Proton VPN

Last updated
Proton VPN
Developer(s) Proton AG
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows3.3.2 / 27 August 2024;2 months ago (2024-08-27) [1]
macOS4.4.0 / 26 August 2024;2 months ago (2024-08-26) [2]
Android5.6.8.0 / 14 September 2024;2 months ago (2024-09-14) [3]
iOS5.7.0 / 3 October 2024;45 days ago (2024-10-03) [4]
Linux (GUI)4.5.0 / 17 September 2024;2 months ago (2024-09-17) [5]
Linux (CLI)2.2.12 / 27 February 2024;8 months ago (2024-02-27) [6]
Browser Extension1.2.2 / 13 August 2024;3 months ago (2024-08-13) [7]
tvOS1.0.0 / 18 September 2024;60 days ago (2024-09-18) [8]
Repository
Operating system
Platform
Type Virtual private network
Website protonvpn.com

Proton VPN is a VPN service launched in 2017 [9] and operated by the Swiss company Proton AG, the company behind the email service Proton Mail. [10] [11] According to its official website, Proton VPN and Proton Mail share the same management team, offices, and technical resources, and are operated from Proton's headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland. [12] On June 17, 2024 the company announced that it will be transitioning to a non-profit structure under the Proton Foundation. [13]

Contents

Features

As of 17th November 2024, Proton VPN has a total of 9,123 servers, sited in 112 different nations. [14]

Although Proton VPN owns and operates a portion of their servers, the bulk majority are owned and operated by ASNs such as M247 and Datacamp Limited. [15] [16] Its service is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, ChromeOS and also has a command-line tool [17] for Linux and can be implemented using the IPSEC protocol. [18] Proton VPN can also be installed on a wireless router.

Proton VPN utilizes OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard (UDP/TCP) protocols with AES-256 encryption. [19] On October 11, 2022, Proton VPN released their Stealth Protocol for Android, iOS and MacOS clients, designed to disguise VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic. [20] In August 2024, Proton VPN announced that it had also added the Stealth protocol to its Windows client. [21]

Proton VPN has a no-logs policy [22] that was independently audited by Securitum, a European security auditing company. [23] [24] [25]

In January 2020, Proton VPN released its source code on all platforms [26] and had SEC Consult conduct an independent security audit. [27]

Reception

In a January 2023 review by TechRadar , Proton VPN received 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. [16]

A May 2023 PC Magazine review gave Proton VPN a 5 star rating. Proton VPN was awarded their Editor's Choice Award in 2022 and 2023. [28]

In October 2023 technology website Engadget rated Proton VPN as the "best overall" for streaming, gaming, privacy and security. [29]

In January 2024 a comparative review of 10 different VPNs by German technology magazine CHIP rated Proton VPN as their test winner. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private Internet Access</span> Virtual private network provider

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proton Mail</span> End-to-end encrypted email service

Proton Mail is a Swiss end-to-end encrypted email service founded in 2013 headquartered in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland. Proton Mail is now run by Proton AG, which also operates Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Calendar, Proton Pass and Proton Wallet. It uses client-side encryption to protect email content and user data before they are sent to Proton Mail servers, unlike other common email providers such as Gmail and Outlook.com.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mullvad</span> Virtual private network provider

Mullvad is a commercial VPN service based in Sweden. Launched in March 2009, Mullvad operates using the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. It also supports Shadowsocks as a bridge protocol for censorship circumvention. Mullvad's VPN client software is released under the GPLv3, a free and open-source software license.

ExpressVPN is a company providing online privacy and security solutions, including a virtual private network (VPN) service and a password manager. Since September 2021, ExpressVPN has been a subsidiary of Kape Technologies, a company wholly owned by Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi.

NordVPN is a Lithuanian VPN service with applications for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and tvOS. Manual setup is available for wireless routers, NAS devices, and other platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IVPN</span> Virtual private network provider

IVPN is a VPN service offered by IVPN Limited based in Gibraltar. Launched in 2009, IVPN operates using the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols.

WireGuard is a communication protocol and free and open-source software that implements encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs). It aims to be lighter and better performing than IPsec and OpenVPN, two common tunneling protocols. The WireGuard protocol passes traffic over UDP.

