If you want to know how to install ProtonVPN, you’re in the right place. The official download page lists six platforms, and it’s not always obvious which file to grab, whether the free plan works on your device, or what permissions to approve. This guide cuts through all of that.

Below you’ll find step-by-step installation instructions for every platform ProtonVPN supports — Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, routers, and browser extensions. Free plan differences are called out in each section so you know exactly what to expect before you tap Connect.

ProtonVPN is built by Proton AG, a Swiss company founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN. Its apps are fully open-source, independently audited, and cover 20,000+ servers in 148 countries. You can read the full breakdown in our full ProtonVPN review. This guide focuses on one thing only: getting it installed and running on your device.

Before You Download ProtonVPN: Create Your Account First

You need a Proton account before you can install any ProtonVPN app. The account is separate from the app download — you create it on the web first, then sign in inside the app.

Creating a Free Proton Account

  1. Go to account.protonvpn.com/signup.
  2. Choose the Proton Free plan — no credit card required, no trial period, free forever.
  3. Enter a username and password. You can create a Proton Mail address or use an external email to verify.
  4. Complete the CAPTCHA verification step.
  5. Check your inbox for the verification email and confirm your address.
  6. You’re signed in to your Proton account dashboard. The VPN apps are available immediately.

Free plan limits to know upfront:

  • 1 device at a time
  • 10 server countries (Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore, Mexico, Canada, United States) — server location is randomly assigned, not chosen by you
  • Medium speed (shared servers; load often above 70%)
  • No NetShield, no Secure Core, no P2P, no streaming servers
  • Kill switch included
  • No ads, no data selling, no bandwidth cap

Creating a Paid Account (VPN Plus or Proton Unlimited)

  1. Go to protonvpn.com/pricing.
  2. Choose VPN Plus (VPN only, starting at $2.99/month on a 2-year plan) or Proton Unlimited ($7.99/month on 2-year — includes ProtonMail, Drive, and Pass as well).
  3. Select your billing cycle. The 2-year plan is the best value at $2.99/month billed as $71.76 upfront. After the promotional period ends, the plan renews at $83.88/year ($6.99/month equivalent).
  4. Enter payment details. Proton accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex, PayPal, Bitcoin, and even cash via Proton credits.
  5. Verify your email if prompted and log in to your dashboard.

Paid plan unlocks: 10 simultaneous devices, 20,000+ servers in 148 countries, NetShield ad blocker, Secure Core, P2P/torrenting with port forwarding, streaming servers, Stealth obfuscation protocol, and VPN Accelerator (up to 400% speed improvement on long-distance routes). All paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How to Install ProtonVPN on Windows

Supported versions: Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit). The ProtonVPN setup on Windows supports all available protocols — WireGuard (default), OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2, and Stealth — so you can adapt to virtually any network restriction.

  1. Go to protonvpn.com/download/windows.
  2. Click Download ProtonVPN. The file is a standard .exe installer, approximately 80 MB.
  3. Run the downloaded ProtonVPN_Setup.exe file. If Windows shows a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking “Do you want to allow this app to make changes?”, click Yes.
  4. Follow the installer steps — accept the license agreement, choose your install location, and click Install.
  5. The installer will also offer to install Proton Drive, Proton Mail, and Proton Pass alongside the VPN. These are optional — uncheck them if you only want the VPN.
  6. Once installed, ProtonVPN launches automatically. Click Sign In.
  7. Enter your Proton account username and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll be asked for your 2FA code.
  8. Click Quick Connect to connect to the fastest available server, or browse the server list to pick a specific country.

Default protocol on Windows: ProtonVPN selects WireGuard automatically. This is the right choice for most users — it’s fast and secure. If your network blocks WireGuard (common on some corporate or campus networks), switch to Stealth in Settings → Protocol. Stealth disguises your VPN traffic as normal HTTPS, bypassing most firewalls.

