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Proton VPN vs Turbo VPN compares the two free VPNs readers ask about most. Auditors have checked Proton’s ad-free, uncapped free plan; ads fund Turbo VPN’s, and its owner has links to mainland China.
Both cost nothing to start, so the comparison is about what you give up. This guide sets out each point. Our Turbo VPN review covers the second service in depth.
Proton VPN vs Turbo VPN on Audits
Proton VPN has 5 audits by Securitum in our table, and its apps are open source.
Turbo VPN has never published an audit, Top10VPN notes, and its policy lets it send collected data to servers in China, ProPrivacy found. On trust, the gap is wide.
A Free App With Ads
Turbo VPN’s appeal is a free app with ads, seven countries on the free tier and more than 100 million Google Play downloads, vpnpro and VPN.com report.
Proton’s free plan carries no ads at all, which removes the third-party tracking that comes with ad-funded apps.
Speed
Proton VPN lost 16% of its speed in CNET’s testing, our speed table records.
Reviews disagree on Turbo VPN’s speed: Comparitech calls it extremely slow, while PrivacySavvy was impressed. Proton’s measured speed is steadier.
Two-Year Cost
Proton VPN Plus costs about $2.99 a month on two years, roughly $71.76 for the term, then about $83.88 a year, our tables record.
Monthly VIP costs $11.99 in the US App Store, and the site’s two-year plan costs $99.99, DealHack reports. Both are free to start; Proton’s paid plans also cost less than Turbo’s App Store VIP.
Free Use and Devices
Proton VPN has a free plan with no data cap, our refund table notes. Our Proton VPN free guide explains its limits.
Turbo VPN is free with ads, and VIP removes them. Both offer free plans: Proton’s without ads or a data cap, Turbo’s with ads and seven countries.
Jurisdiction and Ownership
Proton VPN has its base in Switzerland, outside the Fourteen Eyes, and is moving infrastructure to the EU, our audit table notes.
Innovative Connecting Pte, a Singapore company whose director heads China’s LinkSure, runs Turbo VPN, Top10VPN found. Proton’s Swiss base sits outside the Fourteen Eyes; Turbo’s ownership is the main concern.
Security Features
Proton VPN includes a kill switch, Secure Core servers that route through privacy-friendly countries, and NetShield ad blocking on paid plans.
Beyond basic encryption, Turbo VPN offers little, and PrivacySavvy describes the ad-supported app as adware.
Platforms and Support
Proton VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and TVs. Apps cover phones and computers, with one-tap connection.
Proton offers support through its help centre and tickets. ProPrivacy tried Turbo VPN’s feedback email and got no reply.
Protocols and Streaming
Proton VPN supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, plus its Stealth protocol for blocked networks.
The app is built for one tap rather than settings, and streaming reports conflict from one reviewer to the next. Neither free plan suits heavy streaming, but Proton’s paid tier is the stronger upgrade.
Which Is Better Value?
Proton gives far better value at the same price of nothing: no ads, no cap and audits.
Over four years, Proton Plus renews near $83.88 a year, so the free plan remains the cheapest way to stay protected if your needs are light.
Which Plan to Pick
Start on Proton’s free plan; move to Plus on two years if you need speed, streaming or more locations. With Turbo VPN, compare the site’s two-year plan with the app’s monthly VIP, since the site is far cheaper per month.
Payment and Checkout
Compare final totals rather than headline prices, since VAT and currency conversion apply at checkout. Save the renewal terms for both.
Refunds
Proton VPN refunds within 30 days, our refund table records.
Turbo VPN’s App Store trial renews automatically, so refunds usually go through Apple or Google. Proton’s paid plans carry a clear 30-day refund.
Who Each Is For
Proton VPN suits privacy-minded readers who want audits, a Swiss base and a genuine free plan. Turbo VPN suits only casual, low-risk use.
In short, for a free VPN you can trust, Proton is the better choice; Turbo suits only casual browsing.
What Else to Know About Turbo VPN
One more point: its operator also runs VPN Proxy Master and Snap Master VPN, Top10VPN reports.
What Else to Know About Proton VPN
Proton also sells Mail, Drive and Pass, and its Unlimited bundle includes the VPN. For the VPN alone, Plus is enough.
Testing Both
The fairest test uses the same network, the same time of day and the same sites. Run a leak test on each, as our guide to checking if a VPN is working shows, then compare speed and streaming.
Switching Between Them
If you switch, overlap the two for a day so you never browse unprotected. Then uninstall the old app and cancel its renewal.
For more on Turbo VPN, see Turbo VPN’s free plan, Turbo VPN refund terms, CyberGhost vs Turbo VPN and Turbo VPN alternatives.
We also cover similar services: Proton VPN vs AdGuard VPN and Proton VPN vs IceVPN.
How We Research
For this Proton VPN vs Turbo VPN comparison, Proton VPN’s audits, prices, devices, speed and refunds come from our tables. Turbo VPN’s figures come from our research for the Turbo VPN review, mainly Top10VPN’s Turbo 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 Turbo VPN FAQ
Proton VPN, with audits, no ads and a Swiss base.
No.
Yes, on the free plan.
Turbo VPN’s, with seven.
Innovative Connecting Pte, whose director heads China’s LinkSure.
The Verdict
Proton VPN vs Turbo VPN: for a free VPN, Proton is the safer choice by a wide margin. Turbo offers more free locations, but at the cost of ads and privacy.