The Best No Log VPNs for 2023: Stay Anonymous Online

VPN connection logs usually include:

Does a 100% anonymous VPN really exist?

What does online anonymity mean to you? Do you only want to keep your browsing private or do you want anonymity because you’re fighting for freedom of speech? You know that anonymous browsing with a VPN protects your privacy, but are you revealing your identity even when your VPN is on?

Feb 03, 2023
Время чтения: 12 мин.

• Does a VPN make you anonymous?
• Top online anonymity threats
  • Wi-Fi networks
  • Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • Government surveillance
  • Websites
  • Social media platforms
  • Google and other search engines
  • Payment providers
  • Apps
  • Is NordVPN an anonymous VPN service?

  Does a VPN make you anonymous?

  No, a VPN does not make you anonymous. In fact, no internet privacy tool can completely hide your online presence. A VPN can encrypt your data, shield your IP address, and even protect you from online trackers, but full anonymity isn’t possible.

  When we refer to an anonymous VPN, we really mean a VPN that does everything it can to maintain your privacy. If you only need an anonymous VPN to protect you from snoopers who are trying to find out what you are doing online, then yes, your online identity will be protected. However, that protection only goes so far.

  With or without a VPN, it’s impossible to be 100% anonymous online. No matter how many steps you take, you could still be unwittingly sharing and revealing your identity and location right now.

  What’s the difference between online anonymity and online privacy?

  A common misinterpretation is mistaking anonymity for privacy. Online privacy means that no one can spy on your activity. Website cookies will still store basic information from your last visit. A VPN will encrypt your traffic, making it an ideal privacy tool.

  Online anonymity, however, is leaving absolutely no trace of your presence. This feat is virtually impossible, partially due to the sheer amount of online trackers. The difference between online privacy and anonymity is that privacy is a far easier goal to achieve.

  Top online anonymity threats

  There are tons of different snoopers online who could discover your identity in different ways. And then there are services that require you to reveal your online identity in order to use them. Let’s find out who might be snooping on your online activity behind your back.

  1. Wi-Fi networks

  Whoever owns the Wi-Fi network you connect to has a great deal of power over your internet connection, including the ability to monitor what you do. On unsecured public networks, a hacker with enough tech-savvy can spy on what you’re up to online.

  Most websites use trackers and cookies too. Cookies can be useful because they can save login sessions or shopping baskets. However, they also play a huge role in creating your “user profile”. This personal information of who you are and what products or ads you’ve engaged with can then be sold to third parties. You can avoid this by deleting cookies manually after each browsing session or installing various browser plugins.

  2. Internet Service Provider (ISP)

  Because your ISP processes all of your traffic, it has extraordinary access to everything you do online. In most countries, ISPs are given broad rights to profit from their internet data or to share it with government surveillance agencies.

  If you aren’t using a VPN, your ISP can see what websites you visit (via its IP addresses) and how much time you spend there. Your ISP knows who you are and your original IP, so without a VPN, it can trace any information back to you. In the US, the ISP don’t even need your permission to record, share or even sell your browsing history.

  With VPN software enabled, your ISP can no longer see what you do online. However, your ISP will always know your real IP address because it’s been assigned to your user profile. You pay for the service so the ISP keeps a record of your personal and payment details. The only way to cut your ISP out of the loop is to use someone else’s internet (like public Wi-Fi), but you’ll still need a VPN so you can’t be spied on.

  3. Government surveillance

  The anonymity a VPN provides against government surveillance will depend largely on the surveillance methods your government uses. The tools a government has at their disposal far exceed the scope of protection a VPN provides. As far as just your internet connection is concerned, however, a VPN can go a long way to increase your privacy.

  Keep in mind that countries exist where VPNs are blocked or considered to be illegal. In oppressive regimes with strict online censorship laws, governments want to have full control of cyberspace. As a result, they find ways to track you and invade your privacy. In some countries, only government-approved VPNs are allowed, and approval usually means letting the government monitor those VPNs’ users.

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  4. Websites

  Even with a VPN, the websites can see the operating system and the browser you use, the plugins you have installed, and even whether you are currently logged into any social media platforms.

  A VPN won’t stop you from collecting cookies – only your browser can do that. However, with a VPN, you can prevent websites and their cookies from discovering your real IP address.

  Any website you upload anything to, including but not limited to social media, will be able to see your metadata as well – if you have it. Metadata is data attached to your digital documents and photos that can reveal who created the document, what organization they’re a part of, when it was edited, the device, and even the software used to create it.

  5. Social media platforms

  Your anonymity on social media depends on how much data you give up. If you willingly share this information with social media networks and the people on them, an anonymous VPN won’t protect you. You’re not protecting your privacy if you keep your social media profiles public or openly share sensitive information.

  If you forget to disable your location settings, social media giants and everyone else can see where in the world you are every time you post anything online. Make sure your social media profiles are as private as possible.

