffic through hardened servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden) before exiting through a second VPN server in the user's chosen country. This provides protection against end-point monitoring and compromised exit servers — a genuine advantage over single-hop VPN connections. All servers are connected to the internet using ProtonVPN's own network, and Secure Core servers are housed in high-security data centres, including a former Swiss military bunker beneath 1,000 metres of granite.

Performance

ProtonVPN delivers strong speeds on its paid tiers using WireGuard, with local server connections typically retaining 82-90% of baseline speeds. The proprietary Stealth protocol is designed specifically to evade VPN detection and deep packet inspection, making it valuable for users in restrictive environments. Performance on the free tier is decent but can slow during peak hours as free servers handle higher user loads.

Streaming support on paid plans covers Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other major platforms. The NetShield feature provides DNS-level blocking of ads, trackers, and malware. Port forwarding support is included on paid plans, which is a relatively uncommon feature that benefits P2P users and those running services behind the VPN. Torrenting is supported on designated P2P servers across the paid network.

Verdict

ProtonVPN stands out through its unwavering commitment to transparency and privacy. The combination of Swiss jurisdiction, open-source applications, independent audits, and the Secure Core architecture creates a privacy foundation that few competitors can match. The free tier is genuinely best-in-class, and the paid plans offer excellent value, particularly when bundled with the wider Proton ecosystem. Speed is solid if not class-leading, and the server network continues to grow. For users who place privacy and transparency at the top of their priorities, ProtonVPN is the strongest recommendation available.