Recommended Free Tools
Make Proton VPN easier to use by saving repeat setups, choosing the right traffic and privacy controls, and checking that a feature works on your device and plan. These ten tips focus on settings and workflows—not promises of anonymity or guaranteed access to websites and services.
1. Save repeat setups as profiles
If you regularly switch between connection preferences, save them as separate profiles instead of rebuilding each setup by hand. A profile can capture choices such as a preferred country, protocol, or Secure Core route. Proton documents profiles for Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, and Android; available settings differ by platform. Where supported, pin a frequently used profile or make it the default. See Proton’s profile instructions.
2. Use split tunneling for intentional exceptions
Split tunneling lets you decide which traffic uses the VPN and which does not. In include mode, only selected apps or addresses go through the VPN; in exclude mode, selected traffic bypasses it. This is useful when an app needs a different route, but it creates a privacy boundary: traffic excluded from the VPN is not protected by the VPN connection.
Proton lists split tunneling support for Windows, Linux GUI, macOS, Android, its browser extension, and Android TV, with different controls and limitations. Review the platform-specific instructions at Proton’s split-tunneling guide. Some changes require reconnecting, and Linux instructions may call for restarting affected apps after connecting.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Rapid OpenVPN & Wireguard speed】Wireguard VPN and OpenVPN speeds both up to 680Mbps, giving you complete control over your gaming, streaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service provider, network environment, VPN server location, VPN service provider, etc.
- 【AdGuard Home Supported】Enabling the use of a DNS server for blocking unwanted tracking and offers a convenient web interface for filtering selected digital advertisements. Users can take full control of their online experience and enjoy a clutter-free browsing environment with ease.
- 【Mass device connectivity】Experience enhanced online connectivity with our higher storage capacity, catering to over a hundred devices and fulfilling the requirements of DIY users seeking to install additional plugins. Enjoy stable and reliable connections, ensuring seamless performance and accommodating a wide range of digital needs.
- 【Easy Setup】Follow the Initial Set-up video tutorial on Amazon or Connect BE9300 to your computer via Ethernet cable to access the web Admin Panel, easy connect to wireless internet.
- 【MLO Technology】Flint 3 represents the future of wireless technology, delivering ultra-fast speeds, significantly reduced latency, and improved connectivity in high-density environments through cutting-edge innovations like Multi-Link Operation (MLO), enhanced OFDMA, 4K QAM, and preamble puncturing.
3. Choose a kill switch mode that fits your tolerance for disconnection
The standard kill switch blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Advanced kill switch is stricter: it allows internet access only while Proton VPN is connected. That fail-closed behavior can be useful when avoiding an unprotected connection matters more than staying online, but it can also complicate sign-in or local-network use.
Behavior and limitations vary by platform, including Apple DNS behavior and access to local networks. Check Proton’s kill-switch instructions for your device before enabling the stricter mode.
Rank #2
- Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router - Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time(6 GHz: 2402 Mbps;5 GHz: 2402 Mbps;2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)
- WiFi 6E Unleashed – The 6 GHz band brings more bandwidth, faster speeds, and near-zero latency; Enables more responsive gaming and video chatting
- Connect More Devices—True Tri-Band and OFDMA technology increase capacity by 4 times to enable simultaneous transmission to more devices
- Unique Design, More RAM, Better Processing - A unique housing design provides optimal heat dissipation, combined with a 1.0 GHz dual-core CPU and 512 MB High-Speed Memory, the AXE75 is designed for long-term reliability and performance.
- EasyMesh-compatible - Extend network range even more by adding EasyMesh-compatible routers, extenders, or wireless powerline adapters for a seamless, whole-home connection. Eliminate dead zones, drops, and lag as you move across your home.
4. Set NetShield to the blocking level you want
Use the app’s NetShield controls to choose malware blocking alone or broader ad and tracker blocking where those options are offered. NetShield is DNS filtering; it is not a replacement for endpoint security or comprehensive browser content blocking.
On Android 10 and later, a custom Private DNS setting can take precedence over NetShield. If you want NetShield to handle DNS filtering, set Android’s Private DNS to Off or Automatic. Proton explains the controls and caveats in its NetShield guide.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- Please update the firmware upon initial setup of the router, as it greatly enhances the device's performance and ensures a superior user experience.*** 【WiFi 6 Standard with ultra-low latency】Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to 6 Gbps to let you enjoy smoother 4K streaming, gaming, video calls and more, DDR4 1GB / eMMC 8GB
- 【High Speed Gaming Router】Dominate with uninterrupted performance with the ultimate MT6000 gaming internet router, equipped with 8-stream Wi-Fi 6 technology, the Flint 2 delivers blazing speeds, ensuring a stable and high-speed connection during intense multiplayer battles.
