Proton VPN Free gives you one device, no data cap, no ads and no activity logs, with no time limit.
The trade-off is control: Proton picks your server from 10 countries, and streaming, torrenting and the faster Plus servers stay behind the paid plans.
Everything below comes from Proton’s own free plan, pricing and support pages, checked on 2 October 2026. If you want the wider field rather than one provider, our list of the best free VPNs sets Proton beside the alternatives.
What the free plan actually includes
The free tier is not a trial. Proton states it has no data or time limits and calls it free forever, funded by paying subscribers rather than adverts.
You get the core privacy tools: the strict no-logs policy, the Kill Switch, and the Stealth protocol, which disguises VPN traffic on networks that try to block it. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone and iPad, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Chromebook, Android TV and Fire TV.
Proton says all its servers deliver at least 1 Gbps, with no artificial speed limit on the free plan.
Video: The VPN Nerds
Where the free tier stops
The biggest limit is that you can’t choose a country.
Proton connects you to the fastest free server for your location, and its free servers sit in the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, Mexico, Canada and the United States. The UK isn’t on that list.
You can press Change server, but Proton picks the next one at random. After the first change you wait 45 seconds, and every change after that has a 10-minute cooldown.
Streaming is the second wall. Proton says it doesn’t block Netflix or other services on free servers, but it only guarantees streaming access on paid plans. P2P, Secure Core and the NetShield ad and malware blocker are paid features too.
Proton VPN Free against the paid plans
| Feature | Proton Free | VPN Plus | Proton Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices at once | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Server locations | 10 countries, chosen for you | 20,000+ servers, 140+ countries | 20,000+ servers, 140+ countries |
| Speed | At least 1 Gbps servers, no artificial cap | Plus servers up to 10 Gbps | Plus servers up to 10 Gbps |
| Data limit | None | None | None |
| Streaming, P2P | Not guaranteed, no P2P | Included | Included |
| Listed price | $0 | $9.99 a month, or $3.49 a month on the 2-year deal | $7.99 a month on the 2-year deal |
Source: protonvpn.com/pricing, /free-vpn and /support/change-server-free-plan. Prices shown in USD and change with promotions.
Proton’s own pages don’t fully agree.
One free-servers page lists five countries in its body text and ten in its FAQ, and the support article says 145 countries for paid servers where the pricing page says 140. Trust the support article and the app over marketing copy.
Who should stay on free, and who should pay
Free fits one person using a VPN on one device for café and hotel Wi-Fi, or to get round censorship. For that job you lose nothing that matters, and the no-logs policy is the same one paying customers get.
It’s a poor fit if you need a UK exit server, two devices at once, or streaming.
A VPN also won’t stop malware you download yourself, which is why we argue you probably need both a VPN and antivirus.
If you’re going to pay anyway, compare before you commit. Our PureVPN review covers a rival that competes on price.
Common questions about Proton VPN Free
Is Proton VPN Free really unlimited?
Yes, for data and time. Proton sets no bandwidth cap and no expiry on the free plan. The limits are one device, no country choice and no streaming guarantee.
Can I pick a UK server on Proton VPN Free?
No. Free servers are in 10 countries and the UK isn’t one of them. Proton chooses the server, and changing it gives you another random one after a cooldown.
Does Proton VPN Free show ads or sell data?
Proton says the free plan has no adverts and that it keeps no logs of your activity. Paying subscribers fund the free tier.
