Proton VPN - Best Privacy-Focused VPN with Secure Core

Proton VPN distinguishes itself as the premier choice for privacy-conscious users with its robust security architecture and transparent operations. The Secure Core feature routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland before reaching the final destination server, providing an extra layer of protection against network attacks. Based in Switzerland, the service benefits from strong privacy laws and remains outside intelligence-sharing alliances. All apps are open-source and regularly audited, allowing public scrutiny of the code for vulnerabilities. Proton VPN recently improved its interface with profile-based connections for different use cases, though it retains more technical options than consumer-focused competitors.

The service now reliably unblocks streaming platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, with servers in 117 countries offering broad geographical coverage. While speeds trail market leaders, the VPN Accelerator feature helps optimize long-distance connections. The free version provides unlimited data with basic protection, though paid plans unlock full features and streaming capabilities. Additional privacy tools include Stealth protocol for bypassing censorship and Tor over VPN for enhanced anonymity. Proton VPN's commitment to privacy extends throughout its ecosystem, including encrypted email and cloud storage services.