Best VPNs that keep no logs - Find a truly logless VPN

A no-logs VPN doesn’t collect or store any user data. We’ve taken a look at some of the best logless VPNs, as well as explained how to determine whether a provider is trustworthy. 

VPNs are a great tool if you’re aiming to improve online privacy, keeping everyone from your ISP to advertisers at bay. It works by encrypting all user traffic, routing your data via a VPN server of your choice. 

However, there’s always a chance that the VPN could be logging user data and their online activities in the process, defeating the purpose from a privacy perspective. In fact, some services have been caught doing so in the past. Therefore, picking a no-logs VPN is especially important. Audited providers remove much of the guesswork, so we’ve taken the opportunity to list some of the best logless VPNs on the market. 

We’ve included a quick rundown of our top logless VPNs if you don’t have time to read through the entire article. 

Best logless VPNs:

1. NordVPN: The best logless VPN. Fast speeds, unique features, streaming access, RAM-only servers, audited no-logs policy and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: Our top budget logless VPN. Independently-verified no-logs policy, servers in 100+ countries, unlimited device connections, capable speeds, and good for streaming.
3. ExpressVPN: Popular provider with user-friendly apps for all devices. Adept at bypassing geo-restrictions, Lightway protocol, router firmware available, and an audited no-logs policy. 
4. Mullvad: Privacy-focused zero logs provider with some of the fastest speeds on the market. Great for torrenting and anonymous sign-up is available.
5. Proton VPN: Packed with advanced features, free no-logs VPN servers in three countries, and a watertight no-logs policy.
6. IVPN: Anonymous provider offering a strict zero-logs policy, annual security audits, port forwarding, and more. 
7. CyberGhost: Beginner-friendly service with streaming optimized servers, a Romania HQ, NoSpy, and has been independently audited by Deloitte.

Summary Table

If you’re in need of a logless VPN, there are a number of services that claim to be able to get the job done. We've been able to narrow the field with our inclusion criteria. 

Here are some of the non-negotiable characteristics we looked for when picking out the best logless providers for our no-logs VPN guide:

• Servers in a wide range of locations that can be used for tasks like P2P
• Connection speeds will dictate how efficiently the user is able to perform any online task
• Streaming access, as well as allowing the user to bypass any restrictions on sites from abroad 
• A strict no-logs policy, as well as containing everything from security features to the latest protocols for an extra layer of privacy
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

For more information about the specific criteria we used when picking the best logless VPNs, check out the testing methodology section found later in this article.

Best logless VPNs 

Here’s a roundup with detailed information about each of the VPNs that have made it onto this list.

NordVPN is our top pick if you’re in need of a trustworthy no-logs provider. The service is headquartered in Panama, which is perfect in terms of jurisdiction. A strict policy ensures that no traffic logs are stored with the service. Rather than taking their word for it, the VPN has verified its no-logs policy a total of three times, most recently with Deloitte in December 2022. 

It does collect some information, including device identifiers, and a timestamp of the last session. This is used to track simultaneous connections; Nord users are limited to six devices. 

NordVPN is ideal for torrenting thanks to optimized servers, while additional features include Tor over VPN, and MultiHop (Double VPN). Meshnet is another interesting addition, allowing the user to create private, encrypted tunnels between trusted devices free of charge. 

NordLynx is a custom protocol that sees average speeds of roughly 200 Mbps, and the provider is capable of accessing various popular streaming services in countries like the United States and the UK. 

You’ll find a selection of apps available for Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. 6,000+ servers are spread across 60+ countries. 

One downside is that Nord doesn’t offer port forwarding.

THE BEST LOGLESS VPN: NordVPN has to be seen as one of the optimal options if you’re in need of a no-logs provider. Panama-based, ideal for streaming and torrenting, audited logging policy, and unique features like Meshnet. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

As with NordVPN, Surfshark has been independently audited by Deloitte. In December 2022, the firm concluded: 

“Based on the procedures performed and the evidence obtained, in our opinion, the configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations is properly prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Surfshark’s description of its no-logs policy.”

Its policy states that Surfshark doesn’t log what you’re up to, but it does keep some information for 15 minutes when a user first connects to a VPN server. It records the server you’ve chosen, your user ID, and a connection timestamp. 

That’s a decent result, especially when paired with features like 256-bit encryption, MultiHop servers, a kill switch, and watertight leak protection. NoBorders allows the user to access Surfshark while traveling in restrictive regions, and you’ll be able to pay for the service with cryptocurrency.  

