Assessment of Proton VPN: Is it Still Dependable in 2024?

In the year 2023, Proton VPN emerged as a comprehensive VPN service distinguished by its unique Swiss-based privacy protocols and generous free plan. Operating out of Switzerland, Proton abides by the robust privacy statutes of Switzerland — a significant advantage for enterprises and individuals wary of government data requisitions.

A year later, Proton VPN introduces notable enhancements that, in my opinion, position it as one of the premier VPN services in the current market landscape. Key among these improvements is an expanded server infrastructure, an updated third-party audit, and more budget-friendly pricing.

In this evaluation, we will scrutinize whether Proton VPN remains the optimal option for both you and your business in the year 2024.

Proton VPN pricing

Regarding pricing, I observed that Proton VPN lies in the middle ground relative to its competitors. At $4.99 per month for the one-year Plus package, it is pricier than an equivalent annual subscription from Private Internet Access at $3.33 per month. Yet, it stands as a more cost-effective choice compared to the $8.33 per month price tag of ExpressVPN‘s one-year plan.

In comparison to the prior year, Proton VPN sees a reduction in pricing. In 2023, the one-year Proton VPN Plus subscription amounted to $5.99 per month. Presently, it stands at $4.99 per month.

The cost of the two-year plan has also decreased to $4.49 per month from $4.99 per month in 2023. Conversely, the monthly subscription now costs $9.99 per month, a slight increment from last year’s $8.99 rate.

While these reductions may not be substantial, they are welcomed changes given the enhancements integrated into Proton VPN in 2024 — a topic we will delve deeper into later in this assessment.

If you intend to connect multiple devices or require swift connectivity, I recommend opting for Proton VPN Plus. This plan allows users to link 10 devices simultaneously, provides Proton’s fastest speeds at an economical rate, and encompasses Proton’s complete range of servers. Individuals utilizing VPNs for P2P sharing and streaming activities should select the VPN Plus package since these functionalities are not accessible in Proton VPN’s free version.

Lastly, I suggest Proton Unlimited solely for users desiring additional encryption-based amenities over and above what is included in the VPN Plus subscription.

Is Proton VPN genuinely complimentary?

Absolutely, Proton VPN offers a fullyThe complimentary version next to its twin premium offers. It provides complimentary entrance to servers from five nations: the USA, Holland, Japan, Romania, and Poland.

With the complimentary version, you receive moderate VPN velocity, a kill switch, and limitless data. Windows and Android users also receive free access to Proton’s split tunneling feature. As a complimentary VPN, I commend Proton for providing boundless bandwidth, particularly since other no-cost VPNs often impose a monthly or daily data restriction. I believe this setup is preferable if you require an economical method to simply alter your IP location.

Nonetheless, I want to point out a constraint: the Free edition of Proton VPN does not allow you to pick which of the five free VPN locations to connect to. This suggests you will need to experiment a bit before connecting to your desired country. Additionally, you won’t have entry to the full 112-country server collection accessible in its deluxe plan.

While I find this to be a reasonable limitation, I empathize with users who desire the ability to select their connection location. If you fall into this category, I recommend exploring Speedify VPN. It is a respectable service that features a complimentary VPN version enabling manual country selection. However, bear in mind it enforces a 2-10 GB monthly data ceiling.

SEE: Proton VPN Free vs Premium: Which Plan Is Best for You? (TechRepublic)

From my perspective, the complimentary variant suits users who are uncertain about investing in a complete VPN service or those requiring only one VPN connection and fundamental features.

Is Proton VPN safe?

Indeed, I deem Proton VPN to be a protected and secure VPN. It provides standard protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, as well as the newer WireGuard and Stealth protocols across versions for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This gives users an assortment of more established and extensively tested security protocols combined with fresh technologies.

Moreover, Proton VPN follows a stringent no-logs policy, meaning they do not log user actions or metadata, including visited websites, session durations, IP addresses, or any data that might identify a user. It is also an open-source VPN, indicating that its code is openly accessible for scrutiny. Personally, I am aware privacy enthusiastsand programmers will find this beneficial as it empowers them to identify vulnerabilities in Proton VPN’s source code autonomously.

