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Proton VPN servers – all you need to know about the provider's network
No matter whether it's hardware or software, when you're looking to buy a tech product, it all comes down to looking at the specifications side by side.
And, in terms of finding the best VPN, one of the main things shoppers look for is how many servers a provider has in its network.
Proton VPN is a big name in the world of cybersecurity, with the company's virtual private network first launching in 2017 to join its already-established secure email service – and it has one of the biggest server networks.
It's not just about the number of servers, however, but also the infrastructure behind them. Here's what Proton VPN has to offer in the way of its servers.
What is a VPN server?
A VPN server creates and manages the encrypted tunnel through which data travels between your device and the internet. It operates via a combination of server hardware, specialized software, and VPN protocols.
The VPN server you connect to can also be located in a different region of the world entirely, meaning you can appear like you're in that other location instead of the one you're actually in physically.
While the encrypted tunnel helps conceal your real IP address and switches it to that of the server, allowing you to browse the web with better online anonymity.
How many VPN servers does Proton have and where are they located?
Proton VPN has one of the biggest server networks of any VPN, clocking in at a claimed 20,000+ across 148 countries and 191 locations. That's in comparison to the likes of NordVPN, which has 9,000+ servers across 224 locations, and ExpressVPN's 3,000+ across 105 countries (all at the time of writing).
The amount of servers isn't the whole story, however. The key is for these servers to be widespread, allowing you to not only appear in a variety of places around the world, but to also find servers close to you to get optimal performance.
The range of Proton VPN's network is vast. In particular, it has a strong presence in Asia (48) and Africa (31). It's also got a decent offering in the US, with over 6,000 servers across 22 cities.
Proton's specialized servers and features
While a widespread network of servers around the globe is fundamental, there's more to servers than just location. Proton's paid-for VPN plans have a number of specialized servers and features intended to give its users a more bespoke experience.
This includes streaming support, P2P/BitTorrent support, Tor over VPN, and fast servers up to 10Gbps. All servers also come with Proton VPN's Netshield Ad-blocker, and paying users also have access to its Secure Core servers.
Here is a more comprehensive list of server features available:
- Streaming: Looking to unblock a geo-blocked streaming service? Proton VPN's streaming servers are able to dupe popular platforms and give you the performance you need to watch without buffering.
- P2P/BitTorrent support: Share files locally and more securely with servers specifically highlighted for P2P support.
- Tor over VPN: Connect to .onion websites through your regular browser with Proton VPN's Tor over VPN specific servers.
- 10Gbps servers: For those tasks that require a bit more power, Proton VPN offers its fastest servers, which perform at up to 10Gbps.
- Netshield Ad-blocker: Enjoy a cleaner, safer time browsing online with Proton VPN's very own ad-blocker, which blocks ads, trackers, and detects malware.
- Secure Core: Need the reassurance of an additional layer or security? Proton VPN's Secure Core servers route your traffic through privacy-friendly countries only, like Switzerland and Iceland.
- Full disk encryption: Proton VPN owns all its servers, which offer full disk encryption. Should hackers infiltrate the system, then, they shouldn't be able to access your data.
It's worth noting that Proton VPN does offer a free plan, which gives you access to a limited web of servers across 10 locations. But note that you won't be able to use these servers to stream or utilize for P2P, or to take advantage of NetShield or Secure Core servers.
Does Proton VPN utilize virtual servers?
Proton VPN does offer virtual servers within a feature it calls 'Smart Routing'. Essentially, this means offering servers in locations where Proton VPN isn't physically present.
However, these servers act in the same way and come with the same level of security. These virtual servers also mean Proton VPN is able to offer access in countries where there is government imposed censorship.
In some cases, it offers Smart Routing where it also has physical servers. This gives users more choice and can help to optimize performance and speed. Where the country might be far away and a physical server may see a dramatic drop in speed, the option to connect to a virtual server where its physical location is closer is a great option to have.
What VPN protocols does Proton offer?
- OpenVPN: A secure protocol that get the best speeds from UDP transmission, or opt for TCP for any sensitive communications – ideal when circumventing censorship.
- WireGuard: The protocol to choose when you have a need for speed. The lightweight, open-source WireGuard protocol is great for demanding tasks.
- Stealth: Proton VPN developed its very own protocol which encompasses its entire ethos: keeping the internet free for all by offering a stealthy way to circumvent censorship undetected (not available on Linux).
- IKEv2: A fast and reliable protocol that excels on mobile devices, maintaining stable connections and quickly reconnecting when switching between Wi-Fi and mobile networks (only available on MacOS and iOS).
How to choose the right Proton VPN server
Choosing the right server all comes down to what tasks you wish to carry out online. If you want to use your VPN for streaming and you're looking to unblock a particular service, you'll need to select a server based in the right country to access it. Depending on how far away that country is, you may experience lag and opt for a virtual server that is physically closer but still changes your IP address to one located in the desired location.
Where optimal performance is the priority, opt for servers based locally to you in order to benefit from the strongest connection.
To ensure you can easily identify the optimum server for any given task, Proton VPN labels each with clear symbols indicating its use cases, from streaming and P2P to Tor over VPN and its 10Gbps servers.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
