Proton VPN Review 2024: Is It Really Free, Fast, & Safe?

Proton VPN, from the creators of Proton Mail, claims to prioritize your online privacy, even on its free tier. However, an IP logging controversy with Proton Mail has raised doubts about the company’s overall privacy stance. Given this, can you still trust this VPN to keep you safe online?

To determine this, I thoroughly analyzed Proton VPN, exploring its privacy policy, ownership, and security practices. I also performed extensive tests on its streaming capabilities, speeds, leak protection, torrenting support, and other additional features.

Overall, Proton VPN is a solid choice for those seeking a trustworthy and secure VPN. It’s tough to find a VPN with a better history of upholding internet freedom, and its security features are top-notch. The free version is also worth a shot, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee to explore all its benefits risk-free. There are only a few minor issues that prevent it from being the very best.

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Proton VPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements

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Proton VPN’s streaming-optimized servers can securely access all popular platforms from anywhere. All the movies, TV shows, and live content my global testing team and I watched loaded quickly, and playback was always smooth.

Free servers aren't as reliable for streaming as they used to be, since you're now at the mercy of the VPN's auto-selected servers. I’ll explain in detail in the server section below. We loaded Hulu, Peacock, Max, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. However, only Max and Netflix streamed after a long wait. You can see how Proton VPN's free app compares to other free VPNs for streaming.

The other platforms detected the VPN's free version and thwarted our binge-watching plans. Still, considering these servers are usually congested, the experience was surprisingly good.

Here's a compilation of streaming services that Proton VPN is optimized for. However, this list might change, so I advise you to regularly visit Proton VPN's official website for updates. I appreciate that the VPN provides a guide for the platforms it supports.

Works With: Netflix

Proton VPN can securely stream Netflix libraries from various countries, including the UK, the US, France, and Japan. The best results came with the optimized servers, which consistently loaded videos instantly from anywhere.

I recommend using the WireGuard protocol for optimal quality

Proton VPN also supported smooth streaming of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, available only in the Netflix US library, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, exclusive to Netflix UK.

Works With: Disney+ and Hulu

Disney+ streamed just as smoothly as Netflix using the dedicated servers.

There were zero disconnects on every US server we tested

With the same server, titles like Rich Kids of Beverly Hills loaded almost instantly on Hulu. Few VPNs work with Hulu, so we were pleased that Proton VPN did.

Works With: Peacock

Next, we watched several videos on Peacock with the streaming-ready servers.

ProtonVPN supports uninterrupted streaming on Peacock

The quality remained superb, even as we hopped between servers.

Works With: ITVX and BBC iPlayer

In our next tests, ITVX streamed just as well as Hulu, Disney+, and Peacock, even when we jumped to different sections of the videos.

The stream loaded in seconds and stayed steady throughout

The same connection let us watch Spy Kids and The Man with the Golden Gun on ITVX, as well as the 2024 Olympics on BBC iPlayer without a hitch.

Also Works With: Max, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN+

Neither Max nor Amazon Prime Video recognized that we were using a VPN. There were a few moments of buffering when we jumped around on Prime Video, but the image quality was impressive. Watching videos on ESPN+ and Kodi was also straightforward.

In our previous round of tests, a few servers caused us hiccups. This time, everything was smooth, so Proton VPN is one of the best picks for streaming enthusiasts if you get the premium version.

Proton VPN is one of the fastest providers we’ve tested, especially when we used the WireGuard protocol, which consistently outperformed the other protocols.

We also got good speeds on some of its Secure Core servers. However, free servers caused noticeable drops. Tor servers were also consistently slow, but that’s no surprise due to how that technology works.

We ensured the VPN Accelerator feature remained on to get the best results. It's designed to give you the best speeds, particularly when connecting to distant servers, even on a less reliable internet connection. It’s enabled by default. I observed a speed boost ranging from 1.2% to 3% when it was active, so it's beneficial to keep it on at all times.