  Social media is frequently a tool used for nefarious purposes. Whether it’s trying to scam you out of your money via a dodgy sale or a victim being targeted by cyberbullies, you need to make sure your identifying information is locked away from public eyes. If any hackers get hold of this information, they can make your life a lot more difficult.

  6. Google and other search engines

  Similarly to other social media platforms, this tech giant built its business on trackers and advertising. However, the worst part about Google is that it owns a huge number of different platforms and the more apps you use, the more information it gathers about you. The “user profile” created is pretty accurate and includes a lot of personally identifiable information like your location, age, gender, things you’ve searched for, videos you watched on YouTube. Let’s not forget that Google tracks your location even if you disable your settings.

  It uses face recognition technology to scan your photos, its robots crawl through your Gmail and Google Drive documents, and Chrome tracks all the websites you visit and ads you’ve engaged with. This information is used to feed you ads. You should learn what Google knows about you and look for privacy-oriented search engines.

  7. Payment providers

  Your credit card and digital payment platforms also leave a trail and can be personally identifiable. They can reveal where and when you shopped, where you boarded the train and where you got off, and which cities or countries you traveled to. Most financial systems require this level of identification, so maintaining anonymity without using cryptocurrency or cash is difficult. This is why privacy-focused companies like NordVPN accept payments in cryptocurrency.

  8. Apps

  We place a great deal of trust in apps from the moment we download them onto our devices. Almost every app will ask for permission to access certain parts of your device, and you’ll need to grant that access to use them. What they do with that access is up to the app’s creators.

  And then there are the apps we share our private data with – messaging apps and image editing apps being some of the most common. If you want to increase anonymity while browsing the web, this might not change much, but the app’s creators or service providers could still potentially access all of that identifying and private data.

  When you download an app, make sure you trust the developers. Also, look for any that have good security and privacy features. For example, you can choose a private and encrypted messaging app over some of the more popular options.

  9. Cross-site request forgery (CSRF)

  Social engineering is a powerful tool that many hackers like to employ. Cross-site request forgery happens when a user is tricked into unwittingly executing a malicious action on their web application. A well-executed CSRF can result in altering major identifying data or even a user unwittingly transferring funds to another, unknown account. Should the hacker target the account of an admin with CSRF, the results could potentially have site-wide ramifications.

  Be aware of social engineering and how scam artists will try and appeal to your emotions to get what they want. There’s a reason that many banks and financial institutions constantly inform their customers that they will never reach out via email or text message, two of the most common attack vectors that hackers use.

  Can you be tracked with a VPN?

  A private VPN will make it very difficult to track your online activity. It all depends on what sort of tracking you might be subject to and what you’re doing. If you’re using Chrome connected to your Google account, it doesn’t matter that your traffic is encrypted. Google will know what sites you visited and the content you interacted with. Your ISP or the government won’t be able to tell what you do online after you connect to the VPN server.

  If you live in a totalitarian regime that has highly restrictive internet rules, the authorities can intrust your ISP to hand over connection logs and data, where they will be able to tell that you connected to a VPN but not what you did afterward. However, NordVPN has a feature called obfuscated servers that will help make your VPN-secured connection harder to detect. Having a truly untraceable VPN is next to impossible, but you can make it incredibly difficult for someone trying to gain that information.

  Is NordVPN an anonymous VPN service?

  It’s impossible to grant absolute anonymity online, but NordVPN does everything it can to provide fast and reliable security and privacy. While finding the best anonymous VPN is an impossible feat, you can get the closest thing. We have an industry-leading list of powerful features to help you stay anonymous, but even so, you’ll need to take other precautions to increase your anonymity. With that being said…

  Here are just a few of the features that help NordVPN keep your information as private as possible:

  • Strict no-logs policy. We only collect the data needed to provide our service. We are a zero-logs VPN. We believe that our industry-first audit shows that we won’t share your information with government agencies because we simply don’t have it.
  • Next-generation encryption. We offer some of the best VPN protocols available, including our proprietary high-speed NordLynx protocol. Your browsing is private and cannot be seen by hackers or your ISP.
  • DNS leak protection. Your traffic is routed through our dedicated DNS servers so it will never leak your IP to a third-party.
  • Obfuscated servers. These special servers mask the fact that you’re using a VPN connection at all. This makes it easier to enjoy unfettered internet access in authoritarian countries and other environments where VPN access may be blocked.
  • Kill switch. Your IP shouldn’t leak even if your VPN connection drops.
  • Cryptocurrency payments. Anonymous payments take you one step closer to total anonymity.
  • High speeds. The faster your VPN is, the more often you’ll use it and the better your privacy protection will be.
  • Threat Protection. NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature neutralizes cyber threats before they can do any real damage to your device. It helps you identify malware-ridden files, stops you from landing on malicious websites, and blocks trackers and intrusive ads on the spot.

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  Jomilė Nakutavičiūtė

  Jomilė is a content writer who loves to investigate the latest Internet privacy and security news. She thrives on looking for solutions to problems and sharing her knowledge with NordVPN readers and customers.

