ProtonVPN for Mac

Overview: A capable free VPN with many perks

ProtonVPN provides a free virtual private network that focuses on strong privacy protections without charging for basic data. The no-cost tier keeps your traffic encrypted and avoids bandwidth caps that some other free options impose. If you want alternatives, consider Windscribe (note: its free plan caps data) or Atlas VPN — each has different strengths for everyday privacy and file-sharing.

Who runs ProtonVPN and why privacy matters

ProtonVPN is developed by Proton Technologies AG, the same Swiss-based team behind ProtonMail. That company was founded by researchers from CERN and emphasizes user privacy. Being headquartered in Switzerland means the provider operates under strict local privacy rules and is outside the Five Eyes/Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliances, which reinforces its data-protection stance.

What the free plan protects and how

The free ProtonVPN tier still delivers strong safeguards:

• OpenVPN UDP and OpenVPN TCP are supported, giving flexible encrypted connections.
• IKEv2/IPsec is also available for fast, stable links across many devices.
• AES-256 encryption is used to secure traffic end-to-end.
• A kill switch is included to stop network activity if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.
• You can enable split tunneling to choose which apps or IPs use the VPN and which use your regular connection.
• Options to prevent DNS and IPv6 leaks are available in the advanced settings.

ProtonVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy: browsing activity is not stored, and the only minimal record kept relates to sign-in times (with timestamps rotated on each login).

Limitations of the free edition and what paid tiers add

The free tier omits several advanced capabilities reserved for paid subscriptions:

• Anonymous multi-hop routing (Secure Core) and Tor-over-VPN routing are available only on higher plans.
• Streaming and peer-to-peer support are restricted in the free plan; paid accounts unlock optimized servers for media playback and file-sharing.
• ProtonVPN is not the fastest option on the market, so heavy streamers or torrenters may prefer competitors such as NordVPN or Surfshark for better speeds.

When you upgrade, ProtonVPN can access international streaming catalogs and specific servers tuned for content services like:

• Hulu
• Disney+
• BBC iPlayer
• Amazon Prime Video
• Netflix

How to install and which devices are supported

ProtonVPN offers apps across a wide range of systems. Supported platforms include:

• Microsoft Windows (all recent versions), macOS, and Linux desktops
• Android, iOS, Android TV, and Chromebook devices

The free account permits a single active device, while paid plans allow multiple simultaneous connections.

Transparency, audits and ongoing updates

ProtonVPN has undergone independent security audits (for example, by SEC Consult), and much of its client code is open source so users can inspect it. The team regularly releases updates to enhance performance and add features, reflecting their ongoing commitment to improving security and privacy.