Proton VPN is a premium privacy-focused VPN service with Swiss-based privacy protection, independent audits, and an excellent free tier that offers unlimited bandwidth with no ads. | Thunder VPN is a highly-rated free VPN service with 100M+ downloads, offering fast connections and minimal ads, making it one of the better free VPN options available. | VPN Proxy Master is a popular free VPN service with 100M+ downloads and 4.8/5 rating, offering unlimited free access and 6,700+ servers, though it comes with significant advertising and connection stability issues. | |
Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 8.3 Winner in this category | 7.2 | 5.8 |
Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free | Free |
Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. | ![]() Downloads | ![]() Downloads | ![]() Downloads |
iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Proton VPN delivers an exceptional set of features that prioritize privacy and security over flashy functionality. The app's feature set is comprehensive and focused on providing genuine privacy protection, which aligns perfectly with its target audience of privacy-conscious users. Key features we found most valuable include:
Proton VPN excels in providing advanced privacy features that are typically only available in premium VPNs. The free tier offers unlimited bandwidth with no ads, which is exceptional in the VPN market. The premium features are genuinely useful and not just cosmetic add-ons. While the core features are excellent, some limitations affect the overall experience. The free tier has limited server locations, and some users report connection issues. However, these limitations are reasonable for a privacy-focused service. For users who need advanced privacy features, Proton VPN offers the most comprehensive solution available. Alternatives like NordVPN provide more server locations, while Thunder VPN offers a more user-friendly free experience. We rate features at 9.0 out of 10—excellent privacy-focused features with genuine value for privacy-conscious users. Winner in this category | 7.5 Thunder VPN delivers a solid foundation of core VPN features that meet the basic needs of most users. The app's feature set is straightforward and focused on simplicity rather than advanced functionality, which aligns well with its target audience of casual VPN users. Key features we found most valuable include:
However, Thunder VPN lacks many advanced features that users expect from premium VPN services. There's no kill switch to protect against connection drops, no split tunneling to route specific apps through the VPN, and no specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. The server selection is limited compared to premium alternatives. While the core features work well for basic privacy and geo-unblocking needs, power users will find the feature set limiting. For users who need advanced features like kill switches, split tunneling, or specialized servers, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more comprehensive free tiers, while NordVPN provides extensive advanced features for premium users. We rate features at 7.5 out of 10—good for basic VPN needs with better user experience than most free alternatives, but lacking the depth that serious users require. | 7.0 VPN Proxy Master offers a solid set of features for a free VPN service, with unlimited data access and an extensive server network of 6,700+ servers worldwide. The service includes military-grade encryption, multiple VPN protocols (IPsec, ISSR, OpenVPN, SSR), and support for up to 10 devices simultaneously. What sets VPN Proxy Master apart is its completely free tier with no data caps or time limits, making it accessible to users who cannot afford premium VPN services. Unlike Proton VPN without ads, VPN Proxy Master relies on heavy advertising. The service offers good server coverage for basic geo-blocking and content access, and the one-tap connection interface makes it easy to use for beginners. However, the service lacks some advanced features found in premium VPNs, such as kill switch protection, split tunneling, and specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. The free model also means limited customer support and no advanced security features that premium services typically offer. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, VPN Proxy Master offers more generous free features but with significant limitations in terms of reliability and user experience. The service provides basic VPN functionality but cannot compete with premium alternatives in terms of advanced features. |
Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 7.0 Proton VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a privacy-focused VPN service. While the app can deliver good connections when working properly, some users report performance issues that impact the overall experience. Performance strengths include:
However, some performance issues undermine the user experience:
User reviews reveal mixed experiences, with some users praising the app's performance while others report connection issues. The app's focus on privacy over performance may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like NordVPN offer more consistent performance with better server maintenance, while Thunder VPN provides more user-friendly performance. We rate performance at 7.0 out of 10—good performance when working but some connection issues and speed limitations that impact the overall experience. Winner in this category | 6.5 Thunder VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a free VPN service. While the app can deliver fast connections when working properly, reliability issues significantly impact the overall performance experience. Performance strengths include:
However, significant performance issues undermine the user experience:
