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As a customer relationship management tool, SugarCRM has history on its side. Since SugarCRM launched in 2004 as an open-source customer relationship management platform, it has since evolved into a full-fledged commercial suite, with tools for sales, marketing, and customer service. But what really sets it apart is the amount of flexibility it offers, making it one of the best CRM platforms on the market.

Sugar CRM features powerful AI tools, like predictive analytics, which provide valuable insights into customer behavior and sales forecasting. Combined with its user-friendly interface, this makes SugarCRM an attractive option for businesses that prize accessibility and automation.

Regular updates, including SugarCRM's Precision Selling overhaul, show the company's commitment to innovation, but the learning curve can be steep for new users. The platform also features an unconventional and unstructured pricing system, which can prove intimidating to small businesses.

At TechRadar Pro, our business software experts look past the legacy label to find the operational truth. To review SugarCRM, we conducted a 40-hour deep dive into the Sugar Sell and Sugar Market ecosystems. We didn't just test the basic lead-tracking features; we spent time building custom Dashlets, testing the SugarPredict AI with complex B2B datasets, and evaluating the platform’s new Focus Drawers to see if they truly reduce the tab fatigue common in older CRM systems.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We never accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that our verdict on SugarCRM’s high cost-of-entry and its powerful, "time-aware" data engine is based strictly on how it serves the needs of a scaling enterprise in 2026.

SugarCRM core capabilities

SugarCRM is feature rich and integrates AI into some of its most important tools (Image credit: SugarCRM)

SugarCRM's centralized database allows users to access and update contact details, interaction history, and account-specific data, enabling a complete view of customer relationships. It lets users track and nurture leads through various stages of the sales funnel, with customizable lead scoring. You also have tools for tracking deal progress, assigning probabilities, and forecasting potential revenue.

A sales pipeline offers visual representations of the sales process, allowing sales managers to quickly assess the health of their sales funnel and identify bottlenecks. I liked how the drag-and-drop functionality was implemented, making it easy to update deal status.

For forecasting, SugarCRM uses historical data and current information to help reps fulfill their quotas. I found the AI-powered forecasting tools to be flexible, allowing users to create projections based on various criteria such as product lines, territories, or individual sales reps. This is a valuable feature for businesses looking to make more data-driven decisions.

The system offers a wide range of pre-built reports and dashboards, covering key metrics across sales, marketing, and customer service. I also had the ability to create custom reports and visualizations without extensive technical knowledge. This has got even more detailed with the CRM's recent Sankey diagrams, which allow you to see exactly where deals are dropping off and which marketing channels are providing the most fluid path to a sale. Additional analytics tools also provide extra insights into customer behavior, sales performance, and overall business health.

SugarCRM offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to access and update data on the go. I found the mobile interface to be intuitive and responsive, offering most of the core functionalities available in the desktop version.

SugarCRM also excels in its marketing automation capabilities. The platform offers tools for creating and managing marketing campaigns, tracking their performance, and nurturing leads through automated workflows. I was particularly impressed by the email marketing features, which allow for personalized, targeted communications based on customer data and behavior. With SugarPredict 2.0, the CRM moves beyond simple scoring and can now autonomously enrich contact records. For instance, if you enter a name and a company, SugarCRM's AI now searches social and public data to populate the profile and apply tags based on their current buyer intent signals.

Apart from sales, the system supports customer-facing teams by including case management tools, allowing support teams to track and resolve customer issues efficiently. There's even a knowledge base feature, enabling businesses to create and maintain a repository of helpful information for both customers and internal teams.

For collaboration, activity streams provide real-time updates on customer interactions and internal communications, ensuring that all team members are on the same page. I imagine this would be particularly useful for fostering cross-functional collaboration and maintaining a consistent customer experience across touchpoints.

SugarCRM offers extensive options for tailoring the CRM to specific business needs, from custom fields and modules to workflow automation. Additionally, SugarCRM's open API architecture allows for seamless integration with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its adaptability to different business ecosystems.

How easy is SugarCRM to use?

SugarCRM provides a rich set of features, but new users must navigate a learning curve. The UI is functional yet feels outdated compared to modern CRM systems. The layout is logical, featuring a left-side navigation bar for quick access to modules like Accounts, Contacts, and Opportunities. However, the numerous options can be overwhelming for new users.

You can adjust the interface to meet your needs, rearranging fields, creating custom modules, and designing dashboards. While the flexibility is useful, it also makes the initial setup more time-consuming. Without careful planning, the system can become cluttered. A small but powerful recent UI addition to the platform is the "Last Interaction" field. Now, across all modules, a new column shows the exact date and context of your last engagement (email, call, or meeting) at a glance, allowing for instant prioritization of neglected leads.

Accessibility features exist but could be improved. The platform includes keyboard shortcuts, which assist users with mobility issues. However, screen reader compatibility and color contrast options need enhancement for users with visual impairments. Text resizing and color adjustments are available but lack the smoothness seen in some modern applications.

SugarCRM offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, enabling users to access and update CRM data on the go. However, the mobile interface lacks some depth and customization found in the desktop version, limiting users who depend on mobile access.

SugarCRM offers a wealth of resources to help you get the most from your CRM (Image credit: SugarCRM)

The company provides various learning options, including documentation, video tutorials, webinars, and instructor-led sessions. SugarCRM University offers structured learning paths for different roles and skill levels. Despite these resources, the system's complexity means new users may need weeks to become fully proficient, especially if customizing the platform for their organization.

The global search function is powerful, allowing me to find information quickly across modules. However, search results can be overwhelming due to the volume of data. Advanced filtering options help, but mastering them adds to the learning curve.

SugarCRM's reporting and analytics tools are robust but can be complicated for beginners. Creating custom reports and dashboards requires a solid understanding of the system's data structure. While pre-built reports exist, tailoring them often needs extra training or support. I also liked the system's workflow automation capabilities. But setting up workflows can be complex and may need extra effort.

Overall, SugarCRM's ease of use varies. Organizations willing to invest time in setup, customization, and training can find it powerful and flexible. However, those seeking a simple, out-of-the-box solution may face challenges due to the platform's complexity. New users should prepare for a steeper learning curve compared to simpler CRM solutions.

SugarCRM integrations

Integrations help you expand your CRMs ability to support your business (Image credit: SugarCRM)

SugarCRM excels in integration, connecting easily with other business tools. It offers many pre-built links, ideal for quick setups. These include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, DocuSign, and Slack. This allows users to blend SugarCRM into their workflows with minimal setup.

I appreciate the support for iPaaS vendors like Zapier and Make. It really expands connectivity, especially for custom needs or niche applications. Even non-technical users can create complex workflows, boosting productivity and data consistency.