Windows-Specific Features

  • Kill Switch (Standard and Advanced): Standard cuts internet if the VPN drops. Advanced keeps internet blocked until you reconnect to ProtonVPN — even after a reboot. Find both under Settings → Connection.
  • Split Tunneling: Route specific apps or IP addresses outside the VPN tunnel. Useful for banking apps that block VPN traffic. Settings → Split Tunneling.
  • VPN Accelerator: Enabled by default for paid users. Uses multi-processor techniques to boost long-distance speeds. Settings → Advanced.
  • OpenVPN support: Windows is the only official desktop platform with native OpenVPN support. Available in UDP and TCP modes.

How to Install ProtonVPN on Mac

Supported versions: macOS 12 Monterey and newer. You can install via direct download or the Mac App Store — both give you the same app.

Option A: Download from ProtonVPN.com (Recommended)

  1. Go to protonvpn.com/download/macos.
  2. Click Download ProtonVPN. This downloads a .dmg disk image file.
  3. Open the .dmg file. A window appears with the ProtonVPN app icon — drag it to your Applications folder.
  4. Open ProtonVPN from your Applications folder or Launchpad.
  5. macOS may show “ProtonVPN is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?” — click Open.
  6. Sign in with your Proton account credentials.
  7. The first time you connect, macOS will ask permission to add a VPN configuration. A system dialog appears: “ProtonVPN would like to add VPN configurations.” Click Allow. You may need to enter your Mac login password or use Touch ID to confirm.
  8. You’ll also see a prompt under System Settings → Privacy & Security → VPN — the ProtonVPN configuration will appear there once allowed.
  9. Click Quick Connect or choose a server and click Connect.

Option B: Mac App Store

  1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
  2. Search for ProtonVPN.
  3. Click Get and authenticate with your Apple ID.
  4. Open the app once installed and sign in with your Proton account.
  5. Grant VPN permission when prompted (same step as above).

Mac-specific limitations: Split tunneling on macOS is currently labeled “experimental” — use it with that in mind. OpenVPN is not available in the Mac native app (use WireGuard, IKEv2, or Stealth instead). Port forwarding was added to Mac in mid-2025.

How to Install ProtonVPN Free on iPhone & iPad

Supported versions: iOS 16 and newer, iPadOS 16 and newer. The ProtonVPN app is free to download and includes a no-cost plan with no bandwidth cap — ideal if you’re looking for a free VPN for iPhone that doesn’t sell your data. If you’re evaluating mobile VPN options more broadly, see our guide to the best mobile VPN apps for a side-by-side comparison.

  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Search for ProtonVPN — Fast & Secure.
  3. Tap Get and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
  4. Once downloaded, open the ProtonVPN app.
  5. Tap Sign In and enter your Proton account username and password.
  6. The app will ask permission to add a VPN configuration to your device. Tap Allow. iOS will show: “ProtonVPN would like to add VPN Configurations.” Tap Allow again on the system prompt.
  7. You may be asked to enter your iPhone passcode to confirm the VPN profile installation.
  8. Tap Quick Connect to connect to the fastest available server.

Free plan on iOS — important limits:

  • Only 1 connection allowed at a time
  • Server location is randomly assigned from 10 countries — you cannot choose
  • You must wait 45 seconds after connecting before switching servers
  • No NetShield, no Secure Core, no P2P servers
  • Paid plans unlock all 148 countries, 10 simultaneous devices, and all features

iOS-specific notes: Split tunneling is not available on iOS (this is an Apple platform restriction). OpenVPN is not supported on iOS — the app uses WireGuard and Stealth. The Kill Switch on iOS works like the Windows Standard kill switch — it blocks traffic if the VPN drops but does not lock the connection on reboot.

How to Install ProtonVPN Free on Android

Supported versions: Android 9 and newer.

Option A: Google Play Store (Easiest)

  1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
  2. Search for ProtonVPN — Fast & Secure.
  3. Tap Install. The app is free to download — no payment needed.
  4. Once installed, open ProtonVPN and tap Sign In.
  5. Enter your Proton account credentials. If you don’t have an account, tap Create Account — you can sign up for free directly in the app.
  6. Tap Quick Connect or select a server from the list.
  7. Android will ask: “ProtonVPN wants to set up a VPN connection.” Tap OK to allow it.
  8. A key icon appears in your status bar to confirm the VPN is active.