The provider is based in the Netherlands. This isn’t ideal when factoring in jurisdiction, as it’s a Nine Eyes country that is part of a murky intelligence-sharing alliance along with the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others. As a consequence, Surfshark uses RAM-only servers that could easily be wiped remotely in the event of a raid.  

THE BEST BUDGET NO-LOGS VPN: Surfshark offers a low-cost no-logs service that is sure to be helpful for the average user. Independently audited, servers in 100+ countries for an IP address, and unlimited simultaneous device connections. Simple 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN keeps no record of what a user does while connected to its servers. The provider does monitor the date connected, the general location of the server you use, and the amount of data transferred each day.

It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which ensures that the service steers clear of any worrisome jurisdictions, including the Five Eyes network. The service has a strict no-logs policy, which has been independently audited by KPMG.

ExpressVPN is one of the best options for streaming, working with a long list of popular services such as Netflix US and BBC iPlayer. It’s perfect if you’d like to access a more obscure platform, or you’re hoping to torrent safely.

Lightway is a custom protocol that helps to see reliable connections from a range of locations, while there are servers in 94+ countries. ExpressVPN has a .onion website, so you’ll be able to sign up via Tor. 

It is slightly more expensive than average, but it’s hard to think of many faults if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly no-logs service.

RELIABLE NO-LOGS VPN: ExpressVPN is a popular provider with an audited no-logs policy. Works to access lots of sites and services from abroad, reliable speeds, custom protocol, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Sweden-based Mullvad is perfect for any users that are in need of a true zero-logs VPN. As the provider notes; 

“The underlying policy of Mullvad is that we never store any activity logs of any kind. We strongly believe in having a minimal data retention policy because we want you to remain anonymous.”

It logs some non-invasive aggregated information, such as the total number of current VPN connections, but it’s still a good result. The provider has been audited on numerous occasions, most recently checking its account and payment services. 

Mullvad has lots of advanced features that help to improve privacy. It’s one of the few providers to offer IPv6 support. It comes with obfuscation, split tunneling, and the ability to block ads, trackers, and malware.

Connection speeds in excess of 660 Mbps make it one of the fastest VPNs on the market. 

The service is based in Sweden, so it’s worth being aware that the country is a Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliance member. Of course, the VPN should have no logs to hand over in the first place. 

Unfortunately, Mullvad isn’t the best option if you’re looking for a VPN for streaming. It also has fewer servers than many competitors, even if there are locations in 43+ countries. The five-simultaneous-device limit could be improved.  

ZERO-LOGS VPN: Mullvad is a true zero-logs provider with lots of advanced features, and some of the fastest connection speeds on the market. Audited, strong encryption, top-tier security, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Mullvad.

Proton VPN is another sturdy option with a verified logging policy. The provider was taken to court in 2019 after being ordered to turn over information to help identify a user. Proton was unable to comply as it logs no data. 

Securitum has confirmed that “as of April 26th, 2023, Proton VPN service is compliant with its no-log policy, provides high privacy, and is maintained by a team that is highly committed to safeguarding user data and developing the product in a manner that minimizes the processing and storage of user-related information.”

The service is based in Switzerland, which isn’t a Fourteen Eyes member. Advanced features include support for port forwarding. NetShield blocks malware, ads, and trackers. A VPN Accelerator helps to boost average speeds (320 Mbps), and there’s support for Tor over VPN, custom DNS servers, and more. Secure Core servers route traffic via safe locations like Iceland and Sweden. It's a sister service to the popular Proton Mail, offering various privacy benefits. 

If you’re looking for a free logless VPN, Proton should definitely be on your radar. There are free locations in the Netherlands, the United States, and Japan, although speeds are capped, and streaming access is locked behind a paywall. 

ADVANCED LOGLESS VPN: Proton VPN is a respected name within the industry, offering everything from an audited zero-logs policy to a trio of free server locations with no bandwidth cap. Streaming support, Secure Core, port forwarding, and a 30-day money-back guarantee make it an attractive choice for users.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

IVPN has built its service around transparency and anonymity, so it makes sense that it’s a great logless option. It notes:

“Our VPN servers do not store any logs that could be used to identify a customer. This is backed up by a no-logs audit conducted by independent security researchers.”

IVPN’s logging policy was independently verified by Cure53 in 2019, concluding:

“Based on the findings, it is safe to say that all of IVPN’s privacy statements could be verified as truthful within the defined scope.”

A Gibraltar HQ is a good starting point, while you’ll find open-source apps for all devices. You don’t need an email address to sign up, and you’ll be able to pay anonymously with various cryptocurrencies. Numerous security features include a SOCKS5 proxy, MultiHop servers, and Obfsproxy. 