Here's a breakdown of the 3 primary metrics we examine in our tests:

• Download speeds. This indicates the rate at which you receive data, and it’s measured in Mbps (megabits per second). It determines how quickly you’ll be able to stream, browse, torrent, etc.
• Upload speeds. This determines how fast you send data. You’ll want high rates to send emails, post on social media, upload videos, and more. This, too, is quantified in Mbps.
• Ping. This measurement represents the time it takes for your data to travel. A lower ping ensures a more responsive connection, which is crucial for online gaming. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms).

For consistent, reliable comparisons, all speed tests are conducted from a single location using the same internet connection. Our UK-based speed specialist conducted multiple tests for each server, and the average outcomes are presented below. These are part of ongoing tests that we regularly perform for all the top VPNs.

Check out Proton VPN's speeds side-by-side with some of the best VPNs

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• • ExpressVPN
  • CyberGhost VPN
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  • IPVanish VPN
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  • hide.me VPN
  • TunnelBear VPN

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Canada

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Brazil

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UK

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France

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Japan

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Australia

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Singapore

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246.60 Mbps

56.25 Mbps

2 ms

179.07 Mbps

40.66 Mbps

12 ms

161.07 Mbps

102.14 Mbps

100 ms

126.83 Mbps

24.83 Mbps

55 ms

165.94 Mbps

18.23 Mbps

44 ms

122.57 Mbps

31.26 Mbps

71 ms

148.62 Mbps

38.95 Mbps

146 ms

82.05 Mbps

19.72 Mbps

121 ms

103.28 Mbps

47.41 Mbps

118 ms

149.68 Mbps

37.03 Mbps

147 ms

168.22 Mbps

66.81 Mbps

193 ms

125.88 Mbps

51.71 Mbps

228 ms

219.97 Mbps

94.10 Mbps

4 ms

173.22 Mbps

90.59 Mbps

11 ms

157.99 Mbps

43.93 Mbps

204 ms

153.61 Mbps

125.61 Mbps

98 ms

140.79 Mbps

24.06 Mbps

182 ms

81.06 Mbps

62.09 Mbps

179 ms

118.06 Mbps

103.02 Mbps

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102.79 Mbps

83.94 Mbps

203 ms

145.80 Mbps

139.18 Mbps

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137.35 Mbps

143.93 Mbps

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142.39 Mbps

104.08 Mbps

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110.89 Mbps

131.79 Mbps

229 ms

160.63 Mbps

48.49 Mbps

5 ms

103.16 Mbps

49.78 Mbps

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111.47 Mbps

86.44 Mbps

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125.04 Mbps

28.32 Mbps

75 ms

200.96 Mbps

56.18 Mbps

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111.61 Mbps

49.52 Mbps

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186.53 Mbps

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57.14 Mbps

133 ms

133.77 Mbps

81.13 Mbps

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100.97 Mbps

74.94 Mbps

193 ms

68.68 Mbps

33.48 Mbps

210 ms

These tests are conducted from the USA

*N/A indicates that we do not currently have speed test data for this location

Only a few VPNs we've tested can match Proton VPN's speed. A 10-20% speed dip on short-distance servers is normal for top VPNs, and its performance was slightly faster, which impressed me.

At long distances (8,000+km), you can find VPNs that are faster. For instance, ExpressVPN rarely cuts our speed by more than 40% on the same distant servers. However, ProtonVPN's Japan and Australian servers stay close to the typical 60% reduction seen with most VPNs at extreme distances.

Local Speed

Proton VPN's speeds on local servers are nearly on par with the fastest VPNs we've tested — usually averaging a drop of only 7%.

Proton VPN’s France server cut our tester’s speed by only 6%

Except for the Tor and free servers, every other server in Europe we tested reduced our speed by no more than 15%. This is commendable, as even with a relatively low starting speed, you can still stream, game, and browse without any problems. The ping rate was also consistently impressive across all these servers. It stayed under 70ms, which is ideal for smooth gaming.