Option B: APK Download (for F-Droid or Sideloading)

If you don’t use Google Play (e.g., on a de-Googled phone, an F-Droid setup, or a Huawei device without Play Store access), download the APK directly:

  1. On your Android device, go to protonvpn.com/download/android in a browser.
  2. Tap Download APK.
  3. If prompted, enable “Install from unknown sources” for your browser under Settings → Apps → Special App Access → Install Unknown Apps.
  4. Open the downloaded APK file and tap Install.
  5. Sign in with your Proton account once installed.

ProtonVPN is also available on F-Droid via the official Proton F-Droid repository — search for ProtonVPN within the F-Droid app.

Android advantages over iOS: Split tunneling is fully supported on Android (both app-based and IP-based). The Android Kill Switch is equivalent to Windows Advanced mode — it blocks all internet unless ProtonVPN is connected, and persists after a reboot. Android also supports Always-on VPN via the system settings under Network & Internet → VPN.

ProtonVPN Linux: How to Install the App or CLI

ProtonVPN has an official Linux app with a GUI — you don’t need to use the command line for basic connections. A CLI is also available for server administration, scripting, or headless setups. The Linux app supports Stealth protocol, which is a significant advantage on restricted networks.

Install on Debian / Ubuntu (apt)

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Download and install the ProtonVPN repository package:
    wget https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-all/protonvpn-stable-release_1.0.3-3_all.deb
  3. Install the repository package:
    sudo dpkg -i protonvpn-stable-release_1.0.3-3_all.deb
  4. Update your package list:
    sudo apt update
  5. Install the ProtonVPN desktop app (GUI):
    sudo apt install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
  6. Launch ProtonVPN from your application menu or run protonvpn-app in the terminal.
  7. Sign in with your Proton account. Click Quick Connect to connect.

Install on Fedora / RHEL / CentOS (rpm)

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Download the ProtonVPN repository RPM:
    wget https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora-$(rpm -E %fedora)-stable/protonvpn-stable-release/protonvpn-stable-release-1.0.0-4.noarch.rpm
  3. Install the repository:
    sudo dnf install protonvpn-stable-release-1.0.0-4.noarch.rpm
  4. Install ProtonVPN:
    sudo dnf install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
  5. Launch the app and sign in.

Using the ProtonVPN CLI

The CLI is installed alongside the GUI app. Key commands:

  • protonvpn-cli connect — Connect to the fastest available server
  • protonvpn-cli connect --fastest — Same as above
  • protonvpn-cli connect US — Connect to a specific country
  • protonvpn-cli connect --secure-core — Connect via Secure Core
  • protonvpn-cli disconnect — Disconnect
  • protonvpn-cli status — View current connection info

Stealth on Linux: The Stealth obfuscation protocol is fully supported on the Linux app. Switch to it under Settings → Protocol if you’re on a network that blocks standard VPN connections. Stealth tunnels WireGuard over TLS on port 443, making VPN traffic look like normal HTTPS.

Missing dependencies? If sudo apt install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop reports unmet dependencies, run sudo apt --fix-broken install first. On older Ubuntu versions (20.04), you may need to install libayatana-appindicator3-1 separately: sudo apt install libayatana-appindicator3-1. See protonvpn.com/support for distro-specific guides.

How to Install the ProtonVPN Browser Extension

ProtonVPN offers extensions for Chrome (and all Chromium-based browsers — Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi) and Firefox. Before installing, understand what the extension is and isn’t.

Extension vs. full VPN app — key difference: The browser extension is a lightweight proxy that routes only your browser traffic through ProtonVPN’s servers. It does not encrypt your entire device like the desktop app does. Other apps (email clients, Spotify, torrent software) bypass the extension entirely. Use the extension only when you want to quickly route browser traffic to a different country without running the full app — or when you want to run two different VPN locations simultaneously in separate browser windows.

Install on Chrome / Edge / Brave / Opera

  1. Open your Chromium-based browser.
  2. Go to the ProtonVPN Chrome Web Store page.
  3. Click Add to Chrome (or “Add to Edge” / “Add to Brave”).
  4. Confirm by clicking Add extension in the popup.
  5. The ProtonVPN icon appears in your browser toolbar. Click it.
  6. Sign in with your Proton account.
  7. Choose a country from the list and click Connect.

