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Proton VPN

Best Free Tier — Swiss Privacy

9.1

out of 10

Founded: 2017

Jurisdiction: Switzerland

Proton VPN, from the makers of ProtonMail, offers the best free VPN tier with no data caps or ads. Based in Switzerland, it provides genuine privacy protection backed by Swiss law and an open-source codebase.

Best for: Free VPN users and privacy-first individuals

Detailed Ratings

Speed

9.0

Privacy

9.8

Streaming

8.8

Value for Money

9.5

Ease of Use

9.0

Chrome Extension

7.8

Full Review

Proton VPN is built by the team behind ProtonMail, the world's largest encrypted email service, and it carries the same commitment to privacy and transparency. Based in Switzerland — widely considered the gold standard jurisdiction for privacy — Proton VPN operates under some of the strongest data protection laws in the world.

What makes Proton VPN unique is its genuinely useful free tier. Unlike other free VPNs that impose strict data caps, bombard you with ads, or sell your data, Proton VPN's free plan offers unlimited data, no advertisements, and no logging. The free tier connects to servers in five countries (including the UK) on one device, making it the best free VPN option available.

The paid VPN Plus plan unlocks 15,000+ servers across 120+ countries, support for up to 10 devices, and premium features like Secure Core. Secure Core routes your traffic through privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Sweden, Iceland) before exiting to your destination, providing an extra layer of protection against network-level surveillance.

Proton VPN's Stealth protocol is specifically designed to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, making it effective in countries that actively block VPN connections. The VPN Accelerator technology boosts speeds by up to 400% on long-distance connections.

All Proton VPN apps are 100% open-source and have been independently audited. The Chrome extension provides quick-connect functionality with broad country coverage. For UK users, the Proton ecosystem integration (Mail, Drive, Calendar, Pass) offers a comprehensive suite of privacy tools under one subscription.

With plans starting at £2.39/month on the two-year deal, and a completely free tier for those on a budget, Proton VPN offers privacy protection accessible to everyone.

Features at a Glance

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Servers

15,000+

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Countries

120+

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Simultaneous Connections

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Encryption

AES-256

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Protocols

WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth

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Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

✅Kill Switch

✅Split Tunnelling

✅No-Logs Policy

✅Ad Blocker

✅Chrome Extension

✅Free Tier

Pros

✅Best free VPN tier (unlimited data, no ads, no logs)
✅Swiss jurisdiction — gold standard for privacy
✅100% open-source and independently audited
✅Secure Core multi-hop through privacy-friendly countries
✅VPN Accelerator boosts speeds by up to 400%
✅Proton ecosystem integration (Mail, Drive, Calendar, Pass)

Cons

❌Free tier limited to 5 countries and 1 device
❌More expensive than Surfshark/NordVPN on paid plans
❌Chrome extension free tier can be unstable

Special Features

Free Tier (Unlimited Data)Secure CoreNetShieldStealth ProtocolVPN AcceleratorTor over VPNPort ForwardingProton Ecosystem

UK Servers

Multiple UK server locations with 10 Gbps connections

Streaming Support

●Netflix UK & US
●BBC iPlayer
●Disney+
●Amazon Prime Video

How to Set Up Proton VPN

Getting started with Proton VPN is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Begin by visiting the official Proton VPN website and selecting the plan that suits your needs. The 2-year VPN Plus plan at £2.39/mo (£57.36 total) plan offers the best value. Complete the sign-up process with your email address and preferred payment method.

Once your account is created, navigate to the Chrome Web Store and search for the official Proton VPN extension. Click "Add to Chrome" to install it. After installation, click the Proton VPN icon in your browser toolbar, sign in with your account credentials, and select a UK server or your preferred location. The extension will begin encrypting your browser traffic immediately. For full device protection, you can also download the desktop or mobile application from the Proton VPN website.

We recommend enabling the kill switch feature in the settings to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. If you experience any issues, Proton VPN's support team is available to help, and their 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try the service risk-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Proton VPN good for streaming BBC iPlayer from abroad?

Yes, Proton VPN is an excellent choice for streaming BBC iPlayer. With a streaming score of 8.8/10, it reliably unblocks UK streaming services including Netflix UK & US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+. The multiple uk server locations with 10 gbps connections ensure fast, buffer-free streaming. Simply connect to a UK server and navigate to iPlayer as normal.

Does Proton VPN keep logs of my browsing activity?

No, Proton VPN operates a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not record, store, or monitor your browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses. Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN benefits from favourable privacy laws. This policy has been independently verified, providing genuine assurance that your online activity remains private.

How many devices can I use with Proton VPN simultaneously?

Proton VPN supports 10 simultaneous device connections on a single subscription. This means you can protect your laptop, phone, tablet, and other devices at the same time without needing to disconnect from one before connecting another. If you need more connections, some providers like Surfshark and IPVanish offer unlimited simultaneous connections.