Proton VPN : Full Review, Testing, and Presentation (2024)

What is Proton VPN?

Proton AG is a VPN (virtual private network) provider based in Switzerland created by the same company behind famous instant and encrypted messaging service ProtonMail.

The company has just over 29th servers (the main providers have thousands), but they are now spread across 63 different countries since the last expansion.

Proton VPN runs its own servers, which is a great part of a VPN.

Proton VPN's Secure Core technology routes traffic to multiple servers (secure core servers) before it leaves the network. Thus, even when monitoring an output server, it will not be possible to identify a user individually.

ProtonVPN provides access to many more common features, such as the ability to torrent anonymously, the killswitch, DNS leak protection, and built-in Tor support for accessing Onion (tor) websites.

Proton allows (depending on the subscription) up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Plus, native apps for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS now allow Proton VPN to be used almost everywhere.

Windows and Android apps recently added support for split tunneling, which allows all Internet traffic to be routed through the VPN, except for the destination apps and IP addresses that you define:

• Data centers: +2914 servers in 63 countries
• Refund: 30 days
• Jurisdiction: Switzerland
• Data Retention: No
• Simultaneous connections: 2 to 10 depending on subscriptions
• Unlocking Netflix: Yes
• Anonymous torrent (peer to peer): Yes
• Browser extension: Yes
• Encryption: Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) technology with 256-bit keys (AES-256).
• VPN protocols: OpenVPN with TCP/UDP/IKEV2

Interface and ease of use

Proton offers a range of applications for desktop and mobile computers. Whether you're a Windows, Mac, Linux, Linux, iOS, or Android user, you can get an app for each of them. However, they are very different from each other in terms of functionality and user interface.

The desktop versions are quite similar to each other and offer an intuitive, uncluttered design. It should be noted that Windows users get the best Proton VPN experience because it has all the necessary security features.

As far as mobile applications (Android and iOS) are concerned, they have a similar user interface. They are very user-friendly, but it's important to know that some of their features differ.

So let's look at what each option offers:

1. Windows

The Windows application has IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard, and OpenVPN (TCP and UDP versions). When you install Proton VPN, it will also add a Windows TAP-Proton VPN adapter to your programs and features.

This is completely normal, and includes the OpenVPN package to make your connection possible.

Of all the clients available, the Windows application has the most settings. It includes alternative routing, split tunneling, and custom DNS servers. If you're a Windows user, you're getting the best possible version for your money.

2. mac

Proton VPN has an application for macOS for a secure and private experience available on its App Store.

The application is open source and has been audited.

Plus, it offers useful security features: kill switch, ad blocker (NetShield), strong encryption, and more.

All the essential design elements are there and the app is easy to use.

However, IPv6 firewall and leak protection, alternative routing, public Wi-Fi threats, split tunneling, and custom DNS servers are exclusive to Windows. The only thing that the Mac client has that Windows seems to lack is the notification of unprotected networks.

This feature will give you a notification every time you connect to an unprotected network. You can also check out other Mac VPN options.

3. linux

If you are a Linux user, Proton VPN will be a good choice. It now has a reliable and easy-to-use application for Linux and is equipped with security features.

Also, downloading and installing the application is easy, you just need to scroll through the 3 steps mentioned in the article and choose the distribution used. Then all the installation tutorials are very easy. In addition, it has a complete graphical user interface and is no longer based on the terminal.

The screenshots of the Proton VPN application for the open source Linux OS have an intuitive graphical user interface, which allows you to activate features and connect to servers. The Linux application uses strong encryption - the OpenVPN protocol at the settings

4. Other devices

ProtonVPN is a popular virtual private network (VPN) service that provides online protection for millions of people around the world. Their service is available on numerous platforms including Android TV, Chromebook, Firefox, and Chrome.

Android TV

ProtonVPN is available on Android TV (play store), allowing you to take advantage of the protection of their VPN service on your television. With a user-friendly user interface, you can easily navigate through their Android TV app to connect to a server and enjoy private and secure browsing.

