How to Get a Proton VPN Free Trial in 2026 (Full Guide)

ProtonVPN offers more ways to try the service than most VPNs, but none of them work quite like a standard free trial. There is no time-limited trial for paid features at zero cost. What there is instead: a permanent free plan with no card required, a $1 introductory first month on the full Plus plan, and a 30-day money-back window on all paid subscriptions. Each option suits a different situation. Here is what each one actually involves.

Does Proton VPN Offer a Free Trial?

Not in the traditional sense. ProtonVPN’s 7-day trial for paid features was discontinued. In 2026, there are three ways to try ProtonVPN before fully committing: the permanent free plan, the $1 introductory first month on the Plus plan, and the 30-day money-back guarantee. The right option depends on whether you want to test the app at no cost, test the full paid feature set cheaply, or test everything with a safety net.

How to Get the Proton VPN Free Trial Step by Step

Option 1: The free plan (no card, no expiry)

The simplest option. No payment, no time limit, no conversion to a paid plan. Create an account with just an email address and start using ProtonVPN immediately.

1. Go to ProtonVPN’s free plan page and sign up with an email address only.
2. Download the ProtonVPN app for your device. Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
3. Sign in and connect. The app automatically finds the fastest available free server.

This tests the app and the privacy credentials. It does not test streaming, Secure Core, NetShield, or the speeds available on paid servers.

Option 2: The $1 introductory first month (full Plus features)

The strongest option if you want to properly test what ProtonVPN’s paid plan can do. The first month of the Plus plan is available at $1.00, giving you full access to 20,000+ servers across 127 countries, up to 10 device connections, NetShield ad and malware blocking, Secure Core, and streaming access. After the first month, the plan renews at $9.99/mo.

1. Go to ProtonVPN’s intro deal page and select the monthly Plus plan.
2. Complete checkout. The $1 rate applies to the first billing month only.
3. Download the app and use all paid features for 30 days.
4. Cancel before the month ends if you do not want to renew at $9.99/mo.

The 30-day money-back window also applies here, so if you cancel within 30 days you can request a refund of the $1 you paid. That makes this option effectively free to exit if you decide ProtonVPN is not for you.

Option 3: The 30-day money-back guarantee

Available on all paid plans. Pay for any plan, use it for up to 30 days, and request a refund if you decide ProtonVPN is not right for you. One important distinction from most VPN money-back policies: ProtonVPN’s refund is prorated, not a full return. If you cancel 15 days into a monthly plan, you receive a refund for the unused 15 days, not the full month.

1. Subscribe to any paid plan via our ProtonVPN link.
2. Use the full service across up to 10 devices.
3. Contact ProtonVPN support via email within 30 days and request a refund.
4. Receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription within up to 30 days.

Proton VPN Free Plan vs Paid Plan: What You Get

The free plan covers the basics well. No data cap, no artificial speed throttle, no time limit, and the same AES-256 encryption and no-logs policy as the paid plan. ProtonVPN is one of the very few reputable free VPNs that does not monetise user data to cover costs.

The limitations are real. Free servers are available in 5 countries: US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland. You cannot choose a specific server within those countries. Only one device connects at a time. Shared free servers carry more users than paid ones, so speeds can drop during peak hours. Secure Core, NetShield, P2P support, and guaranteed streaming access are paid features only.

The $1 intro month or the standard paid plan unlocks the full network: 20,000+ servers, 127 countries, 10 devices, and all premium features. The practical difference in streaming performance and speed between free and paid is significant.

How to Cancel Proton VPN and Claim Your Refund

To cancel a paid subscription, log into your ProtonVPN account, go to Dashboard, then Subscriptions, and turn off auto-renewal. To request a refund, contact ProtonVPN support via email and state that you are claiming a refund under the 30-day money-back policy.

ProtonVPN routes refunds through email rather than live chat, which can add a day or two compared to NordVPN or Surfshark. Allow up to 30 days for the refund to process back to your payment method. Keep your cancellation confirmation as a record.

If you are on the free plan there is nothing to cancel. No billing, no auto-renewal. Stop using it at any time.

Best Proton VPN Alternatives With Free Trials

If you want a time-limited trial for paid features with no upfront payment, Surfshark and NordVPN are stronger options.

Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on desktop and mobile with no app store workaround. Enter a card to activate, cancel before the window closes, and pay nothing. At $2.49/mo on the 2-year plan it is the cheapest top-tier option available. Full details in our Surfshark free trial guide.

NordVPN offers a 3-day free trial on Android via Google Play with no upfront payment, plus a 30-day full money-back guarantee on all website purchases. Full details in our NordVPN free trial guide.

The case for staying with ProtonVPN is the $1 intro month. For testing a full premium VPN at minimal cost with a refund option behind it, spending $1 to access 20,000+ servers and every paid feature for 30 days is a stronger value proposition than a 3 or 7-day window elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions