Proton VPN Review – Is It Worth It in 2024?

Since its introduction in 2017, Proton VPN has been making a significant impact in the VPN world, frequently landing in the top ranks globally. But does it genuinely match up to all the praise? I wanted to see for myself, so I decided to give Proton VPN a thorough test drive.

In this Proton VPN review, I’ll break down all the features Proton VPN offers and share plenty of screenshots to help you get a clear idea of what you can expect. Over the course of two weeks, I used Proton VPN on various devices, including my Dell XPS laptop, to provide you with an in-depth and honest assessment.

Here's what you'll learn in this article:

• How well Proton VPN performs in terms of speed and security
• If it can effectively bypass geo-restrictions and censorship
• How easy it is to install and use
• Whether it's going to slow down your internet connection
• If Proton VPN is really as trustworthy as everyone says

Let's examine and see what Proton VPN has to offer!

In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary

Proton VPN is one of the best VPN services I've ever used. How did I arrive at this conclusion for this Proton VPN review? I tested Proton VPN extensively over a period of two weeks, analyzing each product's strengths and weaknesses.

Proton VPN impressed me with its array of features, numerous benefits, and minimal drawbacks. Here's a quick overview of what I found:

What You'll Like:

• Well-organized user interface
• Fast and reliable connections
• Strong security features, including the Secure Core servers
• Excellent for streaming and torrenting
• Broad device compatibility

What You Might Not Like:

• Advanced protection features like ad blocking could be improved
• Limited customization options in the app interface

What Makes This Proton VPN Review Different?

Most VPN reviews on the web aren't always genuine. They're often crafted by copying text and images directly from the product's official website. Since these reviews do not reflect the genuine opinions of cybersecurity experts, can they truly be trusted?

For this Proton VPN review, my primary device was a Dell XPS laptop with an Intel i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz and 16 GB of RAM running on Windows 11. My network configuration is Wi-Fi 5 protocol with a theoretical speed of 866 MBps. I also used a MacBook Pro and a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE for additional testing. The entire process spanned about two weeks, during which I captured numerous screenshots to include in this thorough review.

Keep reading for more insights into the ins and outs of Proton VPN!

Buying Proton VPN

When purchasing Proton VPN, you have several options to choose from. They offer different versions: Free, Plus, and Unlimited, each available for 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years. They also provide a Family plan to add up to 6 extra users for a large discount.

For this Proton VPN review, I chose the Plus plan because I didn't want to test all the extra tools in Unlimited (like Proton Mail Plus, Proton Drive Plus, and Proton Calendar with premium features). It's worth noting that there's a 55% discount if you choose the 2-year plan and a 50% discount for the 1-year plan.

The buying process was simple. I first compared the subscription types, then chose my desired plan. The payment page prompted me to enter my email address and select a payment method (credit or debit card or PayPal). Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscription plans, which is reassuring.

One thing to note is that Proton VPN doesn't accept cryptocurrency payments, which might be a drawback for some users looking for more anonymous payment options.

After purchasing, I received one email to verify my email address. Once I did that, I could access my online account, get the installers, and manage my subscription from there.

Installation

The installation process of Proton VPN is straightforward

Getting Proton VPN up and running was effortless. I downloaded the installer from the online dashboard, which includes a VPN apps tab where you can select your platform and download the appropriate installer.

The installation process took about 1 minute - it was very fast. During installation, I was given the option to change the language and whether to install Proton Drive, their online cloud service.

Overall, the installation was really easy. No complex configurations or additional installations were required. At the end, I was prompted to log in, and everything was ready to go. Proton VPN even provides a quick tour to help new users get acquainted with the UI, which I found quite helpful.

Interface

The compact view of Proton VPN's interface is efficient and user-friendly

What I found during this Proton VPN review is that the interface is one the standout features, combining simplicity with functionality. The small view of the interface is compact and efficient. At the top, it prominently shows a status message ("You are not protected!") and your current IP address when disconnected. The Quick Connect button is front and center for immediate VPN activation.

Below, the interface organizes servers by Countries and Profiles, making it easy to switch between custom preferences and specific locations. Additional tools for filtering server types (Secure Core, Tor, P2P, and Streaming) are available via icons, and a search bar lets you find specific server locations quickly. Each country entry shows icons for features like P2P compatibility and available Plus servers, with an expandable dropdown for individual cities.

The extended view offers a more detailed perspective with a map of server locations

The extended view offers a more detailed perspective, including a map of server locations on the right. Each server is marked with a purple icon, allowing users to visually locate options across the globe. The left pane maintains the familiar structure of Countries and Profiles, along with the Quick Connect button.

The Session Traffic panel at the bottom-right tracks real-time upload and download volumes, along with session speed, displayed on a graph over time. This layout provides a clear overview of your connection and traffic metrics.

