Proton VPN - really wanted to like you but it is barely usable

VPN Forum
1

I’ve been using ProtonVPN for almost a year. My subscription is coming up and I’m not going to renew.

To the developers at Proton: I constantly have to disconnect ProtonVPN for a website to load, defeating the purpose of using VPN. It’s becoming unusable. I’ve tried every troubleshooting tip in the book from clearing my cache to switching protocols. I’ve changed my modem, router, and ethernet cable (to rule out the wifi). I uninstalled protonVPN and reinstalled it. I downloaded ProtonVPN on another laptop I have and run into the same issues. Recently, I switched internet providers - from Comcast to RCN, and have the same issues.

Nothing seems to work. Plus, the speed. Most days, I’m averaging 1.0KB/Sec so I have to disconnect for the page to load. Most of the servers are barely at 25% capacity.

Examples of websites that don’t work and/or work on and off (these aren’t random, one-off websites) with ProtonVPN on, but load fine when I turn ProtonVPN off:

  • Calendly
  • Instacart
  • Comedy Central (it’ll load but the video won’t play)
  • Sometimes reddit
  • My insurance (blue cross blue shield)
  • My work’s HR site
  • Qualtrics

What would be helpful is troubleshooting tips. I chose ProtonVPN b/c it came highly recommended, and I’d love to have the same experience other users are having, but after trying all the troubleshooting in the book, I’m just not sure what’s going to work other than switching VPN services. Is it the ISP? My location?

What have others used that offer a more reliable experience than ProtonVPN? I’m calling it quits and need a new provider.

Edit: adding details

2

My experience is quite the opposite. I don’t know how to help you in particular. but everything works fine with the VPN on. My speeds max my current Internet connection. at 12 ish megabits I mean even when I check server usage it’s like 77% max.

3

I’m sorry you are having such a poor experience with Proton, I would be super frustrated in your position. But consider that your experience might be unrelated to the service and due to (mis)configuration or an incompatibility between the Proton clients and your particular setup.

Even on a free plan, anything remotely close to 1KB/second would be atrociously slow and definitely not normal.

Have you reached out to Proton support?

What have others used that offer a more reliable experience than ProtonVPN? I’m calling it quits and need a new provider.

I don’t think your issue is related to Proton’s VPN servers, so I wouldn’t necessarily advocate you switch providers, but apart from Proton, I’ve had good experiences with Mullvad and AirVPN.

4

My experience is the exact opposite. Proton VPN is by far the most stress free VPN I have ever used and the speeds are actually pretty good for a VPN.

5

A random website blocking VPN clients is outside of their control, to be fair. VPN prividers can have agreements with big platforms. If you’re blocked, it might be for an entirely different reason as well. I’ve never experienced this with Proton.

The only thing is when I declare DNS record on my domain, they’re not picked up as fast on proton’s DNS as with other DNS, and also when I’m working on my home network, I forget to disable the VPN sometimes, nothing works and it makes me crazy for a couple minutes until I realize it.

6

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

7

I have zero issues and use vpn on 24/7 on iPhone and iPad.

8

1kb/s…? This doesn’t sound like Proton VPN issue.

9

ProtonVPN is fantastic for me, I have no disconnects and much faster speed than with my old VPN

10

Idk brother. I’m using the free version and it’s been stellar. Maybe a setting isn’t set right which is causing your issues. Google your exact issue I’m sure someone has figured it out online somewhere.

11

Why is this post tagged as “help” when you are just blaming the developers for your faulty setup?
Why are you asking in the proton subreddit for VPNs other than Proton?

I kindly suggest you delete this post, factory reset your computer and install proton again.

12

No idea what you’re doing wrong, but I do not have to “constantly disconnect it for a website to load”. I use Proton VPN everyday, works as expected, barely any noticeable hit in download and upload speed.

If anything, Proton VPN for me has been one of the most reliable apps I run on a daily basis.

13

My phone stays connected to Proton servers for 12+ hours with no disconnects

14

Is it possible that your ISP is throttling VPN traffic?

15

My experience of Proton has been nothing but fantastic, I have the VPN connection via WireGaurd at the router level and it’s got a 24/7 connection. I get 480 Mbit/s constantly and have used a sizeable amount of bandwidth in the past 2-3 months (around 5 TB) it hasn’t blinked an eye. The only minor issue I am having is opening a specific port from a docker container > VM > Router > VPN > Internet but I am fairly sure this is my issue on the LAN.

16

I think maybe your ISP is fucking with you and not proton

17

Try turning off net shield if the Web site loads then it has a bunch of trackers on it and Proton VPN are blocking them and the site is refusing to load because of that blocking

18

I’m a fairly new user but haven’t had any issues either so far.

19

I have exactly the same issue. It’s been like this for a coupe of years. Im trying to support the company as I believe in its values but the service doesn’t work properly.

20

I’m never using any VPN provider BUT Proton. Exemplary service that I’m happy to continue financing indefinitely. No matter how many VPN providers I might have bundled and shoved down my throat from other services. Speedy, reliable and secure. Keep up the good work devs.