How to Cancel Proton VPN and Get Your Money Back: A No-Nonsense Guide

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Struggling to figure out how to get your money back from Proton VPN? Don’t sweat it, you’re in the right place. To cancel your Proton VPN subscription and request a refund, you’ll generally need to log into your account on the Proton VPN website, initiate the cancellation or downgrade process, and then crucially, contact their customer support team within the 30-day money-back guarantee window to explicitly ask for your refund.

Alright, let’s be real for a moment. You probably signed up for Proton VPN because you heard good things about its privacy focus and robust security features – and for good reason, it’s a solid VPN service. But sometimes, things just don’t click. Maybe the speeds weren’t quite what you expected, you found a better deal elsewhere, or your needs simply changed. Whatever the reason, if you’re thinking about moving on, you’ll be glad to know that Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can test it out virtually risk-free. If it’s not for you, getting your money back is usually straightforward, as long as you follow the steps correctly and act within that initial 30-day period.

Now, while their policy generally states you can get a refund for the “unused portion” of your service period, many users, myself included, have found that they are often quite accommodating with full refunds for VPN subscriptions if you request it within the guarantee window. Just remember, this guarantee applies to purchases made directly through their website or apps, not usually through third-party resellers like Apple’s App Store or Google Play, which have their own refund policies you’ll need to deal with.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through everything, from canceling your subscription on various platforms to making sure that refund hits your bank account. No confusing jargon, just clear, actionable steps.

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Understanding Proton VPN’s Money-Back Guarantee

Before we jump into the “how-to,” let’s get clear on Proton VPN’s refund policy. It’s a pretty standard 30-day money-back guarantee, which is common among top-tier VPN providers.

Here’s the lowdown:

  • 30-Day Window: You have 30 days from your initial purchase to request a refund. This is the golden rule. If you’re outside this period, getting a monetary refund becomes much trickier, and it will be at Proton’s “sole discretion,” often resulting in account credits instead of cash.
  • Direct Purchases Only: This guarantee primarily covers subscriptions bought directly from the Proton VPN website or their official apps. If you subscribed via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you’ll typically need to follow their specific refund procedures.
  • Payment Method Matters: Refunds are usually issued back to the original payment method and in the same currency you used. However, there’s a crucial exception: payments made by cash or bank transfers are generally not refundable. So, if you paid with a credit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin, you’re usually good to go.
  • One-Time Refund: Proton VPN usually allows only one refund request per user. This is to prevent abuse of their policy. So, if you’ve already received a refund in the past, they might deny future requests.
  • Prorated vs. Full Refunds: While their terms often mention a refund for the “unused portion” of your subscription, which means a prorated amount, it’s not uncommon for them to issue a full refund for VPN services if you’re within the 30-day window and specifically request it.

It’s always a good idea to act quickly once you decide to cancel. The sooner you cancel and request that refund, the smoother the process tends to be.

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Step-by-Step: Canceling Your Proton VPN Subscription

The cancellation process varies slightly depending on where you originally purchased your subscription. I’ll cover the most common methods, starting with the most direct one. VPNs in British Columbia: Your Guide to Online Freedom and Security

Canceling via the Proton VPN Website Most Common

If you bought your subscription directly from the Proton VPN website, this is the path you’ll take.

  1. Log In to Your Proton Account: First things first, head over to the Proton VPN website and log in with your username and password. You’ll land on your account dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Subscriptions: Once logged in, look for the “Subscriptions” or “Dashboard” tab in the left-side menu. Click on it to see your current plan details.
  3. Find the Cancellation Option: Scroll down the page. You should see a section related to managing your subscription or canceling it. Look for something like “Cancel subscription” or “Downgrade account.”
    • Pro Tip: For a while, the only way to cancel auto-renewal was by downgrading to the free plan. Good news, though! Proton VPN has updated this, and you can now often cancel auto-renewal directly without having to downgrade your plan immediately. However, downgrading to the free plan is still a common step mentioned in their refund process. If you see a “Downgrade account” button, click that.
  4. Confirm Cancellation/Downgrade: You’ll likely see a pop-up or a new page asking you to confirm your decision. Follow the prompts. You might be asked to provide a reason for canceling, which you can fill out or skip.
  5. Important: Contact Customer Support for Refund! This is where many people miss a crucial step. Canceling your subscription doesn’t automatically trigger a refund. You must explicitly request it.
    • How to contact them: Your best bet is to use their support form on their website or send an email directly to [email protected].
    • What to include: In your message, clearly state that you’ve canceled your Proton VPN subscription and that you’re requesting a refund as per their 30-day money-back guarantee. Include your Proton VPN username or the email associated with your account to help them prioritize your request.
  6. Wait for Confirmation: You should receive an email response to your refund request, often within 12 to 24 hours. Sometimes, you might need to confirm your cancellation via email. They’ll give you details about the refund process. According to some reports, refunds typically process within 14 days, though some users have seen it as fast as 3-10 business days. Proton’s terms state up to 30 days for processing.

Canceling via iOS/Apple App Store

If you subscribed to Proton VPN through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac via the Apple App Store, Apple handles the billing, so you’ll need to go through them for cancellation and refund requests.

  1. On your iOS Device iPhone/iPad:
    • Go to your Settings app.
    • Tap on your Apple ID profile at the very top your name and picture.
    • Select “Subscriptions.”
    • Find and tap on “Proton VPN” in your list of subscriptions.
    • Tap “Cancel Subscription” and follow any on-screen prompts to confirm.
  2. On your macOS Device App Store:
    • Open the App Store.
    • Click on your registered account name usually in the bottom-left corner, then select “View Information.”
    • Scroll down to “Subscriptions” and click “Manage.”
    • Find Proton VPN and choose “Cancel Subscription.”
  3. Request a Refund from Apple: After canceling, you’ll need to request a refund directly from Apple.
    • Go to reportaproblem.apple.com in your web browser.
    • Sign in with the Apple ID you used for the purchase.
    • Click on “I’d like to…” then select “Request a Refund.”
    • Choose your reason for the refund and click “Next.”
    • Select Proton VPN from the list and click “Submit.”
    • Apple will email you confirmation, and decisions are usually made within a few business days.

