ProtonVPN for Windows

Free VPN filled with features

ProtonVPN is a free virtual private network service that provides a secure internet connection. ProtonVPN is regarded as the best free VPN service that features important tools to keep your information private. While you can get a paid subscription, the free version does not compromise your security.

Atlas VPN and Windscribe are additional free VPN applications that keep your identity safe online. While Windscribe only gives you 10 GB of data per month to use, ProtonVPN and AtlasVPN do not limit your bandwidth. Atlas VPN is the best option to use for torrenting since ProtonVPN does not let you torrent for free and Windscribe limits your data usage in the free app.

Is ProtonVPN trustworthy?

ProtonVPN is trustworthy. Proton Technologies AG developed ProtonVPN and an encrypted email service called ProtonMail. As the developers are headquartered in Switzerland, your privacy is respected. Switzerland is a country that has strict privacy laws and is not part of the Five Eyes Alliance or Fourteen Eyes Alliance.

ProtonMail is a secure email service founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN, emphasizing internet privacy and security. Launched in 2017 in response to growing threats to online privacy, Proton VPN offered both free and paid services, with the free version notably lacking data limits. It focused heavily on robust security and privacy features, such as a no-logs policy, secure core architecture, and high-strength encryption. 

Over time, Proton VPN expanded its server network and added new features like file-sharing support and Tor integration. Besides offering VPN services, Proton VPN, alongside ProtonMail, has been an advocate for internet privacy and freedom. This evolution reflects their commitment to providing a secure, private, and free internet.

Is ProtonVPN free safe?

While free VPN apps are often seen as unsafe, and rightfully so, the free ProtonVPN app is an exception. VPN utilities often log your personal data to share with third parties, however, ProtonVPN has a strict no-logging privacy policy. The only activity that gets logged is your sign-in time, and the timestamp is replaced each time you log in.

Additionally, your browsing history is not logged. Your internet connection is encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption, and ProtonVPN delivers multiple tunneling protocols like IKEv2/IPsec, OpenVPN TCP, and OpenVPN UDP. The free version includes a kill switch to make sure your true IP address does not leak in case your VPN connection is interrupted.

The kill switch is available to turn off and on in the hamburger menu. A window will appear to let you manage the kill switch settings. The split tunneling command is available in the ‘Advanced’ tab to let you control the applications and IPs that get tunneled through the VPN. You can exclude certain programs to make your VPN speed quicker.

The connections included in the VPN tunnel will also be protected. A list will appear beneath the split tunneling choice to let you choose the software to either exclude or include. You can enable or disable DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak protection in the ‘Advanced’ area.

Is ProtonVPN bad?

While ProtonVPN is an excellent free VPN, a few features are not available in the free tier that the paid versions include like Secure Core and Tor over VPN. 

Secure Core will connect you to core servers that are stationed in privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland before connecting you to standard servers. Tor is another layer of VPN protection that routes your encrypted traffic through the Tor anonymity network. The Secure Core and Tor network advantages are not included in the free nor basic plans. Only the higher-level subscription tiers include the anonymous routing. While the free package does not include streaming nor torrenting capabilities, you can stream and torrent with a membership.

ProtonVPN can stream international Netflix libraries, and the user interface includes specific VPN servers that are optimized for streaming Netflix content. Additionally, the app can unlock Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Hulu. Since ProtonVPN is not one of the quickest VPNs, you can find other VPNs to stream and torrent like NordVPN and Surfshark VPN.

How do I get ProtonVPN?

Since ProtonVPN is cross-platform, you can use ProtonVPN on Android, Android TV, Chromebook, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows (11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7) PC devices. While the free edition only supports one device, the paid packages offer multiple simultaneous connections for you to use.

Reliable virtual private network

ProtonVPN is a secure VPN that conceals your identity with military-grade encryption, leak protection, split tunneling, and tunneling protocols. ProtonVPN has been independently audited by a reputable company called SEC Consult. Additionally, you can verify the legitimacy of the app by reviewing the source code since ProtonVPN is open source.

What’s new?

The popularity of Proton VPN is increasing. Your online freedom can be trusted with ProtonVPN since new software updates are added frequently to improve the security and performance features.