ProtonVPN vs Mozilla VPN: Privacy Comparison
Here we put ProtonVPN head-to-head with Mozilla VPN across the six privacy factors that matter most: their data collection practices, encryption implementation, third-party data sharing, user privacy controls, transparency, and historical track record. While both products address similar requirements, the philosophies they bring to protecting users diverge sharply. Our assessment finds that ProtonVPN provides a noticeably better overall privacy experience, although neither service is without trade-offs that deserve a careful, detailed look.
Where the Scorecard Lands
Before the dimension-by-dimension breakdown, here is the summary our scoring produced. Across the six privacy dimensions we score, ProtonVPN finishes ahead of Mozilla VPN, 51/60 to 34/60. That total reflects a privacy comparison in which one service is consistently the more privacy-respecting choice, even though both cover the same functional ground.
The largest single-dimension gap is in Data Collection, where ProtonVPN leads by 3 points -- ProtonVPN 7/10 to Mozilla VPN 4/10. The tightest race is Transparency, separated by just 2 points (ProtonVPN 10/10, Mozilla VPN 8/10). Read on for the dimension-by-dimension reasoning behind these figures.
What Gets Collected
Data collection is the foundation of any privacy assessment. The extent to which a service collects, retains, and processes user data directly determines the privacy risks associated with its use. ProtonVPN demonstrates more restrained data collection practices, gathering only the minimum data necessary for service functionality. The other service collects a broader range of data including behavioral patterns, device identifiers, and usage analytics that extend beyond core service requirements. We scored ProtonVPN 7/10 and Mozilla VPN 4/10 in this category. The difference reflects not just the volume of data collected but the purpose and necessity of that collection.
Encryption Implementation
Encryption guards user data as it moves and while it sits at rest, and how well it is built differs enormously from one service to the next. ProtonVPN puts tougher encryption in place, with sturdier protocols shielding data in transit and stronger safeguards for what is stored. The two implementations part ways on coverage (which data actually gets encrypted), on strength (which algorithms and key lengths back it up), and on whether end-to-end encryption is in play (which keeps even the provider from reading user content). For encryption, ProtonVPN scored 8/10 while Mozilla VPN scored 5/10.
Sharing Data With Outside Parties
How services share data with third parties is a critical privacy dimension. This includes sharing with advertising networks, analytics providers, business partners, and in response to government requests. ProtonVPN maintains more restrictive policies regarding third-party data access. The data sharing practices affect not just privacy but also the security of user information, as each additional party with access represents a potential breach vector. Scores: ProtonVPN 9/10, Mozilla VPN 6/10.
User Privacy Controls
Individuals only hold real power over their data when a service's privacy controls are available and genuinely effective. The relevant tools include the option to opt out of data collection, ways to download and erase data, granular permission settings, and how readily users can exercise the rights afforded them by applicable privacy regulations. ProtonVPN offers more complete and approachable privacy controls. Scores: ProtonVPN 10/10, Mozilla VPN 7/10.
How Clearly They Explain Themselves
Transparency encompasses how clearly each service communicates its data practices. This includes the readability of privacy policies, the publication of transparency reports, responsiveness to privacy inquiries, and proactive communication about policy changes. ProtonVPN demonstrates stronger transparency overall. Clear, accessible privacy communication is essential for informed consent and trust. Scores: ProtonVPN 10/10, Mozilla VPN 8/10.
Historical Track Record
Looking at how a service has handled privacy incidents, regulatory actions, and disclosed vulnerabilities over time adds essential context. ProtonVPN carries the better historical record on privacy, having faced fewer incidents and dealt with the ones that did come up more responsibly. How a company has acted before is usually the clearest signal of how it will act on privacy going forward. Scores: ProtonVPN 7/10, Mozilla VPN 4/10.
The Final Verdict
Adding everything up, our full analysis lands ProtonVPN at 51/60 and Mozilla VPN at 34/60. For privacy, the overall winner is ProtonVPN. The two cover much the same functional ground, but the winner takes a more privacy-respecting stance across the dimensions that count for the most. Even so, no service is flawless, and whichever option you pick, you should always tune its privacy settings deliberately. We suggest pairing your choice with extra privacy tools, a VPN, DNS-level ad blocker, and privacy-focused browser, so you end up with a well-rounded privacy posture. And if your threat model demands the very highest level of privacy, it is worth asking whether an even more privacy-focused alternative exists in this category beyond the two compared here.