Quick Answer
Proton VPN Free is free forever, with no data limits, no ads and the same audited no-logs policy as its paid plans.
However, it covers one device and picks servers in 10 countries for you. For more devices, server choice or streaming, VPN Plus starts at $2.99 a month on a two-year US plan.
The Sunset Weekly Connection Reality: Proton VPN Free provides robust, unlimited security without ads, making it an excellent starting point for basic privacy protection. Upgrading to VPN Plus unlocks multi-device coverage, custom server selection, and seamless streaming capabilities for complete digital security.
GET PROTON VPNProton VPN at a Glance: 2026
| Feature | Proton Free | VPN Plus | Proton Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0, forever | From $2.99/month (2-year, US) | From $7.99/month (2-year, US) |
| Devices at once | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Servers | 10 countries, chosen automatically | 20,000+ in 140+ countries | 20,000+ in 140+ countries |
| Speed | Medium | Highest (up to 10 Gbps) | Highest (up to 10 Gbps) |
| Extras | Free Proton apps | NetShield, Secure Core, streaming, split tunneling | Everything in Plus, plus premium Mail, Pass, Drive and Calendar |
In addition, all three plans include unlimited data, the audited no-logs policy and a kill switch.
Source: protonvpn.com pricing page and “Proton VPN plans explained” support page. Checked October 1, 2026.
Is Proton VPN Really Free?
Yes. Proton VPN Free has no time limit, no data cap and no ads. In addition, you don’t need a credit card to sign up. Rather than relying on ads, Proton funds the free plan through revenue from its paid plans.
Here’s what the free plan includes, according to Proton:
- Servers in 10 countries: the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, Norway, Switzerland and Singapore
- Unlimited data
- One device connected at a time
- Unlimited devices through a router you’ve set up with Proton VPN
- A strict, audited no-logs policy
- DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak prevention (platform dependent)
- A kill switch or always-on VPN
- Strong encryption
- Access to Proton’s free services, including Proton Mail, Pass and Drive
One detail often causes confusion. For instance, some older guides say the free plan covers only five countries, but Proton now lists 10. Still, there’s a catch: you can’t pick one, because the app connects you automatically.
What the free plan leaves out
Free users connect at medium speed and can’t choose a specific country. Proton also lists streaming, P2P, the NetShield ad blocker, Secure Core, split tunneling and the browser extension as VPN Plus features.
Streaming, however, works slightly differently from what some guides suggest. According to Proton, it doesn’t block Netflix or other streaming services on free servers. Even so, it only guarantees streaming access on paid plans.
Is Proton VPN Safe for Travel?
Proton VPN backs its privacy claims with independent evidence. Above all, its no-logs policy has passed five consecutive annual audits by Securitum, a European security firm. Securitum’s 2026 report, for example, found no persistent records that would let Proton link a specific user to activity on an audited VPN server.
In addition, several core safeguards apply on every plan, free and paid:
| Safeguard | What it means on the road |
|---|---|
| Audited no-logs policy | Proton keeps no record of the sites you visit, on any plan |
| AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption | Your traffic stays unreadable on airport, hotel and café Wi-Fi |
| Kill switch | Turn it on, and your traffic stops if the VPN connection drops |
| DNS leak protection | Your browsing requests stay inside the encrypted tunnel |
| Open-source apps | Anyone can inspect Proton’s code |
| Swiss jurisdiction | According to Proton, Switzerland is outside the EU and isn’t part of any mass surveillance alliance |
Source: protonvpn.com no-logs audit, deals and support pages. Checked October 1, 2026.
Proton also says its no-logs policy has been tested in more than 400 legal cases.
What “safe” doesn’t cover
A VPN protects your connection, not every risk you face while traveling. For example, it can’t stop you from entering details on a fake booking site. Some websites also block known VPN addresses, which can interrupt banking or booking. In addition, VPN rules vary by country, so check local laws before you travel.
Proton VPN Free vs Plus vs Unlimited: What You Get
| Feature | Free | VPN Plus | Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose your server country | No | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming support | Not guaranteed | Yes | Yes |
| P2P and BitTorrent | No | Yes | Yes |
| NetShield (blocks ads, trackers and malware) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Core (an extra VPN hop for added protection) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | No | Yes | Yes |
| Browser extension | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority support and live chat | No | Yes | Yes |
| Proton Pass hide-my-email aliases | 10 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Proton Drive storage | Up to 5 GB | Up to 5 GB | 500 GB |
| Proton Mail addresses | 1 | 1 | 15 |
Source: protonvpn.com pricing page and “Proton VPN plans explained” support page. Checked October 1, 2026.
In short, Proton Unlimited includes exactly the same VPN as VPN Plus. The extra cost, therefore, covers the premium versions of Proton Mail, Pass, Drive and Calendar.
How Much Does Proton VPN Cost in 2026?
Proton’s biggest discounts apply to your first term. After that, every paid plan renews every 12 months at the price shown below. For most plans, however, that renewal price is higher than what you paid at first, so check the last column before you buy.
United States (USD)
| Plan | 1-year price | Billed for first year | 2-year price | Billed for first 2 years | Then renews at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN Plus | $3.99/month | $47.88 | $2.99/month | $71.76 | $83.88 every 12 months |
| VPN x Pass Plus | $5.99/month | $71.88 | $4.99/month | $119.76 | $107.88 every 12 months |
| Proton Unlimited | $9.99/month | $119.88 | $7.99/month | $191.76 | $119.88 every 12 months |
Source: protonvpn.com/vpn-deals, USD. Standard monthly prices: VPN Plus $9.99, VPN x Pass Plus $11.99, Unlimited $12.99. Checked October 1, 2026.
