Comparison

CipherShift vs ProtonVPN

Two privacy-first VPNs. Different philosophies. Here's how they compare.

CipherShift is focused on private server infrastructure and an unshared server IP. Proton VPN offers a larger audited ecosystem, open-source apps, a free tier and Secure Core. CipherShift is for customers who prefer infrastructure isolation as the default privacy model.

Infrastructure

Server Type
CipherShift:Dedicated (yours only)
ProtonVPN:Shared (multi-user)
IP Address
CipherShift:Private server IP, not shared
ProtonVPN:Shared IP only
Server Locations
CipherShift:Selected global regions
ProtonVPN:Larger published network
Secure Core
CipherShift:Single-hop
ProtonVPN:Multi-hop through secure countries

Privacy & Security

No-Logs Policy
CipherShift:Policy published, audit not yet published
ProtonVPN:Published policy and independent audits
Persistent Key Control
CipherShift:Replace on demand; scheduled on Pro
ProtonVPN:Protocol managed
Warrant Canary
CipherShift:Yes, monthly signed
ProtonVPN:Transparency reports
Open Source
CipherShift:Planned
ProtonVPN:Yes, all apps

Features

Anti-Censorship
CipherShift:Ghost Mode (VLESS+REALITY)
ProtonVPN:Stealth protocol
Streaming Support
CipherShift:Unshared server IP, no guarantee
ProtonVPN:Streaming support on paid plans
Simultaneous Devices
CipherShift:Unlimited
ProtonVPN:10 devices (Plus)
Free Tier
CipherShift:No
ProtonVPN:Yes (limited)

Ecosystem

Email Integration
CipherShift:No
ProtonVPN:ProtonMail bundle
Drive Integration
CipherShift:No
ProtonVPN:Proton Drive bundle
Standalone VPN Focus
CipherShift:Yes, dedicated focus
ProtonVPN:Part of larger ecosystem

Pricing

Monthly Price
CipherShift:$9/mo (Shield), $14/mo (Pro)
ProtonVPN:€9.99/mo (Plus)
Annual Price
CipherShift:$7.42/mo (Shield), $11.58/mo (Pro)
ProtonVPN:€4.99/mo (Plus)
Dedicated IP
CipherShift:Static Dedicated IP add-on +$5/mo
ProtonVPN:Available for business plans

The Verdict

Proton VPN offers a mature, audited and open-source privacy ecosystem with a large shared network. CipherShift is a more focused product built around private server infrastructure and an unshared server IP for every paid subscriber.

Choose CipherShift if you want:

  • Dedicated server (not shared infrastructure)
  • An unshared server IP by default
  • Failure-driven fallback and Ghost Mode on Pro
  • Private server model for individual subscribers
  • Focus on VPN excellence, not ecosystem lock-in

Choose ProtonVPN if you want:

  • Swiss privacy jurisdiction
  • Free tier available
  • Open source clients
  • Proton ecosystem (Mail, Drive, Calendar)
  • Secure Core multi-hop routing
  • Lower annual pricing

30-day money-back guarantee