Proton VPN explained

Proton VPN
Logo Alt:Proton VPN logo, including the text "Proton VPN" on the right
Logo Size:220px
Developer:Proton AG
Ver Layout:stacked
Genre:Virtual private network

Proton VPN is a VPN service launched in 2017 and operated by the Swiss company Proton AG, the company behind the email service Proton Mail.[1] According to its official website, Proton VPN and Proton Mail share the same management team, offices, and technical resources, and are operated from Proton's headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.[2] On June 17, 2024, the company announced that it will be transitioning to a non-profit structure under the Proton Foundation.[3]

Features

As of 18 February 2026, Proton VPN has a total of 18,166 servers, sited in 129 different nations.[4]

Although Proton VPN owns and operates a portion of their servers, the bulk majority are owned and operated by ASNs such as M247 and Datacamp Limited.[5] Its service is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS and also has a command-line tool[6] for Linux and can be implemented using the IPsec protocol.[7] Proton VPN can also be installed on a wireless router.

Proton VPN utilizes OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard (UDP/TCP) protocols with AES-256 encryption. On October 11, 2022, Proton VPN released their Stealth Protocol for Android, iOS and MacOS clients, designed to disguise VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic.[8] In August 2024, Proton VPN announced that it had also added the Stealth protocol to its Windows client.[9]

Proton VPN has a no-logs policy that was independently audited by Securitum, a European security auditing company.[10] [11] [12]

In January 2020, Proton VPN released its source code on all platforms[13] and had SEC Consult conduct an independent security audit.[14]

In March 2025, Vivaldi integrated Proton VPN into its desktop app, offering the free tier of Proton VPN to all Vivaldi users.[15] [16]

Reception

In a January 2023 review by TechRadar, Proton VPN received 4-1/2 out of 5 stars.[17] A May 2023 PC Magazine review gave Proton VPN a 5-star rating. Proton VPN was awarded their Editor's Choice Award in 2022 and 2023.[18] In October 2023 technology website Engadget rated Proton VPN as the "best overall" for streaming, gaming, privacy and security.[19] In January 2024 a comparative review of 10 different VPNs by German technology magazine CHIP rated Proton VPN as their test winner.[20] In a 2025 TechRadar review of travel VPN services, Proton VPN was ranked second overall and described as the "best VPN for privacy," with emphasis on its Swiss jurisdiction, independent audits, no-logs policy, and advanced security features.[21]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2018-09-04. ProtonVPN review: Underground data centers, one-click multi-hop, and more make for a great choice. 2021-02-24. PCWorld. en.
  2. Web site: Privacy policy . 2023-08-18 . Proton . en.
  3. Web site: Proton is transitioning towards a non-profit structure . 2024-08-27 . Proton . en.
  4. Web site: Proton VPN - Server Locations . 2025-09-14 . ProtonVPN . en.
  5. Web site: November 14, 2022 . ProtonVPN - VPN Transparency Project . VPN Transparency Project.
  6. Web site: ProtonVPN Free Review. Brian . Nadel . 2018-11-16 . Tom's Guide. en. 2019-07-16.
  7. Web site: 2021-04-28 . VPN gratis en Linux Debian con Proton VPN . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210501200304/https://linux.lat/vpn-gratis-en-linux-debian-con-protonvpn/ . 1 May 2021 . 2021-05-01 . Linux Latinoamérica . es-AR.
  8. Web site: Eddy . Max . October 11, 2022 . Proton VPN's New Stealth Feature Helps Fight Censorship in Iran and Russia . May 16, 2023 . PCMag.
  9. Web site: Buria. Taras. August 6, 2024 . Proton brings its Stealth VPN protocol to Windows . August 27, 2024 . Neowin.
  10. Web site: Szymczak . Maciej . Darecki . Jakub . March 24, 2022 . ProtonVPN's No-Logs policy – regarding VPN activity . July 18, 2024.
  11. Web site: Szymczak . Maciej . Rzepecki . Marek . May 1, 2023 . Proton VPN's No-Log policy – regarding VPN activity . July 18, 2024.
  12. Web site: Rzepecki . Marek . Zięba . Marcin . July 12, 2024 . Verification of Proton VPN's No-Log Policy . July 18, 2024.
  13. Web site: 27 January 2020 . Proton VPN goes open-source: What this means for your privacy . 2020-02-04 . tomsguide.com.
  14. Web site: Osborne . Charlie . Proton VPN apps handed to open source community in transparency push . 2021-02-24 . ZDNet . en.
  15. Web site: 2025-03-27 . The customizable Vivaldi browser adds built-in ProtonVPN . 2025-06-18 . Engadget . en-US.
  16. News: Gilbertson . Scott . Vivaldi Partners With Proton to Put a VPN in Your Web Browser . 2025-06-18 . Wired . en-US . 1059-1028.
  17. Web site: Williams . Mike . 24 January 2023 . ProtonVPN review . 16 May 2023 . TechRadar.
  18. Web site: Eddy . Max . Key . Kim . May 8, 2023 . Proton VPN Review . May 16, 2023 . PCMag.
  19. Web site: Malone . Katie . 13 October 2023 . Proton VPN review 2023: Why it's our top-choice VPN . 18 February 2024 . Engadget.
  20. Web site: Geiger . Joerg . 4 January 2024 . VPN test: The best VPN providers in comparison . 5 February 2024 . Chip_(magazine).
  21. Web site: Dunne . Rob . 2025-08-26 . The best travel VPN in 2025 – the best ways to secure your trip abroad . 2025-09-12 . Techradar.

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