Astrill VPNvsProton VPN

Features Compared

Astrill VPN and Proton VPN serve fundamentally different use cases, and their feature sets reflect this division. Astrill VPN's standout strength is its StealthVPN protocol, purpose-built to bypass the Great Firewall and reliably work inside China—a capability neither Proton VPN nor most mainstream competitors can claim with the same track record. Astrill also supports Router firmware installation for household-wide protection, Smart Mode split tunnelling, and per-app VPN filtering via its App Filter feature. These tools suit power users who need granular control over which traffic routes through the VPN. Proton VPN, by contrast, emphasizes privacy architecture and transparency. It is fully open-source and audited, runs on Swiss servers (outside the US and EU's Five Eyes alliance), and offers Secure Core (multi-hop routing), Tor over VPN functionality, and NetShield, an integrated ad and malware blocker. Where Astrill excels at circumvention in hostile networks, Proton excels at anonymity and trust through radical transparency.

Both support WireGuard (Astrill explicitly lists it), and both offer strong encryption. However, Proton VPN's open-source model and third-party audits provide verifiable proof of its no-logs policy, while Astrill's closed codebase requires trust in the vendor's claims. For users in restrictive environments, Astrill's StealthVPN is irreplaceable; for users prioritizing verifiable privacy and openness, Proton VPN has no equal among its peers.

Pricing & Value

Pricing is where the two products diverge sharply. Astrill VPN costs $10 per month with no free tier or free trial option—a significant barrier for users who want to test the service before committing. Proton VPN, by contrast, offers a genuine free tier with full no-logs protection and legitimate access (no ads, no gimmicks), though limited to just 3 countries. For budget-conscious users, Proton VPN's free tier is unmatched; for users already certain they need China bypass, Astrill's $10/month fee is the cost of admission. Astrill positions itself as a premium, specialized tool, while Proton VPN competes on both price and principle, allowing users to experience the service risk-free.

• Free tier: Proton VPN offers it; Astrill does not
• Entry cost: Astrill at $10/mo is among the most expensive VPNs on the market; Proton's free tier has zero cost
• Best for budget buyers: Proton VPN's free option is ideal; Astrill requires upfront commitment
• Best for specialized need (China): Astrill's $10/mo is justified only if StealthVPN bypass is essential

Ease of Use & Onboarding

Astrill VPN emphasizes polish and user experience on desktop, with polished desktop apps that appeal to users who prioritize interface quality and responsiveness. Its Router support and Smart Mode split tunnelling suggest a product designed for technically literate users who want fine-grained control. Proton VPN, by contrast, is built for accessibility and transparency; the open-source nature and Swiss jurisdiction are selling points for privacy-conscious users who may lack deep technical knowledge. Proton's free tier also removes onboarding friction—users can install and test immediately without entering payment information. For everyday users seeking a straightforward, trustworthy VPN, Proton VPN's interface and free trial reduce friction; for power users in China or those needing advanced routing controls, Astrill's polished apps and feature richness reward the learning curve.

Integration & Ecosystem

Astrill VPN's integration strategy centers on router firmware support, allowing household-wide VPN coverage without per-device configuration. This makes it a strong choice for users managing multiple devices or shared networks. Its App Filter feature also integrates VPN control into the OS-level app management layer, extending utility beyond the VPN client itself. Proton VPN's ecosystem integration is narrower but deeper in privacy; Tor over VPN bridges Proton's network to the Tor anonymity network, and NetShield integrates ad-blocking and malware protection directly into the VPN connection. Proton VPN also benefits from Proton AG's broader product suite (Proton Mail, Proton Drive), allowing users to build a cohesive privacy-first ecosystem. Astrill operates as a standalone VPN with no broader product ecosystem, making it a more focused, single-purpose tool.

Who Should Choose Astrill VPN?

Astrill VPN is the clear choice for users physically located in China or regularly traveling there and needing reliable VPN access. Journalists, remote workers, expats, and businesses with operations in mainland China face a genuine technical barrier: most standard VPNs do not work against the Great Firewall. Astrill's StealthVPN protocol is purpose-built to solve this problem and has earned a reputation as the most reliable option in this use case. Additionally, users who manage household networks and want centralized VPN control across all devices via router firmware should seriously consider Astrill, even outside China. The $10/month price tag is steep, but it reflects a specialized, mission-critical tool rather than a commodity VPN service.

Who Should Choose Proton VPN?

Proton VPN is ideal for privacy-first users, security researchers, journalists in non-hostile jurisdictions, and anyone who values transparency and auditability over exotic features. Users who cannot afford a paid VPN should choose Proton VPN's free tier, which offers genuine, ad-free service without arbitrary restrictions on bandwidth. Tech-savvy users who want to verify their VPN's code and security claims will appreciate the open-source and audited foundation. Users seeking integrated privacy (combining VPN with ad-blocking via NetShield, anonymity via Tor over VPN, and multi-hop routing via Secure Core) get more out of a single product. Finally, users prioritizing jurisdiction and legal safety should choose Proton VPN's Swiss servers and company legal domicile, which sit outside Five Eyes surveillance agreements. Proton VPN serves the activist, journalist, and privacy advocate better than any competing service at its price point.