- 【Rapid OpenVPN & Wireguard speed】Wireguard VPN and OpenVPN speeds up to 900Mbps and 880Mbps respectively, giving you complete control over your gaming, streaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service provider, network environment, VPN server location, VPN service provider, etc.
- 【AdGuard Home Supported】Enabling the use of a DNS server for blocking unwanted tracking and offers a convenient web interface for filtering selected digital advertisements. Users can take full control of their online experience and enjoy a clutter-free browsing environment with ease.
- 【Mass device connectivity】Experience enhanced online connectivity with our higher storage capacity, catering to over a hundred devices and fulfilling the requirements of DIY users seeking to install additional plugins. Enjoy stable and reliable connections, ensuring seamless performance and accommodating a wide range of digital needs.
5. Choose Secure Core when that routing option suits your needs
Secure Core is an optional routing choice for users who want that additional route. You can save a Secure Core choice in a profile, though destination and middle-country options depend on the platform and destination. It is not a setting to enable automatically for every situation: choose it deliberately, and do not assume it will perform like a direct connection. No speed comparison is established here.
See Proton’s Secure Core explanation and profile instructions.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
6. Check plan and platform eligibility before relying on a feature
Features such as NetShield, Secure Core, and split tunneling are identified with paid plans in Proton’s plan comparison. Availability and implementation can vary by platform and current plan terms, so check Proton’s live plan guide before planning a workflow around a particular feature. Avoid relying on an old plan summary: terms and app support can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.7. On Linux, choose the package for the features you need
Proton says its Snap package lacks some features available in native packages, and its Linux guidance documents distribution-specific split-tunneling availability. Before installing or changing packages, check the current Linux setup instructions for your distribution and the controls you need. If you configure split tunneling, follow the Linux-specific connection and app-restart steps rather than assuming every change takes effect immediately.
Best Value
- 【Rapid OpenVPN & Wireguard Speed】Wireguard VPN and OpenVPN both deliver speeds of up to 1100 Mbps, giving you complete control over your gaming, streaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service provider, network environment, VPN server location, VPN service provider, etc.
- 【Extensive Coverage】Experience seamless Wi-Fi connection throughout your home and workplace with performance designed for extra long range WiFi, modern connectivity. This advanced router system delivers strong, reliable signal strength for up to 2,500 square feet of coverage.
- 【Mass device connectivity】Experience enhanced online connectivity with our higher storage capacity, catering to over a hundred devices and fulfilling the requirements of DIY users seeking to install additional plugins. Enjoy stable and reliable connections, ensuring seamless performance and accommodating a wide range of digital needs.
- 【MLO + 4K-QAM Breakthrough】Flint 3e represents the future of wireless router, delivering ultra-fast speeds, significantly reduced latency, and improved connectivity in high-density environments through cutting-edge innovations like Multi-Link Operation (MLO), enhanced OFDMA, 4K-QAM, preamble puncturing and Multi-RUs.
- 【AdGuard Home Supported】Enables the use of a DNS server for blocking unwanted tracking and offers a convenient web interface for filtering selected digital advertisements. Users can take full control of their online experience and enjoy a clutter-free browsing environment with ease.
8. Consider router installation only after checking client support
A router setup can cover devices that do not run the Proton VPN app, but the router must support OpenVPN or WireGuard in client mode. Many ISP-provided routers may not support VPN configurations, and flashing firmware can be difficult. Router processor capacity affects speed; changing servers requires configuration edits, and app features such as NetShield or split tunneling may not be available at the router level.
A VPN on the router also does not encrypt the connection between a device and the router over Wi-Fi, or local Bluetooth connections. Keep Wi-Fi secured independently. Review Proton’s router setup guidance before choosing this approach.
9. Treat platform differences as part of every feature choice
A feature name does not guarantee identical behavior on desktop and mobile. For example, Android Private DNS can supersede NetShield, while kill-switch behavior and limitations vary across platforms. Before depending on a control, read the support article for that specific feature and device; the relevant instructions are linked in the sections above.
10. Follow the platform-specific change and reconnect steps
Some settings are not fully applied the moment you change them. Split-tunneling changes may require reconnecting, and Linux instructions may require restarting affected apps after the VPN connects. Use Proton’s instructions for your platform, then verify the resulting behavior before relying on the new routing rule.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