During my assessment of Proton VPN last year, the latest independent security assessment had been carried out way back in 2021. While I applaud VPN providers for subjecting their services to audits, a crucial aspect to consider is the frequency of these audits to adapt to evolving circumstances.

As we are now in 2024, I am delighted to announce that Proton VPN has undergone a more recent external scrutiny specifically focusing on its no-logs policy. The third-party review conducted by Securitum verified that Proton VPN indeed does not retain any user activity logs. This verification is crucial because software providers often make security assertions without actually upholding those promises.

One aspect I overlooked last year was Proton VPN’s noteworthy interaction with the Swiss judicial system in 2019. In that particular instance, a data requisition from another nation was forwarded to Proton VPN and subsequently approved by the Swiss court system. However, due to the absence of customer IP data at Proton VPN, the requested information could not be provided.

For me, this serves as tangible evidence that Proton VPN neither logs nor clandestinely conceals user data for its own advantage.

VIEW: 6 Top Confidential (No-Log) VPNs for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Crucial aspects of Proton VPN

Proton VPN offers an array of features that safeguard and fortify user data. This encompasses its alignment with Swiss data privacy regulations, commendable speed and performance, and prevention of DNS leaks.

Privacy based in Switzerland

Proton VPN is under the ownership of Proton AG, a tech firm headquartered in Switzerland. Being situated in Switzerland, Proton VPN adheres to the nation’s robust data privacy regulations and impartial political stance. All Proton users are accorded the same legal safeguards for privacy as Swiss residents.

Furthermore, this setup necessitates that any requests for Proton user data require a Swiss judicial directive. This feature is crucial for individuals or organizations wary of governmental intervention. While no country is impervious to breaches, Proton’s compliance with Swiss legislation provides an added layer of defense not commonly found with other VPN services.

Defense against DNS Leaks

Proton VPN also commits to averting DNS leaks when connections drop. I tested Proton VPN Free with a DNS leak assessment tool multiple times, consistently detecting no leaks during the tests.

Furthermore, Proton enables DNS Protection by default. Given that DNS leak protection is a critical VPN feature, it is commendable that Proton configures it to be “always on” right from the initial setup.

Emergency Disconnect Mechanism

Proton also includes a kill switch feature that serves as a final barrier in case of an outage or disruption. Should your VPN connection fail, the kill switch will automatically prevent your device from reconnecting to the internet without the protection of the VPN, thus avoiding any unintentional data sharing with your internet service provider.

Proton goes even further by offering a “permanent kill switch” option. When activated, any connections not made through a Proton VPN server are blocked or terminated.

In my tests, the permanent kill switch performed as promised, even when the main app was closed and running in the background. This feature allows you to set it up once and forget about it, ensuring the privacy of your data during unexpected disruptions.

Speed and performance: How rapid is Proton VPN?

While it’s common to experience reduced upload and download speeds when using a VPN, Proton VPN still delivered satisfactory and consistent performance during testing.

It’s important to note that my 2024 evaluation of Proton VPN was solely based on its free version. This means that my data speeds were limited, as Proton VPN’s fastest speeds are available through its premium plans.

However, I was impressed with how well Proton VPN’s free version performed. Like in 2023, I consistently experienced fast speeds with no noticeable performance drops.

This remained true during my various activities on the service, including social media browsing, accessing Google services like Docs and Drive, and streaming YouTube videos. I also encountered no issues maintaining a stable connection while testing Proton VPN. In terms of speed and reliability, Proton VPN excelled.

In speed test outcomes, Proton VPN’s free version was surprisingly swift. Despite speed limitations, it only decreased my download speed by approximately 2.87% compared to my internet service provider. For upload speeds, it performed exceptionally well, achieving speeds 76.4% faster than my ISP.

Once again, it’s worth noting that this is Proton VPN’s free tier, so speed consistency may vary compared to its premium offerings.

Proton VPN servers and geographical locations

As of October 2024, Proton VPN boasts an extensive server network of over 8,500 servers across 112 countries – placing it among the largest server arrays in the industry. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, where Proton had a respectable 3,024 servers across 69 countries.

By comparison, NordVPN currently operates 6,400 servers in 111 countries, while Surfshark VPN has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. The significant expansion of its server network over the past year is perhaps one of the most notable improvements for Proton VPN. Given that VPNs are often used to bypass geo-restrictions, the rapid growth of Proton’s server network is commendable.

