Quick answer
Proton VPN is a VPN app for Android from Proton AG, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail, with a free plan that has no ads and no data limit. The latest Proton VPN APK is version 5.20.98.0, updated October 29, 2026, and needs Android 8.0 or newer. Paid plans add more countries and features.
| App name | Proton VPN: Secure & Fast VPN |
|---|---|
| Developer | Proton AG |
| Latest version | 5.20.98.0 |
| Updated | Oct 29, 2026 |
| Requires Android | 8.0 and up |
| Package name | ch.protonvpn.android |
| Category | VPN & Privacy |
| Price | Free |
| Contains ads | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes |
On this page
What is Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is a VPN app from Proton AG, the Swiss company that also makes Proton Mail, Proton Drive and Proton Pass. Like any VPN, it encrypts your phone's traffic and sends it through Proton's servers, hiding your browsing from the network you're on and letting you appear to be in another country.
What makes it stand out among VPN apps is the free plan. Most free VPNs pay for themselves with ads, data caps or by monetizing your traffic. Proton VPN's free plan has no ads and no data limit, and it's paid for by people on the paid plans instead.
Proton also leans on transparency. The Android app is open source on GitHub, the company is based in Switzerland, and its no-logs policy has been checked in independent audits. It's been on Google Play since December 2019 and has more than 100 million downloads.
What's new in Proton VPN 5.20.98.0
Proton VPN 5.20.98.0 arrived on Google Play on October 29, 2026. The release notes on Play say simply: "Squashed an annoying bug."
Proton doesn't say which bug, so there's nothing more specific to report about this version. Proton publishes larger feature announcements on its blog, and because the app is open source, the full list of code changes is visible in its GitHub repository.
Key features
A free plan with no ads or data cap
The free plan connects you to servers in a handful of countries with no ads, no data limit and no time limit. The catch: one device at a time, and Proton picks the server for you. It's enough for protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi every day.
Secure Core
On paid plans, Secure Core routes your traffic through a server in a privacy-friendly country (such as Switzerland or Iceland) before it exits elsewhere. If an exit server were ever compromised, it still wouldn't see your real IP address.
NetShield ad and malware blocking
NetShield, on paid plans, blocks known malware domains, and at its higher setting also ads and trackers, at the DNS level. It works across every app on your phone while the VPN is on, not just in your browser.
Stealth protocol
On networks that block VPNs, such as some workplaces, schools or countries, the Stealth protocol disguises VPN traffic as ordinary web traffic. You can choose it in the app's protocol settings.
Kill switch and always-on
Android's built-in "Always-on VPN" and "Block connections without VPN" settings work with Proton VPN, so nothing leaks if the connection drops. Find them under Settings → Network & internet → VPN, then tap the gear next to Proton VPN.
Proton VPN free vs paid plans
| Free plan | Paid plans | |
|---|---|---|
| Ads | None | None |
| Data limit | None | None |
| Choose a country or server | No, Proton picks | Yes |
| Devices at once | 1 | Up to 10 |
| Secure Core and NetShield | No | Yes |
The free plan is genuinely usable every day for public Wi-Fi. Upgrade if you need a specific country, several devices, or the extra privacy features.
How to install Proton VPN APK on Android
Install Proton VPN from Google Play if you can. Proton also publishes official builds outside Play, which is handy for phones without Google services.
- Check your phone runs Android 8.0 or newer.
- Choose an official source: Google Play, F-Droid, or the download link on protonvpn.com. Don't use other APK sites for a VPN.
- If you downloaded the file from APKPeer, check that the SHA-256 matches the one on this page. We currently link to Proton's own sources, so there's no APKPeer file for Proton VPN.
- Open the APK and allow your browser or file manager to Install unknown apps when Android asks.
- Tap Install, then sign in or create a free Proton account.
- Accept Android's VPN connection request, then turn off the install permission under Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps.
Is Proton VPN APK safe?
The official Proton VPN APK is safe, and it's one of the more trustworthy choices for a free VPN. Proton AG is a Swiss company, its Android app is open source, and its no-logs policy has been independently audited. Google Play doesn't mark it as containing ads, because it has none.
A few honest caveats. You need a Proton account, which means an email address. The free plan's limits are real: one device, and no choice of country or server. And no VPN makes you anonymous on its own; signing in to Google or Facebook still tells those services who you are.
The bigger risk with any VPN is a fake one. A modified VPN app can read everything you send. APKPeer only links to Proton's own downloads.
Proton VPN vs alternatives
- Turbo VPN is free with ads, has more server choice on the free tier, and is very easy to use. But it has open ownership questions that matter for a privacy tool, which we cover on its page.
- Windscribe lets free users choose from several locations, with a monthly data allowance instead of Proton's unlimited data.
- Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 with WARP is fast, free and ad-free, but it isn't designed to change your location.
For a free VPN you can actually trust, Proton VPN is the one we'd install first.
Version history
Proton VPN 5.20.98.0Latest
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Proton VPN on Android?
Open Google Play, search for Proton VPN and check the developer is Proton AG before tapping Install. It needs Android 8.0 or newer. It's free to install, and Play keeps it updated automatically. Proton also publishes Proton VPN on F-Droid and as an APK through its own website and GitHub releases.
Is Proton VPN really free?
Yes. Proton VPN's free plan has no ads, no data limit and no time limit, which is rare for a free VPN. The trade-offs are fewer server countries, one device at a time, and no choice of a specific server. Paid plans, sold as in-app purchases from $9.99 to $119.88, remove those limits.
Is Proton VPN safe to use?
Yes. Proton VPN is run by Proton AG, a Swiss company, its apps are open source, and its no-logs policy has been checked by independent auditors. It doesn't show ads or sell data to fund the free plan; paid subscriptions pay for it. Download it from Google Play, F-Droid or protonvpn.com.
Can I get Proton VPN without Google Play?
Yes. Proton publishes Proton VPN on F-Droid and offers the APK through its own website and GitHub releases. Those builds come from Proton itself, so they're as safe as the Play version. Avoid copies on other APK sites. Builds from F-Droid and GitHub update separately from the Play version.
Does Proton VPN keep logs?
Proton says it doesn't log your browsing activity, and independent security firms have audited that no-logs policy. Like any account-based service, it stores basic account information such as your email and subscription. Its privacy policy on protonvpn.com explains exactly what's kept.