One thing I particularly liked is the language options. You can change the language via Settings > General, with a nice selection of 29 languages available. This is great for non-English speakers or those who prefer to use the VPN in their native language.

The settings menu offers various customization options, including language selection

However, I was a bit disappointed to find that there are no themes available for the desktop application. The online dashboard does have different themes, but they don't affect the installed desktop app. Also, the UI isn't resizable, which might be a drawback for some users.

Overall, I found Proton VPN's interface to be user-friendly. The large connect button and clear indicators make it easy for anyone to use, regardless of their technical expertise.

VPN Servers

Proton VPN offers a wide range of servers across the globe

Proton VPN boasts an impressive network of over 4500 servers in more than 90 countries. This extensive network offers truly global connectivity, with servers in all continents. Comptetitors like Private Internet Access and NordVPN also have a wide network.

One interesting aspect of Proton VPN's server network is the inclusion of virtual servers. Using Smart Routing technology, Proton VPN can provide virtual servers that are not physically available in certain countries. This technology allows them to expand server capacity in countries where physical servers might be limited.

The server types offered by Proton VPN include:

• P2P/BitTorrent: Optimized for secure and fast file sharing.
• Streaming: Designed for accessing geo-restricted content on platforms like Netflix and Disney+.
• Smart Routing: Improves speed and security in difficult-to-serve countries.
• Tor: Routes your traffic through the Tor network for enhanced privacy.

Each feature is accompanied by a brief description and a link to learn more, making it easy to choose the best server for your needs.

Secure Core Servers

The Secure Core feature adds an extra layer of security to your VPN connection

One standout feature of Proton VPN is its Secure Core servers. This feature improves user privacy and data security by mitigating some of the risks from a compromised VPN server. Secure Core servers defend against threats to VPN privacy by passing user traffic through multiple servers.

When you connect to a server in a high-risk jurisdiction like the US, your traffic will first go through the Secure Core servers. This makes it far more difficult for potential attackers to discover the true IP address and location of Proton VPN users.

To enable Secure Core, you simply go to the main UI, click the Countries tab, then click the first button (padlock icon) to enable or disable the feature. It's a unique feature that sets Proton VPN apart from many other VPN providers.

Gaming

While Proton VPN doesn't have gaming-specific servers, it does offer a Port Forwarding feature that can improve gaming performance. Port forwarding is particularly useful for peer-to-peer (P2P) software and can help improve performance on online gaming platforms.

The Port Forwarding feature can enhance gaming and P2P performance

In my experience, gaming with port forwarding enabled went smoothly. My input lag was low (under 30 ms) and the shooter games I played felt responsive and enjoyable.

To enable port forwarding, you simply go to the Countries tab in the main UI and click the last button to toggle it on or off. It's a straightforward process that can potentially enhance your gaming experience.

Torrenting

Proton VPN is quite torrent-friendly, with many servers optimized for P2P traffic. P2P servers (and the countries that support them) are clearly marked with a double-arrow icon, making them easy to identify. More than half of Proton VPN's servers support P2P traffic, which is impressive.

The advanced settings include options for Port Forwarding, which can enhance P2P performance

In my Proton VPN review tests, I had no issues downloading a couple of Linux installers while connected to a torrent server with port forwarding enabled. The speeds were fast, reaching up to 500 Mb/s, which is excellent for torrent users.

It's worth noting that Proton VPN's port forwarding feature can dramatically improve download speeds when using P2P software. You can enable this feature in the Settings > Advanced menu.

Streaming

Proton VPN offers servers optimized for streaming popular platforms

Proton VPN's Plus subscription includes servers that support streaming from popular services like Netflix and Disney+ from anywhere in the world. This is a great feature for those who want to access geo-restricted content.

During my tests for this Proton VPN review, I was able to access several streaming services, including Netflix. However, it's worth noting that sometimes the streaming services detected that I was using a VPN and blocked my connection. So, while it works most of the time, it's not 100% reliable.

When it did work, I was able to stream content pretty well, without interruptions or delay. The streaming experience was generally smooth and enjoyable.

Tor Over VPN

Proton VPN offers Tor over VPN for enhanced privacy

Proton VPN offers a unique Tor over VPN feature that lets you connect to the Tor anonymity network, including .onion websites (the "darkweb") in your regular browser without the need to download or install additional software like the Tor Browser.

Proton VPN runs a network of Tor servers in many countries around the world. These route connections from the VPN server to the Tor network and can be easily identified by their names (with the suffix -TOR) and the onion icon next to them.

This feature sets Proton VPN apart from many other VPN providers and offers an additional layer of privacy for users who need it.

