TL;DR
Google ended its standalone Google One VPN on June 20, 2024, though Pixel 8+ devices and Google Fi subscribers keep built-in VPN access. The author tested alternatives and settled on Proton VPN's Plus tier for its simplicity, speed, DNS‑level blocking, and low resource use.
What happened
On June 20, 2024, Google discontinued the standalone Google One VPN app for iPhone, Mac, Windows and non‑Pixel Android phones. The shutdown left users seeking a low‑maintenance privacy tool that wouldn’t drain battery life, trigger frequent CAPTCHAs, or require fiddly server selection. The author evaluated options against three practical criteria — resource drain, CAPTCHA frequency, and a simple interface — and chose Proton VPN. Proton VPN is developed by the team behind Proton Mail, operates under Swiss privacy law, is open source, and defaults to the WireGuard protocol. The author reports that Proton’s free tier is generous but that the $10 Plus plan provides the features that felt closest to Google’s former offering, including NetShield (DNS‑level blocking of ads, trackers, and malware). In the author’s hands, download speeds averaged around 80% of baseline, 4K streaming and high‑resolution calls worked smoothly, and CAPTCHA prompts were rare.
Why it matters
- Users who relied on Google One VPN must find replacements or rely on device‑specific exceptions.
- Pixel 8 and newer phones, and Google Fi subscribers, retain Google’s built‑in VPN, so not all users were affected.
- DNS‑level blocking (NetShield) can stop ad/tracker/malware requests before connections start, which may reduce data and battery use.
- A simple, efficient VPN that preserves speed and produces few CAPTCHAs makes everyday public‑Wi‑Fi use more practical for nontechnical users.
Key facts
- Google shut down the standalone Google One VPN app on June 20, 2024.
- Google Pixel 8 and newer phones continue to have Google’s VPN service intact.
- Google Fi subscribers still get a VPN built into the Google Fi app.
- The author evaluated VPNs using three practical pillars: resource drain, CAPTCHA frequency, and interface simplicity.
- The author selected Proton VPN, made by the team behind Proton Mail, which is open source and governed by Swiss privacy laws.
- Proton VPN’s default protocol is WireGuard; the author found speed loss was minimal.
- Proton offers a free tier; the author recommends the $10 Plus plan for the closest feature set to Google’s VPN.
- NetShield, part of Proton VPN Plus, blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level.
- The author observed download speeds around 80% of base connection and reports smooth 4K streaming and high‑res Zoom calls while connected.
- CAPTCHA prompts were infrequent for the author—roughly once every two weeks when on crowded servers.
What to watch next
- Whether Google will reinstate a standalone Google One VPN or expand built‑in VPN coverage to more devices: not confirmed in the source.
- How broader user adoption affects Proton VPN server crowding and CAPTCHA frequency over time.
- Whether other VPN vendors add DNS‑level ad/tracker blocking comparable to NetShield: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): A service that routes your device's internet traffic through remote servers to mask your IP address and encrypt connections between you and the internet.
- NetShield: A Proton VPN feature that blocks ads, trackers, and known malware by filtering DNS requests before the device connects to unwanted domains.
- WireGuard: A modern VPN protocol designed for simplicity and high performance; often delivers faster speeds and lower latency than older protocols.
- DNS‑level blocking: A method of preventing access to certain domains by stopping DNS requests for those domains, which can reduce loading of ads and trackers before connections begin.
- Split tunneling: A VPN feature that lets users choose which apps or traffic go through the VPN and which access the internet directly, useful for balancing privacy and performance.
Reader FAQ
Did Google completely remove its VPN?
Google discontinued the standalone Google One VPN app on June 20, 2024, though built‑in VPNs remain for Pixel 8+ devices and Google Fi subscribers.
Which VPN did the author choose as a replacement?
The author chose Proton VPN, citing simplicity, speed, and its NetShield DNS‑level blocking.
Does Proton VPN have a free option?
Yes; the author describes Proton’s free tier as generous, but recommends the $10 Plus plan for the fuller feature set.
Will Proton VPN eliminate CAPTCHAs entirely?
No. The author still encountered CAPTCHAs occasionally—about once every two weeks on crowded servers.
Google killed its VPN a year ago — here is the privacy tool I replaced it with Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police By Ben Khalesi Published 14 minutes ago Ben…
Sources
- Google killed its VPN a year ago — here is the privacy tool I replaced it with
- My journey from Google to Proton: Why I switched …
- I Switched to Proton VPN and Here's What I Honestly Think …
- Why using Google VPN is a terrible idea
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