How to cancel Proton VPN through your account settings

You can cancel your Proton VPN subscription by logging into your Proton account, navigating to your subscription settings, and selecting the option to downgrade or cancel. The process takes a few minutes and you keep access until your current billing period ends.

Log in at proton.me/account using your Proton email and password. Once inside, look for "Subscription" or "Billing" in the left menu. You will see your current plan listed with its renewal date. Click the button labeled "Manage subscription" or "Downgrade" — the exact wording depends on which Proton plan you hold.

Proton will show you a confirmation screen explaining when your access ends. Your service continues through the end of your paid period; you are not cut off when ready. If you paid annually, you keep VPN access through that full year. If you paid monthly, access ends at the end of that month.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel Proton VPN by logging into proton.me/account, finding your subscription in the Billing section, and clicking the downgrade or cancellation button.
  • Your VPN access continues until the end of your current billing period — you are not disconnected the moment you cancel.
  • If you paid for a year upfront, you keep the service for the full year even after cancellation; monthly payments end at month's end.
  • Proton does not charge a cancellation fee, but refunds for unused time depend on your payment method and how much of your period remains.

What happens to your data after cancellation

When your subscription ends, Proton deletes your VPN connection logs and browsing history according to its no-logs policy. Your Proton email account and any other Proton services you use remain active unless you separately delete them.

If you have a free Proton Mail account or a paid Mail plan, canceling VPN does not affect it. Your email inbox, contacts, and settings stay the same. You only lose the VPN service itself. If you want to keep using Proton services but drop the VPN, your account continues to work.

Refunds and what to expect after cancellation

Proton's refund policy depends on how you paid and how much of your billing period remains. If you paid by credit card and cancel within 30 days of purchase, you may receive a refund for the unused portion. If you cancel after 30 days, refunds are not automatic.

Contact Proton Support through your account dashboard to request a refund if you believe you are may have access to to one. Include your order number and the reason for cancellation. Response times vary, but Proton typically replies within a few business days. Refunds processed by credit card can take an additional 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account.

If you paid through an app store — Apple App Store or Google Play — cancellation and refunds go through that store's system, not Proton directly. Open your app store account settings, find your Proton VPN subscription, and cancel there. App store refund policies are separate from Proton's.

Canceling a subscription purchased through an app store

If you subscribed to Proton VPN through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you must cancel through that app store, not through Proton's website. Canceling on Proton's site will not stop app store charges.

For Apple App Store: Open the Settings app, tap your name at the top, select "Subscriptions," find Proton VPN, and tap "Cancel Subscription." You can also manage this through the App Store app under your account.

For Google Play: Open the Google Play app, tap your profile icon, go to "Manage subscriptions," select Proton VPN, and tap "Cancel subscription." You can also manage it through your Google Play account on the web at play.google.com.

App store subscriptions end at the end of your current billing period, just like web-based cancellations. You keep access until that date passes.

Downgrading instead of canceling

Proton offers a free plan that includes email and cloud storage but no VPN service. If you want to keep your Proton account but stop paying for VPN, you can downgrade to the free tier instead of canceling entirely.

In your subscription settings, look for a "Downgrade" option rather than "Cancel." This moves you to Proton Free, which keeps your email address and account active. You lose VPN access but retain your Proton Mail inbox and any files stored in Proton Drive. This option is useful if you use Proton Mail for email but no longer need the VPN.

Reactivating your subscription later

If you cancel Proton VPN and want to restart it later, you can resubscribe at any time through your account settings or by purchasing a new plan. There is no penalty for canceling and restarting, and Proton does not require you to wait any length of time before resubscribing.

When you resubscribe, you choose a new billing period — monthly or annual — and pay the current price. Any promotional pricing you had before does not automatically return, though Proton occasionally offers discounts to returning customers. Check the pricing page when you are ready to restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a refund if I cancel Proton VPN mid-month?

Refunds for unused time are not automatic. If you cancel within 30 days of purchase, you may receive a refund through Proton Support. After 30 days, refunds are at Proton's discretion. Contact support with your order number to request one.

Will canceling Proton VPN delete my email account?

No. Canceling VPN does not affect your Proton Mail account or any other Proton services. Your email inbox and all messages remain. Only the VPN service stops working at the end of your billing period.

Can I cancel my subscription if I paid for a full year?

Yes. You can cancel at any time, but you keep VPN access through the end of your paid year. Refunds for the remaining months depend on when you cancel and your payment method — contact Proton Support to discuss your specific situation.

What if I subscribed through my phone's app store?

You must cancel through the app store itself, not on Proton's website. For Apple, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Proton VPN > Cancel. For Android, open Google Play, tap your profile, select Manage Subscriptions, find Proton VPN, and tap Cancel.

Can I pause my Proton VPN subscription instead of canceling?

Proton does not offer a pause option. You can cancel and resubscribe later without penalty, or downgrade to the free plan to keep your account active while losing VPN access.