How to Cancel Protonvpn: Step-by-Step Guide

What is Protonvpn

Protonvpn is a privacy-focused virtual private network operated by Proton AG that offers free and paid VPN plans, desktop and mobile apps, and advanced privacy features such as Secure Core and an ad/malware filter. The service positions itself as a security-first option developed by the team behind Proton Mail and publishes plan details and a 30-day money-back policy on its official site.

The company sells multiple billing cycles (monthly, yearly, multi-year) and also offers a free tier with limited servers. Features commonly associated with paid plans include higher speeds, a larger server network, simultaneous device connections, and additional privacy features. Pricing and promotional rates vary over time; official listings show euro-denominated price points that convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates.

Subscription plans and pricing for Protonvpn

Protonvpn publishes plan names and the billing options on its site. Where official Australian-dollar pricing is not explicitly listed, approximate AUD conversions are shown below using recent mid-market exchange rates. All converted figures are approximate and shown as A$ values.

The official terms note that renewal prices may differ from introductory offers and that the billing cycle selected at purchase determines renewal timing. Renewal pricing and tax treatment are shown to customers at purchase in certain regions.

How cancellations work for Protonvpn

Protonvpn’s published rules explain cancellations, proration, refunds within a 30-day window, and renewal mechanics. The core points below reflect those published rules and practical implications for subscribers.

30-day refund window: Protonvpn offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for eligible purchases. This covers subscriptions bought directly from Proton’s official channels and applies to common payment methods such as credit/debit card, PayPal, and Bitcoin. Payments by cash or bank transfer are excluded from the 30-day guarantee. Refunds requested within the 30-day period are processed for the unused portion of the subscription period and may take time to settle.

Proration and unused days: The published terms state refunds or credits will normally be calculated on a prorated basis, using the number of full unused days in the subscription period. This means a refund for a one-month plan cancelled after half the month would generally be the remainder, calculated in whole days.

Renewal timing and notice: According to the terms, cancellation affects future renewals and, in many cases, is applied so the account remains active until the end of the paid period. If a cancellation or related notice occurs close to the renewal date, the plan may renew for another term and then be cancelled at the end of that renewal. This is an important timing risk for consumers.

Once-per-user refund limitation: The terms also indicate refunds can only be requested once per user under the standard policy. This restriction has appeared in user reports and may limit repeat refund claims.

Customer experiences with cancellation

What users report

Public reviews and forum posts show a mix of outcomes. Some users report a straightforward refund within the 30-day window, while others describe delays, difficulty obtaining a prorated refund, or dispute when a refund request is made after the 30-day period. Common paid-plan complaints include unexpected renewals, slow or limited responsiveness from support, and confusion when subscriptions were bought through third parties.

Recurring issues and practical takeaways

Recurring themes in user feedback include: potential renewal timing traps, a strict once-per-user refund rule, and differences in handling purchases made through third-party app stores versus direct purchases. Some reviewers have used bank dispute mechanisms when they could not resolve billing with the provider. These experiences suggest careful tracking of billing dates and retention of proof is important.

Documentation checklist

• Purchase receipt: keep the original receipt or app-store receipt showing date, plan name and amount.
• Payment evidence: bank or card statement line that shows the charge and transaction date.
• Subscription details: note the billing cycle, renewal date and plan tier (for example, Plus or Unlimited).
• Screenshots: capture the purchase confirmation, subscription status and any messaging about trial or renewal dates.
• Timestamps: record the date and local time when you first decided to cancel or request a refund.
• Correspondence log: keep a written log of interactions about billing, including dates and reference numbers if provided by the service.

Having this documentation available improves the odds of a faster administrative resolution or a successful chargeback if that route becomes necessary.

Disputes, chargebacks and escalation

If a refund is refused or delayed beyond the published policy, there are several consumer protection options to consider. These include submitting a formal dispute through your bank or card issuer, and using evidence to show the charge was not authorised or the service did not meet its advertised performance or features. In practice, chargebacks are a last resort and banks have specific time limits and evidence requirements.

When assessing escalation, collect the documentation checklist items above and clearly record your timeline. Banks and payment processors tend to require transaction records, proof of attempted resolution, and a clear claim of why a refund was justified. If a third-party app store processed the purchase, that store’s dispute rules usually apply and may differ from Protonvpn’s direct-purchase policy.

Short note on consumer rights and cooling-off

Under the Australian Consumer Law, digital services have limited cooling-off protections once the service is accessed, but consumers retain rights where a product is not as described or is defective. This means you may have grounds for refund if the VPN is materially different to what was advertised or fails to provide core functionality. For Protonvpn purchases, also check whether the purchase was made directly or via a third party, because the remedy path can differ. Keep communications factual and time-stamped.

Address

• Address: Proton AG, Route de la Galaise 32, 1228 Plan‑les‑Ouates, Switzerland

Additional notes about trials and free offers for Protonvpn

Protonvpn offers free and trial options that convert to paid subscriptions if not cancelled before the trial ends. In business trial descriptions, Proton notes email reminders during the trial and automatic conversion to paid plans unless the trial is ended in the trial window. If a trial converts to a paid subscription, the standard 30-day refund policy may apply from the payment date. These mechanics create two timeframes to monitor: the trial end date and the 30-day refund window after any paid charge.

Practical actions you can take now

Prepare by locating the purchase receipt, identifying the billing cycle and computing the renewal date. Mark the end of any trial period and the 30-day refund deadline on your calendar. Maintain copies of payment evidence and any replies or reference numbers you receive. Use the documentation checklist above as your working inventory.

If a refund is approved, allow up to the timeframe shown in Proton’s terms for processing; refunds may be returned to the original payment method and processing times can vary by bank or payment provider. Keep monitoring your statements for refunds and any unexpected renewals.

What to do after cancelling Protonvpn

After cancellation, verify that paid features are removed at the expected time and check for any retained credits or prorated amounts that the provider documents. If the account remains active until the end of a paid term, plan to remove paid-only content or features you no longer want before the access ends. Retain all documentation for at least the duration of your bank’s chargeback window in case you need to escalate.

Data in this comparison is based on Protonvpn’s published plan descriptions and independent reviews; specific feature availability can change with promotions and app updates.

If you need further help deciding next steps, keep a clear chronology, gather the checklist items above, and consider seeking independent consumer advice if a dispute remains unresolved after reasonable time.