Choosing the right VPN can feel like navigating a maze. You want top-notch security and blazing-fast speeds, right?
But who has time to sift through endless reviews and tech jargon? That’s where this guide comes in.
We’re diving deep into two popular VPN providers: PureVPN vs ProtonVPN.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which fits your needs (and your budget!).
No more guessing games, just straightforward answers to help you make the best online privacy and security decisions.
Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve rigorously tested PureVPN and ProtonVPN in various categories, including speed, security features, streaming performance, and pricing.
This hands-on experience allows us to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each provider.
Ready for online privacy without breaking the bank? Give PureVPN a try.
Pricing: 31-day money-back guarantee. Plan starts at $2.16/month
Key Features:
- 10,000+ servers
- Split tunneling
- WireGuard protocol
Experience true online freedom with Proton VPN’s strong security and privacy features.
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan starts at $2.99/month
Key Features:
- Secure Core servers
- NetShield ad-blocker
- Strong encryption protocols
What is PureVPN?
Ever feel like someone’s watching your every move online? That’s where PureVPN steps in.
Think of it as your online bodyguard. It makes a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, shielding your activity from prying eyes.
No more worries about hackers or snoops! Plus, it helps you bypass those pesky geo-restrictions.
Want to watch a show only available in another country? PureVPN makes it happen.
Also, explore our favorite PureVPN alternatives…
Let’s explore PureVPN. Its thousands of servers in 78+ countries make it an awesome choice. Give it a try today to see what it can really do!
Key Benefits
- Massive server network: Boasts 10,000+ servers in 70+ countries.
- Blazing-fast speeds: Perfect for streaming and downloading.
- Strong security features: AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch.
- Split tunneling: Choose which apps use the VPN.
- Various device support: Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Pricing
- Standard: $2.16/month.
- Plus: $2.66/month.
- Max: $3.33/month.
Pros
Cons
What is ProtonVPN?
Want online privacy that’s rock solid? ProtonVPN is your answer.
Built by the same team behind ProtonMail, they’re serious about security.
Think of ProtonVPN as your online invisibility cloak. It encrypts your internet connection, making it your data unreadable to anyone trying to snoop.
Plus, they have a strict no-logs policy. This means they don’t keep track of your online activity. Pretty cool.
Also, explore our favorite Proton VPN alternatives…
Enhance your online security with ProtonVPN. Choose a free plan with unlimited data or a premium plan starting at €9.99 monthly to unlock advanced features. Begin your secure browsing experience today.
Key Benefits
- Security-focused features: Secure Core servers and strong encryption.
- Privacy-conscious: Strict no-logs policy.
- NetShield ad-blocker: Blocks ads and malware.
- Open source apps: Transparency and community audits.
- A free version is available: Test it out before you commit.
Pricing
- 2-year: $2.99/month.
- 1-year: $4.99/month.
- 1-month: $9.99/month.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Choosing the best VPN can be challenging. To help you decide, let’s explain the key differences between PureVPN and Proton VPN.
We’ll compare features like server networks, security measures, and overall user experience.
1. Number of Servers
An extensive server network gives you more options for bypassing geo-blocks and finding a fast connection.
PureVPN boasts an impressive 10,000+ servers in 70+ countries, while ProtonVPN offers a smaller network of 2,988+ servers in 68 countries.
If you need a vast selection of server locations, PureVPN has the edge.
2. Security
Both VPN services prioritize security but with different approaches. PureVPN utilizes AES-256 encryption, the industry standard for data protection.
It also includes a kill switch to prevent data leaks if your VPN connection drops and split-tunneling to choose which apps use it.
ProtonVPN stands out with its Secure Core servers, routing your traffic through various servers in privacy-friendly countries like Switzerland and Iceland for enhanced anonymity.
They also adhere to a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track your online activity.
3. Speed
Fast speeds are crucial for smooth streaming and quick downloads.
In our tests, PureVPN generally delivered faster speeds, but some users have reported occasional slowdowns.
ProtonVPN’s speeds can fluctuate depending on server load and location.
4. Streaming
If you’re a streaming enthusiast, PureVPN might be a better choice.
It consistently unblocks popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
While ProtonVPN has improved in this area, its streaming capabilities are still more limited.
5. Torrenting
Both VPNs support torrenting, but PureVPN offers a slight advantage.
They provide features like port forwarding and dedicated IP addresses, which can improve torrenting performance.
ProtonVPN allows P2P sharing on most servers but lacks these specialized features.
6. User Experience
PureVPN and ProtonVPN offer user-friendly apps across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
PureVPN has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and connect to servers.
ProtonVPN’s apps are equally user-friendly. They have a modern design and helpful features like a built-in kill switch and NetShield ad-blocker.
7. Protocols
A VPN protocol to determines how your data is routed through the VPN server.
Both providers support popular protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, which are known for their security and speed.
ProtonVPN also offers its own Stealth protocol, designed to bypass censorship and VPN blocks, making it a good option for users in countries with restricted internet access.
Want to explore other top VPNs? Check out our in-depth comparisons of NordVPN vs ExpressVPN and our guide to the best VPN services overall.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- Privacy Policy: Pay close attention to the VPN provider’s logging policies. A strict no-logs policy ensures your online activity isn’t tracked or stored.
