Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
Proton VPN vs PureVPN
Proton VPN takes it by 21 points, 90.0 against 69.0. That margin is worth reading past — PureVPN wins 1 of the seven criteria outright.
Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
PureVPN
69.0Cheap and broadly capable, carrying a documented 2017 logging incident that the current audit arrangement is designed to answer.
- From
- $2.11/mo
- Based in
- British Virgin Islands
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 1
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change PureVPN’s score.
Criterion by criterion
Proton VPN wins 5, PureVPN wins 1, 1 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | Proton VPN | PureVPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 10/10 (20.0) | 7/10 (14.0) | Proton VPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 6/10 (9.0) | Proton VPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 7/10 (10.5) | Proton VPN |
| Transparency | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 4/10 (6.0) | Proton VPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 7/10 (7.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | PureVPN |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 9/10 (9.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | Proton VPN |
| Total | 100 | 90.0 | 69.0 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Switzerland sits outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, and the parent company is majority-owned by a non-profit foundation.
- Leak protection. Kill switch across all platforms, with a permanent mode on desktop that blocks traffic before the app starts.
- Transparency. Every client is open source with published audit reports; signup still requires an email address.
- Platform coverage. Native apps including Apple TV and Android TV, plus router support and 10 simultaneous devices.
PureVPN is ahead on
- Price and refund terms. Effective $2.11/month on a two-year term with a 31-day refund window.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
Choose PureVPN if
Readers who want a low price and are satisfied by the current audit arrangement.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
Skip PureVPN if: Past conduct matters to you. The 2017 incident is a matter of public court record, and no later audit erases it.
Questions
- Is Proton VPN or PureVPN better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 69.0, a gap of 21 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- Which is cheaper, Proton VPN or PureVPN?
- PureVPN, at $2.11/mo against $4.49/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against PureVPN’s 2023.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. Proton VPN operates from Switzerland and PureVPN from British Virgin Islands. Both sit in the same position relative to the Fourteen Eyes agreement.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.