ProtonVPN Review

If you’re considering ProtonVPN among the myriad of VPN options available, it’s essential to assess its offerings critically. Based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN benefits from strong privacy laws and operates under a strict no-logs policy, which is appealing to users concerned about privacy and security. Nonetheless, it is important to evaluate its actual performance in these areas.

ProtonVPN offers several features, such as Secure Core, which routes traffic through multiple servers for enhanced privacy and employs advanced encryption protocols. These features are designed to improve user security and privacy, but their effectiveness should be weighed against similar offerings from competitors.

In terms of pricing, ProtonVPN provides various plans, including a free version with limited features. Comparatively, its pricing for premium plans is in line with industry standards, but it is crucial to determine whether the additional features justify the cost relative to other VPN services.

Regarding streaming and torrenting, ProtonVPN has mixed reviews. While it is capable of unblocking certain streaming services, its performance can be inconsistent. Users interested in these activities should consider testing the service to ensure it meets their needs.

Ultimately, whether ProtonVPN is the right choice depends on the specific priorities and requirements of the user. A thorough comparison of its features and performance against other VPN providers will provide a clearer picture of its value.

Key Takeaways

ProtonVPN offers a free plan with unlimited usage and access to five servers, making it unique among competitors.
It provides strong privacy features, including a strict no-logs policy, and operates under Swiss jurisdiction.
The service includes advanced security measures like Secure Core, full disk encryption, and Tor over VPN.
ProtonVPN supports streaming and torrenting, unblocking major platforms like Netflix and offering adequate speeds for 4K streaming.
Customer support includes a comprehensive Support Center, live chat on weekdays, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pricing and Plans

ProtonVPN offers a variety of pricing plans designed to cater to different user needs and financial considerations. The service includes a free plan that allows unlimited usage on a single device with access to five servers located in Japan, the Netherlands, the US, Poland, and Romania. Notably, this free option operates without advertisements and doesn’t involve selling user data, which may appeal to those concerned with maintaining online privacy.

For users requiring more extensive server access and additional security features, ProtonVPN provides a monthly plan priced at $10 and an annual plan costing $60. These plans are positioned in the mid-range of the market, offering a balance between cost and the level of service provided.

Additionally, for a more comprehensive package, the Proton Unlimited bundle is available at $13 per month. This bundle combines VPN services with secure email and storage options.

ProtonVPN also offers a family plan, which includes 90 email addresses and 3TB of Proton Drive storage for $29.99 per month. This plan may be well-suited for families or users managing multiple accounts.

Furthermore, ProtonVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling potential subscribers to evaluate their server access and services without financial risk before committing to a longer-term plan.

Features

ProtonVPN offers a range of features aimed at enhancing online security and privacy. The free plan provides unlimited usage on one device with access to five servers, positioning it as a competitive option among free VPN services. It supports various VPN protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec, allowing users to choose the protocol that best suits their needs.

A notable feature of ProtonVPN is its Secure Core, which routes connections through multiple servers located in privacy-friendly countries for added protection. The Tor over VPN feature allows users to access the Tor network, further increasing online anonymity.

The application is designed to be user-friendly and includes several privacy tools. The kill switch feature ensures that the user’s connection remains secure even if the VPN connection drops.

Split tunneling allows users to control which applications use the VPN, while DNS leak protection helps prevent data exposure. ProtonVPN’s DNS-based NetShield feature blocks ads, malware, and trackers, providing a safer browsing experience.

Premium plans support connections on up to 10 devices simultaneously, making ProtonVPN a comprehensive option for those seeking privacy solutions.

Privacy and Security

ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy and security by operating under Swiss jurisdiction, which benefits from stringent privacy laws and isn’t influenced by the Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes alliances. This legal framework supports user confidentiality, as Switzerland’s regulations provide robust data protection.

ProtonVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, avoiding the storage of user activity, IP addresses, or connection logs. This policy has been validated through independent audits, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining a secure environment.

To enhance security, ProtonVPN employs advanced measures such as full disk encryption on all VPN servers, which protects data even in the event of physical security breaches. The use of RAM-only servers ensures that no data is retained once a server is shut down, offering an additional layer of protection.

They also utilize AES-256 encryption and forward secrecy, along with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, to secure information during transmission.

