I’ve analyzed several zero-logs VPNs and concluded that the best no-log VPN service is ExpressVPN. It’s been proven more than once not to log its users’ activity, and offers robust security features and great speeds.
How did I reach my conclusion? Keep reading to find out!
Top 3 No Log VPN Providers
Thanks to its audited privacy policy, RAM-only servers, privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and great server coverage, NordVPN takes the cake as the best no-log VPN for security!
This VPN’s privacy and security features were verified several times. That, plus the several security add-ons and multi-platform compatibility, makes ExpressVPN the best no-log VPN overall!
Thanks to the independently tested RAM-only server structure, unlimited connections, and cheapest rates, Surfshark is the best no-log VPN for its value for money!
A no-log VPN is a VPN that doesn’t keep logs of its user’s activity.
It won’t track your Internet usage or store the logs of your activity anywhere.
I read through the privacy policies of these virtual private network providers and their security audit reports when available. I also read the news stories and court/investigation reports related to real-life proof or debunking of the zero-logs claim.
In addition, I tested the VPN providers’ security by running DNS and WebRTC leak tests. I also ran the speed tests on some servers (including Multihop servers, where available), to make sure my Internet UX didn’t suffer too much due to these privacy features.
Keep reading for the details!
Why Are These Providers the Best?
Each no-log VPN has RAM-only servers, and at least some aspects of their privacy features are independently verified. None of them ever had an issue where their no-logs claims were refuted.
Here’s why I think they’re the best zero-log VPNs:
- ExpressVPN – Best No Log VPN Overall
- NordVPN – Best No Log VPN for Privacy
- Surfshark – A No Log VPN With Best Value for Money
- PIA – A No Log VPN With Top-level Transparency
- OVPN – A No Log VPN With Most Secure Server Structure
Find out the specifics of why these VPNs are the best no-log providers below.
Details of Best No Log VPNs
I’ve analyzed the providers’ no-logs policies, security features, speed, and other offerings below. Keep reading to find them out and make the best decision about which no-log VPN you need!
ExpressVPN - Best Overall
The BVI-based no-log provider ExpressVPN is the best no-log VPN overall. Here’s why.
No-Logging Policy
ExpressVPN’s strict no logs policy states what they do and don’t collect.
They do collect your e-mail and payment information when you sign up.
But when it comes to your browsing data, connection logs, and IP address, ExpressVPN doesn’t collect anything.
ExpressVPN also collects aggregated and anonymized app diagnostics data. Such collections serve as “bug reports” to make the service better.
This zero-logs policy is fairly straightforward and clear-cut.
However, for extra reassurance about a no-logs provider, I needed to know if the policy was verified. Here’s what I found.
Real-Life Evidence and Audits of No-logging
ExpressVPN underwent a successful audit of its no-logging policy and servers by PwC to confirm the server structure is compliant with the zero-logs claims.
The full report is available to ExpressVPN subscribers and confirms the no-logs policy is functioning as intended.
In addition to this security audit, the zero-logs claim was proven by a real-life incident in Turkey.
After the assassination of the Russian ambassador in the republic, the Turkish government requested ExpressVPN to provide certain records of a user. ExpressVPN could not do so, as such user logs don’t exist.
Considering these verifications, I’m satisfied that ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy is genuine, making it a great no-log VPN.
Logging Legal Requirements
Although ExpressVPN’s holding company, Kape Technologies, is located in a 5-eyes country (UK), ExpressVPN Technologies Ltd is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
And its privacy policy confirms that users’ data is managed by ExpressVPN Technologies, not Kape, per BVI laws.
BVI is a jurisdiction that doesn’t require logging or data retention, so ExpressVPN has no obligation to do so.
ExpressVPN also doesn’t have servers in Russia and India – countries with data retention laws for VPNs. Users in the latter country can get an Indian IP address by using a virtual ExpressVPN server in the UK.
Russian users can still use ExpressVPN without having their data logged by connecting to a server anywhere in the world.
Other Privacy & Security Features
In addition to the verified zero-logs policy, ExpressVPN offers several security features that make it an even better provider.
RAM Servers
ExpressVPN works on diskless RAM-only servers. These servers ensure if any data is logged at all, it disappears as soon as the server is rebooted.
That way, even if the servers are compromised, there’s no user data to gain from them.
This security measure that complements the zero-logs approach is a big reason why I rated ExpressVPN the best no logs VPN.