For advanced needs, SugarCRM offers a REST API. Developers can create custom links and extend functionality. The documentation is thorough, with guides, samples, and references. However, using it requires technical skills and programming knowledge.

SugarCRM handles data syncing well, keeping information consistent across systems. It even offers a choice between real-time or scheduled syncs, which is missing from most CRMs. Still, it's best to monitor the process when exchanging large volumes of data.

The platform simplifies integration management by combining external connectors into a central interface. It offers insights into the status, history, and issues of integrations. Data mapping tools help align fields, reducing errors.

How good is SugarCRM's support?

SugarCRM provides a well-rounded approach to customer support, offering various channels for assistance. Its online support portal acts as the main hub for service interactions. Users can submit and track support cases, access documentation, and connect with the SugarCRM community.

But the support system has a tiered structure with different subscription levels. All customers have access to basic support, while higher-tier subscribers enjoy quicker response times and extra channels.

Email support is available to all customers, with response times varying by issue severity and subscription level. Typically, responses for non-critical issues range from a few hours to one business day. However, for urgent matters, the support team often prioritizes responses, sometimes providing initial feedback within an hour.

SugarCRM's self-service resources are extensive. The knowledge base covers a wide array of topics, from basic functions to advanced customization. The documentation is well-organized and regularly updated, making it useful for troubleshooting or learning about new features. Additionally, SugarCRM offers video tutorials and webinars for visual guidance on various platform aspects.

The community forum is another valuable support resource. Users can connect with peers, share best practices, and sometimes receive help from company staff. While community support can vary, I found the SugarCRM forum to be active and helpful.

Enterprise and Ultimate edition customers can access 24/7 phone support for urgent issues, a major benefit for businesses across different time zones. For those needing even more hands-on assistance, SugarCRM provides professional services and training options, including implementation support, custom development, and online or in-person training sessions.

However, the live chat functionality could definitely stand to improve. During testing, I found that live chat support was often unavailable and wait times were usually much longer than anticipated.

Still, user feedback regarding the platform's support quality is mostly positive, with many customers praising the knowledge and responsiveness of the support team. However, experiences can differ, with some users reporting delays in resolving more complex issues.

SugarCRM pricing and plans

SugarCRM offers several platform variations and plans - this can get a little confusing (Image credit: SugarCRM)

Plan

Sell Essentials

Sell Advanced

Sell Premier

Price

$59/user/month

$85/user/month

$135/user/month

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses needing basic CRM functionalities

Mid-sized businesses requiring advanced features and customization

Large enterprises with complex CRM needs and high-volume sales

Key features

Basic lead management; Sales automation; Standard reporting

Advanced workflow automation; AI-powered analytics; Customizable dashboards

Guided selling; Advanced forecasting; Enterprise-level support

Limitations

Limited to 3-5 users maximum

Requires minimum of 3 users

Requires minimum of 10 users

SugarCRM has 3 main product lines: Sugar Sell for sales teams, Sugar Serve for customer service, and Sugar Market for marketing automation.

Sugar Sell, the primary CRM, begins at $59 per user monthly with 12-month billing. The base plan, Sugar Sell Essentials, targets small to medium-sized businesses and includes essential functions like contact management, basic workflow automation, and standard reporting.

Sugar Sell also presents advanced tiers: Sugar Sell Advanced at $85 per user monthly and Sugar Sell Premier at $135 per user monthly. These higher tiers add features like advanced workflow automation, improved support, and AI-powered analytics.

Most plans necessitate at least 3 users, while some higher tiers require a minimum of 10. This could limit accessibility for very small businesses or startups with few team members.

SugarCRM provides various add-ons and integrations that enhance functionality but incur extra costs. However, the company does not publicly disclose pricing for these add-ons, complicating cost estimation without contacting their sales team.

SugarCRM offers a free trial for 7 days, allowing potential customers to explore the platform before purchase. However, it lacks a permanent free plan.

Regarding discounts, SugarCRM does not publicly promote standard discount programs. However, my research suggests that enterprise-level customers can often negotiate better rates. Bundling multiple Sugar products, such as combining Sugar Sell with Sugar Serve, might also yield cost savings, although specific details are not readily available.

In comparison to other CRM providers, SugarCRM's pricing falls within the mid-range. It tends to be pricier than basic CRM solutions such as Less Annoying CRM, but it can be more cost-effective than some enterprise-level competitors. Also, a recent study by Nucleus Research suggests that SugarCRM users might reduce their total cost of ownership by up to 32% compared to Salesforce.

How to pick

SugarCRM is no longer a one-size-fits-all tool. It has evolved into a high-performance engine for companies with complex, data-heavy sales cycles. To decide if it fits your business needs, it's important to consider a few factors, including your internal resources and the tools you already employ.

If you have a dedicated CRM administrator or an IT team that loves to tinker, SugarCRM is a dream. Its open-standard architecture allows for deeper customization than HubSpot or Pipedrive. However, if you are a small team looking for a plug-and-play solution, the platform’s steep learning curve and mandatory demo-led onboarding may feel like an unnecessary hurdle.

Also, think carefully whether you need an everything-in-one tool. If your sales team is tired of switching between five different apps to see a customer’s journey, SugarCRM’s recently added Focus Drawers and Sugar Connect (which embeds the CRM directly into Outlook or Gmail) are top-tier. If you are already happy with your existing marketing and service tools, you may find SugarCRM's integrated suites redundant.

How we test

Our testing methodology ensures that every review is grounded in the reality of modern business operations. We measure UI Efficiency by counting the number of clicks and screen refreshes required to complete a standard sales task, such as qualifying a lead and scheduling a follow-up. As such, we specifically tested SugarCRM's Focus Drawers to see if they successfully keep users on a single dashboard.

We also tested SugarCRM's 180+ ERP integrations. We simulated a Sales-to-Finance handoff, pushing a closed deal into a mock ERP system to check for data latency and syncing errors. And we got to grips with SugarCRM's mobile app in real-world scenarios, testing its Geo-Mapping for field sales reps and its ability to log voice notes and meetings while offline.

Finally, no review is complete without examing cost. However, we look beyond the sticker price to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over 24 months, including the cost of required user minimums and the Premier Support tiers often necessary for enterprise features.

SugarCRM review: Final verdict

SugarCRM is a strong and flexible CRM solution that provides a wide range of features for sales, marketing, and customer service. Its best quality is how customizable it is, which allows businesses to create an experience that fits their needs.

That said, some users might find the interface a bit complex, which could be a challenge for smaller organizations with limited technical expertise. While the pricing is competitive for mid-market businesses, it may be a bit high for very small teams or startups.

Overall, SugarCRM seems like a great fit for medium to large enterprises that have the resources to make the most of its features. Businesses, such as manufacturing organizations, with complex sales processes or deep integration needs will find it especially useful.

