Proton was founded in 2014 by scientists who met at CERN, showcasing their scientific expertise and commitment to privacy protection from the company's inception.
Proton AG is an independent Swiss technology company specializing in online privacy protection. Andy Yen, co-founder and current CEO of Proton, leads the company with a vision focused on security and confidentiality of its ecosystem.
What is Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is much more than a simple virtual private network service.
Proton VPN
Founded in 2014 by a community of CERN scientists (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), Proton AG first created Proton Mail, the world's largest encrypted email service with over 100 million users.
Proton Mail protects users' emails through end-to-end encryption, ensuring communication confidentiality and security.
Proton VPN's birth stems from a clear mission: offer activists, dissidents, and journalists secure and private internet access.
Based in Switzerland, the company benefits from some of the world's strictest data protection laws.
🧠 Proton VPN — Essential Characteristics and Mission (2025)
⚙️ Characteristic
💬 Description
🌍 Impact or Reach
🏢 Founder
Team of CERN scientists, created in 2014 — Also the origin of ProtonMail
– High technical expertise – Global reputation in cybersecurity
🇨🇭 Headquarters
Based in Geneva, Switzerland — Country recognized for neutrality and strict privacy laws
– Strong legal protection – Data outside international jurisdictions
🔒 Philosophy
Privacy by default for everyone — Transparency and open source at the model's core
– Total trust in security – No commercial exploitation of data
🌍 Global Reach
Over 100 million users worldwide — Servers present on all continents
– Robust infrastructure – Fast and reliable connections globally
🎯 Mission
Promote online freedom and data protection — Support a free and secure internet
– Commitment to digital rights – Active support for open internet initiatives
Proton AG is primarily owned by the Proton Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organization whose mission is to advance privacy, freedom, and democracy worldwide.
Key Features
VPN Accelerator technology optimizes connection speed for a smoother and faster browsing experience.
AES-256 Encryption and Advanced Protocols
Proton VPN uses the most reliable VPN protocols on the market to guarantee your security:
WireGuard: ultra-fast protocol using ChaCha20 encryption, establishing almost instant connections
OpenVPN: proven protocol with AES-256 encryption, operating in UDP or TCP modes
Stealth: Proton VPN's proprietary protocol designed to bypass firewalls and VPN blocks
IKEv2: available on macOS and iOS for fast and stable connections
All these protocols offer end-to-end encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy, generating new keys for each session.
Ultra-Secure Double VPN Architecture
One of Proton VPN's most innovative features is Secure Core.
This architecture routes your traffic through two successive VPN servers located in countries with strict data protection laws: Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden.
Secure Core protects against advanced network attacks by hiding your real IP address, even if an exit server were compromised. Secure Core servers are owned and operated exclusively by Proton VPN, installed in ultra-secure data centers (some in former military sites or underground bunkers).
VPN Accelerator
VPN Accelerator is exclusive technology developed by Proton VPN to improve VPN connection speeds by up to 400%, particularly when connecting to distant servers.
This technology works by:
Intelligently distributing CPU load across multiple processes
Reducing latency and network congestion through the BBR algorithm
Optimizing data packet transfer
VPN Accelerator is enabled by default on all paid plans and works with all VPN protocols.
Ad and Malware Blocker
NetShield uses DNS filtering to block ads, trackers, and malware before they even load on your device. This feature also speeds up your browsing by preventing unnecessary content from loading.
NetShield offers three protection levels:
Block malware only
Block malware, ads, and trackers
Complete deactivation
IP Address Protection
Kill Switch is an essential feature that instantly blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection is interrupted, protecting your real IP address.
Proton VPN offers two types of Kill Switch:
Standard Kill Switch: protects against accidental disconnections
Advanced Kill Switch (Windows and Linux): prevents any internet connection without VPN, even at device startup
Proton VPN Free vs Paid
Proton VPN stands out by offering one of the best free plans on the market. Unlike most free VPNs, Proton's Free version offers:
🆓 Proton VPN — Free Version Advantages and Limitations (2025)
✅ Advantages
⚠️ Limitations
🌍 User Impact
– Unlimited data – No speed throttling – No ads
– Only 1 device connected at a time – Access to only 5 countries
– Smooth browsing without interruption – Good choice for simple personal use
– Same security as paid version – Strict no-log policy – Kill Switch included
– No streaming or P2P – Limited servers (282 vs 15,000+)
– High-level security – Less suitable for entertainment or file sharing
– Based in Switzerland (strong legal protection) – Clear and stable interface
– No NetShield or Secure Core – No priority customer support
– Reliable experience but without premium options – Limited support for quick assistance
This free version is perfect for occasional use, secure browsing, and basic protection on public networks, or access to encrypted email.