Ad Block
ExpressVPN also offers a Threat Manager feature. It’s similar to NordVPN’s Threat Protection ad-block, but rather than blocking pop-up ads, it stops your device from communicating with third parties that engage in malicious behavior.
If a website/app is on the ExpressVPN list of such parties, they can’t see or share your traffic. This is a great addition to the no-logs policy – not only is my activity not stored anywhere, but it’s also kept away from companies that send annoying pop-up ads!
Testing
I ran a DNS leak test using IPleak.net to see if ExpressVPN was leaking my real IP address. It showed that I had a Swedish IP address.
Since I was connected to a Swedish server while not in Sweden, I’m satisfied there are no IP leaks with ExpressVPN.
The fact that ExpressVPN doesn’t leak IP addresses on Windows was also proven by a recent security audit of its Windows app conducted by F-Secure. Taking that into account, all of ExpressVPN’s security features are working as intended.
Speed
I tested the speed of ExpressVPN across several servers.
Here are the results.
Baseline:
When connected to ExpressVPN using the recommended Lightway UDP protocol:
| Server | Ping, ms | Download speed, Mbps | Upload speed, Mbps | Reduction / increase of download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 92 | 14.37 | 2.0 | -11.35% |
| UK Docklands | 79 | 23.65 | 2.23 | +45.9% |
| USA New York | 147 | 23.09 | 2.48 | +42.44% |
So, ExpressVPN does have good speed, thanks to its custom Lightway protocol that encompasses all the security features and ensures decent speeds. I’m comfortable saying ExpressVPN’s security features largely don’t interfere with my UX.
Value for Money
ExpressVPN is pricier than other providers on this list, and the plans are less customizable than NordVPN. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Want to enjoy ExpressVPN but don’t want to overpay?
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Pros
- RAM-only servers verified by a third-party
- No DNS leaks, as verified by audit
- Based in BVI - no data retention laws
- No servers in countries with data retention laws
- Verified no-logging policy - audit & real-life incident
- Great speeds
- Threat Manager
Cons
- More expensive than other providers
- No Multihop
NordVPN - Best for Privacy
In my view, NordVPN is the best no-log VPN for privacy.
Here’s why.
No-Logging Policy
NordVPN’s no-logging policy clearly states what it does and doesn’t log.
It keeps the user’s email, payment information, and server load statistics. With the provider’s RAM-only servers, such statistics can prevent server overload.
On the other hand, NordVPN doesn’t store logs of your online activities, IP addresses, or connection stamps.
Is there a way to ascertain that this policy is true?
Here’s what I learned.
Audits of No-Logging
NordVPN commissioned two audits of its no-logs policy by PwC in 2019 and 2020. Both confirmed there was no deviation between the policy and the service implementation. In other words, the zero-logs claim is true.
There hasn’t been any real-life proof of NordVPN’s zero-logs claim, like with ExpressVPN and OVPN. However, the audit and other security audits of NordVPN’s apps by VerSprite make me comfortable saying NordVPN is a strong no-logs VPN contender for privacy.
Logging Legal Requirements
NordVPN is based in Panama – a country that doesn’t have data retention laws or logging requirements. Therefore, NordVPN isn’t legally required to keep logs of your browsing history, connection stamps, or any other data associated with you.
In addition, like ExpressVPN, NordVPN doesn’t have servers in countries like Russia and India, which have mandatory logging laws.
Users there can still use NordVPN, but they can be certain of their safety when connecting to servers outside their countries.
Other Privacy & Security Features
In addition to the proven zero-logs policy, NordVPN, a great provider of privacy-based services, has other security features worth mentioning.
RAM Servers
NordVPN’s RAM-only servers, like those of other providers on the list, ensure that if any data is recorded, it’s erased after each reboot.
Ad Blocker
NordVPN offers an ad blocker called Cyber Sec, which blocks ads and malicious websites. You can enable it in “Settings.”
I appreciate this feature as someone who always uses ad blockers in my browsers. I know many of them can contain malware, and I’m not a fan of random ads popping up on my social media due to my searches.
The ad blocker is included with all pricing plans.
Multihop & Obfuscated Servers
NordVPN also offers different servers with enhanced security.
Those are DoubleVPN (a type of Multihop) and obfuscated servers. Multihop is also offered by Surfshark, PIA, and OVPN.
It provides double encryption of your traffic, useful if you live in a country with restrictive censorship laws.