SugarCRM FAQWhat are some of the key features of SugarCRM?

Many of the core features of SugarCRM are those that users would expect of a leading CRM. These include ome of the most important features of SugarCRM include sales automation to help streamline the sales process by automating repetitive tasks, tracking customer interactions, managing leads, and providing a visual representation of the sales pipeline.

The platform provides tools for managing support tickets, tracking cases, and monitoring service level agreements (SLAs). It also includes a knowledge base and self-service portal for customers.

In terms of customization and flexibility, SugarCRM also stands out. Users can tailor the platform to their specific needs by creating custom fields and modules, modifying layouts, and automating workflows with SugarBPM - the business process management (BPM) feature of the platform. The system also leverages AI to provide predictive analytics, such as lead scoring and sales forecasting, giving businesses valuable insights into customer behavior and sales trends.

Is SugarCRM open-source?

SugarCRM originally began as an open-source solution, which allowed for extensive customization and a strong community. While the company has moved away from a completely open-source model, its heritage still influences its flexibility and API-driven architecture.

How does SugarCRM handle data security and compliance?

SugarCRM prioritizes data security and compliance with features like role-based access controls, end-to-end encryption, and compliance with regulations like GDPR. They also have a bug bounty program to encourage the reporting of security vulnerabilities.

Is there a mobile app for SugarCRM?

Yes, SugarCRM offers a mobile app that allows users to access their CRM data and perform key tasks from their mobile devices. The app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Key features of the SugarCRM mobile app include remote and offline access, GPS and location mapping, real-time updates, and customizable dashboards.

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Keap, formerly known as Infusionsoft, positions itself amongst the best CRM platforms on the market. The platform offers sales enablement and marketing automation for small businesses. With a focus on simplifying the growth process, Keap aims to provide entrepreneurs with the tools they need to capture more leads, manage customer relationships, automate follow-ups, and get paid faster.

What sets Keap apart is its commitment to combining essential business functions into one user-friendly interface. From contact management and appointment scheduling to email marketing campaigns and invoicing, Keap strives to eliminate the need for multiple software solutions by offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to the needs of small business owners.

At TechRadar Pro, we recognize that for a small business owner, a CRM is more than a database - it is the beating heart of your operations. Our testing of Keap goes beyond surface-level feature checks. We spent days building complex "When-Then" automation sequences, testing the integrated payment processing with live transactions, and evaluating the platform’s recent developments.

Our reviews are 100% independent. We don't accept payment for product rankings, ensuring that our verdict on Keap’s contact-based pricing and its mandatory onboarding fees is based strictly on its real-world ROI for entrepreneurs. If we recommend a workflow or highlight a support bottleneck, it is because our testers experienced it firsthand.

In this in-depth review, I'll dive into the core features, ease of use, pricing, and overall effectiveness of Keap CRM. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether it’s the right fit for your small business needs.

Keap core capabilities

(Image credit: Keap)

Keap offers everything you’d expect from one of the best small business CRM platforms. It allows users to easily store, organize, and manage customer information in a centralized database. I was impressed by the level of detail that can be captured for each contact, including personal details, communication history, and purchase records.

For managing your contacts, Keap provides tools to efficiently track and nurture leads throughout the sales process. I particularly appreciated the ability to assign lead scores based on predefined criteria, helping sales teams prioritize their efforts on the most promising prospects. Keap's visual sales pipeline management feature offers a clear overview of the sales funnel, allowing users to drag and drop deals between stages and monitor progress towards closing.

The software provides insights into expected revenue based on the current pipeline and historical data. I found the forecasting reports to be intuitive and customizable, enabling sales managers to make data-driven decisions and adjust strategies as needed. The ability to set quotas and track individual and team performance adds an extra layer of accountability and motivation.

Keap's reporting capabilities enable businesses to gain valuable insights into their customer base and make informed decisions to drive growth. I was able to generate detailed reports on various metrics, such as lead conversion rates, sales performance, and customer engagement. The software's dashboard provides a real-time overview of key performance indicators, allowing users to quickly identify trends and take action.

For sales reps in the field, Keap offers a user-friendly and feature-rich mobile app for iOS and Android. It allows sales reps to access customer information, update deals, and log activities on the go. The ability to work offline and sync data when a connection is available ensures that no important information is lost, even in areas with limited connectivity.

Something that really sets Keap apart, however, is its focus on automation. The software offers a wide range of automation features that streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency. From lead nurturing campaigns to follow-up reminders and task assignments, Keap's automation capabilities help businesses save time and ensure consistent communication with customers. I was impressed by the ease with which I could set up complex automation sequences using the drag-and-drop workflow builder.

More recently, Keap has doubled down on its reputation as the automation king for small businesses by shifting from simple rules-based triggers to agentic AI. For instance, Keap has introduced AI agents that can now handle the cognitive overhead of lead qualification, doing more than simply drafting text. Similarly, there's been an evolution of Keap's send-time optimization, with the tool now using adaptive messaging strategies. It analyzes a contact's historical engagement across all Keap users to predict the exact minute a specific lead is most likely to open an SMS or email.

On the subject of lead capturing, meanwhile, a major recent update has enabled users to assign Apply Tags directly to individual field options within a public form. This means a lead is automatically segmented the moment they select a specific interest in a dropdown menu, allowing for instant, hyper-personalized automation paths.

Overall, Keap CRM delivers on all the core capabilities needed to effectively manage customer relationships, drive sales, and make data-driven decisions. Plus, its built-in automation capabilities add an extra layer of productivity enhancement for sales reps, allowing them to focus on the tasks that matter.

How easy is Keap CRM to use?

(Image credit: Keap)

Keap maintains a strong focus on usability. Logging into the platform for the first time, I was impressed by the uncluttered layout that allows users to quickly navigate through the various features and tools. I also liked the customizable dashboard, which enables users to personalize their workspace according to their specific needs and preferences.

Onboarding with Keap is a breeze when compared to other CRMs. Each plan includes a dedicated customer success manager who guides new users through the setup process, ensuring that the platform is tailored to their unique business requirements. Additionally, Keap offers a wealth of training resources, including onboarding checklists, video tutorials, webinars, and personalized advice from expert coaches.

Adding even more to its user-friendliness, Keap's drag-and-drop automation builder allows users to create both simple and advanced workflows without requiring any coding knowledge. The availability of customizable templates further simplifies the process of setting up automated lead nurturing campaigns, follow-up sequences, and sales processes.

Speaking about the core CRM, the platform automatically captures and organizes customer interactions, allowing users to access a comprehensive view of each contact's history with just a few clicks. The ability to segment contacts based on various criteria and trigger automated actions for specific groups streamlines communication efforts and ensures that the right messages reach the right audience at the optimal time.