  The Best No Log VPNs for 2023: Stay Anonymous Online

  

  If your VPN logs personally identifiable data, there’s nothing hiding your online activities from your ISP, hackers, and the government. These logs can be used to discover your true identity and trace your online traffic back to you.

  To ensure your online privacy and security, we’ve created a list of the best no-logging VPNs:

  1. NordVPN: The best no-logs VPN overall
  2. ExpressVPN: Independently audited VPN with the best speeds
  3. VyprVPN: First no-logs VPN to ever be publicly audited
  4. PIA: Proven no-logs VPN with a focus on privacy
  5. CyberGhost: Transparency-minded VPN for streaming and gaming
  6. Proton VPN: Privacy-oriented no-logs VPN and productivity suite
  7. OVPN: No-logs VPN that defended the privacy of its users in court
  8. Perfect Privacy VPN: No-logs VPN that survived server seizure

  NordVPN offers the best combination of privacy and security. It protects you from itself as well as malicious third parties. On top of this, the company has proven its commitment to user privacy with three independent audits.

  NordVPN

  Keep reading to find out how we compiled this list and learn more about our individual picks.

  

  Virtual private networks hide your IP address and online activity to enhance your online privacy. However, VPNs could — theoretically — see all these sensitive data. So, how do you ensure that your information is safe? Enter the no log VPN: an independently verified VPN that doesn’t collect, study, or sell user data.

  After testing dozens of VPNs for our reviews section, we can confidently say that not all VPNs are created equal. Some providers share user data or fail to protect data from getting leaked. Certain VPNs, like Malwarebytes Privacy VPN, claim to follow a “no log” policy, though they collect quite a bit of information. Others, like HotBot VPN, have a “no log” policy but will collect data through marketing partners.

  Thankfully, independent audits provide insight into which VPN providers genuinely keep zero logs. And in this article, we spotlight eight VPNs that are trustworthy. Keep reading to find out which best no log VPN caters to your speed and security needs.

  Top 8 Best No Log VPNs

  

  We at VPNOverview believe that commitment to user privacy can be proven and verified. The best no logs VPNs on this list have proven themselves through court documentation, real-world activity, independent audits, and full transparency.

  With all that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the eight best no log VPNs that can back up their privacy claims. Here’s a brief overview of the first five:

  Feature	NordVPN	ExpressVPN	VyprVPN	PIA	CyberGhost
  Number of servers	5,500+	3,000+	700+	35,000+	9,000+
  Number of countries	60+	90+	60+	80+	90+
  Location	Panama	British Virgin Islands	Switzerland	United States	Romania
  No logging policy	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
  Independently audited	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
  Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, NordLynx	OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, Lightway	OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, Chameleon	OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPSec	OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec
  Price	$3.49/month	$6.67/month	$5.00/month	$2.19/month	$2.19/month
  Purchase	Get NordVPN	Get ExpressVPN	Get VyprVPN	Get PIA	Get CyberGhost

  After this short introduction, let’s take a closer look at each of our top eight no log VPNs.

  1. NordVPN: The best no log VPN overall

  

  NordVPN is renowned for its security and dedication to privacy. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland audited NordVPN on two separate occasions: in 2018 and 2020. And, in 2022, NordVPN was reaffirmed as a privacy powerhouse by another “big four” auditor called Deloitte.

  Their final reports confirmed that NordVPN strictly adheres to its no log policy. These auditors had total access to NordVPN’s server infrastructure, databases, and employees. Among other things, they tested Nord’s standard VPN servers and security features (obfuscation, double VPN, onion over VPN, and P2P servers).

  

  Why NordVPN?

  We recommend NordVPN for users who need a VPN that can do it all. Nord’s vast server network means it can give you an IP address from over 60 countries. It also has features that support torrenting, gaming, and unblocking streaming content. Coupled with a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN is more than likely to fulfill all your VPN needs.

  NordVPN: Privacy and security features

  • Location: NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, a privacy safe haven. Panama doesn’t have data retention laws like the EU, UK, or Australia. Panama also isn’t a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance.
  • Security: NordVPN offers 256-bit AES military-grade data encryption. This, along with their excellent firewall and well-protected servers, makes NordVPN’s safety top-of-the-line.
  • Speed: Speed used to be NordVPN’s weak point, but not anymore. It’s becoming one of the fastest providers available. It also offers very good torrenting speeds. It’s even able to unlock sites like Netflix US.
  • Account: All you need is an email, a payment method, and a password to create an account. So if you use an anonymous email service like ProtonMail and a secure payment method like Bitcoin, NordVPN can provide total anonymity. If you use another form of payment, like a credit card or transfer, you’d have to provide your personal banking information.

  How to access NordVPN audit reports

  To read NordVPN’s no logs policy audit reports, you have to be a NordVPN user. If you’d like to dive into the findings, follow the instructions below.

