Proton VPN — Quick Summary and Verdict (2025)
Proton VPN stands out for two big reasons: a truly unlimited free plan (server choices restricted) and majority ownership by a nonprofit (Proton Foundation). It offers strong security, fast speeds (average 88% of download speed retained), excellent privacy practices confirmed by audits, and advanced features like Secure Core (multi-hop), NetShield ad-blocking, Tor-over-VPN servers, and growing IPv6 support.
Key pros
- Unlimited free plan (restricted servers) — great for privacy/anonymity.
- Majority-owned by a nonprofit; strong governance and transparency.
- Strong security: WireGuard/OpenVPN/IKEv2, no DNS/WebRTC leaks in testing.
- Good speeds and VPN Accelerator tech; excellent P2P/torrent support.
- Secure Core multi-hop servers physically secured in safe jurisdictions.
Key cons
- Mac and iOS apps lag behind Windows/Android in features.
- Free servers can be slow and you can’t pick a specific free server.
- About two-thirds of locations are virtual (affects latency expectations).
- Live chat support limited to paying users and CET hours.
Verdict
Recommended for almost anyone seeking a secure, privacy-focused VPN — especially good as a free VPN or for torrenting. Not perfect, but the pros outweigh the cons.
Links & where to learn more
Note: This post summarizes a 2025 review and removes any direct RSS links back to the original review source. For the full review, visit Proton’s official pages above.