01
Software
Proton VPN
A Swiss privacy-focused VPN, with a free version that has no data limit.
✓ Free plan advertised
To checkThe servers and features reserved for paid plans.
Déclic · CH 04 · VPN & security
VPN and security: what to protect, with which tool, and on what terms
VPNs, password managers, antivirus. With the free option first, when there is one.
Ad: this page contains affiliate links. Our opinions stay our own.
In brief
A VPN, a password manager and an antivirus do not protect against the same risks. A VPN encrypts your connection and hides your IP address; it does not make you anonymous or invulnerable. Our pages compare on checkable criteria (jurisdiction, audits, devices, guarantee, free plans) and never claim to rank one tool above the others without a criterion.
What do you want to protect?
- Your connection: NordVPN review →.
- Your passwords: best password manager → and Proton Pass review →.
- Your computer: no dedicated page yet. The Déclic assistant can point you to the antivirus in the catalogue.
Which page should you read to choose a VPN?
NordVPN review → covers the audits, the trust you have to place in the company, UK legality and the limits of the service. For any free VPN, the question that matters is how it makes its money, because if you are not paying you need to know who is. The catalogue includes Proton VPN, which has a free version with no data limit; check what is reserved for the paid plans.
Déclic publishes no content that makes piracy or illegal sharing easier, and does not show coupons or cashback offers that have not been attributed to us.
Which pages should you read for passwords and antivirus?
best password manager → compares free plans on the devices they cover, whether the encryption design is documented, whether independent audits exist, and what the National Cyber Security Centre says. Proton Pass review → details its free plan and its limits. On antivirus, there is no page yet: Windows already includes an antivirus, so a third-party one needs a reason.
Which tools are in this category?
| Need | Tools in the Déclic catalogue |
|---|---|
| VPN | NordVPN, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, PureVPN, PrivateVPN |
| Passwords | Proton Pass, NordPass, RoboForm, pCloud Pass |
| Antivirus | Surfshark Antivirus (editorial mention) |
Frequently asked questions
Is a free VPN safe?
It depends on its business model. Check how the service pays for itself, who runs it and what it says about logging before you install it.
Do you need an antivirus on top of Windows?
For everyday use on an up-to-date system, the built-in antivirus is a solid starting point.
Is a free password manager enough?
Often to begin with, with limits to read. See best password manager → and Proton Pass review →.
Does a VPN make you anonymous?
No: it moves trust from your internet provider to the VPN company. See NordVPN review →.
The guides on this channel
ReviewProton Pass review: what the free plan includes and how safe it isProton Pass reviewed from official pages and NCSC advice: what the free plan includes, audits by Cure53 and Recurity Labs, and the limits to know.
ReviewNordVPN review: audits, trust, UK legality and limitsNordVPN reviewed from public sources: what a VPN does, the Deloitte no-logs assessment, Trustpilot UK, refund rules and what to check before paying.
GuideBest password manager: free plans, safety and what the NCSC saysProton Pass, NordPass, RoboForm, Bitwarden and KeePass compared on free plans, encryption, audits and breaches, with the NCSC's advice for UK readers.On the programme: 10 options
In file order, not by commission. Every button is an affiliate link.
02
Software
NordVPN
A fast, full-featured VPN that works on several devices at once.
To checkThe renewal price and the length of commitment.
03
Software
ExpressVPN
A VPN known for being easy to use.
To checkThe total cost of the subscription and the number of devices.
04
Software
PureVPN
A VPN often offered at a low price on a long commitment.
To checkThe renewal price after the first period.
05
Software
PrivateVPN
A small Swedish VPN provider.
To checkThe number of servers in the countries you need.
06
Software
Proton Pass
An encrypted password manager, with email aliases.
✓ Free plan advertised
To checkThe features reserved for the paid version.
07
Software
NordPass
A simple password manager from the maker of NordVPN.
✓ Free plan advertised
To checkSyncing between devices, depending on the plan.
08
Software
RoboForm
A password manager and form filler.
✓ Free plan advertised
To checkSyncing between devices, depending on the plan.
09
Software
pCloud Pass
A password manager from the Swiss publisher pCloud.
To checkThe lifetime offers and their conditions.
10
Software
Surfshark Antivirus
Antivirus included in Surfshark’s security plan.
To checkThe supported systems and exactly what the plan contains.