protonvpn free

ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service developed by Proton AG, the Switzerland-based company best known for ProtonMail. Designed with privacy and security as central principles, ProtonVPN aims to give users a straightforward way to protect their internet traffic, bypass censorship, and access geographically restricted content without compromising on ease of use. Core security features ProtonVPN uses strong encryption and modern VPN protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN, to secure connections between your device and its servers. WireGuard is prized for strong security with less overhead, while OpenVPN remains a versatile and widely supported option. ProtonVPN also includes a kill switch and DNS leak protection to prevent accidental exposure of traffic if the VPN connection drops. Its apps are open source, which boosts transparency and allows security researchers to inspect the code. Privacy and jurisdiction One of ProtonVPN’s key selling points is its Swiss jurisdiction. Switzerland has strong privacy laws and is outside the surveillance alliances that govern U.S. and some European data practices. ProtonVPN maintains a no-logs policy and has subjected parts of its infrastructure to independent audits, reinforcing trust for users who prioritize confidentiality. Secure Core and advanced routing Secure Core is ProtonVPN’s multi-hop architecture. When you connect via Secure Core, your traffic is routed through servers in privacy-friendly countries (such as Switzerland or Iceland) before exiting to the public internet. This adds an extra layer of protection against server compromise or targeted surveillance of exit nodes. ProtonVPN also offers built-in support for Tor over VPN for users who want to route traffic into the Tor network with a single click. Plans and usability ProtonVPN offers both a free tier and paid subscriptions. The free plan provides basic protection and a limited set of servers, making it useful for users testing the service or needing occasional privacy. Paid plans unlock higher speeds, more server locations, Secure Core, streaming-optimized servers, and P2P support. Proton’s apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and are generally praised for their clean, intuitive interfaces. Use cases and limitations ProtonVPN is well suited for privacy-conscious users, journalists, activists, and anyone who wants reliable protection on public Wi‑Fi. It’s also a solid option for unblocking streaming services, though performance can vary by server and plan tier. As with all VPNs, speeds can be affected by server load and the distance between you and the chosen server. Conclusion ProtonVPN balances strong privacy features, transparent practices, and user-friendly design. Its Secure Core architecture, Swiss jurisdiction, and support for modern protocols make it a compelling choice for those who value privacy and security online.