Here’s our latest review of Proton VPN:
Speed Benchmarks & Comparative Analysis
Proton VPN‘s performance in 2025 makes it one of the fastest VPNs. This speed comes from the WireGuard protocol and their unique “VPN Accelerator” technology. Here are combined speed test results from independent tests and reviews. They show both top speeds and retention rates compared to leading competitors.
Speed Test Results (2025)
Absolute Performance by Location
| Location | Retained Download Speed | Mbps (Tested) | Retained Upload Speed | Mbps (Tested) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 75% | 376 | 30% | 154 |
| France | 89% | 447 | 88% | 443 |
| Singapore | 79% | 396 | 76% | 384 |
| UK | 93% | 468 | 86% | 433 |
| US (New York) | 81% | 406 | 38% | 190 |
| Seattle (Best) | — | 698 | — | — |
| UK (Alt. test) | — | 614 | — | — |
- Average speed loss: 21% compared to the non-VPN baseline. This is suitable for 4K streaming and other intensive tasks.
- Peak observed speeds: Over 950Mbps with optimal servers, rivaling Surfshark and NordVPN.
- VPN Accelerator: Boosts long-distance speeds by up to 400% under certain conditions.
- Secure Core servers: They are slower due to double encryption. They are ideal for privacy, not speed.
Competitor Comparison (Speed Retention by Region)
| US | UK | Japan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proton | 85% | 94% | 92% |
| NordVPN | 90% | 97% | 94% |
| Surfshark | 86% | 94% | 93% |
| ExpressVPN | 77% | 92% | 89% |
Unique Features: Secure Core & NetShield
Secure Core
Proton’s Secure Core ensures maximum privacy. It routes user traffic through secure servers. These servers are in privacy-friendly locations such as Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden. Then, it connects to the final exit server. This protects against advanced network attacks and tracking efforts. These threats might show users’ real IPs or harm their privacy, especially in risky areas
Highlights:
- Double VPN hops for enhanced security
- Servers owned and operated by Proton, housed in high-security facilities
- Only available to paid subscribers
- Easy activation with a toggle in the app interface
NetShield Ad-Blocker
NetShield protects users by blocking malware, ads, and trackers before web resources load.
- Two modes: Malware protection only or full blocking (ads, trackers, and malware)
- Covers entire device: Not just browser-based protection
- NetShield Privacy Panel: Lets users view real-time stats for blocked items and data saved
- Available on all platforms for paid users with Proton VPN Plus or Unlimited
Free Tier Capabilities (2025 Update)
The Proton VPN free plan remains one of the most generous in the market:
- No data limits: Truly unlimited traffic
- No ads, no speed throttling by design
- Servers: Access to 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland). You can’t choose individual servers; it automatically selects the best or closest one.
- Simultaneous connections: 1 device at a time
- Streaming: Not available on the free tier
- Security: AES-256 encryption, WireGuard, and Stealth protocol. It includes a kill switch, always-on VPN, and an audited no-logs policy.
Free users face slower speeds during peak times because of server congestion. But, typical download speeds range from 45 to 55 Mbps. This is enough for web browsing, HD streaming, and stable connections.
Summary Table: Proton VPN Plans (2025)
| Feature | Free | Plus / Unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| Data cap | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Ads | None | None |
| Server access | 5 countries (random) | 120+ countries, user choice |
| Streaming support | No | Yes |
| Secure Core | No | Yes |
| NetShield | No | Yes |
| Simultaneous devices | 1 | Up to 10 |
| Partner browser | Vivaldi (desktop only) | Vivaldi + all Proton features |
Proton VPN in 2025 is a top-tier option for privacy seekers and power users. It has features like Secure Core, audited no-logs, and advanced encryption. You also get great performance, especially on premium plans.
Secure Core and features like NetShield are only available with paid plans. Also, premium users get access to peak speeds
