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Proton VPN vs AirVPN is a meeting of two privacy-first services. Proton VPN, run by the Proton Foundation in Switzerland, has five Securitum audits in our table, a free plan with no data cap and 10 devices on VPN Plus. AirVPN, based in Perugia, Italy, publishes live statistics for every server, runs open-source clients, offers free port forwarding on up to 20 ports and needs no email, our review found. It has no independent audit, allows five devices and fails with major streaming services. Both offer port forwarding: Proton through its WireGuard configs, its support pages say, and AirVPN on up to 20 ports.
This guide compares them on audits, free options, torrenting, streaming and fit.
Proton VPN vs AirVPN on Privacy
Proton’s five Securitum audits give the stronger evidence. AirVPN offers a different kind of proof: live server statistics and open-source clients, plus a record of leaving Italy in 2024 rather than run Piracy Shield blocklists. Our AirVPN review explains why we still flag the missing audit.
Free Options
Proton’s free plan has no data cap, covers one device and assigns a server in one of 10 countries, Toolradar notes. AirVPN has no free plan but sells a three-day plan, which our review calls the reliable way to test it. Our Proton VPN free guide covers Proton’s plan.
Torrenting
Both suit seeders. AirVPN’s forwarded ports are free on every plan; Proton’s work through its WireGuard configs on paid plans. Our torrenting VPN guide compares providers.
Streaming
Proton reached Netflix in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Japan in TechRadar’s 2026 testing on paid plans. Reviewers report AirVPN failing on the major platforms, our review notes.
Price
Proton VPN Plus costs about $2.99 a month on two years and renews at about $83.88 a year. AirVPN costs around €7 for one month, falling to about €2.75 a month on its longest term.
Devices
Proton Plus allows 10 devices; AirVPN five. Proton’s free plan covers one.
Censored Networks
Proton’s Stealth protocol targets networks that block VPNs, and the free plan includes it. AirVPN’s Eddie treats every port as its own connection option, which helps where networks block common ports. Our obfuscation guide explains the approaches.
Proton VPN vs AirVPN on Apps
Proton’s apps look and work alike across desktop, mobile and TV, including Fire TV with Vega OS. AirVPN’s Eddie client has twelve tabs of preferences and no graphical client on iOS, our review notes.
Linux and Routers
Both suit Linux. AirVPN’s open-source Eddie runs there, and Proton offers a Linux app and router guides. A router counts as one device on both.
Kill Switch
Proton includes the kill switch even on the free plan. Check Eddie’s network lock settings on AirVPN. Test either by switching Wi-Fi off and on.
Speed
HighTechSociety measured about 15% average speed loss on Proton’s free servers; paid servers run faster. AirVPN publishes live load for each server, so you can pick a quiet one.
Quick Rule
Audits, streaming and a free plan: Proton VPN. Anonymous sign-up and forwarded ports on every plan: AirVPN. Either suits privacy-first users who read the settings.
Is Proton VPN vs AirVPN About Price?
Not mainly. Both cost a few dollars a month on long plans. The Proton VPN vs AirVPN choice turns on audits and streaming for Proton, and anonymity and free forwarded ports for AirVPN.
Families
Proton Plus covers 10 devices, AirVPN five. Larger households fit Proton more easily, or either service with a router.
Who Each Suits
Proton suits most privacy-minded users, including those who stream. AirVPN suits technical users who self-host or seed and want to sign up without an email.
Keeping It Updated
After app updates, recheck the kill switch and protocol on both, since updates can reset them.
Testing Both
Start with Proton’s free plan, which needs no card. AirVPN’s three-day plan is the safest way to test it, our review advises.
Several Countries
Proton lists 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries on paid plans. AirVPN’s server list, with live load figures, is on its site.
Privacy on Public Wi-Fi
Both encrypt traffic on shared networks. Turn on the kill switch or network lock before joining hotel or café Wi-Fi. Our public Wi-Fi guide explains the risks.
Sign-Up
AirVPN needs no email and accepts seven cryptocurrencies. Proton’s free plan needs an account but no card.
Is Proton VPN vs AirVPN a Close Call?
Closer than most comparisons. Proton wins on audits, streaming and its free plan; AirVPN wins on anonymous sign-up and free forwarded ports on every plan. For a head-to-head, see our Mullvad vs AirVPN comparison.
Who Should Pick Which
Pick Proton VPN for audited privacy, streaming and a free plan. Pick AirVPN for open-source clients, anonymous sign-up and forwarded ports without upgrading. Our Proton VPN vs hide.me page compares Proton with another privacy service.
How We Research
This page draws on our AirVPN review, Proton’s pricing and support pages, Toolradar, TechRadar’s 2026 Netflix testing and our audit, device and renewal tables. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 8 October 2026. The main source we relied on is Proton VPN’s pricing page. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Proton VPN vs AirVPN FAQ
Proton for audits and streaming; AirVPN for anonymous sign-up and free forwarded ports.
Yes: Proton via WireGuard configs, AirVPN on up to 20 ports.
Proton; AirVPN sells a three-day plan instead.
No; it publishes live server statistics instead.
Proton on paid plans; reviewers report AirVPN failing.
The Verdict
Proton VPN vs AirVPN: Proton for audited, all-round privacy; AirVPN for technical users who want anonymity and forwarded ports.