Proton VPN Pricing 2026
Complete pricing guide with plans, hidden costs, and cost analysis
Proton VPN has a free plan. Paid plans start at $2.99/month (VPN Plus (2-Year)) and go up to $12.99/month.
Proton VPN costs Free to $12.99 per month as of March 2026, with 7 plans available including a free tier. Plans: Free (free), VPN Plus (Monthly) at $9.99/month, VPN Plus (1-Year) at $4.99/month, VPN Plus (2-Year) at $2.99/month, Proton Unlimited (Monthly) at $12.99/month, Proton Unlimited (1-Year) at $9.99/month, and Proton Unlimited (2-Year) at $7.99/month. Pricing depends on your chosen tier, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: Yes
Proton VPN offers 7 pricing tiers: Free, VPN Plus (Monthly), VPN Plus (1-Year), VPN Plus (2-Year), Proton Unlimited (Monthly), Proton Unlimited (1-Year), Proton Unlimited (2-Year). A free plan is available. Paid plans include VPN Plus (Monthly) at $9.99/month, VPN Plus (1-Year) at $4.99/month, VPN Plus (2-Year) at $2.99/month. The VPN Plus (Monthly) plan is users who want premium vpn features without a long commitment.
Compared to other vpn software, Proton VPN is positioned at the budget-friendly price point.
- Median contract: $120/yr from 0 purchases
- Average negotiated discount: 92%
- 3 documented hidden costs beyond list price
- Contracts auto-renew — 30 days money-back guarantee on new subscriptions
How much does Proton VPN cost?
Proton VPN Pricing Overview
Proton VPN has 7 pricing plans, including a free tier. Paid plans range from $0 to $12.99/month. The Free plan is free and is best for casual users who want a trustworthy free vpn with no data limits or ads. The VPN Plus (Monthly) plan costs $9.99/month, best for users who want premium vpn features without a long commitment. The VPN Plus (1-Year) plan costs $4.99/month, best for privacy-focused users who want a trusted swiss vpn at a good annual rate. The VPN Plus (2-Year) plan costs $2.99/month, best for long-term privacy advocates who want the best rate from a swiss-based provider. The Proton Unlimited (Monthly) plan costs $12.99/month, best for users who want the full proton privacy ecosystem in one subscription. The Proton Unlimited (1-Year) plan costs $9.99/month, best for users committed to the proton ecosystem for email, vpn, storage, and passwords. The Proton Unlimited (2-Year) plan costs $7.99/month, best for privacy-first users who want the best long-term rate on proton's complete suite.
Proton VPN contracts auto-renew, with a Month-to-month available, or 1-2 year plans minimum commitment, requiring 30 days money-back guarantee on new subscriptions notice to cancel.
The median Proton VPN customer pays $120/year, with an average 92% discount available through negotiation.
There are at least 3 documented hidden costs beyond Proton VPN's list price, including implementation, training, and add-on fees.
This pricing was last verified in January 29, 2026 from 3 independent sources.
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based VPN service developed by Proton AG, the same company behind the popular encrypted email service Proton Mail. It is one of the few VPN providers that offers a genuinely free tier with unlimited data, no ads, and no data selling. The paid VPN Plus plan provides access to 17,200+ servers in over 120 countries, supports 10 simultaneous devices, and includes advanced features like Secure Core (multi-hop routing), NetShield (ad/malware blocking), and a proprietary Stealth protocol designed to bypass VPN blocks in restrictive countries.
Proton VPN's pricing is structured around two paid tiers: VPN Plus (VPN only) and Proton Unlimited (VPN bundled with Proton Mail, Pass, Calendar, and Drive). The VPN Plus 2-year plan at $2.99/mo is competitively priced, and the free tier makes it uniquely accessible. Proton's Swiss jurisdiction, open-source codebase, and independent audits make it a top choice for privacy-focused users, though it lacks features like dedicated IPs that competitors offer.
How Proton VPN Pricing Compares
Compare Proton VPN pricing against top alternatives in VPN.
