Proton irradiated and sulfonated poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF-SA) membranes have been tested with respect to fuel cell performance and swelling in water. Swelling of the PVF-SA membranes was clearly lower than that of the Nafion(R) 117 and 112 membranes. In fuel cell tests the performance of the low price PVF-SA was better than Nafion(R) 117 membranes tested under similar conditions. In contrast, the Nafion(R) 112 membrane performed better than the PVF-SA membrane. The low ohmic resistivity of Nafion(R) 112 and the compatibility between Nation membrane and Nation impregnated electrodes explain this. PVF-SA membranes suffered from degradation during the fuel cell testing.