VPNs Like Proton VPN: Best Privacy Picks (SA)

💡 Why you’re searching for a VPN like Proton VPN

You typed “vpn like proton vpn” because you like what Proton gets right: strong privacy controls, open-source apps, and an ethos that screams “we don’t sell your data.” Maybe you want the same level of trust but with better speed, cheaper long-term pricing, or features that fit how you actually use the net here in South Africa — streaming, travel, public Wi‑Fi, or work-from-home reliability.

This guide helps you settle the fuss. I’ll explain what makes a true Proton-like alternative (not just a marketing copycat), show practical picks for South African users, compare real-world trade-offs (speed vs. privacy vs. price), and highlight extras that matter — like RAM-only servers, multi-hop routing, or a truly free tier without ads. No fluff, just what helps you choose and why.

If you’re balancing privacy and streaming or just want a reliable VPN when hopping on sketchy airport Wi‑Fi, read on. We’ll use a short comparison table, pros/cons, and hands-on notes so you can make the right call without getting stuck in jargon.

📊 Quick comparison: Proton VPN vs privacy-first alternatives

The table focuses on platform differences — price, server count, privacy posture, speed signals (WireGuard, RAM-only servers, etc.) and device limits. A few takeaways for South African users:

• Proton VPN stands out for open-source apps, unique features like Secure Core (multi-hop), and a generous free tier with no ads. The reference materials note Proton’s transparency and that advanced options may confuse newcomers — but they’re real privacy wins if you know what to flip on.
• NordVPN and Surfshark use larger server networks and aggressive speed optimisations, which helps for high-quality streaming and gaming from South Africa.
• IPVanish recently upgraded to RAM-only servers, a privacy improvement that reduces risk tied to stored logs. That change matters — RAM-only means data can’t persist after a reboot, a nice real-world safeguard — and helps make IPVanish a stronger Proton alternative for privacy-conscious users [Tom’s Guide, 2025-09-04].

Conclusively, Proton combines transparency and privacy-centric features; some alternatives trade a slighter edge in pure privacy for faster speeds, lower prices, or unlimited-device policies that better suit families or small business setups.

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💡 Which VPNs are truly like Proton VPN?

Let’s be practical. When people ask for a “VPN like Proton VPN” they usually mean some combination of these traits:

• Transparent, ideally open-source apps and audited code.
• Strong privacy features: no-logs, RAM-only servers, multi-hop or Secure Core-style routing.
• Good support for WireGuard or equivalent fast modern protocols.
• A free tier or a trustworthy refund policy.
• Usable speeds for streaming and real-world browsing.

Proton ticks most of those boxes: open-source apps, WireGuard support, a unique Secure Core option (multi-hop through privacy-friendly countries), and a no-ads free tier. Proton also touts things like “VPN Accelerator” to squeeze better speeds out of connections and allows up to 10 simultaneous devices. Their paid Plus plan has been aggressively discounted in recent promotions — the reference noted a 64% discount on a 24-month offer, bringing the per-month cost down to about €3.59 during the sale window. That’s a solid value if you want long-term privacy without the monthly sticker shock.

But alternatives can sometimes be a better fit depending on what you prioritise:

• If streaming and raw speed are your main goals, NordVPN often edges Proton with a bigger server park and dedicated streaming optimisations. It also keeps a conservative privacy posture and audited claims.
• If you want the privacy benefits of a Proton-like provider but prefer unlimited devices and cheaper long-term rates, Surfshark is a tempting pick.
• If you care about on-paper privacy hygiene (no metadata retention, anonymous sign-up, cash options), Mullvad’s model is pure and simple.
• IPVanish has improved its privacy posture by rolling out RAM-only servers, which reduces the risk of stored data. That move is meaningful for anyone paranoid about logs or seizure of physical servers [Tom’s Guide, 2025-09-04].

One more practical note: VPNs aren’t just for privacy. People in South Africa often use them to watch sports or region-locked shows. Articles about streaming access explain how VPNs can unblock platforms (and which ones are friendly to such use). For example, VPNs like IPVanish or others are recommended to access certain free live streams from other regions — which matters if you’re trying to watch a big game without paying extra locally [Mashable, 2025-09-04].