All Proton VPN Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free | Casual users who want a trustworthy free VPN with no data limits or ads |
| VPN Plus (Monthly) | $9.99 /month | Custom | Users who want premium VPN features without a long commitment |
| VPN Plus (1-Year) | $4.99 /month | $4.99 /year | Privacy-focused users who want a trusted Swiss VPN at a good annual rate |
| VPN Plus (2-Year) | $2.99 /month | Custom | Long-term privacy advocates who want the best rate from a Swiss-based provider |
| Proton Unlimited (Monthly) | $12.99 /month | Custom | Users who want the full Proton privacy ecosystem in one subscription |
| Proton Unlimited (1-Year) | $9.99 /month | $9.99 /year | Users committed to the Proton ecosystem for email, VPN, storage, and passwords |
| Proton Unlimited (2-Year) | $7.99 /month | Custom | Privacy-first users who want the best long-term rate on Proton's complete suite |
View all features by plan
Free
- Unlimited data (no bandwidth cap)
- 1 device connection
- Servers in 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland)
- Medium-speed access
- No-logs policy
- No credit card required
- No ads or tracking
VPN Plus (Monthly)
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- 17,200+ servers in 120+ countries
- Highest VPN speeds
- NetShield ad blocker and malware protection
- Secure Core (multi-hop VPN routing)
- Streaming and P2P support
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Stealth protocols
- No-logs policy (independently audited)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
VPN Plus (1-Year)
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- 17,200+ servers in 120+ countries
- Highest VPN speeds
- NetShield ad blocker and malware protection
- Secure Core (multi-hop VPN routing)
- Streaming and P2P support
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Stealth protocols
- No-logs policy (independently audited)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
VPN Plus (2-Year)
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- 17,200+ servers in 120+ countries
- Highest VPN speeds
- NetShield ad blocker and malware protection
- Secure Core (multi-hop VPN routing)
- Streaming and P2P support
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Stealth protocols
- No-logs policy (independently audited)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Proton Unlimited (Monthly)
- Everything in VPN Plus
- Proton Mail (encrypted email with 500 GB storage)
- Proton Pass (password manager)
- Proton Calendar (encrypted calendar)
- Proton Drive (encrypted cloud storage)
- 10 simultaneous VPN connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Proton Unlimited (1-Year)
- Everything in VPN Plus
- Proton Mail (encrypted email with 500 GB storage)
- Proton Pass (password manager)
- Proton Calendar (encrypted calendar)
- Proton Drive (encrypted cloud storage)
- 10 simultaneous VPN connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Proton Unlimited (2-Year)
- Everything in VPN Plus
- Proton Mail (encrypted email with 500 GB storage)
- Proton Pass (password manager)
- Proton Calendar (encrypted calendar)
- Proton Drive (encrypted cloud storage)
- 10 simultaneous VPN connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Compare Proton VPN vs Alternatives
Before committing to Proton VPN, compare pricing with these 3 alternatives in the same category.
Users who want premium VPN quality without a long-term commitment
Compare pricingPrivacy purists who value simplicity, anonymity, and transparent pricing
Compare pricingUsers who want short-term flexibility without commitment
Compare pricingWhat Companies Actually Pay for Proton VPN
The median Proton VPN buyer pays $120/year based on 0 verified purchase transactions, with an average 92% savings through negotiation.
with negotiation
Proton VPN Year 1 Total Cost by Company Size
Real deployment costs including licenses, implementation, training, and admin — not just the sticker price.
A casual user who wants basic VPN protection for browsing and light streaming on a single device without paying anything.
A privacy-conscious user who values Swiss jurisdiction, open-source software, and Secure Core multi-hop routing.
A user who already uses Proton Mail and wants to consolidate VPN, email, password manager, calendar, and cloud storage into one subscription.
A college student who wants reliable VPN protection for campus Wi-Fi, streaming, and research access.
Individual user wanting flexibility with month-to-month billing for VPN Plus access to all servers and features
Individual user maximizing savings with 2-year VPN Plus commitment, 70% off vs monthly
User wanting VPN Plus features + ProtonMail Plus + ProtonDrive + ProtonPass with 2-year commitment
How Proton VPN Pricing Compares
| Software | Starting Price | Top Price |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Free | $12.99/month |
| ExpressVPN | $1/month | $559.72/month |
| Mullvad VPN | $5.5/month | $5.5/month |
| NordVPN | $3.39/month | $14.29/month |
| Surfshark | $1.99/month | $17.95/month |
Proton VPN Contract Terms
Proton VPN contracts auto-renew. Changes require 30 days money-back guarantee on new subscriptions. These terms are sourced from verified buyer experiences.