Meanwhile, obfuscated servers conceal that you’re using a VPN from your ISP. So, if you live in a place like Russia, where some VPNs are restricted, those NordVPN servers can help protect your privacy while accessing the Internet.
And since NordVPN doesn’t keep logs, nobody will know you’re using a VPN – during or after your connection!
DNS Leak Test
To verify that my real IP wasn’t leaking with NordVPN, I used IPLeak.net.
The website showed that I had a South Korean IP address.
Since I’m not in South Korea but was connected to NordVPN’s South Korean server, I’m satisfied that my IP isn’t leaking with NordVPN.
Speed
I tested NordVPN’s speed on the regular servers, obfuscated servers, and Double VPN servers to ensure the privacy features weren’t hurting the speed too much. Here are the test results.
Baseline:
When connected to NordVPN’s servers:
| Server | Ping, ms | Download speed, Mbps | Upload speed, Mbps | Reduction / increase of download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | 366 | 0.93 | 0.07 | -7% |
| Japan | 320 | 0.95 | 0.12 | -5% |
| UK obfuscated | 360 | 0.70 | 0.04 | -30% |
| Sweden - Netherlands Double VPN | 396 | 0.89 | 0.08 | -11% |
Since my Internet speed wasn’t ideal at the baseline, it’s no surprise NordVPN’s speeds are also very low. However, it’s not the best result for speed on the list. OVPN’s Multihop was much faster, for example.
Value for Money
NordVPN offers three pricing plans. Here’s the breakdown.
| Offering | Standard plan | Plus plan | Complete plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secure VPN | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Malware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tracker & ad blocker | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-platform password manager | No | Yes | Yes |
| Data breach scanner | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1 TB encrypted data storage | No | No | Yes |
You’ll be fine with a standard plan if you’re only looking for privacy and security options with no extras. Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Don’t forget to grab our awesome deal today!
Pros
- RAM-only servers
- Extensive server coverage
- Based in Panama - no data retention laws
- No servers in countries with data retention laws
- Verified no-logging policy
- Double VPN + Obfuscated servers
Cons
- Speed could be better
- No real-life proof of zero-logs claim
Surfshark - Best Value for Money
The Dutch no-log VPN provider Surfshark is offering the best value for money. Here’s why I recommend this provider.
No-Logging Policy
Like every provider on this list, Surfshark has a solid no-logging policy.
It collects your sign-up, subscription, and payment information, the date you signed up, and crash and diagnostics reports.
I investigated whether this policy was independently audited, verified, or debunked. Here’s what I found.
Real-Life Evidence and Audits of No-logging
Surfshark commissioned an audit of its privacy measures from Cure53 in 2018. The audit touched upon the provider’s browser extensions and confirmed no privacy issues with them.
However, this audit doesn’t prove that the zero-logs claims work as intended on other apps (Windows, Android, etc.).
Moreover, it was commissioned a few years ago, and the privacy policy hasn’t been audited since.
There isn’t any real-life proof that Surfshark’s no-logging claims work as intended either, like with ExpressVPN and OVPN.
For that reason, Surfshark lags behind other providers on this list who had their zero-logs policies verified by third parties.
Logging Legal Requirements
Surfshark is located in the Netherlands. While it’s a 14-eyes country, it doesn’t have data retention laws.
So, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark isn’t legally required to keep logs.
And just like those two providers, it doesn’t have Indian or Russian servers to protect its users from those countries’ VPN data retention laws.
— Surfshark (@surfshark) June 7, 2022
Other Privacy & Security Features
Like every provider on this list, Surfshark’s additional security features are worth mentioning to see why it’s a great no-log VPN.
RAM Servers
Surfshark uses diskless RAM-only servers – a great security measure that erases data as soon as the server is rebooted.
Like with ExpressVPN, Surfshark’s RAM-only server structure underwent an audit. Experts at Cure53 confirmed that the structure had no serious issues, and any that were detected were fixed.
So, this audit, combined with the audit of browser extensions, confirms that Surfshark’s Chrome and Firefox add-ons are secure and private.
Multihop
Like NordVPN and OVPN, Surfshark offers a Multihop option across several servers, available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
It reroutes your traffic through several VPN servers for extra encryption, encapsulating more than once and making it twice as hard to find your location.
Ad Blocker
Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature is similar to NordVPN and ExpressVPN’s ad blocks. It blocks ads and malicious websites, reducing the risk of malware being introduced to your device and improving your UX.
