Is Proton VPN actually free, or just a trial?

Proton VPN's free plan has no time limit and no data cap, which is unusual among VPN providers that typically only offer short trials. The free tier does limit you to a smaller set of server locations and generally slower speeds than paid servers.

Who makes Proton VPN?

Proton VPN comes from Proton, the Swiss company also known for Proton Mail, Proton Calendar and Proton Drive. It operates under Switzerland's privacy laws, which are often cited as stronger than those in many other countries.

Is Proton VPN good enough for business use?

The paid plans add more server locations, faster speeds and features like port forwarding, which suit regular business use better than the free tier. For occasional use, such as checking a site from another region, the free plan can be enough.

Does Proton VPN keep logs?

Proton states it follows a no-logs policy and publishes transparency reports. Its apps are also open source, which allows independent review of how the software behaves, though you should read the current privacy policy on the official site for full details.

Can I use Proton VPN on multiple devices?

Yes, paid plans support multiple simultaneous connections across desktop and mobile apps. The free plan is more limited, so check current terms on the official site if you need several devices covered.

What is Proton VPN? Features, pros, cons and alternatives (2026)

What is Proton VPN?

Proton VPN is a virtual private network built by Proton, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail. It encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server you choose, like any VPN, but it stands out for two reasons: it operates under Switzerland’s privacy laws, and it offers a free plan with no time limit rather than a short trial. For a freelancer or small business owner who wants to actually test a VPN’s reliability before paying, rather than being pushed toward a purchase after a week, that free tier is genuinely useful.

Key features

No-limit free plan. Unlike most competitors’ time-boxed trials, Proton VPN’s free tier keeps working indefinitely, with a smaller set of server locations.
Swiss jurisdiction. Proton is based in Switzerland, which has strong data protection laws and sits outside the surveillance-sharing agreements that cover some other countries.
Open-source apps. Proton publishes its VPN app code for independent review, which is a stronger claim than a provider simply stating it respects privacy.
Secure Core. Routes traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries before it reaches the final exit server, an extra layer for sensitive work.
Integration with Proton’s ecosystem. Works naturally if you already use Proton Mail, Calendar or Drive, with one account across all of them.
Port forwarding and NetShield. Paid plans add developer-friendly networking options and an ad and malware blocker.

How to get started

Go to the official Proton VPN website and sign up for a free account, or choose a paid plan directly.
Download the app for your device from the official site or your platform’s app store.
Log in and connect to a server — the free plan will show which locations are available to you.
If you outgrow the free tier’s speed or location limits, upgrade from within the app.
Turn on NetShield and Secure Core in settings if you want the extra filtering and routing layers.

Who Proton VPN is for

Freelancers and small businesses that want to evaluate a VPN properly, without a countdown clock pushing them into a purchase. Privacy-conscious users who value Switzerland’s legal protections and open-source software over a larger server count. And anyone already using Proton Mail who wants one account and one company handling both email privacy and connection privacy.

It also suits anyone put off by VPN marketing that overpromises. Because the code is open source and the company publishes transparency reports, claims about privacy are easier to check against something more concrete than a provider’s own page.

Tips for privacy-conscious use

Start on the free plan before upgrading. It’s a genuine way to check speeds and app quality against your normal workflow, not a locked demo.
Pair it with a strong, unique password. Generate one with the free password generator for your Proton account, since it may also protect your mail and files.
Confirm the connection worked. Use the what is my IP tool after connecting to check your visible location and IP address changed as expected.
Turn on Secure Core for sensitive work, such as handling client financial data over public Wi-Fi.

Proton VPN vs alternatives

NordVPN has a larger server network and is generally rated faster in independent speed tests, which matters if you need consistent performance across many locations. Surfshark allows unlimited devices on one subscription, which is a better fit for a household or team sharing one account. Proton VPN’s advantage over both is the combination of Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps and a genuinely free, uncapped tier — strong points for privacy specifically rather than raw speed or device count.

Is Proton VPN worth it?

If privacy and transparency matter to you as much as speed, Proton VPN’s Swiss base and open-source apps are hard to match, and the free plan means you can find out whether it suits you at no cost. For heavier daily use, especially with location-sensitive work, the paid plan’s larger server list and higher speeds are worth comparing against other providers in the full deals catalog.

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