United Kingdom (GBP)
| Plan | 1-year price | Billed for first year | 2-year price | Billed for first 2 years | Then renews at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN Plus | £3.59/month | £43.08 | £2.79/month | £66.96 | £67.08 every 12 months |
| Proton Unlimited | £7.99/month | £95.88 | £6.39/month | £153.36 | £95.88 every 12 months |
Source: protonvpn.com/pricing, GBP. Standard monthly prices: VPN Plus £7.99, Unlimited £10.39. Checked October 1, 2026.
France and the Eurozone (EUR)
| Plan | 1-year price | Billed for first year | 2-year price | Billed for first 2 years | Then renews at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN Plus | €4.49/month | €53.88 | €3.49/month | €83.76 | €83.88 every 12 months |
| Proton Unlimited | €9.99/month | €119.88 | €7.99/month | €191.76 | €119.88 every 12 months |
Source: protonvpn.com/pricing, EUR. Standard monthly prices: VPN Plus €9.99, Unlimited €12.99. Checked October 1, 2026.
Here’s what that means in practice. For example, a US traveler who picks the two-year VPN Plus deal pays $71.76 upfront. Then, from the third year, the plan renews at $83.88 a year, unless you cancel before the renewal date. By contrast, the one-year Proton Unlimited plan renews at the same price you paid in the first year.
Every paid plan also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Proton says it refunds your payment in full within that window. Because prices are promotional and can change, always confirm the live price at checkout.
Which Proton VPN Plan Fits Your Trip?
| Your travel style | Best plan |
|---|---|
| Occasional trips, mainly using airport and hotel Wi-Fi on one phone | Proton Free |
| A phone, a laptop and a tablet on the same trip | VPN Plus (10 devices) |
| Watching your usual streaming services abroad | VPN Plus, since streaming is only guaranteed on paid plans |
| Logging in to banking or work accounts from a specific country | VPN Plus, which lets you choose the server country |
| Managing many booking logins and loyalty accounts | VPN x Pass Plus or Proton Unlimited |
| A family trip with several travelers | Proton Family, which covers up to six accounts with Unlimited features |
Tips for a Smooth Proton VPN Experience Abroad
Like any VPN, Proton VPN works best when you set it up for the way you travel. In practice, a few simple habits solve the most common hiccups travelers run into, from websites that block VPN connections to choosing the right plan.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before your trip | Test Proton VPN Free at home on every device you plan to take |
| A website blocks the VPN or keeps showing CAPTCHAs | Switch to a different server, since busy shared addresses trigger more checks |
| The connection drops or feels slow | Change the connection protocol in the app settings |
| Deciding on a paid plan | Use the 30-day money-back guarantee, and request any refund early in the window |
| Planning ahead for renewal | Note the renewal price before you buy, then manage auto-renewal from your account’s Subscription tab |
Source: Proton VPN’s published replies on Trustpilot and protonvpn.com. Checked October 1, 2026.
Should You Use Proton VPN Free or Upgrade?
Start with Proton VPN Free if you mainly need safe public Wi-Fi on one device and don’t mind Proton choosing your server.
On the other hand, upgrade to VPN Plus if you travel with several devices, stream abroad, or need a server in a specific country for banking or work.
Finally, pick Proton Unlimited if you’ll also use premium Proton Mail, Pass, Drive and Calendar. Otherwise, VPN Plus gives you the same VPN for less.
Planning your trip with AI as well? In that case, read our guide: Planning Your Trip With AI? How to Keep Your Travel Data Private in 2026.
FAQs
The free plan
Is Proton VPN free forever?
Yes. Proton VPN Free has no time limit, no data cap and no ads. It also doesn’t need a credit card.
How many countries does Proton VPN Free cover?
Ten: the US, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, Norway, Switzerland and Singapore. However, Proton chooses the server for you.
Can I stream with Proton VPN Free?
Proton doesn’t block streaming services on free servers. Even so, it only guarantees streaming access on paid plans.
Safety and privacy
Is Proton VPN safe to use?
Yes. Its no-logs policy has passed five consecutive annual audits by Securitum, most recently in 2026. In addition, its apps are open source.
Does the free plan have weaker security than paid plans?
Not for core protection. According to Proton, every plan uses the same strong encryption and the same no-logs policy. However, extra features such as Secure Core and NetShield are only available on VPN Plus and Unlimited.
Does Proton VPN have a kill switch on the free plan?
Yes. The kill switch is available on all free and paid plans. First, though, you need to turn it on in the app.
Prices and refunds
How much is Proton VPN Plus?
In the US, VPN Plus costs $3.99 a month on a one-year plan or $2.99 a month on a two-year plan. After the first term, both renew at $83.88 every 12 months.
Does Proton VPN offer refunds?
Yes. Every paid plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Therefore, request any refund early within that window.
Using Proton VPN while traveling
Does Proton VPN work on hotel and airport Wi-Fi?
Yes. Connect before you open any booking, banking or email site. For extra protection, also turn on the kill switch.
Why do some sites block Proton VPN?
Some websites block known VPN addresses. In that case, switch to another server, which usually fixes the problem.
Editorial & Accuracy Standards
- Expert Review:
Ammara Azmat,
Senior Travel Mobility Analyst (12+ years experience) - Status: Verified for accuracy against official 2026 service data and real-time traveller reports.
- Our Process: This content follows our Fact-Checking Policy.
