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ProtonVPN Free Trial: How to Try ProtonVPN Risk-Free

Try ProtonVPN free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Step-by-step activation and cancellation guide.

VPN.com Editorial Team · ·5 min read

How to Try ProtonVPN for Free

ProtonVPN does not offer a traditional free trial on desktop. Mobile users on Android and iOS get a 7-day trial of ProtonVPN Plus. All platforms include a permanent free tier with servers in 5 countries. Paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you test all premium features risk-free.

Does ProtonVPN Have a Free Trial?

ProtonVPN’s free trial situation depends on your device. Desktop users on Windows, Mac, and Linux cannot access any time-limited trial. Mobile users get a different deal through app store promotions.

Android and iOS users can activate a 7-day free trial of ProtonVPN Plus. This trial unlocks all premium features, including 10 simultaneous device connections. You must enter payment details, and charges apply automatically after 7 days.

The free trial requires starting a subscription through Google Play or the Apple App Store. You will not find this option on ProtonVPN’s website directly.

ProtonVPN’s Permanent Free Tier

ProtonVPN stands apart by offering a genuinely free VPN plan with no data caps. Most competitors limit free usage to 500MB or 10GB per month. ProtonVPN Free gives you unlimited bandwidth on servers in 5 countries.

The free tier connects 1 device at a time with medium-speed servers. You lose access to Secure Core, P2P, streaming-optimized servers, and NetShield ad blocker. Free servers sit in the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, and Poland.

This plan works for basic browsing and privacy protection without spending anything. Upgrading unlocks servers across 110+ countries and speeds suitable for 4K streaming.

ProtonVPN Money-Back Guarantee Explained

Every paid ProtonVPN plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. This applies to ProtonVPN Plus, Proton Unlimited, and all billing cycles. You get a full refund if you cancel within 30 days of your initial purchase.

The guarantee covers first-time subscribers only. Renewals and subsequent billing periods do not qualify for refunds. ProtonVPN processes refunds to your original payment method within 5-10 business days.

One important restriction applies to cryptocurrency payments. ProtonVPN cannot refund Bitcoin or other crypto transactions due to the nature of blockchain payments. Pay with a credit card or PayPal if you want refund eligibility.

How to Cancel ProtonVPN and Get a Refund

Follow these 5 steps to cancel ProtonVPN and request your money back within the guarantee window.

Step 1: Log into your account at account.protonvpn.com using your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to “Subscription” under your dashboard settings panel.

Step 3: Click “Downgrade to Free” or “Cancel subscription” at the bottom of the page.

Step 4: Contact ProtonVPN support at protonvpn.com/support with your refund request. Include your username and payment details.

Step 5: Wait 5-10 business days for the refund to appear on your statement.

If you subscribed through Google Play or Apple, cancel directly through those platforms instead. App store refund policies override ProtonVPN’s own guarantee terms in some cases.

What You Get During the Guarantee Period

The 30-day money-back period gives you full access to every ProtonVPN Plus feature. Nothing gets restricted or throttled during this window. You experience the complete premium product.

Your access includes 10 simultaneous device connections across all platforms. You get 6,500+ servers in 110+ countries with speeds reaching 10 Gbps. Secure Core routing, NetShield malware blocking, and P2P support all work from day one.

Streaming unlocks for Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other platforms come included. This period gives you enough time to test ProtonVPN with your specific use cases thoroughly.

ProtonVPN Trial vs Competitor Trial Policies

ProviderFree TrialMoney-Back GuaranteeFree Tier
ProtonVPN7 days (mobile only)30 daysYes, unlimited data
NordVPN7 days (mobile only)30 daysNo
CyberGhost1 day (desktop), 3 days (mobile)45 daysNo
Surfshark7 days (mobile only)30 daysNo
WindscribeNone3 daysYes, 10GB/month

CyberGhost offers the longest money-back guarantee at 45 days. ProtonVPN wins on free tier value with unlimited data. NordVPN and Surfshark match ProtonVPN’s 30-day refund window exactly.

ProtonVPN is the only major provider combining a free tier, mobile trial, and 30-day guarantee. This triple approach gives you the most flexibility to test before committing financially.

FAQ

Is ProtonVPN Really Free?

Yes, ProtonVPN offers a permanently free plan with unlimited data. It connects 1 device through servers in 5 countries. You never need a credit card to use the free tier. Premium features like streaming and Secure Core require a paid subscription starting at $4.49 per month.

How Do I Cancel ProtonVPN?

Log into your Proton account and go to the Subscription section. Click “Downgrade to Free” to stop future charges immediately. Your paid features remain active until the current billing period ends. Contact support separately if you want a refund within 30 days.

Will I Be Charged After the Free Trial?

Yes, charges apply automatically when the 7-day mobile trial ends. Cancel at least 24 hours before the trial expires to avoid payment. Manage this through Google Play or Apple App Store subscription settings. The free tier remains available even after canceling a paid subscription.

Can I Use the Money-Back Guarantee Multiple Times?

No, ProtonVPN limits the 30-day money-back guarantee to first-time subscribers only. Creating a new account to exploit refunds violates their terms of service. Subsequent subscriptions and renewals do not qualify for the guarantee period.