When a VPN supplier claims to have a “no-logs coverage,” it implies that they received’t retailer or “log” customers’ on-line exercise and knowledge. This contains delicate data reminiscent of searching historical past, IP addresses, information downloaded and different knowledge that would doubtlessly be tied again to you.
VPNs are primarily used to safe on-line visitors and assist customers stay nameless to keep away from focused advertisements, disguise their location or make sure the safety and privateness of their private knowledge.
Although many VPN suppliers might promote having a no-logs coverage, not all follow-through with their guarantees. Some suppliers don’t have impartial safety audits that affirm their coverage, leaving all of it to belief. A lot worse, some VPN suppliers have been caught logging knowledge regardless of claiming not to take action.
On this article, we’ll discover VPNs that actually provide help to browse anonymously and conduct third-party audits to show they don’t log consumer knowledge.
Featured Companions: Cybersecurity Software program
Nameless (No-Log) VPNs in contrast
Beneath are among the key options to search for in an nameless, no-log VPN. The variations between these will spotlight how every VPN can fit your wants finest on high of offering prime quality safety.
| Servers and Nations | Most Latest Safety Audit | Safety Protocols | Machine Connections | Annual Pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 6,033 servers in 61 international locations | February 2023 by Cure53 | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLyx (based mostly on WireGuard) | 6 | $5.49 per thirty days |
| Mullvad VPN | 641 servers from 40 international locations | August 2023 by Radically Open Safety | OpenVPN and WireGuard | 5 | $5.48 per thirty days |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000 servers (reported) in 105 international locations | November 2022 by Cure53 | OpenVPN and Lightway | 8 | $6.67 per thirty days |
| ProtonVPN | 3,097 servers in 71 international locations | April 2023 by Securitum | OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth (Mac) | 10 | $5.99 per thirty days |
| Surfshark | 3,200+ servers in 100 international locations | December 2023 Cellular App Safety Evaluation (MASA) | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | Limitless | $4.09 per thirty days |
| CyberGhost VPN | 11,529 servers in 100 international locations | September 2022 by Deloitte | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 | 7 | $6.99 per thirty days (6-month plan) |
NordVPN: Finest for all-around safety
NordVPN offers an intensive suite of privateness and security-focused options that make it one of many high VPNs right now. It boasts double VPN capabilities, obfuscated servers, robust AES-256 encryption and built-in safety in opposition to malware and advertisements. That is on high of getting an intuitive utility and quick web efficiency.
For safety audits, NordVPN’s no-logs coverage was final confirmed by Deloitte in January 2023. Its structure and cell app safety had been additionally audited and backed by Cure53 in February 2023.
Pricing
NordVPN has three tiers: Normal, Plus and Full. Of the three, NordVPN Plus provides one of the best steadiness of options and value. It contains the VPN, malware safety, knowledge breach scanning and advert blocking.
- NordVPN Plus 1-month: $13.99 per thirty days.
- NordVPN Plus 1-year: $5.49 per thirty days.
- NordVPN Plus 2-years: $4.79 per thirty days.
Options
- 6,033 servers in 61 international locations.
- Risk safety in opposition to malware, advertisements and trackers.
- Helps as much as six simultaneous connections.
- Darkish Internet Monitor.
- Encrypted file-sharing characteristic.
Professionals
- Specialised servers for safety and privateness.
- Quick and dependable VPN velocity.
- Independently audited no-logs coverage.
- Intuitive desktop utility.
Cons
- No free model.
- Priced comparatively excessive.
For extra data, learn the total NordVPN evaluate.
Mullvad VPN: Finest for total privateness
Privateness lovers have long-recognized Mullvad VPN for its massive deal with anonymity and privateness—and it lives as much as the hype. Mullvad makes use of a singular and nameless account quantity system that eliminates the necessity for customers to share their private e-mail to create an account.
Moreover, the VPN additionally lets customers pay for the service by way of money or bodily vouchers. This permits customers to forego the same old bank card or PayPal funds, eradicating any want at hand over delicate cost data.
Its no-logs coverage has additionally been confirmed by Assured AB in June 2022, with their most up-to-date infrastructure audit by Radically Open Safety being printed simply final August 2023.
