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ProtonVPN vs SmartVPN Comparison

Last updated:

ProtonVPN

4.5(50 reviews)

Starting at $4 /Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

ProtonVPN is the world's most advanced VPN software. Based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is designed for users who wish to maintain their online privacy and security without sacrificing performance. Users can connect to the…

SmartVPN

3.8(12 reviews)

Starting at $3 /Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

SmartVPN is a consumer VPN for individuals who want to access geo-restricted websites and maintain basic online privacy through a globally distributed server network. It routes traffic through servers in different region…

ProtonVPN leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 50 reviews.

ProtonVPN vs SmartVPN — at a glance

FeatureProtonVPNSmartVPN
Rating4.5 / 53.8 / 5
Reviews5012
Starting price$4 /Month$3 /Month
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryVPN SoftwareVPN Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
API
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyEUGlobal

Key differences between ProtonVPN and SmartVPN

  • Pricing: ProtonVPN starts at $4 /Month, while SmartVPN starts at $3 /Month.
  • User satisfaction: ProtonVPN scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: ProtonVPN supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; SmartVPN supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

ProtonVPN vs SmartVPN — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most VPN Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

ProtonVPN - VPN Software
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SmartVPN - VPN Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

ProtonVPN

Best VPN for privacy-focused users needing strong security and Swiss jurisdiction.

Choose if
  • You prioritize military-grade encryption and a strict no-log policy.
  • You want a VPN headquartered in privacy-friendly Switzerland for legal protection.
  • You need a simple, low-complexity VPN for small to medium teams or remote workers.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require extensive global server coverage, especially in Latin America.
  • You need consistently high speeds on free or lower-tier plans.

SmartVPN

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

ProtonVPN typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. SmartVPN tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

ProtonVPN is the world's most advanced VPN software. Based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is designed for users who wish to maintain their online privacy and security without sacrificing ... Read More about ProtonVPN

SmartVPN is a consumer VPN for individuals who want to access geo-restricted websites and maintain basic online privacy through a globally distributed server network. It routes traffic ... Read More about SmartVPN

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $4 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $3

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.2/10

7.7/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.54

(50)

3.8

(12)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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How do ProtonVPN and SmartVPN Compare on Features?

Total Features

7 Features

3 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare ProtonVPN and SmartVPN on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $4 , Billed Yearly
      • $3

      Pricing Plans

      • Free

        • 23 servers in 3 countries

        • 1 VPN connection

        • Medium speed

        Show more +

      • Basic

        • 350+ servers in 40+ countries

        • 2 VPN connections

        • High speed

        Show more +

      • Plus

        • 1200+ servers in 55 countries

        • 10 VPN connections

        • Highest speed (up to 10 Gbps)

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      ProtonVPN pricing
      SmartVPN pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✗ No

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🇪🇺 EU
      🌐 Global

      ProtonVPN User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      3.8

      (based on 12 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      43

      7

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally appreciate ProtonVPN's strong privacy features and security but note limitations in server locations and customer support responsiveness.

      What buyers like

      • Strong security and encryption
      • Privacy and no-log policy
      • User-friendly design

      Common complaints

      • Limited server locations
      • Slow customer support

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is mixed to positive across 12 reviews, with clear strengths and a few common watchouts.

      What buyers like

      • Global server locations
      • Unrestricted website access
      • User-friendly interface

      Common complaints

      • Limited advanced features
      • No free version
      • Potential speed issues

      Pros and Cons

      • Military-grade AES-256 encryption and reliable protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec

      • Strict no-log policy backed by Swiss jurisdiction

      • Secure Core feature routing traffic through multiple servers for enhanced privacy

      • Limited server locations compared to competitors, especially in Latin America

      • Free and lower-tier plans have slower speeds and reduced functionality

      • Wide range of global servers for diverse access.

      • Simple interface makes it easy for all users.

      • May not have advanced features for power users.

      • Potential speed issues depending on server load.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used ProtonVPN or SmartVPN? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Tor vpn

      6 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to ProtonVPN and SmartVPN in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, ProtonVPN or SmartVPN?
      ProtonVPN edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 3.8). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do ProtonVPN and SmartVPN offer a free trial?
      Neither ProtonVPN nor SmartVPN currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of ProtonVPN vs SmartVPN?
      ProtonVPN starts at $4 /Month. SmartVPN starts at $3 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to ProtonVPN?
      Top alternatives to ProtonVPN include TunnelBear, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, IVPN, NordVPN.
      What are the top alternatives to SmartVPN?
      Top alternatives to SmartVPN include PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, FastestVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access VPN.