ProtonVPN under test: free VPN with particularly high security

For desktop and mobile devices

ProtonVPN takes security very seriously. In this test, you will understand why this happens and what other advantages and disadvantages VPN services have.

table of Contents

1. ProtonVPN in practice
   

   1. Use ProtonVPN to bypass country lockout
      

   2. Use ProtonVPN to solve Internet connection problems
      

2. Software
   

3. speed
   

4. Subscriptions and prices
   

5. Free version of ProtonVPN
   

6. in conclusion
   

With ProtonMail, operators of ProtonVPN services developed an encrypted email service in 2014, which is rare in email services. However, the connection between VPN and encryption is closer. No wonder this Swiss company now also provides VPN services, on the one hand to provide ProtonMail users with higher security, but on the other hand can also be completely independent of e-mail service. Firefox developers Mozilla and Proton have a partnership: The Firefox browser provides ProtonVPN testing for users in the United States. Of course, ProtonVPN can also be used with all other browsers.

ProtonVPN customers can use the server in 48 countries. According to the typical situation in the industry, your connection is always encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption, and the OpenVPN protocol (optionally IKEv2 / IPSec) is used to protect. Even more unique is the option to route traffic through two ProtonVPN servers before it reaches its destination: compared to using one server, the result is increased security. ProtonVPN also promises not to store or analyze any user data.

In addition to its technical capabilities, ProtonVPN also provides a securely driven image of the company ’s location in Switzerland. Information about company structure and headquarters is transparent. An effective Swiss legal system guarantees that the contract between the customer and the company has actually been complied with in accordance with the terms and conditions-this cannot be guaranteed when using opaque suppliers from the Caribbean or Asia. In addition, strict Swiss data protection laws apply to ProtonVPN, and in any case, the law strictly regulates the further processing of user data.

ProtonVPN in practice

Good technical data is necessary for the VPN service to receive active attention in our tests. However, a good rating is also premised on the fact that the service proves to be feasible in frequent applications. Therefore, in this section, we will explore two of these application areas.

Use ProtonVPN to bypass country lockout

Bypassing national blocks is a popular activity, especially in the field of video streaming. This is how you can usually access content that is not accessible in your home country due to licensing reasons. ProtonVPN is suitable for this purpose, but there are some restrictions.

Since using ProtonVPN, ordinary access rights are not sufficient for video streaming, so the so-called plus subscription is required, you can find more information in our price and subscription section. If you use the corresponding "Plus" server, you can access ProtonVPN in Netflix Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy. Other countries are excluded. Plus servers also allow access to Amazon Video in the US and the UK. Disney + and HBO can also be used in the United States.

ProtonVPN provides useful instructions on its own website, which details the streaming options in the service. If you are looking for a VPN that can unlock other Netflix areas, it is recommended that you check ExpressVPN or CyberGhost's reviews.

Use ProtonVPN to solve Internet connection problems

Sometimes there is no problem with your connection to the Internet and the web content you want to access. On the contrary, the connection between two points may be disturbed. Since VPN always redirects your traffic, the use of VPN can usually bypass these types of Internet problems.

Of course, those who use this transfer do not want to bypass their own data for a long time, which may take a lot of time. ProtonVPN maintains multiple servers in Frankfurt and Berlin is very good-therefore, users in Germany should always find ways to effectively avoid the above obstacles.

Software

In addition to manually configuring the server on the device of your choice, ProtonVPN also provides its own applications for desktop and mobile devices, through which you can establish a connection to the VPN server. The design of the corresponding software is excellent: you can choose the server on the map or from the list. You can connect to any destination or dedicated server in the selected country. Automatic search can also reliably connect to the fastest server available.

ProtonVPN in practice

If you activate the "Security Core" option, you only need to click the second server to enter the secure connection. However, its position cannot be freely determined. Fortunately, the connection can be established and terminated directly from the quick access bar at the edge of the screen on Windows and macOS. The ProtonVPN app does not provide any other options-this is a good thing because competitors often provide too many unnecessary features for their apps.

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speed

ProtonVPN has an average download speed of 45 megabits per second (Mbit / s) and an upload speed of 9 Mbit / s. Although the download speed is sufficient to meet the needs of all application areas, the upload speed may become a bottleneck, especially for users who must upload large videos. If necessary, you can find a faster alternative in our VPN best list. In the test, the speed of establishing a connection with the server was particularly alarming. However, when using these values, it should be noted that the VPN speed depends on your regular Internet connection.

ProtonVPN maintains at least four servers in most countries / regions, and usually maintains more than ten servers in large countries. More detailed information about the target country of this Proton can be found in the table at the end of this test.

Subscriptions and prices

In the free ProtonVPN variant, you can slow down the use of servers in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. If you need higher performance or server selection, you must invest in ordering.

The basic version costs 48 Euros per year-you can use all servers at unlimited speed, and you can use up to two devices in parallel. You can purchase the Plus version at a price of 96 Euros per year, which can be used on up to five parallel devices. The Plus variant supports both video streaming and Secure Core technology, with an additional server in the middle. Anyone interested in the secure email Cleint from the provider "ProtonMail" can find an offer in the "Visionary" software package, which costs 288 euros per year. Used on ten parallel devices.

The cost of the basic variant is average. The Plus variant must be expensive. Only those users who need the extra security of a second VPN server or stream access can invest here. However, a visionary subscription seems too expensive.

Free version of ProtonVPN

Compared to competitors, the fact that ProtonVPN offers a permanently free and limited version of its own powerful features is unusual. Therefore, it is worth actively highlighting the offer here. It should also be mentioned that if the subscription is not satisfactory, ProtonVPN can provide a 30-day money back guarantee.