User reviews reveal a pattern of performance issues, with many users praising the app's speed when it works but complaining about frequent disconnections. The app's focus on user experience over aggressive monetization may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more consistent free performance with better server maintenance, while NordVPN provides premium performance with dedicated servers and better reliability guarantees. We rate performance at 6.5 out of 10—good speeds when working but undermined by frequent connection drops and stability issues that create an inconsistent user experience. | 5.0 VPN Proxy Master's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent connection speeds and server coverage, but the frequent disconnections and advertising make it difficult to use reliably. The service works well for basic geo-blocking and content access when connected, but many users report frequent connection drops and the need to manually reconnect multiple times per day. The advertising also impacts performance, making the app slow and unresponsive at times. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the free model. Users expect basic functionality from a free service, but VPN Proxy Master's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over alternatives that offer more stable free tiers with better performance. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, VPN Proxy Master's performance is below average. The connection stability issues and advertising make it difficult to recommend over alternatives that offer similar features with better performance and fewer limitations. |
Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.5 Proton VPN's design philosophy centers on functionality and privacy over flashy aesthetics, which works well for its target audience of privacy-conscious users. The interface is clean, professional, and focuses on providing clear information about privacy and security features. Design strengths we observed include:
The design experience is significantly better than competitors like Turbo VPN and Now VPN, with no advertising interruptions. Users consistently praise the app's clean interface and professional appearance, making it one of the most trustworthy-looking VPNs available. While the core interface design is excellent, some users find the interface less intuitive than more user-friendly alternatives. However, this is a minor issue compared to the overall design quality. For users who value a clean, professional interface, Proton VPN offers one of the best experiences available. Alternatives like Thunder VPN offer more user-friendly design, while NordVPN provides a more modern interface. We rate design at 8.5 out of 10—excellent design principles with professional aesthetics that inspire trust and confidence. Winner in this category | 8.0 Thunder VPN's design philosophy centers on simplicity and user experience, which works exceptionally well for its target audience. The interface is clean, intuitive, and focuses on functionality rather than flashy design elements. Design strengths we observed include:
The design experience is significantly better than competitors like Turbo VPN and Now VPN, with much less advertising interruption. Users consistently praise the app's clean interface and ease of use, making it one of the most user-friendly free VPNs available. While the core interface design is solid, some users report that the app requires keeping the window open to maintain connections, which can be inconvenient. However, this is a minor issue compared to the overall design quality. For users who value a clean, uninterrupted interface, Thunder VPN offers one of the best free experiences available. Alternatives like Proton VPN offer similar design quality with better privacy protection, while Windscribe VPN provides a comparable free experience with fewer restrictions. We rate design at 8.0 out of 10—excellent design principles with minimal advertising that creates a genuinely user-friendly experience. | 5.5 VPN Proxy Master's interface is simple and functional, with a clean design that focuses on ease of use. The main screen provides quick access to connection controls and server selection, making it easy for users to connect to the VPN with minimal technical knowledge. The app's design is straightforward with a dark theme and clear connection status indicators. The server selection process is intuitive, and the one-tap connection feature works as advertised. The interface is generally user-friendly and doesn't overwhelm users with complex options. However, the design is significantly impacted by excessive advertising that can make the app practically unusable. Many users report that ads interfere with the core functionality, and the app can become slow and unresponsive due to the heavy ad load. The advertising also affects the overall user experience and makes the interface feel cluttered. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, VPN Proxy Master's design is basic but functional. The interface works for basic VPN needs, but the excessive advertising significantly detracts from the user experience and makes it difficult to recommend over alternatives with cleaner interfaces. |
Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.5 Proton VPN's value proposition is excellent for privacy-conscious users, offering a genuinely useful free service with no ads and comprehensive privacy protection. The app provides exceptional value for users who prioritize privacy over cost. Value strengths include:
The free tier's value is exceptional, offering unlimited bandwidth with no ads and comprehensive privacy protection. However, some limitations affect the overall value:
The premium pricing is higher than some competitors, but the Swiss-based privacy protection and independent audits justify the cost for privacy-conscious users. Premium VPN services like NordVPN offer more comprehensive features for similar pricing, while Thunder VPN provides a more user-friendly free experience. For users seeking genuine privacy protection, Proton VPN offers exceptional value. Alternatives like NordVPN provide more server locations, while Thunder VPN offers a more user-friendly free experience. We rate value for money at 8.5 out of 10—excellent value for privacy-conscious users with exceptional free tier and premium features that justify the cost. Winner in this category | 8.0 Thunder VPN's value proposition is significantly better than most free VPNs, offering a genuinely useful free service with minimal advertising and good performance. The app provides excellent value for users who can tolerate occasional connection issues. Value strengths include:
