By AppHub Editorial Team · Updated August 3, 2026
Proton VPN: Fast & Secure VPN
Overview
Tools
Proton AG
Free
Dec 30, 2019
$9.99 - $119.88 per item
No
Features
Proton VPN is the world's only free VPN app that is safe to use and respects your privacy. Proton VPN is created by the CERN scientists behind Proton Mail
PCMag: “[Proton VPN] is a slick VPN with an excellent collection of advanced features, and it has the best free subscription plan we've seen."
Used by millions worldwide, P...
Proton VPN is the world's only free VPN app that is safe to use and respects your privacy. Proton VPN is created by the CERN scientists behind Proton Mail
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Ratings breakdown
766,000 reviewsDeveloper contact
Name
Proton AG
Address
Route de la Galaise 32 1228 Plan-les-Ouates Switzerland
Website
https://protonvpn.com/Phone
+41 22 884 11 00
Support
support@protonvpn.zendesk.com
Privacy
View policyFrequently Asked Questions
Is there a free version of Proton VPN? high
Yes, Proton VPN offers a free plan with unlimited data, no bandwidth limits, and strong privacy features. The free plan provides access to a limited number of servers and does not include premium features like ad-blocking, streaming support, or multi-device connections beyond one device. You can sign up without providing personal data.
Source: user_reviews, app_metadata
Does Proton VPN keep logs of my activity? high
Proton VPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not track or record your browsing history, IP addresses, or DNS queries. The app has been independently audited by third-party security experts, and its code is open-source for public review. This is a core privacy feature promoted in the official app description.
Source: app_metadata
Why does my Proton VPN keep disconnecting? medium
Based on recent user reviews, some users experience frequent disconnections or connection failures, even after trying different protocols. This is reported as a recurring concern in a small sample of recent reviews. If you experience this, you can try changing the VPN protocol (e.g., between OpenVPN and WireGuard) in the app settings, or contact support for troubleshooting.
Source: user_reviews
What is the difference between the free and paid plans? high
The free plan offers unlimited data on a limited set of servers with standard security. The paid plans ($9.99 - $119.88 per item) add access to over 15,000 servers in 126 countries, higher speeds (up to 10 Gbps), ad blocking (NetShield), streaming support for services like Netflix and Hulu, multi-hop VPN via Secure Core servers, split tunneling, and the ability to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Source: app_metadata
How to Use
Proton VPN provides secure, encrypted internet access with a free plan that requires no personal data, offering features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection to safeguard privacy. (app_description)
Getting Started
Source: app_description_and_user_feedback_noted
- Download and install the app from Google Play.
- Open the app and tap 'Create Account' or sign in if you already have a Proton account. No personal data is required for the free plan.
- Choose the free plan or upgrade to a paid plan for more features and server locations.
- On the main screen, tap 'Quick Connect' to automatically connect to the fastest available server and secure your internet connection.
Key Features (from app listing)
Source: app_description
- Unlimited data and bandwidth on the free plan with no speed restrictions
- Strict no-logs policy and full-disk encrypted servers
- Kill switch and DNS leak protection to prevent data exposure
- Access to over 15,000 servers in 126 countries with premium plans
- Ad blocker (NetShield) that also blocks trackers and malware
- Multi-device support with up to 10 concurrent connections on paid plans
- VPN Accelerator technology for up to 400% speed improvement
- OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols backed by independent audits
Based on user-reported connectivity issues and the app's description of supporting both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. A reviewer mentioned trying different protocols without success, suggesting that protocol switching is a known troubleshooting step.
How this content was created
Content type: pattern_analysis_of_user_reviews_and_metadata
AI generated: Yes
- Google Play user reviews (12-20 preferred; may be smaller if source data is limited per app), January 11, 2026 – February 23, 2026
- Google Play ratings distribution
- App Store listing metadata
- Review samples are not statistically representative of all user sentiment
- This analysis is based on only 5 recent reviews, which may not reflect overall sentiment
- No high-engagement or mixed reviews were available for cross-bucket analysis
- Claims labeled 'low confidence' are based on single-review observations only
- No real-world app testing was conducted
- Feature availability may vary by region, device, and app version
Pros & Cons
Based on analysis of Google Play user reviews
Pros
- Ad-blocking and tracker protection are recognized as effective features low
Theme 'ad-blocking success' found in recent_review #3 (rating 4). The reviewer initially left a 1-star review but updated to 4 stars after noting the app was blocking trackers and ads, which it was not doing previously.
