Privacy Pick
Proton VPN Review 2026
Best VPN for privacy-first users
9/10
Overview
Proton VPN is built by the team behind ProtonMail, one of the world's most trusted encrypted email services. Based in Switzerland, it benefits from some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. Proton VPN is fully open-source, independently audited, and offers a genuinely usable free tier — a rarity in the VPN space.
Proton VPN Pricing Plans
| Plan | Monthly cost | Total upfront | Renews at | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly Plan Billed every 1 month | $9.99/mo | $9.99 | — | — |
1-Year Plan Billed every 12 months | $4.99/mo | $59.88 | $9.99/mo | −50% |
2-Year PlanBest Value Billed every 24 months | $3.59/mo | $86.16 | $9.99/mo | −64% |
Monthly Plan
$9.99/mo
Total: $9.99
Renews: —
1-Year Plan
−50%$4.99/mo
Total: $59.88
Renews: $9.99/mo
2-Year PlanBest Value
−64%$3.59/mo
Total: $86.16
Renews: $9.99/mo
Prices auto-refresh weekly from each provider's official site. Last updated . Prices may vary depending on region and promotions.
Key Specifications
Servers
4,600+
Countries
145
Devices
10
Money-back
30 days
Rating
9/10
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Open-source apps with independent audits
- Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
- Free tier available with no data limits
- Secure Core servers for extra protection
- Part of the trusted Proton ecosystem
What Could Improve
- Speeds can be slower on free servers
- Fewer streaming optimizations than competitors
Features
AES-256 encryption
WireGuard protocol
Secure Core (multi-hop)
NetShield ad blocker
Kill Switch
Split tunneling
Tor over VPN
Open-source verified apps
Our Recommendation
Proton VPN is the top choice for privacy purists. If transparency, open-source code, and Swiss jurisdiction matter to you, Proton VPN is unmatched. The Plus plan at $4.49/month unlocks all premium features.