Our Story: 15 Years of Fighting for Digital Freedom

2010 – Le VPN is Born in Paris

It all began in November 2010, on the benches of École Centrale Paris engineering school, where the seeds of Le VPN were planted. We became the first personal VPN service created in France, and we weren't going to rush it. After 15 months of MVP development - testing our minimum viable product in one geography (France) and one language (French) following the Lean Startup methodology - we validated our proof of concept. The market was ready. It was time to take Le VPN global.

2012 – We Go Global

In February 2012, Le VPN registered its headquarters in Hong Kong to stay outside of data retention laws - a decision that would prove foundational to our commitment to privacy. Our founding team welcomed a second co-founder, an INSEAD MBA graduate, to lead our global expansion while maintaining our leadership in the French market.

By May 2013, we had added a third security protocol (L2TP/IPSec) and expanded to three languages (English and Russian alongside French). Our international VPN server coverage grew from 5 to 12 countries. We were just getting started.

2014 – Our Server Network Expands to 50, Then 114 Countries

Growth accelerated rapidly. In April 2014, our network reached 50 countries. By September 2015, we had expanded to 114 countries, becoming the VPN provider with the world's largest server network at that time. We also released custom-made VPN software in partnership with Sparklabs' Viscosity, launched the first version of the Le VPN app for iOS, and enabled simultaneous use on 2 devices.

2015 – HybridVPN is Invented to Revolutionize Media Streaming

In February 2015, our team invented HybridVPN - a groundbreaking feature combining SmartDNS service for preselected media and TV channels with full VPN protection for all other online activities. This innovation changed how people accessed global content. We also launched our VPN service in Spanish to meet growing demand from Spain and Latin America.

2016 – Partnership with Keezel

In February 2016, we partnered with Keezel, a Dutch startup that raised over €1 million through Indiegogo, becoming one of their three VPN partners to provide service to Keezel device users.

2017 – Le VPN Apps for iOS and Android Are Born

We took control of our destiny. In early 2017, we began developing and releasing our own proprietary VPN software and apps for the most commonly used operating systems in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian). The rollout was swift: Mac software in March, Windows in April, iOS app in May, and Android app in July. We were now fully independent and in complete control of our user experience.

2018 – Fighting for Digital Freedom in the Digital Resistance Movement

In April 2018, Le VPN joined the Digital Resistance movement led by Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, fighting for digital freedom in Russia. Our active involvement alongside other anti-censorship tech companies - and our outspoken support for Russian users facing strict internet censorship - came at a cost: our website was banned in Russia.

But we adapted. We added a new offline module to our apps, allowing users in strict censorship countries to connect through Le VPN even on restricted networks. The fight was worth it. In June 2020, Russian authorities lifted the blocking of both Le VPN and Telegram when the Digital Resistance movement celebrated victory.

2019 – Acquisition of My Private Network

In February 2019, Le VPN acquired My Private Network, integrating all their users into our service and expanding further into the UK market. By popular demand, we reinforced the UK segment with faster, more reliable servers in multiple locations (including at a certain Big British media company - no names mentioned!).

A new Support Team joined to serve our growing customer base, and their dedication paid off - our Trustpilot reviews reached an average of 4.6 out of 5 for 2019.

We also launched the Le VPN app for Amazon Fire TV and Firestick, expanded our server network to 120 countries, and grew our SmartDNS and HybridVPN media selection to over 100 channels across 9 countries.

2020 – Le VPN Celebrates Its 10th Birthday

Our service and apps continued evolving. We added the new WireGuard protocol (a registered trademark of Jason A. Donenfeld), updated OpenVPN certificates for enhanced protection, and made OpenVPN connection port selection available in our Android app. We implemented 2-factor authentication for the Le VPN Client Area, making our service even more secure without compromising user experience.

As coronavirus spread globally, Le VPN joined the fight. We encouraged our clients to donate their processing power to COVID-19 research via the Folding@Home project.

On November 10th, we celebrated not just 10 years of this incredible journey and our amazing growing team who made it happen, but also our loyal clients from practically every corner of the world - who now rated us 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Thank you for making our success possible.

2021 – Le VPN Helps Secure Communications During COVID

As the pandemic continued to reshape how the world worked and communicated, we doubled down on our commitment to keeping people connected and informed. We ensured users worldwide could access reliable health information and stay in touch with loved ones across borders, regardless of local restrictions. When times are tough, technology should bring us together - not divide us.

2022 – Stealth Mode: Breaking Through the Toughest Censorship

We integrated a new protocol - Stealth Mode - designed to bypass Deep Packet Inspection even in highly censored countries. For users living under increasingly sophisticated surveillance and censorship regimes, this wasn't just a feature upgrade; it was a lifeline.

We also made our iOS app compatible with Apple Silicon Macs, bringing the latest mobile app features to desktop users.

2023 – We Revamp Our Mobile Apps

User experience matters. We completely revamped our mobile apps to deliver an even smoother, more intuitive interface. Protecting your privacy shouldn't be complicated, and our redesigned apps made it easier than ever to stay secure on the go - whether you're a tech expert or just getting started with VPNs.

2024 – Le VPN Becomes the First VPN App Removed by Apple from the Russian App Store

In 2024, under pressure from Roskomnadzor, Apple removed Le VPN from the Russian App Store - making us the first VPN app to face this ban. But censorship doesn't stop us. Our service remained accessible to Russian users through alternative means. We've faced government pressure before, and we'll continue fighting for digital freedom no matter the obstacles. Some principles are worth the cost.

2025 – Le VPN Celebrates 15 Years and Launches New Security Features

Fifteen years since that first conversation at École Centrale Paris, Le VPN is stronger than ever. To mark this milestone, we're adding Breach Detection and Threat Protection features for all users - because protecting your digital life means staying ahead of evolving threats. We've also expanded our reach by translating our apps and website into 15 languages, making digital security accessible to more people around the world.

From 5 countries to over 100. From one language to global reach. From a student project to a force for digital freedom. This is our story - but it's also yours. Thank you for trusting us to protect what matters most.