Proton, the company renowned for its privacy-centered offerings, has launched the Proton VPN Chrome and Firefox extensions for users on the Proton Free plan.
Previously, only subscribers of the paid Proton VPN levels had access to its official browser extensions for Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome, as well as other Chromium-based browsers.
This development is significant.
We’re thrilled to share that the Proton VPN browser extensions […] are now accessible to all with a Proton Free plan. With no cost involved, they enhance the ability for individuals around the globe to safeguard their privacy and circumvent online censorship.
Antonio Cesarano, Proton AG
Opting for a VPN browser extension versus employing the Proton VPN application or a complete system configuration offers distinct advantages. It allows for selective VPN use regarding particular content without influencing the global IP address.
How effective is the free version of Proton VPN?
Proton VPN Free distinguishes itself from many other free VPN services by not imposing speed, duration, or data caps. It does not engage in data collection or logging, nor does it sell browsing histories. Furthermore, it ensures data is securely encrypted. Proton prioritizes and sincerely upholds user privacy.
However, it is important to note that some beneficial features of Proton VPN are not accessible to free users.
No custom DNS, no split tunnelling, no double-hop, no access to 10Gbit servers, no profile saving, no secure core, and so on – only the basics.
Proton VPN Free also does not support picking a country/server to connect via, arguably the feature many folks want a VPN for.
Finally, to answer the sensible question of “…but how is it free?”, the Swiss-based company says it’s “provide[s] Proton VPN Free thanks to people who subscribe to a Proton VPN paid plan”.
If you already have a free Proton account, download the Proton VPN extension for your browser, sign-in with your account, and you’re good to go. If you don’t yet have a free Proton account, sign up for one – the only ‘cost’ is an email address.
The Proton VPN Chrome extension is compatible with all Chromium-based browsers including Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave. It also offers a Firefox add-on suitable for most modern Firefox-based browsers such as LibreWolf and Waterfox.
- Selecting a country enables access to geo-blocked content – although streaming platforms like Netflix are increasingly limiting such access.