Evidence (1)
“Thank you for your response. Initially I left a 1 ⭐ review simply because I didn't know if the VPN was working on my Galaxy phone. Shortly after I left my original review, I went back to the app to check, and noted that it was indeed blocking trackers and Ads. Something that it was not previously doing”Rating: 4★ February 16, 2026 12 likes - Ease of use and no-sign-up access are noted as positive aspects low
Theme 'ease of use' found in recent_review #5 (rating 3). The reviewer states the app is 'very easy to use' and requires no sign-up or payment, though they also note server selection limitations.
Evidence (1)
“It's very easy to use. You don't have to even sign nor pay. And it does work and connects you to servers.”Rating: 3★ January 11, 2026 29 likes
Cons
- Connectivity stability is a recurring recent concern, with frequent disconnections reported medium
Theme 'frequent disconnections' identified in recent_reviews #2 (rating 3) and #4 (rating 1). Review #2 describes needing to reconnect 7 times in 4 minutes and discovering the VPN has been off for hours. Review #4 reports the VPN either won't connect or disconnects within a minute.
Evidence (2)
“I find myself asking why I am paying for a service that disconnects and I have to reconnect 7 times in 4 minutes. or I'll randomly discover its been off for hours and hours, defeating the p”Rating: 3★ February 16, 2026 6 likes“Now, this VPN either won't connect at all, or if you're fortunate enough, it'll connect and in less than a minute, it disconnects. I've tried changing protocols, etc. but ”Rating: 1★ January 12, 2026 52 likes - Inability to manually select or randomize servers frustrates users, especially on free plans medium
Theme 'server selection limitation' identified in recent_reviews #1 (rating 3) and #5 (rating 3). Review #1 notes the removal of random server selection, which was useful for getting a different IP. Review #5 complains that you can't choose the server manually and must wait after selecting a server, which is problematic for specific region needs.
Evidence (2)
“They recently removed the ability to select servers at random which is really annoying. It's useful to be able to reconnect and get a different ip address for sites that try to block that.”Rating: 3★ February 23, 2026 2 likes“BUT, you can't choose the server yourself, which really sucks if you need a SPECIFIC region because there's a time you have to wait after selecting a server.”Rating: 3★ January 11, 2026 29 likes
Recent Reviews
Mathew Bird
3★VPN connectivity is generally pretty good and stable. They recently removed the ability to select servers at random which is really annoying. It's useful to be able to reconnect and get a different ip address for sites that try to block that. Also, I don't think their feature that lets you exclude an app from the VPN works correctly because my voicemail app never works right when connected. Response: don't care about load balancing. I want a new ip each time. I retested and it doesn't do that
Levi Schmitt
3★I used to recommend this app, but I am seriously considering different options. I've got the upgraded version. I find myself asking why I am paying for a service that disconnects and I have to reconnect 7 times in 4 minutes. or I'll randomly discover its been off for hours and hours, defeating the point of having a VPN. love Protons commitment to data privacy, just needs a better VPN.
Robin
4★Thank you for your response. Initially I left a 1 ⭐ review simply because I didn't know if the VPN was working on my Galaxy phone. Shortly after I left my original review, I went back to the app to check, and noted that it was indeed blocking trackers and Ads. Something that it was not previously doing, or if it was, it wasn't showing any numbers of blocked ads/trackers. I have a few issues with some sites not loading when the VPN is turned , not sure how to remedy that.
Raymond
1★I just wanted to try out this VPN service, so I signed up for the free plan. Initially, it seemed to work great but not anymore. Now, this VPN either won't connect at all, or if you're fortunate enough, it'll connect and in less than a minute, it disconnects. I've tried changing protocols, etc. but nothing seems to work. In all honestly, I feel like it's just a sneaky way of basically, forcing me to sign up for there paid versions. I'll be installing this app ASAP.
Agena Assassin
3★It's very easy to use. You don't have to even sign nor pay. And it does work and connects you to servers. BUT, you can't choose the server yourself, which really sucks if you need a SPECIFIC region because there's a time you have to wait after selecting a server. it could be much better if you could select the server yourself and maybe even 'favorite' a server so that you can connect to it quicker to use it, especially if you use that specific server the most.