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Proton VPN
Developer(s)Proton AG
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows3.2.10 / 12 February 2024; 11 days ago (2024-02-12)[1]
macOS4.1.6 / 15 February 2024; 8 days ago (2024-02-15)[2]
Android4.9.40.5 / 24 January 2024; 30 days ago (2024-01-24)[3]
iOS5.1.6 / 17 February 2024; 6 days ago (2024-02-17)[4]
Linux (GUI)4.1.10 / 26 January 2024; 28 days ago (2024-01-26)[5]
Linux (CLI)3.13.0 / 14 September 2022; 17 months ago (2022-09-14)[6]
Repository
Operating system
Platform
TypeVirtual private network
Websiteprotonvpn.com

Proton VPN is a VPN service launched in 2017[7] and operated by the Swiss company Proton AG, the company behind the email service Proton Mail.[8] According to its official website, Proton VPN and Proton Mail share the same management team, offices, and technical resources, and are operated from Proton's headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.[9]

Features

As of 19 Feb 2024, Proton VPN has a total of 3,217 servers, sited in 71 different nations.[10]

Although ProtonVPN owns and operates a portion of their servers, the bulk majority are owned and operated by ASNs such as M247 and Datacamp Limited.[11][12] Its service is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, ChromeOS and also has a command-line tool[13] for Linux and can be implemented using the IPSEC protocol.[14] Proton VPN can also be installed on a Wireless Router.

Proton VPN utilizes OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols with AES-256 encryption.[15] On October 11, 2022, Proton VPN released their Stealth Protocol for Android, iOS and MacOS clients, designed to disguise VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic.[16]

Proton VPN has a no-logs policy[17] that was independently audited by Securitum, a European security auditing company.[18][19]

In January 2020, Proton VPN released its source code on all platforms[20] and had SEC Consult conduct an independent security audit.[21]

Reception

In a January 2023 review by TechRadar, Proton VPN received 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.[12]

A May 2023 PC Magazine review gave Proton VPN a 5 star rating. Proton VPN was awarded their Editor's Choice Award in 2022 and 2023.[22]

In October 2023 technology website Engadget rated Proton VPN as the "best overall" for streaming, gaming, privacy and security. [23]

In January 2024 a comparative review of 10 different VPNs by German technology magazine CHIP rated Proton VPN as their test winner. [24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Proton VPN for Windows". Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  2. ^ "Proton VPN for macOS". Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  3. ^ "Proton VPN for Android". Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  4. ^ "Proton VPN for iOS". Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  5. ^ "Proton VPN for Linux (GUI) Release Notes". Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  6. ^ "Proton VPN for Linux (CLI) Archive". Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  7. ^ "Encrypted email provider Proton Mail launches free VPN service to counter increasing online censorship". ProtonVPN. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  8. ^ "ProtonVPN review: Underground data centers, one-click multi-hop, and more make for a great choice". PCWorld. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  9. ^ "Privacy policy". Proton. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  10. ^ "Proton VPN - About Us". ProtonVPN. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  11. ^ "ProtonVPN - VPN Transparency Project". VPN Transparency Project. November 14, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Williams, Mike (24 January 2023). "ProtonVPN review". TechRadar. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  13. ^ Freeware, Brian Nadel 2018-11-16T20:00:00Z. "ProtonVPN Free Review". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2019-07-16.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Latinoamérica, Linux (2021-04-28). "VPN gratis en Linux Debian con Proton VPN". Linux Latinoamérica (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  15. ^ "Protect your connection with strong VPN protocols". Proton VPN. 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  16. ^ Eddy, Max (October 11, 2022). "Proton VPN's New Stealth Feature Helps Fight Censorship in Iran and Russia". PCMag. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "Does Proton VPN keep logs?". Proton VPN. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Szymczak, Maciej; Darecki, Jakub (March 24, 2022). "ProtonVPN's No-Logs policy – regarding VPN activity" (PDF). Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  19. ^ Szymczak, Maciej; Rzepecki, Marek (May 1, 2023). "ProtonVPN's No-Logs policy – regarding VPN activity" (PDF). Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  20. ^ "Proton VPN goes open-source: What this means for your privacy". tomsguide.com. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  21. ^ Osborne, Charlie. "Proton VPN apps handed to open source community in transparency push". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  22. ^ Eddy, Max; Key, Kim (May 8, 2023). "Proton VPN Review". PCMag. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ^ Malone, Katie (13 October 2023). "Proton VPN review 2023: Why it's our top-choice VPN". Engadget. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  24. ^ Geiger, Joerg (4 January 2024). "VPN test: The best VPN providers in comparison". Chip_(magazine). Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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