The free tier's value is significantly better than most free VPNs, with minimal advertising and good performance. However, some limitations affect the overall value:
The premium pricing is reasonable ($1.99-$59.99), but the connection stability issues may not justify the upgrade for many users. Premium VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive features and better reliability for similar or lower costs. For users seeking genuine value, Thunder VPN offers one of the best free experiences available. Alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more generous free tier with better privacy protection, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free experience with fewer restrictions. We rate value for money at 8.0 out of 10—excellent value for a free VPN with minimal advertising and good performance, though connection stability issues limit the overall experience. | 6.0 VPN Proxy Master's value proposition is mixed, with the completely free tier offering good value for basic VPN needs, but the advertising and connection issues significantly impact the overall value. The service provides unlimited free access with no data caps, which is generous compared to other free VPNs. The service offers good server coverage and basic VPN functionality without requiring payment, making it accessible to users who cannot afford premium VPN services. Unlike Proton VPN without ads, VPN Proxy Master relies on heavy advertising. The free tier includes most essential features needed for basic geo-blocking and content access. However, the service's value is significantly impacted by excessive advertising and connection stability issues. Many users report that the ads make the app practically unusable, and the frequent connection drops reduce the practical value of the free service. The premium subscription is necessary for a usable experience, but the pricing is competitive with other VPN services. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, VPN Proxy Master offers more generous free features but with significant limitations. The advertising and connection issues make it difficult to recommend over alternatives that offer more stable free tiers with fewer limitations. |
Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Proton VPN provides good usability with its one-tap connection approach, though the interface is more complex than simpler alternatives. The core functionality is straightforward, but the advanced features require some technical knowledge to use effectively. Usability strengths include:
However, the ease of use is somewhat compromised by the complexity of advanced features. Some users find the interface less intuitive than more user-friendly alternatives, and the advanced privacy features require some technical knowledge to configure properly. While the core interface is generally easy to use, the complexity of advanced features may overwhelm casual users. For users seeking a truly simple VPN experience, alternatives like Thunder VPN offer a more user-friendly interface, while NordVPN provides a more intuitive experience. We rate ease of use at 7.5 out of 10—good core usability with professional interface, but complexity of advanced features may overwhelm casual users. Winner in this category | 7.0 Thunder VPN excels in basic usability with its one-tap connection approach, making it one of the most accessible VPN apps for beginners. The core functionality is genuinely simple and requires no technical knowledge to operate effectively. Usability strengths include:
However, the ease of use is somewhat undermined by connection stability issues. Users report that the app requires keeping the window open to maintain connections, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, frequent connection drops require reconnection, which interrupts the user experience. While the core interface is genuinely easy to use, the connection stability issues compromise the overall user experience. For users seeking a truly hassle-free VPN experience, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a cleaner free tier with better connection stability, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free experience. We rate ease of use at 7.0 out of 10—excellent core usability with good interface design, but undermined by connection stability issues that require user intervention. | 6.0 VPN Proxy Master is generally easy to use for basic VPN functionality, with a simple one-tap connection process that requires no technical knowledge. The app's interface is intuitive, and most users can get connected quickly without any setup or configuration. The service offers automatic server selection and connection, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The app doesn't require registration or account creation, which simplifies the setup process. The connection process is straightforward and works well when the service is functioning properly. However, the service's ease of use is significantly compromised by excessive advertising and connection stability issues. Many users report that ads interfere with the connection process, and the app can become slow and unresponsive due to the heavy ad load. The frequent connection drops also make the service frustrating to use. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, VPN Proxy Master's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The advertising and connection issues make it difficult to recommend over alternatives that offer more stable free tiers with fewer limitations. |
Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 9.5 Proton VPN's security and privacy practices represent the gold standard in the VPN industry, offering exceptional protection that goes far beyond basic VPN services. The app's commitment to privacy and security is unmatched by competitors. Security strengths include:
