WireGuard and OpenVPN hand you a protocol and leave the setup to you. Proton VPN, from Proton AG, comes as a finished Windows client instead. Version 5.1.9 is free, weighs 124 MB and is licensed under GPL-3.0.
Swiss-built and open source under GPL-3.0
What sets this client apart is its origin and its license. It is described as a high-speed Swiss VPN, and the code is released under GPL-3.0, so anyone can read the source. The package ID is Proton.ProtonVPN, and the page is tagged privacy, security and open-source.
Proton AG built it with extra security features beyond an ordinary VPN. Your connection is encrypted and routed through tunnels, so an attacker cannot eavesdrop on it, and it can also reach websites that might be blocked in your country.
What a session with the Windows client looks like
Once connected, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through encrypted tunnels. This stops an attacker from eavesdropping on the connection. The app can also reach websites that might be blocked in your country.
For details on server lists, speeds or protocol settings, check the official site at protonvpn.com.
Against Windscribe, Surfshark and the OpenVPN clients
The alternatives are Cloudflare One Client, WireGuard, OpenVPN, OpenVPN Connect, Windscribe and Surfshark. WireGuard and OpenVPN are protocol-focused tools, while Windscribe and Surfshark are other VPN services.
Proton VPN's clear points are that it is free, licensed under GPL-3.0 and also available on Android.
What's new in 5.1.9
Version 5.1.9, released and updated on October 19, 2026.
Proton VPN pros and cons
Pros
- Free to use
- Source released under GPL-3.0
- Published by Proton AG, with a link to the developer site
- Encrypts the connection and can reach sites blocked in your country, per the description
- Also available on Android
Cons
- Offers little visual preview of the interface before installing
- The 124 MB installer is sizeable for a client
- Server, speed and protocol details are not covered here
Is Proton VPN safe?
The installer is downloaded straight from Proton's own server, vpn.protondownload.com, not from a copy kept here. The publisher is Proton AG and the GPL-3.0 license means the code is open to inspection. No audit results or scan reports were provided, so this page makes no further claims.
How to install Proton VPN
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Proton VPN from the Start menu.
