I’ve been using ProtonVPN daily for over two years now. As someone who works remotely, relies on encrypted communications, and streams across multiple platforms, I’ve tested more VPNs than I care to count. Most of them compromise somewhere – privacy, performance, price. ProtonVPN? In late 2025, it made a bold move from being a “security-first” niche product into one of the fastest, most feature-rich VPNs on the market.
What follows is a hands-on, fully updated review of the paid version of ProtonVPN – based on my own daily use and the latest independent audits, infrastructure upgrades, and performance tests as of December 2025. No fluff, just facts and real-world impact.
1. Ownership and Jurisdiction: Why Switzerland Still Matters
ProtonVPN is built by the same people behind ProtonMail, born at CERN, and governed by a nonprofit foundation. This matters a lot. In a world where most VPNs are owned by venture capital-backed megacorps (hello, Kape Technologies), Proton remains independent, not answerable to ad networks or data miners.
Being based in Switzerland gives it a serious legal advantage:
- No EU data retention laws
- Outside the “14 Eyes” alliance
- Requires a Swiss court order to conduct surveillance – and even then, Proton’s no-logs architecture means there’s no data to hand over
As of late 2025, Proton publicly committed to moving infrastructure if Swiss law ever compromised its no-logs policy. That’s not just talk – that’s operational integrity.
2. Server Network ProtonVPN: From Underdog to Global Giant
One of ProtonVPN’s biggest historical weaknesses – a smaller server fleet – has been completely crushed. Between 2024 and the end of 2025, Proton tripled its infrastructure.
As of December 1, 2025:
- 16,993 servers in 127 countries
- 19,882 Gbps total capacity
- 131 Secure Core servers in physically secured bunkers
- 14,565 Plus servers optimized for speed and streaming
Most new servers run on 10 Gbps uplinks, which shows in speed tests (we’ll get there). Whether you’re in Mongolia or Montreal, there’s a high-speed exit node for you now.
Proton also introduced Smart Routing and Streamlined Server Lists in late 2025, which makes navigating this massive network effortless – the app shows only the most relevant servers, with smart filtering based on your location and usage.
3. Secure Core: Physical Security That Actually Matters
Secure Core is Proton’s answer to a real-world threat: what if someone seizes a VPN server?
When you activate Secure Core, your traffic goes through a multi-hop chain:
- Entry point in a Proton-owned, hardened datacenter in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden
- Exit point in your selected country
Even if the second server is compromised, all anyone sees is the IP of the Secure Core bunker – not yours. It’s slower (more on that later), but for journalists, activists, or anyone under surveillance, it’s a life-saving layer of anonymity.
4. Speed and Performance: VPN Accelerator Is a Game Changer
Forget the old myth that secure VPNs are slow. In 2025, Proton rolled out VPN Accelerator, which finally solved the single-core bottleneck that throttled OpenVPN and other legacy protocols.
Here’s what I personally tested on a 1 Gbps fiber line in Europe, using WireGuard:
| Scenario | Without VPN | With ProtonVPN | Loss | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU → EU | ~900 Mbps | 820–870 Mbps | <10% | +2–5 ms |
| EU → USA (Transatlantic) | ~900 Mbps | 610–782 Mbps | ~22% | ~62 ms |
| EU → Asia (Singapore) | ~900 Mbps | ~558 Mbps | ~35% | ~154 ms |
| Secure Core (Double Hop) | ~900 Mbps | 401–494 Mbps | ~45% | High |
What this means in practice:
- For regular use, Proton is one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested
- Transatlantic and Asian speeds are more than enough for multiple 4K streams
- Secure Core is slower, but still usable for browsing or email
Proton still slightly trails ExpressVPN in ultra-long-distance latency (think gaming to Japan), but the performance gap has shrunk dramatically.
5. Streaming & Geo-Unblocking: Works Where Others Fail
This is where Proton surprised me the most in 2025. It went from being “hit or miss” to consistently reliable for major streaming platforms:
- Netflix: US, UK, Canada, Japan – all working
- BBC iPlayer: passed every test
- Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video: No issues
- ZDF / ARD: Great for German content via Plus servers
- DAZN, Sky9, Mubi – working
Thanks to thousands of IPs and Stealth protocol, Proton evades detection better than most VPNs. It’s now one of my top picks for streaming, and I regularly use it on Android TV and macOS.
6. Security: Zero-Compromise Architecture
This is where ProtonVPN still beats everyone else cold.