Long-Distance Speed

On distant servers, it delivers adequate speeds for most online activities. As you'd expect, with increased distance comes slower speeds. The farthest server in Australia often cuts our speeds by 55% or a little more. Depending on your base rates, this could be problematic. Still, it's a good result considering the distance (nearly 10,000km away).

We experienced a 59% speed loss on the Japan server

Observing months of test results, I noticed that far-off servers perform better when they’re less crowded. For example, there was a stretch of 3 tests where, the Japan and Australia servers never dropped our speeds by more than 50%. I appreciate that the VPN provides information on overcrowding (which it calls server load) since many of its competitors don’t.

Optimized Server Speed

We also tested the speed of Proton VPN’s different server categories to see how they compare.

Rerouting via Tor slows speeds significantly, with or without a VPN

For a precise comparison, we primarily tested servers from the same city. I was impressed that some Secure Core servers performed almost on par with the Plus ones. This was largely due to their low server load at the time of testing. But, it's worth noting this can change rapidly as they often become congested.

P2P servers are tailored to facilitate fast downloads and uploads, and some are even optimized for streaming, so their speed didn't surprise me. Tor servers were extremely slow, but this is almost impossible to avoid due to how the Tor network encrypts your traffic.

Speed-wise, Proton VPN can rival the performance of some top VPNs on both nearby and faraway servers.

Proton VPN will let you stay safe while you enjoy online games. You’ll want to use a nearby location because they offer lower ping rates, which are important for gaming. Ideally, a ping rate below 100ms is what you want for lag-free gaming.

However, because Proton VPN uses virtual servers in many locations, including where physical ones exist, you might experience higher ping rates. The VPN suggests connecting to an optimized server to mitigate this issue, as these ones handle bandwidth-intensive activities more reliably. That's why I could game without any issues.

During tests, it let me play everything from competitive shooters like World of Tanks to 2-D indie hits like The Binding of Isaac. All games loaded without issues, and there were no noticeable delays between my keyboard inputs and the in-game responses.

Connect to an optimized server with low load for smooth gameplay

I'd advise against relying on its free servers for gaming; they took a long time to load any game and exhibited more lag than I'd hoped for. Plus, a live agent mentioned they're not built for high-bandwidth activities like gaming.

Overall, it’s a great VPN for gaming, but only if you’re a paid subscriber using a server close to you.

Proton VPN has done a great job of beefing up its network, and the specialized options make it quite flexible. It offers 9,119 servers in 112 countries that cover Europe, North America, Central America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Australasia, and Africa.

They’re normally faster than country-level servers

To the left of each server name is the load percentage, and it also appears at the top next to the IP address once you’re connected. You can also quickly gauge how full a connection is by noting the color: green is low, yellow is moderate, and red means it’s quite crowded.

Another nice thing about its servers is that they don’t use third-party DNS servers. This is good because it eliminates another way hackers have to intercept your information. Plus, it supports custom DNS server setups on Windows and Linux for alternatives like AdGuard DNS.

The VPN rents some servers but thoroughly vets its partners. Plus, they’re located in trusted data centers, and they use full disk encryption. This means no third-party can extract data from them. The ability to encrypt the entire storage system is the reason Proton VPN states it never uses RAM-based servers.

On top of that, it owns all Secure Core servers for extra safety, so you can stick with them if you don’t feel comfortable using the servers it rents. Plus, I love its alternative routing feature, which finds new pathways to its servers if it finds them blocked on your network.

Despite many Reddit claims about frequent connectivity issues, I experienced none after testing servers across its network several times a day for 3 days. The only time I faced a brief disconnect was during server maintenance, but the VPN quickly connected me to a new server.

However, if you’re not using Proton VPN’s native apps and a server goes down, you’ll be disconnected. To avoid this, I recommend you stick with its clients, which are available for all popular devices.

