Proton VPN Free vs Plus
Proton VPN Free vs Plus: Which Plan Fits Your Needs?
Start with Free if you need a private connection for everyday browsing. Choose VPN Plus when server choice, supported streaming, or several devices matter. Consider Unlimited only if its other Proton services replace tools you already need.
Compare the plans
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Choose by the job you need done
Proton VPN Free
A private connection for one device
Keep Free if its automatic server selection works for you and you do not need paid streaming or P2P support. There is no data allowance to use up and no trial deadline forcing an upgrade.
See Proton VPN FreeProton VPN Plus
More control over your VPN
Choose Plus for a specific country, several simultaneous connections, supported streaming, or features such as NetShield and P2P. The reason to pay should be a limitation you actually encounter.
Check VPN Plus plansProton Unlimited
One bundle for more of your setup
Unlimited includes VPN Plus and premium Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar features. Compare it when you want those services too; the bundle does not add a higher VPN tier than Plus.
Decide if the bundle fitsTable of Content
Free, VPN Plus, and Unlimited compared
The core difference is access and convenience. Proton says Free uses the same strong VPN protocols and no-logs policy as paid plans. Extra routing and filtering features still differ by plan and platform.
| What matters | Proton VPN Free | VPN Plus | Proton Unlimited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data allowance | No data cap | No data cap | No data cap |
| Active connections | One connection at a time | Up to ten simultaneous connections | Up to ten simultaneous connections |
| Server choice | Automatic selection; changes have a waiting period | Choose your country and server | Same VPN choice as Plus |
| Streaming and P2P | No supported streaming or P2P | Supported on suitable servers | Same VPN support as Plus |
| NetShield and Secure Core | Not included | Included; check platform support | Same VPN features as Plus |
| Other Proton services | Free tiers | Free tiers | Premium Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar features |
Connection counts mean active VPN connections, not the number of devices on which you can install the app. Check the documentation for your operating system before relying on a particular feature.
Three everyday decisions
Your laptop on hotel Wi-Fi
You read email and browse on one laptop, without needing a particular country. Try Free first. Check that the connection stays usable and configure the kill switch. More expensive does not automatically mean more suitable for this job.
A phone and laptop connected together
If you need the phone and laptop connected at the same time through their own VPN apps, Free's single connection becomes a real limit. Plus addresses that need. Unlimited is worth comparing only if you also want its other services.
A streaming service while travelling
Plus is the plan to test when supported streaming and country selection matter. Check your exact service, device, and destination before a long subscription. A VPN plan does not include a streaming subscription or promise permanent access to every catalogue.
What the Free limits feel like in practice
Server changes are not country selection
Free automatically chooses a server. You can request another, but Proton chooses the next server and applies a waiting period between changes. If you specifically need a German exit, repeatedly reconnecting is not a substitute for Plus's country selection.
Slow does not automatically mean throttled
Proton says it does not impose a speed cap on Free. Shared server load, distance, your network, and the protocol can still affect performance. Test at the times you normally browse. A paid plan gives you more server options, not a guaranteed speed on your connection.
Streaming and P2P need different expectations
Free does not deliberately block streaming sites, but Proton reserves supported streaming for paid plans. P2P support is also paid. If either is your main use case, compare Plus; a successful stream on Free today does not establish ongoing support.
Read the full Proton VPN review for privacy and platform details.When Unlimited is worth comparing with Plus
Make a list of the paid services you would actually replace. If you want VPN Plus and premium email or password features, compare Unlimited's total cost with your existing subscriptions. Include the time needed to move mail, files, or passwords.
For example, someone happy with a free mailbox and KeePassXC may only need VPN Plus. Someone actively planning to move email, cloud storage, and passwords to Proton has a stronger reason to evaluate Unlimited. A longer feature list alone is not a saving.
Proton does not allow separate Plus subscriptions for different products on the same account, such as VPN Plus and Mail Plus. Check the account upgrade options rather than assuming you can combine any two subscriptions.
Compare this with keeping a local KeePassXC password vault.Check the full bill before upgrading
Offers vary by billing term, currency, and purchase channel. Compare the checkout total and renewal terms, not just the advertised monthly equivalent. This guide does not assume that a temporary discount applies to you.
- Write down the amount charged today and how many months it covers. An annual or multi-year offer is normally paid upfront.
- Check the renewal amount, renewal date, taxes shown at checkout, and how to stop automatic renewal.
- Read the refund conditions for your purchase channel. Proton advertises a thirty-day money-back guarantee, but cancelling renewal and requesting a refund are separate actions.
- If you subscribe through an app store, check Proton's instructions for that purchase channel. Keep the cancellation confirmation and verify that renewal is disabled.
A short check before a long subscription
Start with your actual device and normal network. Compare browsing and calls with the VPN off and on, check reconnects, and note what you cannot do with Free. Free can help you assess the app, but it cannot prove how paid streaming or Plus servers will perform.
After connecting, reload the fingerprint tool to compare your visible IP. Browser and device signals may stay the same: a paid VPN does not make your browser anonymous. The local WebRTC check is not a complete DNS or VPN leak audit.
Compare your visible IP and browser signalsSources behind this comparison
Use these official pages to verify plan features, server switching, streaming, prices, and cancellation. The article's update date records the latest source review.
FAQ
Is Proton VPN Free a trial?
No. Proton VPN Free has no trial deadline or data cap. You can keep using it if its server selection and single-connection limit meet your needs.
Does Proton VPN Plus make me more anonymous?
Paying does not remove account links, cookies, or browser fingerprints. Free and Plus share Proton's no-logs policy and strong VPN protocols. Plus adds features such as Secure Core and NetShield, but these do not provide complete anonymity.
Can I choose Germany on Proton VPN Free?
Free chooses the server automatically, including when you request a change after the waiting period. For deliberate country selection, compare VPN Plus and confirm that your required location is available.
Is Unlimited a better VPN than Plus?
Unlimited includes VPN Plus rather than a higher VPN tier. Its extra value comes from premium features in other Proton services. Compare the bundle only when you will use those services too.
Does cancelling automatically give me a refund?
No. Stopping renewal and requesting a refund are separate steps. Check eligibility and instructions for the channel where you bought the plan, such as Proton's website or an app store.
Still choosing the provider?
This page helps you choose a Proton plan. If you are still deciding which provider fits your needs, continue with the NordVPN comparison or the VPN review hub.