protonvpn free

ProtonVPN emerged from the same team behind ProtonMail and has built a reputation on privacy-first principles and transparent development. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company benefits from Swiss privacy laws and positions itself as a service committed to minimizing data retention. ProtonVPN’s stated no-logs policy, combined with periodic independent audits and open-source client software, makes it a compelling choice for users who prioritize trust and verifiability. Technical features are a strong point. ProtonVPN supports modern, secure VPN protocols including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. WireGuard is generally recommended for fast, efficient connections, while OpenVPN and IKEv2 remain good choices for compatibility and stability across varied networks. ProtonVPN also implements Perfect Forward Secrecy and robust encryption standards to help protect data in transit. One distinctive ProtonVPN offering is Secure Core, a multi-hop routing feature that routes traffic through multiple servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions before exiting to the public internet. This adds another layer of protection against network-based attacks and adversaries attempting to link incoming and outgoing traffic. ProtonVPN also provides Tor over VPN, allowing users to access the Tor network directly from the VPN client without running the Tor Browser separately—useful for added anonymity and ease of use. Usability is generally straightforward. ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and their codebases are open-source, enabling independent review and greater transparency. Core conveniences like an automatic kill switch that prevents traffic leakage if the VPN connection drops, split tunneling on supported platforms, and DNS leak protection are all part of the feature set. NetShield, ProtonVPN’s built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker, can improve privacy and load times while reducing exposure to malicious domains. Performance and server availability vary by plan. A free tier provides limited servers and moderate speeds that are suitable for casual use and basic privacy, while paid tiers unlock faster servers, P2P-friendly nodes, and access to the full Secure Core network. ProtonVPN also maintains servers optimized for streaming and torrenting, and many users find speeds competitive with other major providers. No VPN is a universal solution, and users should match ProtonVPN’s features to their needs—whether it’s secure public Wi-Fi, bypassing geo-restrictions, anonymous browsing, or combining with Tor. For privacy-conscious users who value Swiss jurisdiction, open-source clients, and advanced privacy features like Secure Core and Tor integration, ProtonVPN is a solid option.