Outline VPN is a free and open-source tool that deploys Shadowsocks servers on multiple cloud service providers. The software suite also includes client software for multiple platforms. Outline was developed by Jigsaw, a technology incubator created by Google.[3]

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PrivadoVPN is a VPN service provider with applications for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, AndroidTV and Amazon Fire TV along with custom configuration support for routers and Linux. PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland and operates under Swiss privacy laws.

Proton Drive is an end-to-end encrypted, cloud-based file storage and synchronization service developed by Proton AG. Proton Drive enables storing files in the cloud, synchronizing files across devices, and sharing files securely. It is accessible through a web application, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and mobile applications for Android and iOS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proton Pass</span> Password management software

Proton Pass is a password manager developed by the Swiss software company Proton AG. It stores login credentials, email aliases, credit card data, passkeys, 2FA secret keys, and notes in virtual vaults that are encrypted using 256-bit AES-GCM.

Atlas VPN was a freemium VPN service provider, launched in 2019 with applications for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. It was discontinued in April 2024 and merged with NordVPN

Surfshark B.V. is a cybersecurity company that was established in 2018. It launched its first product, a Surfshark VPN, in the same year. Currently, Surfshark offers a range of cybersecurity tools: a VPN, a data leak detection system called Surfshark Alert, a private search tool known as Surfshark Search, and an antivirus named Surfshark Antivirus. The company also provides a personal data removal service called Incogni, an alternative credential generator called Alternative ID, and a Dedicated IP service.

References

  1. ↑ "Proton VPN for Windows" . Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ↑ "Proton VPN for macOS" . Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. ↑ "Proton VPN for Android" . Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  4. ↑ "Proton VPN for iOS" . Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  5. ↑ "Proton VPN for Linux (GUI)" . Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  6. ↑ "Proton VPN for Linux (CLI)" . Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  7. ↑ "Proton VPN Browser Extension (Chromium and Firefox)" . Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  8. ↑ "Proton VPN for tvOS" . Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  9. ↑ "Encrypted email provider Proton Mail launches free VPN service to counter increasing online censorship". ProtonVPN. 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
  10. ↑ "ProtonVPN review: Underground data centers, one-click multi-hop, and more make for a great choice". PCWorld. 2018-09-04. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Proton VPN - About Us". ProtonVPN. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  12. ↑ "Privacy policy". Proton. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  13. ↑ "Proton is transitioning towards a non-profit structure". Proton. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  14. ↑ "Proton VPN - Server Locations". ProtonVPN. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  15. ↑ "ProtonVPN - VPN Transparency Project". VPN Transparency Project. November 14, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Williams, Mike (24 January 2023). "ProtonVPN review". TechRadar . Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  17. ↑ Nadel, Brian (2018-11-16). "ProtonVPN Free Review". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  18. ↑ "VPN gratis en Linux Debian con Proton VPN". Linux Latinoamérica (in Spanish). 2021-04-28. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  19. ↑ "Protect your connection with strong VPN protocols". Proton VPN. 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  20. ↑ Eddy, Max (October 11, 2022). "Proton VPN's New Stealth Feature Helps Fight Censorship in Iran and Russia". PCMag. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  21. ↑ Buria, Taras (August 6, 2024). "Proton brings its Stealth VPN protocol to Windows". Neowin . Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Does Proton VPN keep logs?". Proton VPN. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  23. ↑ Szymczak, Maciej; Darecki, Jakub (March 24, 2022). "ProtonVPN's No-Logs policy – regarding VPN activity" . Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  24. ↑ Szymczak, Maciej; Rzepecki, Marek (May 1, 2023). "Proton VPN's No-Log policy – regarding VPN activity" . Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  25. ↑ Rzepecki, Marek; Zięba, Marcin (July 12, 2024). "Verification of Proton VPN's No-Log Policy" . Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Proton VPN goes open-source: What this means for your privacy". tomsguide.com. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  27. ↑ Osborne, Charlie. "Proton VPN apps handed to open source community in transparency push". ZDNet. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  28. ↑ Eddy, Max; Key, Kim (May 8, 2023). "Proton VPN Review". PCMag . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  29. ↑ Malone, Katie (13 October 2023). "Proton VPN review 2023: Why it's our top-choice VPN". Engadget . Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  30. ↑ Geiger, Joerg (4 January 2024). "VPN test: The best VPN providers in comparison". Chip_(magazine) . Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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