Proton VPN Review: Privacy-first and security-focused
Why we tested Proton VPN
Proton VPN is known for its privacy-oriented positioning and a more “security-minded” product philosophy. That makes it a strong candidate for users who care about privacy policy clarity and security features.
First-time experience
Compared with some one-click VPNs, Proton VPN tends to expose more security-related options and terminology, but the UI remains relatively clean. It’s still approachable for most users, though it may feel less “automatic”.
- Support for common protocols (e.g., WireGuard / OpenVPN)
- Security features such as kill switch and leak protection
- Some advanced features may depend on plan level
Stability under varied network conditions
Proton VPN does not primarily optimize for “maximum speed” or “instant unblocking”. Its strength is often in steady sessions and a conservative security posture. For longer work sessions, this can be a good trade.
Real-world scenarios
Work & study
For long sessions (remote dashboards, documentation, online learning), stability and privacy posture matter. Proton VPN can be a good fit if you value a clearer security narrative.
Streaming
Streaming success varies over time and by node. If streaming is your only goal, mainstream “streaming-first” providers may be a better match. Proton VPN is more balanced toward privacy and security.
Public Wi‑Fi
For public networks, features like kill switch and leak protection are useful baseline protections.
Pros & trade-offs
Pros:
- Strong privacy/security positioning
- Good fit for long sessions where stability matters
Trade-offs:
- May feel less “one-click optimized” for streaming
- Node selection and speeds vary by region and time
Who Proton VPN is best for
- Privacy- and security-minded users
- Users who prefer transparency and security features over the lowest price
- People who can spend a bit more time picking nodes for their scenarios