Proton VPN has 100 free servers in 6 locations: Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and the USA. Many VPNs only offer 1 server to free customers, so this is impressive. Plus, there’s no data limits on them, and you can use the Quick Connect feature to connect to the best available one.

The free version no longer supports manual server selection. Instead, the Quick Connect feature now connects you to the fastest available server, a change intended to enhance load balancing and speed for all free users. If you want to switch servers, the VPN will randomly select a new one, and there's a cooldown period between changes.

Even though Proton VPN doesn’t have the largest network in the VPN world, its servers are secure, updated frequently, and serve several useful functions.

Quick Connect

As implied by its name, this feature connects you to the fastest server near you. It uses factors such as server load, your location, and distance to the nearest server to make the selection. I use it whenever I don’t want to pick one myself.

Virtual Servers

Proton VPN offers virtual servers in countries such as Cambodia, the Philippines, and Egypt. This capability, referred to as Smart Routing by the VPN, allows you to connect to an IP address in one country while the actual servers are situated in a different location.

They operate similarly to other servers in its network and run on Proton VPN's bare metal servers (that are physically situated in their listed country), so they are equally secure. Keep in mind that they can significantly affect your speeds, especially if the physical servers are situated farther away than you anticipate.

Here's an overview of those servers and their respective locations.

The VPN also offers virtual servers to double its capacity in countries with physical servers. Here’s a list of locations that use Smart Routing, along with the locations of the actual bare metal servers they reside on:

Optimized Servers

Proton VPN has optimized servers for torrenting, streaming, and more. The streaming ones are spread out in most countries, including Argentina, the UK, the US, and South Africa. However, the P2P-friendly servers are located in selected countries, like Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Kenya, and Switzerland.

The symbols (or lack of them) next to these servers show you their function.

• Plus: A little play button (a sideways triangle) indicates the plus servers. These servers are optimized for streaming. You'll need a subscription to the premium plan to access them (and every other server besides the free ones).
• P2P: The double-sided arrow shows you the P2P servers, which are ideal for torrenting.
• Tor: The small gray onion symbol denotes servers compatible with the TOR network. Just type Tor into the search bar to find them.
• Secure Core: To enable them, click on the lock symbol at the top of the server list on the desktop or toggle the switch on mobile. They double as plus servers, so you'll need to upgrade to use them.
• Smart Routing: These are its virtual servers and are represented with a globe icon.
• Free: There's no symbol next to these servers, but you can easily identify them by typing the word free in the search bar.

Many servers have multiple functions, shown by various symbols beside them

If you see a wrench next to the server, this means it’s down for maintenance. During my tests, there was a moment when the servers in Bhutan were under maintenance, and the wrench symbol appeared to the left to signify that.

Dedicated IP Addresses

These are available to businesses upon request. If interested, you'll need to reach out to the sales team for more details. The VPN periodically retires servers and activates new ones; having a static IP can help avoid such inconveniences. Plus, a dedicated IP can prevent your business from being mistakenly associated with dubious activities performed by other users.

Proton VPN has an impressive selection of security features, and notably, I found no leaks on all 15+ servers I tried. DNS leak protection is permanently enabled, and you have the option to toggle IPv6 traffic on or off across Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its open-source nature makes it even more secure. This is because people around the world can test it for vulnerabilities.

I checked the servers repeatedly to confirm they were leak-proof

On top of that, it was developed by CERN scientists with the same technology behind Proton Mail, the most popular encrypted email service. Having such impressive technologists behind the development of the VPN adds another layer of credibility to its security functions.

Proton Pass and Proton Wallet are two other products from the same innovative team. The former is a secure password management tool that you can pair with 2-factor authentication to bolster the security of your accounts. Proton Wallet lets you securely manage your Bitcoins. It's exciting to see the company entering this fast-growing market.

