Proton VPN review

Proton VPN comes from the Swiss team behind Proton Mail, and it is the VPN privacy enthusiasts recommend most often. It is the only big VPN with a genuinely usable free plan – unlimited data and no ads – and its paid plan adds something torrent users care about: port forwarding, included at no extra cost.

What is Proton VPN?

Proton VPN launched in 2017 and is run by Proton AG in Switzerland, outside the Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes alliances and under some of the strictest privacy laws in Europe. Its apps are open source, so anyone can check the code. According to Proton’s own 2026 figures, the network has grown past 20,000 servers in well over 100 countries.

Is Proton VPN safe?

Yes – it is one of the most trustworthy VPNs available. Its no-logs policy has been audited by Securitum every year, most recently in June 2026, and Proton publishes transparency reports. Connections use ChaCha20 or AES-256 with perfect forward secrecy, there is a kill switch on every plan, and Secure Core (paid plans) routes your traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland, Sweden or Iceland before it exits, which protects you even if an exit server is compromised. The trade-off is speed: Secure Core connections are noticeably slower.

Is Proton VPN good for torrenting?

On paid plans, yes – and it is one of the best choices for private trackers. P2P runs on dedicated servers, and port forwarding is included (on Windows and Linux, with macOS in early access): you enter the assigned port in your torrent client so it can accept incoming connections, which helps seeding and ratio. Turn on the kill switch and bind your client to the VPN interface. The free plan does not allow P2P, so it is not an option for torrenting.

Proton VPN free plan: what you get

The free plan is the most generous of any reputable VPN: unlimited data, no ads, no credit card. The limits are elsewhere: one device, a handful of countries, no choice of server (the app picks one for you), no P2P and no guaranteed streaming. It is ideal for private browsing on public Wi-Fi or for trying Proton before paying – not for downloading.

Proton VPN speed and protocols

Proton supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, plus its own Stealth protocol, which disguises VPN traffic to get past networks and countries that block VPNs. Independent tests show fast downloads on most routes, with weaker results on some distant locations and when Secure Core is on.

Does Proton VPN work with Netflix and streaming?

On paid plans, independent tests report that it unblocks Netflix in several regions, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer and others. The free plan is usually blocked by streaming services. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux (with a graphical app), Android, iOS, Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV, plus browser extensions, with up to 10 devices on paid plans. NetShield blocks ads, trackers and malware domains.

Proton VPN price and plans

Apart from the free plan, there is VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited, which adds Proton Mail, Pass and Drive. VPN Plus costs about $10 on a monthly plan and roughly $3.50–4.50 per month on one- and two-year deals; prices vary by country and promotion, and renewals cost more. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee – check the current terms when you buy. You can also pay with crypto or cash.

Proton VPN vs NordVPN, Surfshark and PureVPN

Proton is the strongest choice for privacy and the only one with a real free plan. Like PureVPN it offers port forwarding, but included in the price and with a much cleaner track record. NordVPN is usually faster and Surfshark is cheaper with unlimited devices. All our picks are in the VPN category.

Proton VPN FAQ

Is Proton VPN really free?

Yes, the free plan has unlimited data and no ads, but only one device, a few countries and no P2P.

Does Proton VPN keep logs?

No. Its no-logs policy is audited every year by Securitum, and the apps are open source.

Does Proton VPN have port forwarding?

Yes, on paid plans, at no extra cost, on Windows and Linux (macOS in early access).

Can I torrent with Proton VPN free?

No, P2P is only available on paid plans.

Verdict

Proton VPN is the best pick if privacy comes first: Swiss, open source, audited every year, with port forwarding included for torrenting and a free plan that is actually useful. It is not the fastest or the cheapest, but for torrent users on private trackers it is one of the strongest options on the map.