Proton @lemmy.world 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚊𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 @lemmy.zip 6mo ago

Proton VPN NetShield

I'm curious to know what Proton VPN's ad blocker offers, but I don't see any videos or articles showing how it works. So I am addressing VPN users, because there is no free trial unfortunately to try it:

Does it block Cookie's banners?
Is it necessary for the VPN to be constantly activated to benefit from the block?
Is it better than uBlock-Origin?
When is the page loading speed consistent?
On iPhone, does the battery take a hit?

No one talks about this feature even though it is highlighted by Proton themselves (https://protonvpn.com/en/features/adblocker).

You're viewing a single thread.

6 comments

Does it block Cookie's banners?

Are these the cookie consent things? It doesn't block them, I recommend consent-o-matic extension.

Is it necessary for the VPN to be constantly activated to benefit from the block?

Yes

Is it better than uBlock-Origin?

It's different. You can use both at the same time. I do and it works great.

When is the page loading speed consistent?

Not sure what you mean by this, but I haven't noticed any speed reductions using it on Wi-Fi or cellular. I haven't done any speed test comparisons, though.

On iPhone, does the battery take a hit?

It has to constantly run, so yes. But it may reduce the data downloaded, which will save some battery life. I use it on Android and I think it drains the battery a little faster, so I only use it when I'm on public Wi-Fi.
- I've noticed the battery life reduction as well on my iPhone but no more than I'd expect from any other vpn, but it still goes all day unless I'm using my device a lot more than normal
- I run proton w/ netshield in combination w/ ff focus as a default browser, with all blockers turned on, for general use. As others said about battery use, about the same as any other VPN. Turn off either netshield or blockers and it’s terrifying how many annoying ads are in the avg. site.

6 comments