The free account gives you all the basics you need to stay secure online as well. This includes strong encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and advanced protocols. You’ll have to upgrade to use advanced features like Secure Core servers, NetShield, and Tor over VPN. Its ad-free nature also sets it apart from many free VPNs.

Encryption

Proton VPN uses AES 256-bit (military-grade) or ChaCha20 encryption to keep your data safe. AES 256-bit encryption is the benchmark for top VPNs because of its virtually impenetrable nature. ChaCha20 is just as difficult to crack and encrypts your connection when using WireGuard.

For one extra layer of security, it utilizes Perfect Forward Secrecy. This feature continuously changes the encryption keys that Proton VPN securely generates. So, even in the rare event a key is compromised, you remain protected with new ones.

Security Protocols

The VPN lets you switch protocols depending on your situation, but the options differ depending on your device.

Proton VPN’s Smart protocol feature keeps you connected to the VPN, even when one protocol is blocked. Such blockages often occur on restrictive networks, like in schools, workplaces, or areas with content censorship. It auto-selects the fastest, most stable protocol and switches to another if it's necessary. It’s available for every OS except Linux.

• OpenVPN. It’s the safest protocol since it’s open source, which means experts are constantly checking it for vulnerabilities. UDP is faster, so it’s ideal for gaming, torrenting, or streaming. TCP can help on a network that blocks VPNs, but ProtonVPN recommends using Stealth. For now, you can use it on Windows, Android and Linux.
• IKEv2. An older protocol that is sometimes faster than OpenVPN. It’s also a little less secure since it isn't open source. It’s only available on Mac.
• WireGuard. It's open source, like OpenVPN, and it’s optimized for both speed and security. Plus, it’s less resource-intensive, so it can help conserve battery life. It’s supported on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps.
• Stealth. Designed by Proton VPN, this protocol helps mask your VPN usage from DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) systems and internet service providers. This makes it invaluable in areas with tight network controls. It’s built upon WireGuard tunneled over TLS, so it uses the same encryption as WireGuard. Currently, it’s limited to Android, Mac, and iOS apps.

Kill Switch

This feature automatically protects you by disabling your internet if the VPN loses connection, preventing your IP and other sensitive information from leaking.

It’ll also terminate your internet connection when your computer goes to sleep

You have to activate it manually, and there's even an option to enable a permanent kill switch, which limits internet access unless connected to a server.

Secure Core

These servers offer double encryption by sending your data through 2 servers. Other VPNs call this feature multi-hop or Double VPN. The difference is the first destination is always Proton VPN's extra-safe Secure Core servers.

The VPN developed these servers to improve user privacy in high-risk jurisdictions like Russia, Turkey, and the US, with strict data-sharing laws. This feature lets users get IPs from countries that prioritize privacy with the added protection of running their traffic through more physically secure servers first. Thus, even if servers in the final destination are ever compromised, your data will still be protected.

They’re located in Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland — countries known for their privacy-friendly policies and non-affiliation with the 14 Eyes Alliance. Having servers in these locations helps minimize the risk of compromise.

The VPN houses them in secure locations that use equipment only provided by the VPN. In Sweden, they’re stored in high-security underground data centers, while those in Iceland are stationed in a former military base. Plus, it owns all Secure Core Servers, and each IP is a part of Proton VPN's own Local Internet Registry. This cuts out another middleman for added security.

Many VPNs have double-hop features that funnel customer’s data through two servers. However, the added physical security Secure Core servers provide makes them stand out.

Split Tunneling

You can use this feature to choose what traffic moves through the VPN tunnel. I often use it to make bank transfers with a normal connection while encrypting my torrenting activities to protect my data from hackers and snoops.

At the moment, it’s accessible on Android, Windows, and Android TV, functioning at both app and IP levels. I hope Proton VPN will soon extend this availability to Mac and iOS. You must disable the kill switch for it to function properly, as it blocks all connections outside the VPN tunnel.

