That’s why I did a deep dive into the privacy policies and histories of 45+ top VPNs. The best no-log VPNs won’t store any of your identifiable information and have policies proven with independent audits, real-life cases, or both. My top pick is ExpressVPN because its privacy policy has been verified by a top auditing firm. Plus, one government seized ExpressVPN servers in 2017 only to find that they held zero data, further proving it stores no logs. On top of this, it offers top security features, its own unique security protocol, and is one of the fastest VPNs available. If you want to protect your privacy, you can always try ExpressVPN out risk-free since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, getting a refund is hassle-free. Try ExpressVPN Today Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free »
The 10 Best No-Log VPNs – Full Analysis (Updated March 2023)
1. ExpressVPN – Proven No-Logs Policy With RAM-Based Servers for Added Privacy
Of all the VPNs I looked into, ExpressVPN has the strongest privacy features, coupled with excellent performance and extensive P2P support. It was tested time and again and consistently demonstrated that it would never expose its users’ data. ExpressVPN’s privacy policy is clear about never storing your identifiable information, and it has the history to back it up. For instance, back in 2017, an ExpressVPN server was seized by the Turkish government. However, government officials couldn’t find anything because no data was stored on the server. Since then, ExpressVPN has taken even more steps to guard users’ privacy. For one, it switched to RAM-based servers, meaning user data is wiped clean on each reboot. In addition, it has undergone several independent audits, which not many VPNs can boast. Among them, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) examined its code and interviewed team members to confirm that ExpressVPN’s no-logging claims were all true. In 2022, its privacy claims were further examined and verified by KPMG and Cure53. ExpressVPN also open-sourced its browser extension for anyone to review its code and confirm that it doesn’t store user data. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, a privacy-friendly country with no data retention laws. This means that ExpressVPN can fulfill its commitment to safeguarding your data — it’s not legally obligated to share user data with government authorities. ExpressVPN lets you pay via bitcoin to give you an additional layer of anonymity. The subscriptions are a bit expensive, but you can get generous discounts throughout the year. For instance, you can now get 3 months free on ExpressVPN yearly plans. And since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s easy to get a full refund if you’re not impressed.
Features:
Leak protection — ExpressVPN offers strong leak protection to prevent your sensitive information from being exposed. I tested 7 of its US servers on ipleak.net and found no DNS or IP leaks. Best speeds — During my tests, I got an average speed of 57.5 Mbps (only a 5% drop from my baseline connection). This will let you torrent, browse, and stream without interruption. Great for torrenting — While ExpressVPN doesn’t offer WireGuard, it has its own version of this protocol called Lightway, which is just as effective for P2P file sharing. Plus, ExpressVPN allows split-tunneling and has P2P-friendly servers. Strong security — ExpressVPN uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption to keep your devices well protected and an automatic kill switch that cuts off your internet if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This prevents unwanted data leaks. Obfuscated servers — ExpressVPN uses automatic obfuscation technology on all its servers. This scrambles your metadata and hides VPN use, so you can bypass tough firewalls and VPN blocks.
Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free »
2. CyberGhost – Dedicated P2P Servers and Quarterly Transparency Reports
Having done a deep dive into CyberGhost’s history, I can confirm that it delivers on its promises to protect its users’ privacy. Over the years, it has received several legal requests to hand over user data, but it has never been able to comply since it doesn’t keep logs. You can check the details in CyberGhost’s quarterly transparency reports, where it lists all the requests it receives to hand over user data. Info on how these requests are handled is also included. CyberGhost is based in privacy-friendly Romania, which is outside of the 14-Eyes Alliance. It has no laws requiring VPNs to store identifiable information on its customers, so it can freely honor its strict no-logs policy. Its policy was further proven in 2019 when a company it works with for customer surveys (Typeform) was compromised, and 14 account names were leaked. However, no passwords or other details were exposed because CyberGhost doesn’t store that information. In 2022, CyberGhost underwent an independent security audit with Deloitte. The audit confirmed that the company’s infrastructure and server configurations are in line with its privacy policy. If you’re not ready to commit, you can try CyberGhost risk-free using its 45-day money-back guarantee. It accepts multiple payment methods, including PayPal and cryptocurrencies.