Can switch between plans or downgrade to free
How to Negotiate Proton VPN Pricing
Proton VPN contracts are negotiable — buyers save an average of 92% off list price. These 4 tactics are sourced from real buyer experiences and procurement specialists.
Proton VPN offers significant discounts during Black Friday, with deals up to 70% off. Past promotions have offered 2-year plans at heavily reduced rates.
Multiple Reddit posts mention Black Friday deals at $35/year or $70 for 2 yearsOpt for 2-year subscriptions to get the lowest monthly rate. The 2-year VPN Plus plan runs $2.99/month vs $9.99/month for monthly billing.
Current tier data shows 2-year plans at $2.99/month vs $9.99 monthlyIf you need email, storage, or password management, the Proton Unlimited bundle at $7.99/month (2-year) includes VPN Plus features along with other services, offering better value than VPN Plus alone at $4.99/month.
Reddit discussions and current tier data show Unlimited bundle pricingSome users report accessing regional pricing by subscribing through Google Play Store in certain countries, potentially saving 30-50% vs standard pricing.
Reddit users mention regional pricing availability in countries like Pakistan and IndiaProton VPN Pricing FAQ
01 How much does Proton VPN cost in 2026?
Proton VPN ranges from free to $12.99/mo. The Free plan costs $0 with unlimited data. VPN Plus costs $2.99/mo (2-year), $4.99/mo (1-year), or $9.99/mo (monthly). Proton Unlimited (VPN + Mail + Drive + Pass + Calendar) costs $7.99/mo (2-year), $9.99/mo (1-year), or $12.99/mo (monthly).
02 Is Proton VPN free plan actually free?
Yes. Proton VPN's free plan is genuinely free with unlimited data, no trial period, no credit card required, and no ads. It is limited to 1 device, medium speeds, and servers in 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland). It is one of the only reputable free VPNs that does not sell user data.
03 What is the difference between Proton VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited?
VPN Plus ($2.99-$9.99/mo) includes only the premium VPN service with 17,200+ servers, 10 devices, NetShield, and Secure Core. Proton Unlimited ($7.99-$12.99/mo) adds Proton Mail (encrypted email), Proton Pass (password manager), Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive (encrypted storage).
04 Is Proton VPN good for privacy?
Proton VPN is widely considered one of the most privacy-focused VPNs. It is based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws), is open-source, has been independently audited, uses Secure Core multi-hop routing, and offers a Stealth protocol designed to bypass deep packet inspection in restrictive countries.
05 Does Proton VPN offer student discounts?
Yes. Proton VPN offers a 50% student discount on the 1-year VPN Plus plan, bringing the price down to approximately $2.49/mo (from $4.99/mo). Student verification is required.
06 Does the free plan really have unlimited data?
Yes, Proton VPN's free plan has no data caps, making it one of the best free VPNs available. However, the free tier is limited to servers in 3 countries (randomly assigned for load balancing), has slower speeds than paid plans, and blocks P2P/torrenting. It's designed for basic browsing from restricted countries like Russia and Iran, not heavy usage.
07 Can I use Proton VPN for streaming Netflix?
Streaming support varies. Some Reddit users report success accessing Netflix libraries with Proton VPN's paid plans, while others mention occasional blocks. The free plan has very limited server options (3 countries) which severely restricts streaming capabilities. For dedicated streaming use, several Reddit users suggest ExpressVPN or NordVPN may be more reliable.
08 How do I get the best price on Proton VPN?
The 2-year VPN Plus plan at $2.99/month offers the best standalone VPN value. For even better savings, watch for Black Friday deals (up to 70% off) or access regional pricing through the Google Play Store in eligible countries. If you need email or storage too, the 2-year Proton Unlimited bundle at $7.99/month is the best overall value.
09 Does Proton VPN slow down my internet speed?
On paid plans, users report only 15-30% speed reduction with the VPN Accelerator technology maintaining fast connections. The free plan is intentionally slower due to server load balancing and limited capacity. Reddit users note that connecting to nearby servers on paid plans maintains near-full speed, while the free tier can be significantly slower.
10 How many devices can I connect simultaneously?
The paid plans (VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited) allow up to 10 simultaneous device connections. The free plan also supports multiple devices but with the same server and speed limitations across all connections.
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