NetShield (Ad-blocker)

Netshield blocks ads and protects against trackers and malware. I found it to be effective at eliminating pop-ups and banner ads. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop YouTube ads and only operates when the VPN is active.

It’s available on both desktop and mobile apps

It can be set to block malware only or malware, trackers, and ads. Overall, it’s a nice feature and is one of the better ad blockers included with a premium VPN.

The Onion Router (Tor) Compatibility

Tor servers severely throttle your speed and make browsing frustrating. The servers in the US and Germany decreased our speed by over 96%, often with a 145ms ping or more.

There are a total of 8 servers — 2 in the US, and one each in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland. However, this isn’t considerably worse than my Tor experience without a VPN.

Proton VPN uses a verified no-logs policy and has a strong history that proves it’ll be responsible with your data. It's also headquartered in Switzerland, a country with some of the best internet privacy laws. Plus, the company continuously advocates for internet freedom by opposing laws that would make it easier for governments to spy on their citizens.

Does Proton VPN Keep Logs? No

Proton VPN doesn’t store any sensitive information and only retains the data you willingly provide. This includes your user name, email, payment details, and support tickets. You can use a dedicated email for sign-up and opt for cryptocurrency or cash for anonymous payments.

The VPN records a timestamp of login attempts (overwritten with each successful login) and temporary server IP logs to protect against threats like password-guessing attacks and spamming. If you enable the advanced security program (Proton Sentinel), Proton will also store your IP address until you opt out.

Unless you're handling sensitive data, the regular protection the VPN offers is sufficient. Plus, it commits to erasing any data held upon your account’s deletion.

The company claims to never view any of your online history

Its no-logging claims were even proven in a real-world case in 2019. Proton VPN was mandated to release logs to help identify a user, but it had nothing to share since identifiable logs were non-existent.

However, concerns have arisen about Proton VPN's compliance with legally binding requests, particularly after the 2021 IP logging controversy with Proton Mail. In this case, the company confirmed the IP address of a user for the French authorities.

This incident sparked concerns about Proton AG's dedication to online privacy. The company clarified that it was legally required to log the customer's IP address due to a Swiss court order. However, the latest 2024 independent audit confirmed that Proton VPN remains true to its promises. There have also been no cases like this specifically related to the VPN.

The company retains the right to modify its privacy policy, so it’s best to remain subscribed to notifications for the latest policy changes.

Was Proton VPN Audited? Yes

Proton VPN features open-source apps, which means anyone can read and analyze the code on GitHub to make it better. This shows how transparent Proton VPN really is. You can also download them from F-Droid, a software repository that hosts open-source apps.

Plus, the VPN encourages continuous security improvements via its bug bounty initiative. It pays up to $10,000 to anyone who can discover a vulnerability in its software, so you know its security is constantly being tested and updated.

Various third-party audits have also confirmed that Proton VPN's encrypted traffic is undecipherable. One by SEC Consult, a leading tech auditing firm, scrutinized Proton VPN's Windows, Android, iOS, and Mac apps. A few minor vulnerabilities were found, but each of these was immediately fixed. These vulnerabilities would only risk user data if a hacker had direct device access.

A recent audit in 2024 by Securitum, a premier European security audit firm, painted a more favorable picture. It uncovered no major security issues. When I examined the audit, it confirmed that Proton VPN doesn’t collect sensitive information like user logs and DNS traffic. The audit also showed the effectiveness of Proton VPN’s open-source software development.

Before these assessments, Proton VPN allowed Mozilla to scrutinize its technology in anticipation of a prospective collaboration. On top of that, the company routinely publishes findings from smaller independent security audits. This transparency underscores the company's confidence in its practices and its readiness to fix any identified concerns.

Based in Switzerland

Proton VPN is located in Geneva, Switzerland, outside the 14 Eyes Alliance and also home to CERN. The 14 Eyes Alliance is a pact between governments to share information on their citizens. So, it’s unlikely it’ll be forced to change its privacy policies. With that said, its parent company obviously cooperated with the French government, which shows that there are risks associated with any country.

