ProtonVPN Review 2025

Privacy First — And It Shows

Most VPNs *say* they care about privacy. Proton VPN actually backs it up. It’s run by the same folks behind Proton Mail, the super-secure encrypted email service, and they’ve built this VPN with the same no-compromise mindset.

They’re based in Switzerland, which is outside the whole 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance crew — and thanks to the country’s strict privacy laws, they don’t have to hand over user data. Plus, Proton’s gone open-source and had independent audits, which adds serious credibility in a world where 'no-logs' is often just a marketing slogan.

Server Network Keeps Growing

A few years back, Proton VPN’s biggest weakness was its limited server count. That’s changed. As of now, they’ve got 3,000+ servers in over 70 countries, and performance has caught up with the big names. I rarely had trouble finding a fast server, even during high-traffic times.

There are also specialty options like Secure Core servers, which route your traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Iceland or Switzerland before hitting the open web. It adds an extra layer of protection if you’re really trying to stay under the radar.

Simple for Beginners, But Built for Power Users

The desktop and mobile apps are clean and uncluttered — you open it, click ‘Quick Connect,’ and you're protected. But if you want more control, the advanced settings are all there: split tunneling, protocol switching (WireGuard, OpenVPN, etc.), and a reliable kill switch that doesn’t flake out when things get unstable.

It strikes a nice balance. You can just leave it on in the background, or you can nerd out and customize every aspect of the connection. Either way, it works.

Mobile Apps Are Clean and Fast

I’ve used Proton VPN on both Android and iOS, and it’s honestly one of the better mobile VPN experiences I’ve had. The app loads fast, the layout is clean, and the Quick Connect button does exactly what it says.

You also get some handy features like NetShield (their ad/tracker blocker) right in the mobile app. On Android, you can go deeper with protocol switching and split tunneling. On iOS, it’s a little more locked down (thanks Apple), but the basics still work great.

Desktop Apps Feel Consistent

On desktop (Windows and Mac), the app keeps the same clean design. I liked that I didn’t have to relearn anything jumping between phone and laptop — it’s all familiar.

Performance-wise, no issues. Connections are quick, and I’ve never had it crash or hang. There’s WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 support, plus a kill switch and Secure Core toggle right in the settings. It’s simple enough for beginners but has the tools for more advanced use if you want to dig in.

Full Linux Support (With GUI!)

Unlike a lot of VPNs that leave Linux users in the dust, Proton actually built a proper GUI for Linux. I tested it on Ubuntu, and it worked right out of the box. You get all the same features as other platforms — no second-class experience here.

For devs or privacy-conscious folks who use Linux full-time, this is a rare win.

Router Setup? Doable, Not Plug-and-Play

If you want to protect your entire network, you can install Proton VPN on your router — but heads up, it’s not a two-click setup. You’ll need a compatible router and some patience to follow their guide.

Once it’s up, though, you’re golden. Every device in the house gets protected, including stuff that doesn’t support VPN apps, like consoles and smart TVs.

Smart TV and Streaming Device Support

There’s no dedicated app for Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Roku, but you can still use it by setting up a VPN on your router or creating a virtual hotspot from your computer.

It’s not as simple as VPNs with built-in apps, but if you’re a bit tech-savvy, it’ll work just fine.

Good for Netflix, But You’ll Need the Paid Plan

Proton VPN can unblock Netflix — but only if you’re on a Plus plan or higher. The free plan doesn’t support streaming at all, which was kind of a bummer at first, but makes sense considering the bandwidth demands.

Once I upgraded, it worked like a charm. I got into Netflix U.S., U.K., Japan, and Canada without a problem. Streams loaded quickly, and playback was smooth — no buffering, even during prime time.

Streaming Speed Is Solid (But Not the Fastest)

Using WireGuard, I got solid speeds for HD and even 4K streaming. I watched a couple of episodes on Prime Video and some anime on Netflix Japan — both worked without hiccups.

That said, Proton isn’t the absolute fastest VPN I’ve used. If you’re looking to binge in 4K all day, you might find other VPNs slightly snappier. But for regular streaming, it’s more than good enough.

Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu — Mostly Fine

I had no trouble unblocking Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. Both worked right away using servers in the right region. Hulu was a little more hit-or-miss — I had to switch servers once or twice to get it going, but eventually got it to work.

Not the most bulletproof experience across the board, but far from unusable. If one server didn’t work, another usually did.

