Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Proton Drive vs PureVPN
Proton Drive
PureVPN
Higher score in this comparison
Where Proton Drive and PureVPN differ
| Compare | Proton DriveReviewVisitVisit | PureVPNReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.99Lower | $12.95 |
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web app, Command line interface, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Brave | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, IPadOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Huawei, Chromebook, Routers |
| Logging policy | 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 | No-log: does not store data generated by use of the service; independently audited no-log certification |
| Jurisdiction | CH | VG |
| Open source | YesHas it | No |
| Free plan limits | 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 | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SSTP |
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Key differences
- PureVPN scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.8.
- Price from is lower at Proton Drive: $4.99 vs $12.95.
- Free plan: only Proton Drive.
- Platforms: only Proton Drive offers Web app, Command line interface, Safari.
- Platforms: only PureVPN offers IPadOS, Apple TV, Android TV.
- Support channels: only PureVPN offers Email, Chat.
- Open source: only Proton Drive.
- Founded is lower at PureVPN: 2007 vs 2014.
- Pricing model: only Proton Drive offers Free.
Our verdict on each
Proton Drive
Proton Drive suits people who want encrypted storage with a bundled password manager and open source code. It ranks 18 of 31 on yearly cost per TB, so value sits in the bundle rather than in raw storage price.
PureVPN
PureVPN suits households and small teams that want audited no-log privacy without the usual VPN price, with the long-term plan at $2.16 a month over 60 months. The catch sits at entry, since the monthly plan costs $12.95 and renewals stay at that rate.
Score breakdown
| Area | Proton Drive | PureVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Entry at $4.99, storage at $95.88 a year, free tier at 5. | 9.3HigherThe monthly plan's $12.95 and its $12.95 renewal sit high, though $2.16 on the long-term plan is low. |
| Offer | 8.7Encryption Proton says it cannot break, open source and ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II, set against thin free storage at 5. | 9.6HigherAudited no-log policy, 10 simultaneous devices, from 65 server countries and a 31 money-back window. |
| Privacy | 8.7 | 9.5Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Proton Drive | PureVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 13 of 281 | 6 of 281 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Proton Drive | PureVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, BudgetCovers more | Budget |
| Legal entity | Proton AG | GZ Systems Limited |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | Virgin Islands, British |
| Founded | 2014 | 2007Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Proton Drive | PureVPN | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.99below the median | $12.95highest quarter | $8 |
Median across 83 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Proton Drive
Pros
- Encryption Proton says it has no technical means to access
- Open source, audited under ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II
- Bundled password manager alongside the drive
Cons
- Free tier holds only 5 of storage
- Support runs on help centre and community only
- The free password plan caps hide-my-email aliases and leaves out secure sharing, file attachments and dark web monitoring
PureVPN
Pros
- A logging policy that keeps nothing generated by use of the service, with the audits recorded as KPMG 2020 (second always-on audit; first audit by Altius IT).
- The long-term plan runs $2.16 a month over 60 months, under the €3.97 median for VPN listings.
- One subscription covers 10 devices at once, with servers in from 65 countries and kill switch in kill switch, split tunnelling and obfuscation.
Cons
- The monthly plan costs $12.95 and renews at $12.95, placing it 104 of 133 on price.
- A free plan is not offered, so the $12.95 monthly plan is the only way in and the low rate needs 60 months.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, so there is no phone line when a connection fails mid workday.
Who each suits
Proton Drive
Who it suits
- People who want encrypted files and passwords under the same account
- Readers who put open source code and outside audits ahead of the cheapest storage rate
Who should look elsewhere
- Storage buyers chasing the largest free allowance, where MEGA offers 20 and Degoo 20
- Apple iCloud users already inside their ecosystem, where storage runs $119.88 a year
PureVPN
Who it suits
- People ready to commit up front, since the long-term rate of $2.16 a month needs 60 months of commitment.
- Businesses and remote teams after obfuscation and split tunnelling in kill switch, split tunnelling and obfuscation, on a service listed for the business audience.
- Mixed-device households, since one account reaches Windows, macOS and Linux and covers phones, tablets, TVs and routers at the same time.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc. buyers who only want Apple-side privacy, since PureVPN is a full VPN priced at $12.95 a month or $2.16 on the long-term plan.
- ESET Brasil customers, who want device protection across 3 to 25 devices rather than a VPN reaching from 65 server countries.
- Sinew Software Systems shoppers, who may prefer a different tool at $1.99 a month over a VPN commitment of 60 months.
Current offers
PureVPN
Current offer
First period offer
83% off + 3 extra months on 2-year plan: 83% off + 3 extra months (Standard $2.15/mo)
2-year plan, billed $57.95 on purchase for Standard
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
83% off on 5-year plan: 83% off
5-year plan, Standard $2.16/mo, Max $3.33/mo
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Free 3 GB eSIM Data with Truely: 3 GB for 30 days
free with every Max Plan purchase; 30-day validity, no roaming fees
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Proton Drive
How much does Proton Drive cost?+
Plans start at $4.99. Priced by storage, that works out to $95.88 a year, close to the €82.87 typical across this group. Paid tiers are the way most people reach more space, while the free tier covers 5.
Is there a free plan, and how much space?+
There is a free plan, and it includes 5 of storage, which matches the 5 median for this group. Alongside it sits a free password manager that covers as many logins, notes, payment cards and connected devices as needed, with a cap on hide-my-email aliases.
PureVPN
What does PureVPN cost to start?+
The monthly plan costs $12.95 a month, and the starting price advertised matches at $12.95. Committing for longer is far cheaper: the long-term plan works out at $2.16 a month when bought over 60 months. Short stays cost the most per month.
What happens to the price at renewal?+
Renewals on the monthly plan are listed at $12.95 a month, which matches the entry monthly price instead of dropping below it. The low headline figure on the long-term plan depends on paying for 60 months up front, so weigh that commitment against the renewal rate before you buy.
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