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Head-to-head · Virtual Private Network Software

Proton VPN vs Citrix Gateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Proton VPN #1 in Virtual Private Network Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Proton VPN
Citrix Gateway #7 in Virtual Private Network Software 8.5/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Citrix

Proton VPN leads on 0 checks, Citrix Gateway on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreProton VPN · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCitrix Gateway · 2 of 3

Proton VPN scores higher on our rubric for virtual private network software: 9.3 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Citrix Gateway offers remote access vpn; Proton VPN doesn't publish it. Citrix Gateway offers sso support; Proton VPN doesn't publish it.

Proton VPN is the better fit for people seeking a free VPN with broad privacy features. Citrix Gateway is the better fit for enterprise SSL VPN and application access.

  • Proton VPN fits best

    People seeking a free VPN with broad privacy features

  • Citrix Gateway fits best

    Enterprise SSL VPN and application access

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Proton VPN 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Citrix Gateway 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.5
Ranking #1 in Virtual Private Network Software #7 in Virtual Private Network Software
Best for People seeking a free VPN with broad privacy features Enterprise SSL VPN and application access
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Proton VPN 0/3 · Citrix Gateway 2/3
Remote access VPN Not published ✓ (best)
Site-to-site VPN Not published Not published
SSO support Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported VPN protocols Not published SSL VPN, TLS, DTLS, EDT, ICAProxy, clientless VPN (cVPN)
Client platforms Not published Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5/web
Concurrent sessions Not published Not published
Deployment model Not published Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan has no data limits and includes a kill switch.
  • Paid VPN Plus adds streaming, P2P, and NetShield blocking.
  • Open-source apps, Secure Core, and WireGuard support broaden protection options.
  • Offers full SSL VPN tunnels alongside clientless browser and ICA proxy access
  • Combines SSO with broad authentication and federation integrations
  • Supports endpoint policy controls and active-passive high availability
Cons
  • Free plan limits use to one device at a time.
  • Free servers are in 10 randomly selected countries.
  • Streaming and P2P support require a paid plan.
  • Sales-led purchasing makes price comparisons less straightforward
  • Features are geared to corporate access, not consumer VPN use
  • Customer-managed appliance deployments require gateway administration
Our verdict

Proton VPN is a virtual private network service from Proton AG, a Swiss company, for people who want encrypted connections and a privacy-focused feature set across desktop, mobile, and browser platforms. Its free plan is unusually capable…

Read the review →

Citrix Gateway provides remote access to virtual, SaaS, web and on-premises applications and networks. Its full SSL VPN tunnels, clientless browser access and ICA proxying address different corporate access needs, while single sign-on…

Read the review →
  1. Proton VPNVirtual Private Network Software 9.3Free plan
  2. Citrix GatewayVirtual Private Network Software 8.5Free plan · pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Proton VPN — where it wins

    • Free plan has no data limits and includes a kill switch.
    • Paid VPN Plus adds streaming, P2P, and NetShield blocking.
    • Open-source apps, Secure Core, and WireGuard support broaden protection options.

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits use to one device at a time.
    • Free servers are in 10 randomly selected countries.
    • Streaming and P2P support require a paid plan.

  • Citrix Gateway — where it wins

    • Offers full SSL VPN tunnels alongside clientless browser and ICA proxy access
    • Combines SSO with broad authentication and federation integrations
    • Supports endpoint policy controls and active-passive high availability

    Where it doesn't

    • Sales-led purchasing makes price comparisons less straightforward
    • Features are geared to corporate access, not consumer VPN use
    • Customer-managed appliance deployments require gateway administration
  • Proton VPN9.3/10 · Free plan

    A feature-rich free VPN, with streaming and P2P support reserved for paid plans.

    Visit Proton VPNFull verdict →
  • Citrix Gateway8.5/10 · Free plan · pricing on request

    A customer-managed gateway for secure access to enterprise apps and networks.

    Visit CitrixFull verdict →

More comparisons

All virtual private network software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update