While a custom API with REST hooks is available for developers with advanced knowledge, the pre-built integrations are robust enough to suit most small businesses without custom development. Keap's integration with popular third-party applications, such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoom, and Mailchimp, is seamless and requires no coding experience.

Based on my experience, the average time for new users to become proficient with this platform should be relatively short, thanks to the platform's intuitive design and extensive support resources. The combination of a user-friendly interface, customization options, comprehensive onboarding, and accessible automation tools makes this a great option for smaller teams that lack in-house technical expertise.

Keap CRM integrations

Keap focuses on providing a curated selection of integrations that complement its core functionalities and cater to the needs of small businesses. While it does not offer the same number of integrations as Salesforce or HubSpot, the ones that it does offer should fit the requirements of most small businesses.

For example, by connecting Keap with Gmail, Outlook, and social media channels, businesses can automate marketing campaigns and track effectiveness directly within the CRM. Keap also integrates with a variety of other essential business tools, such as Leadpages for landing page creation, Jotform for custom lead capture forms, and BigCommerce for ecommerce functionality.

Keap also integrates with the no-code automation platform Zapier, which allows you to build your own automations with thousands of other third-party applications without any coding requirements. Through Zapier, Keap users can create custom integrations with Slack, Trello, Mailchimp, and more.

While its selection of pre-built integrations may not be as extensive as some other CRMs, Keap’s custom API is open and well-documented, allowing for custom integrations to be developed when needed. Keap also provides documentation and resources to assist users in setting up connected apps, including custom ones built using the API. Dedicated customer success managers are available to offer guidance and support throughout the integration process, ensuring a smooth experience for all customers.

How good is Keap's customer support?

(Image credit: Keap)

Keap offers a decent range of support options, including human agents and self-service resources. Users can reach out to the support team via phone, live chat, and email, depending on their preference and the urgency of their issue. However, your experience with the support agents might vary depending on the channel you choose to contact them.

U.S.-based phone support is available on weekdays from 6 am to 7 pm PST, with local support also offered for subscribers in the UK and Australia. The inclusion of a dedicated success manager with all plans is a notable advantage. Phone support is generally quite good, with reduced wait times, helpful agents, and quick resolutions.

However, Keap offers a 24/7 chat support option that’s arguably the preferred option for users across different time zones. Yet, chat support can be wildly inconsistent when it comes to quality. Wait times can sometimes be up to 30 minutes, while the agents there seem to have very little knowledge of the product.

Keap does provide a range of self-help resources, including a knowledge base, how-to videos, and a community forum where users can seek advice from peers. These resources offer guidance on various topics, such as automating text messages and connecting the CRM with WordPress. But while they are helpful, they may not always suffice for complex account-specific issues.

Customer reviews on third-party sites like Trustpilot paint a worrisome picture of Keap's customer support. Many users report difficulties canceling their accounts, unresponsive support teams, and billing issues that required escalation to legal action. These experiences, while not necessarily representative of the majority, raise serious red flags.

On a more positive note, Keap's onboarding process and Expert Coaching service aim to set users up for success from the start. The one-on-one support, training webinars, and customized sales and marketing plans help businesses optimize their use of the CRM. However, the $499 one-time fee for this service may be a barrier for most SMBs.

Keap CRM pricing and plans

During my review of Keap CRM, I found the pricing model to be unique compared to other CRM platforms. Instead of feature-based plans, Keap's pricing is scalable based on the number of contacts, with plans starting at $249 per month for up to 1,500 contacts. Prices can add up quickly as you gain customers, especially if you’re a consumer-facing business. Moreover, adding more user seats to your Keap plan costs you a flat rate of $32 per month, regardless of the plan.

When comparing Keap's pricing to other CRM platforms, it's evident that Keap is on the higher end of the spectrum compared to players like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM. However, the fact that it includes features like marketing automation and invoice management does make it more bearable.

There are a number of implementation packages starting from $1500 one-time. It's also worth noting that Keap does not offer a free plan, unlike competitors like HubSpot and Zoho CRM. However, the CRM does come with a 14-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore the platform's capabilities before committing to a paid plan. While a longer trial period would be nice, two weeks is still sufficient to gain a solid understanding of the features and user experience.

Keap CRM Comparison Table

Starting Monthly Price (Billed Annually)

Key Features

Keap Pro

Starts at $249/month for 1,500 contacts and 2 users

All core CRM, sales & marketing automation, email marketing, payments, invoicing, appointments, sales pipeline, and a dedicated business phone line.

Keap Max

Starts at $289/month for 2,500 contacts and 3 users

Includes all Keap Pro features, plus advanced reporting and lead scoring.

Keap Max Classic

Custom pricing

Includes all Keap Max features, plus advanced customization options like custom user roles, affiliate management, and a shopping cart.

Export to Sheets

Keap is a solid choice for small businesses seeking an all-in-one CRM, with the added advantage of marketing automation and financial management features. Its core capabilities, such as contact management, lead nurturing, and sales pipeline visualization — are well-designed to the needs of most small businesses.

However, the inconsistent customer support experience is a notable drawback, potentially impacting user satisfaction and efficiency. The pricing structure is yet another deterrent, especially when you factor in the additional costs for initial onboarding and more seats.

On the whole, Keap offers valuable features and automation capabilities that can significantly benefit small businesses, but there's still room for improvement. Go for this platform if you need features beyond what a typical CRM offers at a low cost, but not if customer management is your only requirement.

How to pick

Choosing Keap is a strategic decision to consolidate your Frankenstack (a collection of separate apps for email, invoicing, and CRM) into a single engine. To decide if it fits your business model, there are a few factors to consider.

The first is your automation maturity. If you find yourself manually sending the same follow-up emails or invoices every week, Keap’s Advanced Automation builder is industry-leading. However, if you only need a simple place to store phone numbers and notes, the $249/month starting price is likely overkill compared to a lighter tool like Pipedrive.

Moreover, when evaluating Keap, don't compare its price to any old CRM. Compare it to the combined cost of a CRM (like HubSpot), an email marketing tool (like Mailchimp), and a payment processor (like Quickbooks). If you are currently paying for three separate subscriptions, Keap’s unified suite will likely save you money and reduce data silos.

Finally, remember to evaluate lead volume versus quality. Because Keap’s pricing is based on the number of contacts, it is ideal for high-ticket service providers (consultants, lawyers, contractors) who have fewer, high-value leads. On the other hand, if you're a high-volume e-commerce brand with 50,000+ low-value newsletter subscribers, Keap's cost may become prohibitively expensive.

How we test

At TechRadar Pro, our testing methodology is fundamentally grounded in practical business utility. We measure the Time-to-Value of all CRMs by performing a clean-slate installation. We test Keap’s onboarding by importing messy CSV datasets to see how effectively the system cleans and de-duplicates data during the migration process.