However, Swiss laws are some of the best when it comes to protecting its citizen’s online information. Every VPN must operate within the legal framework of its host country. So, it’s good it’s headquartered in a non EU country. This is because the European Union has been known to retain citizens’ metadata due to its Data Retention Directive.

On top of that, the VPN isn't subject to the data-retention requirements of the recent Swiss surveillance law, which primarily targets major telecommunications and ISPs. This law was enacted to help curb domestic threats. Plus, if the VPN is ever requested to provide user data, it would only release the little information it holds.

Proton AG — A Transparent Company With a Solid History

Proton AG has a great reputation for protecting customers who depend on its security technology to keep them safe. Established in 2014 by a team of scientists from MIT and CERN, the company's roots trace back to some of the brightest minds in the field.

One of its members even pioneered the World Wide Web back in 1989. In short, these experts deeply understand the digital realm. Since Proton VPN and Proton Mail were developed by CERN scientists, you know they operate on cutting-edge technology.

After the success of its Proton Mail technology (an encrypted email service), the team decided to create a VPN when it found other services lacking. Proton VPN was crowdfunded for development in 2017.

Proton VPN was transparent about its practices from its inception, and even its funding sources were available to the public. Its main goal was to protect journalists and activists when the team became distressed about government tracking threatening online privacy worldwide.

When Proton VPN was approached for customer information, this fact was disclosed to all clients through a transparency report. The company has consistently voiced concerns over legislative measures that could compromise user privacy. It continues to push back against potential laws that would allow law enforcement to demand data.

This advocacy went as far as rallying 70,000 signatures to oppose a Swiss law threatening online freedom. Its dedication to privacy and the ongoing fight against surveillance makes Proton Technologies AG a company I trust with my data.

Does Proton VPN Work in China? Maybe

Customer support stated that the VPN’s performance may not be consistent in the country. Proton VPN recommends using the Stealth protocol for Android, iOS, and macOS, with the Quick Connect option to establish a connection. For Windows and Linux, they suggested the Smart or OpenVPN TCP protocol paired with Quick Connect.

They also recommend testing a variety of servers

On top of that, I appreciate that Proton VPN has proactive measures to help you maintain access to its services even when connections to its servers are blocked in such locations. The Alternative Routing feature, available on both desktop and mobile apps, channels your connection via third-party services (like AWS), which are less likely to be obstructed, providing a more reliable access to its servers. So, it’s always nice to have this feature turned on.

Although many VPNs are banned in China, there have been no publicly reported cases of the government targeting individual users. However, my team and I do not endorse any unlawful activities. We recommend you familiarize yourself with the laws of the country you are in before using a VPN.

Proton VPN gives you several methods to download files quickly. Its P2P-ready server in Kenya let me download an 829.3MB file through BitTorrent in 24.1 minutes. It was the fastest available, thanks to its Quick Connect feature that automatically selected it for me. I also tested a non-torrenting server in South Africa (since all servers in Kenya support P2P) and downloaded the same file in 37.8 minutes.

When I enabled port forwarding while connected to the same server, the download time was reduced to 9.5 minutes. Without a VPN connection, I downloaded the same copyright-free file in 18.4 minutes. I was impressed because it’s rare that I can download files faster while connected to a VPN with only a few seeders.

You’ll get disconnected if you try to torrent with free servers. When I tried downloading torrents using the free Netherlands and USA servers, an in-app alert notified me of the disconnection. That’s too bad since it’s one of the only free services with no data limits. Finally, Proton VPN’s excellent security and privacy features also make it a solid option for torrenting.

Remember, while torrenting might be legal in many places, downloading copyrighted content typically isn't. To stay within the confines of your country's laws, familiarize yourself with its regulations and focus on downloading files that are in the public domain.