Proton VPN and Vivaldi browser form strategic privacy partnership

European technology companies Proton VPN and Vivaldi browser announced a strategic partnership today, March 27, 2025, integrating Proton's VPN service directly into the Vivaldi browser. This integration represents a significant development in the privacy-focused technology sector, combining Proton's security expertise with Vivaldi's highly customizable browsing platform.

The partnership announcement comes at a time when data privacy concerns continue to mount globally. According to Proton VPN and Vivaldi, the integration will allow users to access Proton VPN's security features directly through their Vivaldi browser account with just a few clicks. Upon successful login, users can access Proton VPN's free service with no bandwidth limitations and have the option to upgrade to paid versions.

The collaboration brings together complementary privacy-focused technologies. Vivaldi, developed by former Opera CEO Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner's company Vivaldi Technologies, has positioned itself as a highly customizable browser that respects user privacy. According to Vivaldi's documentation, the browser includes built-in tracker and ad blocking capabilities, along with numerous privacy protections.

Proton VPN, created by the team behind Proton Mail (the world's largest encrypted email service), operates more than 11,500 servers across 117 countries. According to their announcement, Proton VPN employs a strict no-logs policy, open-source code, and anti-censorship features.

David Peterson, General Manager of Proton VPN, stated: "Consumers around the world are fed up with Big Tech's data collection, the problem is they haven't until recently had an alternative. Europe is perfectly placed to offer that alternative and this is what companies like Proton and Vivaldi are building."

The partnership aims to provide an accessible solution for those concerned about their digital privacy. Browser-based data collection has become a primary method for tracking user activity online, with many popular browsers collecting information on habits, preferences, and online behaviors, often feeding into advertising ecosystems.

European alternative to Big Tech

Both Proton and Vivaldi emphasize their European roots as significant in the context of providing alternatives to dominant U.S.-based technology platforms. Vivaldi, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices in Reykjavík, Boston, and Palo Alto, has been developing its browser since 2015. According to Wikipedia documentation, Vivaldi began as a virtual community website replacing the "My Opera" community after Opera Software shut it down in 2014.

Proton, founded in Switzerland in 2014 by scientists who met at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), has grown to support over 100 million accounts globally. The company maintains its own server hardware and network infrastructure, with data centers in Switzerland, Germany, and Norway, according to Proton's documentation.

Tatsuki Tomita, COO and Co-founder at Vivaldi, emphasized the ethical dimension of the partnership: "While innovation drives technology forward, we believe ethics must guide its path. Proton and Vivaldi demonstrate that powerful products don't require compromising user privacy."

This partnership aligns with broader European efforts to establish technology alternatives that prioritize user privacy. In recent years, Proton has been vocal in supporting digital rights legislation, including backing the Digital Markets Act and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act.

Technical implementation

The technical integration appears straightforward from a user perspective. Proton VPN is now directly accessible within the Vivaldi browser interface, allowing users to activate VPN protection with minimal effort. This integration follows Vivaldi's pattern of building comprehensive features into its browser, which already includes an email client, feed reader, calendar, and note-taking capabilities.

The browser's extensive customization options align well with Proton VPN's security focus. For users concerned about surveillance, the combined offering provides tools to maintain privacy while browsing, including protection from tracking, IP address masking, and secure connections.

Released in its seventh major version as of March 2025, Vivaldi has continuously expanded its feature set since its initial technical preview in January 2015. The browser has garnered attention for its approach to customization and power-user features, though its market share remains relatively small compared to dominant browsers like Chrome and Safari.

Privacy implications and market position

Privacy advocates may view this partnership positively as it combines two services that prioritize user control and data protection. According to their announcement, both companies have long opposed the data collection practices common among major technology platforms.

The integration potentially addresses the fragmentation often seen in privacy tools, where users must manage multiple separate applications to protect their data. By combining a privacy-focused browser with VPN capabilities, users gain a more streamlined experience.

However, challenges remain for privacy-focused alternatives in a market dominated by a few major players. While Proton reports serving over 100 million accounts across its services, this represents a fraction of the billions of users on mainstream platforms. Vivaldi, while respected for its feature set, has reportedly reached approximately 3.1 million active users as of December 2024.

Future prospects

The partnership may signal further consolidation in the privacy-focused technology sector. By combining strengths—Proton's security infrastructure and Vivaldi's user interface and customization capabilities—both companies potentially strengthen their market positions against larger competitors.

Both organizations express hope that this partnership will help people "retake control of their digital life" through the combination of a private, feature-rich browser and secure VPN service. Whether this partnership will significantly alter market dynamics remains to be seen, but it represents a notable development in providing users with privacy-focused alternatives.

The integration is available starting today, and users can access more information through the companies' respective websites.

Timeline

• 2013: Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner founds Vivaldi Technologies after leaving Opera Software
• 2014: Proton founded in Switzerland by scientists who met at CERN
• 2014: Proton Mail launched as a public beta on May 16
• 2015: First technical preview of Vivaldi browser released on January 27
• 2016: Vivaldi 1.0 officially released on April 6
• 2017: Proton VPN launched on May 22 after crowdfunding
• 2020: Proton VPN becomes open source on January 21
• 2022: Proton rebrands its services under a unified visual identity in May
• 2024: Proton announces transition to non-profit structure as Proton Foundation becomes majority owner in June
• 2024: Vivaldi claims 3.1 million active users as of December
• 2025: Proton VPN expands to 11,496 servers across 117 countries by February
• 2025, March 27: Partnership between Proton VPN and Vivaldi browser announced