Proton Pass Review 2026: Privacy-focused users who want strong encryption, open-source code, and a capable free tier.
Firsthand does not earn a commission from this product. We include it because rankings limited to affiliate partners can't be trusted.
Our verdict
Proton Pass is our pick for privacy-minded users who want strong encryption without paying much. Proton's official pricing page shows a free tier with unlimited logins, notes, and cards, unlimited devices, passkeys, and 10 hide-my-email aliases, while Pass Plus is $1.99/month billed annually ($23.88/year), reduced from $3.99 per Proton's official blog (as of 2026-07-12). Security is well documented: the apps are open source with publicly available independent audit reports and a public bug-bounty program, and Proton describes 256-bit AES-GCM end-to-end encryption in which even metadata is encrypted, operated under Swiss jurisdiction. The honest trade-offs: Proton Pass is the newest major manager here, so its public track record is shorter than 1Password's, Bitwarden's, or Keeper's, and several conveniences (unlimited aliases, an integrated authenticator, Dark Web Monitoring) require Pass Plus. This rating reflects analysis of Proton's published documentation, not independent lab testing. For privacy and value, Proton Pass is a strong, honest choice.
Score breakdown
- Performance (30%)8.0/10
- Value (25%)9.0/10
- Reliability (20%)9.0/10
- Ease of Use (15%)8.0/10
- Support (10%)7.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Privacy-focused users who want strong encryption, open-source code, and a capable free tier..
Pricing
Free tier (unlimited logins, 10 hide-my-email aliases); Pass Plus $1.99/mo billed annually ($23.88/yr) (as of 2026-07-12)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Proton Free | $0 (as of 2026-07-12) | Unlimited logins, notes, and cards; unlimited devices; passkeys; 10 hide-my-email aliases. |
| Pass Plus | $1.99/mo billed annually ($23.88/yr) (as of 2026-07-12) | Reduced from $3.99/month per Proton's official blog. Adds unlimited aliases, integrated 2FA authenticator, and Dark Web Monitoring. |
What the evidence says
- Free tier includes unlimited logins and 10 hide-my-email aliases; Pass Plus is $1.99/month billed annually (as of 2026-07-12). (Proton Pass — official pricing)
- Proton decreased Pass Plus from $3.99 to $1.99 per month on the annual subscription for new and existing customers. (Proton — official blog (Pass Plus price change))
- Proton Pass apps are open source, independently audited with public reports, and use 256-bit AES-GCM end-to-end encryption including metadata. (Proton Pass — official security)
Pros & cons
Pros
- Strong free tier with unlimited logins, notes, and cards, unlimited devices, passkeys, and 10 hide-my-email aliases, per Proton's official pricing page (as of 2026-07-12)
- Open source with publicly available independent third-party audit reports and a public bug-bounty program, per Proton's official security documentation
- End-to-end encryption using 256-bit AES-GCM, with metadata also encrypted, per Proton
- Pass Plus is inexpensive at $1.99/month billed annually, reduced from $3.99 per Proton's official blog
Cons & red flags
- The newest major password manager here, so it has a shorter public track record than 1Password, Bitwarden, or Keeper
- Several conveniences — unlimited hide-my-email aliases, an integrated 2FA authenticator, and Dark Web Monitoring — require the paid Pass Plus tier
- Proton's official page emphasizes the annual Plus price; a standalone monthly rate is not highlighted, so month-to-month buyers should confirm terms at checkout
How it compares
Proton Pass scores 8.4/10 in our software & saas evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Password Managers of 2026.
- Bitwarden review — 9.0/10, anyone who wants a strong, transparent, open-source password manager with a real free tier and the lowest paid price.
- 1Password review — 8.8/10, people who want the most polished, beginner-friendly experience and don't need a free tier.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proton Pass free?
Yes. Proton's official pricing page lists a free tier with unlimited logins, notes, and cards, unlimited devices, passkeys, and 10 hide-my-email aliases (as of 2026-07-12). Pass Plus ($1.99/month billed annually) adds unlimited aliases and more.
Is Proton Pass open source and audited?
Yes. Proton states all Proton Pass apps are open source and can be independently reviewed, that it has been audited by independent third-party experts with public reports, and that it runs a public bug-bounty program, per its official security page.
How is my data encrypted?
Proton documents 256-bit AES-GCM end-to-end encryption in which all metadata is also encrypted so that not even Proton can access it, operated from Switzerland, per its official security documentation.
Get evidence-based tech picks in your inbox — no hype.
Join The Firsthand Tech Brief for a weekly, research-first read.
We never sell your email. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.