Updated on: November 1, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best no-logs VPN in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : Has a strict no-logs policy that only collects basic data not harmful to your privacy and that’s been independently audited several times by respected companies in the industry. It’s also based in a privacy-friendly country and has RAM-only servers, which prevent any long-term data logging. Its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The best no-logs policy VPNs don’t collect information that can be traced to you. The truth about VPNs is that no VPN can completely avoid collecting some data, like non-identifiable data to ensure their services run smoothly and basic account information for subscriptions. However, the no-logs policy VPNs I recommend don’t log anything beyond that.
They don’t log your browsing history, connection timestamps, or IP address. And since many VPNs that have claimed to have no-logs policies have shared data with authorities, I also made sure that every VPN here actually backs up their claims by having their no-logs policies verified either through independent audits, server seizures, or court documents. Some of the VPNs also publish transparency reports, which display how many requests for user data they received and were unable to produce, or have open-source apps (allow you to inspect them for privacy flaws).
My favorite is ExpressVPN, which has undergone more independent security audits than any of the top VPNs on the market. Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best No-Logs VPNs
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇 1. ExpressVPN — Best No-Logs VPN in 2024
ExpressVPN is my favorite no-logs VPN on the market — it has a strict, transparent no-logs policy that doesn’t log user IP addresses or traffic. The policy has also been independently audited and confirmed, and when Turkish authorities seized one of ExpressVPN’s servers in 2017, the investigators came up empty because no data was stored on the server.
The no-logs policy has passed independent audits in 2019, 2022, and 2023 by KPMG and PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), which are 2 of the “Big Four” auditing firms. On both occasions, they found that the provider didn’t keep any user data.
ExpressVPN also publishes transparency reports every 6 months that detail requests for user data. Due to its no-logs policy, there’s no data to share; for instance, in one of the reports, ExpressVPN recorded receiving 250,000+ requests and complied with none.
ExpressVPN only collects the following:
- Your email address. ExpressVPN uses your email for communication purposes only.
- Your payment information. The provider uses this to issue refunds.
- Which VPN apps you download. This allows the customer support team to troubleshoot app issues for different operating systems.
- Customer support interactions. ExpressVPN uses this data to improve its customer support services and provide a better user experience.
- Your data usage. The provider makes sure users don’t abuse its services.
You can also choose whether or not to share diagnostics data (such as crash reports) — I like this because it provides slightly better privacy, and many VPNs actually don’t offer this option. But even if you choose to share diagnostics data, it won’t provide any personally identifiable information.
Another thing I like is how ExpressVPN is headquartered in a privacy-friendly country — the British Virgin Islands. The location is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (a group of countries that share surveillance data), and the country also doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws.
ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers (or what ExpressVPN calls TrustedServer technology), which remove all operational data that the VPN needs to manage active connections every time the servers are rebooted or powered off. This makes it technically impossible for logs to be retained. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology has undergone and passed multiple independent tests and audits.
ExpressVPN also includes Threat Manager, which blocks apps and websites from connecting to trackers. This stops third parties from collecting your browsing data, location, or device information, and building profiles on your or targeting you with ads.
In addition to no-logs audits, I like how Cure53 (another one of the “Big Four”) and cybersecurity firm F-Secure audited the provider’s iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux apps, Chrome extension, server infrastructure, and Lightway (its proprietary protocol) to prove they’re all 100% safe for user privacy. In total, ExpressVPN so far has published 18 audit reports, which is more than any other VPN.
ExpressVPN has affordable prices that start at $4.99 / month, accepts crypto payments (for added privacy), and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best no-logs VPN in 2024 — it has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited multiple times, it’s located in a privacy-friendly country with no data retention laws, and it uses TrustedServer technology for its servers that prevent it from keeping data long-term — which has also been independently audited numerous times. Its plans are all backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈 2. Private Internet Access — Great No-Logs VPN for Torrenting
Private Internet Access (PIA)’s strict no-logs policy is great for P2P activities, as none of your torrenting data is tracked, stored, or shared. This setup ensures that your P2P traffic remains private, as PIA can’t provide data that was never logged in the first place.