There are a few drawbacks to consider with IVPN. It’s not the best option for streaming, struggling to bypass blocks with popular platforms no matter which server is selected. It has a smaller network, and some locations are regularly overloaded.  

ANONYMOUS LOGLESS VPN: IVPN is a capable option for anyone aiming to improve online privacy. It allows users to share files via P2P, and it’s subject to annual independent audits. No email address needed and anonymous payment options available. 30-day money-back guarantee.

CyberGhost doesn’t store any information about its users' online activities, including their source IP, the VPN servers they connect to, their browsing history, the amount of data transferred, their DNS queries, or any files they download. 

However, it does collect some diagnostic data, including the time of connection, your country of origin, and whether the connection was successful. The provider was independently audited by Deloitte Romania in 2022, confirming the accuracy of its privacy policy.  

CyberGhost is based in Romania, far from any troublesome Five Eyes countries. It uses shared IP addresses, and you’ll be able to pick from 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries. There’s also the option of using bare metal servers (NoSpy) which are fully owned, operated, and controlled by the provider.

Features include labeled streaming servers, making it one of the best options if you’re hoping to catch up with content while abroad. These grant access to platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and many more.

CyberGhost is missing out on a few advanced features such as obfuscation, but it should definitely be on your radar if you’re in need of a low-cost no-logs VPN. 

NO-LOGS STREAMING VPN: CyberGhost doesn’t store any personal data, and has been independently verified by Deloitte. Large server network, fast speeds, beginner-friendly streaming access, and an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Methodology: How we chose the best logless VPNs 

Rather than picking out providers at random, we’ve compiled a comprehensive VPN testing methodology. We test and compare the best VPNs in the business. 

Our strict criteria means that only providers dedicated to digital privacy, with excellent usability and optimal performance, can make it onto our list. Below, you can see the criteria we used to pick the best logless VPNs.

• Servers: High speed servers in a range of locations are the hallmark of a quality VPN. Ideally, the provider will offer servers that are optimized for various tasks, including P2P, and accessing international streaming services. 
• Speeds and performance: Fast connection speeds will ensure no lag, even if you’re connecting to servers located halfway around the world. The VPN needs to be reliable, especially if you’re planning to access content from abroad. 
• Privacy and security: How does the VPN perform in terms of security and privacy? We look at features, their implementation, and everything from leak protection to encryption and protocols. Its logging policy is especially important in this instance. 
• Third-party audits: Trust is the foundation of the value that VPNs provide. You are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP. Almost every provider says they are a ‘no logs' VPN. The only ways to test this claim are either through the courts or through audits. We will only consider providers for our top three positions if they have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.
• Diskless infrastructure: Again, this is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions on BleepingComputer. While the data stored on a VPN server should be minimal, it could, theoretically, be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked. Moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. It can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.

What is a logless VPN?

A ‘logless VPN’ should keep no logs of user data, especially when it comes to personally-identifiable information. However, while the vast majority of VPNs will claim to log no data, the reality might be different.

There are two types of logs to consider. Firstly, there are traffic logs, which are also known as usage logs. This includes everything from search queries to sites visited. A VPN shouldn’t record this data under any circumstances. 

Metadata logs, or diagnostic logs, are used by providers to record details about how you use the VPN. This might contain anything from connection timestamps to the server location you’ve chosen. These logs are less likely to be used to identify you, unless the provider keeps a record of your source IP address. 

A 'no-logs' provider should keep no usage logs, while diagnostic information should be kept to a minimum. You’ll be able to find out more about the logs a VPN keeps by checking out its privacy policy. Furthermore, the VPN should not record your IP address nor the IP address of the server to which you connect. Many VPNs are guilty of extensive data logging, defeating the purpose in terms of keeping your personal info safe.

How to tell if a VPN is trustworthy 

Rather than going by a group consensus, it’s better to understand how and why a VPN is deemed to be trustworthy. For example, no matter what a VPN’s privacy policy may say, you can never be sure if it’s actually telling the truth. Some providers have crumbled when faced with a court order, or have magically been able to produce logs that should never have existed in the first place. VPNs are also prone to jurisdictional issues, especially in countries like the United States that have large spy networks. 

It’s fair to say that you can never be entirely sure that a VPN won’t log your data. However, a number of important factors should help you make a decision. Here are the main signs to check for when signing up with any VPN service.

Torrenting policy

A VPNs torrenting policy is a good place to start. The provider should allow for P2P file sharing, whether or not it has servers that are optimized for the task. As many torrenters download copyrighted material, VPNs tend to be inundated with requests from copyright trolls. The provider should have no logs to hand over, ensuring the safety of users. 