Proton VPN offers three server categories: Free, Plus, and Secure Core servers. Free servers, included in Proton’s free version, provide basic protection with moderate speeds. Plus servers offer additional features such as streaming support, ad blocking, torrenting, and faster connections.

Secure Core servers enhance the functionalities of Plus servers by providing stronger defenses against data breaches. By routing your traffic through multiple servers, Secure Core makes it more challenging for malicious parties to obtain your actual IP address. These servers are exclusively owned by Proton and are located in privacy-friendly nations (like Switzerland or Iceland) for enhanced security.

Secure Core stands out as a unique feature of Proton VPN that will be highly valued by security-conscious users, especially when utilizing servers in high-risk locations like the U.S.

SEE: ProtonVPN vs AtlasVPN (2024): Which VPN Should You Use? (TechRepublic)

Proton VPN advantages

• Provides robust privacy features based in Switzerland.
• Enforces a strict no-logs policy.
• Offers a broad network of over 8,500 servers across 112 countries.
• Open-source and independently audited.
• Includes a free version.
• Supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Proton VPN disadvantages

• The free version does not allow selection of server locations.
• Desktop interface may be overwhelming initially.
• Live chat support is exclusively available for paid users.

Who benefits most from Proton VPN?

If you seek a VPN specifically tailored to combat government surveillance, Proton VPN is an excellent choice. Its Swiss-backed privacy features hold significant value, particularly when safeguarding sensitive corporate or user data. With strong protocol sets, kill switch functionality, and DNS leak protection, Proton nails the essential features.

As of 2024, Proton VPN boasts one of the most extensive server networks in the VPN market, with over 8,500 servers spanning 112 countries. Proton VPN is designed for users desiring an integrated suite of encrypted and secure software. Additionally, Proton offers the VPN as part of its Proton Unlimited plan, bundled with its other encrypted services.

While there are more affordable options available, the overall package and lack of significant drawbacks make Proton a solid choice. Potential users can also test Proton VPN for free, providing an added benefit.

SEE: How to Create an Effective Cybersecurity Awareness Program (TechRepublic Premium)

Alternative VPNs to Proton VPN

While Proton VPN is a reliable option, it may not suit everyone’s needs. Below are alternative VPN services that cater to different requirements for each user.

NordVPN

NordVPN stands as one of the most renowned VPN providers in the present market landscape. Nord excels in safeguarding file-sharing by utilizing its Meshnet attribute, enabling users to interchange and distribute data through their individual secure encrypted network. With approximately 6,400+ servers spanning across 111 nations, it also sports a security feature aimed at countering malware, advertisements, and web trackers.

To delve deeper, explore our comprehensive NordVPN assessment.

Surfshark

Surfshark emerges as another notable player in the VPN realm. It presents an optimal solution for multiple devices, offering users an unrestricted number of simultaneous connections. The service imposes no bandwidth limits and includes a seven-day trial period for users to evaluate its capabilities.

To acquire further insights, peruse our complete Surfshark VPN evaluation.

CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN emerges as another formidable contender among VPN solutions. It boasts an intricate server infrastructure with servers spanning across 100 nations and 126 locations. This vast network allows users to access a wide array of geo-restricted content while ensuring a steady connection.

To uncover more, explore our detailed CyberGhost VPN analysis.

Assessment methodology

My in-depth evaluation of Proton VPN revolved around scrutinizing its security attributes, pricing, and real-world performance. I engaged with ProtonVPN’s complimentary version hands-on and supplemented my observations with user feedback and credible reviews spanning across both the free and premium tiers.

For velocity and performance assessment, I executed tests on ProtonVPN Free using a Windows machine and gauged its performance via Ookla’s Speedtest. It’s worth noting that VPN speeds may fluctuate based on a multitude of factors: internet service provider, device specifications, geographic location, and the specific server chosen. To test for DNS leaks, I ran Proton VPN Free through DNSleaktest on multiple occasions.

Finally, I assessed Proton across various metrics, including pricing and protocols, utilizing an internal algorithm to award it a final rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The scoring method was based on evaluating Proton VPN independently and in comparison to other VPN services available in the market.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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