ProtonVPN began as a companion to ProtonMail and has built a reputation around privacy and transparency. Headquartered in Switzerland, it benefits from robust local privacy laws and presents itself as a no-logs VPN with independent audits and open-source client apps. That combination makes it an attractive option for users who prioritize confidentiality and trustworthy governance. Core features emphasize security and flexibility. ProtonVPN supports modern VPN protocols — including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard — and uses strong encryption standards such as AES-256. It offers a system-wide kill switch to prevent traffic leaks if the VPN connection drops, DNS leak protection, and options like split tunneling on supported platforms. Proton’s Secure Core multi-hop routing routes traffic through privacy-friendly servers before exiting to the public internet, adding an extra layer of defense against network-level observers. ProtonVPN’s product lineup includes a free tier and several paid plans. The free plan provides a limited set of servers and reduced speeds, making it useful for occasional private browsing. Paid plans unlock higher speeds, a wider selection of servers, streaming-optimized and P2P-friendly servers, and additional features like NetShield — an integrated ad, tracker, and malware blocker — and the ability to use Tor over VPN via dedicated Tor servers. Desktop and mobile apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and the apps are open source, enabling community review. Performance and streaming capabilities have improved over time. With WireGuard support and a growing global network, ProtonVPN can deliver good speeds for general browsing, streaming, and file sharing, though actual performance varies by server choice and plan tier. ProtonVPN also maintains dedicated servers for streaming services and torrenting on its paid tiers, which helps users access region-restricted content and conduct P2P transfers more reliably. No solution is without trade-offs. ProtonVPN’s paid plans are typically priced above some budget competitors, and while Secure Core enhances privacy, using multi-hop routing can reduce throughput. The free plan is limited in features and servers, so serious users will likely opt for a paid subscription. In summary, ProtonVPN stands out for its strong privacy commitments, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source clients, and thoughtful security features. It’s well-suited for privacy-conscious users, journalists, and anyone who wants a transparent VPN provider backed by independent audits and a strong privacy-first philosophy.