Features:
Dedicated P2P servers — CyberGhost offers specialized P2P servers, which are optimized for fast speeds. This lets you download torrents quickly without interruption. NoSpy servers — These are extra secure servers housed in private data centers in Romania. Only CyberGhost staff has access to these servers, so there’s a reduced risk of third-party interference. Robust security — CyberGhost offers AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to keep your data safe. Built-in malware-blocker — CyberGhost’s Block content feature prevents malicious sites from loading, further strengthening your online security. Good speeds — CyberGhost is fast enough for high-bandwidth activities like torrenting and streaming. While its long distance-connections aren’t as fast as ExpressVPN, this shouldn’t be a problem if you have good baseline speeds to begin with. I could download a 3 GB torrent file in 7 minutes with its long-distance Perth connection.
Try CyberGhost Risk-Free »
3. Private Internet Access – Independently Audited With Multi-Hop for Even Safer Connections
Private Internet Access (PIA) promises to never retain your identifiable logs, and its claims have been proven multiple times. In 2016, the FBI asked for data on one of its subscribers, but PIA had nothing to share. In another instance, the Russian government seized some of PIA’s servers, only to find absolutely nothing. Like CyberGhost, PIA also completed a security audit performed by Deloitte in 2022. And it verified that the VPN doesn’t collect or store any information that can identify its users. PIA owns all 29,650+ of its servers, and like ExpressVPN, uses only RAM-based configurations. Many VPNs rent a portion of their servers, but owning them all eliminates any middleman from potentially compromising a server. Plus, RAM-based servers make deleting all anonymized data as easy as flicking a switch. But what really sets it apart is that PIA lets you easily set up a multi-hop connection that routes your traffic through the VPN first, then through a SOCKS5 proxy. This is a great setup for torrenting. It gives you better security by encrypting your traffic while using a proxy makes your VPN connection look like a normal connection. Plus, it also supports port forwarding, which can improve download speeds. The only downside is that PIA is based in the US, one of the worst jurisdictions for VPNs to operate in. However, PIA has earned the trust of its users over 10+ years by repeatedly proving it would never compromise their privacy, even as servers were confiscated. You can also try PIA out risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Just ask support for a refund if it’s not for you.
Features:
Built-in ad and malware blocker — PIA MACE improves your browsing experience by blocking ads and preventing you from accessing malicious sites. Open-source VPN apps — All of PIA’s apps are 100% open-source, which means anyone can inspect its code for security vulnerabilities and suggest improvements. Customizable security — PIA allows you to choose the level of encryption on OpenVPN connections (AES 128-bit and 256-bit). A lower level of encryption will give you better speeds, so it’s a good choice for torrenting or streaming. You can also enable its “Advanced Kill Switch”, which blocks your internet connection even if your VPN is turned off. WireGuard compatibility — PIA lets you use the WireGuard protocol, making it a perfect choice for high-bandwidth activities. WireGuard is faster, consumes less data, and is just as secure as OpenVPN.
Try Private Internet Access Risk-Free »
4. NordVPN – Audited Three Times, Plus Threat Protection to Ensure Private and Safe Connections
NordVPN’s privacy policy was independently audited twice by PwC, who on both occasions, confirmed its no-logs claims are valid. In December 2022, Deloitte also verified this in a third audit. The company itself requested the audits, which shows it’s serious about protecting user privacy. In 2019, it also underwent an app security audit. A thorough testing was performed by Versprite, and no critical vulnerabilities were reported. Its policy guarantees it won’t ever store any identifiable user information, like IP address, device information, or connection timestamps. The only data it does store is your email address and payment details, which are only used for processing purchases and refunds. If you don’t want to share this information, you can use a temporary email address and choose to pay with cryptocurrency when signing up. This further increases your online privacy. I’m also a fan of NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature, which blocks ads and trackers, and prevents malicious sites from loading. It also scans downloaded files for malware so you can download torrents worry-free, knowing it’s safeguarding your device. NordVPN is based in Panama, where the internet isn’t subject to government surveillance. Since it’s based outside of the 14 Eyes Jurisdiction, no one has the right to keep tabs on your online activity. On the downside, NordVPN hasn’t released any transparency reports. Considering its jurisdiction, it probably doesn’t get many requests for user data. Even still, its proven that it won’t expose your data. And since its servers are all RAM-only, it’s likely there’s no data to share anyway. Each plan is backed by a reliable money-back guarantee. If you don’t find NordVPN is for you, you have 30 days to get a full refund.
