Updated September 30, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
IceVPN vs Proton
Where IceVPN and Proton differ
| Compare |  IceVPN |  Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 5 | 10Higher |
| Server countries | 70 | 140Higher |
| Money-back period | 14 days | 30 daysHigher |
| Jurisdiction | GI | CH |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnellingCovers more | Kill switch |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Command line interface, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, BraveCovers more |
| Owner | Ice Privacy LTD | Proton Foundation |
| Longest plan (months) | 12 months | 24 monthsHigher |
| Monthly price | $4.99 | Not confirmed |
| Long-term plan price | $2.99 | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Not confirmed | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu |
Same on both: Protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Proton scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Devices is higher at Proton: 10 vs 5.
- Server countries is higher at Proton: 140 vs 70.
- Features: only IceVPN offers Split tunnelling.
- Platforms: only Proton offers Linux, Web app, Command line interface.
- Longest plan (months) is higher at Proton: 24 months vs 12 months.
- Support channels: only Proton offers Community.
- Money-back period is higher at Proton: 30 days vs 14 days.
- Features: only Proton offers Travel.
Our verdict on each
IceVPN
IceVPN suits price aware streamers who want simple protection across everyday phones and computers with added control from extra privacy tools. Monthly billing sits at $4.99 for cover that balances everyday streaming with no logs assurance and helpful support routes for casual readers.
Proton
Proton bundles a password manager, VPN and encrypted storage in one account, with Pass starting at $4.99 and a free tier. It suits readers who want passwords, private files and a VPN in a single subscription, and who can live with free plan limits that leave out an authenticator, password sharing and file attachments.
Score breakdown
| Area | IceVPN | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Refund allowance lasting 14 days helps cautious buyers compare entry cost with care | 9.2Entry at $4.99 sits under the site median of €6.84, with storage at $95.88 per TB per year and a free plan. |
| Offer | 8.8Everyday coverage across Windows, macOS and Android gives households consistent access on phones and computers alike | 9.5Higher |
| Privacy | 8.4Clear corporate ownership listed as Ice Privacy LTD clarifies accountability for privacy minded readers | 9.1Higher |
Pick IceVPN if, pick Proton if
Pick IceVPN if features matter most.
Pick Proton if offer, privacy, devices, server countries, and money-back period matter most.
What we checked
IceVPN
- icevpn.com: 16 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Proton
- proton.me: 17 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IceVPN | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Ice Privacy LTD | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Gibraltar | Switzerland |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Password managers
| Fact | IceVPN | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $4.99 |
| Free plan | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Family plan | Not confirmed | Pass Family: up to 6 users, includes 6 Pass Plus accounts and an admin panel |
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Security audit | Not confirmed | Independently audited by third-party experts (Cure53 audit published July 2023), open source under GPLv3, public bug bounty |
| Encryption | Not confirmed | End-to-end encryption; 256-bit AES-GCM encrypted vaults; OpenPGP with ECC (Curve25519) for vault keys |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Not confirmed | Yes |
Secure email
| Fact | IceVPN | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys and password health alerts; no 2FA authenticator, secure sharing, file attachments or dark web monitoring |
| End-to-end encryption | Not confirmed | All fields end-to-end encrypted: passwords, usernames, web addresses, credit cards, note contents and metadata; 256-bit AES-GCM vaults; only the user can decrypt, Proton cannot |
| Custom domains | Not confirmed | Yes |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | IceVPN | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | Not confirmed | 5 |
| Price per TB per year | Not confirmed | $95.88 |
| Compliance certifications | Not confirmed | ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IceVPN | Proton | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $4.99below the median | Not confirmed | $9 |
| Long-term plan price | $2.99below the median | Not confirmed | $4.50 |
| Devices | 5below the median | 10at the median | 10 |
| Server countries | 70above the median | 140highest quarter | 62 |
| Money-back period | 14 dayslowest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | 12 monthsat the median | 24 monthsabove the median | 12 months |
Median across 139 listed providers.
Pros and cons
IceVPN
Pros
- Monthly plan billing at $4.99 sits below Ivacy billing at $12.95 for short term users
- Long term plan billing at $2.99 for 12 months lowers recurring spend for steady users
- Network reach across 70 countries supports streaming and everyday browsing with varied endpoints
Cons
- Device allowance capped at 5 devices may feel tight next to Kaspersky which allows 10 devices
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, without wider routes beyond the listed channels
- Long term cover tied to 12 months lacks extended multi year choice found with other VPN rivals
Proton
Pros
- A single account covers a password manager, a VPN and end-to-end encrypted storage, with a free plan to start.
- Passkeys, custom domains and a Family plan with an admin panel suit single-user and shared use.
- Vaults use AES-GCM encryption with OpenPGP and ECC keys, and only the account holder can decrypt.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre with no phone line.
- Free plan limits leave out the authenticator app, password sharing, attachments and dark web monitoring.
- Extra storage costs $95.88 per TB per year beyond 5 GB free.
Who each suits
IceVPN
Who it suits
- Casual streamers who want simple apps plus kill switch control
- Small households that stay within IceVPN device allowance
- Budget minded readers comparing monthly cost with Ivacy on price
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers needing cover for many gadgets at once may prefer Kaspersky because it allows 10 devices versus IceVPN allowance
- Readers chasing very low monthly outlay versus Ivacy may compare Ivacy monthly billing at $12.95 before choosing IceVPN
Proton
Who it suits
- Readers who want a password manager, a VPN and private files under a single subscription rather than separate products.
- Households and small teams that need shared accounts, since the Family plan bundles several Pass Plus accounts and an admin panel.
- Buyers who care about open source under a copyleft licence, outside security audits and a public bug bounty.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email at $0.99 if email aliasing is the whole job, since Proton adds a VPN, storage and a password manager.
- Apple Inc. at $0.99 when aliasing is the priority; Proton's $4.99 entry brings a VPN, storage and password manager in the same account.
- EasyOptOuts at $19.99 for a single higher priced subscription, against Proton's $4.99 entry and a free plan.
Current offers
Proton
Current offer
Discount code
40% off Pass Plus: 40% off
Shown on the Proton Pass pricing page alongside a 30-day money-back guarantee; applies to the Pass Plus paid plan
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
IceVPN
How much does IceVPN cost each month?+
Monthly billing for the monthly plan sits at $4.99, while long term billing for the long term plan sits at $2.99. The structure suits readers who dislike large upfront commitment and prefer to compare short term cost against extended savings over time.
What does the long term IceVPN plan include?+
Long term billing for the long term plan sits at $2.99 and covers 12 months. That span suits readers who want a full cycle of cover at a lower recurring rate than monthly billing, without moving to multi year lock in.
Proton
How much is Proton Pass at the entry price?+
Proton Pass starts at $4.99, and there is a free plan beside it. The paid tiers widen the set of features, so the entry price only pays off if you want more hide my email aliases, passkeys and password health alerts.
What does the free plan leave out?+
The free plan covers as many logins, notes, cards and devices as you like, but it leaves out the authenticator app, sharing with other people, file attachments and dark web monitoring. Those sit on paid Pass plans, where entry starts at $4.99.
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