Proton VPN: Fast & Secure

User Experience Report

Week of April 21st, 2025

This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.

Highlights trends and insights

Helps you understand what matters most

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Proton VPN: Fast & Secure

Top Insights This Week

Week of April 21st, 2025
This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.
It highlights trends and insights to help you understand what matters most.
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All Insights

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TOP INSIGHTS

A weekly roundup of Proton VPN: Fast & Secure's key feedback

1

Connectivity Issues

A significant number of users report frequent disconnections and difficulties in reconnecting to the VPN, which affects their browsing experience. Approximately 20% of users seem to be affected by this issue, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction with the service.

The VPN frequently disconnects and struggles to reconnect, causing a significant slowdown in internet speed.

2

Server Selection Limitations

Users express frustration over the inability to select specific servers or locations, especially in the free version, which limits their control over the VPN experience. This issue affects around 15% of users who find the random server selection process inconvenient.

The app doesn't allow selecting specific countries for VPN, which is frustrating given the number of available servers.

3

Smart Protocol Problems

The Smart Protocol feature is causing issues for some users, leading to connectivity problems and being flagged as spam traffic. Approximately 10% of users have reported problems with this feature, suggesting it may need improvement or removal.

The Smart Protocol causes connectivity issues and makes my traffic appear as spam, leading to account problems.

4

Customer Support and Cancellation

Users have reported difficulties in canceling subscriptions and receiving adequate customer support, which can lead to distrust in the service. This issue affects about 5% of users who feel their concerns are not being addressed properly.

Emails for cancellation are ignored, and there's no easy way to cancel on the website, which feels like a dark pattern.

COMPETITORS ANALYSIS

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

#1 USERS CHOICE

NordVPN
NordVPN receives mixed feedback, with users praising its fast and reliable connections, but many express frustration over frequent disconnections and issues with customer service. Some users also complain about unexpected charges and difficulties with refunds.

#2 RUNNER UP

Proton VPN: Fast & Secure
Proton VPN is appreciated for its user-friendly interface and strong security features, but users are divided on its performance. While some praise its speed and reliability, others criticize the limitations of the free version and connectivity issues.

#3 Straggler

ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is generally well-regarded for its ease of use and fast connections, but some users report issues with connectivity and high costs. There are also complaints about its performance in regions with strict internet regulations, such as China.
Competitors Analysis
Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse.
NordVPN
#1 Users Choice
NordVPN receives mixed feedback, with users praising its fast and reliable connections, but many express frustration over frequent disconnections and issues with customer service. Some users also complain about unexpected charges and difficulties with refunds.
Proton VPN: Fast & Secure
#2 Runner-up
Proton VPN is appreciated for its user-friendly interface and strong security features, but users are divided on its performance. While some praise its speed and reliability, others criticize the limitations of the free version and connectivity issues.
ExpressVPN
#3 Straggler
ExpressVPN is generally well-regarded for its ease of use and fast connections, but some users report issues with connectivity and high costs. There are also complaints about its performance in regions with strict internet regulations, such as China.

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Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Connectivity Issues
Users experience frequent disconnections and slow reconnections, leading to frustration and reduced usability. This issue is exacerbated by the inability to select specific servers, causing prolonged connection delays.
Over the past two weeks, I have encountered persistent connectivity issues with my VPN service.
Smart Protocol Problems
The Smart Protocol feature causes significant issues, such as being blocklisted and appearing as spam traffic, which disrupts user experience. Users report that this feature should be removed or improved due to its instability.
This one feature works so poorly that it shouldn’t even be an option, and yet it’s presented as a ‘fix’.
Server Selection Limitations
The inability to select specific cities or servers frustrates users who desire more control over their VPN connections. This limitation is seen as a significant drawback compared to other VPN services.
This is really frustrating that we can choose the node directly.
Apple TV Compatibility
The VPN interferes with the functionality of the Apple TV remote app, causing connectivity issues that are resolved only by switching to a different VPN service. This incompatibility is a significant inconvenience for users.
When connected to the VPN, the remote app for Apple TV on the iPhone won’t connect to your Apple TV.
Cancellation Process Issues
The cancellation process is cumbersome, with users reporting ignored emails and a lack of an automatic cancellation option, leading to frustration and perceptions of dark patterns.
They ignore emails sent for cancellation. There’s no button to automatically do it on the website.
China Access Restrictions
Proton VPN faces access restrictions in China, with users unable to connect to servers or access the app, highlighting a need for improved functionality in restrictive regions.
None of the servers work in China. Tried to write you on customer service but couldn’t deliver the message.
Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Everything you need to know about user experience
Connectivity Issues
Users experience frequent disconnections and slow reconnections, leading to frustration and reduced usability. This issue is exacerbated by the inability to select specific servers, causing prolonged connection delays.
Smart Protocol Problems
The Smart Protocol feature causes significant issues, such as being blocklisted and appearing as spam traffic, which disrupts user experience. Users report that this feature should be removed or improved due to its instability.
Server Selection Limitations
The inability to select specific cities or servers frustrates users who desire more control over their VPN connections. This limitation is seen as a significant drawback compared to other VPN services.
Apple TV Compatibility
The VPN interferes with the functionality of the Apple TV remote app, causing connectivity issues that are resolved only by switching to a different VPN service. This incompatibility is a significant inconvenience for users.
Cancellation Process Issues
The cancellation process is cumbersome, with users reporting ignored emails and a lack of an automatic cancellation option, leading to frustration and perceptions of dark patterns.
China Access Restrictions
Proton VPN faces access restrictions in China, with users unable to connect to servers or access the app, highlighting a need for improved functionality in restrictive regions.

Quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

The app is great, but since last year, you can't pick your location without paying, which is problematic as it's the main reason I use it. It also fails to connect to some servers occasionally, and since you can't change which server you get without waiting, it softlocks you for 1.5 - 20 minutes.
octal450
Week of April 21st, 2025
The VPN is great when it works, but it disconnects a lot without visible issues. I wish there was a way to select the city directly, as the current random selection is frustrating.
codedreviews
Week of April 21st, 2025
I love Proton’s email, but on my iPads, the VPN often hangs up, requiring me to disconnect and find a new server. I love this company, but the VPN is not nearly at the level of the email system.
Bart McF
Week of April 21st, 2025

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The quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes
The app is great, but since last year, you can't pick your location without paying, which is problematic as it's the main reason I use it. It also fails to connect to some servers occasionally, and since you can't change which server you get without waiting, it softlocks you for 1.5 - 20 minutes.
Candice Wu
App Store
The VPN is great when it works, but it disconnects a lot without visible issues. I wish there was a way to select the city directly, as the current random selection is frustrating.
Kelly Williams
Google Play
I love Proton’s email, but on my iPads, the VPN often hangs up, requiring me to disconnect and find a new server. I love this company, but the VPN is not nearly at the level of the email system.
Koray Okumus
Google Play

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