protonvpn free

ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused virtual private network (VPN) developed by Proton AG, the same team behind Proton Mail. Designed to give users stronger online privacy and security with minimal friction, ProtonVPN combines modern protocols, privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and extra technical safeguards to protect data in transit. Core features and architecture ProtonVPN supports industry-standard VPN protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, delivering a balance of compatibility, security, and speed. Connections are protected with strong encryption (AES-256 for common protocols) and authenticated to guard against tampering. The service runs a mix of RAM-only (diskless) servers and hardened infrastructure to reduce the risk of data exposure in case hardware is seized or compromised. Privacy and jurisdiction Headquartered in Switzerland, ProtonVPN benefits from a jurisdiction with strong privacy protections and a long tradition of data confidentiality. Proton AG maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not record users’ browsing activity, IP addresses, or connection metadata that could be used to identify individual sessions. Proton’s apps and services have been subject to independent security assessments and are built with transparency in mind. Secure Core and advanced protections One of ProtonVPN’s standout features is Secure Core — a multi-hop architecture that routes traffic first through Proton’s privacy-friendly entry servers before exiting through a conventional VPN server. This design makes it harder for adversaries to correlate incoming and outgoing traffic and provides an extra layer of protection against surveillance at the network edge. Additional features include an automatic kill switch that blocks traffic if the VPN connection drops and split tunneling on supported platforms so users can route only selected apps or destinations through the VPN. Plans, usability, and performance ProtonVPN offers a free tier with limited servers and bandwidth, allowing users to test the service without a subscription. Paid plans expand the server selection, enable Secure Core, allow simultaneous connections, and unlock faster speeds and streaming-friendly servers. ProtonVPN’s apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and are open source — enabling community review and contributing to overall transparency. Use cases and considerations ProtonVPN is well suited for privacy-conscious users, journalists, travelers, and anyone who wants secure access to public Wi‑Fi or private resources. As with any VPN, performance depends on server choice and local network conditions; testing different servers can often improve speed and latency. For those who prioritize strong privacy guarantees and a transparent provider, ProtonVPN is a compelling option built around principled design and practical features.