VPN Speed and Performance

To test the speed of Proton VPN servers, I used Ookla's Speedtest. Here are the results:

• No VPN (Romania): 522 Mbps download, 488 Mbps upload, and 13 ms latency
• NY, USA: 316 Mbps download, 441 Mbps upload, and 131 ms latency
• Phoenix, USA: 328 Mbps download, 399 Mbps upload, and 189 ms latency
• Los Angeles, USA: 263 Mbps download, 281 Mbps upload, and 190 ms latency
• GERMANY: 323 Mbps download, 456 Mbps upload, and 79 ms latency
• FRANCE: 334 Mbps download, 446 Mbps upload, and 70 ms latency
• SPAIN: 323 Mbps download, 454 Mbps upload, and 108 ms latency
• ITALY: 409 Mbps download, 452 Mbps upload, and 69 ms latency
• UK: 371 Mbps download, 409 Mbps upload, and 56 ms latency
• BRAZIL: 240 Mbps download, 361 Mbps upload, and 243 ms latency
• INDIA: 202 Mbps download, 140 Mbps upload, and 478 ms latency

Speed test results for a server in Germany

My general observations on speed and performance across different servers and during different times of day is that the VPN is stable and pretty consistent regarding speed. The fast VPN server is selected for you if you click on Quick Connect. It's usually a location from your own country, which makes internet speed faster and more reliable.

Speed test results for a server in New York

Proton VPN comes with unique features that increase the speed:

• VPN Accelerator: Enables a set of unique performance-enhancing technologies that can increase VPN speeds by up to 400%.
• Auto Reconnection: Switches automatically to a faster server similar to the one you selected.
• Reconnection notifications: Enables you to receive notifications when VPN Accelerator connects you to a faster server.

Overall, I was impressed with Proton VPN's speed and performance. While there is some speed loss when connecting to distant servers, it's minimal and shouldn't impact most online activities.

VPN Privacy Features

Proton VPN offers a comprehensive set of privacy features designed to keep your online activities secure and private. Let's take a closer look at some of these key features.

VPN Protocols

Proton VPN supports multiple VPN protocols for enhanced security and performance

Proton VPN supports multiple VPN protocols to balance speed and security:

• Smart (suggested): Automatically uses the best protocol and port that offer the best connectivity
• WireGuard: A modern protocol known for its speed and security
• OpenVPN (UDP and TCP): A well-established and reliable protocol

One advantage that sets Proton VPN apart is its implementation of forward secrecy. This prevents an opponent from decrypting your past VPN sessions by using a Diffie-Hellman exchange to generate a new and unique private encryption key for each session.

You can configure the VPN protocol in the Settings > Connection > Protocol menu. There's a drop-down menu where you can choose your preferred protocol.

Strong Encryption

Proton VPN uses powerful encryption to secure your data:

• The OpenVPN protocol uses AES-256 for symmetric encryption, RSA-4096 for secure key exchange, and HMAC SHA-384 to authenticate TLS certificates.
• Data channel encryption uses AES-256 and verifies it using HMAC SHA-384.

This level of encryption ensures that your data remains secure and private while using Proton VPN.

No-Logs Policy

Proton VPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don't keep any activity logs or metadata. This means they have no data to share with anyone, even if requested.

What sets Proton VPN apart is their commitment to transparency and security evaluations. They've been examined by third-party firms like Securitum, a leading European security auditing company. These evaluations have found no significant security issues, demonstrating the effectiveness of Proton's internal reviews and secure software development practices.

Transparency

Proton VPN values transparency. They were the first VPN provider to open source their apps on all platforms (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) and undergo an independent security evaluation. This commitment to transparency is at the core of their mission.

Some key points about Proton VPN's transparency:

• Based in Switzerland, which has some of the strongest data privacy laws in the world
• Open-source apps that have been fully examined by independent security professionals
• Use of open-source VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN

Kill Switch

The Kill Switch feature ensures your IP address remains protected even if the VPN connection drops

Proton VPN's kill switch is a crucial privacy feature that protects your IP address if the VPN connection is interrupted. In case the connection is interrupted, the kill switch blocks all external network traffic to and from your device until the connection is automatically re-established to the same VPN server.

One unique aspect of Proton VPN's kill switch is its permanent feature: if the VPN is not connected for any reason, you won't be able to access the internet. This ensures that your real IP address is never exposed.

You can enable or disable the kill switch using the button in the Countries tab. In my experience, it worked as described, providing an extra layer of security.

DNS and IP Leak Protection

Proton VPN includes features to prevent DNS and IP leaks:

• DNS leak protection prevents leaking details of DNS queries to third parties
• IPv6 leak protection prevents leaking IPv6 addresses

You can enable these features in Settings > Advanced.

To test the effectiveness of these protections for this Proton VPN review, I used several online tools:

• IP Leak Tests: Proton VPN passed tests on ipleak.net and perfect-privacy.com
• DNS Leak Test: Proton VPN passed the test on dnsleaktest.com

These results demonstrate that Proton VPN effectively prevents DNS and IP leaks, maintaining your privacy online.

