ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused virtual private network service developed by the team behind Proton Mail. Headquartered in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws, ProtonVPN emphasizes user privacy, security, and transparency. It offers a mix of free and paid plans, cross-platform apps, and features designed to protect internet traffic from surveillance and tracking while enabling common use cases such as secure browsing, streaming, and P2P file sharing. Core privacy and security features ProtonVPN uses modern encryption and secure protocols to safeguard data. It supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, and employs AES-256 encryption along with Perfect Forward Secrecy to reduce the impact of any future key compromise. Many of ProtonVPN’s servers run in diskless (RAM-only) mode, which prevents data from being stored long-term and adds a layer of protection against physical seizure. The company also operates a “Secure Core” architecture: traffic is routed through privacy-friendly countries before exiting to the public internet, reducing the risk of network-level attacks on a single server. Transparency and trust ProtonVPN has prioritized transparency by publishing details about its infrastructure and undergoing independent security audits. Its apps are open source, allowing security researchers and technically inclined users to inspect the code. The service maintains a no-logs policy, meaning ProtonVPN does not record users’ browsing activity or connection history; this policy is shielded by Swiss jurisdiction and technical design choices. Performance and usability ProtonVPN balances privacy with performance. WireGuard offers strong security with faster connection speeds compared to older protocols, and Proton’s paid tiers provide access to higher-bandwidth servers and optimized locations for streaming and gaming. The Secure Core option, while increasing privacy, can introduce additional latency because of multi-hop routing, so users can choose based on their priorities. ProtonVPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and the interface is straightforward for both beginners and experienced users. Features like kill switch, split tunneling (on some platforms), and easy server selection enhance everyday usability. Use cases and limitations Common uses for ProtonVPN include securing public Wi‑Fi, circumventing geographic restrictions for streaming, protecting sensitive communications, and anonymizing P2P traffic on supported servers. The free tier is attractive for casual users but limits available server locations and bandwidth; paid plans unlock higher speeds, more regions, and extras like Secure Core and Tor over VPN. No VPN is a silver bullet—ProtonVPN strengthens privacy and security but should be combined with good digital hygiene (strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and careful app permissions). Conclusion ProtonVPN is a solid choice for users who prioritize privacy and transparency without sacrificing usability. Its Swiss base, no-logs stance, open-source clients, and privacy-focused features make it particularly appealing to journalists, travelers, and privacy-conscious individuals. For those who need the best possible speeds and features, a paid plan is recommended; casual users will still find value in the free option.