Install on Firefox

  1. Open Firefox.
  2. Go to addons.mozilla.org and search for ProtonVPN, or navigate directly to the ProtonVPN Firefox Add-on page.
  3. Click Add to Firefox.
  4. Confirm the permissions and click Add.
  5. Click the ProtonVPN icon in your toolbar and sign in.
  6. Select a country and connect.

NetShield from the Extension

Paid users can enable NetShield directly from the browser extension. NetShield is ProtonVPN’s DNS-based ad, tracker, and malware blocker. To enable it:

  1. Click the ProtonVPN extension icon.
  2. Look for the NetShield toggle in the extension panel.
  3. Switch it to Block malware, ads & trackers.
  4. NetShield works at the DNS level — it blocks tracking domains before they load, without needing a separate browser extension like uBlock.

How to Install ProtonVPN on Android TV & Fire TV

Android TV (Google Play)

  1. On your Android TV, open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Use the search function to find ProtonVPN.
  3. Select the app and click Install.
  4. Once installed, open ProtonVPN. Use your TV remote to navigate to Sign In.
  5. Enter your Proton account credentials. On most Android TVs, you can use your phone as a keyboard via the Google TV remote app to type your login details faster.
  6. Select a country and press Connect.

Android TV interface: The Android TV app uses a 10-foot UI designed for couch viewing. Server lists are organized by country. Settings are found at the bottom of the location list. You won’t get all the features of the desktop app here — focus on picking your country and connecting.

Amazon Fire TV / Firestick (Sideload)

Fire TV runs a version of Android, but Amazon’s Appstore doesn’t include ProtonVPN. You’ll need to sideload the Android APK.

  1. On your Fire TV, go to Settings → My Fire TV → Developer Options.
  2. Enable Apps from Unknown Sources (or “Install Unknown Apps” depending on your Fire OS version).
  3. Install the Downloader app from the Amazon Appstore — search for it and install for free.
  4. Open Downloader and enter this URL: https://protonvpn.com/download/android
  5. Navigate to the APK download link on that page and download the ProtonVPN APK.
  6. When the download completes, tap Install.
  7. After installation, open ProtonVPN and sign in with your Proton account.
  8. Select a server and connect.

Free plan on Fire TV: The free plan works on Fire TV, but you’re limited to 1 connection and 10 server countries with randomly assigned locations. For streaming (the primary use case on a Fire TV), you need a paid VPN Plus or Proton Unlimited plan to access streaming-optimized servers.

How to Install ProtonVPN on Apple TV

Supported versions: tvOS 17 and newer (Apple TV 4K, 3rd generation or newer).

Install via App Store (tvOS 17+)

  1. On your Apple TV, open the App Store.
  2. Search for ProtonVPN.
  3. Click Get and authenticate with your Apple ID.
  4. Open ProtonVPN once installed.
  5. Sign in with your Proton account. Use the Siri Remote or the Apple TV remote app on your iPhone to type your credentials.
  6. Select a country from the list and click Connect.

Secure Core on Apple TV: Paid plan users can enable Secure Core from within the Apple TV app. Secure Core routes your traffic through ProtonVPN’s hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before exiting to your destination — adding a second layer of protection for high-sensitivity browsing.

Older Apple TV Models (Pre-tvOS 17 or Apple TV 3rd Gen and earlier)

Apple TV models that can’t run tvOS 17 or the ProtonVPN app directly need a router-level VPN. See the Router section below for how to configure ProtonVPN on your router, which then protects all devices on your network — including older Apple TVs — without any app installation on the TV itself.

How to Install ProtonVPN on a Router

Setting up ProtonVPN on your router covers every device on your home or office network — smart TVs, gaming consoles, IoT devices — without installing any app on each device individually. It also works around per-device connection limits since the router counts as one connection.

Free plan does not support router setup. Router configuration requires downloading VPN configuration files from your Proton account dashboard, which is only available to VPN Plus or Proton Unlimited subscribers. If you’re on the free plan, upgrade first.