Features:
Fast speeds. NordVPN is the second fastest VPN I tested with its proprietary protocol, NordLynx. During my tests, the speed never dropped more than 16%, even on long-distance connections. That keeps slowdowns to a minimum while you torrent. Obfuscated servers. NordVPN offers obfuscated servers, which means the VPN works in strictly-censored countries like China. Double VPN. This feature adds an extra layer of security. It routes your traffic through 2 servers, encrypting your data twice. Torrent-friendly. NordVPN’s specialized P2P servers allow for fast downloads.
Try NordVPN Risk-Free »
5. Surfshark — Affordable No-Log VPN With Unlimited Connections
The reason I keep coming back to Surfshark is that it’s budget-friendly yet doesn’t skimp on privacy and security. Surfshark’s no-logs policy was independently audited by Deloitte in 2023, which took a hard look at server configuration, the deployment process, and more. The firm’s report confirmed that the provider upholds its promises as a no-logs VPN. Its no-logs policy is not the only aspect of Surfshark that’s undergone auditing. Cure53 audited Surfshark on 2 different occasions (in 2018 and again in 2021). The first of which focused on its Chrome and Firefox browser extensions while the second examined the VPN’s entire infrastructure and server configuration. According to the reports, Surfshark’s browser extensions proved to be airtight and secure. In the second audit, Cure53 was given access to 5 Surfshark servers. The firm reported only 4 medium-to-low-level security flaws, which Surfshark then rectified. I like that I can protect all of my devices under one subscription since Surfshark has unlimited device connections. No matter how many devices I set it up with, my connections were stable and smooth. The only problem is that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is also a part of the 14 Eyes alliance. This means it can be forced by government authorities to hand over user data. But since it doesn’t keep logs, it won’t have anything to share. You can get Surfshark for just $2.30/month with its long-term plan. Since all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, there’s no financial risk whatsoever.
Features:
NoBorders. An intuitive feature that helps you bypass tough network restrictions by presenting you with a list of servers up for the job. Camouflage mode. Surfshark’s obfuscation feature makes your VPN connection look like regular traffic to help you overcome VPN blocks. Strong security. This includes leak protection, a built-in malware blocker, and a kill switch. Plus, its dynamic multi-hop feature bolsters security by routing your traffic through 2 servers; you can choose between 100+ locations. Rotating IP. This automatically rotates your IP address without changing your VPN location. After enabling this feature, you’ll have enhanced security since your IP address is continuously changing.
Try Surfshark Risk-Free »
6. PrivateVPN – Stealth Mode Keeps You Safe Even On Restrictive Networks
Stealth VPN is PrivateVPN’s obfuscation technology that hides your VPN use for added privacy. This can help you bypass firewalls and torrent safely, even on restrictive networks. You can even use it in countries with heavy VPN restrictions. For example, I reached out to customer support, and the agent confirmed that PrivateVPN works in China. They recommended the SSL protocol. The VPN doesn’t even keep anonymized logs of your usage. It retains only the bare minimum amount of information it needs, which is the email address and payment details required to process your purchase. Plus, you can pay with cryptocurrency for almost complete anonymity. My only complaint is that I wish PrivateVPN offered WireGuard, which is not only open-source and secure, but also fast. You can select from short-term or long-term plans — long-term is better value and lets you get a subscription for just $2/month, which makes PrivateVPN one of the more affordable options.