  1. Visit NordVPN’s website.
  2. Log into your NordVPN account.
  3. Under “Services” on the left side click “Reports“.
  4. Click on the report you wish to read.

  Specifications NordVPN

  �� Price	From $3.19 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	6
  �� Payment methods	Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	30 Days
  �� Logs	No Logs
  �� Works with

  2. ExpressVPN: Independently audited VPN with the best speeds

  

  ExpressVPN is best known for its speed and big server network. Those servers run on its TrustedServer technology and never write to a hard drive. This means all data is wiped with every reboot, as they run on RAM only.

  On top of that, ExpressVPN has proven itself repeatedly when it comes to privacy and its no log policy. ExpressVPN was also independently audited by PwC, Cure53, KPMG, and many other auditors. All their results show that ExpressVPN strictly adheres to its privacy policy and commitment to anonymity.

  ExpressVPN also showed its dedication to privacy in a high-stakes, real-world scenario. An ExpressVPN server was seized following the 2016 assassination of Russian diplomat Andrei Karlov.

  Turkish media reported that Facebook and Gmail messages relevant to the investigation were deleted by an unknown individual using ExpressVPN. However, ExpressVPN was unable to help with the investigation, because there simply weren’t any logs to hand over.

  

  Why ExpressVPN?

  We think ExpressVPN best suits users who need a large server network and impressive speeds. ExpressVPN performs almost as well as NordVPN when we compared them, but ExpressVPN’s higher price point is a clear disadvantage. Of course, users can still try the VPN, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

  ExpressVPN: Privacy and security features

  • Location: ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands. These Caribbean islands have different laws than Great Britain. There are no data retention laws, no 5 Eyes Alliance, and they aren’t required to cooperate with international investigations.
  • Security: ExpressVPN offers military-grade, 256-bit AES data encryption, and well-protected servers. ExpressVPN provides its own DNS servers, so all requests are run through the same encryption and tunneling services.
  • Speed: This VPN is also well-known as one of the fastest VPN providers, with the largest number of servers around the globe. It works especially well for streaming and torrenting.
  • Account: All you need is an email and a password to create an account. So if you use an anonymous email service like ProtonMail, and a secure payment like Bitcoin, you could be completely anonymous.

  How to access ExpressVPN audit reports

  You can read ExpressVPN’s no logs policy reports on their official website. Follow the instructions below.

  1. Visit the ExpressVPN website.
  2. Scroll to the very bottom of the page.
  3. Under “About ExpressVPN“, click “Security Audits“.
  4. Click on the report you wish to read.

  Specifications ExpressVPN

  �� Price	From $6.67 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	5
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, iDeal, Bitcoin, Sofort, UnionPay, MINT
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	30 Days
  �� Logs	No Logs
  �� Works with

  3. VyprVPN: First no log VPN to ever be publicly audited

  VyprVPN is another one of our verified no log VPN services. VyprVPN might be smaller than the other VPNs on this list, but it thinks big when it comes to security.

  Vypr was the first no logs VPN to be publicly audited. In 2018, VyprVPN’s strict no-logging policy was independently audited by Leviathan Securities. Leviathan auditors confirmed that VyprVPN doesn’t save any identifiable logs without user permission.

  The provider has a proven history of transparency, starting back when their privacy policy clearly stated that they indeed collected user data. As security standards changed through the years, so has Vypr improved its services, such as turning its provider into a no log VPN.

  

  Why VyprVPN?

  VyprVPN has everything you need from a VPN: a kill switch, multiple VPN protocols to choose from, and a decent server network. Although it lacks the flashier features offered by NordVPN, its track record provides many users with peace of mind. If you need a simple but trustworthy VPN (with a 30-day money-back guarantee!), then VyprVPN is our recommendation.

  VyprVPN: Privacy and security features

  • Location: VyperVPN is located in Switzerland, long-known as a safe haven for privacy advocates.
  • Security: VyprVPN owns its own server network, including its DNS servers. This allows them to ensure optimal safety and privacy. With no third parties involved in their services, the chances of DNS leaks are slim to none. VyprVPN is able to guarantee more online anonymity. It uses 256-bit SSL encryption and advanced protocols.
  • Speed: This provider shows relatively good speeds for a VPN, but isn’t quite as fast as the providers above. Our testing showed a slight lag with downloading and gaming.
  • Account: VyprVPN might ask you to share personal data, including your name, email address, phone number, payment information, and address. It offers credit cards and Paypal as payment options, so it might be harder to stay completely anonymous.

  Specifications VyprVPN

  �� Price	From $5.00 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	30
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Other, Credit card
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, Wireguard, L2TP/IPsec
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	Money-back-guarantee
  �� Logs	Zero logs
  �� Works with

  4. Private Internet Access (PIA): Proven no log VPN with a focus on privacy

  Private Internet Access (PIA) has a very strict zero-log policy and has proven itself in real-world situations several times. The FBI subpoenaed PIA for logs in 2016, but PIA testified that there weren’t any to provide. Authorities called on PIA to provide logs in 2018, to which the provider again testified that it had nothing to show.