Like most people, you’ll find this feature useful if you hate pop-up ads.
You can enable it manually in your Surfshark app.
NoBorders Mode
Surfshark also offers a unique privacy feature called NoBorders mode.
It allows you to browse freely in countries where VPNs are blocked by connecting you to servers that work best under such conditions.
So, if you’re traveling to Russia, Belarus, or another country where VPN use is restricted, consider enabling the mode for your privacy.
Testing
Like with the other providers, I ran a DNS leak test with IPLeak.net on Surfshark to see whether it truly was concealing my IP.
It showed that I had a Finnish IP. Since I’m not in Finland but was connected to a Finnish Surfshark server, Surfshark isn’t leaking my real IP address.
Speed
I tested Surfshark’s speed on standard & Multihop servers to see if its security and privacy features hinder it. Here’s what I found.
Baseline:
When connected to Surfshark servers:
| Server | Ping, ms | Download speed, Mbps | Upload speed, Mbps | Reduction / increase of download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | 89 | 23.5 | 10.1 | -2.1% |
| Netherlands | 78 | 23.2 | 12.4 | -3.3% |
| United Kingdom-France Multihop | 93 | 23.2 | 9.08 | -3.3% |
As you can see, Surfshark’s privacy features have little impact on the overall speed, so they don’t affect your UX too much.
Value for Money
Surfshark is the cheapest provider on this list.
It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with all its plans.
Want an even better value? Check our exclusive Surfshark discount today!
Pros
- Audited RAM-only servers
- No-logging policy
- Great speeds
- Cheapest provider on the list
- NoBorders Mode
- Multihop
- Ad blocker
Cons
- Privacy policy audit was with limited scope / no-real life proof
- Located in The Netherlands - a 14-eyes country
PIA - Best for Transparency
Private Internet Access (PIA) might be located in the United States, which isn’t the most privacy-friendly jurisdiction, but it still delivers.
Here’s why PIA is the best no-log VPN for transparency.
No-Logging Policy
PIA’s zero-logs policy stipulates what kind of data the provider does and doesn’t collect. Like other providers on the list, it retains your email, payment information, and zip code for tax purposes.
PIA also collects anonymized data about server uptime, the global number of users, and other parameters required for product delivery.
PIA’s policy also confirms they don’t keep logs of your online activities, IP addresses, connection timestamps, or other user-specific logs.
I researched whether this policy can be backed up by an audit or real-life proof. Here’s what I found.
Real-Life Evidence and Audits of No-logging
To date, PIA’s no logs policy hasn’t been audited by a third party like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
However, there’s been real-life proof that the policy functions as intended. In 2016, PIA’s then-owner, London Trust Media, was subpoenaed for information about specific IP addresses during a criminal investigation.
The company confirmed that there was no way they could log the IP addresses, and the only information they could provide was the point of origin of the IP cluster.
In another US case, PIA proved they didn’t log the IP addresses in court again. They confirmed that apart from email and payment information, they didn’t keep any logs.
These two instances of proof of PIA’s zero-logs claims in court fill me with confidence in the provider’s approach to privacy.
PIA is also great for its transparency and publishes biannual reports on any government’s requests. To date, they haven’t produced any logs in response to such requests.
Logging Legal Requirements
PIA is based in the United States of America.
Unfortunately, it’s not an ideal jurisdiction for privacy.
Moreover, it’s presently owned by the British company Kape Technologies – the same company that owns ExpressVPN.
The UK and US are 5-eyes countries, meaning they can share online data with each other.
However, PIA’s server structure (more on that later) and no-logging policy proven in court are a testament to the provider taking significant steps to mitigate that risk.
Additionally, like the other providers, PIA doesn’t have servers in Russia due to the country’s VPN logging requirements.
The same applies to India – PIA removed its servers from the country due to a similar law coming into force.
Users from those countries can still connect to any of the other PIA servers to keep their data private.
Other Privacy & Security Features
PIA, like the rest of the providers here, offers several additional security features. Here’s what they are and how they make it a good no-log VPN.
RAM Servers
PIA works on RAM-only servers with blocked USB ports, allowing any information on them to get erased after a reboot.
That means there’s no way for the data to be extracted if they’re compromised, ensuring your privacy. However, unlike Surfshark and ExpressVPN, PIA’s server structure hasn’t been audited.
