Proton VPN
Proton VPN is an open-source virtual private network developed by the Swiss company Proton AG. It routes internet traffic through encrypted tunnels to protect online activity, IP addresses, and personal data from surveillance and interceptors. Operating under Swiss privacy regulations, the client software is licensed under the GPL-3.0 license.
vpn.protondownload.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 5.1.9
- Release date
- Oct. 19, 2026
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Installer type
- inno
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id Proton.ProtonVPN -eSHA256 (file verification)
8454eba06a37c0a636ec8dcfe6a7a823a68a78ee8fe2eeda2d651cd5cd6c3d70vpn.protondownload.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (Homebrew)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 6.5.2
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Installer type
- dmg
How do I use this?
This command needs Homebrew; if you don't have it, first run the install command from brew.sh. Then open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal), paste the command and press Enter.
brew install --cask protonvpnSHA256 (file verification)
662ea912764a95f3b100e1c22695a3fc2a2366de10df81762f3c36a5307eefc0flathub.org · Official website
- ✓ Community package (Flathub)
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- Version
- 4.18.8
- Release date
- Oct. 19, 2026
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Installer type
- flatpak
How do I use this?
Open a terminal, paste the command and press Enter. Flatpak and Flathub must be set up; Linux Mint has them by default, for other distributions see flathub.org/setup.
flatpak install flathub com.protonvpn.wwwplay.google.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (Google Play)
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- License
- GPL-3.0
Highlights
- Open-source client code released under the GPL-3.0 license.
- End-to-end encryption for internet network traffic.
- Strict privacy protections backed by Swiss legislation.
- Available across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android operating systems.
Who is it for?
Proton VPN is designed for privacy-conscious users, journalists, and remote workers who need to secure their internet connections on public Wi-Fi networks. It is also suitable for individuals looking to mask their IP address and protect their online activity from tracking.
Good to know before installing
- The free plan limits access to servers in a small selection of countries and offers reduced connection speeds.
- Advanced features like NetShield ad-blocking, Secure Core routing, and P2P support require a paid subscription.
- Port forwarding support is restricted and not available across all platform clients.
Screenshots
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button on this page to get the installer, or run 'winget install --id Proton.ProtonVPN -e' in a terminal.
- Open the downloaded installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Launch Proton VPN and log in with your Proton account.
macOS
- Click the official download button on this page to download the disk image, or run 'brew install --cask protonvpn' in Terminal.
- Open the downloaded file and drag Proton VPN into your Applications folder.
- Open Proton VPN and log in to connect.
Linux
- Click the official download button to view the Flathub page, or execute 'flatpak install flathub com.protonvpn.www' in your terminal.
- Follow the terminal prompts to confirm the installation.
- Launch Proton VPN from your application menu or terminal.
Android
- Click the official download button to visit the official store page.
- Tap Install to download the application to your device.
- Open Proton VPN and sign in to activate the connection.
Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton VPN open source?
Yes, Proton VPN desktop and mobile client applications are open source under the GPL-3.0 license.
Where is Proton VPN based?
Proton VPN is developed by Proton AG, which is headquartered in Switzerland and governed by Swiss privacy laws.
Do I need an account to use Proton VPN?
Yes, you need a Proton account to authenticate and connect to the VPN servers.