Proton AG review

Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

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.

Key facts

Best for
A free tier with a VPN and encrypted storage on a single account, run from CH.
Devices
10 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Server countries
from 140 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
No-logs audit
Securitum, 2026 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Money-back period
30 days (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Jurisdiction
CH (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Kill-switch, Split-tunnelling (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Streaming services
Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Platforms
Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Owner
Proton AG (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Longest plan (months)
24 months (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Proton AG (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
Switzerland (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2014 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Email, Chat, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
No logs, Streaming
Audience
Business
Pricing model
Free
Official website
protonvpn.com

Privacy tools

Free plan
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Free plan limits
No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Platforms
Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Logging policy
No activity logs (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Jurisdiction
CH (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Open source
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Privacy tool type
Ad-blocker (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Proton AG (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
Switzerland (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2014 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Email, Chat, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
Free

Password managers

Free plan
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Platforms
Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Family plan
Pass Family: up to 6 users, 6 Pass Plus accounts, admin panel (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Passkeys
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Security audit
Independently audited by third-party experts; audit reports public (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Encryption
Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, 256-bit AES-GCM vaults, OpenPGP with ECC Curve25519 for vault keys (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Kill-switch, Split-tunnelling (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Open source
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Zero-knowledge encryption
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Proton AG (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
Switzerland (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2014 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Email, Chat, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
Free

Secure email

Free plan limits
No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
End-to-end encryption
The VPN connection from the user's device to Proton's servers; Proton also markets Proton for Business with end-to-end encryption. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Jurisdiction
CH (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Open source
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Proton AG (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
Switzerland (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2014 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Email, Chat, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
Free

Encrypted storage

Free storage
5 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Zero-knowledge encryption
Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Jurisdiction
CH (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Compliance certifications
GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Proton AG (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
Switzerland (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2014 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Email, Chat, Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
Free

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App StoreGoogle Play
Elsewhere
WikidataWikipediaXLinkedInreddit.com

Pros and cons

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.
  • Servers in from 140 countries, with streaming for Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ and WireGuard and OpenVPN as the connection protocols.
  • A single account carries the VPN, a passkey vault with end-to-end encryption and 5 GB of free storage, with GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001 compliance reported.

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.
  • The plan set is aimed at business buyers, so a home user ends up paying for features built around teams.
Proton AG

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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.

Core features

Proton VPN pairs servers in from 140 countries with 10 simultaneous devices. Connections run over WireGuard and OpenVPN, the feature set covers kill switch and split tunnelling so a kill switch and split tunnelling are standard, and streaming is supported for Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. Apps are published for Windows, macOS and Linux, which covers phones, desktops, streaming boxes and browser extensions alike.

Where it runs

Apps cover Windows, macOS and Linux, so phones, desktops, streaming boxes and browser extensions are all in scope. A paid account connects 10 devices at once under the same login, and the free tier allows a single device.

What you get free

A free plan is listed, and its limits are the forgiving kind: no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit. It runs on a single device, connects to servers in a randomly selected group of countries and delivers medium speed, so it works as a starting point rather than a full-time tunnel. Paid subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back window.

Protection features

Compliance reported for the suite covers GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001. Vault encryption is end-to-end, with keys held away from the provider, using AES-GCM vaults and OpenPGP for vault keys, and Proton states that its security claims are independently audited by third-party experts whose reports are public.

The company behind it

Proton VPN is run by Proton AG, founded in 2014 and based in Switzerland. Support runs on email, chat and help centre, which is written and self-service throughout rather than phone-based.

How Proton AG compares

Frequently asked questions

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.

Which devices and platforms does it cover?+

Apps cover Windows, macOS and Linux, and a paid account connects 10 devices at the same time. That allowance is a single figure across every platform, so a household running a phone, a laptop and a streaming box on the same login still fits inside the cap.

Where is Proton based, and how wide is the network?+

The service is based in Switzerland and registered in Switzerland, with servers in from 140 countries. Proton was founded in 2014 and is run by Proton AG, so the company behind the tunnel is named rather than anonymous.

Does it handle streaming, and can I split traffic?+

Streaming is supported for Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, and the listed features are kill switch and split tunnelling, so a kill switch and split tunnelling are part of the toolkit. Connections run over WireGuard and OpenVPN, which covers the mainstream choices.

What comes with the account beyond the VPN?+

Beyond the VPN, the account carries a passkey vault and encrypted storage: passkeys are supported, vault encryption is end-to-end with keys the provider never holds, and free storage starts at 5 GB. Compliance reported across the suite covers GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001, and Pass Family shares vaults and Pass Plus seats through a single admin panel.

How do I get help if a connection fails?+

Support runs on email, chat and help centre: email, chat, a help centre and a community forum. There is no phone line in that list, so urgent problems go through chat or written help, and the kill switch in kill switch and split tunnelling is the tool for dropping a connection that fails.

Sources

  • proton.me/about checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Founded, Legal entity

    “Proton was born in Switzerland in 2014 when a team of scientists who met at CERN”

  • proton.me/drive checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Compliance certifications

    “Trust center GDPR HIPAA ISO 27001”

  • proton.me/drive/pricing checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Free storage, Zero-knowledge encryption

    “If you sign up today, you'll receive 5 GB of free end-to-end encrypted cloud storage.”

  • proton.me/pass/pricing checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Family plan, Free plan

    “Get everything in Pass Plus for up to 6 users - 6 Pass Plus accounts - Admin panel for your family”

  • proton.me/pass/security checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Encryption, Passkeys, Security audit

    “Your data is encrypted with 256-bit AES-GCM.”

  • protonvpn.com checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Devices, Features, Headquarters, Jurisdiction, Money-back period, Owner, Platforms, Protocols, Server countries, Streaming services, Support channels

    “With a paid Proton VPN subscription, you can connect up to 10 devices at once.”

  • protonvpn.com/blog/no-logs-audit checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: No-logs audit

    “the latest audit of our no-logs policy by Securitum”

  • protonvpn.com/download-android checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Features

    “Split tunneling - Include or except websites from the VPN”

  • protonvpn.com/free-vpn checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: End-to-end encryption, Free plan limits

    “Proton VPN masks your IP address, never logs your activity, and encrypts your connection end-to-end.”

  • protonvpn.com/pricing checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Audience, Logging policy, Longest plan (months), Open source, Privacy tool type

    “Do you need a VPN solution for your business?”

  • protonvpn.com/why-proton-vpn checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Pricing model

    “100% Free VPN, No Catch”

Compiled from 11 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Monthly price, Long-term plan price.

Proton AG

Proton AG

A free tier with a VPN and encrypted storage on a single account, run from CH.

9.3/10Visit

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