Key fact: a browser extension is not a device-wide VPN. Proton says its VPN apps protect all internet traffic entering and leaving your device, but the browser extension protects exclusively traffic inside your browser. Other apps and other browsers keep your normal connection.

Why it's a strong pick

Proton VPN is one of the few VPN extensions you can try without paying. Proton says its free plan has no data limit and no artificial speed limit, and that the extension is open to Free plan users. It is made by Proton AG, the company behind Proton Mail. The trade-offs are real. Free means one device at a time, and it only covers the browser.

What it does

The extension connects your browser to a Proton VPN server with one click. You do not need to install the desktop app. It uses an HTTPS proxy connection, and Proton notes that each extension instance opens its own connection, unlike the app's single tunnel. You sign in with a Proton account. A free account is enough for the Free plan.

Because it is a proxy for the browser, it works differently from a full VPN. If you want to point one tab at another country, it is a quick tool for that. If you want every app on your computer covered, you need Proton's app instead.

Key features

Quick Connect or pick a location. Connect in one click, or choose a country or server.
Auto connect. Proton lists an option to connect automatically.
Split tunneling. Exclude sites you add, so they skip the VPN.
Free plan. Proton says it has no data limit, no artificial speed limit and works on one device at a time. Proton lists free servers in 10 countries, picked from a list.
Paid plan extras. Proton's plans page lists Secure Core, NetShield and P2P on paid plans, and says streaming access is only guaranteed on paid plans.
Recent Connections. Added in extension 1.3.0, per Proton's release notes.

Who it's for

Proton VPN suits people who want to try a VPN without paying, only need browser traffic covered and are fine with one device at a time. It also suits Proton Mail users who like having one account. If you need a VPN for every app, a torrent client or system updates, the extension is not enough. See other VPN and privacy tools in our category.

Is the Proton VPN extension a full VPN?

No. Proton's own support pages say the extension protects only traffic inside your browser. It does not cover system updates, BitTorrent clients or other browsers. Proton's apps cover the whole device. Treat the extension as a browser proxy, and install the app if you want device-wide coverage.

Is Proton VPN's free plan really free?

Proton says its free plan has no data limit and no artificial speed limit, and that it stays free. The limits are other ones. Proton lists one device at a time, servers in 10 countries chosen from a list, and no guaranteed streaming access. Check Proton's plans page for the current terms before you rely on it.

What does Proton say about logs?

Proton says it has a strict no-logs policy. It also says it publishes annual third-party audit reports from Securitum, and that its fifth consecutive annual audit passed. Those are Proton's statements, published on its own site. We have not tested them. Read Proton's no-logs page and its audit report yourself before you trust it.

What permissions does Proton VPN ask for?

We could not read the Chrome Web Store permissions for this review, so check the install prompt before you add it. Proton's release notes also say that after an update you may be asked for permission so HTTP connections can route through the VPN. Permissions can change between releases, so read the prompt each time.

FAQ

Do I need an account? Yes. You sign in with a Proton account. A free account is enough for the Free plan.

Does it work on other browsers or apps? No. It covers traffic in the browser it is installed in. Proton's limitations page lists other browsers and BitTorrent clients as not covered.

Is Proton VPN open source? Proton says its apps are open source. We did not check whether that covers the browser extension's code, so look at Proton's own page for the details.

Good to know

Proton's own limitations page says traffic sent before the extension loads cannot be protected, and some browser features may bypass the proxy. Free also means one device at a time. If you tried it and the limits get in the way, the app is the fuller option. For proxy tools that give you more manual control, see ZeroOmega and FoxyProxy, or read ZeroOmega vs FoxyProxy.

Extension 1.3.6 was released on 12 August 2026, per Proton's release notes. That is a vendor release date, not a Chrome Web Store date.

Other vpn & privacy tools to compare

Proton VPN is one of 12 picks in our VPN & Privacy Tools guide, which compares them side by side and explains how to choose. The other picks:

ExpressVPN: A browser extension with two modes: a browser-only proxy, or a remote for the ExpressVPN desktop app. It needs a subscription.
NordVPN: A proxy extension that routes your browser traffic through NordVPN. It needs a NordVPN subscription.
Surfshark VPN: A lightweight Surfshark extension that protects browser traffic and adds ad, tracker and breach-alert tools. The 7-day trial needs payment details first.
Privacy Badger: A tracker blocker from the EFF that learns which third parties track you as you browse.
Ghostery: An open-source tracker and ad blocker that also removes cookie pop-ups and shows tracker info for each site.
DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection: Tracker blocking and HTTPS upgrades from DuckDuckGo. It also makes DuckDuckGo your default search engine.
I Still Don't Care About Cookies: An open-source community fork that removes cookie banners on most sites. It hides or accepts them. It does not reject them.
ZeroOmega: Open-source proxy switcher for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
FoxyProxy: Open-source proxy switcher with per-site rules for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
JShelter: Browser privacy hardening: limits what sites can read from your browser APIs and helps against fingerprinting. Not a VPN and does not hide your IP address. Open source.
NoScript: An open-source script blocker that stops JavaScript, embedded objects and media until you allow a site.

Collection: Best Chrome extensions for privacy