What we liked
Pros
- The only trustworthy unlimited-data free VPN
- Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, regular audits
- Secure Core double-hop routing
Keep in mind
- Speeds are strong but a step behind NordVPN, and streaming unblocking is less consistent.
Score breakdown
Proton VPN pricing in 2026
Proton VPN starts at $3.59/mo. Free option: yes — truly free tier. As with most services in this category, the advertised rate typically assumes annual billing — check the renewal price and current promotions before committing.
Who is Proton VPN for?
Proton VPN is our pick for privacy pedigree & honest free tier. Proton VPN pairs Swiss jurisdiction, open-source audited apps, and Secure Core double-hop routing with the only free tier we'd actually trust — unlimited data, funded by paid plans rather than your data.
How Proton VPN compares
Our top-rated vpn services pick overall is NordVPN (9.7/10). Also consider Surfshark (9.4/10). See the full vpn services comparison for all 6 ranked services side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — Proton VPN scores 8.9/10 (Very Good) in our independent testing and ranks #4 of 6 in our vpn services comparison. It stands out as the pick for privacy pedigree & honest free tier.
Proton VPN pricing starts at From $3.59/mo. Free option: Yes — truly free tier. Check current promotions on their site, as introductory rates change frequently.
The strongest alternatives are NordVPN (9.7/10) and Surfshark (9.4/10). See our full vpn services comparison for all 6 ranked options.