Most "free VPNs" are a privacy disaster - they pay for themselves by selling your data. ProtonVPN is the rare exception: a free tier from a company whose entire business is privacy, with no data-selling and no data cap. That alone makes it stand out. We tested it against the paid heavyweights.
What is ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused VPN from Proton, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail. Its apps are open-source and independently audited, it operates a strict no-logs policy, and - unusually - its free tier has no data limit. Paid plans add more servers, speed and features like Secure Core.
Hands-on
The free tier is the story. It's unlimited on data - rare and genuinely useful - though limited to a handful of countries and slower at peak times. For occasional public-Wi-Fi protection, it's the best free option we've tested. Upgrading to Plus opens the full server network, fast speeds, and streaming support.
What earns trust is the transparency: Proton is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, its apps are open-source, and its no-logs claims have been independently audited. Secure Core routes your traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries before exiting, an extra layer for high-risk users. Speeds on Plus were strong, if a touch behind the very fastest rivals on distant servers.
What stands out
- A genuinely free tier. No data cap and no data-selling - extremely rare.
- Audited no-logs & Swiss jurisdiction. Trust backed by transparency.
- Open-source apps. The code can be inspected by anyone.
- Secure Core. Multi-hop routing through hardened servers.
- Proton ecosystem. Pairs with Proton Mail/Drive if you go all-in.
Pricing
The free tier is unlimited on data (limited servers/speed). Plus (from a few dollars/month on longer plans) unlocks the full network, top speeds, streaming and Secure Core, and is often bundled with Proton's other privacy apps. Like all VPNs, watch the renewal vs intro price.
How it compares
Against NordVPN, ProtonVPN is the more privacy-pedigreed choice (Swiss, open-source, audited, free tier), while Nord is often slightly faster and more feature-loaded - see our NordVPN review. Against free VPNs generally, ProtonVPN isn't even a contest - it's the only free one we'd trust. Edge: ProtonVPN for trust and free use; Nord for raw speed/features.
Who should use it - and who shouldn't
Use it if you want a VPN you can actually trust, value Swiss jurisdiction and open-source, or want the best free tier available.
Look at Nord/others if your top priority is maximum speed and the widest feature set, and you don't need a free option.
Our verdict
ProtonVPN is the VPN to recommend when trust matters most. The audited no-logs policy, Swiss base and open-source apps back up its privacy claims, and the no-data-cap free tier is genuinely unique. It cedes a little raw speed to the fastest paid rivals, but as a trustworthy VPN - free or paid - it's one of the best you can choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is ProtonVPN's free tier really unlimited?
Yes - the free tier has no data cap, which is extremely rare. It's limited to fewer countries and can be slower at peak times.
Is ProtonVPN trustworthy?
It's Swiss-based, open-source, and its no-logs policy has been independently audited - strong, verifiable trust signals.
ProtonVPN or NordVPN?
ProtonVPN for privacy pedigree and a free tier; NordVPN for slightly faster speeds and more features. Both are solid.
Can I use ProtonVPN for streaming?
The paid Plus tier supports streaming; the free tier generally doesn't.