protonvpn free

ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service developed by Proton AG, the same organization behind Proton Mail. Headquartered in Switzerland, ProtonVPN emphasizes privacy and security, leveraging strong encryption, modern VPN protocols, and Swiss data protection laws to minimize the risk of surveillance or data exposure. Core features ProtonVPN supports industry-standard protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. WireGuard is commonly recommended for most users because it delivers a favorable mix of speed and security. ProtonVPN also offers a system-wide kill switch that blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling on supported platforms. An advanced Secure Core architecture routes traffic through servers in privacy-friendly countries before it exits onto the internet, adding protection against targeted network attacks. Privacy and jurisdiction Being based in Switzerland is an important selling point: Swiss privacy laws are robust, and ProtonAG enforces a strict no-logs policy. While absolute anonymity is impossible, ProtonVPN’s combination of minimal logging, strong encryption, and Secure Core design reduces the risk of identifying user activity. Plans and pricing ProtonVPN offers a free tier with limited servers and speeds suitable for casual use or to test the service. Paid plans unlock higher speeds, access to more servers and countries, P2P/torrent-optimized servers, Secure Core routing, streaming-optimized servers, and Proton’s NetShield feature (ad, tracker, and malware blocking). Paid tiers vary by price and features, so choose based on whether you prioritize streaming, maximum privacy, or multi-account bundles with ProtonMail. Performance and use cases ProtonVPN is suitable for general privacy, secure browsing on public Wi‑Fi, torrenting on approved servers, and accessing geo-blocked content. Streaming compatibility is good but varies by service and region. Secure Core can slow performance relative to single-hop connections due to extra routing, so use it when heightened anonymity is needed and plain WireGuard/OpenVPN for everyday speed. Apps and platform support Native apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and ProtonVPN can be configured on many routers. The interface is user-friendly for beginners while offering advanced options for power users. Pros and cons Pros: strong privacy focus, Swiss jurisdiction, free plan, modern protocols, Secure Core, NetShield. Cons: paid plans can be pricier than some competitors, Secure Core may reduce speed, and server counts are smaller than the largest providers. Tips Use WireGuard for best speed, enable the kill switch, test for DNS leaks after setup, and consider Secure Core only when necessary. Try the free plan first to evaluate performance and compatibility before upgrading.