Chromebook

Chromebook users can also take advantage of ProtonVPN for optimal online protection. The ProtonVPN Chromebook app is easy to use and allows you to connect to VPN servers around the world for private and secure browsing.

Firefox and Google Chrome

For example, Firefox and Chrome users can install the ProtonVPN extension for additional online protection. ProtonVPN browser extensions provide a more private and secure browsing experience by encrypting your Internet traffic and hiding your IP address.

Features

Proton VPN was originally launched in 2017, which is not very old compared to other top VPN services.

However, that doesn't make it any less good. While the provider focused on improving its applications, it also launched an ad blocker (NetShield) in 2021 and implemented the WireGuard tunneling protocol as well as a VPN accelerator (VPN Accelerator).

You can discover all the features of Proton VPN below:

Secure Core : Secure Core is a dual VPN feature that allows you to connect through two VPN servers (secure core servers) for greater security. The first server is located in a privacy-friendly location. While the speed can be very slow, it adds an extra layer of security.

Kill Switch : It automatically cuts off your Internet connection in case of loss of connection to the VPN server. However, it can also cause problems, such as difficulty reconnecting after being disconnected.

Quick Connect : Quick Connect is a quick connect button that allows you to automatically connect to the fastest server. You can customize this feature to suit your preferences.

Profiles : It is possible to create custom profiles to avoid having to manually select settings each time you use them. You can specify color, protocol, country, and server type for each profile.

Split tunneling : Split tunneling allows you to choose which applications will use the encrypted tunnel. You can encrypt the entire connection, exclude certain applications, or select specific applications.

Tor over VPN : If you are looking to combine the Tor network and a VPN, Proton VPN offers a specific type of server for that. Your connection first goes through the Tor network and then reaches the VPN server.

Alternate Routing : Alternate routing is a censorship bypass feature built into all Proton clients. It allows you to connect to alternative servers in case of detection of censorship.

VPN Accelerator : The VPN Accelerator feature optimizes VPN performance by using multiple processes to take full advantage of multi-core processors. It also calculates and uses network routes more efficiently to improve connection speed.

How do I install Proton VPN?

It is easy to install and won't take more than a few minutes on most devices. It took less than five minutes to set up the VPN on a Mac device. ProtonVPN also has clear installation guides for all devices.

1. Desktop computer

To install Proton VPN on a desktop computer, go to the Proton VPN website, subscribe to a plan, download and install the app, then connect to a server, that's it, you're ready to go.

2. Mobile device

Setting up Proton VPN on a mobile device is just as easy, but things get more complicated when you need ProtonVPN for your router, smart TV, or gaming console.

3. Other devices

You will need an application to Continue your download to install and connect to Proton VPN. Luckily, ProtonVPN provides clear installation guides on how to set up Proton VPN on various routers. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging the device.

Rates

It offers a free version in addition to three paid subscriptions: Basic, Plus, and Visionary.

Its free plan only gives access to servers in 3 different countries (including the United States), only one connection at a time and at lower speeds.

Paid subscriptions (Plus, Basic, and Visionary) give you access to all servers and high speed locations.

Paid plans (satisfied or refunded within 30 days) differ in the number of simultaneous connections possible, and Plus and Visionnaire (or Proton unlimited) plans contain more features than the basic subscription.

Plus, paid subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Nearly 50% savings over 12 months

For payments, Proton offers several options:

• Bank card (credit and debit bank card)
• PayPal
• Bitcoins

Speed and performance

As with all the VPNs we test, we checked performance with 3 different sites: Fast.com, Open Speed Test, and Ookla.

Our performance tests showed that connection times were a bit longer than usual, but nothing could stop it.

From France, servers in Western Europe and the surrounding areas showed excellent speed.

Servers in North America are less efficient, which is the case for many VPNs when connecting from Europe because of geographic distance.

However, with speeds up to 40 Mbps, there is no problem streaming your programs in HD quality!

Very pleasant surprise, we saw a remarkable quality of long-distance connections.

