The shortlist
The free plan is not the full paid service: server selection, streaming support, and other features differ.
Read the reviewOur free starting point: Proton VPN Free
If your goal is basic private browsing without a monthly data allowance, Proton VPN Free is a useful place to begin. Proton documents unlimited data, no advertising in the free plan, and one active VPN connection. That is a specific set of features, not a claim that the free tier replaces every paid VPN.
We have not run original speed or streaming tests. Our recommendation is based on the provider’s published terms and the usefulness of a clearly described permanent free plan.
Know what the free tier leaves out
The paid service offers features that are not part of the free tier. Proton lists streaming support and broader server choice among its paid-plan benefits. Do not read a review of VPN Plus and assume its results or controls also apply to the free product.
A single active connection also matters. Installing the app on several devices does not mean you can connect them all simultaneously under the free allowance.
Free plan, trial, or refund?
Scroll the table to see every column.
| Offer | What to check |
|---|---|
| Permanent free plan | Data allowance, active devices, location selection, and feature limits |
| Time-limited trial | When access ends, whether payment details are required, and automatic conversion |
| Paid plan with refund guarantee | Initial payment, eligibility, deadline, and request process |
These are different arrangements. Calling all of them “free VPNs” makes a comparison less useful. Our ExpressVPN free guide explains the difference for a service without a permanent free tier.
Check who operates the app
An unknown free VPN is not automatically unsafe, but “free” is not evidence of trust. Identify the company, read the privacy policy, and check how it says the product is funded. Consider the requested permissions and whether the developer offers current support documentation.
Download through the provider’s official channel. A familiar name in an app-store result can belong to an unrelated developer. Avoid modified APK files and browser extensions that promise a paid account without payment.
A browser proxy extension and a device VPN can also cover different traffic. If only the browser uses the proxy, another app may still connect directly. Choose the product that covers the traffic you care about.
Evaluate it for your actual task
For browsing, test the websites, messaging, and calls you normally use. If you need a particular server country, check whether the free plan lets you choose it. If the task is streaming, read the plan-specific support terms instead of relying on an article’s brand-wide recommendation.
If you use a work or school device, a personal VPN might conflict with a managed network. Ask the administrator before changing its network configuration.
When paying may make sense
Consider a paid plan only when a free-plan limitation actually affects you: simultaneous devices, a required location, a supported feature, or the provider’s paid streaming service. Price the whole subscription rather than chasing a discount percentage.
You can compare Proton VPN’s plan tradeoffs, look at cheaper paid options, or use the provider comparison. It is reasonable to stay with a free tier when it does the job you need.
Common questions
Is Proton VPN Free unlimited?
Proton documents no data or time limit for its free plan. Other restrictions still apply, including one active connection and differences from the paid service.
Does a free VPN protect all my apps?
A system VPN can cover traffic routed through it. A browser extension may cover only browser traffic. Check the product and any split-tunneling exclusions.
Sources you can check
Sources reviewed for this page on . A provider’s documentation describes its published offering; it is not our original performance test.