Is Proton VPN Free Safe? What You Get and What You Don't
Proton VPN's free plan has no ads and no data cap, which is rare. Is it really safe, does it work with Netflix, and when should you upgrade?
Yes, Proton VPN Free is safe, and it's one of very few free VPNs privacy experts actually recommend. Most free VPNs make money by showing ads or selling your data, which defeats the point of a VPN. Proton's free plan doesn't.
Here's what you get, what you don't, and when it makes sense to pay.
Why it's trustworthy
- Made by Proton, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail
- No ads and no selling your data
- No-logs policy that has been checked by independent auditors
- Open-source apps, so experts can inspect the code
- The free plan is funded by people who pay for Proton's other plans
What the free plan includes
- No data cap. Use it as much as you like, which is unusual for a free VPN.
- One device connected at a time
- Servers in a handful of countries, including the US, the Netherlands and Japan
- Strong encryption, the same as the paid plans
What it doesn't include
- Streaming unblocking. The free plan won't reliably unblock Netflix or other streaming libraries from other countries.
- P2P / torrenting
- Choosing a specific server. Free users are connected automatically.
- Speed at busy times. Free servers can be slower in the evening.
Does Proton VPN Free work with Netflix?
Not reliably. If watching another country's streaming library is your main reason for a VPN, you'll need a paid plan, from Proton or from a streaming-focused VPN. We compare one in NordVPN vs Proton VPN.
Who it's good for
- Public Wi-Fi at cafés, airports and hotels, to hide which sites you visit from the network
- Privacy from your internet provider
- Trying a VPN before deciding whether you need one
When to upgrade
Proton's paid plan adds faster servers, more countries, streaming support and multiple devices. Like most VPNs, it's much cheaper per month on a 1- or 2-year plan than paying monthly.
Upgrade if you need streaming, more than one device, or faster speeds at peak times.
Do you even need a VPN?
Maybe not. Most websites already encrypt your connection with HTTPS. A password manager and two-factor authentication protect you more than a VPN does. Read do you actually need a VPN? before paying for one.