India recorded an excellent average transfer rate around 40 Mbps, Australia and Singapore around 30 Mbps, and Hong Kong or South Korea around 20 Mbps.

These speeds are much better than many of its competitors.

Finally, all the servers were in the locations shown and none of them had DNS or WebRTC leaks.

Servers and locations

ProtonVPN has over 1900 servers in over 65 countries, with most servers located in Europe, North America, and South America.

With multiple servers across the world, even in Africa and Asia, you're more likely to find a VPN near you to protect your online privacy without reducing browsing performance. ProtonVPN deserves praise for constantly improving its geographic distribution.

The company is seeking feedback from users on which countries to add to its server list.

All ProtonVPN servers use full disk encryption to prevent data interception, and they have unique features, such as Secure Core VPN and Tor over VPN, that are available to Proton Plus subscribers. We enjoyed faster speeds when connecting to servers closer to us and those with lower load.

So if speed is important to you, you might want to check load metrics and opt for servers that are closer.

Security and confidentiality

In terms of security and privacy (Perfect Forward Privacy), Proton VPN does a good job. It combines robust protocols with standard security features to encrypt your data and protect against prying eyes.

It also applies a no-log policy (no logging/no log) and offers multi-factor authentication.

1. Use of strong protocols

Proton VPN uses the following protocols to ensure your online privacy:

• Stealth: Proton bypasses firewalls and VPN blocking methods by presenting your VPN traffic as regular traffic. This feature is available on Android, iOS and macOS, Xbox One & Xbox Series, Box TV and other TV channels.
• Secure Core: ProtonVPN routes your Internet traffic through secure core servers dedicated to in hardened centers in Switzerland, on the former military base in Iceland and in Sweden. It protects against network attacks, so your true identity remains hidden even if a server is compromised by an advanced adversary.
• NetShield: As a paid user, you'll have access to ProtonVPN's ad-blocking feature, NetShield, which uses domain name system (DNS) filtering to prevent privacy-invasive ads, trackers, and malware infections. This means your device stays clean and your internet speed increases. (+ High encryption key used)
• OpenVPN: Proton uses OpenVPN with its secret feature to generate new keys for each session. It also works on UDP or TCP transmission to secure your Internet communications.
• WireGuard: This open source VPN protocol is faster than standard VPN protocols, and it's lightweight, giving you improved performance. It also uses advanced ChaCha20 encryption to protect your Proton VPN connection.

2. No log retention policy

Proton has a head office located in Switzerland, a country recognized for its respect for privacy.

Unlike other countries (the United States in particular), there are no mandatory data retention laws.

Furthermore, Proton does not belong to any of the Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes alliances, which are groupings of countries with surveillance agreements.

As the service has “no-logs” VPNs (no log/no log/no log), Proton VPN is not required to keep logs of users' online activity data.

This means that connection logs, session durations, IP addresses, web pages visited, or location are not stored. Independent security experts regularly audit Proton VPN and the no-log policy is confirmed by independent security audits.

In summary, Proton VPN is a great choice for those who want to protect their privacy online.

3. Multi-factor authentication

Proton VPN has a two-factor authentication feature to increase the security of your account.

This double check is required during the login process, which prevents attackers from accessing your account without your phone.

To enable this security feature, you need to install an authentication application.

After installation, you can create a six-digit code for authentication each time you log in. This added layer of security ensures that only the authorized user can access their Proton VPN account.

Proton VPN for Streaming

As you know, if you have already read some of our tests, it can be very difficult to get around the geoblocking installed by Netflix.

Proton unblocked Netflix when we connected to the American servers, without even using the specific servers for streaming. However, as always, the conflict between VPNs and Netflix is still ongoing and what works today could be blocked tomorrow.

The BBC Iplayer has been unblocked as well as all French channels (MyCanal, RMC Sport, Amazon Prime, Android TV, Beinsport and all TNT channels).

Proton for Torrents

During our tests, torrent downloads were fast and stable, except on servers available in the free plan due to overload.

