Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a macOS VPN app that encrypts internet traffic and lets you connect through remote servers for privacy, security, and access control.
What is Proton VPN?
Proton VPN is a native macOS virtual private network app for routing your internet connection through encrypted VPN servers. It helps people protect traffic on public or untrusted networks, reduce exposure to local network monitoring, and choose server locations in other countries when a different network route is needed. The app includes quick connection tools, manual country selection, connection profiles, protocol options such as WireGuard and Smart Protocol, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. On Mac, it can also start at login, run from the menu bar, and install a network extension so VPN connections work through the system normally. Proton VPN is made for everyday privacy use, travel, remote work, and general secure browsing workflows where users want a simple desktop VPN client rather than manual VPN configuration.
Key features
- Connect quickly to the fastest available VPN server
- Choose servers by country and available locations
- Create and use connection profiles for common VPN choices
- Switch between supported VPN protocols, including WireGuard and Smart Protocol
- Use a kill switch to reduce traffic leaks if the VPN disconnects
- Enable DNS leak protection and custom DNS options
- Start at login and keep the app available from the menu bar
Review app leftovers with diCleaner
Inspect caches, support files, containers, and login items before cleaning.
Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
Proton VPN is a legitimate VPN app, but it needs elevated system access that is normal for this type of software. On macOS, it may request permission to add VPN configurations, install a network extension, and optionally launch at login so it can manage encrypted connections in the background. Those behaviors are consistent with a VPN client. Before keeping it, make sure the app is the official Proton VPN app with bundle ID ch.protonvpn.mac and that any login item or network extension uses the same publisher.
Recommendation: Keep Proton VPN if you use it for private browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, travel, or work connections that benefit from a VPN. If you no longer use the service, you can remove the app and its login item to stop background launching and VPN-related prompts without affecting normal macOS networking after removal.
Common paths
/Applications/ProtonVPN.app
Cache paths
~/Library/Caches/ch.protonvpn.mac
Support paths
~/Library/Application Support/ch.protonvpn.mac
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/ch.protonvpn.mac.plist
Share your experience
Be the first to share your experience.