Updated October 14, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Proton AG vs Proton Pass
Where Proton AG and Proton Pass differ
| Compare |  Proton AG |  Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. | Unlimited logins, notes, credit cards and devices; 10 hide-my-email aliases; passkeys on all devices; no vault or item sharing |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Brave extension, Command line interface |
| Logging policy | No activity logs | No permanent IP logs by default; temporary IP logs kept to combat abuse and fraud; authentication logging off by default; Proton states it has no technical means to access encrypted passwords or notes |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $4.99 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes), Jurisdiction (CH), Open source (Yes).
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 AG scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Platforms: only Proton AG offers Chromebook, Chrome, Firefox.
- Platforms: only Proton Pass offers Web app, Chrome extension, Safari extension.
- Support channels: only Proton AG offers Email, Chat.
Our verdict on each
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.
Proton Pass
Proton Pass’s listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, unlimited devices, 10 hide-my-email aliases, and passkey support. The provider also lists apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux, and says all fields, including usernames and web addresses, are encrypted. These are provider descriptions, not an independent security assessment.
Score breakdown
| Area | Proton AG | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Higher | 9.0 |
| Offer | 9.4HigherTerm choice runs to 24 months with a 30-day refund window, and a free plan anchors entry pricing. | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 8.9 | 9.0Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Proton AG | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 24 of 280 | 12 of 280 |
| Secure email and messaging | 5 of 60 | 3 of 60 |
| Authenticator apps | 13 of 55 | 7 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Proton AG | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Proton AG | Proton AG |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2014 | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Help centre, Community |
Password managers
| Fact | Proton AG | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Family plan | Pass Family: up to 6 users, 6 Pass Plus accounts, admin panel | Pass Family: up to 6 users, includes 6 Pass Plus accounts and an admin panel |
| Passkeys | Yes | Yes |
| Security audit | Independently audited by third-party experts; audit reports public | Independently audited by third-party experts (Cure53 audit published July 2023), open source under GPLv3, public bug bounty |
| Encryption | Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, 256-bit AES-GCM vaults, OpenPGP with ECC Curve25519 for vault keys | End-to-end encryption; 256-bit AES-GCM encrypted vaults; OpenPGP with ECC (Curve25519) for vault keys |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling | TOTP |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes | Not confirmed |
Secure email
| Fact | Proton AG | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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 | Proton AG | Proton Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | Not confirmed |
| Compliance certifications | GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Proton AG | Proton Pass | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $4.99below the median | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
Proton Pass
Pros
- The listed free-plan features include unlimited logins, notes and credit cards, plus unlimited devices.
- The provider lists 10 hide-my-email aliases and passkey support.
- Apps are listed for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who each suits
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.
Proton Pass
Who it suits
- People who want a password manager with listed apps across desktop and mobile platforms and passkey support.
Current offers
Proton Pass
Current offer
Discount code
40% off Pass Plus: 40% off
Offer link points to the yearly-billing Pass Plus signup; discount applied at signup
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
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.
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.
Proton Pass
Which platforms are listed for Proton Pass apps?+
The provider lists Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux.
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