Open Source Technology
PIA’s technology is 100% open-source. The code is available on GitHub for any tech-minded user to peruse and audit.
This approach is what makes me rate PIA the best provider for transparency.
Multi-Hop
PIA’s Multi-Hop feature is combined with obfuscation technology (similar to NordVPN). It encrypts your location twice, which is great news for users especially concerned about their privacy, such as journalists.
However, it only works for PIA’s desktop app.
Ad Blocker
Like other providers on the list, PIA offers an ad blocker, MACE.
It blocks trackers, ads, and malware.
Since I hate pop-ups and ads and know they can adversely impact my UX and battery life, I’m very happy with this feature.
It’s available on Windows, macOS, and Linux PIA apps, but unfortunately, not on mobile platforms like NordVPN and OVPN’s ad blockers.
Tests
Like other providers, I ran PIA through a DNS Leak test via IPLeak.net.
It showed that I had a Finnish IP address.
That makes sense because I connected to a Finnish PIA server.
Since I’m not in Finland, my real IP wasn’t leaking from PIA’s tunnel, and the DNS leak protection was therefore functional.
Speed
PIA offers a Multihop option combined with Obfuscation.
I compared the speeds of the VPN connection on several servers, and here’s what I found.
Baseline:
When connected to PIA’s servers:
| Server | Ping, ms | Download speed, Mbps | Upload speed, Mbps | Reduction / increase of download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 74 | 25.0 | 8.58 | +0.4% |
| UK London | 73 | 24.5 | 12.4 | -1.6% |
| US East | 174 | 25.5 | 10.9 | +2.4% |
PIA’s speeds were very decent across all servers, even those far away from me. For some, the speed even increased slightly.
That makes me rate PIA very high for speed.
Value for Money
PIA is one of the cheapest providers on this list, with a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Want to save even more money? Grab our exclusive PIA discount today!
Pros
- No-logs claim proven in court twice
- Open Source VPN available for user audits
- Great speeds
- RAM-only servers
- Multi-hop + obfuscated servers
Cons
- Located in the USA - not a privacy-friendly jurisdiction
- No ad-block on mobile apps
- Multi-hop only on Desktop
OVPN - Best for Secure Server Structure
Sweden-based OVPN is a unique provider in terms of their server structure and how they proved its security. Here’s why.
No-Logging Policy
OVPN’s privacy policy makes it clear which logs they do and don’t keep.
It’s the only provider on the list that doesn’t require an email address upon signing up.
However, if you provide it, OVPN retains it along with your country, currency, number of devices, and client version.
Meanwhile, OVPN’s zero-logs policy is straightforward and states that no traffic logs, timestamps, or IP addresses are recorded.
This policy was proven to be true, and here’s how.
Real-Life Evidence and Audits of No-logging
Instead of an audit, OVPN proved its zero-logs policy in court, like PIA.
In 2020, Swedish movie companies requested OVPN to hand over information about a user account.
An outside expert confirmed OVPN’s response that there’s no information to hand over, as OVPN doesn’t keep logs. The Swedish court upheld that claim.
This lengthy dispute that resulted in OVPN’s favor, proving its no-logging claim once and for all, convinces me that the provider is truly a no-log VPN.
Logging Legal Requirements
OVPN is based in Sweden. Although it’s a 14-eyes country, it doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws related to VPN providers.
And the court’s judgment proves that any data retention laws in place don’t apply to OVPN, as it’s not an Internet provider.
Like other providers, OVPN doesn’t offer servers in countries with data retention laws, like Russia and India. Users from those countries can still install OVPN on their devices and use it.
Other Privacy & Security Features
OVPN offers extra privacy and security features to confirm its status as a strong no logs VPN provider.
RAM Servers
OVPN’s RAM-only servers are owned by the provider and ensure that if any identifiable logs pass through them, they’re erased after each reboot.
This RAM-only structure, combined with OVPN’s real-life proof of no logs and monthly transparency reports, is a strong promise of privacy protections. It makes me rate OVPN’s structure and approach as the most secure and private, on par with ExpressVPN’s.
Ad Blocker
The Swedish provider, like others on this list, has a feature that blocks ads and trackers. Currently, it’s only available for OVPN’s Android and iOS apps.
Multihop
Like NordVPN, PIA, and Surfshark, OVPN offers a Multihop feature that routes your traffic through more than one VPN server.
