Proton VPN is a Swiss VPN from the makers of Proton Mail, with one of the few genuinely useful free plans: no data limit and no ads, but one device and servers in 10 countries chosen for you. VPN Plus costs $3.49 a month on a two-year term ($83.76 upfront) and renews at $83.88 a year. If you’re buying in November, my Proton VPN Black Friday guide tracks Proton’s coming sale and its cheaper deals page. It suits privacy-focused users and anyone who wants a free VPN they can trust. My rating is 4.5/5.
Table of Contents
Proton VPN Prices
| Plan | 2 years | 1 year | Monthly | Renews at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Free | $0 | $0 | $0 | — |
| VPN Plus | $3.49/mo ($83.76) | $4.49/mo ($53.88) | $9.99 | $83.88 a year |
| Proton Unlimited (VPN, Mail, Drive, Pass) | $7.99/mo ($191.76) | $9.99/mo ($119.88) | $12.99 | $119.88 a year |
Free vs Plus
| Proton Free | VPN Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 1 | 10 |
| Servers | 10 countries, chosen at random; medium speed | 20,000+ in 140+ countries |
| Data limit | None | None |
| Streaming and P2P | No | Yes |
★ EDITOR’S CHOICE
Proton VPN
My rating: 4.5/5
My pick for privacy: Swiss, independently audited, 10 devices.
Affiliate link: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Privacy and Security
- No-logs audits: audited every year by Securitum, with reports for 2022 to 2026.
- Servers: Proton doesn’t use RAM-only servers; it says it uses full-disk encryption with keys stored off the server instead.
- Protocols: WireGuard and Stealth (its obfuscated protocol) in most apps, plus IKEv2 on macOS and OpenVPN on Linux.
- Extras: kill switch, split tunnelling on most platforms, Secure Core double-VPN, NetShield DNS filtering, Tor over VPN and P2P with port forwarding.
- Company: Proton AG, Geneva, Switzerland.
Streaming
Proton says streaming is available on all paid plans and keeps a per-country list of supported services; Secure Core servers don’t always support streaming, and the free plan doesn’t include it. Which streaming libraries work through any VPN changes often, and streaming services’ own terms may restrict VPN use. Use a VPN to watch subscriptions you already pay for, and check the service’s terms.
Refunds
Paid plans bought directly from Proton can be cancelled for a full refund within 30 days; this can be used once per user, and cash or bank-transfer payments aren’t refundable. App-store purchases are refunded through the store.
Proton VPN vs NordVPN and Surfshark
Proton VPN is the pick if you want a free plan or Swiss jurisdiction. Surfshark costs less on its sale; NordVPN matches Proton’s two-year price but renews higher ($139.08 a year against $83.88). Both use RAM-only servers. Proton Unlimited also bundles Proton Drive storage. See my best VPN services comparison.
SURFSHARK BLACK FRIDAY DEAL
Surfshark: $2.49 a month for 27 months
- $67.23 upfront for 24 months + 3 extra; Surfshark One costs the same and adds Antivirus and Alert
- Renews at $79 a year (Starter) or $99 (One)
- Unlimited VPN connections; 30-day refund on your first purchase
Get Surfshark’s Black Friday Deal →
Affiliate link. Prices checked 4 November 2026; Surfshark shows no end date. Details in my Surfshark Black Friday guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Proton VPN really free?
Yes. Proton Free has no data limit and no ads, but covers one device, connects to servers in 10 countries chosen at random, and doesn’t include streaming or P2P.
How much does Proton VPN Plus cost?
$3.49 a month on a two-year term ($83.76 upfront), renewing at $83.88 a year; $9.99 monthly (checked 25 October 2026).
Does Proton VPN use RAM-only servers?
No. Proton says it uses full-disk encryption with keys stored off the server instead.
Has Proton VPN’s no-logs policy been audited?
Yes, by Securitum every year from 2022 to 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
