Proton VPN is an open-source VPN that’s particularly designed for customers who’ve privateness and safety as their high priorities.
On this article, we stroll you thru methods to arrange and use Proton VPN. We additionally reply some continuously requested questions on Proton VPN and its options.
The desired template was not discovered. Please verify your settings.
The best way to arrange and use Proton VPN
1. Deciding on a Proton VPN subscription
Proton VPN presents three tiers: Proton Free, Proton VPN Plus and Proton Limitless. Each VPN Plus and Limitless are Proton’s paid VPN subscriptions and provide month-to-month, annual and two-year plans.
Right here’s a short overview of the three Proton tiers:
- Proton Free: Limitless information with slower speeds; one gadget connection; servers from solely 5 international locations.
- Proton VPN Plus: 3,000+ servers in 70+ international locations; 10 simultaneous gadget connections; quickest VPN pace.
- Proton Limitless: All VPN Plus options and entry to Proton Mail Plus, Proton Drive Plus and Proton Calendar.
In our hands-on assessment, Proton VPN obtained a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.
I discover the one-year $5.99 per 30 days plan for Proton VPN Plus to be the very best steadiness of options and worth. However when you’re already an avid person of Proton’s different providers, getting one of many Proton Limitless bundles is a great alternative.
For this demonstration, I selected Proton’s free model. With its lack of a knowledge cap, Proton Free is one in every of my favourite free VPNs to make use of long-term.
When you’re in search of different free VPNs, learn our rundown on the finest free VPNs in 2024.
2. Downloading and establishing Proton VPN
To obtain Proton Free, I clicked on the Get Proton Free button discovered on Proton VPN’s pricing web page. From there, it requested me to create an account by offering my e-mail handle and a brand new password.
I like that Proton offers you the choice to allow them to generate a randomized password for you. Simply just be sure you copy it to a protected place, when you decide to take action.
From there, I used to be redirected to Proton VPN’s obtain web page, which housed their completely different installer recordsdata for his or her supported working techniques.
Since I’m a Home windows person, I downloaded the Home windows file. Proton VPN helps Home windows, macOS, Linux/GNU, Chromebook, iOS, Android and others.
As soon as downloaded, I ran the installer file and adopted the mandatory steps. After going by the set up, the Proton VPN desktop app opened and requested for my account particulars.
As soon as logged in, I used to be led to the principle Proton VPN desktop app dashboard!
3. Utilizing Proton VPN
Like most VPN apps, Proton VPN has a distinguished On/Off change that mechanically connects you to one in every of their servers. In Proton VPN’s case, it has a Fast Join button on the left aspect of their app (Determine H).
Clicking on that button will mechanically join you to the quickest server based mostly in your location. Remember that Proton Free customers will solely get related to a server within the Netherlands, Romania, Japan, Poland or the US.
In my case, clicking on Fast Join related me to the Proton VPN server in Japan.
At this level, I’m efficiently related to a safe Proton VPN server.
If you wish to verify when you’ve correctly related to one in every of Proton VPN’s servers, I like to recommend utilizing a public DNS leak device. These instruments present you the present IP handle and placement of your gadget. A correct connection by way of a VPN ought to present the IP handle and placement of the VPN server you chose. On this case, my IP handle ought to present that I’m in Japan.
To verify, I used DNSLeakTest.com. Nonetheless, there are different related instruments on-line that may accomplish the identical operate.
Once I checked, it confirmed that I had efficiently related to a VPN server positioned in Japan (Determine J).
Proton VPN FAQs
Is Proton VPN free?
Sure, Proton VPN has a free model that’s free perpetually. Nonetheless, it does have limitations in comparison with Proton VPN’s paid plans. Whereas it presents limitless bandwidth, it solely permits for one VPN connection, in comparison with 10 simultaneous gadget connections on the premium plans.
As well as, free customers solely get entry to servers in 5 international locations: the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland and the US. With the premium plans, you get entry to over 3,000 servers unfold throughout 70+ international locations.
And, Proton Free has a slower VPN pace in comparison with each Proton VPN premium plans.
What number of gadgets can I take advantage of Proton VPN?
Paid customers of Proton VPN can have as much as 10 simultaneous gadget connections. In the meantime, Proton Free variations can solely join one gadget at a time.
What number of servers and places does Proton VPN provide?
As of March 2024, Proton VPN presents 3,428 servers in 71 international locations. Remember that server community numbers often fluctuate.
Nonetheless, Proton VPN has persistently had round 3,000+ servers from round 65+ international locations as of late, per our analysis.
What working techniques does Proton VPN help?
For the desktop aspect, Proton VPN helps Home windows, macOS, Linux and Chromebook. It additionally has browser extensions for each Chrome and Firefox.
For cellular, Proton VPN is offered on iOS, Android and Android TV.
What if Proton VPN isn’t working correctly?
When you encounter any points with Proton VPN, you possibly can go to their Assist and help web page, which has a wholesome quantity of help articles masking continuously requested questions and points.
For extra urgent issues, Proton VPN has a help e-mail and a live-chat function that’s unique to paid customers.
What we consider Proton VPN
In our full assessment, Proton VPN obtained a score of 4.0 stars out of 5. Its operations being based mostly in privacy-friendly Switzerland was a spotlight in our evaluation, in addition to it being open supply.
We additionally appreciated Proton VPN’s beneficiant free model that comes with zero bandwidth restrictions — which is rare in comparison with different free VPN choices.
If you wish to study extra, learn our full assessment and evaluation of Proton VPN right here.