Furthermore, we don't just use templates. We build custom, multi-step agentic workflows - such as an automation that triggers a text message, an internal task, and a personalized email based on a specific lead score - to check for logic breaks and delivery speed.

And recognizing that more and more work occurs remotely, we also test Keap for its mobile-first ability. We test the CRM's mobile app in field conditions, checking the reliability of the dedicated business phone line, the ease of capturing leads via QR codes at events, and the app’s ability to function in low-connectivity environments.

Keap CRM review: Final verdict Keap CRM FAQWho is the primary audience for Keap?

Keap is an all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform. It's primarily designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs (often with 1-15 employees and revenues over $100K) who need to automate their sales and marketing processes to save time and grow their business.

What is the difference between Keap Pro and Keap Max?

Keap Pro is the more basic plan, offering core CRM, sales, and marketing automation features. Expect things like contact management, sales and marketing automation, invoicing, payment management, and appointment scheduling that syncs with your calendar. Keap Max includes everything in Pro, plus more advanced tools like lead scoring and e-commerce capabilities.

What kind of automations can I create with Keap

You can automate a wide range of tasks, including sending follow-up emails, assigning leads to a sales rep, sending appointment reminders, and managing referral programs. The platform's drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create these "when-then" workflows.

Is Keap easy to learn how to use?

In fact, many users note that Keap has a steep learning curve due to its robust features. Complexity comes with price - often a financial one; sometimes in terms of ease of use. However, the platform offers extensive onboarding resources, including a dedicated success manager, video tutorials, and webinars to help new users get started.

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Acer Aspire 16 AI: Two-minute review

The Acer Aspire 16 AI is a large laptop promising powerful AI features in an elegant body. It certainly looks the part, thanks to the premium materials and finish, as well as the impressively thin chassis. It’s also surprisingly light for a laptop of this size, which further improves its portability.

However, the price paid for this litheness is the somewhat flimsy build quality, falling below the standards of the best laptop constructions. There’s a fair amount of flex to the chassis, while the lid hinge doesn’t offer the greatest stability – although it at least managed to stay planted while I typed.

There are a good number of ports on the Aspire 16 AI, including two USB-C and two USB-A ports. However, the former are located closest to you, a choice I usually lament since it means your power adapter has to cross over with any cable you have plugged in to the USB-A port. It’s also a shame that the card reader is only fit for microSDs.

For day-to-day use, the Aspire 16 AI is very capable. It can handle light productivity and 4K streaming without missing a beat. However, the included AI features are disappointing: they’re either too basic in their functionality or fail to work altogether.

Gaming also proved to be a lackluster experience. Its shared memory GPU can just about handle AAA titles on the lowest settings, and even then you won’t exactly be treated to the smoothest frame rates.

(Image credit: Future)

Under these kinds of intensive workloads, the Aspire 16 AI can generate a fair amount of heat, but thankfully it’s concentrated underneath, towards the back. Coupled with the hushed fans, the Aspire 16 AI remains comfortable to use in such scenarios.

The display in my review unit, with its OLED technology and 2048 x 1280 resolution, provided a crystal-clear image, rendering colors vividly and delivering high brightness levels. This latter aspect is especially useful for combating reflections, which can be quite prominent.

Thanks to the spacing and satisfying feel of its keys, the keyboard on the Aspire 16 AI is easy to use. However, the number pad keys are too small for my liking, and I wished there was a right Control key, as I find this useful for productivity purposes.

The touchpad is smooth and large, which helps with navigation, but it can get in the way when typing. Also, the one in my review unit felt loose and rattled when clicking, making it awkward to use and suggests signs of poor quality control.

Battery life is somewhat disappointing, and isn’t a patch on that of the smaller 14 AI. In fact, many of its key rivals can outlast it. I only managed to get roughly nine hours from it when playing a movie on a continuous loop.

On the face of it, the Aspire 16 AI might look like good value, but it doesn’t deliver enough to justify its cost. Its slender form and mostly great display aren’t enough to make up for its drawbacks, while other laptops at this price point offer more complete packages.

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: Price & Availability

• $649.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,499
• Available now in various configurations
• Better value rivals exist

The Aspire 16 AI starts from $649.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,499 and is available now. It can be configured with various processors, including Intel and Qualcomm (ARM) chips, with a couple of storage and RAM options to choose from.

Unfortunately, there are better value laptops out there with more power and performance, better suited to heavier workloads. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is one such example. Starting prices aren’t as low, but they’re similar to the higher spec models of the Aspire 16 AI. They also have excellent build quality, making them a better value proposition all things considered.

If you want to stick with Windows, the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is another alternative. Again, it’s similarly priced to the higher-spec variants of the Aspire 16 AI, but offers much better gaming performance, chiefly thanks to its AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU. It’s no surprise we think it’s one of the best cheap gaming laptops around right now.

• Value: 3 / 5

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: SpecsAcer Aspire 16 AI Specs

Acer Aspire 16 AI Base Config

Acer Aspire 16 AI Review Config

Price

$649.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,499

£949 (about $1,280, AU$1,960)

CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 (8 cores), 3GHz

AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, 2.0GHz (8 cores)

GPU

Qualcomm Adreno GPU (shared memory)

AMD Radeon 860M (shared memory)

RAM

16GB LPDDR5X

16GB LPDDR5X

Storage

512GB PCI Express NVMe 4.0 (M.2)

1TB PCI Express NVMe 4.0 (M.2)

Display

16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) 16:10 ComfyView (Matte) 120Hz, IPS

16-inch WUXGA+ (2048 x 1280) OLED, 16:10, 120Hz

Ports and Connectivity

2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 2x USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x headset jack, 1x microSD, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 2x USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x headset jack, 1x microSD, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

65Wh

65Wh

Dimensions

14 x 9.8 x 0.6 inch / 355 x 250 x 16mm

14 x 9.8 x 0.6 inch / 355 x 250 x 16mm

Weight

3.4lbs / 1.55kg

3.4lbs / 1.55kg

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Brilliantly thin and light
• Not the sturdiest
• Touchpad issues

Thanks to its minimal design, the Aspire 16 AI has sleek looks. The low-shine metallic lid also adds to its elegance, befitting its premium price tag.

It’s pleasingly light and slender, too, making it more portable than you might expect for a 16-inch laptop. The bezel for the display is minuscule as well, which helps to maximize its full potential.

There’s a satisfying click when you close the lid on the Aspire 16 AI, something I haven’t encountered on any other laptop before. The hinge also allows for the screen to recline all the back by 180 degrees, something I’m always happy to see.