  PIA maintains a strict no log policy and regularly provides updated transparency reports on subpoenas, warrants, and court orders. The logs produced from all legal process requests were zero. Furthermore, the entire service was also audited by Deloitte in 2022, and the results confirmed PIA’s dedication to user privacy.

  To ensure privacy, browsing data is never stored on hard disks. It goes through a special null device. This is a virtual device that automatically treats any data sent through it as if it doesn’t exist. Once the information has been written to the null device, it becomes unretrievable. This is how PIA can guarantee its no logs policy.

  

  Why PIA?

  PIA has a proven reputation of upholding privacy and security, as seen when they had no data to turn over to authorities in 2016 and 2018. This is in addition to an impressive suite of features, such as its over 35,000 servers to choose from and 30-day money-back guarantee. We recommend PIA to those who want a VPN with a stellar track record.

  PIA: Privacy and security features

  • Location: PIA is located in the United States, a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance. This makes some privacy advocates nervous. Also, in theory, pushy agencies like the FBI or NSA could use a court order to monitor American users they deem suspect. However, there are no data retention laws in the United States. This means PIA isn’t obligated to store information for a specific period, as is often the case in Europe. And their track record proves they’ve got no logs to show.
  • Security: PIA works with various strong protocols, including OpenVPN. Recently PIA has ensured that all of its VPN servers now support the new Wireguard protocol. It also supports SOCKS5.
  • Speed: This VPN hasn’t performed as well on our speed tests, though it still ranks fairly high. Our testing showed a slowdown when using faraway servers.
  • Account: All you need is an email and a password to create an account. So if you use an anonymous email service like ProtonMail, and a secure payment like Bitcoin, you could be completely anonymous. PIA provides you with an “Order ID” after payment which allows you to communicate with the company.

  Specifications Private Internet Access (PIA)

  �� Price	From $2.19 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	Unlimited
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, Wireguard, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	30 Days
  �� Logs	Zero logs
  �� Works with

  5. CyberGhost: Transparency-minded VPN for streaming and gaming

  CyberGhost is another VPN provider that makes the list because of its focus on privacy. Every three months, CyberGhost releases transparency reports. It’s also the first VPN to produce these kinds of reports, having started in 2011.

  The company even regularly updates its users on police requests, abuse, and malicious activity complaints. For example, they had 25 international police queries during the first quarter of 2021 after criminal activity was tracked to CyberGhost IP addresses. However, since they have no data to show, CyberGhost has not complied with any requests from authorities.

  CyberGhost was confirmed as a no log VPN by Deloitte in March 2023. The audit report is not shared publicly on the site, but you can request it by emailing [email protected].

  

  Why CyberGhost?

  CyberGhost has all the hallmark features of a good VPN, but what sets it apart are its streaming, P2P, and gaming servers. These servers are configured specifically for these purposes, and naturally, CyberGhost is compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch devices. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

  CyberGhost: Privacy and security features

  • Location: CyberGhost is located in Bucharest, Romania, outside of the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances. Though they are a member of the EU, they don’t follow the same privacy laws as the rest of Europe. Romania has twice repealed data retention laws it deemed unconstitutional.
  • Security: CyberGhost uses various strong protocols, including OpenVPN and the new, innovative protocol WireGuard. It’s one of the best VPNs for Iran or other censorship-heavy countries.
  • Speed: It’s a fast VPN, though not as fast as our top 2. Our speed tests showed some slow down on downloading and streaming speeds, as well as when using faraway servers.
  • Account: You’ll need an email and password to sign up. You can pay anonymously with Bitcoin, but all other payments are made through a third party, Cleverbridge. Cleverbridge is reputable when it comes to privacy. CyberGhost will have you activate a customer serial number so you can anonymously sign up.

  Specifications CyberGhost

  �� Price	From $2.19 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	7
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	45 Days
  �� Logs	No Logs
  �� Works with

  6. Proton VPN: Privacy-oriented no log VPN and productivity suite

  

  Proton VPN was independently audited by a Swiss company called Securitum in 2022. The audit report reflected Proton’s dedication to user privacy and security. Securitum didn’t find any harmful logging practices, and the auditors confirmed Proton’s no-logging status.

  Apart from this, Proton VPN keeps regularly updated warrant canary and transparency reports. Here you can see all data requests sent to Proton, as well as the company’s responses to them.

  Proton had some privacy issues in the past when its email service had to hand over user data to the authorities. The company held that they were acting in accordance with their privacy policy, which allows them to log IPs if there’s suspicion of fraudulent behavior. However, this privacy policy doesn’t apply to their VPN service, which can never log IP addresses.

  

  Why Proton VPN?