2025 No-Logs Audit (Securitum):
- Zero logs found
- No metadata retention
- No DPI (deep packet inspection)
- RAM-only servers (wipe on shutdown)
- Passed on-site inspection in Zurich HQ
Encryption & Protocols:
- AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption
- Perfect Forward Secrecy by default
- Protocol options: WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth
- Smart Protocol: automatically selects best tunnel based on network conditions
NetShield:
- DNS-based ad and malware blocker
- Now includes phishing protection
- Improved false-positive rate in Q4 2025
Proton’s approach isn’t just secure – it’s verifiably secure. I don’t have to trust them. I have audits and open-source code.
7. Apps and Compatibility: Finally a Unified Experience
Windows & macOS:
- Full feature parity in 2025
- Split tunneling, port forwarding, custom profiles
- Stealth now supported on both
Linux:
- Massive upgrade in November 2025
- New CLI (v0.1.2) – blazing fast, scriptable
- GUI now includes split tunneling and WireGuard stability
- Stealth coming in Winter 2026
Mobile (Android & iOS):
- Modern UI, stable connections
- Android now includes “Guest Mode” and hidden VPN icon
- iOS has custom DNS and widgets, but lacks split tunneling (Apple limitation)
Across the board, the Proton app ecosystem finally feels premium. There’s still room to grow, especially on Linux GUI, but it’s night and day compared to just a year ago.
8. Pricing ProtonVPN: From Premium to Ultra-Competitive
The 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals changed the game:
- 2-Year Plus Plan: $2.49/month
- 1-Year Plus Plan: $4.32/month
- Monthly Plan Plus: $9.99/month
That puts Proton below NordVPN and Surfshark – but with arguably better privacy architecture and a stronger free plan.
Free Tier (as of Q4 2025):
- No ads, no logs, unlimited bandwidth
- Now includes 10 countries (added Mexico, Norway, Canada, Singapore)
- No streaming or P2P, but perfect for casual secure browsing
Proton also locks in renewal prices, which is almost unheard of in the VPN space.
9. Downsides: Where Proton Still Needs Work
No VPN is perfect. Here’s what I’ve noticed (and seen echoed by the community):
- 🟠 Connection drops: Some users (especially in the US/EU) reported instability in November 2025 – likely due to rapid network expansion. Switching to OpenVPN TCP often fixes it.
- 🟠 Live chat availability: Not 24/7 in practice. Response times are solid, but not as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
- 🟠 Learning curve: Features like Secure Core or Profiles can be confusing at first for new users.
- 🟠 Linux GUI still behind: Functionality is catching up, but Windows/macOS still offer a smoother experience.
Final Verdict: Is ProtonVPN Worth It in 2026?
Yes. Absolutely. Without hesitation.
ProtonVPN in late 2025 and going into 2026 is the most well-rounded, privacy-respecting, high-performance VPN I’ve used. With audited security, blazing speed, full-feature apps, and unmatched transparency, it’s a no-brainer for anyone who cares about online privacy and streaming access.
At $2.49/month? That’s not just competitive. That’s a steal.
✅ Recommended ProtonVPN for:
- Privacy-conscious professionals
- Streamers and expats
- Linux power users
- Journalists, activists, and anyone under surveillance
⚠️ Not ideal if:
- You need 24/7 live chat
- You’re a complete beginner and want a “one-click” VPN with no learning curve
If you want to truly own your digital privacy in 2026 without sacrificing speed or usability – ProtonVPN Plus is the way to go.
FAQ
Is ProtonVPN really that fast now, or is it just hype?
Yes, it’s genuinely fast. Since the launch of VPN Accelerator and thousands of new 10 Gbps servers in 2025, ProtonVPN now handles streaming, downloads, and browsing without lag – even on long-distance connections
Can I watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer or Disney+ with ProtonVPN?
Absolutely. In our 2025 tests, ProtonVPN unlocked Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Canada), BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and even German ARD/ZDF without buffering. Just use the Plus servers and you’re good to go.
Does ProtonVPN really not keep any logs?
Correct – and it’s been audited to prove it. In August 2025, ProtonVPN passed its fourth independent no-logs audit. Servers run in RAM-only mode, so even if someone seized them, there’s nothing to find.
Is ProtonVPN better than NordVPN or Surfshark?
Depends what you need. ProtonVPN is unmatched for privacy, security, and transparency. NordVPN and Surfshark have better live chat and slightly faster gaming ping. But for daily use, ProtonVPN is now a serious competitor – especially at $2.49/month.
Is the free version of ProtonVPN still worth it in 2026?
Definitely. The free tier now includes 10 countries, unlimited bandwidth, and no ads. You can’t stream or torrent, but for private browsing and staying safe on public Wi-Fi, it’s the best free option out there.