No Smart DNS (So You’ll Need Workarounds)

One downside: Proton VPN doesn’t offer Smart DNS. So if your streaming device doesn’t support VPNs — like some smart TVs or consoles — you’ll need to install the VPN on your router or create a VPN hotspot from your laptop.

It’s a bit of extra effort compared to some other services that have dedicated apps for Fire Stick or Smart TVs.

Verdict: Great Streaming Privacy, Slightly More Effort

If you’re looking for a VPN that lets you stream reliably while still respecting your privacy, Proton VPN is a solid pick. It’s not as plug-and-play as something like Express or Nord, but once it’s set up, it works well.

And honestly, I trust it more than a lot of the faster options — especially when it comes to not logging or leaking your data.

Solid Speeds with WireGuard and VPN Accelerator

Proton VPN is surprisingly fast—especially when you use it with the WireGuard protocol and VPN Accelerator. In our tests, nearby servers kept over 90% of our regular internet speed, so browsing and streaming stayed smooth the whole time.

For instance, connecting to a U.S. server from within the U.S., we observed download speeds of approximately 392 Mbps, virtually matching our unprotected speed of 390 Mbps. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Performance on Distant Servers

When connecting to servers farther from our location, speeds naturally decreased due to increased latency. For example, connecting from the U.S. to a server in Australia resulted in download speeds around 317 Mbps, which is still respectable for such a long-distance connection. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Overall, Proton VPN maintained an average global speed of 157 Mbps in our tests, placing it among the faster VPNs available in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Free Plan Limitations

It's important to note that Proton VPN's free plan offers limited speed and server options. Users on the free tier may experience slower connections, especially during peak hours, due to server congestion. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

If you want the best performance, especially for things like streaming or gaming—it's worth upgrading to a paid plan.

Real-World Usage

In everyday use, Proton VPN held up really well. Speeds stayed steady whether we were streaming in HD, on video calls, or downloading large files. Thanks to WireGuard and VPN Accelerator, it barely slowed down the internet, making it a solid option for most people.

What do you get in terms of privacy with Proton VPN?

If privacy is your concern, I found that Proton VPN really is a good choice. It was created by the team behind Proton Mail, so privacy is kind of their thing. Whether you just want to keep your browsing to yourself or you’re looking for stronger protection, they’ve got you covered.

No logs. Ever.

Proton VPN has a proper no-logs policy — not just marketing speak. They don’t collect or store your browsing history, IP address, or session data. And to make sure that’s not just a promise, they’ve had outside experts audit their systems. So if your main concern is, 'Are they tracking me?' — the answer is no.

Based in Switzerland, for good reason

Proton VPN is a company based in Switzerland. It is the actually the country that have the strongest privacy laws. To understand what it means, is that Switzerland is not part of the ISA international surveillance alliances. Legally they are not required to share your data with governments.

Secure Core adds an extra layer

Proton Vpn use Secure Core adds an extra layer of protection by sending your connection through Proton’s own servers in places like Iceland or Switzerland before it reaches the internet. This makes it much harder for anyone to figure out where your traffic is really coming from — even if they’re trying to spy on the VPN.

NetShield blocks the annoying stuff

NetShield is Proton’s built-in tool that blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains. It kicks in before the page even loads, which means fewer creepy scripts following you around the web — and slightly faster browsing, too.

Open-source, with nothing to hide

All of Proton VPN’s apps are open-source. That level of transparency isn’t common in the VPN world. So evryone can inspect the code source, they’ve also had their application independently audited, just to double-check everything’s working the way it should. No smoke and mirrors.

No Torrenting on the Free Plan

Let’s just get this out of the way — you can’t torrent on Proton’s free plan. I tried. Downloads wouldn’t start, and only later did I realize torrenting’s locked behind the paid plans. Not ideal, but fair enough. Once I upgraded, it was a different story.

Dedicated P2P Servers Do the Job

After switching to a Plus plan, I fired up qBittorrent, connected to one of Proton’s P2P servers, and everything just... worked. No complicated setup, no digging through settings. If you've torrented with a VPN before, this will feel familiar — in a good way.

Speed's Not Bad — Not Amazing Either

I was averaging decent speeds — not the fastest I’ve seen, but solid. Downloads were steady, no sudden drops. I tested with a few Linux ISOs and some larger video files, and the connection held up fine.

There’s also this thing called VPN Accelerator that’s supposed to boost speed. I didn’t clock anything insane, but connections to distant servers felt a bit snappier with it on.