And if you’re still wondering why any of this matters on public Wi‑Fi, the short answer is: you don’t want your session hijacked. As a recent regional explainer reminds us, nearly everyone connects to public Wi‑Fi and most people don’t think about the trap — a VPN is the easiest baseline defence on shaky networks [bug.hr, 2025-09-04].

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What’s the real difference between Secure Core and multi-hop?

💬 Secure Core is Proton’s branded multi-hop setup that routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries before exiting — the goal is to make correlation and tracking much harder. Other providers offer multi-hop too, but naming and exact server locations vary.

🛠️ Is open-source app code actually useful for me?

💬 Open-source apps let experts audit client code so buyers can trust the app isn’t doing shady stuff. It’s not a magic bullet, but it’s a transparency win — especially if you care about supply-chain trust and audits.

🧠 Should I pick a RAM-only provider over Proton?

💬 RAM-only servers reduce persistent data risks. If you’re especially paranoid about data retention or a provider seizure, RAM-only is a meaningful plus. Proton already emphasizes privacy, but RAM-only is an extra layer some rivals now offer.

💡 Extended guide — pick by use case (500–600 words)

Here’s how to choose based on what you actually do online.

• For daily privacy + occasional streaming: Proton VPN Plus or NordVPN are solid. Proton’s Secure Core is excellent if you do sensitive browsing; Nord’s server density and streaming optimisations help for Netflix, Prime, and local sports streams.

• For the tightest anonymity: Mullvad or similar anonymous-signup services beat most for anonymity because they accept cash or anonymous payments and keep minimal metadata. If anonymity is your number-one box, pick those.

• For family use with many devices: Surfshark (unlimited devices) or IPVanish (device-friendly) make sense. They offer simpler client setups so mom and the kids can get on without a tech lecture.

• For travellers: Pick a provider with a good free or refundable trial and decent app compatibility across Android, iOS, macOS and Linux. Also, a provider that doesn’t throttle international long-haul traffic will make streaming in hotel Wi‑Fi bearable. Remember: add-on services that don’t directly lower flight prices can still protect you on travel networks — the reference note about “diversi” meaning some privacy tools don’t change pricing but protect your session while traveling is relevant here.

A quick real-world checklist before you buy: • Read the refund policy — can you test from South Africa and request a refund if streaming fails?
• Check for WireGuard or fast protocols — they usually mean better speeds on congested routes.
• Look for RAM-only server announcements or independent audits. Those are concrete privacy steps, not slogans. For example, IPVanish’s move to RAM-only servers is a real upgrade you can point to [Tom’s Guide, 2025-09-04].
• If streaming is a must, check recent user reports for the platform you need; streaming unblock success does change over time and by provider. Guides about streaming games and events show VPNs are still broadly useful for accessing regional live streams [Mashable, 2025-09-04].

🧩 Final Thoughts…

If you love Proton VPN’s transparency and privacy tools, several alternatives give you a similar or better experience depending on what you prioritise. Proton = privacy-first, audited apps, and nice extras like Secure Core. NordVPN and Surfshark generally beat Proton on streaming speed and server counts, while IPVanish’s move to RAM-only is an important privacy improvement to consider. For strict anonymity, Mullvad remains a top pick.

Choose based on your main need: pure privacy, streaming, device count, or price. And if you want a shortcut: test one long enough to evaluate streaming and local speeds, then use the refund window if it’s not a fit.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 Partager une scène Netflix sur les réseaux sociaux ? C’est maintenant (presque) facile
🗞️ Source: Clubic – 📅 2025-09-04
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Pourquoi le système de vérification d’âge “AgeGo” pour les sites pornographiques est loin d’être anonyme
🗞️ Source: BFM TV – 📅 2025-09-04
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Major warning to Fire Stick users as illegal streaming service shut down
🗞️ Source: Extra.ie – 📅 2025-09-04
🔗 Read Article

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📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available information with a touch of AI assistance and personal testing notes. It’s meant for sharing and discussion — not legal or professional advice. Always cross-check privacy claims, current server lists, and refund policies before subscribing. If anything looks off, ping us and we’ll update this guide.