Plus, PIA’s no-logs policy has been proven true in court on multiple occasions — PIA was asked to share user data with the authorities in court cases in 2015, 2016, and 2018, but it couldn’t provide any information.
PIA collects very little data. It logs your email address, payment data, and your state or territory and ZIP code, which it needs for tax analysis. Like ExpressVPN, it also allows you to optionally share diagnostics data.
The provider’s no-logs policy underwent an independent audit by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” auditing firms, in 2022. The same firm reviewed PIA’s server setup and privacy configurations in 2024, verifying that no user-identifiable data is stored or accessible.
I also like how PIA releases quarterly transparency reports — they detail every request for user data (like subpoenas, warrants, and court orders) the provider has received from government and law enforcement agencies. The reports also confirm that the provider didn’t comply with the requests.
All of PIA’s apps are open-source. This provides even better transparency, as anyone can inspect the code to verify the no-logging policy and check for security vulnerabilities or privacy concerns. PIA’s no-logs policy is also backed by RAM-only servers, and it includes an ad blocker (PIA MACE), which blocks trackers.
But unlike ExpressVPN, PIA is not based in a privacy-friendly country. Instead, it’s located in the US, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. But even if US authorities asked for user data, PIA wouldn’t have anything to hand over — it proved many times that it doesn’t store any personally identifiable information.
Private Internet Access offers affordable plans that start at $2.03 / month, accepts cryptocurrency payments, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is great for P2P thanks to its audited no-logs policy and regular transparency reports. It uses RAM-only servers, it releases regular transparency reports, and its apps are open-source. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉 3. CyberGhost VPN — Good No-Logs VPN for Streaming and Gaming
CyberGhost VPN has a strict no-logs policy that’s ideal for streaming and gaming, as it doesn’t track or store information about the streaming apps you watch or the gaming servers you connect to. Its data collection is minimal, limited to your email address, payment details, and performance-related data (like connection attempts and successful connections) to improve the service.
The provider’s no-logs policy passed an independent security audit in 2022 by “Big Four” firm Deloitte. CyberGhost VPN doesn’t have open-source apps like Private Internet Access, but I like that it releases transparency reports every 3 months and that it’s based in Romania, which doesn’t have data retention laws and isn’t part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.
CyberGhost VPN has dedicated servers in 20+ countries for 100+ streaming services, including popular ones like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, all of which are RAM-only servers. These streaming servers are optimized to always access the associated platform, all while making sure none of your streaming history gets accidentally saved anywhere.
You also get access to RAM-only gaming servers in the US, the UK, France, and Germany — these servers are optimized to provide faster downloads and gaming speeds than regular VPN servers. In my tests, I always had stable ping while using these servers, I never experienced lag, and my connections to the gaming server didn’t drop.
CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers strengthen its no-logs policy by being fully owned and operated in-house. Since these servers are located at CyberGhost’s headquarters, only the VPN’s staff can manage and access them. This in-house setup ensures there’s no room for external entities to intercept user data, adding an extra layer of security to its no-logs policy.
CyberGhost VPN starts at just $2.03 / month and accepts cryptocurrency payments. There’s a 45-day money-back guarantee for long-term plans, while the monthly plan is only backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN is ideal for streaming and gaming thanks to its strict no-logs policy, which ensures your streaming history and gaming connections aren’t tracked or stored. Its no-logs policy is further supported by all RAM-only servers, NoSpy servers at its headquarters, and regular transparency reports. Also, it’s based in privacy-friendly Romania. All long-term plans are covered by a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors' Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — A No-Logs VPN With Colocated Servers for Extra Privacy
NordVPN’s colocated servers offer excellent privacy in combination with its no-logs policy. Unlike standard rented servers at third-party data centers, NordVPN’s colocated servers are fully owned, physically secured, and managed by NordVPN itself. This means external staff don’t have physical or network access, so there’s less of a chance that your browsing data could be tracked, stored, or shared.
The provider’s no-logs policy is very straightforward. It only stores your email address (for creating your account) and your payment information, which it needs for issuing refunds. It also collects server load information to help users connect to the best servers, and it logs whether or not users have used the VPN service in the past 30 days — NordVPN does this to dispute unfair chargebacks.
