protonvpn free

ProtonVPN is a privacy-centered virtual private network service developed by Proton AG, the Swiss company behind ProtonMail. Built around strong privacy principles and Swiss jurisdiction, ProtonVPN is aimed at users who want to protect their online activity from tracking, surveillance, and censorship while retaining good performance for everyday tasks. Core features and security ProtonVPN uses modern VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2) and industry-standard encryption (AES-256) to secure traffic. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and selected routers, and the client applications are open source — a plus for transparency. ProtonVPN emphasizes a strict no-logs policy and has subjected parts of its infrastructure and apps to independent security audits and public scrutiny, reinforcing trust in its privacy claims. Unique protections One of ProtonVPN’s standout features is Secure Core, a multi-hop architecture that routes traffic through multiple privacy-friendly countries before leaving the VPN network, adding protection against network-based attacks and compromised exit servers. ProtonVPN also offers an integrated Tor over VPN option, allowing direct access to the Tor network without running the Tor Browser separately. Other standard protections include a reliable kill switch, DNS leak protection, and optional split tunneling on supported platforms. Performance and usability With a global server network that includes specialized servers for streaming and P2P, ProtonVPN balances privacy with performance. WireGuard support delivers faster connections and lower latency for many users, while dedicated streaming servers help unlock popular services. ProtonVPN’s free tier gives basic access to a subset of servers and can be useful for privacy-minded users on a budget, though free accounts have limited speed and server choices compared with paid plans. Use cases ProtonVPN is well suited for journalists, activists, travelers, and anyone concerned about data privacy. It’s also useful for secure remote access, safe public Wi-Fi browsing, torrenting on allowed servers, and accessing region-restricted streaming content when permitted by service terms. Limitations and considerations Advanced features like Secure Core, the fastest servers, and the largest server selection require a paid subscription. While ProtonVPN provides strong privacy protections, no VPN can guarantee absolute anonymity; combining a VPN with good operational security practices is important. Conclusion ProtonVPN combines robust encryption, privacy-first design, and useful features such as Secure Core and Tor integration. Its transparency, Swiss jurisdiction, and open-source clients make it a compelling choice for users who prioritize security and privacy, while the free tier offers a low-friction way to try the service.