  We recommend Proton VPN for those who need more than just a VPN. Proton also offers a secure email service (Proton Mail) and secure file hosting (Proton Drive). You can test out both Proton Mail and Proton VPN as there are free (but limited) versions available. Proton VPN Free provides secure servers in the US, Netherlands, and Japan.

  Proton VPN: Privacy and security features

  • Location: Proton VPN is located in Switzerland, which is considered a safe location for VPNs. Switzerland is outside of the Eyes Alliance and has no mandatory data retention laws.
  • Security: Proton VPN uses OpenVPN and WireGuard on Windows, which are the best protocols out there. Other apps also use IKEV2 and their proprietary Stealth protocol. It supports perfect forward secrecy and comes with a solid permanent kill switch.
  • Speed: During our speed testing, Proton VPN performed quite well, without any major speed drops, lag, or sudden disconnects.
  • Account: You’ll need to provide your email and payment details during registration. You can buy this VPN anonymously by using Bitcoin or even cash payments. If you’re using the free version, you don’t have to share any billing info.

  Specifications Proton VPN

  �� Price	From $3.99 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	10
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2, Wireguard
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	Money-back-guarantee
  �� Logs	Zero logs
  �� Works with

  7. OVPN: No log VPN that defended the privacy of its users in court

  OVPN might not be independently audited, but it managed to fight off a court order demanding information about one of its users. Standing up for your customers always gets a huge thumbs up from us. Having said that, OVPN couldn’t have provided the requested info anyway, as they never logged it in the first place.

  Apart from its commitment to user privacy, OVPN is also very transparent about the info requests it gets every month. On its website, you can find a full transparency report dating back to 2014. Furthermore, OVPN owns its entire server infrastructure so you don’t have to worry about unreliable rented servers.

  

  Why OVPN?

  OVPN is great for users who want a company that’s proven to care about user privacy. We like OVPN as it’s always had privacy at the core of its product, but objectively, it doesn’t perform as well as top VPNs. OVPN has a 10-day money-back guarantee for those who want to try its services.

  OVPN: Privacy and security features

  • Location: OVPN is located in Sweden, which does have some mandatory data retention for ISPs but not for VPNs. As such, it is considered to be a safe VPN location.
  • Security: OVPN supports OpenVPN and WireGuard. This translates to military-grade encryption and an excellent speed/security balance. The company’s own DNS servers also prevent any potential DNS leaks.
  • Speed: OVPN is super fast on nearby servers, but you might experience some speed drops and ping increases on faraway locations.
  • Account: OVPN doesn’t require your email address during registration, just your username and password.

  Specifications OVPN

  �� Price	From $4.22 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	6
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, Wireguard
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	10 Days
  �� Logs	Zero logs
  �� Works with

  8. Perfect Privacy VPN: No log VPN that survived server seizure

  Perfect Privacy is a no log VPN that has yet to be independently audited. However, when their Dutch servers were seized, the authorities couldn’t find any private data on them. This means that the company doesn’t log any info that could identify its customers.

  Apart from this, Perfect Privacy also keeps a regularly updated warrant canary on its official website, though it doesn’t show any data requests at the moment. The page is updated at least once a month.

  

  Why Perfect Privacy?

  Similar to OVPN, Perfect Privacy has yet to outperform top VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. We recommend this provider if, for some reason, the others on this list don’t work for you. Perfect Privacy offers a 7-day money-back guarantee for those who want to test it out.

  Perfect Privacy VPN: Privacy and security features

  • Location: Perfect Privacy VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, which is a good VPN location, as indicated in our Proton VPN analysis.
  • Security: Perfect Privacy uses OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. Notably, it doesn’t employ WireGuard. It comes with an excellent firewall and a number of stealth protocols.
  • Speed: This is not a fast VPN and you might experience problems on extremely slow networks.
  • Account: The registration process requires only your email and billing info. You can also pay with Bitcoin for optimal privacy.

  Specifications Perfect Privacy

  �� Price	From $8.95 a month
  �� Operating systems	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
  �� Connections	Unlimited
  �� Payment methods	PayPal, Other, Credit card, Cryptocurrency
  �� Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2
  �� Torrent options	Torrenting allowed
  �� Money-back guarantee	7 Days
  �� Logs	No Logs
  �� Works with

  Best Free No Log VPNs

  Being on a budget doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your online privacy and security. If you can’t afford a regular subscription, take a look at these free no log VPNs:

  Proton VPN (Free)

  We’ve already sung praises about the premium version of Proton VPN in this guide — and its free version is the best no log VPN when you’re on a tight budget. Although limited, it’s still a fully-functional VPN. And unlike other free VPNs, Proton VPN Free has no data or traffic caps.

  Here’s what you’ll get with Proton VPN Free:

  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • One VPN connection at a time
  • 3 available countries (the US, the Netherlands, and Japan)
  • Medium speed

  Note that you won’t be able to torrent, block ads, or unblock any streaming services. Having said that, paying zero dollars for complete online anonymity is still an excellent deal in our book.