Such double encryption ensures your location and activities are even harder to track.
DNS Leak Test
I tested OVPN with IPLeak.net to see whether my IP was leaking when I was connected to the provider. When I connected to its Norwegian server, it showed that my IP was Norwegian. Since I’m not in Norway, I’m satisfied that OVPN doesn’t leak my real IP.
Speed
Like NordVPN, PIA, and Surfshark, OVPN offers a Multihop option.
So I tested Multihop’s speed along with OVPN’s regular servers.
Here’s what I discovered:
Baseline:
| Server | Ping, ms | Download speed, Mbps | Upload speed, Mbps | Reduction / increase of download speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 96 | 20.62 | 1.36 | +21.3% |
| UK | 100 | 14.55 | 4.80 | -14.4% |
| USA | 143 | 3.14 | 5.39 | -81.5% |
| Norway Multihop | 102 | 22.45 | 8.11 | +32% |
As you can see, OVPN’s speed depends on which server you’re connecting to. Austria was the best server suggested by OVPN, with excellent speeds. Multihop’s speed was also good and even increased my Internet speed, unlike Surfshark’s Multihop.
Value for Money
OVPN isn’t the most expensive provider on the list, but it’s not cheap. Moreover, it only offers a 10-day money-back guarantee.
Compared to 30 days of other providers, it’s not a lot.
Want to save money? Grab our OVPN discount today!
Pros
- RAM-only secure servers
- No-logging policy and RAM-only servers proven to function as intended in court
- Based in Sweden, which has no data retention laws
- Monthly transparency reports
- Multihop
Cons
- Only 10-day money-back guarantee
- Pricier than other providers
What Should You Look For in a No Log VPN?
Your chief concern is privacy if you’re looking for a no-log VPN.
However, there are other aspects you should keep in mind.
Independently Verified No-Logging Policy
First and foremost, a policy that says “we don’t keep logs” is an easy document to write. What’s less straightforward is proving that a VPN provider is compliant with what they preach.
There are a few ways this can be done. A VPN provider can:
- Commission an independent audit by a third party.
- Refuse to provide usage logs in a real-life case of a government’s request.
- Have their zero-logs policy proven in a court case.
Audits
Some VPNs order independent audits from firms like PwC, Cure53, and F-Secure to verify that their infrastructure complies with their no-logging policies.
Thanks to the expertise of such firms, these audit reports are good evidence that a VPN is truly a zero-logs VPN.
If a VPN commissions such an audit and then publishes the report or makes it available to subscribers, there’s a good chance their no-log claims ring true.
NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN have done so.
Real-Life Proof
Another way to prove a no-logs policy is to verify it by a real-life incident. ExpressVPN is a good example of that. The Turkish authorities asked the provider to hand over data on customers who accessed certain websites during specific times. ExpressVPN couldn’t comply – because such logs don’t exist.
A VPN can also have its zero-logs claim verified by a court case.
That’s what happened with OVPN. An attempt by movie companies to compel the Swedish provider to supply information about specific users assigned specific IP addresses was unsuccessful. The court’s decision confirmed that OVPN’s systems had no weakness regarding logs, and the zero-logs policy rang true.
The verdict is in. OVPN is, like everyone already knew, a no-log VPN provider.
— OVPN (@OVPN_official) September 10, 2020
Swedish: https://t.co/nMPt8TQfG1
English: https://t.co/veXV2THpap#ovpn #vpn #wireguard #openvpn
Jurisdictions
Finally, a country where a VPN is located is also important. If, for example, it’s a 5/9/14 eyes country and a VPN’s no-logs claim isn’t genuine, up to 14 nations could get access to your data.
Therefore, a VPN would ideally be located in a country outside the alliance and/or without mandatory data retention laws.
Examples are the BVI or Panama (ExpressVPN and NordVPN are located there, respectively).
If a VPN is located in a 5/9/14 eyes country, ensure that its no-log claim is verified independently. One example is OVPN. It’s located in a 14-eyes country (Sweden), but as I described earlier, it’s proven in court that it doesn’t keep logs
Other Privacy & Security Features
In addition to no-logs policies, a privacy-centric VPN would also have features to protect your security online. RAM-only servers are one such feature that goes hand-in-hand with the verified zero-logs approach.
Such servers are diskless and can store only the minimal data, and only until they’re rebooted. So, even if they’re compromised, there’s little malicious actors can recover.
