Best for privacy
Proton VPN
Open-source apps, four consecutive annual privacy audits, free tier with no data cap
BEST FORJournalists, activists, and privacy-first users who want fully audited open-source apps backed by a Swiss nonprofit. The free plan has no data cap.
Reviewed by the Clientele Research Team · Last checked 9 days ago (2026-07-15)
Scores — click any row to see our rationale
Speed & Performance▼7/10
Privacy & No-Logs Credibility▼10/10
Streaming & Torrenting▼8/10
Device Compatibility & Simultaneous Connections▼7/10
Pricing & Subscription Flexibility▼8/10
PROS
✓All apps (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux) are fully open-source — anyone can audit the code for hidden tracking or backdoors
✓Four consecutive annual audits by Securitum, most recently in August 2025, confirmed zero user activity logging, zero metadata retention, and zero deep packet inspection
✓Free plan has no data cap, no ads, and no data selling — the only zero-cost VPN CNET recommends
✓Secure Core routes traffic through Switzerland or Iceland before exiting, protecting against compromised exit-node attacks
✓Port forwarding is supported on paid plans — a plus for torrent users who need faster peer connections
✓Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland under Swiss privacy law
✓Proton Unlimited bundle ($7.99/month on 2-year plan) adds Proton Mail, Proton Drive, Proton Pass, and Proton Calendar
CONS
✕16% average speed loss in CNET's 2025 tests — more than NordVPN's 3% loss, which is noticeable on connections below 30 Mbps
✕Free plan servers are limited to 5 countries with no manual server selection
✕Streaming is only guaranteed on paid Plus or Unlimited plans
✕No dedicated streaming servers labeled by platform — you may need to try multiple servers for a specific service
✕Some macOS users report VPN connection drops after waking from sleep
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