Pricing
- Flat price of €5 or $5.49 per thirty days, no matter subscription size.
Options
- Nameless consumer account numbers.
- 651 servers throughout 40 international locations.
- Break up tunneling.
- Constructed-in kill change.
Professionals
- Independently audited no-logs coverage.
- Inexpensive month-to-month subscription.
- Respectable velocity and efficiency.
- Simple to make use of desktop app.
- Lets customers pay in money or vouchers.
Cons
- Small server community.
- Longer subscriptions may be costly.
- No free trial.
For extra data, learn the total Mullvad VPN evaluate.
ExpressVPN: Finest for safety audits
In the event you’re searching for a VPN supplier that’s proven a robust dedication to third-party testing, take a look at ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN has a complete of 16 third-party audits for his or her complete suite of merchandise, which embrace their VPN desktop apps, browser extensions and cell counterparts. This exhibits us that ExpressVPN shouldn’t be afraid to check their safety claims throughout their companies. Luckily, these audits complement a really strong VPN service that gives a big server community, a well-designed consumer interface and quick total speeds.
ExpressVPN’s most up-to-date audit was in November 2022 by Cure53 of their Lightway protocol.
Pricing
- 1 month: $12.95 per thirty days.
- 6 months: $9.99 per thirty days.
- 1 yr: $6.67 per thirty days.
Options
- RAM-only server expertise.
- Browser extension that acts as distant.
- As much as eight simultaneous machine connections.
- Servers unfold throughout 105 international locations.
Professionals
- Intuitive and well-designed app interface.
- Quick and dependable speeds.
Cons
- Not as reasonably priced as different VPNs.
- No two- or three-year subscription possibility.
For extra data, learn the total ExpressVPN evaluate.
ProtonVPN: Finest in opposition to authorities surveillance
Customers frightened about authorities intervention or knowledge requests ought to attempt ProtonVPN. It has the distinctive benefit of being based mostly in Switzerland, a rustic with among the strongest privateness legal guidelines on the earth. This helps alleviate any considerations that authorities might seize consumer knowledge from the VPN for surveillance functions.
ProtonVPN can be open-source, which implies that its code is publicly accessible to be inspected for vulnerabilities or dangers.
When it comes to its no logs claims, Proton VPN’s no logs coverage additionally handed a safety audit in April 2023 by Securitum.
Pricing
Exterior of getting a free model, ProtonVPN has two tiers: Plus and Limitless. Plus contains the VPN itself whereas Limitless contains Proton’s different companies reminiscent of Proton Mail, Cross and Drive.
- Free.
- Proton VPN Plus 1-month: $9.99 per thirty days.
- Proton VPN Plus 1 yr: $5.99 per thirty days.
- Proton VPN Plus 2 years: $4.99 per thirty days.
Options
- 3,097 servers in 71 international locations.
- Has a free model.
- 10 GBps succesful servers.
- Helps as much as 10 simultaneous connections.
Professionals
- Free model has no knowledge restrict.
- Independently audited no logs coverage.
- Open supply.
- Based mostly in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
Cons
- Dwell chat is barely accessible for paid customers.
For extra data, learn the total ProtonVPN evaluate.
Surfshark: Finest for these on a funds
Surfshark offers a safe VPN resolution at a really low value. Surfshark’s one-year and two-year plans are among the most affordably priced out there. You additionally get limitless machine connections with all Surfshark plans, letting you defend a number of units at no further value.
On the no-logs entrance, Surfshark’s no-logs coverage was confirmed by Deloitte in January 2023. Its most up-to-date audit was in December 2023, when Surfshark’s Android cell app handed an impartial Cellular App Safety Evaluation (MASA).
Pricing
Surfshark has three tiers: Starter, One and One+. I like to recommend going for Surfshark One because it nonetheless provides decrease charges with out shedding out on options reminiscent of antivirus safety, breach alerts and knowledge safety studies that aren’t present in Starter.
- Surfshark One 1 month: $14.99 per thirty days.
- Surfshark One 1 yr: $4.09 per thirty days.
- Surfshark One 2 years: $2.69 per thirty days.
