ProtonVPN Review
A comprehensive review of ProtonVPN. Is it good for streaming and day-to-day use?
Introduction
Overview
ProtonVPN Plus is an expensive VPN service with average speeds, a no-logs policy, and easy to use apps.
This review of ProtonVPN contains the results of tests between 3 September 2020 and 2 November 2020.
This document is a continuously being updated with fresh data each month in order to be accurate and consistent.
Is ProtonVPN a good VPN? Is it worth getting?
Privacy & Anonymity Summary
ProtonVPN has a solid no-logs policy and is transparent about the data collected by the VPN servers. However, they support only OpenVPN-UDP and TCP protocols on Windows.
Speed & Performance Summary
The speeds offered are only average, and the frequent connection drops are a problem for many users.
Functionality & Application Summary
The Windows client is intuitive and easy to use, supports split tunneling, and has an internet kill switch.
Reputation & Support Summary
There are rumors that ProtonVPN is operated by a data-mining firm called Tesonet. ProtonVPN agrees that Tesonet was used as an outsourced HR and claims that no data was shared with Tesonet.
Price & Value Summary
At $96 for a year and $159 for two years, ProtonVPN is a little expensive for the speeds, support, and functionalities offered.
Proof
How Was ProtonVPN Rated?
Review Criteria
I've rated the VPN on multiple elements across five categories, and analysed the results to give you a good understanding of the service.
Privacy & Anonymity
Does the VPN leak any data while in use? Do they collect or store logs? Do they allow you to anonymously purchase the service? Do they employ a variety of security protocols to keep you anonymous online?
Speed & Performance
Does the VPN offer fast speeds (on par with browsing without a VPN connection)? Are these speeds consistent? Or do they drop off or fluctuate too much?
Functionality & Application
Does the VPN work well? Is it easy to install and use? Does it unblock geo-restricted content? Can it unblock Netflix and BBC iPlayer?
Reputation & Support
Is the VPN a reputable seller with a strong track record of happy customers and good reviews? Does it provide outstanding customer and tech support? Does the VPN and their parent company have a track record of honesty, transparency, and its customers' best interests at heart?
Price & Value
Does the price of the service match (or exceed) the quality of experience? Does the VPN represent value for money?
Privacy & Anonymity
Does ProtonVPN have a logging policy?
ProtonVPN has a solid no-logs policy, the only data collected being the last connection timestamp, which is necessary to restrict the number of simultaneous connections.
However, some Reddit users have raised concerns over their no-logs policy, where their accounts were banned for abuse. In response, ProtonVPN said that they do have the capability to detect abuse of their service and can track down the account related to the abuse.
Does ProtonVPN have a kill switch?
ProtonVPN’s Windows client does not have an app kill switch, but has an internet kill switch.
What security protocols does ProtonVPN use?
ProtonVPN supports OpenVPN-UDP and OpenVPN-TCP protocols on Windows. WireGuard is not supported as yet.
Speed & Performance
Is ProtonVPN fast?
ProtonVPN provides average browsing speeds, below-average download speeds, and above-average torrenting speeds.
Does ProtonVPN provide consistent speeds?
Yes, the speeds provided are consistent.
Functionality & Application
Is ProtonVPN easy to use?
Yes, ProtonVPN is very easy to use.
The installation was simple and pretty quick on Windows. The app offers a quick tour right after installation, and all the necessary configurations are covered in the tour. Even older people will find it very easy to use the app.
The main screen shows the server locations and has a search button to make things easier. The quick-connect button connects us to the optimal server based on our location by default, but we can change it to connect to a random server also.
The app does not have great functionalities and does not offer many customizations, but it does have all the features to keep us safe and secure when using the internet, like the internet kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling.
A look at the dashboard on Windows.
ProtonVPN General Settings on Windows.
The customization options are very limited on Windows.
The security features are enough to keep us safe on the internet.
Does ProtonVPN support split tunneling?
Yes, ProtonVPN supports split tunneling. It lets us exclude or include apps and IPs from going through the tunnel.
Is ProtonVPN good for torrenting? Do they approve of using P2P technology?
ProtonVPN approves of using P2P technology and has designated servers for P2P. Servers that support P2P have an icon next to their names.
Is ProtonVPN good for Netflix?
ProtonVPN was able to successfully unblocked geo-restricted Netflix content in 5 out of 15 countries. I could watch Netflix content exclusive to France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and USA.
Is Private Internet Access good for BBC iPlayer?
Is ProtonVPN good for streaming?
What are some good features of ProtonVPN?
- Tor integration
- Swiss-based
- Good no-logs policy
Reputation & Support
Is ProtonVPN trustworthy?
There are rumors and allegations regarding their logging policy and business partners, but ProtonVPN has been transparent about it. Considering the no-logs policy and security features offered, ProtonVPN is a trustworthy VPN service.
Does ProtonVPN have live chat support? Are they responsive?
Where are they based? What jurisdiction are they under?
ProtonVPN and their parent company are based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Who is the parent company?
Proton Technologies AG owns ProtonVPN, and its headquarters is located at Chemin du Pré-Fleuri, 3 CH-1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Genève, Switzerland.
Have ProtonVPN or their parent company been involved in any controversies or scandals?
There were rumors that ProtonVPN is being operated by a data-mining firm called Tesonet. The VPN community also found out that ProtonVPN’s Android app is signed by Tesonet. Interestingly, in reply to a related thread, ProtonVPN said: “Like ProtonMail, the ProtonVPN team is distributed, split between Geneva, Skopje, Vilnius, and San Francisco. Tesonet (one of the biggest IT firms in Vilnius) was previously used as outsourced HR before we incorporated our own entity in Vilnius. We have similar arrangements for our staff in San Francisco, Prague, and Skopje.” You can read ProtonVPN’s explanation here.
In January 2020, ProtonVPN released the source codes on all platforms in an attempt to improve the transparency of their VPN service.
What do most customers say they like about the service?
Some users like ProtonVPN’s secure core feature which adds a second layer of security.
What do customers most dislike about the service?
Many users have faced frequent connection drops when using ProtonVPN service. Also, some others have reported that there were hassles related to the money-back guarantee.
Price & Value
How much does ProtonVPN cost per month?
ProtonVPN’s Plus membership offers three different plans, a monthly plan costing $10 per month, a one-year plan costing $96 at $8 per month, and a two-year plan costing $159 at $6.63 per month.
ProtonVPN Plus pricing options in EUR.
Is ProtonVPN worth the money?
Considering the speeds, reputation, functionalities, and the pricing, ProtonVPN is a little expensive VPN service for the quality of services offered.
What payment forms do they accept?
ProtonVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, and Bitcoin payments.
Do they have a trial or a money-back guarantee? What is their refund policy?
ProtonVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Conclusion
Who is ProtonVPN good for?
ProtonVPN is good for those looking for a decent, easy to use VPN with a no-logs policy and excellent security.
Who is it not suitable for?
The frequent connection drops can kill a smooth gaming experience, so ProtonVPN is not for gamers. There are some allegations about their relationship with Tesonet, so those who take privacy and personal data very seriously may want to stay away from ProtonVPN.
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