Description: Provides secure and private internet browsing by encrypting user traffic and masking their IP address, offering enhanced online privacy and anonymity.
Security Features: Strong Encryption (AES-256-GCM, 4096-bit RSA, HMAC SHA-384), Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), No-Logs Policy, Secure Core (Multi-Hop Routing), DNS and IP Leak Protection, Kill Switch, Always-On VPN, NetShield Ad and Malware Blocker, Tor Over VPN, Open-Source Apps, Independent Security Audits, OpenVPN/IKEv2/WireGuard Protocols, VPN Accelerator, Encrypted DNS Queries, No Personal Information Required for Signup, Swiss-Based Jurisdiction (Strong Privacy Laws), Software Sandboxing (OS-level), Argon2 (used in Proton ecosystem), ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption (via WireGuard), MITM Protection (certificate pinning), Traffic Obfuscation (Stealth protocol)
Data Collection Level: Minimal
Security and Privacy Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.00)
Deployment and Technical Details
Deployment Architecture: A service with a local client that’s hosted by a third party - You install a client on your device, but it connects to and depends on a remote server.
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Cost: Free Core
Maintenance and Support
Maintenance Status: Frequent updates. Developers are active; consistent updates and improvements across certain platforms. Proton developers actively monitor forums like Proton’s Reddit and GitHub issues for feedback, often incorporating suggestions into future releases. Transparency: They publicly communicate upcoming changes (e.g. protocol deprecations) and explain the reasoning behind them. Specific details about the total amount of funding or annual revenue are not publicly disclosed but Proton AG has received funding from various sources over the years. European Commission Grant: In 2017, Proton AG was awarded €2 million by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program to support the development of ProtonDrive. Crowdfunding: ProtonMail’s initial development was significantly supported by a crowdfunding campaign in 2014, which raised over $550,000 from more than 10,000 supporters. Subscription Revenue: Proton’s primary source of ongoing funding comes from its user base through paid subscriptions for services like ProtonMail and ProtonVPN. Proton AG is primarily funded through: User Subscriptions and the European Commission Grant. Proton AG does engage in sponsorship activities to promote its services. For instance, Proton has sponsored YouTubers and other content creators to raise awareness about its privacy-focused services. Additionally, Proton has a Partners Program that allows individuals and organizations to earn rewards for promoting Proton’s services. These sponsorships and partnerships are part of Proton’s marketing strategies and do not influence the company’s commitment to user privacy and security.
Community Support: ✅
Maintenance and Sustainability Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.00)
Limitations and Vulnerabilities: Backend infrastructure is not open-source, limiting full transparency. Limited customizability of VPN behavior outside official client. Not all features are available on the free tier (e.g., Secure Core, Tor over VPN). May be overwhelming for non-technical users who want fine-grained control, but relatively pretty easy to use for default features.