ZeroToVPN
VPN Comparison 2026

ProtonVPN vs PrivateVPN

Comprehensive comparison of features, pricing, speed, and security to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.

ProtonVPN

Rating: 4.5/5
Winner
Best Price:$2.49/mo
Servers:15,000+
Countries:120
Speed Score:88%

PrivateVPN

Rating: 4/5
Best Price:$3.82/mo
Servers:200+
Countries:63
Speed Score:80%

Based on our comprehensive testing, ProtonVPN comes out ahead overall.

Last updated: 三月 2026

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature
ProtonVPN
PrivateVPN
Overall Rating
4.5/5
4/5
Monthly Price
$9.99/mo
$9.9/mo
Best Price (2yr plan)
$2.49/mo
$3.82/mo
Money-Back Guarantee
30 days
30 days
Free Tier
Total Servers
15,000+
200+
Countries
120
63
Simultaneous Devices
10
10
Speed Score
88%
80%
Security Score
99%
86%
Streaming Score
80%
88%
Protocols
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2
OpenVPNIKEv2
Encryption
AES-256
AES-256
Kill Switch
No-Logs Policy
Netflix Support
Torrenting Support
Get Started
Read Review
Read Review

Pros and Cons

ProtonVPN

Pros

  • Free tier available (no data limits)
  • Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
  • Open source and audited
  • Secure Core servers
  • Integrates with ProtonMail

Cons

  • Free tier has limited servers
  • Streaming support is inconsistent
  • Fewer server locations

PrivateVPN

Pros

  • Excellent streaming unblocking
  • Based in privacy-friendly Sweden
  • Port forwarding available
  • Good customer support
  • Stealth VPN for censorship

Cons

  • Very small server network
  • No WireGuard support
  • No independent audit
  • Limited advanced features

Final Verdict

ProtonVPN comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 4.5/5 compared to PrivateVPN's 4/5. Swiss-based VPN with strongest privacy focus and free tier.

Choose ProtonVPN if:

  • You prioritize faster speeds (88%)
  • You need stronger security (99%)
  • You want more server options (15,000+ servers)
  • You're looking for better value ($2.49/mo)

Choose PrivateVPN if:

    ProtonVPN

    4.5/5 Rating$2.49/mo
    Read Full Review

    PrivateVPN

    4/5 Rating$3.82/mo
    Read Full Review

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is ProtonVPN better than PrivateVPN?+
    ProtonVPN is rated higher overall with a score of 4.5/5 compared to PrivateVPN's 4/5. ProtonVPN Swiss-based VPN with strongest privacy focus and free tier. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
    Which is cheaper, ProtonVPN or PrivateVPN?+
    ProtonVPN is the more affordable option at $2.49/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to PrivateVPN at $3.82/mo. ProtonVPN offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
    Which is faster, ProtonVPN or PrivateVPN?+
    ProtonVPN achieves a higher speed score of 88% in our tests, compared to PrivateVPN's 80%. ProtonVPN uses modern VPN protocols that minimize speed loss, making it the better choice for bandwidth-heavy activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
    Does ProtonVPN or PrivateVPN have more servers?+
    ProtonVPN has a larger server network with 15,000+ servers, compared to PrivateVPN's 200+ servers. More servers generally means less congestion and more location choices, giving you better connection reliability and more options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
    Which VPN is better for streaming, ProtonVPN or PrivateVPN?+
    PrivateVPN scores higher for streaming at 88% compared to ProtonVPN's 80%. PrivateVPN reliably unblocks popular streaming platforms and maintains fast enough speeds for HD and 4K content without buffering.

    Compare More VPNs

    Not sure yet? Check out our full VPN comparison tool or read detailed reviews of each service.