Proton is best known for its secure encrypted email service, Proton Mail, so expectations are high for its Proton VPN product. The company also offers a range of privacy-focused tools, and Proton VPN is no exception. I put the app through rigorous testing to evaluate its speed, security, streaming ability, and overall value.
In recent years, Proton VPN has also doubled its server network size, going from just over 5,000 servers in early 2024 to more than 11,000 servers in 117 countries by mid-2025. This expansion translates to lower server loads and more nearby connection options, which can mean better average speeds for users worldwide.
A strong, privacy-focused VPN
Proton VPN delivers fast connection speeds, intuitive apps, and excellent security features. It works well with most popular streaming platforms and is a great choice for daily use. However, it’s not ideal for bypassing strict censorship in countries like China and India. While its paid plans are reasonably priced, they fall slightly short of value leaders like ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. Fortunately, you can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The service allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections on a single account and is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Its Windows app features an interactive map interface showing server locations by country and city, along with server load and indicators for streaming or P2P support. You can also collapse the map into a mobile-style list view and set custom connection profiles for home, work, or travel, each with preselected servers, protocols, and modes (Standard, Secure Core, P2P, Tor).
Works With Major Platforms
Proton VPN successfully unblocked Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer in tests.
- Netflix: Smooth performance across libraries in the US, Germany, Canada, and Pakistan.
- BBC iPlayer: All UK servers worked without major buffering.
- Amazon Prime Video: Minor lag during loading, but streams played well in UHD.
- Hulu: Some US servers failed, but switching to others resolved the issue.
Note: Streaming works best with the Plus plan, as the free version only includes servers in five countries.
Interestingly, Proton VPN’s free plan can also stream surprisingly well — in PCWorld’s tests, it even accessed Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ without data or time limits, making it one of the strongest free VPNs for streaming currently available.
Updated Compatibility List
Proton VPN keeps a regularly updated list of supported streaming platforms on its website.
Speed and Performance:
Consistently Fast Speeds
While not quite as fast as ExpressVPN, Proton VPN offers stable, fast connections on paid servers:
- Nearby servers (UAE): ~24% drop in download speed
- Long-distance servers (US): ~10% drop in download, ~90% drop in upload speed
Upload-heavy activities like video calling or livestreaming may be affected, especially on long-distance servers.
Free Plan Speeds
Download speeds dropped by around 20%, but upload speeds saw drops of up to 80%. Good for streaming, not ideal for real-time communication.
VPN Accelerator
This feature aims to optimize routing and reduce latency. However, I didn’t notice a significant performance boost in practice.
Gaming Performance
Great for Gaming (With the Right Setup)
Proton VPN performed well in gaming tests:
- Smooth Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 gameplay
- No ping spikes or packet loss on nearby servers
Tips:
- Use nearby servers for lower latency
- Disable Secure Core while gaming for optimal speed
- Console users must configure Proton VPN via router
In PCWorld’s broader performance tests across six countries, Proton VPN maintained around 65% of base download speeds and 72% of base upload speeds, ranking it among the top five fastest VPNs tested in 2025. As always, individual results may vary based on device, location, and server traffic.
Server Network
Server Coverage: 5,500+ Servers in 117 Countries
Proton VPN owns and operates all its servers, with full disk encryption for added security. Free users can access servers in the US, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, and Romania.
Updated: As of mid-2025, Proton VPN operates over 11,000 servers in those 117 countries. Many are located in physically secure facilities such as former military bunkers and fallout shelters in privacy-friendly countries like Iceland, Sweden, and Switzerland, ensuring both digital and physical data protection.
Tor Support
Tor-enabled servers are available in select countries and route traffic through the Tor network for added privacy.
P2P Support
Torrenting is supported on optimized servers marked with a rotating arrow icon. These servers work well for file sharing and downloads.
Censorship & Restricted Regions
China and India
Proton VPN isn’t the most reliable option for bypassing firewalls in China or India. Features like Alternative Routing and the Stealth protocol may help but don’t guarantee success. ExpressVPN remains a more dependable choice for these regions.
