Disclosure: VPNFin is reader-supported. If you buy a VPN through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our ratings — here’s our full disclosure.
ProtonVPN vs ZoogVPN is a comparison of two free plans first and two paid services second. Proton’s free plan has no data cap or ads, covers one device and connects to servers in eight countries, Tom’s Guide reported in October 2025, and Proton passed its fifth yearly Securitum audit in May 2026. ZoogVPN’s free plan gives 10 GB a month on one device, with ads on Android, and it has no public audit.
This guide compares the free plans, evidence, paid plans, censorship tools, network and fit.
ProtonVPN vs ZoogVPN: Free Plans
Proton’s free tier picks a server in one of eight countries, including the US, Canada, Norway, Japan and Singapore, Tom’s Guide lists, with no data cap and no streaming support. ZoogVPN’s free tier stops at 10 GB a month and uses AES-128 encryption rather than its paid AES-256; its own pages disagree on whether free users get three or five locations.
For everyday free use, Proton goes much further. Our Proton free plan guide covers its limits.
ProtonVPN vs ZoogVPN on Evidence
Securitum’s May 2026 audit examined servers from Proton’s free and paid plans and found no records linking users to activity, CyberInsider reports, while noting it reflects a point in time. ZoogVPN has no public no-logs audit; its Android app passed Google Play’s security review and its warrant canary was current to August 2026, findcheapvpns found.
Our VPN audit tracker explains what each kind of check covers.
ProtonVPN vs ZoogVPN: Paid Plans
Both renew higher after the first term, so compare renewals before committing.
Proton costs $2.99 a month on two years, $71.76 up front, for 10 devices, with a full refund within 30 days of the first purchase. ZoogVPN costs about $59.99 for its two-year plan and allows 10 devices in several reviews, while others list unlimited.
ZoogVPN is a little cheaper up front; Proton’s audits and network come for a small premium.
Censorship Tools
Shadow and Stealth both aim to make VPN traffic look like ordinary web traffic, so networks find it harder to spot.
At home neither is needed; they help most on hotel, office or national networks that block VPNs.
Proton’s Stealth protocol hides VPN traffic and is available on all plans, including the free one, a 2026 review notes. ZoogVPN offers its Shadow and ZoogTLS protocols for the same purpose.
Both target restrictive networks; Proton lets you test its tool for free with no data cap.
Network and Streaming
Streaming needs a paid Proton plan; the free tier does not support it.
A server closer to you usually means better speed.
Proton’s paid plans open well over 100 countries and support streaming, Security.org notes. ZoogVPN’s network covers roughly 35 to 55 countries, listify notes.
For streaming and travel to less common countries, Proton has far more choice.
Extra Privacy Layers and Jurisdiction
Secure Core costs some speed, so leave it off for streaming.
Proton’s paid plans add Secure Core, which routes traffic through servers in privacy-friendly countries first, and NetShield blocking. ZoogVPN documents a kill switch and leak protection in its apps.
Proton’s apps are also open source, so outside experts can read how they work.
Switzerland’s privacy laws and Proton’s audits together make a strong case.
Proton AG is based in Switzerland, outside the EU. ZoogVPN, run by Zoog Services in Patras, falls under Greek and EU law.
Both sit in Europe; Proton’s audit record matters more than its address.
Who Each Is For
Both are easy to install, so testing costs only a few minutes.
ProtonVPN suits anyone wanting a genuinely usable free plan, current audits and open-source apps, with an affordable upgrade. ZoogVPN suits budget users who want an EU-based service and Shadow, and accept no public audit.
Start with Proton’s free plan; most light users will not need more.
Platforms, Refunds and Payments
Proton has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV and Amazon’s Vega OS sticks, plus router guides. ZoogVPN lists apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux and Fire TV, along with router setups, Impulsec notes.
Owners of newer Vega OS sticks should confirm ZoogVPN’s support before buying.
Proton refunds paid plans in full within 30 days of the first purchase, once per user, excluding cash and bank transfers. One 2026 review describes a seven-day refund for ZoogVPN and notes it accepts Alipay and WeChat Pay. For a head-to-head, see our PIA vs ZoogVPN comparison.
Both free plans let you test before paying anything.
Testing Both
Because both have free plans, you can install them side by side and compare them on your own connection. Try a site you use daily, a video call and, if relevant, a network that blocks VPNs, then watch how quickly each free allowance runs out. Our Mullvad vs ZoogVPN comparison sets the two side by side.
Upgrade only after you know which one suits your routine.
How We Research
This page draws on CyberInsider’s report on Proton’s 2026 audit, Tom’s Guide’s report on Proton’s free servers, Security.org’s Proton coverage, findcheapvpns’ ZoogVPN safety check, listify’s 2026 VPN comparison and our price 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 CyberInsider on Proton’s 2026 audit. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Proton VPN vs ZoogVPN FAQ
Proton’s, with no data cap and no ads.
No public no-logs audit; Proton has five yearly audits.
Eight as of October 2025: the US, Canada, Norway, Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
ZoogVPN, slightly, at about $59.99 for two years.
Yes: Proton’s Stealth and ZoogVPN’s Shadow.
The Verdict
ProtonVPN vs ZoogVPN: Proton for the better free plan, current audits and a bigger network; ZoogVPN for a cheap EU-based option.