ProtonVPN Review 2026
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are never influenced by commissions — read our full disclosure policy.
ProtonVPN
Proton VPN has the most usable free plan from a reputable provider: no data or time limits, no ads and no activity logs for one device. VPN Plus adds 10 devices, 140+ countries, streaming and P2P. Annual Securitum no-logs audits, open-source apps and Swiss jurisdiction back it up.
Best for
Privacy-focused users and those who want a trustworthy free VPN option
Not for
Users who prioritize streaming library access or need the fastest speeds
Prices verified April 2026. Always confirm directly with provider.
Pros
- Free plan with no data or time limits and no ads
- No-logs policy audited annually by Securitum since 2022
- Open-source apps
- Swiss company (Proton AG, Geneva)
- VPN Plus covers 10 devices and 140+ countries
- NetShield blocks ads, malware and trackers on paid plans
Cons
- Free plan: one device, medium speed, randomly assigned countries
- Streaming and P2P only on paid plans
- Lowest price requires a 24-month term
- Apps favour controls over polish
Proton VPN Review 2026: Is the Free Plan Any Good?
Yes — Proton VPN's free plan is the most usable free VPN we know of from a reputable provider: no data or time limits, no ads and no activity logging, for one device, with servers in 10 randomly selected countries. Its paid VPN Plus plan adds 10 devices, more than 140 countries, streaming, P2P and NetShield filtering. Behind both sits a no-logs policy audited by Securitum every year since 2022, open-source apps and a Swiss company. Figures below come from Proton's pricing, free-plan and audit pages, checked on 16 October 2026.
Free vs VPN Plus
| Proton Free | VPN Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $3.49 a month on the 24-month plan ($83.76 for the first 24 months, then $83.88 a year) |
| Devices at once | 1 | 10 |
| Server locations | 10 countries, randomly selected | 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries |
| Speed tier | Medium | Highest |
| Data or time limits | None | None |
| Streaming and P2P | Not included | Included |
| NetShield (ads, malware, trackers) | Not included | Included |
| Kill switch and Stealth protocol | Included | Included |
| Money-back guarantee | — | 30 days |
Proton Unlimited, which bundles VPN Plus with Proton's mail, drive and other apps, was listed at $7.99 a month on the 24-month plan.
Privacy: audits, jurisdiction and code
Proton says Securitum has audited its no-logs policy annually, with the 2026 report — the fifth consecutive — finding the evidence "did not indicate that the examined Proton VPN server infrastructure logs users' browsing activity", and no persistent records linking a user to activity on the reviewed servers. Proton AG is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and its apps are open source, so their code can be inspected. Secure Core, which routes traffic through additional hardened servers first, is a premium feature.
Who the free plan suits
The free plan is a good fit for occasional protection — hotel or café Wi-Fi, checking email while travelling — and for trying a VPN before paying. It is not the plan for streaming, torrenting or picking a specific country, because locations are assigned at random and those features are reserved for paid plans. If you are weighing free VPNs generally, our guide is a free VPN safe? explains what to check.
Weak points
Free-tier speed is listed as medium, and paid streaming support has been less consistent than the biggest rivals in our coverage. The apps prioritise privacy controls over polish. If you want unlimited devices on one plan, Surfshark is the alternative — see the Surfshark review.
Getting started
Start with Proton VPN Free, and upgrade to VPN Plus only if you need more devices, streaming or a chosen country. If you also want Proton's other apps, compare Proton Unlimited.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton VPN free really free?
Yes. Proton's free plan has no data or time limits and no ads, and does not log your activity. It covers one device and servers in 10 randomly selected countries.
How many devices does Proton VPN allow?
One on the free plan and 10 on VPN Plus, according to Proton's pricing page.
Has Proton VPN's no-logs policy been audited?
Yes. Securitum audits it annually; Proton says the 2026 report was the fifth consecutive audit.
Does Proton VPN have a money-back guarantee?
Paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee if requested within the first 30 days.
Checked 16 October 2026: protonvpn.com/pricing, protonvpn.com/free-vpn and protonvpn.com/blog/no-logs-audit. Compare with Mullvad in Proton VPN vs Mullvad.
Reviewed by Thomas Lovas Lokoy, Co-founder & Editor — researched and drafted with AI assistance, then read, fact-checked and approved by Thomas before publishing · Editorial policy · Disclosure