Options
- 3,200+ servers in 100 international locations.
- 24/7 reside help and guides.
- Limitless machine connections.
- RAM-only servers.
- Antivirus and knowledge breach monitoring.
- Multihop.
Professionals
- Inexpensive pricing.
- Intuitive consumer interface.
- Quick speeds and efficiency.
- Can defend a number of units with one account.
Cons
- No free model.
- No Home windows free trial.
- Month-to-month subscription is expensive.
- Some options could also be buggy initially.
For extra data, learn the total Surfshark evaluate.
CyberGhost VPN: Finest for big server and site community
These searching for a big server community unfold throughout tons of places ought to take into account CyberGhost VPN. Proper now it has 11,529 servers in 100 international locations and 126 places—permitting customers the pliability to masks their location from various areas. CyberGhost additionally permits you to safely and anonymously entry torrenting websites by way of their optimized torrenting servers.
CyberGhost VPN has a robust no-logs coverage that was confirmed by Deloitte in September 2022. CyberGhost VPN additionally usually publishes yearly Transparency Experiences that comprise data on the variety of knowledge requests they obtain from authorized authorities and firm holders. It is a observe they’ve been doing since 2011 and is a laudable present of transparency from the VPN supplier.
Pricing
- 1 month: $12.99 per thirty days.
- 6 months: $6.99 per thirty days.
- 2 years: $2.03 per thirty days.
Options
- 11,529 servers in 100 international locations and 126 places.
- Specialised servers for nameless torrenting.
- Commonly printed annual Transparency Experiences.
- RAM-only servers.
- Customizable Sensible Guidelines panel.
- Helps as much as 7 simultaneous connections.
Professionals
- 24-hour free trial with no bank card required.
- Inexpensive two-year plan.
- 45-day money-back assure.
- Independently audited no-logs coverage.
- Specialised servers for gaming and streaming.
- Intensive server and site community.
Cons
- No annual plan.
- Month-to-month plan solely has a 14-day money-back assure.
For extra data, learn the total CyberGhost VPN evaluate.
VPNs which have logged consumer knowledge
There are a number of VPN suppliers that publicize a no-logs coverage however had been discovered to have been logging knowledge or had privateness insurance policies that contradicted their claims. Whereas a few of these VPNs have since modified possession or carried out related adjustments, you have to be conscious of those logging incidents.
- IPVanish VPN: In 2016, IPVanish reportedly gave consumer logs to the US Division of Homeland Safety to trace a toddler pornography suspect. Whereas it initially claimed to haven’t any logs, it was ultimately reported that the VPN did in reality hand off knowledge to authorities.
- Hotspot Protect VPN: Again in 2017, the Heart for Democracy and Expertise accused Hotspot Protect of promoting delicate consumer knowledge collected by way of its free model.
- Norton Safe VPN: Whereas it has a no-logs coverage, Norton’s International Privateness Assertion exhibits that it collects extra knowledge than customers would favor. Some examples of such are customers’ machine names, IP addresses, classes inside cookies and URLs, simply to call a number of.
- Speedify VPN: Speedify’s privateness coverage explicitly states that they retailer customers’ IP addresses, browser sorts and pages accessed when visiting the Speedify web site, regardless of having a no-logs coverage.
Whereas we don’t know what intentions sure VPNs have in probably logging consumer knowledge, prospects might embrace: promoting consumer knowledge to advertising and marketing corporations and third-party advertisers or aiding authorities companies which are members of surveillance agreements, such because the 5 Eyes or 14 Eyes alliances.
It’s important to decide on a VPN service that has an iron-clad no-logs coverage backed by robust security measures and impartial safety audits.
Methodology
Selecting one of the best nameless (no-log) VPNs for this record concerned a holistic evaluation of how every VPN protected consumer knowledge. We took a have a look at every VPN’s no-logs coverage and confirmed whether or not or not they collected any delicate consumer knowledge. We additionally took into consideration an organization’s willingness to be independently audited and the way not too long ago they had been audited. Lastly, we checked out different related VPN options, reminiscent of included VPN protocols and security-focused options like RAM-only servers and pricing.