Overall, Proton is a great VPN for torrent users both in terms of performance and privacy policy.

Customer support

It offers several ways to help users in case of problems:

1. Help center

Proton provides a help center, accessible from its website.

Here you can find several categories that correspond to common problems. Each category provides articles and guides to help you solve the problem.

2. Support ticket

If you can't find the answer to your question in the Help Center, you can open a support ticket or make an appointment.

The latter is sent by email and you will receive a response directly in your mailbox by technical support. Paid users usually get a response within a few hours, while free users have to wait a bit longer.

3. FAQS

Proton VPN also has an FAQ that can answer a lot of common questions.

4. Subreddit

It has an r/Proton VPN subreddit that allows users to share experiences and problems.

Here you can find solutions and tips from other users.

However, it's important to note that Proton VPN customer support is mostly available in Europe, which may result in longer wait times for users on other continents.

Alternatives

1. Proton vs. PIA VPN

Proton VPN and Private Internet Access offer similar prices as well as kill switch functionality and a no-log policy, while offering the same number of devices.

However, the difference is in the number of servers available. In fact, Private Internet Access has more than 35,000 servers, which is more than 15 times more than the number of Proton VPN servers.

Additionally, Private Internet Access VPN offers browser extensions as well as a dedicated IP address, which is important for small businesses and remote workers. Additionally, Private Internet Access users can add more devices at an additional cost.

2. Proton vs. Bitdefender VPN

Proton VPN and Bitdefender VPN offer online privacy and security solutions for up to 10 devices with a subscription. They have similar features, like the kill switch.

However, Bitdefender VPN has more servers than Proton, with over 4,000 claimed servers, while Proton currently has fewer than 2,000 servers.

Bitdefender VPN also allows a VPN extension for browsers including Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.

Although Bitdefender VPN is cheaper than Proton, the latter wins out in terms of server locations, being available in 69 countries, such as the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium, the latter wins in terms of server locations, while Bitdefender is available in 51 countries.

3. Proton vs. NordVPN

Both Proton VPN and NordVPN are privacy-friendly VPN providers that are based in Switzerland and Panama, respectively, and do not log users' Internet sessions.

They also offer a kill switch feature. However, NordVPN has over 5,000 servers, more than twice as many as Proton VPN's approximately 1,900 servers including the United States, giving users more options to choose from.

Additionally, NordVPN is available as an extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browsers and offers a dedicated IP address at an additional cost, features that Proton VPN lacks.

Meanwhile, Proton VPN allows users to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, while NordVPN only allows up to six.

FAQs

What is Proton Mail?

Proton Mail is the world's largest end-to-end encrypted email service for obtaining an email address.

Proton Mail ensures that no one can access your emails using end-to-end encryption and zero-access encryption. All of Proton Mail's encryption happens in the background, which means anyone can use an encrypted email regardless of technical ability.

Millions of journalists, activists, and everyday citizens around the world trust Proton Mail to protect their communications.

Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?

Proton VPN might be a better option if you're looking for a free version for your private network.

The offer that ProtonVPN offers is one of the best VPNs out there.

NordVPN is a pay-only provider, so the only way to use them is by paying for a monthly subscription. That said, as a paid service, they offer fewer features than NordVPN.

Does Proton VPN work in China?

Yes, Proton VPN is among the VPNs that work in China.

That's because it supports the Stealth protocol that helps users bypass most firewalls and internet censorship without being detected. You can enable Stealth Mode on Android (Google Play Store), macOS, and iOS apps with all Proton VPN plans, including the free version.

Final Verdict

Proton VPN proved to be a pleasant surprise.

Its performance and bandwidth have shown very good results, despite a drop in speed on American servers and a total number of servers that are still relatively low.

Another positive point, a free offer and a basic version at only $4/month! (satisfied or refunded)

In the end, Proton VPN just needs to expand its server network to compete with the best VPNs on the market.

In any case, here is a VPN provider that we will continue to follow closely.