However, lid stability isn’t the best, as it’s prone to wobbling, although, thankfully, it remains stable while typing on the keyboard. The overall construction of the Aspire 16 AI isn’t especially impressive, either, with the chassis having a fair amount of flex.

(Image credit: Future)

Worse still, the touchpad in my review unit had a horrible rattle, as if some part was loose at the bottom section. It’s possible this issue is confined to my review unit alone – perhaps it had been passed around several journalists before it got to me – but the issue still doesn’t speak highly of its build quality or Acer's quality control.

There’s a varied selection of ports on the Aspire 16 AI, spread evenly across both sides. On the left are two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and an HDMI port. However, I found it inconvenient that the USB-C ports are placed nearest to you, since one has to be used for the power adapter; I much prefer the thick cable for this to trail from the back of the laptop, rather than from the middle, as it does with the Aspire 16 AI.

On the right you’ll find another USB-A port, followed by a combo audio jack and a microSD card reader. It’s a shame the latter can’t accommodate standard SD card sizes, but this is a small grievance.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Good productivity and streaming performance
• Poor for gaming
• Useless AI features

The Aspire 16 AI offers great general performance. It takes light productivity in its stride, from word processing to spreadsheet creation, and multiple browser tabs didn’t cause a problem for me, thanks to the 16GB of RAM in my review unit. Streaming 4K content is well within its grasp, too. I experienced little buffering or slow down, providing a seamless viewing experience in the main.

However, despite what Acer claims, the gaming performance of the Aspire 16 AI is quite poor. With its shared memory, the AMD Radeon GPU didn’t handle AAA titles very well. When I played Cyberpunk 2077 with the default Ray Tracing: Low preset and resolution scaling set to Performance mode, I was getting 20fps on average – not what you’d call playable.

The best I could achieve with the game was about 38fps, but that was at the lowest possible graphics preset and the resolution dropped to 1080p. This at least made it playable, but if you’re expecting to get even moderately close to the performance of the best gaming laptops, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

During my playtime, the Aspire 16 AI generated a fair amount of heat. Fortunately, this was heavily concentrated underneath and at the back, thus steering clear of any parts you might actually touch. Fan noise is also pleasantly subdued.

As when I tested the 14 AI, the AI features the Aspire 16 AI sports are disappointing. The centerpiece appears to be Acer LiveSense, a photo editing and webcam suite with very basic functionality, not to mention a poor UI and frequent glitches.

For more AI features, you’ll have to download Acer Intelligence Space, the brand’s hub. Contrary to when I tested the 14 AI, I managed to install it successfully. However, it didn’t get off to an auspicious start, as a dialog box warned me that I had insufficient memory resources, explaining that it needed 6.5GB free and a total of at least 16GB to execute smoothly.

(Image credit: Future)

I proceeded anyway and was greeted with a clear user interface that revealed the various AI apps I could install. However, a large portion of them seem to be incompatible with the Aspire 16 AI, and those that are were once more very limited in their functionality.

On a more positive note, the 2K OLED display in my review unit was as clear and as vibrant as you might expect. The very shiny coating can cause prominent reflections, but these can be mitigated by the screen’s brightness values (especially if you disable the ‘change brightness based on content’ setting).

The keyboard feels premium, too, thanks to the subtle texture and tight fit of the keys themselves. They’re also light, tactile, and reasonably spaced, although perhaps not to the extent of other laptop keyboards. I didn’t find this aspect to be a problem when typing, but I did while gaming, as it made adopting the WASD more uncomfortable for me.

At least the number pad doesn’t eat into the layout space. However, contrary to many full-sized laptop keyboards I’ve experienced, it’s the number pad itself that feels cramped, with its keys being too narrow to be used easily. Another small but notable gripe I have with the keyboard is the absence of a right Control key, which can be frustrating when performing productivity tasks.

The touchpad performs well enough, with its large and smooth surface making for easy navigation. However, thanks to the aforementioned rattle in its bottom portion, clicks felt unpleasant. It can also get in the way while typing: on occasion, the palm of my thumbs would activate the cursor, although thankfully not clicks or taps.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: Battery Life

(Image credit: Future)

• Average battery life
• 14 AI battery life much better
• Other rivals are better, too

The battery life of the Aspire 16 AI isn’t particularly impressive. It lasted just over nine hours in our movie playback test, which is a middling result. This is a far cry from the time achieved by the 14 AI, which lasted over twice as long, making the Aspire 16 AI even more disappointing by comparison.

What’s more, plenty of its rivals can beat this score, including the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch, which managed over 17 hours, and the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition, which lasted 11 hours.

• Battery Life: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Aspire 16 AI?Acer Aspire 16 AI Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Starting prices are low, but climb up the specs and the value starts to diminish.

3 / 5

Design

Build quality isn’t the best, but it’s impressively thin and light. It looks good, too.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Everyday tasks are dispatched without a hitch, but it can’t cope well with heavier demands, such as gaming. The display is very good, though.

3.5 / 5

Battery Life

Only average, and the smaller 14 AI absolutely obliterates it on this front.

3 / 5

Total

The Aspire 16 AI is a capable workhorse, but its poor GPU, underwhelming AI features, and suspect build quality result in a middling machine.

3 / 5

Buy the Acer Aspire 16 AI if...

You want a large and bright display
The 16-inch OLED on my model looked great, its powerful backlight can overcome its reflective nature.

You want something portable
Despite its large size, the Aspire 16 AI is impressively light and thin, making it easy to carry around.

Don't buy it if...

You’ll be running graphics-intensive apps
The Aspire 16 AI could barely handle AAA gaming at modest settings, saddled as it is with a shared memory GPU.

You want a super-sturdy machine
There’s plenty of flex in the body, and the seemingly broken touchpad on my particular unit was disconcerting.

Acer Aspire 16 AI review: Also Consider

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition
If you’re after more graphical power but don’t want to spend more for it, the TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition might be the solution. It comes equipped with an AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU, which is capable of handling AAA titles smoothly, although you may have to forgo Ray Tracing. Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review.

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Unusually for an Apple product, this MacBook Air is actually a great budget pick if you’re after a powerful machine, being among the best laptops for video editing for this reason. Its sumptuous design and display are additional feathers in its creative cap. Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review.

How I tested the Acer Aspire 16 AI

• Tested for several days
• Used for various tasks
• Plentiful laptop reviewing experience

I tested the Aspire 16 AI for several days, during which time I used it for various tasks, from productivity and browsing to streaming and gaming.

I also ran our series of benchmark tests to assess its all-round performance more concretely, and played a movie on a continuous loop while unplugged to see how long its battery lasted.

I have been using laptops for decades, and have reviewed a large and varied selection of them too, ranging in their form factors, price points, and intended purposes.

• First reviewed: January 2026
• Read more about how we test

The Acer Aspire 16 AI certainly looks like a premium laptop — but how does it perform?