- Security Features: Look for essential security features, such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
- Speed and Performance: Consider your needs. If you stream or torrent frequently, prioritize VPNs with consistently fast speeds.
- Server Locations: A vast range of server locations gives you more flexibility to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from different regions.
- Device Compatibility: Ensure the VPN supports all your devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support can be crucial if you encounter any issues or have questions about the service.
- Price: VPN pricing varies significantly. Compare features & pricing to find a VPN that offers good value for your money.
- Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees: Use free trials or money-back guarantees to test the VPN before committing to a long-term subscription.
Final Verdict
In this Proton VPN vs PureVPN comparison, ProtonVPN comes out on top. Why?
Proton VPN’s security is unmatched, with Secure Core servers and a strict no-logs policy.
While PureVPN has more servers and faster Proton VPN speeds, ProtonVPN is the best VPN for privacy.
Do you need a VPN accelerator or a double VPN? Proton VPN includes those! Are you looking for T or over VPN servers? ProtonVPN has you covered.
They also offer Proton Mail for extra privacy. However, the best VPN solution depends on your needs.
If you prioritize streaming, PureVPN might be better. Just remember that using Proton keeps your online activity private.
That’s why we think Proton VPN is better. Want to see how Proton VPN compares to others like NordVPN?
Check out our other comparisons! We even have guides on Stealth VPN and Onion over VPN.
We’ll help you find the perfect virtual private network for your needs.
More of PureVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to PureVPN, so let’s see how PureVPN measures up directly against them:
- PureVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN is generally faster and better for streaming, though PureVPN can be more budget-friendly. NordVPN also has a larger server network.
- PureVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is typically faster, more reliable for streaming, and has better apps. PureVPN boasts a larger server count, but ExpressVPN has a stronger privacy record.
- PureVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark often has better speeds and more features, including unlimited connections. PureVPN has a larger server network, but Surfshark has wider global coverage.
- PureVPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN is often favored for its more consistent speeds and stronger privacy focus, while PureVPN has a larger server network.
- PureVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s key feature is its ad-blocking integration, while PureVPN is a more comprehensive VPN service.
- PureVPN vs Virtual Shield: PureVPN offers a wider range of features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- PureVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for strong encryption, but PureVPN has a larger server network and more features.
- PureVPN vs FastestVPN: PureVPN is generally faster and has a larger server network than the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
- PureVPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection, while PureVPN focuses on VPN features and a wider server selection.
- PureVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers, while PureVPN offers a larger server network.
- PureVPN vs McAfee VPN: PureVPN is a dedicated VPN service with more features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
- PureVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is often faster, while PureVPN can unblock more streaming services. PIA allows unlimited connections.
- PureVPN vs Mysterium: PureVPN uses a traditional server network, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN with a different approach to anonymity.
More of ProtonVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to ProtonVPN, so how does ProtonVPN stack up directly against them?
- ProtonVPN vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers faster speeds and a larger server network, while ProtonVPN focuses more on privacy and has a free plan with no data limits.
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
- ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
- ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN: ProtonVPN offers a wider server network and a stronger focus on privacy, while PrivadoVPN provides a decent free plan and good speeds.
- ProtonVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
- ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: ProtonVPN offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN: ProtonVPN generally has better speeds and a larger server network, while StrongVPN is known for strong encryption.
- ProtonVPN vs FastestVPN: ProtonVPN is typically faster and offers stronger privacy features compared to the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
- ProtonVPN vs AuraVPN: ProtonVPN focuses on VPN security and privacy, while AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
- ProtonVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers, while ProtonVPN emphasizes security and privacy with features like Secure Core.
- ProtonVPN vs McAfee VPN: ProtonVPN is a dedicated VPN service with stronger security and privacy features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
- ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for customization and a large server network, while ProtonVPN focuses on strong privacy and a transparent approach.
- ProtonVPN vs Mysterium: ProtonVPN uses a traditional server network known for security and speed, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for streaming, ProtonVPN or PureVPN?
PureVPN is generally better for streaming. It reliably unblocks popular platforms like Netflix, while ProtonVPN’s streaming capabilities are more limited. If you’re a frequent streamer, PureVPN might be the better choice. For more options, check out some of the best VPNs for streaming and the best for Netflix.
Are ProtonVPN and PureVPN located in “14 Eyes” countries?
No. PureVPN is based in Hong Kong, while ProtonVPN is located in Switzerland. Both countries are outside the “14 Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance. This means they are not legally obligated to share user data with other governments.
Do these VPNs offer a kill switch?
Yes, both VPN companies offer a kill switch. This features automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN tunnel drops, preventing your data from being exposed. In our tests, the kill switch worked reliably for both providers.
How do I decide which one is best for me?
Consider your priorities to decide which one is best. If privacy is paramount, ProtonVPN is the winner. If you need faster speeds and better streaming support, PureVPN might be a better fit. This ProtonVPN vs. PureVPN comparison provides a side-by-side comparison to help you make the most informed decision.
Are there any other VPNs I should consider?
Yes! The VPN industry is constantly evolving. NordVPN is another popular choice, and it is known for its strong security and fast speeds. NordVPN also offers many features, including a kill switch and double VPN. You can find more information in our NordVPN offer guide. We also have comparisons of NordVPN with other providers, like NordVPN, which is better than ProtonVPN, to help you choose the right VPN solution.