If a VPN is a genuine no-log provider with RAM-only servers, you have a double guarantee of your data not being stored or retained anywhere.
And if the servers have been audited, that’s extra assurance!
Another feature is a built-in adblocker or threat blocker. Many companies on the Internet take advantage of the traffic data you share with them and sell it to third parties. That’s why you often see many unwanted ads, some of which hide malware.
And, of course, a genuinely private VPN has top-level encryption and passes all the DNS leak tests. After all, a privacy policy is of little value if your VPN is leaking your DNS requests to your internet service provider.
Some VPNs also offer additional privacy features, such as obfuscated servers and MultiHop.
Price & Value for Money
A genuine no-log VPN doesn’t come cheap. So, ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. It’s important to weigh a VPN’s privacy and security features and other strengths against its price and plans.
Speed
For a browsing experience that’s seamless and secure, a no-log VPN wouldn’t let its privacy features interfere with your Internet speed.
For example, ExpressVPN developed the Lightway UDP protocol to ensure that doesn’t happen.
What Type of Logs Do VPNs Keep?
Even the no-log VPN providers retain some information about you.
In many cases, it’s your email address, payment information, and diagnostics and crash reports of your VPN apps.
There are also VPN providers that keep other logs, such as:
- Traffic data (VPN Gold)
- IP address (Private WiFi)
- Connection stamps (IronSocket)
- Server locations (Lamnia VPN)
- All of the above (Freedom-IP VPN)
I don’t recommend those VPNs for privacy – in the event of their servers being seized or compromised, your data could end up in the wrong hands.
If a VPN logs IP addresses, they could even be considered in breach of personal data law in some jurisdictions.
Do Free VPNs Keep Logs?
Generally, most free VPNs store user logs. They do so because they need to make money.
And the only ways for a free VPN to make money are to sell logs of their users to third parties or host ads of third parties on their platforms. Neither option is great for your privacy.
There are exceptions to this. Swiss ProtonVPN offers a free version of its VPN and claims not to keep logs. AtlasVPN does a similar thing and offers a free VPN for testing. They also claim not to keep logs.
However, these providers’ no-logging policies haven’t been verified independently, unlike those on my list. Therefore, I recommend a paid no-logs VPN, as it’s prepared to invest in your privacy by verification.
FAQ
What VPNs Keep Logs?
Many free VPNs keep user logs because they have to make money somehow.
And the data they keep is an excellent source of revenue if they sell it to advertisers.
However, some paid VPNs also keep logs, despite their no-logs claims.
For that reason, always ensure that the zero-logs claims of a VPN were verified independently.
What VPNs Don’t Keep Logs?
VPNs that are genuinely committed to your privacy don’t keep logs.
Those are the VPN providers on this list – ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, PIA and OVPN. Those providers have verified their privacy features independently.
What Are the Best No-Log VPNs for Android?
Due to its top-level security features, verified privacy policy, and ease of use, I recommend ExpressVPN as the best no-log VPN for Android.
Surfshark is a close second due to how straightforward and secure the Android app is.
Are No-Log VPNs Legal?
No-log VPNs are legal in parts of the world where all VPNs are legal.
That’s most of the world, excluding Turkmenistan, Belarus, the UAE, and a couple of other countries.
Some countries have data retention laws applicable to certain entities.
However, VPNs are not such entities, as they’re not Internet service providers or communication service providers. Therefore, these laws largely don’t apply to them, and it’s not illegal for VPNs to not keep logs.
There are exceptions to this, like India and Russia, which is why many VPNs pulled their servers from those countries.
Are No-Log VPNs Safe?
Genuine no-log VPNs are safe for your privacy, by definition.
If they’re verified not to keep logs of your activities, then it’s safe to use them because they don’t store your data. And if they don’t store your data, it can’t be compromised in the event of something going wrong with the VPNs’ servers.
Does ExpressVPN Keep Logs?
Per their no-logging policy, ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs of connection stamps, browsing history, or IP addresses. An independent third-party audit verified this policy.
Moreover, the fact that ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs was verified by a real-life incident. The Turkish government requested activity logs of certain users, but ExpressVPN could not provide them because they don’t exist.
Conclusion
After testing five VPN providers, reading through their no logs policy, and evidence to back it up, I can conclude that the best no-log VPN is ExpressVPN.
Not only was its zero-logs policy verified independently more than once, but it also offers many extra security features and great speeds.
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