Step 1: Get Your VPN Configuration Files

  1. Log in to account.protonvpn.com/dashboard.
  2. Go to Downloads in the left sidebar.
  3. Under OpenVPN configuration files or WireGuard configuration, select your router type and the server you want to connect through (by country).
  4. Download the .ovpn (OpenVPN) or .conf (WireGuard) file.
  5. Also note your OpenVPN username and password from the Account → OpenVPN/IKEv2 username section — this is different from your Proton login credentials.

Step 2: Configure Your Router

The exact steps vary by router firmware. Here’s a summary for the most common types:

Supported router firmware: DD-WRT, AsusWRT (Merlin), OpenWRT, pfSense / OPNsense, Tomato. Standard ISP-issued routers usually don’t support VPN client mode — you may need to flash your router or buy a router that supports OpenVPN or WireGuard natively.

DD-WRT Routers

  1. Log in to your router’s admin panel (typically at 192.168.1.1).
  2. Go to Services → VPN → OpenVPN Client.
  3. Enable the OpenVPN client and paste the contents of your downloaded .ovpn file into the appropriate fields.
  4. Enter your ProtonVPN OpenVPN username and password (from your dashboard, not your Proton account login).
  5. Save and apply. The router will connect to ProtonVPN automatically.

ASUS Routers (AsusWRT / AsusWRT-Merlin)

  1. Log in to your ASUS router admin panel.
  2. Go to VPN → VPN Client.
  3. Click Add profile, choose OpenVPN or WireGuard.
  4. Import your downloaded ProtonVPN config file.
  5. Enter your credentials and click OK, then Activate.

pfSense / OPNsense

  1. In pfSense, go to VPN → OpenVPN → Clients → Add.
  2. Set server mode to Peer to Peer (SSL/TLS).
  3. Enter the ProtonVPN server hostname from your config file.
  4. Paste the CA certificate, client certificate, and TLS key from the config file into the appropriate fields.
  5. Enter your credentials and save.
  6. Add an interface and firewall rules to route traffic through the VPN tunnel.

ProtonVPN has detailed, router-specific guides at protonvpn.com/support. Search for your specific router model or firmware there.

How to Use Secure Core

Secure Core is one of ProtonVPN’s most distinctive features. It’s available on paid plans and routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one — first through a physically hardened server in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden, then out through a regular server in your chosen destination country.

This protects against a specific threat: if a VPN exit server is compromised or surveilled, an attacker can only see traffic coming from the Secure Core intermediate server — not from your real IP address. Proton owns all Secure Core servers outright (not rented from data centers), and they’re located in a biometric-secured facility near Zurich, a former military base in Iceland, and an underground data center in Sweden.

When to Use Secure Core

  • When connecting through countries with aggressive surveillance (Russia, China, Iran, Turkey)
  • When you need to protect against traffic correlation attacks
  • When you’re a journalist, activist, or researcher dealing with sensitive information
  • When using public Wi-Fi in high-risk environments

Speed trade-off: Secure Core adds a second VPN hop, which increases latency and reduces speed. It’s not ideal for streaming or gaming — use it when privacy matters more than speed. Secure Core exits are available in 68+ countries.

Enabling Secure Core on Desktop (Windows / Mac / Linux)

  1. Open the ProtonVPN app and sign in.
  2. Look for the Secure Core toggle in the left sidebar or at the top of the server list.
  3. Enable it. The server list now shows only Secure Core-compatible destinations.
  4. Select your exit country (e.g., “US via Switzerland”) and click Connect.
  5. Your connection will route through a Swiss Secure Core server first, then exit in the US.

Enabling Secure Core on Mobile (iOS / Android)

  1. Open the ProtonVPN app.
  2. Tap Countries at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Tap the Secure Core tab at the top.
  4. Select your destination country and tap Connect.

Tip: You can also create a Connection Profile with Secure Core enabled on desktop. This lets you activate Secure Core for specific use cases (e.g., a “Research” profile) without digging through the server list every time.

Troubleshooting ProtonVPN Installation Issues

Issue: “Connection refused” or can’t connect on the free plan
The free plan uses shared servers that can become congested, especially at peak hours. Wait 45 seconds between server switch attempts. Try connecting at a different time, or switch to a different free server country. If servers are consistently unavailable, check status.proton.me to confirm no ongoing outages. Free plan users cannot contact live chat — submit a ticket at protonvpn.com/support.

