How to use Proton VPN (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Proton VPN is an open-source VPN that’s particularly designed for customers who’ve privateness and safety as their high priorities.

On this article, we stroll you thru how one can arrange and use Proton VPN. We additionally reply some ceaselessly requested questions on Proton VPN and its options.

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Find out how to arrange and use Proton VPN

1. Deciding on a Proton VPN subscription

Proton VPN affords three tiers: Proton Free, Proton VPN Plus and Proton Limitless. Each VPN Plus and Limitless are Proton’s paid VPN subscriptions and provide month-to-month, annual and two-year plans.

Right here’s a short overview of the three Proton tiers:

• Proton Free: Limitless information with slower speeds; one gadget connection; servers from solely 5 nations.
• Proton VPN Plus: 3,000+ servers in 70+ nations; 10 simultaneous gadget connections; quickest VPN velocity.
• Proton Limitless: All VPN Plus options and entry to Proton Mail Plus, Proton Drive Plus and Proton Calendar.

In our hands-on evaluate, Proton VPN acquired a rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.

I discover the one-year $5.99 per thirty days plan for Proton VPN Plus to be the perfect stability of options and worth. However for those who’re already an avid person of Proton’s different providers, getting one of many Proton Limitless bundles is a brilliant selection.

For this demonstration, I selected Proton’s free model. With its lack of an information cap, Proton Free is one in every of my favourite free VPNs to make use of long-term.

If you happen to’re in search of different free VPNs, learn our rundown on the perfect free VPNs in 2024.

2. Downloading and establishing Proton VPN

To obtain Proton Free, I clicked on the Get Proton Free button discovered on Proton VPN’s pricing web page. From there, it requested me to create an account by offering my electronic mail tackle and a brand new password.

I like that Proton provides you the choice to allow them to generate a randomized password for you. Simply just remember to copy it to a protected place, for those who decide to take action.

From there, I used to be redirected to Proton VPN’s obtain web page, which housed their completely different installer information for his or her supported working methods.

Since I’m a Home windows person, I downloaded the Home windows file. Proton VPN helps Home windows, macOS, Linux/GNU, Chromebook, iOS, Android and others.

As soon as downloaded, I ran the installer file and adopted the required steps. After going by means of the set up, the Proton VPN desktop app opened and requested for my account particulars.

As soon as logged in, I used to be led to the primary Proton VPN desktop app dashboard!

3. Utilizing Proton VPN

Like most VPN apps, Proton VPN has a distinguished On/Off swap that routinely connects you to one in every of their servers. In Proton VPN’s case, it has a Fast Join button on the left aspect of their app (Determine H).

Clicking on that button will routinely join you to the quickest server primarily based in your location. Take into account that Proton Free customers will solely get linked to a server within the Netherlands, Romania, Japan, Poland or the US.

In my case, clicking on Fast Join linked me to the Proton VPN server in Japan.

At this level, I’m efficiently linked to a safe Proton VPN server.

If you wish to verify for those who’ve correctly linked to one in every of Proton VPN’s servers, I like to recommend utilizing a public DNS leak device. These instruments present you the present IP tackle and placement of your gadget. A correct connection through a VPN ought to present the IP tackle and placement of the VPN server you chose. On this case, my IP tackle ought to present that I’m in Japan.

To verify, I used DNSLeakTest.com. Nevertheless, there are different related instruments on-line that may accomplish the identical operate.

Once I checked, it confirmed that I had efficiently linked to a VPN server situated in Japan (Determine J).

Proton VPN FAQs

Is Proton VPN free?

Sure, Proton VPN has a free model that’s free eternally. Nevertheless, it does have limitations in comparison with Proton VPN’s paid plans. Whereas it affords limitless bandwidth, it solely permits for one VPN connection, in comparison with 10 simultaneous gadget connections on the premium plans.

As well as, free customers solely get entry to servers in 5 nations: the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland and the US. With the premium plans, you get entry to over 3,000 servers unfold throughout 70+ nations.

And, Proton Free has a slower VPN velocity in comparison with each Proton VPN premium plans.

What number of gadgets can I take advantage of Proton VPN?

Paid customers of Proton VPN can have as much as 10 simultaneous gadget connections. In the meantime, Proton Free variations can solely join one gadget at a time.

What number of servers and places does Proton VPN provide?

As of March 2024, Proton VPN affords 3,428 servers in 71 nations. Take into account that server community numbers normally fluctuate.

Nevertheless, Proton VPN has persistently had round 3,000+ servers from round 65+ nations as of late, per our analysis.

What working methods does Proton VPN help?

For the desktop aspect, Proton VPN helps Home windows, macOS, Linux and Chromebook. It additionally has browser extensions for each Chrome and Firefox.

For cellular, Proton VPN is accessible on iOS, Android and Android TV.

What if Proton VPN isn’t working correctly?

If you happen to encounter any points with Proton VPN, you may go to their Assist and help web page, which has a wholesome quantity of help articles masking ceaselessly requested questions and points.

For extra urgent issues, Proton VPN has a help electronic mail and a live-chat characteristic that’s unique to paid customers.

What we consider Proton VPN

In our full evaluate, Proton VPN acquired a score of 4.0 stars out of 5. Its operations being primarily based in privacy-friendly Switzerland was a spotlight in our evaluation, in addition to it being open supply.

We additionally preferred Proton VPN’s beneficiant free model that comes with zero bandwidth restrictions — which is unusual in comparison with different free VPN choices.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full evaluate and evaluation of Proton VPN right here.