Proton VPN Review 2025
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Claim Proton VPN DealProton VPN is built by the same team behind ProtonMail and is renowned for its strong privacy credentials. Based in Switzerland, a country with some of the strictest data‑protection laws in the world, Proton VPN operates under strong user privacy guarantees. All its apps are open source and have undergone third‑party audits, while the company publishes regular transparency reports.
A standout feature is Proton VPN’s Secure Core architecture: traffic is routed through hardened data centres in Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden before exiting to the public internet, providing an extra layer of protection against network surveillance. The network comprises over 2,900 servers in 90+ countries. Speed tests are respectable—around 800 Mbps on average—and improving thanks to WireGuard support. Proton VPN excels at streaming too, offering reliable performance on platforms such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other services. Pricing is competitive, and a limited free tier lets users try basic features without cost.
At a Glance
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Audits | SEC Consult 2023, SANS 2024 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Servers / Countries | 2,900+ / 90+ |
| Average Speed | ≈ 800 Mbps |
| Streaming Reliability | High |
| Price | $9.99/mo or $71.88/yr (plus Free plan) |
| Device Limit | 10 |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Switzerland jurisdiction with strong privacy laws
- Open‑source apps and regular transparency reports
- Unique Secure Core multi‑hop architecture
- Competitive pricing and a generous free tier
Cons
- Speeds slightly below NordVPN and ExpressVPN
- Smaller network than some rivals
- Advanced Secure Core servers reduce speed further
Bottom Line
Proton VPN is a privacy‑first service that doesn’t compromise on streaming or usability. Its open‑source clients and Swiss jurisdiction inspire trust, while the optional free plan lowers the barrier to entry. If you need the very fastest speeds or the lowest prices, look elsewhere, but for uncompromising privacy Proton VPN is hard to beat.