Canceling via Android/Google Play Store

If you subscribed to Proton VPN through the Google Play Store on your Android device, Google handles the billing, so you’ll need to go through their system for cancellation and refunds.

  1. Open the Google Play Store App: Launch the app on your Android device.
  2. Access Subscriptions:
    • Tap your profile icon usually top-right corner.
    • Go to “Payments & subscriptions” then select “Subscriptions.”
  3. Cancel Proton VPN Subscription:
    • Find Proton VPN in your list of active subscriptions.
    • Tap “Manage” and then “Cancel subscription.”
    • Choose a reason for canceling and confirm.
  4. Request a Refund from Google Play: Google Play generally doesn’t offer refunds for purchases unless you cancel within 48 hours. However, it’s always worth trying, especially if you have a valid reason related to service issues.
    • You can often request a refund directly from the Google Play website: play.google.com/store/account/orders.
    • Log in, find your Proton VPN purchase, and select “Request a refund.”
    • Provide a clear reason for your request and submit it.
    • Google usually makes a decision within one business day, but it can take up to four.

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What to Expect After You Request a Refund

Once you’ve canceled your subscription and submitted your refund request to Proton VPN or Apple/Google, here’s a general idea of what comes next: Can vpn block ads

  • Email Confirmation: You should get an email acknowledging your refund request. Keep this for your records!
  • Support Follow-Up: Proton VPN’s support team might follow up with additional questions, or simply confirm your refund. One user reported getting a response within 12 hours and confirmation within 24 hours.
  • Refund Processing Time: While Proton’s official terms mention up to 30 days for processing, many users experience much faster refunds, often within 3-10 business days, depending on your bank and payment method. Third-party platforms like Apple and Google also have their own processing times, which can range from a few days to over a week.
  • Check Your Statement: Keep an eye on your bank or credit card statements for the refund to appear. Remember, it will be returned to the original payment method.
  • Prorated Refunds for Other Proton Services: If you have other Proton services bundled like Proton Mail or Proton Drive and only cancel Proton VPN, Proton might issue credits for the unused portion of the VPN service if you’re outside the 30-day money-back guarantee, or even if you cancel within the period and only receive a partial refund for VPN Plus. These credits can then be used for other Proton products. Make sure you clarify with support if you want a monetary refund for the VPN service, especially if you plan to keep other Proton products.

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Important Considerations and Tips

  • Auto-Renewal: Even if you don’t want a refund, it’s wise to turn off auto-renewal if you’re planning to stop using Proton VPN at the end of your current billing cycle. You can usually do this in your account settings under “Subscriptions.” This ensures you won’t be charged unexpectedly.
  • Bundled Accounts: If you have a ProtonMail account or other Proton services bundled with your VPN, be careful when canceling or downgrading. Directly canceling your entire Proton account might affect access to these other services. If you want to keep your ProtonMail or other paid Proton services, make sure to contact customer support before you downgrade or cancel your VPN subscription, and explicitly state your intention to retain other services.
  • Be Persistent Politely!: While Proton VPN’s customer support is generally helpful, sometimes tickets can take a bit longer, especially during peak times. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe say, 24-48 hours, a polite follow-up email or message to their support team is perfectly acceptable.
  • Document Everything: It’s a good habit to keep screenshots of your cancellation confirmation pages and copies of any emails exchanged with customer support. This can be helpful if there are any issues with your refund.
  • VPN Alternatives: If Proton VPN wasn’t the right fit, don’t give up on VPNs! There are many excellent alternatives out there. Providers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are often recommended and also offer similar 30-day money-back guarantees, allowing you to test them out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Proton VPN’s refund policy?

Proton VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for subscriptions purchased directly from their website or official apps. You can request a refund within 30 days of your initial purchase if you’re not satisfied with the service. Payments made via cash or bank transfer are generally not refundable.

How long does it take to get a refund from Proton VPN?

Refunds from Proton VPN are typically processed within 14-30 days of your request. However, some users have reported receiving their money back faster, sometimes within 3-10 business days, depending on their bank and original payment method. How to Cancel NordVPN Auto-Renewal (Your Ultimate Guide)

Can I get a full refund or only a prorated amount?

While Proton VPN’s terms sometimes mention a refund for the “unused portion” prorated, they may provide a full refund upon request for Proton VPN if you are within the 30-day money-back guarantee period. It’s always best to clearly state in your refund request that you’re seeking a full refund.

Do I have to cancel auto-renewal before requesting a refund?

Yes, it’s a good practice to cancel auto-renewal as part of the cancellation process. You can generally do this through your account settings on the Proton VPN website. After that, you must contact customer support to explicitly request your refund within the 30-day window.

What if I purchased Proton VPN through Apple App Store or Google Play Store?

If you bought your subscription through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you’ll need to follow their respective cancellation and refund policies and processes. This usually involves going through your device’s settings or the app store’s website to manage subscriptions and request refunds.

What happens to my Proton Mail or other Proton services if I cancel Proton VPN?

If you have a bundled Proton account e.g., Proton Mail, Proton Drive and you cancel or downgrade your Proton VPN, it might affect your other paid Proton services. It’s highly recommended to contact Proton VPN’s customer support before you cancel your VPN to ensure you don’t inadvertently lose access or downgrade your other Proton services if you intend to keep them.

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