Split Tunneling

Proton VPN offers a split tunneling feature that allows you to exclude specific applications or IP addresses from VPN traffic, or include only specific apps. This can be useful for optimizing performance for certain applications or accessing local network resources.

To configure split tunneling, go to Advanced settings and enable Split Tunneling. You have two options: exclude apps/IPs from using the VPN tunnel or only route excluded apps/IPs through the VPN tunnel. You can then add the specific apps and IP addresses below the slider.

It's worth noting that split tunneling cannot be used together with the kill switch feature.

Profiles

The Profiles feature allows you to create custom VPN connections

Proton VPN's Profiles feature is a standout, allowing you to customize how you connect to the VPN. You can choose a specific country or server, change the VPN protocol, or use the Secure Core VPN feature. Recommended profiles include "fastest" and "random".

Creating a new profile in Proton VPN is simple and customizable

To create a profile, you select the type of connection you want (Standard, Secure Core, P2P, or Tor), give it a name, and choose a color to help identify it. You can then select your preferred connection options, including protocol, country, and specific server.

This feature is particularly useful if you regularly use the same custom connection settings, as you can save them for quick access.

Threat Protection (NetShield)

NetShield offers additional protection against ads, trackers, and malware

Proton VPN's NetShield is an advanced filtering feature that uses DNS filtering to speed up your browsing while protecting your device. It offers two levels of protection:

1. Block Malware Only: Prevents your browser from loading resources from domains hosting malware, spyware, or other malicious software.
2. Block Malware, Ads, and Trackers: In addition to malware blocking, this level filters out ads and trackers used by adtech companies to monitor your online behavior.

NetShield can block privacy-invading ads, stop trackers from monitoring your browsing, and prevent malware from infecting your device. You can also see how many ads and trackers are blocked with the NetShield Privacy Panel.

However, the level of protection that NetShield provides is not equal to those of top antivirus programs like Norton and Bitdefender. I recommend using dedicated antimalware software for enhanced protection against threats.

Device Compatibility

Proton VPN is available on a wide range of devices and platforms:

• PCs, Macs, smartphones, and even routers
• Native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, Android TV, and iOS/iPadOS

This broad compatibility ensures that you can protect all your devices with a single Proton VPN subscription.

Browser Extensions

Proton VPN offers browser extensions for added convenience

Proton VPN offers browser extensions for Chromium-based browsers (such as Google Chrome, Brave, Microsoft Edge, Chromium, Opera, and Vivaldi) and Firefox-based browsers (including Firefox itself, LibreWolf, and Waterfox). This is a premium feature available to everyone with a paid Proton VPN plan.

The browser extension allows you to:

• Connect to different VPN servers in different browsers
• Browse privately on devices where you don't have admin rights to install a full VPN app
• Protect your privacy on low-end devices that might struggle to run a full VPN app

In my experience, the browser extension connects to servers very quickly from its menu. It offers options for quick connect to a nearby server, browsing the list of servers (though it doesn't include all servers like the desktop app), and a few privacy features like secure core, auto-connect, split tunneling, and WebRTC leak protection.

Proton VPN Review: Conclusion and Recommendations

After extensive testing for this Proton VPN review, I can confidently say that it's a top-tier VPN service. Here are my key takeaways:

• The diverse types of VPN servers work well and offer great flexibility
• The number of servers worldwide is satisfactory, providing good global coverage
• Secure Core servers make browsing safer and more private
• Tor over VPN is a plus for those who want enhanced privacy
• Speed is good, though not the best among top VPNs
• Encryption and VPN protocols are powerful and reliable
• The Profiles feature is unique and very useful for quick access to preferred settings
• Broad device compatibility is a significant advantage

I'd recommend taking full advantage of features like Secure Core for enhanced privacy, and the Profiles feature for quick access to your preferred settings. The NetShield feature is also worth enabling for additional protection against ads and malware.

While Proton VPN may not be on the same level of some competitors like CyberGhost or ExpressVPN, the level of security and features it offers make it a worthwhile investment for those serious about their online privacy.

FAQs

1. Is Proton VPN safe to use? Yes, Proton VPN is safe to use. It offers strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and has been independently examined for security.
2. Can Proton VPN unblock Netflix? In my tests, Proton VPN was able to unblock Netflix most of the time, though occasional blocks did occur.
3. Is Proton VPN good for torrenting? Yes, Proton VPN supports P2P traffic on many of its servers and offers features like port forwarding that can enhance torrenting performance.
4. How many devices can I use with Proton VPN? The exact number depends on your plan, but Proton VPN generally allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
5. Is there a free version of Proton VPN? Yes, Proton VPN offers a free version with limited features and server options. However, for full functionality, a paid plan is recommended.

Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)

Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.