ProtonVPN scores 5/5 for encryption, 5/5 for privacy, and 4/5 for track record. Overall safety score: 5/5.

What are the privacy concerns with ProtonVPN?

ProtonVPN security review covering Swiss privacy, open-source apps, and Proton's privacy-first ecosystem.

Has ProtonVPN been hacked before?

See our detailed analysis of ProtonVPN's past security incidents and track record at The Opt-Out Project.

Is ProtonVPN Safe? Security Review

Name: Is ProtonVPN Safe? Security Review
Item: ProtonVPN
Rating: 5
Author: The Opt-Out Project

Category: Security & VPN Company: Proton AG Reviewed February 10, 2026

5/5

Overall Safety Score

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Verdict: ProtonVPN is one of the most trustworthy VPN services available. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, independent audits, and a genuine privacy-first mission make it an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users.

ProtonVPN is a Swiss-based VPN service from the creators of ProtonMail. It is one of the most privacy-focused VPNs available, with open-source apps, a free tier, and Swiss privacy law protection.

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Security Ratings Breakdown

Category	Score	Rating
Encryption	5/5
Privacy	5/5
Track Record	4/5

Security Features

AES-256 encryption
Open-source apps (independently auditable)
Swiss jurisdiction (strong privacy laws)
Secure Core servers (multi-hop through privacy-friendly countries)
No-logs policy (independently audited)
Kill switch and always-on VPN
NetShield ad and malware blocker

Privacy Concerns

Free tier has limited servers (may mean more shared IPs)
Swiss authorities can compel some metadata in criminal investigations (but no logs to provide)

Past Security Incidents

ProtonMail was ordered by Swiss courts in 2021 to log IP addresses of a French climate activist (VPN was not affected, but it highlighted jurisdiction limitations)
No ProtonVPN-specific breaches or logging incidents as of 2025

How to Stay Safe Using ProtonVPN

Enable kill switch and always-on VPN
Use Secure Core servers for extra protection
Enable NetShield for malware protection
Combine with ProtonMail for a privacy-focused ecosystem

Safer Alternatives

Mullvad VPN (even more anonymous)
NordVPN (more servers and features)

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ProtonVPN Has Your Data — Take It Back

Apps like ProtonVPN share your details with data brokers who resell them. DeleteMe covers 976 broker sites and puts a human privacy advisor on every removal, rather than firing off automated requests and hoping.

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Last updated: February 10, 2026