NordVPN’s no-logs policy has also been audited 4 times in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023 by “Big Four” firms PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte. It was proven true in 2018 when a data breach at a third-party data center revealed no NordVPN user data. It was later reinforced in 2024 — under a warrant, NordVPN provided only payment details (which it has to keep for the purposes of providing the service) and account confirmation.
It’s headquartered in Panama, which has no data retention laws and isn’t part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. NordVPN only uses RAM-only servers and publishes transparency reports. You also get Threat Protection Pro, which blocks trackers for better privacy.
NordVPN has tier-based subscriptions and plans that start from $2.99 / month. You can buy a plan with crypto for more privacy. All purchases are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN is a secure no-logs VPN that further enhances privacy with its colocated servers, which are fully owned and managed in-house to prevent third-party access. Its no-logs policy has been verified through independent audits and proven true when one of the data centers the provider worked with suffered a data breach. The VPN also releases regular transparency reports and uses RAM-only servers. It backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark – Affordable No-Logs VPN
Surfshark’s a great pick for anyone wanting a private, no-logs VPN that’s budget-friendly. It’s one of the cheapest options available with a no-logs policy, which was audited and confirmed in 2023 by Deloitte. That said, it hasn’t undergone as many independent security audits as ExpressVPN.
Surfshark’s privacy policy says the provider only collects basic information, including your email address (for communication purposes) and connection timestamps, but those are deleted 15 minutes after you disconnect from a VPN server.
Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a privacy-friendly location, and it backs its no-logs policy with regular transparency reports to demonstrate accountability. The provider also uses RAM-only servers.
Finally, Surfshark also maintains a warrant canary, which is regularly updated to confirm that the company hasn’t been compelled to disclose data under gag orders or national security demands.
Surfshark’s plans start at only $1.99 / month, and every plan is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom line:
Surfshark is an excellent budget-friendly VPN with a strong focus on privacy, backed by an independently audited no-logs policy. It’s located in the Netherlands, only uses RAM-only servers, and maintains regular transparency reports and a warrant canary to confirm it hasn’t been compelled to disclose user data. Plans are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
6. Proton VPN — Best Free No-Logs VPN
Proton VPN has a good free plan, which provides unlimited data and strong privacy features. The provider only collects minimal data — your email address and crash-related data, which it shares with developers to help them fix system bugs.
Proton VPN’s no-logs passed an independent audit in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Securitum, a prominent cybersecurity firm in Poland. It was also proven in a 2019 legal case where ProtonVPN was ordered to provide logs for a user but couldn’t comply, as no logs existed. It’s based in privacy-friendly Switzerland, which has no mandatory logging requirements for VPN services
In addition, all of the provider’s apps are open-source (just like Private Internet Access) — and since not everyone is tech-savvy enough to inspect the code, I really like that the apps have passed independent audits.
ProtonVPN doesn’t have RAM-only servers, unlike ExpressVPN, but it uses full-disk encryption on all of its servers, available on both its free and paid plans. With full-disk encryption, every piece of data stored on the server’s hard drive, such as temporary session data, is encrypted. This means nobody will be able to read anything on the server, even if they gain physical access to it.
However, the free plan has some limitations. It only provides access to servers in 5 countries, including the US, the Netherlands, and Japan, allows only 1 device, doesn’t allow streaming or torrenting, and locks some features behind a paywall.
Proton VPN’s plans start at $2.99 / month, and they add access to all servers across 112 countries, 10 connections, and full streaming and P2P support. The provider accepts crypto and even cash payments and comes with a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Proton VPN’s free plan is pretty good — it doesn’t log any personally identifiable information. Its no-logs commitment has been independently audited multiple times and was proven in a legal case where it couldn’t provide logs because they didn’t exist. The provider’s paid plans unlock access to all features and are backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Proton VPN review
7. TunnelBear — Good No-Logs VPN for Beginners
TunnelBear’s a beginner-friendly VPN with a no-logs policy. Although it hasn’t independently audited its no-logs policy like ExpressVPN, TunnelBear has hired Cure53 every year since 2017 to thoroughly examine the VPN’s code, infrastructure, website, and apps to identify any vulnerabilities. The results of each audit are published on TunnelBear’s website, providing users with a transparent view of its security standards.