Over the last decade, more airlines have made goofy safety videos to keep passengers' attention. But do they really work?

Proton VPN Free is undoubtedly among the best free VPNs available. Offering a broad spectrum of compatibility across devices, impressive speeds, and unlimited bandwidth, it would be easy for anyone looking for a free VPN to get started using Proton VPN Free.

That said, its apps aren't the simplest, you're limited to only one connected device at a time, and you can't choose which of its 10 available locations you connect to. Plus, our testing found some concerning throttling indicators which could make Proton VPN Free one to avoid should you be looking for a free streaming VPN or torrenting VPN.

Features

Proton VPN Free does exactly what a VPN needs to do and little else. Included in the free plan is your VPN connection, a kill switch, all of Proton VPN's protocols, and the ability to customise your app icon, in case you find yourself in a region with VPN restrictions.

Following recent updates, the app now offers 10 free servers and the company are developing a new, in-house VPN architecture that could lead to significant improvements in the future.

In our testing, we found no reason to be concerned about the kill switch. It was easy enough to set up, though it does require the VPN to be set as an 'always-on VPN' on Android devices.

Upgrading to a paid Proton VPN plan unlocks a plethora of further capabilities for the VPN.

For starters, NetShield, Proton VPN's ad, tracker, and malware blocking software. You can also access Proton VPN's Secure Core server network, which is its equivalent of multi-hop, use Proton for P2P downloading and file sharing, gain one-click access to Tor, split-tunnel your VPN traffic, and unlock Proton VPN's full suite of customization options.

These customisation options range from custom DNS to LAN connections, and even specific NAT types, plus you can set up specific profiles with tailored settings. Something to note is that while Proton VPN Free does allow you to create these fully customized profiles, you can only use them once you upgrade to a paid plan.

Features score: 4/10

Server Network

Proton VPN Free highlights one of the often overlooked benefits of paid VPNs, the ability to choose the server location you need, rather than simply being provided with one.

Proton VPN Free offers 10 server locations: the Netherlands, Romania, Singapore, Mexico, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, United States, Poland and Canada.

However, you do not get to choose which of these servers you connect to; instead, you are auto-connected to the fastest server available to you, which, more often than not, is the closest.

While not a big concern, should you plan to use Proton VPN Free just to secure your online traffic, it does limit Proton VPN Free's capabilities as a streaming VPN. Plus, you're likely guaranteed to have speed limitations if you're not close to any of the servers.

Choosing Proton VPN's paid version drastically increases the offering. Upping the countries available to a whopping 126, and, more importantly, you gain the ability to choose the exact location you want to connect to.

Server network score: 5/10

Apps

Despite being free, Proton VPN Free offers a good selection of apps. Free plan users can access Proton VPN on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and Chromebook.

The biggest omissions from this list that you'd be able to access should you choose Proton VPN's paid plan are its smart TV apps. This includes compatibility on Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV Stick.

Proton VPN recently underwent a refresh of many of its apps, leading to a new, sleek design across platforms such as Windows, iOS, and Android. (Image credit: Future)

Generally, however, the spread of compatibility available is impressive. What's more, each of Proton VPN Free's apps closely resembles each other, and features that might be hidden on smaller screen devices, such as mobiles, are easily accessible should you be looking to use Proton VPN free on your tablet or computer.

Apps score: 8/10

Ease of use

Proton VPN across both its paid and free plans is not the simplest VPN to look at, though this doesn't make it trouble to use, even if beginners might need a touch more time.

What must be said, though, is that while Proton VPN Free isn't the simplest to look at, it is arguably the best free VPN to look at for sheer aesthetics. Its dark purple theme, partnered with a simple enough map interface, makes for extremely pleasant viewing, even if all you can do with the free plan is click the connect button before you set about your browsing elsewhere.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

Proton VPN Free on Android is now a sleek VPN to look at, even if not as simple as the likes of ExpressVPN, thanks to a recent UI revamp.

Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

Using Proton VPN Free limits some features, anything you cannot access is indicated by either being greyed out, or by having the Proton logo with a plus symbol next to it.

Setting up Proton VPN Free is appreciably simple. Most notably, you're not instantly pushed to make a paid plan account from the outset, unlike many free VPNs. Instead, should you need to sign up, you simply create your account by clicking the button on the login menu, and after going through the steps and signing in, you're greeted with the usual home screen, and a bar telling you what you're missing out on by not having the paid plan. No hidden free plan signup, no trial you need to navigate, just quick access to the free service, and easy ways to upgrade should you choose to.

Once in, there are only two buttons you need to worry about: connect, which you're greeted with on the main screen, and your kill switch. As mentioned already, given the lack of server choice, the connect button does everything for you once clicked, connecting you to the fastest server in a matter of seconds. Your kill switch can be found quickly via the settings tab on mobile phones and tablets, or via the kill switch icon on computers.

Ease of use score: 8/10

Speed and performance

Proton VPN Free is, without doubt, one of the quickest free VPNs available. However, our latest testing revealed a couple of unfortunate issues you may wish to consider before jumping to your own conclusions.

Firstly, in terms of speeds, Proton VPN free achieved a maximum of 335 Mbps, which is by no means slow. These kinds of speeds would comfortably allow you to stream, game, or browse without any major issues. Our concern with this comes from the fact that our previous round of testing saw the free service achieve around 900 Mbps, which is a concerning drop-off.

What's more, testing on an Android device saw our speeds when connected to the VPN halve when compared to what we saw without a VPN connection using either WiFi or a mobile data connection. While this still saw us achieve speeds well over 100 Mbps, it's a notable amount of speed to lose, depending on the tasks you're aiming to achieve.

A final concern we found was that there was evidence of substantial throttling of speeds after a certain amount of data was used. In testing, after using 3-4GB of data, we saw our speeds drop to only around 5 Mbps, which, while fine for browsing or emails, would leave you struggling should you wish to stream or download on your VPN connection.

Given the lack of server choice, it's unlikely you'd choose Proton VPN Free for streaming anyway, but this should definitely come into consideration. Should you be looking for a fast and simple solution to day-to-day internet needs, Proton VPN Free is a seriously strong option.

Speed and performance score: 7/10

Unblocking

Testing Proton VPN's ability to unblock content isn't a simple feat because, as we've mentioned, you don't get to choose the location you connect to.

This means seeing the full scope of Proton VPN Free's capabilities isn't possible from one testing location, like we have. What we can say is we were flawlessly able to access Dutch streaming services, including Disney+, Netflix, and Prime Video.

Although we cannot guarantee the same levels of success in other regions, our testing of Proton VPN's paid plan suggests you should have equal levels of success. This is because the paid plan was able to comfortably unblock all the streaming services we tested in all 126 regions, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, 10Play, 9Now, and more.

