Proton is a privacy-focused technology company best known for Proton Mail and Proton VPN, offering secure email, VPN, cloud storage, and other encrypted online services.
Proton is a Swiss-based privacy and security company that develops encrypted online services, including Proton Mail (secure email), Proton VPN (virtual private network), Proton Drive (encrypted cloud storage), and Proton Pass (encrypted password manager). Its products are designed to protect user data through end-to-end encryption and strong privacy practices, with infrastructure and legal protections anchored in Switzerland.
A charge from “Proton” on your card statement typically relates to a paid subscription or renewal for one or more Proton services, such as Proton Mail Plus, Proton Unlimited bundles, or Proton VPN plans. These charges may appear as monthly or annual recurring payments, depending on the plan you selected, and can sometimes be processed in EUR, USD, or another currency stated at checkout. You might also see a charge if you upgraded from a free plan, added storage, or switched to a higher-tier bundle.
To verify or resolve questions about a Proton charge, log into your Proton account via the website or app and check the Subscription or Payments/Billing section for your active plans and invoices. Ensure you review any other email addresses you own, as each Proton account is separate. If you still don’t recognize the charge, you can contact Proton Support through their official help center after logging in, or via their public support pages, providing the date, amount, and last four digits of the card used. Avoid sharing full card numbers via email, and if fraud is suspected, also contact your bank or card issuer to dispute the transaction and secure your account.
Bank Statement Variations
1 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Proton.
Why was I charged by Proton when I thought I was using the free plan?
You may have started a paid plan (for example, Proton Mail Plus, Proton VPN, or a Proton bundle) during a trial or promotional period, after which it converted to a paid subscription. Log into your Proton account, go to Settings > Subscription (or Plans/Billing), and review your active plan, billing dates, and past invoices to confirm which service generated the charge.
How can I see which Proton subscription I’m being billed for?
Sign in at proton.me, open your account dashboard, and navigate to the Subscription or Plans/Billing section. There you’ll see which services (Mail, VPN, Drive, Pass, or a bundle) are active, the billing period (monthly or yearly), the next renewal date, and the exact amount and currency of upcoming charges.
How do I cancel my Proton subscription to stop future charges?
Log in to your Proton account on the web, go to Settings > Subscription (or Plans), and either downgrade to the free plan or turn off auto-renew for your current subscription. Once changed, your plan will remain active until the end of the current billing period, and you won’t be charged again unless you re-upgrade.
Can I get a refund for a Proton charge I didn’t intend to make?
Proton offers refunds under certain conditions, especially shortly after a renewal or upgrade. If you believe a charge was made in error, log into your account and contact Proton Support via the help center with your payment date, amount, and transaction reference. They will review your case based on their current refund policy and let you know if a partial or full refund is possible.
Why do I see multiple Proton charges or different amounts on my statement?
Multiple charges can occur if you manage more than one Proton account, switched from a monthly to an annual plan, changed currencies, or added services (like upgrading from Mail-only to a bundle). Check each Proton account you own and review their billing sections to identify which subscriptions correspond to each charge and amount.
Does Proton place temporary authorization holds on my card?
In some cases, your bank may show a temporary authorization when Proton verifies your payment method, especially when you first subscribe or update your card details. These holds are typically for a small amount and are automatically reversed by your bank within a few days, never becoming a settled charge from Proton.
How can I contact Proton about a suspicious or unrecognized charge?
Go to proton.me and open the Support or Help Center section. If you can log into the related Proton account, submit a support request from within your account for faster verification. Include the date, amount, currency, and last four digits of the card used—but never your full card number. If you cannot identify any matching Proton account, contact your bank as well to investigate possible unauthorized use.
Can Proton charges appear in a different currency than my local one?
Yes. Proton may bill you in a currency such as EUR, USD, or another supported currency, depending on your location and what was shown at checkout. Your bank or card issuer may then convert the amount to your local currency, sometimes adding foreign transaction fees, which can make the final statement amount differ slightly from what you saw on the Proton checkout page.