ROOT VPN vs Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a genuinely good VPN, and we will say exactly where it wins. Here is an honest, side by side look at price, privacy, protocols and streaming, so you can see which one fits you, not which one we would rather sell you.

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ROOT VPN vs Proton VPN at a glance

The facts that actually decide it, side by side.

	ROOT VPN	Proton VPN
Price	Free, then £3.99/mo	From £3.59 (has free tier)
Free tier	Yes	Yes
No activity logs	Yes	Yes
Protocols	WireGuard, REALITY, Shadowsocks, Hysteria2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth
Devices	10	10
Streaming	Good	Good
Jurisdiction	Independent, no activity logs	Switzerland

Where Proton VPN is strong, and where it is not

What Proton VPN does well

Proton VPN is the benchmark for trustworthy free VPNs: unlimited data on the free tier, fully open-source and audited apps, Secure Core multi-hop routing and Swiss jurisdiction. On privacy grounds it is genuinely excellent.

Where it falls short

The free tier is capped to a handful of countries, one device and slower speeds, and the paid plan costs more than budget rivals.

ROOT takes a different route. Instead of the biggest server count or the deepest add-on menu, it focuses on a genuinely free way in, four modern protocols including REALITY and Hysteria2 for networks that fight back, and a plain no-activity-logs promise. Free to start with unlimited data, four protocols including REALITY and Hysteria2 for restrictive networks, and no activity logs.

Who each one is best for

No VPN is best for everyone. Here is the honest split.

Choose ROOT VPN if

You want a genuinely free tier with unlimited data before paying anything.
You connect on networks that block VPNs and need REALITY, Shadowsocks or Hysteria2 stealth.
You want no activity logs and up to 10 devices from £3.99, with a growing server network.

Choose Proton VPN if

Proton VPN is best for privacy-focused users who want an audited, open-source VPN, and anyone who wants a truly free tier with unlimited data.
You value the most reputable free VPN with unlimited data, open-source apps, Secure Core routing and Swiss privacy.

ROOT VPN vs Proton VPN, answered

Is ROOT VPN better than Proton VPN?

Neither is simply "better", it depends on what you need. ROOT is the better pick if you want a genuinely free tier, stealth protocols for networks that block VPNs, and no activity logs from £3.99. Proton VPN is the better pick for privacy-focused users who want an audited, open-source VPN, and anyone who wants a truly free tier with unlimited data.

Is Proton VPN or ROOT VPN cheaper?

ROOT VPN is free to start with unlimited data, then £3.99 a month for every location. Proton VPN starts from £3.59, and also offers its own free tier. For starting at zero cost, ROOT wins; compare renewal prices before you commit.

Does Proton VPN keep logs?

Proton VPN runs a no-logs policy (Audited, open-source no-logs policy under strong Swiss privacy law.). ROOT VPN also keeps no activity logs, so neither records the sites you visit.

Can I try ROOT VPN before switching from Proton VPN?

Yes. ROOT VPN has a free forever plan with unlimited data and no card required, so you can run it alongside Proton VPN and see how it performs on your own connection before you decide.

More ROOT VPN comparisons

See how ROOT stacks up against the rest, or read the full list of comparisons and the best free VPNs.

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