Unblocking score: 5/10

Privacy and security

Despite not being able to access Proton's full suite of security features with Proton VPN Free, you have no reason to feel as though your data is at any risk, thanks to how the service has been set up.

First and foremost, Proton VPN is constantly proving that it not only doesn't store your data, but also that it has no vulnerabilities that may put your online privacy at risk. An independent audit by Securitum in July 2024 marked the third consecutive year of Proton annually proving its claims, and, while at the time of writing, we're yet to see an audit in 2025, we expect this to continue.

When using Proton VPN Free, you can use any of its various secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and its proprietary Stealth protocol. Both WireGuard and OpenVPN have long been common in the VPN industry, and both have been proven countless times to be secure and reliable protocols. WireGuard uses its traditional ChaCha20 encryption with Proton VPN, while Proton VPN's OpenVPN deployment uses AES-256, another impressively secure encryption method. In January 2026, Proton announced it was removing support for OpenVPN configuration files that were downloaded before September 2023. Users of the official app are unaffected. However, people running manual setups on routers, Linux terminals, or third-party clients must refresh their credentials.

Stealth, Proton VPN's proprietary protocol, is an obfuscated version of WireGuard that runs over TLS. This makes your browsing data look like normal encrypted browsing data to anyone who might analyze your traffic to spot VPN usage. For most, this is a bonus that won't be entirely necessary, but should you be tackling enterprise rule-based firewalls or DPI-based firewalls, this protocol may prove to have better luck.

Key things missing from Proton VPN Free include Proton VPN's equivalent of multihop, called Secure Core, as well as its NetShield ad, malware, and tracking blocker, and any kind of split tunneling. While missing out on split-tunelling and multihop is unfortunate, we'd usually recommend running an external ad and malware blocker alongside a VPN anyway, so NetShield doesn't prove as big a loss.

Privacy and security score: 8/10

Track record

Given Proton's wide suite of security tools and privacy-first claims, it attracts a great deal of attention and scrutiny online. Luckily, for the most part, it has proven to be flawless. An instance in 2019 where Proton Mail was forced to log a climate activist's IP after a law enforcement request proves to be the only mark on an otherwise problem-free record across its product range.

Swiss law works differently for VPN providers. VPN providers cannot be compelled to carry out bulk surveillance by either Swiss or foreign law enforcement. This makes Proton VPN much less vulnerable to requests that might put privacy at risk. At an individual account level, Proton VPN does need to comply with legally valid cases brought by the Swiss court, even if made by foreign entities. However, Switzerland has no ties to the EU, US, or NATO intelligence sharing pacts, and often doesn't recognize requests from countries with a poor judicial reputation.

Switzerland's privacy laws have been under review during the past 12 months, raising concerns that privacy protections may be undermined should certain provisions come into force. However, companies – including Proton – have pushed back on the proposals and, at the time of writing, no significant changes have been introduced.

Track record score: 9/10

Customer Support

Proton VPN's customer support options are more limited than most, especially on its free plan.

Should you encounter any issues while using the free plan, you can either use its support site to browse articles that may help you fix your issue, or you can use a contact email address to get some form of support from a human, depending on your issue.

In practice, Proton VPN's support articles are impressively helpful, and there's more than enough of them to cover most issues you face, and while it can be slow to contact a human via email, it's at least a viable alternative should you run into any issues not covered.

The biggest omission for Proton VPN Free customers is no live support functionalities. Even paid Proton VPN customers aren't quite able to access 24/7 support, but the lack of any kind of live chat does mean beginners could be left in the cold if struggling to find the support they need early on in their time using a VPN.

Customer support score: 7/10

Pricing and plans

Proton VPN Free does lack a fair amount compared to what a paid Proton VPN plan can offer, but that doesn't mean it isn't a supremely capable free VPN, depending on your needs.

By choosing to upgrade to Proton VPN's paid option, you can access:

• 15,000+ servers across 126 countries – plus the ability to choose which server you connect to!
• Servers capable of speeds up to 10 Gbps with VPN Accelerator
• Netshield ad, malware, and tracker blocking
• Secure Core (multihop) connections
• P2P downloading and file sharing
• 10 simultaneous connections
• The Tor network within your regular browser
• Split tunneling
• VPN Profiles
• Advanced VPN customisation settings

Given Proton VPN starts from $3.59 per month, that is a lot to include in that cost. While it's not as cheap as Surfshark or NordVPN, its paid plan also proved to be capable of speeds which matched the very fastest VPNs throughout, and it also proved flawless at unblocking streaming services.

So, while Proton VPN Free is a great free VPN choice to secure your day-to-day online activities, upgrading to a paid plan could prove to be extremely beneficial depending on what you want to achieve with your VPN.

Pricing and plans score: 9/10

Should you use Proton VPN Free?

If you are looking for a free VPN to protect you while you’re out and about, working overseas, or on holiday, and you’re worried about privacy when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi or someone else’s network, Proton VPN Free is without doubt a good choice for you.

While it doesn’t have much in the way of extra features, you can install it on your device, connect to the VPN, and then pretty much forget all about it. With speeds that will comfortably handle most tasks, an easy-enough interface, and a simple setup process, it's a breeze to get connected in a matter of minutes without being pressed into upgrading to its paid option.

Overall score: 70/100

Alternatives

NordVPN – from $3.39 per month
The best VPN overall
NordVPN ranks as our best VPN overall, making it a superb alternative to any VPN, especially a free one such as Proton VPN Free. Comparing NordVPN to Proton VPN's paid plan, you get more countries, even if only one, equally impressive speeds, clocking in over 950 Mbps, and a whole host of features, including Threat Protection Pro and Meshnet, all for a price cheaper than Proton VPN. View Deal

Surfshark – from $2.19 per month
The best cheap VPN (and also the fastest)
Surfshark is not only the best cheap VPN out there, at only $1.99 per month for two years, but it's also the fastest VPN we tested. Add to that impressive features such as Alternative ID, Surfshark Search, and Antivirus, and you can find yourself a complete security package for a matter of dollars with little difficulty.View Deal

ExpressVPN - from $3.99 per month
A beginner-friendly VPN package
ExpressVPN is without doubt one of the most secure VPN providers. It’s a more expensive VPN than almost any other VPN provider, but in return, you access a high-speed server network that spans 148 locations in 105 countries. Plus, it offers one of the easiest interfaces we've tested, across almost any device you can think of, even if you only get 8 simultaneous connections to use at once.View Deal

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Based on a Core Ultra Series 3 processor, the Prestige 14 Flip AI offers an unprecedented combination of 3D graphics power and all-day battery life.

Shadow AI has forced organizations to walk a fine line between pursuing innovation and ensuring protection.