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## Vivaldi Tosses ProtonVPN into Browser – Privacy Win or Utter Nonsense?
Right, I see where you’re coming from. Privacy is the hot topic these days. Everyone’s mad keen on keeping their online antics under wraps, like they’re hiding state secrets instead of just searching for silly stuff at 2 AM. Now, Vivaldi thinks it’s doing us a massive solid by cramming ProtonVPN right into the browser. But is this a top-notch win for privacy buffs, or just another lump of clutter to drag your system down? Let’s dig in.
### Desktop Users Get Free Access – But There’s a Catch, Naturally
So, if you’re running Vivaldi on your desktop, you score free VPN access. Sounds class, doesn’t it? Well, pump the brakes. There’s always a twist. You’ve got to log in, and speeds are capped unless you fork out for **ProtonVPN’s** premium plan. Basically, it’s like getting a free gym pass but only being allowed to lift the tiny weights.
This move shoves **Vivaldi** in with **Opera**, which threw a VPN in yonks back. But unlike Opera’s dodgy VPN sited who-knows-where, this one’s linked to **ProtonVPN**, which has a decent reputation for not snooping on you—allegedly.
### Mobile Users? Nah, You’re Out of Luck
If you’re thinking, “Ace! I’ll slap this on me phone too!”—think again, mate. Vivaldi didn’t bother adding ProtonVPN for mobile users, so you’ll have to mess about with the Proton VPN app on its own. Seems a bit half-arsed, doesn’t it? If you’re gonna splash out on a feature, why not go all in across the board? Feels like they ran out of ideas halfway through and just went, “Aye, that’ll do.”
### VPN Location Limited to the Netherlands – Stoke-on-Trent of the Internet
Now, here’s a cracker. If you’re on the free plan, you can’t choose your VPN location. You’re stuck with **the Netherlands**. A lovely place, no doubt, but not exactly spot on if you need a particular location for dodging geo-restrictions or skirting nasty broadband throttling.
Basically, if you were dreaming of popping over to a *virtual* Argentina for cheap subscriptions (*cough* like some of yer do *cough*), you’re out of luck.
### Performance? Don’t Hold Your Breath
A free VPN sounds lush until you realise everyone’s piling in on it like seagulls after chips. ProtonVPN’s free tier is already slower than waiting for a **Windows update** on dial-up, and embedding it in a browser won’t work miracles. Expect buffering, lag, and perhaps a touch of frustration.
And if you’re blessed with top-notch fibre? Well, get ready to watch it crawl like you’re back in 2006 with snail-paced broadband. Pay up or deal with it, simple as that.
### So, Who’s This Actually For?
Truthfully? Privacy obsessives who don’t mind the sluggish speeds, and folks who just enjoy tinkering with fresh browser features. If you’re already using a **proper** VPN (*i.e.*, one you’ve paid for that lets you choose locations), this won’t be taking its place any time soon.
For casual users, it’s *alright*, I suppose. It’ll keep your ISP from snooping on your activities and might provide a bit of anonymity, but it’s far from a **one-size-fits-all** remedy.
## Summary: *VPN or Just Absolute Nonsense?*
Vivaldi’s choice to bundle ProtonVPN directly into the browser sounds decent in theory, but the actual rollout is dicey at best. Limited speed, one location, and no mobile support make it feel like an afterthought. If you’re genuinely serious about privacy, you’ve probably got a better VPN anyway. For the rest of you, it’s just another button you’ll overlook in the settings.
*Want genuine privacy? Get a real VPN. Want smooth browsing? Maybe steer clear of a browser that treats features like a smorgasbord.*
Check out more straightforward reviews at **[GadgetLad.co.uk](https://gadgetlad.co.uk)**—where tech gets the honest Geordie treatment it deserves.