Privacy That Actually Feels Legit

What I really appreciate is that Proton doesn’t just slap ‘no logs’ on the homepage and call it a day. They’re based in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest privacy laws around, and they’ve gone through proper audits too.

I tested the kill switch by yanking the VPN mid-download — internet dropped instantly. No IP leaks. No drama.

A Couple Things You Should Know

If you’re on macOS or iOS, there’s no port forwarding. That’s not a dealbreaker for most, but if you care about upload speeds or seeding, it’s something to keep in mind.

Also, not all P2P servers are equal — some get sluggish during busy hours. If speeds dip, switching to a less-used server usually does the trick.

Bottom Line

If you’re serious about privacy and want something reliable for torrenting, Proton’s a solid bet. Just skip the free plan and go straight to Plus or higher. You’ll get decent speeds, great privacy, and peace of mind that nobody’s logging what you’re downloading.

Free Plan: Surprisingly Generous

Proton VPN’s free plan is easily one of the best out there. You get unlimited data and access to servers in five countries, including the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands — no time limits, no ads, no weird catches. Speeds are slower than the paid versions, but for basic browsing or trying out the service, it’s more than enough.

Plus Plan: Good balance of features and price

The Plus plan costs $9.99 per month, but the price drops to just $4.99 /month if you subscribe for the 2 years plan. Both plan will give you access to all Proton VPN’s servers, and services as Secure Core, streaming, and torrenting. You’d pay more for the same kind of features with most well-known VPNs, so this feels like a pretty fair deal.

Unlimited Plan: All the Proton tools in one bundle

If you’re already using Proton Mail or you like having all your privacy tools under one roof, the Unlimited plan is worth a look. It includes Proton VPN, Mail, Calendar, Drive, and even their password manager. It’s $12.99/month or $7.99/month with a two-year plan — not bad for a full privacy suite.

Deals and renewal pricing

Proton VPN runs promo deals pretty regularly — like getting 64% off a two-year plan, bringing it down to about $86 total. Just keep in mind that renewal prices might go up after your first term, so it’s always smart to check the current offers on their site before signing up.

The bottom line

If all you need is a solid, free VPN to stay secure while browsing or traveling, Proton VPN’s free plan is hard to beat. But if you’re the kind of person who wants more control — access to global content, torrenting, stronger privacy layers — the paid plans are worth looking into.

It’s not the cheapest VPN, but for what it offers, it feels like paying for a reliable lock on your front door instead of using a cheap chain. You’re getting clean, open-source apps, strong privacy laws backing it, and useful features like Secure Core and NetShield. I’ve tested a bunch of VPNs, and honestly, this is one of the few that balances real privacy with good performance — without constantly trying to upsell you or flood you with ads.

Knowledge Base: Helpful, but easy to get lost in

Proton VPN’s support section is packed — seriously, there’s a guide for almost everything. Whether you’re trying to set it up on your iPhone or tinkering with DNS settings on Linux, it’s probably covered. But here’s the catch: it can feel like falling into a rabbit hole. If you’re new to VPNs, some of the explanations might come off a bit technical, like reading instructions written for developers. It’s all there — just not super easy to digest unless you know what to look for. A simpler layout or some ‘quick start’ guides would make it a lot more beginner-friendly.

Email Support: Detailed replies, but not super fast

If you run into something you can’t solve with an article, email support is your next stop. The good news? The team actually knows their stuff — responses are clear, helpful, and not full of canned replies. The not-so-great part is the wait time. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day to get a reply. That’s fine if your issue isn’t urgent, but if you’re locked out or your VPN’s acting up while traveling, the delay can be a bit frustrating.

Live Chat: Great when it’s available

Live chat is available now, which is a nice addition. But it’s only up during European business hours. So if you're in North America or Asia and need help in the evening, you might be out of luck. It’s definitely helpful when you catch them online — they’re responsive and can solve basic stuff fast — but a 24/7 option would be a huge upgrade.

Community Support: Don’t overlook Reddit and forums

Oddly enough, some of the best help I found didn’t come from Proton’s official support — it came from other users. Their subreddit and community forums are full of people who’ve hit the same issues and figured out fixes. Whether you’re trying to unblock a streaming site or optimize your server choice, someone’s probably already posted a workaround. It’s not official, but it’s fast, and often more down-to-earth than the help docs.

Final Thoughts

Depending on cases, sometimes they are super quick, they get back to you within a few hours, other times it might take a full day. but if your VPN stops working while you’re traveling, or you can’t log in and need a quick fix, the wait can feel pretty frustrating.