Softwr

Government · head to head

MuckRock vs ProtonVPN

MuckRock logo

MuckRock

Government

FOIA Filing and Research Platform

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

Cybersecurity

High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MuckRock muckRock's core platform, Squarelet identity service, and DocumentCloud are licensed AGPL-3.0, which requires anyone running a modified version as a network service to release their source code; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
  • They diverge on capability: MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MuckRock and ProtonVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where MuckRock and ProtonVPN differ
AttributeMuckRockProtonVPN
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoryGovernmentCybersecurity
Founded20102014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in MuckRock

  • FOIA Filing
  • Request Tracking
  • Document Archive
  • Collaboration
  • Agency Directory
  • DocumentCloud
  • News Organizations
  • Research Tools

Only in ProtonVPN

  • No-logs policy
  • Secure Core
  • Kill Switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Tor over VPN
  • Split tunneling
  • NetShield ad-blocker
  • VPN Accelerator

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MuckRock

  • Citizen Servicesnot ProtonVPN
  • Records Managementnot ProtonVPN
  • Public Safetynot ProtonVPN
  • Civic Engagementnot ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

  • Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot MuckRock
  • Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot MuckRock
  • Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot MuckRock

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MuckRock

  • MuckRock's core platform, Squarelet identity service, and DocumentCloud are licensed AGPL-3.0, which requires anyone running a modified version as a network service to release their source code

ProtonVPN

  • Free plan limited to one device at a time
  • Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
  • Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable

Pricing, plan by plan

MuckRock

Free
  • BasicFree
    • FOIA Filing
    • Request Tracking
    • Document Archive

ProtonVPN

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.

Which should you pick?

Choose MuckRock if

  • You need foia filing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want request tracking.
MuckRock review

Choose ProtonVPN if

  • You need no-logs policy.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want secure core.
ProtonVPN review

Questions people ask

Is MuckRock or ProtonVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. MuckRock starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MuckRock or ProtonVPN?
MuckRock starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free.
Does MuckRock or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
MuckRock runs on Web. ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use MuckRock for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MuckRock best used for?
MuckRock is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
What can MuckRock do that ProtonVPN cannot?
MuckRock covers FOIA Filing, Request Tracking, Document Archive, Collaboration. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. Both handle Web support.
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