Plus, TunnelBear’s privacy policy is very straightforward. I’m a fan of how it clearly explains what data the VPN collects using simple terms instead of using complex language as most VPNs do. The provider only collects your email address, payment data, and operational data (VPN app version or operating system version), which it uses to troubleshoot issues.
I like how TunnelBear issues an annual transparency report, but I don’t like that TunnelBear is based in Canada, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. Even so, if the Canadian authorities ask for user data, TunnelBear can’t hand anything over.
TunnelBear has a free plan, but I don’t recommend it because it limits you to 2 GB per month — that’s only enough for 3–4 hours of basic web browsing. Its paid plans are very competitive and start at $3.33 / month, but there’s no option to pay via crypto. Also, the provider lacks a money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TunnelBear provides great privacy and is easy to use. Its privacy policy is very easy to understand, and the provider releases annual transparency reports. Also, its code, server infrastructure, and apps undergo regular security audits. TunnelBear doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.
Read our full TunnelBear review
8. VyprVPN — Easy-to-Use VPN With Great Privacy
VyprVPN has a trustworthy privacy policy and intuitive apps for all operating systems, making it an ideal option for people who have never used a VPN.
VyprVPN is one of the only VPNs that fully owns, and manages its server infrastructure — this means third parties are never in charge of your privacy, and it also allows the provider to deliver fast and stable connections.
While VyprVPN only collects your email address and payment information, it oddly asks for your full name when you sign up (unlike ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and CyberGhost VPN). If you don’t want to share your name, you can use a fake name.
The provider is based in a privacy-friendly location (Switzerland), and its no-logs policy was independently audited in 2018. While this is great, I wish its no-logs policy would undergo a more recent audit, like ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and CyberGhost VPN.
VyprVPN’s plans start at $3.00 / month, but there’s no option to pay with crypto. On the plus side, all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
VyprVPN is a decent, user-friendly no-logs VPN. It’s one of the only VPNs out there that 100% owns and operates all of its servers, it collects minimal data, it’s based in a privacy-friendly location, and its no-logs policy passed an independent audit (but it was back in 2018). It has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I followed our proven testing methodology to recommend only the best no-logs VPNs that meet high standards of privacy, security, and performance. I examined each VPN’s privacy policies, security measures, and ease of use to ensure top quality in every aspect. Here are the key factors I evaluated to determine which VPNs offer the best experience and value:
- I made sure each VPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited. I verified that each VPN’s no-logs policy had undergone third-party audits to confirm they don’t store any user data. Many of the VPNs I recommend have had their no-logs policy verified by a “Big Four” firm more than once.
- I looked at whether the VPNs complied with data requests. I checked if the VPNs have had their servers seized or were involved in court cases that sought user data. I found that all of my top picks on this list successfully upheld their no-logs policies, protecting user data even under legal pressure. Most of them also regularly release transparency reports that detail the requests they receive and how they didn’t comply.
- I checked if the VPNs are located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. The majority of the VPNs that made it onto my list operate in countries with strong privacy laws that safeguard against data retention requirements.
- I ensured the VPNs use secure servers. All VPNs on my list (except for ProtonVPN) use RAM-only servers, which can’t hold user data long-term, an infrastructure that further ensures no data is saved. Proton VPN doesn’t have RAM-only servers, but it uses fully encrypted servers, which are also very secure.
- I made sure the VPNs offer good value. The VPNs I recommend provide great streaming and torrenting support and fast and stable connections. They also allow multiple simultaneous connections and have affordable paid plans backed by a money-back guarantee or a free plan.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Hotspot Shield. Hotspot claims it doesn’t log your browsing data and IP address, but it hasn’t conducted an independent audit of its no-logs policy. Plus, the VPN logs the IP address of its free subscribers.
