Proton VPN Review 2026
Best VPN for privacy and open-source transparency
Proton VPN is built by the team behind Proton Mail, the world's largest encrypted email service. Based in Switzerland and fully open-source, it offers unmatched transparency and privacy. The free tier provides unlimited data with no ads, making it the best free VPN option. Paid plans add streaming support, Secure Core routing, and NetShield ad blocking.
Quick Stats
Speed Test Results
| Metric | Local Server | Long Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 860 Mbps | 700 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 450 Mbps | 350 Mbps |
| Ping | 6 ms | 54 ms |
| Speed Retention | 86% | |
Streaming Compatibility
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
- + Fully open-source apps
- + Free tier with no data limits
- + Secure Core multi-hop routing
- + NetShield blocks ads/malware/trackers
- + From the team behind Proton Mail
Cons
- - Slower than NordVPN in speed tests
- - Free tier limited to 5 countries
- - More expensive than Surfshark/CyberGhost
- - Streaming support varies by server
Key Features
Security & Privacy
Supported Platforms
Our Verdict
Proton VPN is built by the team behind Proton Mail, the world's largest encrypted email service. Based in Switzerland and fully open-source, it offers unmatched transparency and privacy. The free tier provides unlimited data with no ads, making it the best free VPN option. Paid plans add streaming support, Secure Core routing, and NetShield ad blocking.