ProtonMail is now offering a Free VPN

[bitsnpcs]

Hello,

when checking my ProtonMail today I see they are now offering a Free VPN service, as with the email there are also paid versions available. If you do not already have an account you will need to register to go on a waiting list for the free VPN, and/or email account.

https://protonvpn.com/

https://protonvpn.com/support/linux-vpn-setup/

https://protonmail.com/

[Scott(0)]

Hello Bitsnpcs
Are you using Proton VPN service (free or paid) now? I'm interested to know how the speed is for the free version.

[bitsnpcs]

Hello Scott ,

I am not yet using Proton VPN service. I heard about it today and have signed up for a free version and have to wait on the list.
I have not used a VPN before and thought Proton VPN service would be a good way to try it as it is open source, has Linux support, and a tutorial which I'll definitely need, and it's free .
I am not sure how long the wait is for the free VPN yet.

I have used Proton Mail for a year or more, I use it online and also I use the Android app, it works very fast and I have had zero spam. Hopefully the VPN will work well too.

[member=47]Scott[/member]  as soon as I am using the Proton VPN free version I will reply with the speed.

[Jocklad]

Have never tried a free vpn.


Currently using Ipvanish (paid version).


Runs very well on Windows 10,Windows 7,Linuxlite 3.4,Manjaro and Archlinux.


Also on android for the phone.


Its only a few pounds a month.


Jocklad.

[bitsnpcs]

[size=1em]Hello Bitsnpcs [/size]
[size=1em]Are you using Proton VPN service (free or paid) now? I'm interested to know how the speed is for the free version.[/size]

Hello Scott

I have just checked the free version of Proton VPN, but only on windows 10 so far, it will take me a while to set up on Linux, if you need I can add the results for Linux once I have done that, maybe Monday or Tuesday if no problems.

free vpn results -
d/l speed is 29.02 Mb/s (HK), -  24Mb/s (Germany), 19 Mb/s (UK) , 2Mb/s (Japan)
u/l 4.71 Mb/s    - best upload results 9Mb/s (Japan)
ping 67 ms

isp results no vpn
d/l speed is 54.05 Mb/s
ul speed is 4.18 Mb/s
ping 69 ms

Browsing tiny bit slower, YouTube tiny bit slower to load pages but zero buffering on videos.

It has free Paid upgrade trial for 7 days, speeds will maybe change after when it is free version only, I will test again after trial ends and post results of purely free version for more accurate.

[Scott(0)]

Hi bitsnpcs


Thank you for the information. It was nice of you to take the time to post it. The speeds seem usable (depending on the goal of course) and fair for a free service.


In the states the free VPN services in general are getting very bad press. In brief the news says that free VPN service isn't a sustainable business model and many of the free services are selling user information in order to stay in busness.


Proton may be safe because they seem to limit the number of free accounts and download speeds. They also have a good reputation and an established userbase with their mail service.


Here's some interesting information
https://cdt.org/blog/hotspot-shield-vpns...practices/

[bitsnpcs]

Hello Scott,

the free VPN arrived yesterday, so I just made a quick test on a small number of the countries, to make an answer.

Thank you for the link, it was interesting.

I know only the info on Proton site it says this -
"As a Swiss VPN provider, we do not log user activity or share data with third parties."
"Unlike other free VPNs, there are no catches. We don't serve ads or secretly sell your browsing history. ProtonVPN Free is subsidized by ProtonVPN paid users."

It has said similar on other VPN sites like the one in the link.

I use TOR rarely, and will also use VPN rarely, I use only to bypass ISP blocks for sites they say have copyright infringement materials, it can be a mistake of over working filters very often, but sometimes it is correct, I might want to watch a documentary I missed on tv. I use the BBC iplayer for BBC ones I missed because my brother pays a licence and it means we can all legally watch tv, or use the iplayer with login. The other stations covered by the licence, I don't have a login, I had one for 2 of them, but they send too much spam, so I deleted them.
I only watch on the TV maybe 1 times per week, or sometimes 1 times per month, or even less often.

I think if I was to try hide internet use I would maybe get a screen for the Rpi to use mobile, or a used laptop, (coz it seems similar prices), and find out a way to use a public wifi without going inside any place. Or scan and use a many proxies together, but it would be safer maybe to not be in a fixed place and use the public wifi.
I realize if the computer is connected to the outside world, or can be connected any way, then it can never be secure. Only more secure than less secure, but not secure etc.

[Paul74]

Hello,

I use Proton free VPN.
I appreciated its easy setup process, after that you get it in your connections screen along with your other connections.
ProtonVPN free version don't support torrents dowloading.

[Paul74]

Hi,

After different tests with different VPN (free or not), I got Trust.zone for following reasons :
- real free test period of 3 days (with a 1GB limitation !)
- lot of locations (131 today)
- no volumes limitations
- VPN client  installation and tutoral available for Ubuntu, but alos available for Windows (all versions)
- easy to install
- can be used by 3 computers at the same time
- ......and good pricing : 2.66 $ (without tax) a month for a 24 months subscription....

[ptyerman]

I use Ivacy VPN and I'm pretty happy with it. $2.04 USD a month or $49 USD for a 2 year service.
It supports all Operating Systems, desktop and mobile, and you can connect 5 devices at a time.
200+ servers in 100+ locations and supports torrents and anything else.
The speed is pretty good but in case of slowdowns you can easily choose and change server/location.
They are based in Singapore and have a no logs policy.
I signed up earlier this year when they had a sale offer on, I got a 2 year subscription for £35 GBP. It's not on at the moment but they do repeat the offer on occasion so it's worth looking into if looking for a VPN.
Luckily there's plenty of choice at the moment but the best I found were either based in East Asia or South America. The Asian one's were the cheapest though.