protonvpn free

ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service developed by Proton Technologies AG, the Swiss company behind ProtonMail. Built around privacy-first principles, ProtonVPN aims to give users a secure, private, and easy-to-use way to protect their internet traffic on desktop and mobile devices. Privacy and jurisdiction One of ProtonVPN’s selling points is its Swiss jurisdiction. Switzerland has strong privacy protections and is not a member of surveillance alliances like the “14 Eyes,” which can make legal access to user data more restrictive than in some other countries. ProtonVPN also maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not record users’ browsing activity or connection logs that could be used to identify them. Security features ProtonVPN supports modern VPN protocols such as WireGuard and OpenVPN, and uses robust encryption standards (e.g., AES-256) to secure traffic. The service offers a built-in kill switch to block internet access if the VPN connection drops, DNS leak protection, and apps that are open source — improving transparency and trust. Advanced features on paid plans include Secure Core routing, which passes traffic through multiple hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries before it leaves the ProtonVPN network, and Tor over VPN for easy access to the Tor network without a separate browser. Performance and streaming ProtonVPN provides a large network of servers across many countries, and WireGuard support helps deliver faster connections with lower overhead compared to older protocols. Paid plans generally offer higher speeds and access to more servers. ProtonVPN is also suitable for streaming and P2P/torrenting on certain servers; the company maintains dedicated servers for high-bandwidth tasks and for bypassing geo-restrictions on services like Netflix in some regions. Plans and usability ProtonVPN offers a free tier with limited servers and moderate speeds — a useful option for casual use or testing the service — and several paid tiers that add features, more simultaneous connections, Secure Core, and faster speeds. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The interfaces are straightforward, making ProtonVPN approachable for beginners while still providing configurable options for advanced users. Who should use it ProtonVPN is a strong choice for users who prioritize privacy and transparency, want a reputable provider backed by strong privacy law, or already use ProtonMail. It’s also fit for those who stream or torrent and require good speeds. As with any VPN, evaluate the specific features and server locations you need and consider trying the free plan first to confirm compatibility with your devices and use cases.