Proton VPN Worth It in 2025? Privacy and Performance
Proton VPN, Yes, Proton VPN is generally considered a good option, especially for privacy-conscious users in 2025, Transparency, Privacy, and Performance Review, ProtonVPN. Let’s talk about it because it might be the most transparent VPN provider out there.
They openly share their ownership, their address, their team, and their privacy policy, which can definitely make you feel a lot more confident about trusting them with your privacy. Not only that, but the speeds, the server types, and the protocols that ProtonVPN offers are all super impressive. But what’s it actually like using ProtonVPN? Is it an app that fits seamlessly into your digital life or not so much? Let’s take a look.
How Does ProtonVPN Protect Your Privacy?
When you use ProtonVPN, your real IP address is hidden, and your internet traffic is encrypted so that your internet service provider (ISP), advertisers, and hackers aren’t able to see your activity. ProtonVPN is particularly impressive when it comes to privacy. It’s based in Switzerland, where there are no data retention requirements.
Plus, Switzerland isn’t part of any surveillance agreements. ProtonVPN also has a strict no-logs policy that was independently verified as recently as July of 2024. So, they’re not tracking or storing any user activity. And then all of ProtonVPN’s apps are open source, meaning that the source code is available for anyone to inspect.
Security Features of ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN offers several different VPN protocols depending on the app that you’re using, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, as well as Proton’s Stealth protocol, so you get a fast and secure connection.
ProtonVPN also has a kill switch, which automatically blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. You can also split tunnel with ProtonVPN, which lets you choose which apps you’re going to use the VPN with and which apps you’re not going to use it with. However, it’s important to know that if you’re a Mac user, if you’re an iPhone user, those apps currently do not support split tunneling.
Server Network and Specialty Servers
Where can you connect to with ProtonVPN? Currently, ProtonVPN has over 13,000 servers in 122 countries. So, definitely a solid number there. And beyond that, ProtonVPN has a ton of specialty servers for advanced users. For example, Secure Core, which is what ProtonVPN calls their multihop servers, where your traffic is routed through servers in privacy-friendly countries before exiting through your selected country. They also have P2P servers for file sharing and Tor servers to access the Tor network.
Read More: PrivateVPN Review | PROS & CONS: Is It A New Top VPN?
User Experience with ProtonVPN
What’s the user experience like with ProtonVPN? Well, ProtonVPN has apps for all your devices, including Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. The apps are well-designed and intuitive. They let you connect with one tap or click.
You can easily select or change servers, and you can quickly toggle features like Secure Core or the kill switch. And the connections themselves were both fast and stable. In our testing, ProtonVPN was able to connect to the servers within a few seconds and hold those connections without any interruption. And overall, it’s just cool looking, especially the macOS app with the dark interactive world map and the purple text and icons. It’s a good look for a VPN.
ProtonVPN Speed Test Results
How fast is ProtonVPN? We tested ProtonVPN on a MacBook Pro and a Pixel 7a on a Verizon FiOS network, and these were the results.
MacOS Speed Tests
- Baseline (No VPN): 309 Mbps download, 140 Mbps upload.
- Virginia Server: 271 Mbps download, 94.9 Mbps upload.
- UK Server: 308 Mbps download, 35.1 Mbps upload.
- French Server: 300 Mbps download, 33.6 Mbps upload.
- Secure Core Server (Los Angeles): 193 Mbps download, 8.79 Mbps upload.
Android (Pixel 7a) Speed Tests
- Baseline (No VPN): 269 Mbps download, 39.5 Mbps upload.
- New Jersey Server: 112 Mbps download, 47 Mbps upload.
- Australia Server: 229 Mbps download, 11 Mbps upload.
- Japanese Server: 183 Mbps download, 6.6 Mbps upload.
So, it was interesting to see how fast the download speeds remained across the board really, whereas the upload speeds were affected a little bit more by using the VPN. Particularly with those European servers, we saw a more significant drop in upload speeds. It was also notable that Secure Core servers significantly impacted upload speeds, which is something to consider if you rely on fast uploads. On Android, distant servers like Australia sometimes outperformed closer ones, but US servers provided the best upload speeds.
Streaming with ProtonVPN
Can you stream with ProtonVPN? In our tests, ProtonVPN servers were able to stream Netflix without any issues, including in Japan and in the UK. And for each server, ProtonVPN actually lets you know which streaming services it’s optimized for, which is a nice touch.
