Proton VPN represents a significant player in the crowded VPN market, distinguishing itself through its unique unlimited free tier and strong privacy credentials. Developed by Proton AG—the same team behind Proton Mail—the application leverages Swiss privacy laws and open-source auditing to provide what PCMag describes as 'the best free subscription plan we've seen.' This foundation establishes Proton VPN as particularly noteworthy for users seeking legitimate privacy protection rather than merely bypassing geographic restrictions. The application's core functionality includes military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy verified through independent audits, and Secure Core architecture that routes traffic through multiple servers for enhanced protection. Premium subscribers gain access to specialized servers including Tor-over-VPN configurations and streaming-optimized connections. The free version, while limited to servers in five countries without manual selection capability, provides unprecedented unlimited data—a rarity among free VPN services that typically impose strict bandwidth caps. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design with a clean interface featuring one-click connection, server load indicators, and intuitive country selection. Real-world usage reveals consistently stable connections across global servers, though some users report occasional banking app conflicts when location-spoofing triggers fraud detection systems. The application maintains background operation effectively without significant battery drain, and split tunneling functionality allows selective VPN usage for specific applications. User feedback trends overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the unlimited free tier and reliability. Cabdirahman Cabdi's July 2025 review humorously noted banking authentication issues when appearing to connect from Poland, demonstrating the VPN's effective geolocation masking. James Aubé's August 2025 review highlighted affordability for low-income users, while Yousef Slimani and Kazi Rizwan Islam both emphasized the free plan's unprecedented data allowance and security foundations. The service's primary strengths include its audited no-logs policy and genuinely unlimited free tier, though limitations surface in banking compatibility issues and restricted server selection for free users. Premium pricing remains competitive within the market, positioning Proton VPN as ideal for privacy-focused users requiring trustworthy encryption, students seeking free protection on public networks, and travelers needing reliable access to home country content.