Features:
Leak protection — PrivateVPN passed all of my leak tests across 20 different servers. This means your online activity will never be traced back to you. Several Security Protocols — It offers 6 VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2. You can choose one depending on your preferences; I found IKEv2 faster than OpenVPN since it’s less CPU-intensive. Port forwarding — PrivateVPN allows port forwarding, which can make torrents faster by increasing the number of peers you can connect to. Plus, it also offers Shadowsocks and SOCKS5 proxies.
Try PrivateVPN Risk-Free »
7. ProtonVPN – Secure Core Servers for Added Privacy
If you’re extra conscious about your online privacy, you’ll appreciate Proton VPN’s Secure Core feature. It adds an extra layer of security by sending your internet traffic through multiple servers. This means that even if one of the servers is compromised, your online activity is still safe. The company has a strict no-logging policy, so you can trust it with your data. Plus, Proton VPN is located in Switzerland, a country outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance. In 2019, Proton’s no-logs claims were challenged when the Swiss court ordered the company to hand over user data upon request by a foreign government. However, it didn’t have anything to share. Proton VPN was developed by the same team of people who created ProtonMail, the world’s safest encrypted email service. The company is dedicated to online freedom and even gathered 70,000 signatures to fight back against a Swiss data retention law it found invasive. Every Proton VPN app is open-source and constantly checked for vulnerabilities. It has also undergone independent audits by SEC Consult and Securitum, who both confirmed its apps are secure. In addition, ProtonVPN has excellent security features. Your data is protected with AES 256-bit encryption, and the VPN comes with leak protection, an automatic kill switch, and WireGuard compatibility for fast connection speeds. Plus, it also offers an ad-blocker (called NetShield) to remove ads, malware, and trackers. ProtonVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee comes all subscriptions, but it’s prorated. This means you’re only refunded for the days you didn’t use it, so you can only get a partial refund. There’s also no live chat, so you can only request a refund through email. Try Proton VPN Risk-Free »
8. IPVanish – Basic Split-Tunneling to Encrypt Traffic of Your Choice
I found IPVanish’s split-tunneling feature really convenient. This lets you control which apps use the VPN connection, so I could, for instance, route my uTorrent traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel. The rest of the apps on my Realme X7 were using the normal high-speed connection. However, unlike with ExpressVPN, this feature is only available for Android. Like PIA, IPVanish owns all of its servers which gives you added privacy because there’s no middleman to worry about. These servers are P2P-friendly and provide fast speeds on both short-distance and long-distance connections. In addition, it has a strict no-logs policy and doesn’t store any of your identifiable data. It only keeps anonymized logs that help the VPN run smoothly. This includes session lengths, server usage, protocols used, and more, but based on my investigations, none of this data is ever linked to your account. Under previous ownership, IPVanish did provide US authorities with information about a user suspected of a crime in 2016, even though it claimed to have a “no-logs” policy. However, after its acquisition by Stackpath in 2017, its no-logs policy was independently audited and verified to be trustworthy by Leviathan Security Group. There have been no incidents like this ever since, which is reassuring. It’s risk-free to test out all of IPVanish’s features because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can cancel your subscription from your account dashboard and get a full refund. Try IPVanish Risk-Free »
9. hide.me – Erases Anonymized Connection Logs Every Few Hours
With an independently audited no-logs policy, hide.me is a reliable way to maintain your privacy online. The VPN’s policy was audited by Leon Juranic of Defense Code LTD, the same encryption expert that once helped NASA patch up its security risks. He verified that hide.me stores no identifiable logs, and the anonymized connection logs it does keep are erased every few hours. hide.me goes the extra mile to protect your privacy. It has its headquarters set up in Malaysia, a privacy-friendly country outside the 14-Eyes Alliance. So, hide.me is not required by law to store user data. Plus, you also get several advanced security features. In addition to leak protection and military-grade encryption, the VPN supports torrenting and has a kill switch (just remember to activate it). The company is upfront about the fact that it will share data with authorities if there’s a court order from its government, but it only retains the information you use to purchase. This means you can protect yourself by using a new email and paying with cryptocurrency. In addition, you can test out hide.me free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I requested my refund through email, and I was approved after 1 day with no questions asked. The refund showed up in my account after a week. Try hide.me Risk-Free »
