Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Kaspersky vs Proton AG
Kaspersky vs Proton AG: the differences
| Compare |  Kaspersky |  Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Server countries | 93 | from 140 |
| Protocols | WireGuard | WireGuard, OpenVPNCovers more |
| Streaming services | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime VideoCovers more |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TVCovers more |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | Securitum, 2026 |
| Owner | Not confirmed | Proton AG |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 24 months |
Same on both: Devices (10), Money-back period (30 days), Jurisdiction (CH), Features (Kill switch, Split tunnelling).
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Key differences
- Proton AG scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Protocols: only Proton AG offers OpenVPN.
- Streaming services: only Proton AG offers Hulu.
- Platforms: only Proton AG offers Linux, Chromebook, Chrome.
- Support channels: only Proton AG offers Email, Chat.
- Founded is lower at Kaspersky: 1997 vs 2014.
- Features: only Kaspersky offers Travel.
Our verdict on each
Kaspersky
Kaspersky Secure Connection fits households already inside the Kaspersky ecosystem, since one subscription carries the VPN, password manager and parental controls together. Server reach of 93 countries sits above the median VPN, and 10 devices at once covers a couple or a family.
Proton AG
Proton AG suits readers who want a published no-logs audit, a free tier and a bundled privacy suite rather than a bare tunnel, with the company based in Switzerland. Paid plans reach servers in from 140 countries and cover 10 devices, alongside free storage of 5 GB.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.3 |
| Offer | 8.9The offer pairs a 30 day refund window with a 30 day free trial on the wider Kaspersky suite. | 9.4HigherTerm choice runs to 24 months with a 30-day refund window, and a free plan anchors entry pricing. |
| Privacy | 9.4Higher | 8.9 |
By the numbers
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 10 |
| Server countries | 93 | from 140 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
What we checked
Kaspersky
- kaspersky.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Proton AG
- protonvpn.com: 16 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- proton.me: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 6 of 232 | 26 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 5 of 280 | 24 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 5 of 63 | 12 of 63 |
| Free VPNs | 5 of 189 | 22 of 189 |
| Authenticator apps | 3 of 55 | 13 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more | No logs, Streaming |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | AO Kaspersky Lab | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Founded | 1997Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Password managers
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Family plan | One Kaspersky Premium subscription shared with family members via the same account | Pass Family: up to 6 users, 6 Pass Plus accounts, admin panel |
| Passkeys | Yes | Yes |
| Security audit | Not confirmed | Independently audited by third-party experts; audit reports public |
| Encryption | AES-256 with key derived from the master password via PBKDF2, zero-knowledge architecture | Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, 256-bit AES-GCM vaults, OpenPGP with ECC Curve25519 for vault keys |
| Open source | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Not confirmed | Yes |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Not confirmed | No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. |
| Logging policy | VPN claims your online actions are not logged | No activity logs |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, BrowserCovers more | Ad blocker |
Antivirus
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Extras | VPN, Password manager, Parental controls | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 30 days | Not confirmed |
Secure email
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | Not confirmed | The VPN connection from the user's device to Proton's servers; Proton also markets Proton for Business with end-to-end encryption. |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | Not confirmed | 5 |
| Compliance certifications | Not confirmed | GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kaspersky | Proton AG | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10at the median | 10at the median | 10 |
| Server countries | 93above the median | from 140highest quarter | 62 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 24 monthsabove the median | 12 months |
Median across 139 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Kaspersky
Pros
- Kaspersky Premium bundles the VPN, password manager and parental controls (vpn, password manager and parental controls) in one subscription a family plan can share
- Device and platform coverage is generous: 10 devices at once, with apps for Windows, macOS and Android on desktop and mobile
- Streaming and travel are stated features, with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ supported and kill switch and split tunnelling built in as standard
Cons
- Support runs on help centre and community only, so quick answers go through documentation or the community rather than live chat
- The protocol list is WireGuard, so readers who want a wider choice of protocols have less room to compare
- The free version that Kaspersky lists sits with antivirus rather than a free VPN, so VPN features start on a paid subscription
Proton AG
Pros
- No-logs claims are audited rather than asserted: Securitum's audit (Securitum, 2026) sits behind a No activity logs policy.
- Free limits come with no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit.
- 10 simultaneous devices, above the ranked VPN median of 8.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, and there is no phone line among them.
- The free plan limits put you on a single device at medium speed with randomly selected countries, so constant use points at a paid plan.
- End-to-end encryption is marketed for Proton for Business, while the consumer plan encrypts only the connection from your device to Proton's servers.
Who each suits
Kaspersky
Who it suits
- Households that already pay for Kaspersky security software and want the VPN folded into the same subscription rather than bought separately
- Travellers who want one app for secure connections on Windows, macOS and Android across phones and desktops while abroad
- Families sharing one account, since the family plan passes the same subscription across to other members in the household
Who should look elsewhere
- AVG, if server spread matters most, since its coverage starts at from 100 countries, further than Kaspersky reaches
- Namecheap, if you want the widest server list, since it lists from 100 countries or more across its network
- ESET Brasil, if device counts drive the choice, since its plans scale from 3 to 25 devices under one plan
Proton AG
Who it suits
- Readers who want a VPN, a passkey vault and encrypted storage under a single account instead of separate subscriptions.
- Families sharing storage, since Pass Family covers several users and Pass Plus seats through a single admin panel.
- Teams buying under a business audience (business) who need GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001 certifications on file.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing more devices on a single account: Proton covers 10, while ESET Brasil plans run 3 to 25 devices.
- Readers choosing purely on server spread: AVG lists from 100 countries, a base close to Proton's from 140.
- Readers who want a different audit trail to compare: Session Technology Foundation lists Quarkslab 2021 against Proton's Securitum, 2026.
Current offers
Kaspersky
Current offer
Free trial
7-day free trial of Kaspersky VPN: 7 days free
Free for 7 days, auto-renews to a paid subscription unless cancelled in My Kaspersky; 2 days' reminder before trial end
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Kaspersky
What does Kaspersky Premium include besides the VPN?+
One Kaspersky Premium subscription covers vpn, password manager and parental controls, and the family plan lets the same subscription be shared with family members through one account. That bundle is the main reason to look here rather than a standalone VPN.
How many devices can one Kaspersky subscription cover?+
The plan covers 10 devices at once, which suits a couple or a shared family without straining. Server reach runs to 93 countries, a wider spread than the median VPN listed on the site.
Proton AG
What does Proton VPN cost, and how long are the commitments?+
The longest plan runs 24 months, the service is listed on a free model, and paid plans carry a 30-day money-back window. Across the ranked VPN field, monthly pricing has a median of €7.02 and long-term pricing a median of €3.97, which frames any quote you see.
Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?+
Yes. The free plan has no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit. It runs on a single device, reaches servers in a randomly selected group of countries and delivers medium speed, so the paid tier, which covers 10 devices, is the practical step for constant use.
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