Security Features
Protocols and Encryption
- Available Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 (manual setup), and Stealth (not yet on Windows)
- Encryption: AES-256 with OpenVPN/IKEv2, ChaCha20 with WireGuard/Stealth
The Stealth protocol is open-source and designed to be undetectable, capable of bypassing most VPN blocks and firewalls — useful for school networks or restricted Wi-Fi.
Secure Core
Routes traffic through multiple servers for added anonymity. Servers are located in secure data centers in privacy-focused countries like Switzerland and Iceland.
Unlike typical multi-hop setups, Secure Core uses predetermined routes through “privacy-friendly” countries, making it more resistant to IP tracking. Surfshark offers customizable multi-hop, but Proton’s one-click approach is simpler for non-technical users.
Kill Switch and Leak Protection
Proton VPN passed all DNS and IP leak tests. It includes a built-in kill switch, with an option for a permanent kill switch that blocks all internet traffic unless the VPN is active.
NetShield
Blocks malware, ads, and trackers. It works well on most sites but couldn’t block YouTube ads during tests.
The latest NetShield version also displays the number of ads/trackers blocked and total data saved while browsing.
Split Tunneling
Allows specific apps or IP addresses to bypass the VPN. Easy to configure in settings. (Available on Windows & Android.)
Open Source and Developer Activity
Proton VPN maintains open-source repositories for its applications, allowing users and independent experts to inspect the code for transparency and security. All Proton VPN apps are licensed under GPL-3.0 and actively maintained on GitHub.
Platform Availability (Open Source)
- Windows App – developed in C#, regularly updated.
- Android App – developed in C, open source, high commit activity.
- iOS/macOS App – built in Swift, full code transparency.
- Linux GTK App – built in Python, tailored for Linux environments.
- Proton VPN Browser Extension – developed in TypeScript, GPL-3.0 licensed.
Custom WireGuard and API Tools
Proton VPN also develops its own implementations and tools such as wireguard-go and python-proton-vpn-api-core, showcasing its commitment to optimizing protocols and improving privacy.
Privacy and Transparency
No-Logs Policy
Proton VPN enforces a strict no-logs policy and uses RAM-only servers, ensuring no persistent storage of user data. The company is transparent about what little data is collected, and all user data is deleted upon account deletion.
The company only tracks aggregated geographic distribution data globally, used for resource allocation and to counteract censorship attempts — never tied to individual users.
Jurisdiction
Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances. It benefits from some of the strongest privacy laws in the world.
Open-Source Verification
Proton VPN’s open-source nature strengthens its privacy stance. Independent audits — including those by SEC Consult — are possible precisely because the code is publicly available. The no-logs policy has been independently verified by Securitum, and the open repositories allow ongoing public scrutiny.
Comparison to Closed-Source VPNs
Most big-name VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark still operate closed-source apps, requiring blind trust from users. Proton VPN removes that uncertainty — its privacy claims can be tested, verified, and even improved by the community.
Independent Audits
Proton VPN apps are open-source and have been independently audited by SEC Consult. Its no-logs policy was verified by Securitum.
Final Thoughts
Proton VPN is a top-tier choice for users who prioritize privacy and security. It offers great streaming capabilities, reliable speed, and strong encryption. While it isn’t ideal for countries with strict censorship, it excels in almost every other category. If you’re looking for a trusted VPN with a proven commitment to transparency and user privacy, Proton VPN is a solid investment in 2025.
Its free plan remains one of the best in the industry, offering unlimited data and strong privacy protections without ads — a rare find in the VPN world.
Pros:
- Excellent speeds and streaming support
- Strong security features (Secure Core, NetShield)
- Transparent no-logs policy
- 11,000+ servers in 117 countries
- Industry-leading free plan
Cons:
- inconsistent performance in restricted countries
- free plan limited to 5 countries
- no Stealth protocol support on Windows (yet)
- Paid plan pricing slightly above some competitors