10. TunnelBear – Yearly Transparency Reports to Back Up Its No-Logs Policy
One of the reasons I like Tunnelbear is that it releases yearly transparency reports to show it upholds its no-logs policy. Any time government authorities, police, or legal teams request data on customers, TunnelBear lets you know. Since it doesn’t keep logs, it never has any data on timestamps, online activities, or IP addresses to share. The only thing the company records is your data usage (only to manage its free accounts), browser, and OS. However, the data is anonymized, and nothing is stored that can be used to track you. It’s reassuring to know that TunnelBear’s apps, software, and VPN infrastructure have been independently audited 5 times, so it stands by its privacy protocols. Strong leak protection keeps you safe from hackers, governments, your ISP, or any other prying eyes. I completed leak tests on 10 different servers, and TunnelBear never revealed my actual location. Plus, it has an automatic kill switch that cuts off my internet connection anytime the servers are disconnected (for any reason). It’s too bad TunnelBear is headquartered in Canada, which is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. But its independent security audits and transparency reports prove it protects your vital information. You can get TunnelBear for $3.33/month. Currently, it doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee for premium plans, although refunds are given on a case-by-case basis. Try TunnelBear Risk-Free »
Quick Comparison Table: No-Log VPN Features
Every VPN on this list has a strict no-logs policy and can be trusted to handle your data. However, some anonymized information about your VPN use is necessary to keep things running smoothly. Many services also keep their headquarters in a privacy-friendly country, and independent audits verify their privacy policies are being upheld. Below is a table that shows you how each no-log VPN in this list stacks up. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free »
Tips on How to Choose The Best No-Log VPN
I ranked the VPNs in my list based on these criteria. You can use this as a checklist on your own search for the best VPN for privacy:
A proven no-logs policy. The best way to find out if a privacy policy is trustworthy is to find real-world examples where it’s been proven (in court cases or investigations, for example). From my list, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, Proton VPN, and TunnelBear all have policies that have been proven in real-life situations. Independent audits. These prove a VPN stands by its policies and that its apps are as secure as the VPN claims. Plus, if any vulnerabilities are found, they’ll be fixed right away, ensuring your privacy is well protected. Based in a privacy-friendly country. It’s best if a VPN has headquarters in a privacy-friendly country, especially one outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance. Being outside of these jurisdictions means the VPN doesn’t have to comply with government requests for data or requirements to store it. Strong security features. Having IP/DNS leak protection, AES-256 bit encryption, and a kill switch ensures it’s nearly impossible to access your data. Secure servers. This is one more layer of protection against attacks, and RAM-based servers ensure the data on a server is erased with every reboot. Anonymous payment options. Paying with cryptocurrency means you don’t have to give up your credit card information or personal details. Fast speeds. All VPNs slow your connection a little, but with the best ones, it’s so slight you won’t notice at all. All the VPNs in this list have fast speeds, so you can protect your privacy without compromising speed. P2P and streaming capabilities. If you plan on torrenting or streaming, you’ll want to know the VPN can unblock your favorite platforms and works with P2P sites and apps. Reliable customer support. It’s not uncommon for VPNs to occasionally run into issues. When that happens, you want a VPN with responsive customer support to assist you.
Warning! These VPNs Keep Logs
These VPNs have been known to store user logs and should be avoided.
Hola: Admits to storing browsing activity, IP addresses, and even information linked to social media accounts. PureVPN: Revealed information about a users’ IP address. BolehVPN: Admitted it may turn on logs to identify suspicious customers. VPNBook: Stores your IP address and connection timestamps for a week. ThunderVPN: Logs your IP address. AVG: Was caught storing user data not mentioned in its privacy policy. Betternet: Caught collecting user data to sell to third parties.