  Proton VPN
  Deal A solid cybersecurity and privacy package for just $3.99/month!

  hide.me

  hide.me is an independently audited VPN provider located in Malaysia, which is an excellent VPN location. Free users get all the benefits of hide.me’s strict no-logging policy.

  Here’s what hide.me free has to offer:

  • 10 GB per month
  • 8 server locations (The US, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Germany, France, and Singapore)
  • One connection at a time
  • WireGuard protocol only

  Deal Try Hide.me for just $3.00 per month and get three extra months for free!

  Atlas VPN

  Atlas is a freemium VPN that uses WireGuard as its default protocol and keeps an up-to-date warrant canary. Atlas VPN is located in the US, but that doesn’t matter since the company doesn’t keep any dangerous logs.

  The free limited version comes with:

  • Access to 3 VPN locations (Los Angeles, New York, and Amsterdam)
  • Military-grade encryption (meaning AES-256 cipher)
  • 5 GB of data per month
  • Streaming-optimized servers in New York and Los Angeles

  Deal 85% discount on a three-year subscription ($1.83 per month)

  Types of VPN Data Logs

  

  Simply put, VPNs provide online anonymity to their users. A VPN that logs, reads, or sells user data fails at providing anonymity, as users are identifiable to the VPN provider.

  To fully understand how data logging can harm you, we first have to go over the types of logs your VPN provider might keep. Along the way, we’ll also differentiate between safe and dangerous data records.

  VPN connection logs (Metadata)

  No VPN can function without collecting some amount of connection logs. This data is used for server loading, traffic and network management, and other technical demands.

  Connection logs can also track your bandwidth usage (for VPNs with limited bandwidth) and make sure you’re not using more devices than your subscription allows.

  VPN connection logs usually include:

  

  • Connection timestamps: The start, finish, and duration of your VPN sessions
  • Bandwidth: The amount of data spent during your sessions
  • Connection frequency: How often you connect to VPN servers and which ones
  • Protocols: Which VPN protocols you’re using

  Connection logs are usually harmless on their own since they can’t be traced back to you as an individual. However, when paired with IP logging, they become extremely dangerous.

  Access to your real and assigned IPs allows third parties to connect you to your traffic and, as a result, identify you. This can lead to anything from hack attacks to full-blown identity theft.

  Additionally, cross-referencing metadata from different services can be used to identify you. For example, a cyberstalker was unmasked by comparing their VPN metadata with logs obtained from their Gmail and Spotify accounts, Chrome browser, and various websites they used in their stalking campaign.

  So, you should always inspect the privacy policy of your VPN provider to check what types of connection logs they’re keeping. If they’re logging IP addresses and connection timestamps, then we don’t recommend using that VPN.

  VPN activity logs (Usage)

  Usage logs record the activities you perform while connected to a VPN, which makes them much more invasive than connection logs.

  Usage logs usually include:

  

  • The sites you visit
  • Your search history
  • App usage
  • Your social media profiles
  • The files you’ve downloaded

  These data can be used to spy on you and create a psychological profile based on your search history. When paired together, connection and usage logs reduce your online privacy to zero. So, if you see a hint of activity logging in your VPN provider’s privacy policy, we suggest taking your business elsewhere.

  What is a “No Log VPN”?

  VPNs have to keep some data in order to function properly. This data is usually considered safe to retain. The “no logging” part refers to the absence of records that could endanger you.

  Here’s a list of logs that could put you in harm’s way:

  

  • IP addresses: Either your real IP or the ones assigned by VPN servers
  • Connection timestamps: In conjunction with your IP, this data can be used to determine your traffic patterns and identify you.
  • DNS requests & traffic data: The websites you visit and your interaction with them
  • Online communications: All types of messaging, video conversations, and other forms of communication

  On the other hand, VPNs can keep anonymized data or info that has nothing to do with your identity or activities. Here are some examples of information that VPNs can log safely:

  • Statistical data: For example, server loads, server performance, RAM/CPU usage, number of installations on certain devices, number of connections over a certain period of time, connection errors, etc.
  • Device info: Your OS, model of the device, language settings, and similar data
  • App settings: Enabled features to prevent unnecessary notifications

  As you can see, none of this can be used to determine who you are and what you’re doing online. This is what differentiates the so-called no log VPNs from services that record dangerous data. So, even though they’re not literally “zero logs”, the VPNs on this list don’t record any data that could be of any use to hackers, spies, or government agencies.

  How to Choose a No Log VPN?

