Among Mullvad VPN, OpenVPN for Android and Fast VPN & Proxy, Proton VPN is the one built around a free plan. Proton AG says that plan has no bandwidth or speed limits and needs no registration. It shows no ads, and the code is open under GPL-3.0-only.
A free tier with no data cap and no sign-up
The defining point is the free plan. Proton AG describes it as unlimited in data, with servers in 10 countries and a one-tap connection that needs no login. Proton AG also names a no-logs policy, strong encryption and DNS leak protection on that plan.
Paid plans add more. Proton AG mentions over 20,000 servers in over 140 countries, speeds of up to 10 Gbps and connections on up to 10 devices at once. Premium also covers NetShield for blocking ads, malware and trackers, P2P-friendly connections, Secure Core multi-hop routing and split tunneling.
The app is free to download and shows no ads. It does contain in-app purchases, which is how the paid tier is sold. Reach is described in two ways: one highlight mentions 190+ locations, while the details give 10 free countries and over 140 premium ones.
One tap, a kill switch and a 57.7 MB install
A typical session starts at the connect button. Without an account, one tap opens a tunnel to a free server, and the developer says this works on Wi-Fi, 5G and 4G. Strong encryption and DNS leak protection are also included.
Because the VPN wraps the whole connection, it is not tied to one browser.
It needs Android 8.0 or newer and takes 57.7 MB. Version 5.20.98.0 was last updated on October 27, 2026, and the app first appeared on May 15, 2020. The content rating is Everyone.
Proton VPN next to Mullvad, OpenVPN for Android and Fast VPN & Proxy
Mullvad VPN, OpenVPN for Android and Fast VPN & Proxy are the alternatives in this category.
What is clear about Proton VPN is narrower and easy to check. The source code is public on GitHub under GPL-3.0-only. A Windows version also exists.
A VPN's speed depends on your network and the server you pick, so test it on your own connection.
Proton VPN pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan with unlimited data and no sign-up, per the publisher's listing
- No ads, with the code public on GitHub under GPL-3.0-only
- Auto kill switch and DNS leak protection are listed for the free plan
- Premium adds split tunneling, Secure Core multi-hop and NetShield blocking
- Rated 4.7 on Google Play across 1.5 million ratings
Cons
- Free servers cover only 10 countries; over 140 countries need a paid plan
- Contains in-app purchases for the premium features
- Location counts are described inconsistently, 190+ in one place and 10 or 140 elsewhere
- The changes in version 5.20.98.0 are not documented
Is Proton VPN safe?
We store the unmodified APK from Proton AG. Its SHA-256 checksum is a9fbcaa5f31527dfcc10ff8821093f39fac13be3042190c04b2dc5c7449b5174, so you can compare it with your download. The code is open under GPL-3.0-only, so anyone can review it.
How to install Proton VPN
- Download the APK with the button on this page and wait for it to finish.
- Compare the file with the SHA-256 checksum shown here if you want to confirm it arrived intact.
- Open the file on your phone and allow installs from this source when Android asks.
- Finish the install, then open Proton VPN from your app drawer.