Proton VPN excels in providing genuine privacy protection that goes beyond marketing claims. The Swiss-based privacy protection and independent audits provide unmatched transparency and trust. Users consistently praise the app's privacy features and security practices. For users who prioritize privacy and security, Proton VPN offers the most comprehensive solution available. Alternatives like NordVPN provide good privacy protection, while Thunder VPN offers basic privacy features. We rate security and privacy at 9.5 out of 10—exceptional privacy protection with independent verification and transparent practices that inspire complete trust. Winner in this category | 6.0 Thunder VPN's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that raises some concerns for privacy-conscious users. While the app claims to offer secure connections and privacy protection, several factors undermine confidence in its privacy commitments. Security strengths include:
However, some privacy concerns emerge from user feedback and business practices:
User reviews reveal mixed experiences, with some users praising the app's privacy features while others express concerns about data collection. The lack of transparency about the service's data handling practices further undermines trust. For users who prioritize privacy and security, alternatives like Proton VPN offer Swiss-based privacy protection with independent audits and transparency reports, while Windscribe VPN provides Canadian privacy protection with more transparent data handling practices. We rate security and privacy at 6.0 out of 10—basic security features present but concerns about data handling, jurisdiction, and transparency that compromise trust in the service. | 5.5 VPN Proxy Master offers basic security features with military-grade encryption and multiple VPN protocols, but the free model raises significant privacy concerns. The service uses AES-128 encryption and supports various protocols including IPsec, ISSR, OpenVPN, and SSR. The service claims to have a no-logs policy, but the free model and heavy advertising raise questions about data collection and user privacy. The service is based in Singapore, which provides some legal protection, but the free model means the service needs to monetize through other means, potentially compromising user privacy. However, the service has faced criticism for privacy concerns, particularly around data collection and the free model. Many users report concerns about the service's data practices, and the heavy advertising suggests significant data collection for targeted ads. The service also lacks transparency about its data practices and privacy policies. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN, VPN Proxy Master's security practices are questionable. The free model and heavy advertising make it difficult to trust the service with sensitive data, and users seeking privacy protection would be better served by alternatives with more transparent privacy practices. |
Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Proton VPN represents the gold standard for privacy-focused VPN services, offering exceptional privacy protection with Swiss-based privacy laws and independent security audits. While the app delivers on its core promise of secure, private VPN access with no ads, some users report connection issues and speed limitations that may impact the overall experience. The app's exceptional popularity (50M+ downloads, 4.7-star rating) reflects genuine demand for privacy-focused VPN services, and many users do find value in its comprehensive privacy protection. However, the recent rating decline (4.7 to 4.04 in last 100 reviews) and increasing complaints about connection issues suggest that the service may be experiencing some technical challenges. For users who prioritize privacy over performance, Proton VPN provides the most comprehensive privacy protection available. For users seeking a more user-friendly VPN experience, Thunder VPN offers a more intuitive interface with better performance, while NordVPN provides more comprehensive features with better reliability. For those who prioritize privacy above all else, Proton VPN remains the best choice available. | Thunder VPN represents one of the better free VPN options available, offering a genuinely useful service with minimal advertising and good performance. While the app delivers on its core promise of free, unlimited VPN access with simple one-tap connection, connection stability issues and the need to keep the app window open create some usability concerns. The app's exceptional popularity (100M+ downloads, 4.8-star rating) reflects genuine demand for a user-friendly free VPN service, and many users do find value in its basic functionality. However, the frequent connection drops and stability issues suggest that the free model may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users who can tolerate occasional connection issues, Thunder VPN provides a functional free VPN with minimal advertising. For users seeking a more reliable free VPN experience, Proton VPN offers better privacy protection and connection stability, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free tier with fewer restrictions. For those willing to pay for premium features, NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive solutions with better reliability and privacy guarantees. | VPN Proxy Master offers a completely free VPN service with an extensive server network, but its value proposition is severely compromised by excessive advertising and connection stability issues. The service provides basic VPN functionality for users who can tolerate the ads and connection problems, but the overall user experience is significantly impacted by these limitations.
For users seeking a reliable free VPN solution, VPN Proxy Master's advertising and connection issues make it difficult to recommend over alternatives like Proton VPN that offer more stable free tiers. While the service offers unlimited free access, the practical usability is limited by the heavy advertising and frequent disconnections.
Ultimately, VPN Proxy Master's free model comes with significant trade-offs that may outweigh the benefits for most users. Those seeking a reliable VPN experience would be better served by alternatives like Proton VPN that offer more stable free tiers or are willing to pay for premium services that provide better performance and fewer limitations. |
Our Recommendation |