ProtonVPN Pricing
Proton VPN, How much does ProtonVPN cost? the two-year plan is the best deal, averaging out to a monthly cost of $4.49. The one-year plan comes out to be a little bit more. It averages out to $4.99 a month. And the monthly plan, that’s quite a bit more, costing $9.99 a month.
As with most VPN providers, the longer that you sign up for, the cheaper it’s going to be. And know that with a subscription to ProtonVPN, you’re going to get 10 simultaneous connections, which doesn’t match the unlimited connections that you get from some VPN competitors out there, but in general, 10 is going to be more than enough for most users.
Pros and Cons of ProtonVPN
Wrapping it up, what are the pros and cons of ProtonVPN?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional Transparency: Open-source apps, independently audited no-logs policy (verified July 2024), and based in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws and no surveillance agreements. | Higher Cost: More expensive than some competitors, with the cheapest 24-month plan at $4.49/month and monthly plans at $9.99/month. |
| Robust Security Features: Offers AES-256 or ChaCha20 encryption, multiple protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, Stealth), kill switch, DNS leak protection, and Secure Core (multi-hop) servers for enhanced privacy. | No Split Tunneling on macOS/iOS: Lacks split tunneling on macOS and iOS apps, which may be a dealbreaker for Mac and iPhone users. |
| Extensive Server Network: Over 13,000 servers in 122 countries, including specialty servers like Secure Core (routed through privacy-friendly countries) and Tor-over-VPN servers. | Inconsistent Speeds: Speeds can vary, especially on distant servers or Secure Core servers, with significant upload speed drops (e.g., 8.79 Mbps on Secure Core Los Angeles). |
| Streaming Capabilities: Reliably unblocks Netflix (US, UK, Japan), BBC iPlayer, and other platforms, with servers optimized for streaming. | Limited Customer Support: No 24/7 live chat; support is available only during European working hours (9 AM to midnight CET), and response times can vary. |
| Free Plan Available: Offers a free plan with unlimited bandwidth, though limited to 100+ servers in 3 countries and slower speeds. | Limited Features on Free Plan: Free plan lacks P2P support, ad-blocker (NetShield), and access to premium servers or streaming features. |
| User-Friendly Apps: Intuitive apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux (with GUI), and more, with one-tap connections and a sleek design (e.g., macOS dark interactive world map). | Smaller Server Presence in Asia: Limited server options in the Asia region, which may affect performance for users needing local connections. |
| Torrenting Support: Dedicated P2P servers with port forwarding for efficient and secure torrenting. | Prone to VPN Blocks: Some websites may block ProtonVPN, limiting access in certain scenarios. |
| 10 Simultaneous Connections: Supports up to 10 devices on paid plans, sufficient for most users. | No Dedicated IP Option: Lacks dedicated IP addresses, which some competitors offer. |
Pros
- Transparency: Proton is amazing when it comes to transparency. Their apps are open source, they’ve been independently audited, they have a no-logs policy, and they’re based in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
- Server Network: ProtonVPN has a super impressive server list. Currently over 13,000 in 122 countries along with specialty servers like Secure Core and Tor.
- Streaming: With ProtonVPN, you can use streaming services like Netflix, letting you bypass content geo-restrictions.
Cons
- Cost: It does cost a bit more than some competitors when you’re looking at the 24- and 12-month plans. The cheapest average monthly cost currently being $4.49 for the 24-month plan.
- Split Tunneling Limitations: Currently, the macOS and iOS apps do not support split tunneling, which could be a dealbreaker for Mac and iPhone users.
FAQ
Yes, Proton VPN remains a strong choice in 2025, thanks to its robust privacy features, no-logs policy, and commitment to user security.
Proton VPN stands out for its exceptional security protocols, transparency, and performance, often outperforming competitors in privacy-focused reviews.
Key features include a strict no-logs policy, advanced encryption, secure core servers, and access to high-speed streaming, making it a versatile option for users.
Absolutely! Proton VPN allows simultaneous connections on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, enhancing your security across all platforms.
Yes, Proton VPN is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced users alike.
Proton VPN employs cutting-edge encryption, adheres to a strict no-logs policy, and operates under Swiss privacy laws, ensuring your data remains safe and private.
Final Thoughts: ProtonVPN Worth It in 2025?
Still deciding on a VPN? ProtonVPN stands out for its transparency, robust privacy features, and impressive server network. While it may be pricier than some competitors and lacks split tunneling on macOS and iOS, its performance, security, and streaming capabilities make it a strong contender for privacy-conscious users in 2025.