Proton VPN - Best Privacy-Focused VPN with Secure Core
Proton VPN provides industry-leading privacy protections with its Secure Core architecture and Swiss jurisdiction, making it ideal for users with critical security and anonymity needs.
- +Swiss-based with strong privacy laws
- +Secure Core routes through privacy-friendly countries
- +Open-source apps with regular audits
- -Slower speeds than top competitors
- -Limited customer support hours
- -Free version lacks streaming capabilities
Proton VPN stands out as a top choice for privacy-focused users, offering robust security features and Swiss-based legal protections. Its Secure Core architecture routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland before reaching the destination server, providing extra protection against network attacks. The service maintains transparency through open-source apps and regular security audits, ensuring vulnerabilities are publicly visible. Proton VPN reliably unblocks streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, with servers in 117 countries for broad coverage.
While speeds can lag behind top-tier competitors, the VPN Accelerator feature helps optimize performance for long-distance connections. Paid plans unlock full features, including Tor over VPN, the Stealth protocol for bypassing censorship, and profile-based connection management. The free tier allows unlimited data with basic protection, making it accessible for casual users. Proton VPN’s privacy-first ecosystem extends beyond the VPN itself, integrating encrypted email and cloud storage solutions for comprehensive user security.