Headquarters

Where a VPN operator is based is also important. For instance, some countries require VPNs to log and store data for a specific amount of time. As you might have guessed, this isn’t ideal if anyone decides to request this data. India is one such example, requiring all providers to keep customer logs for 180 days. In response, many VPNs like ExpressVPN and Surfshark withdrew from the region. 

Most VPNs avoid any jurisdictional headaches by incorporating in a country with no data retention laws. For example, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, and NordVPN is headquartered in Panama. Ideally, you want to avoid any Five Eyes countries, as well as anywhere that could be targeted by law enforcement for complete anonymity.

Physical servers

Physical servers are helpful, insofar as providers have more control over who has access. Some VPNs opt for virtual servers instead, as it tends to be a much cheaper option. Virtual servers can be an issue if the physical hardware is located elsewhere, especially if it’s in a region with strict mandatory data retention laws. If a VPN is only renting space on a virtual server, the physical operator could be compromised.

Ideally, the provider will own the server, although most VPNs use rented servers to offer coverage in a wider selection of countries. Rented servers can be more dangerous, as there’s a greater chance of backdoors being planted, or data being stolen. However, providers do have the ability to wipe the server and rent elsewhere if they do run into any issues.

Shared IP addresses

Shared IP addresses make it harder to identify a specific user. Each time you connect to a VPN server, you’ll be assigned an IP address at random. This IP address is shared with any users who are simultaneously connected to the same server. As there could be hundreds of users with the same IP address as you, it adds another layer of anonymity, and makes it tough to trace an individual user without storing logs. If the provider uses dynamic IP addresses, the shared IP address will also change at allotted intervals. 

DNS Leak protection

The provider should make an effort to ensure that the user suffers from no data leaks while connected to the VPN. DNS leak protection stops your browser from sending a request that can reveal the websites you visit to your ISP. 

For the best possible results, ensure that the VPN kill switch is on at all times. Each of the providers listed above offers DNS leak protection as standard. You should also consider any further security features, as well as allowing for cryptocurrency payment for improved anonymity. 

Independent audits

It’s easy for a provider to claim that it keeps no user logs. In practice, this isn’t real evidence, and some VPNs have been caught stretching the truth in the past. Rather than blindly accepting any VPN logging claims, look for providers that have been independently audited by one of the big firms like Cure53 or Deloitte. 

The VPN should have made the results of any audits public, and it should be freely available online. Take a look through the audits yourself, as they aren’t always as cut and dry as they would seem at first glance. This is extremely helpful if you're looking for a service with a proven no-logs policy. 

Transparency

Ideally, it’ll be easy to ascertain exactly where a VPN is based, along with the rest of the criteria seen above. Information about the provider should be freely available, whether it’s to do with ownership, or finding out if a server is virtual or physical. Think of it this way, a VPN should have nothing to hide from its users. 

Rather than offering blanket protection, is the VPN realistic in terms of what it can do? A trustworthy service won’t make any grandiose claims, and the same is true for any VPN logging policies.

Some VPNs like CyberGhost routinely publish transparency reports detailing any official requests for user data. Consider the provider and it's stance on user privacy. It should offer strong security measures, as well as a wide network of RAM-only servers to pick from.

Logless VPNs FAQs

How can I tell if my VPN logs user data?

An easy way to check if a provider logs traffic is to head to the VPN’s website. Its privacy policy should detail all of the information it collects, including any traffic logs or metadata logs. Of course, there is a chance that a VPN will be dishonest in its privacy policy. It’s another reason why it makes sense to stick with trusted providers that have proven their no-logs status in the past.

Are there any free zero-logs VPNs?

Yes. Proton VPN is a good example of a service which has free server locations and a strict no-logs policy. Of course, free Proton servers come with some caveats, including slower speeds and no streaming support. 

However, the vast majority of free providers should be disregarded, especially if it’s a VPN that hasn’t been audited to confirm its logging claims. 

We’d strongly advise avoiding downloading a random ‘free VPN’, as they have been known to contain malware or leak user data. Some free providers will even sell user data, so it makes sense to stick with a trustworthy VPN. Performance tends to be an issue with many freemium services. 

What types of logs should I be worried about?

Usage logs are the main issue. It’s not a good idea for any VPN to be collecting information about sites you visit, search queries, or your online purchases. 

Metadata logs are still important, as they could be used to identify you depending on the type of log, and how long the VPN keeps them for. Examples include your IP address and the IP address of servers you connect to.

Diagnostic logs include information like the date a user connected to the server, or the amount of data transferred. These don’t tend to be a concern from a privacy standpoint.