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.
Proton VPN vs AdGuard VPN is mostly a question of free plans. Both offer one, but Proton’s has no data cap and 5 audits in our table, while AdGuard’s gives 3 GB a month without an audit.
Paid plans matter too, and AdGuard has a strength on blocked networks. This guide compares both tiers. Our AdGuard VPN review covers the second service in depth.
Proton VPN vs AdGuard VPN on Audits
In our audit table, Proton VPN carries 5 Securitum audits, and its app code is public.
AdGuard VPN has no outside audit, and its protocol code is closed, so its no-logs promise rests on trust, Tom’s Guide notes. On proof, Proton leads clearly.
AdGuard’s HTTPS-Style Protocol
AdGuard built a protocol that dresses VPN traffic as ordinary HTTPS, Tom’s Guide explains. On networks that block VPNs, that disguise can make the difference.
Proton answers AdGuard’s disguise with its Stealth protocol, which also hides VPN traffic on restrictive networks. Both work where ordinary VPNs get blocked.
Speed
Our speed table records a 16% loss for Proton VPN in CNET’s tests.
AdGuard VPN’s paid plans have no speed cap, while the free plan stops at 20 Mbps, Tom’s Guide reports. Proton’s free plan has no strict speed cap like AdGuard’s 20 Mbps.
Two-Year Cost
Our tables put Proton VPN Plus near $2.99 a month over two years, about $71.76 in total, with renewal around $83.88 a year.
AdGuard VPN runs $2.99 a month on two years, $3.99 on one and $11.99 monthly, Tom’s Guide reports. On two years, AdGuard is cheaper; for free use, Proton gives more.
Free Use and Devices
A free Proton VPN plan with no data cap exists, our refund table records, and our Proton VPN free guide details it.
AdGuard VPN has a free plan with 3 GB a month on two devices, and paid plans cover 10 devices, RTINGS reports. Proton’s free plan has no data cap; AdGuard’s stops at 3 GB a month on two devices.
Jurisdiction and Ownership
Proton AG runs Proton VPN from Switzerland, outside the Fourteen Eyes, and our audit table records a move of infrastructure to the EU.
AdGuard Software Limited is based in Limassol, Cyprus. Both sit outside the Fourteen Eyes.
Security Features
Paid Proton VPN plans add Secure Core multi-hop routing and NetShield blocking to the standard kill switch.
Every AdGuard server offers obfuscation and a kill switch, SafetyDetectives reports, though nobody outside has checked the protocol.
Platforms and Support
Apps for Proton VPN span Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and TVs. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and routers, TechRadar reports.
Support from Proton runs through tickets and a detailed help centre. Support runs by email only, without live chat, TechRadar notes.
Protocols and Streaming
For protocols, Proton VPN offers WireGuard, OpenVPN and Stealth, which disguises VPN traffic.
Only AdGuard’s own protocol is available, with optional QUIC; TechRadar rated it decent for Netflix. Both can stream on paid plans; Proton’s free plan suits light video better than a 3 GB cap.
Which Is Better Value?
Free users get more from Proton. Paying users save a little with AdGuard but lose audits.
Proton’s renewal near $83.88 a year sits mid-market, and the free tier gives a no-cost fallback.
Which Plan to Pick
Proton’s free plan is the natural test, with Plus on two years as the upgrade. With AdGuard VPN, start on the free plan and move to the two-year plan if 3 GB a month is not enough.
Payment and Checkout
Check the final checkout total for Proton VPN and AdGuard VPN, since tax and currency can change the price. Also note which plan each renews into before you pay.
Refunds
Proton VPN offers 30 days for a full refund, according to our refund table.
AdGuard VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, TechRadar notes. Both offer 30 days.
Who Each Is For
Proton VPN fits readers who value open source, audits and a usable free plan. AdGuard VPN suits AdGuard ad-blocker users and light users who want a free plan.
In short, AdGuard fits users who already rely on its ad blocker; Proton fits anyone choosing a free VPN on its own merits.
What Else to Know About AdGuard VPN
One more point: AdGuard’s roots are in ad blocking, dating to 2009, RTINGS notes. Holafly describes the company as Russian in origin and registered in Cyprus.
What Else to Know About Proton VPN
Beyond the VPN, Proton runs Mail, Drive and Pass, bundled in Proton Unlimited, while Plus covers just the VPN.
Testing Both
Test both on your own line during their refund windows. Check speed on a nearby server, the streaming services you use and a leak test, as our guide to checking if a VPN is working explains.
Switching Between Them
Moving from AdGuard VPN to Proton VPN, or the reverse, takes minutes. Install the new app first, test it, then cancel the old subscription before it renews.
For more on AdGuard VPN, see NordVPN vs AdGuard VPN, AdGuard VPN alternatives and AdGuard VPN’s free plan.
We also cover similar services: Proton VPN vs IceVPN and Proton VPN vs Turbo VPN.
How We Research
For this Proton VPN vs AdGuard VPN comparison, Proton VPN’s audits, prices, devices, speed and refunds come from our tables. AdGuard VPN’s figures come from our research for the AdGuard VPN review, mainly Tom’s Guide’s AdGuard VPN review, read on 21 October 2026. We do not run our own tests. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Proton VPN vs AdGuard VPN FAQ
Proton’s, with no data cap and audits.
AdGuard VPN, at $2.99 a month on two years.
No; Proton has 5 audits in our table.
Both: Proton’s Stealth and AdGuard’s protocol.
Yes: Switzerland and Cyprus.
The Verdict
Proton VPN vs AdGuard VPN: for free use, Proton wins with no data cap and audits. AdGuard suits ad-blocker users and the lowest paid price.