Proton VPN Review 2026: My Honest Review

In my search for the perfect VPN, I’ve tried various services. After leaving ExpressVPN, I landed with Surfshark, but my curiosity also led me to Proton VPN. The reputation of its creators – the scientists behind the renowned Proton Mail – and the Swiss base sparked my interest. I tried it for a while and although I eventually returned to Surfshark, I’m deeply impressed with what Proton has to offer. It’s actually much more than just a VPN.

UPDATE: Since October 2025, I’ve been using Proton VPN after all, as it’s a bit faster and smoother than SurfShark. I’m completely satisfied :-). They also have a free version, which is already of high standard.

A Rock-Solid VPN

Let’s start with the core: the VPN service itself. Proton VPN is everything you’d expect from a premium VPN. It’s fast, stable, and the software is sleek and modern. Swiss legislation provides a solid legal foundation for privacy, and the service is, unlike Surfshark at this time, actually recommended by the experts at the Freedom of the Press Foundation. In terms of pure VPN performance and reliability, it can compete with the very best.

The Real Strength: The Proton Ecosystem

Where Proton VPN truly stands out is that it’s not a standalone product. It’s the centerpiece of a complete ecosystem designed to secure your digital life. When you take out a subscription, you don’t just get a VPN, but access to an entire suite of privacy products:

• Proton Mail: One of the most respected and secure email services in the world.
• Proton Drive: Encrypted cloud storage where only you can access your files.
• Proton Calendar: An encrypted calendar to keep your appointments private.
• Proton Pass: A secure password manager to manage your login credentials.

If you had to purchase these services separately from different providers, you’d not only spend much more money, but also have to trust multiple companies with your data. Proton offers all of this under one roof, from a company with a proven focus on privacy.

Additionally, Proton VPN supports many platforms: from iOS and Android to Windows, macOS and Linux. But also, for example, Apple TV or Android TV.

The Price: Affordable for a Complete Package

And that brings us to the price. If you compare Proton VPN purely with the low subscription costs of, for example, Surfshark, then Proton seems like the more expensive option at first glance. This was personally my reason for eventually returning to Surfshark; I simply didn’t need the other services at that time and was looking for the cheapest, effective solution.

But that comparison isn’t really fair. You need to see Proton’s price in light of everything you get. When you add up the costs of a premium VPN, a secure email provider, encrypted cloud storage, and a password manager, Proton’s offering suddenly becomes extremely affordable. For what you get, the value that Proton offers is unmatched.

Summary

My personal journey ended (for now) back with Surfshark, driven by the simplicity and low costs for purely a VPN. But my experience with Proton has changed my perspective.

Proton VPN is the absolute top choice for anyone who wants to go beyond just hiding an IP address. It’s for the user who wants to seriously reduce their digital footprint and is looking for an integrated, reliable total solution. If you need secure email, drive, calendar, and a top VPN, you don’t need to look any further. In that scenario, Proton isn’t just a ‘top service,’ but probably the smartest and most cost-effective choice on the market.

Get ProtonVPN for Free >

Last Updated on 18 November 2025