Issue: “No VPN profile” error on iOS / “Cannot connect” after iOS update
This happens when the iOS VPN configuration gets corrupted or deleted. Fix it by going to iOS Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → VPN and removing the ProtonVPN configuration. Then open the ProtonVPN app and try connecting again — the app will reinstall the VPN profile automatically. If the problem persists, delete and reinstall the ProtonVPN app from the App Store.

Issue: Linux — missing dependencies or app fails to launch
Run sudo apt --fix-broken install after installation. If you’re on Ubuntu 20.04 or older, install missing libraries manually: sudo apt install libayatana-appindicator3-1 network-manager-openvpn. Make sure NetworkManager is running: sudo systemctl start NetworkManager. On Fedora, run sudo dnf install NetworkManager-openvpn if OpenVPN-related errors appear.

Issue: Stealth protocol not connecting on a restricted network
Stealth tunnels WireGuard over TLS on port 443, but some corporate or government firewalls do deep-packet inspection (DPI) that can still detect Stealth traffic patterns. Try enabling Alternative Routing under Settings → Advanced — this routes your VPN connection through third-party networks (AWS CloudFront) when Proton’s own servers are blocked. If Stealth still fails, note that ProtonVPN currently has inconsistent performance in China specifically — the company’s own support confirms Stealth is not fully reliable in China.

Issue: App shows “connected” but websites still load from my real location
This typically means a DNS leak. Check by visiting a DNS leak test. In the ProtonVPN app, go to Settings → Connection and verify DNS Leak Prevention is enabled. On Windows, also check that IPv6 Leak Prevention is active. If the issue persists on Linux, ensure that systemd-resolved is not bypassing the VPN tunnel — run protonvpn-cli status to see your current server and IP.

Issue: Kill switch is active and I can’t access the internet after disconnecting
If you have the Advanced Kill Switch enabled (Windows) or Always-on VPN active (Android), your internet is intentionally blocked when ProtonVPN isn’t connected. Open the ProtonVPN app, turn off the Kill Switch under Settings → Connection, then reconnect or toggle it off. On Android, go to System Settings → Network & Internet → VPN and disable Always-on VPN there if you can’t open the app.

How to Install ProtonVPN: Frequently Asked Questions

Is ProtonVPN free forever?

Yes. The Proton Free plan is genuinely free with no time limit, no credit card required, and no bandwidth cap. It’s not a trial — Proton AG is a non-profit-funded Swiss company that offers the free plan as part of its mission to make internet privacy accessible to everyone. The trade-off is that free users get 1 device, 10 server countries (randomly assigned), medium speeds, and no advanced features like NetShield or Secure Core.

How many devices can I use ProtonVPN on?

The free plan allows 1 simultaneous connection. Paid plans (VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited) allow 10 simultaneous connections across any mix of platforms — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, browser extensions, and smart TV apps all count toward this limit. Your router setup counts as 1 connection regardless of how many devices are behind it.

What’s the difference between ProtonVPN free and paid?

The core privacy protections — no-logs policy, encryption, kill switch, Swiss jurisdiction — are identical on both plans. The differences are capacity and features:

  • Free: 1 device, 10 countries (randomly assigned), medium speed, no NetShield, no Secure Core, no P2P, no streaming servers
  • Paid (VPN Plus): 10 devices, 20,000+ servers in 148 countries, fastest speeds, NetShield ad blocker, Secure Core, P2P with port forwarding, streaming servers, Stealth protocol, VPN Accelerator

Can I install ProtonVPN on a router for free?

No. Router configuration requires downloading OpenVPN or WireGuard config files from your Proton account dashboard, and that download is only available to VPN Plus or Proton Unlimited subscribers. Free plan accounts don’t have access to config file downloads. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to set up ProtonVPN on a router.

What is Secure Core and when should I use it?

Secure Core is ProtonVPN’s double-hop architecture. Your traffic routes through a hardened server in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden (servers that Proton owns outright and physically controls), then exits through a regular server in your chosen country. This protects against traffic correlation attacks — even if an attacker monitors the exit server, they can only see traffic from the Secure Core relay, not your real IP. Use it when connecting to high-surveillance countries or when handling genuinely sensitive information. Expect slower speeds due to the double hop.