ProtonVPN’s transparency reports, which detail legal requests, reflect their commitment to privacy. Notably, they’ve reported no valid data requests since January 2019, highlighting their focus on maintaining user confidentiality and security.

Streaming and Torrenting

ProtonVPN offers features designed to enhance online privacy and security while facilitating access to global content and secure file sharing. The service is capable of unblocking major streaming platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus, allowing users to view region-restricted content from different parts of the world.

Paid plans provide access to a larger selection of servers, which can be beneficial for bypassing streaming restrictions compared to the free plan.

In terms of torrenting, ProtonVPN supports this activity across all its servers, enabling users to download and share files securely. The VPN includes a Secure Core feature that increases privacy during torrenting by routing connections through countries with strong privacy laws, thereby enhancing anonymity.

Despite an average speed reduction of 21%, ProtonVPN generally maintains adequate speeds for streaming in 4K resolution. This helps ensure minimal interruptions when accessing high-quality content.

User Experience and Apps

Navigating ProtonVPN’s apps is straightforward due to their user-friendly design and intuitive interface. Whether on desktop or mobile platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android, users will find the recent redesign with a purple color scheme to facilitate easy navigation. The Quick Connect feature is particularly useful, automatically selecting the fastest available server, which simplifies the connection process for users of varying technical expertise.

In evaluating ProtonVPN, it’s crucial to consider the balance it strikes between user experience and security features. The apps include advanced functionalities such as split tunneling and a kill switch, both of which are designed to maintain security and privacy during internet use.

The service also supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, allowing users to secure multiple devices under one subscription.

ProtonVPN demonstrates a commitment to transparency through its open-source apps, which can be audited by third parties. This is supported by a comprehensive Support Center that provides setup guides and troubleshooting resources.

Customer Support

ProtonVPN places emphasis on providing reliable customer support alongside their user experience and security features. They offer a comprehensive Support Center, which includes detailed setup guides and troubleshooting tips to help users address most issues independently.

While they don’t provide 24/7 live chat support, real-time assistance is available on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm CET. This live chat resource, though limited to business hours, is beneficial when accessible.

The Support Center includes numerous articles that address common issues, though some users have noted that the organization of these resources could be improved for easier navigation. Reviews on response times from their support team are mixed, with some users reporting delays.

Despite this, ProtonVPN demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction through a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and even cash, allowing for anonymity in transactions.

ProtonVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for premium subscriptions, which provides assurance for those who may not be fully satisfied. Although there’s room for improvement in response times and the organization of resources, ProtonVPN’s customer support is a noteworthy aspect of their service.

Comparison with Competitors

When assessing Proton VPN in comparison to its competitors, certain advantages and disadvantages are evident. Proton VPN’s free plan is noteworthy for its provision of unlimited usage on a single device, which contrasts with competitors like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, which offer more limited or no free options.

For users seeking a VPN with a broad server network, Proton VPN offers over 8,100 servers across 112 countries, exceeding NordVPN’s 5,500 servers and ExpressVPN’s 3,000 servers.

In terms of data privacy, Proton VPN maintains a strong stance with a strict no-logs policy that has been verified by independent audits, similar to NordVPN. Although ExpressVPN and Surfshark also emphasize comprehensive privacy practices, they operate under different legal jurisdictions.

Regarding the ability to unblock streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer, Proton VPN performs on par with ExpressVPN and NordVPN. However, users may experience reduced speeds on the free plan when compared to the paid plans of competitors.

Pricing is an area where Proton VPN is less competitive. Its starting price is $10 per month, which is higher than NordVPN’s $3.09 per month and Surfshark’s rates below $2.50 per month. This positions Proton VPN as a more expensive option, though its features could be considered worthwhile for some users.

Conclusion

In choosing ProtonVPN, you’re opting for a service that prioritizes your privacy and security with a strict no-logs policy under Swiss jurisdiction. Their flexible pricing, including a free plan, makes them accessible, while features like Secure Core and advanced encryption provide robust protection. You’ll enjoy seamless streaming and torrenting with excellent support. Against competitors, ProtonVPN stands out with its thorough offerings and reliable performance, making it a smart choice for safeguarding your online activities.