Alternatives to Proton VPN

{"intro": "Proton VPN gives free users unlimited data, no artificial speed limits, and no ads, but only one simultaneous device and randomly selected servers in 10 countries. Its paid plans support 10 devices, while streaming, torrenting, a kill switch, and WireGuard cover common VPN uses. Proton offers apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV. It describes the service as no-logs, open-source, and independently audited, with 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries.\n\nAn alternative may fit better if you need another platform combination, server-country count, device limit, or pricing structure. Proton's shown plans cost $0.00 per month, including renewal, so compare billing terms carefully. Check whether a free tier, trial, streaming or torrent support, kill switch, WireGuard, and verified no-logs audit match your priorities. Also consider whether a service's narrower purpose changes what you can do: Cloudflare WARP supports five devices and WireGuard but no streaming, while other options offer different reach or platform coverage.", "rows": [{"ref": "sw:amnezia-vpn", "name": "Amnezia VPN", "best_for": "Self-hosted VPN users wanting seven devices", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $3.30/mo (annual); 7-day trial", "key_difference": "Amnezia adds self-hosting and seven-device support, but lists 20 server countries versus Proton VPN's 140-plus.", "choose_when": "Choose it for self-hosting, a seven-device limit, or its $3.30 annual-plan starting price."}, {"ref": "sw:windscribe", "name": "Windscribe", "best_for": "Streaming and torrenting on a broad network", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $3/mo", "key_difference": "Windscribe offers streaming, torrenting, and a kill switch across 69 server countries, with fewer devices unspecified.", "choose_when": "Choose it for a $3 starting price and 69-country coverage with streaming and torrent support."}, {"ref": "sw:speedify", "name": "Speedify", "best_for": "Multi-platform users wanting five-device access", "pricing": "Free plan; 7-day trial", "key_difference": "Speedify supports five devices across eight platform types and 35 server countries, versus Proton VPN's 10 devices and broader network.", "choose_when": "Choose it when its API, web, or self-hosted platform options matter more than Proton VPN's larger network."}, {"ref": "sw:hide-me", "name": "hide.me", "best_for": "Ten-device streaming and torrenting users", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "hide.me matches Proton VPN's 10 devices, streaming, torrenting, kill switch, WireGuard, and audit, with six listed platforms.", "choose_when": "Choose it for a free plan with those core features and a simpler web, desktop, and mobile platform mix."}, {"ref": "sw:bitdefender-premium-vpn", "name": "Bitdefender Premium VPN", "best_for": "Ten-device VPN users seeking a lower annual starting price", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $2.92/mo (annual); 7-day trial", "key_difference": "Bitdefender Premium VPN offers 110 server countries, 10 devices, and Proton-matching core features from $2.92 monthly annually.", "choose_when": "Choose it for its $2.92 annual-plan starting price and 110-country reach across four operating systems."}, {"ref": "sw:hotspot-shield", "name": "Hotspot Shield", "best_for": "Five-device users comparing annual VPN pricing", "pricing": "Free plan; paid from $6.99/mo (annual); 7-day trial", "key_difference": "Hotspot Shield supports five devices and six listed platforms, with streaming, torrenting, kill switch, and WireGuard from $6.99 annually.", "choose_when": "Choose it when five-device access and its platform coverage suit you despite the higher starting price."}, {"ref": "sw:cloudflare-warp", "name": "Cloudflare WARP", "best_for": "Private connection modes without streaming needs", "pricing": "Free plan", "key_difference": "Cloudflare WARP offers five devices and WireGuard for faster, more secure, more private connection modes, but no streaming.", "choose_when": "Choose it for WARP's connection-focused purpose when streaming support and Proton VPN's broader VPN features are unnecessary."}]}