  During our research, we used a set of criteria to identify the best no-logging VPNs out there. Some of them were closely related to their logging practices while others were general must-haves. Here’s our full list of ranking factors:

  

  • Strict no logging policy: We were looking for VPNs with a strong proven commitment to user privacy. This proof can come in the form of independent audits, court cases, or sheer transparency. NordVPN, for example, was audited three times, PIA had nothing to show in two court proceedings, Proton VPN was independently audited AND proven in court, etc.
  • Jurisdiction: We were primarily interested in VPNs located in countries with non-invasive privacy laws. We also wanted to avoid the Eyes countries whenever possible. However, most Eyes members don’t have mandatory data retention laws, so we had to identify trustworthy VPNs even in these insecure locations. For example, CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, which is an excellent GDPR-compliant VPN location. However, Atlas VPN is located in the US, but it’s still on our list thanks to its solid privacy policy.
  • Security: Ideally, we wanted to see the best VPN protocols paired with RAM-only servers, good IP/DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. Additional security features like malware protection, dark web monitoring, and private DNS servers were also welcome.
  • Anonymous billing options: Paying for your VPN with Bitcoin or cash is infinitely more secure than using your credit cards. That’s why we were after VPNs that support these anonymous payment methods.
  • Performance: Apart from Perfect Privacy, all VPNs on our list are very fast. We were also interested in solid server networks, potential connectivity issues, sharp speed drops, geo-unblocking capabilities, and torrenting.
  • Usability: We wanted VPNs that can be used by both complete beginners and power users. All of our picks are easy to install and use, and they come with excellent customer support that can solve all your problems.

  When choosing a no-log VPN, ensure that all or most of the above apply to the VPN service. For example, during our PandaVPN tests, we discovered that this provider keeps no logs and doesn’t even require your email for registration. However, there were other serious issues with it regarding performance and the lack of a kill switch.

  Hot to Install a No Log VPN

  Installing your no log VPN is very simple, no matter which platform you’re using. We’ll use NordVPN to explain the installation process.

  Here are the steps you’ll have to go through:

  1. Go to NordVPN’s official website.
  2. Click the “Log in” button in the top-right corner.
  3. Sign up with your chosen credential.

  

• Use your login info to access your personal dashboard.
• Click on “Downloads” and find the app for your device.

  

• Click on the app to start downloading the setup file.
• Wait for the download to finish.
• Click on the downloaded file.
• Follow the instructions.

If you need more resources to help you choose, we compare the top no log VPNs in these reviews:

After or during installation, you might get additional offers and bundled software. None of these are mandatory, and you can simply install the VPN and ignore the rest. With NordVPN, you’ll be prompted to install NordPass, their excellent password manager.



As we mentioned, you can ignore this suggestion since you don’t need NordPass to install and use NordVPN. All VPNs on this list follow the same installation pattern, so you’ll have no trouble getting off the ground, no matter which you choose.

Conclusion: Protect Your Privacy with the Best No Log VPN



We tested dozens of VPN services and considered many factors, including jurisdiction, security, billing options, performance, and utility. The eight no logs VPNs in this article will serve all your basic needs. Top VPNs like NordVPN will even have special features for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

• ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Better
• ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: Five Tests, ONE Winner!
• PIA vs NordVPN: Which Top VPN Is Better?

Our personal pick? NordVPN. This VPN can handle all your heavy browsing and downloading, and its 5,500+ servers mean you’ll never run out of servers to choose from. NordVPN is independently audited and proven to keep zero logs from its users. Learn more about NordVPN by visiting its website through the link below.

The Best No Log VPNs: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about no log VPNs? Click on one of the FAQs below to find the answer.

Which VPN does not keep logs?

We’ve found five great VPNs that have proven they don’t keep logs:

1. NordVPN: The best no log VPN overall
2. ExpressVPN: Independently audited VPN with the best speeds
3. VyprVPN: First no log VPN to ever be publicly audited
4. PIA: Proven no log VPN with a focus on privacy
5. CyberGhost: Transparency-minded VPN for streaming and gaming

Is a VPN totally private?

It depends on the provider. Some VPN services claim a no logs policy, though they’ve cooperated with law enforcement and government authorities by turning over records, which means they had to have kept logs. Find out which providers have proven themselves through independent audits and real-world action.

Can police track a VPN?

The police can’t track a VPN if the provider truly has a no logs policy. Some providers are situated in countries and territories that have no data retention laws and aren’t required to cooperate with law enforcement and authorities. Find out which ones in our full article.

Can you be tracked using a VPN?

If your VPN does not adhere to its no logs policy, then yes, it can be tracked. In the past, VPN providers have submitted logs of certain users after inquiries from law enforcement and court subpoenas. The VPN services on our roundup, however, simply had no logs to provide when they were put in these scenarios.

What is a no log VPN?

A no log VPN is a provider that keeps no records of its users’ online activity. This could be connection and disconnection times, DNS queries, local and assigned IP addresses, and traffic and browsing data. Check out the rest of our article to find out our top picks for the best no log VPN providers.

Taylor Moore Author

Senior Sports & News Editor

Taylor is a sports journalist with a keen interest in technology and internet freedom. He covers topics related to sports broadcasts, upcoming sporting events, internet accessibility, and more. He has an extensive background in the cybersecurity and VPN space and writes articles in sports, online privacy, and the broader cybersecurity niche at VPNOverview.