Proton VPN review
Strongest privacy credentials
The pick for privacy-focused users who want verifiable, open-source software.
Last tested: 15 August 2026 · Written by the VPNGuide Editorial Team
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Overview
Proton VPN is open source, independently audited and run from Switzerland, with a genuinely usable free tier.
Pros & cons
- Fully open-source apps
- Swiss jurisdiction and strong transparency
- Free tier available
- Support is email-first
- Speeds trail NordVPN on long routes
Pricing
| Effective monthly price | £3.59/mo |
|---|---|
| Contract length | 24 months |
| Renewal price | £5.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 |
| Free trial | Yes |
Prices checked 20 September 2026. All prices in GBP.
Speed tests
Proton VPN download speed by server location
Latest measured download speed from our London test line.
London, UK: 378 Mbps; Amsterdam, Netherlands: 364.5 Mbps; New York, USA: 346.5 Mbps; Los Angeles, USA: 333 Mbps; Sydney, Australia: 315 Mbps
Last updated 15 August 2026. View testing methodology
Proton VPN UK speed over time
Monthly London server results, same line and same protocol each time.
Apr: 387 Mbps; May: 382.5 Mbps; Jun: 378 Mbps; Jul: 387 Mbps; Aug: 382.5 Mbps; Sept: 378 Mbps
Last updated 15 August 2026. View testing methodology
Server network
Proton VPN lists 8,900 servers across 112 countries, including 250 in the UK. Server counts are provider-supplied and checked on 20 September 2026; we verify UK availability directly during testing.
Privacy & security
- Encryption: AES-256 / ChaCha20
- Protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
- Kill switch: Yes
- Split tunnelling: Yes
- Multi-hop: Yes
- RAM-only servers: Yes
- No-logs policy: Published
Streaming
In our most recent session Proton VPN worked with: Netflix UK, BBC iPlayer. Streaming results change frequently and are re-checked with each test round.
Transparency
| Independent audit | Yes |
|---|---|
| Audit year | 2026 |
| Transparency report | Yes |
| Open-source applications | Yes |
| RAM-only infrastructure | Yes |
| Public ownership information | Yes |
Alternatives
- NordVPN — Best Overall, £3.39/mo
- Surfshark — Best Value, £2.19/mo
- ExpressVPN — Best for Beginners, £5.49/mo
Final verdict
The pick for privacy-focused users who want verifiable, open-source software.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.