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Proton VPN review: price, audits and the true 3-year cost
The strongest audit record, and the only free plan we'd recommend
Our verdict
Best for privacy-minded people, and anyone who wants to try a VPN free before paying
The strongest audit record, and the only free plan we'd recommend. Fewer extras than some rivals; the free plan covers one device and doesn't let you choose a country.
- Quality score
- 8.9/10
- From
- $3.49/mo
- True 3-year cost
- $167.64
- Try it
- 30-day money-back guarantee
See Proton VPN plans (opens Proton VPN in a new tab)Direct link. We don't earn a commission from it.
Verified 16 Oct 2026 against Proton VPN's own pages.
Score breakdown
Scores are provisional until our own speed and streaming tests are complete. How we score
| Criterion | Weight | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy policy, transparency, independent audits | 25% | 9.6 | |
| Security features | 20% | 9.2 | |
| Speed and reliability | 15% | 8.3 | |
| Ease of use and device compatibility | 15% | 8.4 | |
| Fit for the visitor's intended activity | 15% | 8.7 | |
| Price, renewal terms, and value | 10% | 8.4 | |
| Quality score | 8.9 |
The details
| Privacy credentials | policy by Securitum every year from 2022 to 2026; apps; Swiss |
|---|---|
| Security features | , multi-hop routing, Stealth for restrictive networks, ad and malware blocking |
| Devices | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows; 10 devices at once (1 on the free plan) |
| Streaming | Plus supports streaming; independent testers report good results. VPN Sight testing pending |
| Introductory price | $3.49/mo, billed as $83.76 for the first 24 months |
| Renewal price | $83.88 per year |
| Total commitment | 24 months |
| True 3-year cost | $167.64 ($4.66/mo): $83.76 + one year at $83.88 |
| Price pattern | Seasonal sales go lower: $2.99/mo was on offer in October 2026 |
| Refund or trial | 30-day money-back guarantee. Free plan available (1 device). |
| Last verified | 16 Oct 2026 Verified |
Destination evidence: protecting your connection
| Destination | Evidence | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| China | Not yet tested here | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Colombia | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Costa Rica | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Dominican Republic | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| France | No restrictions reported | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Germany | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Greece | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Ireland | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Italy | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Jamaica | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Japan | No restrictions reported | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Mexico | No restrictions reported | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Netherlands | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Portugal | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Spain | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Switzerland | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Thailand | No restrictions reported | 16 Oct 2026 |
| United Arab Emirates | Not yet tested here | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Türkiye | Not yet tested here | 16 Oct 2026 |
| United Kingdom | No restrictions reported | 16 Oct 2026 |
| United States | No restrictions reported | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Bahamas | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Brazil | No restrictions reported | 18 Oct 2026 |
"No restrictions reported" means the destination doesn't restrict VPN connections; it isn't a test result. Streaming and restricted-destination testing is pending.
Where this comes from
- Proton VPN pricing page (verified 16 Oct 2026) Primary source
- Cyberpresso, pricing checked 25 Sep 2026
- SecureGuides, Proton VPN review
- Proton VPN on Wikipedia
Provider pages were used to verify prices, terms and features. Independent reporting is listed for audit history and testing context.