Stay Private With ExpressVPN
Types of VPN Logs (and Which Ones You Should be Concerned About)
A great no-logs VPN keeps no information that can be used to identify you or your activities. However, some logs are necessary to keep a VPN running smoothly. Here’s a breakdown of the most important categories and whether they should be of concern:
Usage logs: This is information about your online activities, like what websites you’ve visited. None of the VPNs on my list store any usage logs, and, from a privacy standpoint, I can’t recommend VPNs that do. Connection logs: This is data about your VPN session, like the server IP, timestamps, how much data was used, and when you connected. Most VPNs store some of this information to maintain their service. It’s not a big issue, as long as the data is anonymized (so it can’t be traced to a user). But I don’t recommend VPNs that store your IP since that can be used to identify you. User information logs. Most VPNs will ask for an email and receive your payment information when you sign up. If the logs are anonymized, nothing will be linked to your account. However, you can be extra safe by creating a new email and paying with cryptocurrency.
How can I know if my VPN keeps logs or not?
A VPN can prove it doesn’t keep logs by verifying its no-logs policies with independent audits or in real-life situations. It’s also important to find VPNs with accessible, transparent privacy policies that clearly list what they do and do not store (and whether it’s anonymous). Several VPNs have had their servers seized or had governments force them to hand over data. You can know whether they truly don’t store logs when nothing is shared or compromised in these situations. It’s also best if the VPN is headquartered in a country with privacy-friendly data-retention laws. RAM-based servers are a plus since they store any data for a shorter amount of time and are easier to update with the latest security software.
What does no-log VPN actually mean?
A no-logs VPN will not store any data that can be used to identify you. It may still store some anonymized data that’s used to troubleshoot issues with the VPN (like data usage). However, this isn’t an issue because anonymized data can’t be linked to your account. None of the VPNs in this list record your IP address or any of your online activities.
Can you use a no-log VPN based in the US or the UK?
Yes. But it’s best to use a VPN located in a more privacy-friendly country. However, if a VPN really doesn’t store any logs, this isn’t much of an issue since it wouldn’t have anything to share even if it were asked to do so. The UK and the US are both parts of the 14 Eyes Alliance. This is an agreement between several governments to share information on their citizens’ internet usage. The US also has a huge surveillance infrastructure it uses to spy on its people. However, even if the government asks for data from a VPN company, if they don’t store logs, they won’t have anything to share anyway.
Will a no-logs VPN keep me anonymous?
It helps keep you anonymous online, but it can’t guarantee complete anonymity. A VPN service could potentially choose to look at or keep your data at any time. This is why it’s so important to choose a service that’s transparent about its privacy practices and can be trusted. The VPNs in this list have strict no-logging policies, and most have been proven in court, with transparency reports, or with independent audits.
Can I get a no-log VPN for free?
Technically yes, but I can’t recommend them. It’s better to use a low-cost premium no-log VPN that comes with a money-back guarantee. This way, you can get a refund if it’s not for you. Many free VPNs make money by selling your data, so a lot of their privacy policies can’t be trusted. Free VPNs always come with severe limitations, like data caps, limited servers, and weaker security features. They’re simply not worth the risk when you can try premium VPNs risk-free with their money-back guarantees. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free »
Get the Best No-Log VPN Today
If a VPN keeps identifiable logs, there’s no reason to use it. The main purpose of a VPN is to protect your online privacy, and if it can’t be responsible with your data, you need to find one that’s trustworthy. All of the VPNs in this list are safe to use and won’t store any information that can be used to identify you. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it has a verified and audited strict no-logging policy. Plus, it’s located in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, comes with top-notch security features, and has its own superfast Lightway protocol. You can try ExpressVPN out risk-free. Since it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, if you’re not happy with it, you can claim a full refund.
To summarize, the best no-log VPNs in March 2023 are…
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
Visit ExpressVPN
