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★★★★☆ 4.3 G2
ProtonVPN Pricing: Plans & Features 2026
From a free basic tier up to the $12.99/mo Unlimited plan, ProtonVPN offers 3 distinct options to fit your privacy needs.
ProtonVPN Plans & Tiers Explained
High· Verified May 21, 2026
Free
FreeBest for: You get 3 server locations, 1 device, No logs, No bandwidth limit
- ✓100+ servers in 5 countries
- ✓1 device connection
- ✓Strict no-logs policy
- ✓Unlimited bandwidth and data
- ✓No ads
View on vendor site
MOST POPULARVPN Plus
$9.99/moBest for: 9000+ servers, 10 devices, P2P, Streaming, Tor over VPN
- ✓8600+ servers in 110+ countries
- ✓10 simultaneous device connections
- ✓NetShield Ad-blocker & Malware protection
- ✓High-speed streaming support
- ✓P2P/BitTorrent support
View on vendor site
Proton Unlimited
$13/mo- ✓All VPN Plus features
- ✓500 GB total storage
- ✓Proton Mail (15 email aliases)
- ✓Proton Calendar (20 calendars)
- ✓Proton Drive (secure cloud storage)
View on vendor site
Pricing Expert Take
Independent analysis · ProtonVPN
Verified Pricing Data
Value Analysis
$9.99/mo23% below median
Category median: $12.99/moBased on 4 products in this category
ProtonVPN positions itself as a highly competitive option in the privacy space, with its VPN Plus plan priced at $9.99/mo, well below the category median of $13.99/mo. The Free plan offers rare value with unlimited bandwidth and no ads, though it limits users to one device. For power users, the Proton Unlimited plan at $12.99/mo bundles the VPN with secure mail, storage, and a password manager, offering a highly cost-effective suite compared to buying standalone services.
Hidden Costs
- Multi-device limitations on the Free plan force an immediate upgrade to VPN Plus if you need more than one connection.
- Dynamic pricing adjustments that reduce advertised discounts once a user logs into their account.
- Rigid refund policies that make it difficult to recoup costs if the Windows app underperforms during your trial.
Red Flags
Users report frustrating pricing discrepancies, noting that advertised discounts of 70% can drop to 50% once logged in. Others complain that the $9.99/mo Plus plan (averaging over $6/mo on longer terms) is expensive compared to budget rivals.
"Offers 70% off, Then Lowers to 50% After Logging."
"ProtonVPN's Windows app is unreliable, support is unhelpful, refunds are rigid..."
Based on analysis of recent Reddit and G2 discussions.
Green Wins
The VPN Plus plan at $9.99/mo offers based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws.
- Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
- Independently audited, open-source apps build trust
- Secure Core routes traffic through multiple servers
User Voices
"As much as I love Proton, I hate the idea of putting all eggs in one basket."
Reddit (negative)
"For two years protonvpn plus costs $6.63/month while some other vpns like PIA costs $2.69/month..."
Reddit (negative)
"I use the free protonvpn to watch star trek... Free for me is worth it..."
Reddit (positive)
"I've really liked the uncapped limits and ease of the tool..."
Reddit (positive)
Verdict
The Free plan is perfect for casual, single-device users who need unlimited data, while VPN Plus suits privacy purists wanting high-speed streaming. Users seeking a complete security suite will find immense value in Proton Unlimited. If you only need a basic, budget-friendly VPN, consider Surfshark at $2.49/mo as a cheaper alternative.
ComparEdge EditorialUpdated: May 21, 2026
How Does ProtonVPN Pricing Compare?
Overview
ProtonVPN - Privacy-first VPN by the makers of ProtonMail - based in Switzerland, open source. The free tier gets you 3 server locations, 1 device, No logs - a real plan, not a 14-day trial. Upgrading to VPN Plus ($9.99/month) unlocks 9000+ servers and 10 devices. The $9.99/mo entry price is 25% above the category average ($4/mo). If budget is the priority, Surfshark ($2.49/mo) or NordVPN ($3.99/mo) cost less - but check what you lose.
Cost Per User
Which Plan Is Right for You?
FreeFREE
You get 3 server locations, 1 device, No logs, No bandwidth limit. What's locked behind the paywall: 9000+ servers, 10 devices, p2p. If those matter, VPN Plus at $4.99/month is the next step. Good enough for solo use and evaluation.
VPN Plus$9.99/mo
$9.99/month gets you 9000+ servers, 10 devices, P2P, Streaming, Tor over VPN. The sweet spot for professionals who've maxed out the free plan and need 9000+ servers, 10 devices.
vs. Category Average
ProtonVPN$9.99/mo
Category avg$11/mo
9% below the vpn average
Our Verdict
ProtonVPN costs $0–$12.99/mo as of May 21, 2026, with 3 plans.
ProtonVPN scores 4.5/5 and offers a free plan - that's a rare combination. The free tier with 3 server locations and 1 device is more than enough to validate whether it fits your workflow. Start free. Move to VPN Plus ($9.99/month) when 9000+ servers becomes a need, not a want.
Is ProtonVPN Worth the Price?
Strengths
- 1Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
- 2Independently audited, open-source apps build trust
- 3Secure Core routes traffic through multiple servers
- 4Generous free plan with no data limits or ads
- 5NetShield blocks malware, ads, and trackers
Considerations
- 1Free plan servers can be slow and congested
- 2No 24/7 live chat support, only email/ticket system
- 3Smaller server network than top competitors (4,900+ vs 6,000-10,000+)
- 4Connection speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- 5Premium plans are more expensive than many rivals
Ideal For
Privacy-conscious individuals & teams
Which plan fits you
Free, You get 3 server locations, 1 device, No logs, No bandwidth limit.
VPN Plus, $9.
Pricing Takeaway
★ 4.3/5ProtonVPN scores 4.5/5 and offers a free plan - that's a rare combination. The free tier with 3 server locations and 1 device is more than enough to validate whether it fits your workflow. Start free. Move to VPN Plus ($9.99/month) when 9000+ servers becomes a need, not a want.
9% below category avgCategory avg: $11/mo
What Does ProtonVPN Actually Cost You?
Beyond the subscription: what to budget for
List price covers the subscription. Total cost of ownership for ProtonVPN typically includes additional line items that don't appear on the pricing page.
Implementation
Setup, data migration, initial configuration
Training
Onboarding, certification, admin enablement
Premium Support
SLA upgrades, dedicated CSM, 24/7 access
Required Add-ons
Features gated behind higher tiers or paid extras
Integrations
Third-party connectors, API usage, custom builds
Annual True-Up
Seat overages, usage spikes, contract reconciliation
Ask vendors for a total cost of ownership estimate before signing. Our methodology covers how we calculate verified list prices.
ProtonVPN Pricing History
Expert verified·Updated May 21, 2026
Price & Data Intelligence SyncLast verified: May 21, 2026 · CE-VPN-2026W23-072A9B · ✓ Pricing updated May 21, 2026
Up to date
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does ProtonVPN pricing compare?
See how ProtonVPN's 3 pricing plans stack up against similar VPN tools.
Research Reports
Sources & Data Trail · ProtonVPN
- 1.Official Pricing Page·Source of verified tiers(Checked: 2026-05-21)
- 2.Official Website·Official vendor website
- 3.G2·G2 verified user reviews · 4.3/5 · 5 reviews
- 4.Capterra·Capterra verified user reviews · 4.6/5
- 5.TrustRadius·TrustRadius verified reviews