What is NetShield and how does it work?

NetShield is ProtonVPN’s built-in ad, tracker, and malware domain blocker. It operates at the DNS level — when a website tries to load a known ad tracker or malware domain, ProtonVPN blocks the DNS request before it reaches your device. Unlike browser-level ad blockers, NetShield protects all apps on your device, not just your browser. It’s available on paid plans only. Note that it blocks 88% of ads in testing but is less effective at malware sites compared to some competitors. It does not block YouTube ads.

What’s the difference between ProtonVPN and Proton Unlimited?

ProtonVPN (VPN Plus) is the standalone VPN subscription. Proton Unlimited is a bundle that includes VPN Plus plus ProtonMail Plus (encrypted email with custom domains), Proton Drive Plus (500 GB encrypted cloud storage), Proton Pass Plus (password manager with unlimited vaults and 2FA), and Proton Calendar (25 encrypted calendars). Proton Unlimited costs $7.99/month on a 2-year plan versus $2.99/month for VPN Plus alone. If you want any of Proton’s other privacy tools alongside the VPN, Unlimited is significantly better value.

Does ProtonVPN work with Netflix on the free plan?

Partially. Netflix and Max have been reported to work on some free servers, but performance is inconsistent because free servers run at high load (often above 70% capacity). Netflix also periodically blocks VPN server IP addresses. For reliable streaming on Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and 50+ other services, you need a paid plan that grants access to ProtonVPN’s streaming-optimized servers. These servers use rotating IPs specifically to stay ahead of streaming service VPN blocks.

What is the Stealth protocol and when should I use it?

Stealth is ProtonVPN’s proprietary obfuscation protocol. It takes WireGuard traffic and wraps it in a TLS layer, then routes it over port 443 — the same port used by regular HTTPS web traffic. This makes your VPN connection look indistinguishable from normal web browsing to deep-packet inspection (DPI) systems. Use Stealth when you’re on a restrictive network — a school or corporate network that blocks VPNs, a country that restricts VPN use, or any environment where standard VPN protocols are detected and blocked. Stealth is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.

Is ProtonVPN open source?

Yes. All ProtonVPN apps — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux — are fully open source. The code is publicly available on GitHub at github.com/ProtonVPN. This means anyone can inspect the code for security vulnerabilities or backdoors. ProtonVPN also publishes the full results of its independent security audits (most recently by Securitum in 2024 and again in 2025) without any NDA requirement — the reports are publicly available at proton.me/community/open-source.

Does Swiss privacy law actually protect my VPN data?

Yes, and here’s why it matters. Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the US, or the 5/9/14 Eyes intelligence-sharing agreements. Swiss law does not require VPN providers to log or retain user data. For a foreign government (say, the US) to obtain data from Proton, they must file a legal request through Swiss courts — and Swiss courts rarely approve requests that don’t involve Swiss criminal matters. This was confirmed in a real case: in 2019, Proton was compelled by a Swiss court order in a criminal case, and when they complied, they had no usable VPN logs to provide. The VPN service has maintained a true no-logs record.

How do I install ProtonVPN on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks running Chrome OS with Android app support can install ProtonVPN directly from the Google Play Store — same steps as Android. Open the Play Store on your Chromebook, search for ProtonVPN, and install. If your Chromebook doesn’t support Android apps, use the ProtonVPN Chrome browser extension instead (instructions in the Browser Extension section above). Note that the extension only protects browser traffic, not all traffic from the Chromebook.

I installed ProtonVPN but my IP address isn’t changing — what’s wrong?

First, confirm the VPN is actually connected — look for the “Connected” status in the app and a VPN icon in your system tray or status bar. If it says connected but your IP hasn’t changed, try these steps: disable and re-enable the VPN, clear your browser cache (browsers sometimes cache IP information), test on a different browser or incognito window, or run a fresh IP check at a trusted IP checker. If the issue persists, check whether Split Tunneling is enabled and routing your browser traffic outside the VPN tunnel.

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