Brave VPN and ProtonVPN occupy very different positions in the VPN market, and their overall scores reflect this clearly. Brave VPN holds a 41% overall score, while ProtonVPN earns an 89%, making this one of the more one-sided comparisons in the current VPN landscape. That said, understanding where each provider performs well and where it falls short can help users make informed decisions based on their specific needs.
On the topic of privacy and ethics, both providers share common ground. Each scores a perfect 100% in the ethics category, signaling a strong commitment to responsible business practices. Brave VPN also performs well in the privacy audit category with an 85% score, while ProtonVPN achieves a perfect 100% there. ProtonVPN operates under Swiss jurisdiction, which is widely regarded as favorable for user privacy due to Switzerland's strong data protection laws and its position outside the EU and US intelligence-sharing alliances. Brave VPN is based in the United States, a jurisdiction that carries more regulatory concerns for privacy-conscious users.
When it comes to features, ProtonVPN offers a considerably more comprehensive package. It includes WireGuard support, a kill switch, split tunneling, and a bug bounty program, in addition to P2P and torrenting support. Brave VPN lists P2P and torrenting support as its primary notable feature, which is a narrower offering by comparison.
Performance and usability scores tell a similar story. ProtonVPN scores 80% in both application quality and speeds, while Brave VPN scores just 13% in application quality and 20% in speeds. The graphical interface score follows the same pattern, with ProtonVPN earning 100% compared to Brave VPN's 40%. For streaming, ProtonVPN scores 86% versus Brave VPN's 29%, making it a significantly stronger option for users who want to access geo-restricted content.
Customer support is another area where the gap is substantial. ProtonVPN earns a perfect 100% in this category, while Brave VPN scores 0%, which may be a meaningful concern for users who anticipate needing assistance. Pricing scores also favor ProtonVPN at 73%, compared to Brave VPN's 36%, suggesting better overall value relative to what is offered.
Brave VPN may suit users who are already integrated into the Brave browser ecosystem and have modest VPN needs. ProtonVPN, however, stands out across nearly every measurable category and is likely the stronger choice for users who prioritize performance, privacy, features, and support.