• Proton confirms subscription revenue is used to expand its server network
• Proton added 800 more exit nodes globally with early Black Friday profits
• The company has launched its Black Friday deal early, slashing its pricing by 75%

The VPN market is fiercely competitive, especially during the Black Friday VPN deals season when providers slash prices to attract new users. But in a refreshing turn, Proton has offered a transparent look into its business model, confirming that users’ subscription fees are directly reinvested into improving the very service they pay for.

The revelation comes as the company launches its Proton VPN Black Friday deal a whole month early, suggesting a strategic push to fund its next wave of expansion.

The connection was made clear in a recent post on X by Proton VPN‘s General Manager, David Peterson. In the post, he stated, “For those of you keeping track − yes, we did just immediately reinvest the first round of Black Friday sale proceeds into powering up another 800 global exit nodes.”

This directly links the revenue from major sales events to tangible infrastructure growth. Such a user-funded approach is a core part of Proton’s identity, allowing it to operate independently without relying on venture capital or outside investment that could compromise its privacy-first mission.

For consumers looking to sign up for one of the best VPNs, this offers a compelling reason to choose Proton. It frames the purchase not just as a transaction, but as an investment in a privacy-focused ecosystem that is committed to continuous, community-funded improvement.

How good is the Proton VPN deal?

Proton VPN’s early Black Friday offer is one of the strongest Black Friday VPN deals we’ve seen from the provider, cutting the price of its 2-year plan by 75%. This brings the equivalent monthly cost down to just a few dollars for a top-tier service renowned for its commitment to security and transparency.

As detailed in our in-depth Proton VPN review, the service is a standout choice for several key reasons. Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, it operates under some of the world’s strongest privacy laws and maintains a strict, independently audited no-logs policy. All its apps are open-source, allowing anyone to scrutinize the code for vulnerabilities, which adds another powerful layer of trust.

Its feature set is packed with advanced security tools. This includes its unique Secure Core servers, which route your traffic through ultra-secure, company-owned servers in countries like Switzerland and Iceland before connecting you with your chosen location.

The service also includes the NetShield ad, tracker, and malware blocker, and its VPN Accelerator technology can dramatically boost connection speeds. The service has also made significant strides as a streaming VPN, reliably unblocking a wide range of international Netflix libraries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and other popular platforms.

This user-funded growth model has been evident in Proton’s recent actions. Over the past year, the company has implemented major upgrades across its network and even expanded its free VPN coverage to more locations.

This public commitment to reinvesting in its own infrastructure shows a clear roadmap for the future, powered directly by the users who benefit from a faster, more secure, and more robust network.

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Rene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.