- Norton Secure VPN. The VPN doesn’t collect your browsing traffic, but it keeps logs of your IP address. It claims to do that to determine appropriate language settings and to deliver content to your device — but I think that’s not a good enough reason to put your privacy at risk.
- Privado VPN. This provider doesn’t log the sites you visit or collects your IP address. Plus, even though PrivadoVPN is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, it lacks a no-logs policy audit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best no-logs VPN?
ExpressVPN is my favorite no-logs VPN in 2024 — it has a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited several times. In addition, the provider had some of its apps and its server infrastructure audited several times. Plus, it’s based in a privacy-friendly location, and it has high-end security features that help protect your data.
How can a VPN keep a no-logs policy?
A VPN’s no-logs policy is essentially a promise, but it’s nearly impossible to verify fully. Independent audits of VPNs do assess server setups and practices; however, they can’t 100% confirm long-term compliance since the VPN could change its practices right after an audit.
The closest a VPN can come to confirming its no-logs policy is when it’s legally compelled to provide data yet has nothing to hand over, or when authorities seize its servers and find no user information — like in the case of ExpressVPN.
What should I look for in a VPN no-logs policy?
A privacy-friendly VPN with a no-logs policy should clearly outline the data it stores or doesn’t store. All VPNs store some operational data (ideally temporarily) and information like payment data, which allows them to provide subscription services. That said, a good no-logs VPN should never log your IP address or browsing history.
I’d also consider the VPN’s track record and whether they handed over data in legal cases or server seizures — for example, ExpressVPN had nothing to offer when their server was seized. You can check my full list of things to look for in a no-logs VPN here.
Can I use a free no-logs VPN?
Usually, no, as most free VPNs don’t have no-logs policies — instead, they may log your traffic and IP address, and some sell it to third parties. What’s more, most free VPNs also lack other essential security features, like a kill switch, which protects you from traffic leaks.
That said, if you insist on using a free VPN, I recommend Proton VPN’s free plan — it’s one of the best free VPN plans on the market, as it provides unlimited data and comes with an independently audited no-logs policy. What’s more, all of the provider’s apps are open-source (anyone can inspect the code) and have been audited as well. However, the free plan only allows access to servers in 5 countries, allows only 1 connection, and doesn’t support streaming and torrenting.
Can I use a no-logs VPN based in a 5/9/14 Eyes country?
It’s generally ideal to use a no-logs VPN based in a privacy-friendly country (like Switzerland or the British Virgin Islands) — most of the VPNs on my list have headquarters in such locations.
But you can also use a VPN in a 5/9/14 Eyes country if its no-logs policy has been verified. That way, even if government authorities ask the provider for user data, the VPN can’t hand anything over because it doesn’t keep any logs. For example, Private Internet Access is based in the US, but its no-logs policy passed an independent audit and has also been proven true in court documents on several occasions. Also, it issues regular transparency reports that detail what user data requests it received, and all of its apps are open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code for security vulnerabilities.
What are VPN logs?
They are data a VPN collects from the VPN app you install on your device. There are 2 types of VPN logs:
- Usage logs. They contain information about your activities while connected to the VPN. You should avoid any VPN that keeps usage logs, as they are terrible for your privacy since they track the sites you visit and the files you download. None of the VPNs on this list store usage logs.
- Connection logs. They contain information about your VPN connection, such as how much data you used, when you connected to a VPN server, or what device you’re using the VPN app on. That kind of data is typically harmless, and it’s mostly used by the provider to improve its service and troubleshoot issues. However, connection logs can sometimes contain your IP address, which is terrible for your privacy — so always check the privacy policy to make sure the provider’s connection logs don’t include your IP address.
How can I tell if a VPN actually doesn’t keep logs?
The best way is to check if the provider’s no-logs policy has passed an independent audit (almost all of the VPNs here check this box). In addition, you can also:
- Check if the VPN issues regular transparency reports. These reports detail how many user data requests the VPN received and how the provider didn’t comply with them.
- Consider VPNs that have open-source apps. This means anyone can inspect the code for security and confirm the VPN doesn’t log user data.
- Check the provider’s headquarters. See if they are located in a privacy-friendly country that doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws.
