Proton VPN review 2026: Swiss privacy, and a free plan worth having
Open source, based in Switzerland and audited every year. The first choice when privacy matters most, and the only free plan we recommend.
- Based in Switzerland, with strict privacy laws
- A free plan with no data cap
- Open-source, audited apps
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Proton VPN at a glance
Who runs Proton VPN, and what backs its claims
Proton AG, Geneva, Switzerland. (source)
Its main shareholder is the Proton Foundation, a non-profit based in Geneva. (source)
Yearly audits by Securitum every year from 2022 to 2026, with all five reports public. (source)
458 legally binding Swiss orders since 2017, all denied according to Proton, including 47 in the first half of 2026. (source)
The Stealth protocol on Android, Windows, macOS and iOS, available even on the free plan. (source)
We checked these facts on the companies' official pages on 2 November 2026, with the source next to each one. What their pages did not confirm, we left out. Who owns every VPN we review is in who owns which VPN.
Proton VPN pros and cons
- Based in Switzerland, with strict privacy laws
- A free plan with no data cap
- Open-source, audited apps
- The free plan is limited to one device and servers in 10 countries
- Some advanced features need a paid plan
Proton VPN comes from Proton AG in Geneva, the team behind Proton Mail, whose main shareholder is the non-profit Proton Foundation. Its apps are open source, Securitum has audited its no-logs policy every year from 2022 to 2026, and its free plan has no data cap and no ads. Its Stealth protocol disguises VPN traffic, even on the free plan.
Who is Proton VPN for?
- Privacy is your priority: a Swiss base, open-source apps, yearly audits and a genuine free plan with no data cap.
- You want the cheapest paid plan or streaming on the free plan: rivals are cheaper, and the free plan does not unblock streaming services.
Proton VPN speed, apps and safety
The paid VPN Plus plan is strong and steady for streaming and downloads, with more than 20,000 servers in over 140 countries. The free plan is slower (medium speed, by Proton's own description) and limited to servers in 10 countries chosen for you, as you would expect. Its Stealth protocol, on Android, Windows, macOS and iOS, helps on networks that block VPNs.
Open-source apps on all the main platforms. The free plan covers 1 device, VPN Plus covers 10 at a time, and every plan includes a kill switch with an optional permanent mode.
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, with strong privacy laws. Its apps are open source, Securitum audits its no-logs policy every year (five public reports from 2022 to 2026), and Proton says it denied all 458 legally binding Swiss orders it received since 2017.
Proton VPN price and plans
Every plan, the first payment and the renewal price are in the table below, read on Proton VPN's pricing page on 2 November 2026. Prices change with offers and may include tax in your country.
Proton VPN plans and prices
| Plan | Per month | First payment | Renews at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free forever | Free |
| VPN Plus, 2 years | $3.49 | $83.76 for the first 24 months | $83.88 a year |
| Proton Unlimited, 2 years | $7.99 | $191.76 for the first 24 months | $119.88 a year |
Read on Proton VPN's pricing page on 2 November 2026, in US dollars unless stated. Offers change, and tax may apply in your country. Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, and Proton credits bought with cash, bank transfer or Bitcoin.
How we score VPNs
We score every VPN on these four criteria from its published specs, independent audits and documented facts, not on tests of our own. What we check, and where it comes from, is in how we review.
Our verdict
Proton VPN scores 9.0 out of 10 in our independent review, our pick as best for privacy. Try it with the money-back guarantee before committing, to make sure it suits how you use it.
For the full ranking for Gulf users, see the best VPN in the UAE, or compare all seven.
Proton VPN: frequently asked questions
Short answers to what readers ask most. Question not here? Write to us.
Yes, there is a permanent free plan: no data cap and no ads, but 1 device, servers in 10 countries chosen for you, and medium speed. Paid plans start at $3.49 a month.
It is the only free plan we recommend: audited no-logs, no ads, no data cap and the Stealth protocol. It does not unblock streaming and is slower than the paid plans.
Yes. It is Swiss, its apps are open source, Securitum audits its no-logs policy every year, and it publishes its legal requests.
Its Stealth protocol is designed for networks that block VPNs, and it is included even on the free plan. We could not confirm a UAE server on its server page. Read what UAE law and the TDRA say before using it for calls.
Cancel in your Proton account. Proton refunds within 30 days of the initial purchase, once per user, for direct purchases. Cash and bank-transfer payments are not refundable.
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