otonVPN: A Privacy-First VPN from Switzerland
Keywords
ProtonVPN, VPN, Secure Core, WireGuard, no-logs, encryption, privacy, Proton, VPN review, Tor over VPN
Description
A balanced overview of ProtonVPN — its security features, performance, plans, and why it’s a strong choice for privacy-conscious users.
Content
ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service developed by the team behind ProtonMail, designed to protect user privacy and secure internet traffic. Based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy protections, ProtonVPN emphasizes transparency, robust encryption, and features tailored to users who prioritize anonymity and data security.
Security and privacy
At the core of ProtonVPN’s appeal is its privacy-first approach. The company enforces a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store records of user activity. ProtonVPN apps use modern encryption standards (AES-256 combined with secure key exchange) and support multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard — the latter providing a good balance of speed and security. ProtonVPN also implements a system-wide kill switch and DNS leak protection to prevent data exposure if your connection drops.
A standout feature is Secure Core, ProtonVPN’s multi-hop routing option. Secure Core routes traffic through servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (for example, Switzerland and Iceland) before exiting to the public internet, offering extra protection against advanced network-level attacks. ProtonVPN also provides “Tor over VPN” routing, allowing direct access to the Tor network without requiring a separate Tor browser, which can be useful for additional anonymity.
Performance and usability
ProtonVPN balances security with reasonable performance. WireGuard support improves speeds compared with older protocols, and the service maintains well-distributed servers across many countries to reduce latency. Performance varies by plan and server load; free-tier users may experience slower speeds and limited server choices compared with paid subscribers. ProtonVPN allows P2P traffic on specific servers and can be used for streaming — some paid plans are optimized to access popular streaming services.
Apps, audits, and transparency
ProtonVPN provides user-friendly apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and desktop clients are open source. The company has pursued independent audits and publishes transparency reports, reinforcing its commitment to accountability. Features such as split tunneling (on supported platforms), customizable security settings, and easy-to-use interfaces make ProtonVPN accessible to both novice and advanced users.
Plans and value
ProtonVPN offers a free plan with access to a limited number of servers and moderate speeds, which is a strong entry point for basic privacy needs. Paid tiers unlock Secure Core, higher speeds, more simultaneous connections, access to streaming-optimized servers, and additional features. Pricing is competitive for the privacy benefits and unique features ProtonVPN delivers.
Conclusion
For users who prioritize privacy, transparency, and advanced security features, ProtonVPN is a compelling option. Its Swiss base, Secure Core architecture, Tor integration, and support for modern protocols like WireGuard make it especially suitable for privacy-conscious individuals. If maximum speed or the cheapest possible VPN is your priority, there may be alternatives tuned purely for performance, but ProtonVPN strikes a solid balance between privacy, usability, and performance.#1#