The VPN Plus subscription unlocks all features:
Access to 15,000+ servers in over 120 countries
10 simultaneous connections on different devices
Maximum speeds up to 10 Gbps
Unblocked streaming on Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and 90+ platforms
P2P-optimized servers for torrenting
NetShield Ad-blocker and Secure Core
Priority customer support with live chat
Port forwarding to improve downloads
No restrictions on accessible content or number of connections: enjoy total online freedom with the paid version
Pricing: How Much Does Proton VPN Cost?
💳 Proton VPN Pricing — Prices, Duration and Available Discounts (2025)
📦 Plan
💶 Monthly Price
💰 Total
🎯 Discount
1 month
$9.99 / month
$9.99
–
1 year
$4.99 / month
$59.88
50%
2 years
$4.49 / month
$107.76
55%
💡 All plans include complete security, Kill Switch, and Proton VPN's no-log policy.
Proton VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee (prorated refund for unused period).
For those seeking complete protection, Proton Unlimited includes VPN Plus + Proton Mail + Proton Drive + Proton Pass + Proton Calendar:
Split Tunneling allows you to choose which applications use the VPN and which go through your normal connection.
Available on Windows, Linux, macOS (experimental), Android, and browser extensions, this feature offers two modes:
Exclusion Mode: certain applications bypass the VPN
Inclusion Mode: only selected applications use the VPN
Practical use cases:
Access your online banking with your local IP while protecting everything else
Optimize speeds for applications that don't need VPN
Bypass restrictions from certain services
Tor over VPN: Enhanced Anonymity
Proton VPN integrates access to Onion sites (Tor network) directly from the application. Your connection is routed through the Tor network with one click, offering an additional layer of anonymity.
Alternative Routing: Bypassing Blocks
The Alternative Routing feature allows you to bypass VPN blocking attempts by automatically rerouting connections through alternative paths that are difficult to trace.
Full Disk Encryption Servers
All Proton VPN servers use full disk encryption. Even with physical access to a server, encryption keys remain inaccessible.
Proton VPN: An Open Source VPN for Total Transparency
Proton VPN stands out in the VPN universe through its unwavering commitment to transparency and security, thanks to its open source model.
This open source choice aligns with the philosophy of Proton Mail creators, the famous Swiss encrypted messaging service, who built their reputation on absolute respect for privacy and communication confidentiality. By applying these same principles to Proton VPN, the Swiss company guarantees users a VPN service where security is never just marketing, but a verifiable reality.
Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN benefits from one of the world's strictest legal frameworks regarding data protection and privacy. Swiss companies are subject to rigorous legal obligations, reinforcing user confidence in personal information management.
This solid foundation, combined with open source transparency, makes Proton VPN a preferred choice for those who want to protect their online privacy without compromise. For those interested in an optimized and secure TV streaming experience, discover the best IPTV for Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're looking for a fast VPN that makes no compromises on security while offering excellent streaming and torrenting performance on all platforms (Android, PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, etc.), Proton VPN represents a wise choice.
Its business model based on subscriptions (no advertising or data resale) and its non-profit ownership structure ensure that your interests will always come first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Proton VPN really free?
Yes, Proton VPN offers a 100% free version with unlimited data, no advertising, and the same security as the paid version. Limitations concern the number of servers (5 countries) and the impossibility to stream or download via P2P.
Does Proton VPN work with Netflix?
Yes, Proton VPN unblocks Netflix in over 10 countries (US, UK, Canada, France, Japan, etc.) with paid plans. Tests confirm smooth 4K streaming without buffering for popular streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Canal Plus, etc.).
Does Proton VPN keep logs?
No. Proton VPN applies a strict no-logging policy, verified by four consecutive independent audits. No activity data, metadata, IP address, or session duration is kept.
Proton VPN does not guarantee operation in mainland China (approximately 50% success rate depending on cases). The Stealth protocol and Alternative Routing can help, but the situation changes frequently. For China, the Tor network with bridges is recommended.
How do I cancel my Proton VPN subscription?
Log into your account on account.protonvpn.com, go to "Subscription" and click the cancellation button. You can also contact support to request a refund within 30 days (prorated).
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 Proton Mail encryption happens in the background, meaning anyone can use encrypted email regardless of technical ability.
Millions of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens worldwide trust Proton Mail to protect their communications.
Is Proton VPN better than NordVPN?
Proton VPN could be a better option if you're looking for a free version for your private network. The offer that ProtonVPN provides is one of the best VPNs and especially one of the only truly confidential ones.
NordVPN is a paid-only provider, so the only way to use them is to pay 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.
This is because it supports the Stealth protocol which 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.
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