Key Gotchas

  • 🆓 Free Tier Limitations Unclear Medium Impact

    The free tier has significant limitations (speed, server access) that aren't always clear upfront. Upselling to premium plans is persistent throughout the app.

  • 💰 Complex Pricing Structure Medium Impact

    Multiple tiers with different features make comparison difficult. Proton bundles (Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN) add complexity to understanding what you're getting.

  • 🔄 Refund Process Requirements Low Impact

    30-day money-back guarantee is solid, but requires contacting support. Crypto payments may have different refund procedures.

  • ⚡ Speed Varies by Server Low Impact

    Terms don't guarantee specific speeds. Some free servers can be notably slower during peak times.

Score Breakdown

Privacy Policy
80
Transparency
75
Refund Policy
65
Terms Clarity
55
Service Guarantees
45

What This Means For You

ProtonVPN leads our VPN category thanks to Swiss privacy laws, transparent no-logs policy, and open-source apps. It's one of the few VPNs where privacy claims are verifiable.

Best For: Privacy-conscious users who want verifiable no-logs guarantees and don't mind paying premium prices for peace of mind.

Tip: If considering the free tier, understand its limitations first. For most users, a paid plan provides significantly better experience.