7 Best No-Log VPN in 2023

The primary purpose of any VPN service is to safeguard your privacy. In other words, these tools are designed to hide your incoming and outgoing Web traffic, essentially making you invisible online. However, when searching for a VPN, you'll see that many subtleties differentiate them - and this includes their privacy policies as well. We are sure that you need some help choosing a VPN that truly respects your privacy, which is where no-logs (or 'zero-logs') VPN services come into play. So, let's talk about everything you need to know about no-logs VPN services, and we'll also help you find the best one.

Before we proceed, there's one important thing to know. Just because a VPN says that it offers a no-logs privacy policy, this doesn't have to mean that your private data isn't collected. You'll be surprised by how many VPNs collect your IP address, timestamps, and some even include your Internet browsing history. Of course, there are also malicious VPN applications and fake VPN websites designed to trick you into submitting your personal data. Therefore, make sure that you're extremely careful when choosing a VPN, and spend enough time searching for a VPN that doesn't keep logs - and this effort will most certainly pay off soon enough.

We also need to highlight the fact that choosing a VPN that collects no logs deserves your full and undivided attention. There are plenty of details to keep in mind, and you'll definitely need an ally to help you along the way.

How to Make Sure That Your VPN Doesn't Collects Logs?

You must be asking if there's a way to check whether your VPN keeps any logs. Differently said, how to make sure the VPN you're interested in using won't collect personal data in the future? Well, there are a few things you can do.

• Read "Terms of Use" and "Privacy Policy" Documents: Every VPN is obliged to provide legal documents based on which they operate. We're talking about Terms of Use (or Terms of Service), where you can find general information about your chosen VPN's location, permitted and forbidden uses, and more. And then, you also need to read your VPN's Privacy Policy, where it's clearly explained how your personal data is processed.
• Inquire About Independent Audits: To prove their claims of not logging your private data, VPNs go through independent audits. It means that independent third-party cybersecurity companies carefully examine their entire infrastructure and their policies. This is perhaps the best way to ensure that your VPN is truly a no-logs VPN.
• Inquire About Warrant Canaries: To ensure transparency, VPNs regularly publish warrant canaries, informing their users whether any authorities have inquired about personal information or anything similar. Therefore, it's good to ask whether a VPN provides warrant canaries, but keep in mind that gag orders won't appear there. With this said, warrant canaries are useful, but they shouldn't be the only measure you take to ensure that you're using a no-logs VPN.
• Do Your Research Online: Finally, take your time to research online, and don't be afraid to dig deep. Check whether your chosen VPN was ever forced to collect its customers' private information. Also, try to find who's the owner of your VPN and from which country does that company come.

Best No-Log VPN Services

After taking an incredibly close look at dozens of VPN services, we're ready to show you the 7 best VPN that doesn't keep logs. So, keep on reading.

• ExpressVPN – Best If You’re After a No-Logs Policy
• NordVPN – Best for Privacy-Obsessed VPN Users
• Surfshark – Best for Complete Beginners
• Private Internet Access – Best VPN for Massive Server Coverage
• ProtonVPN – Best VPN for Security Maximalists
• Perfect Privacy – Best for Average Home Users
• VyprVPN – Best for Bypassing Restrictive Networks

1. ExpressVPN - Best If You’re After a No-Logs Policy

Without any doubt, ExpressVPN is the best no logs VPN service you can find on today's global market. This VPN comes with a reputation for being completely transparent towards its users, which is something you won't find often. However, what's even more important is that it comes with a no-logs policy that has been audited and verified.

First, keep in mind that ExpressVPN has been audited by PwC, which included taking a look at the VPN's policies, codebase integrity, and architecture. Speaking of its architecture, ExpressVPN is based on TrustedServer technology. This VPN has eliminated the use of hard drives in its data-centers and now stores information in RAM only. This excludes any chances of someone accessing your private information, which is not collected in the first place. This is also why big-name companies have decided to partner with ExpressVPN (we're talking about Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba), offering this VPN as preinstalled software. All of this tells a lot, especially from the privacy perspective.

Finally, let's not forget that ExpressVPN's servers were seized by Turkish authorities in December 2017. This happened after the Turkish police tried to pressure ExpressVPN into providing logs about a specific individual, which soon turned into the police deciding to physically seize ExpressVPN's server from a data-center in Turkey. However, this turned out to be a futile attempt, as the server in question contained no personal data whatsoever. So, it's safe to say that ExpressVPN respects its promises.

To learn more about this VPN and its offer, including the way it handles your personal and private data, keep on reading our ExpressVPN review.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): The British Virgin Islands.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: Yes, regularly audited.

Learn: How to download, install and use ExpressVPN

2. NordVPN - Best for Privacy-Obsessed VPN Users

As our NordVPN review will tell you, this is one of the most secure and private VPN services on the market today. And as you can already guess, this is a no-logs VPN service that has been regularly going through independent audits and in-depth penetration testing. This is also the reason why we believe that NordVPN is one of the best VPNs, and this is also why it has received numerous awards in the past.

When talking about NordVPN, we can't forget to mention an event that happened in 2019. As an unidentified hacker revealed, NordVPN's servers were breached a year before. More precisely, a single rented server in Finland was attacked, which forced the VPN to adopt a new strategy on choosing data-center partners. This led to NordVPN unveiling a new set of cybersecurity measures, further improving its infrastructure. What's important to mention here is that no NordVPN users were affected by this breach, which proved that the VPN truly collects no information about its customers.

Lately, NordVPN has been extra busy developing new features. That's why you now get to use NordLynx, a WireGuard-based protocol. In contrast to the majority of VPN services offered today, NordLynx is capable of bringing incredibly fast speeds while making sure that your privacy is protected in the best way possible.

To get the most up-to-date information about this VPN, your next Web destination should be our NordVPN review.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): Panama.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks, whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: Yes, regularly audited.

3. Surfshark - Best for Complete Beginners

Surfshark might not have the same age as other recommendations in this article, but we don't think of that as a weakness. After having spent quite some time testing this VPN, we can say that it's evident that Surfshark has closely inspected its competition. It means that even upon its launch, this VPN has managed to offer a compelling set of features with a prominent emphasis on high-end security and privacy.

As you can imagine, we're talking about a no-logs VPN service here. Surfshark is incredibly transparent regarding its privacy policy, clearly saying what's collected and what never gets to the VPN's servers. Well, keep in mind that none of your personal information is collected by Surfshark's servers, at any given moment. It only manages the bare minimum - your email address, encrypted password, and basic billing information. Besides, anonymous and aggregated diagnostic information is collected, which is something you're free to opt-out. And let's not forget that Surfshark comes from the British Virgin Islands, ensuring that there are no mandatory data retention laws.

We should also note that Surfshark has chosen Cure53 to audit its service. If you click on the provided link, you'll be taken to the full report. However, the conclusion is that Surfshark's applications are "not exposed to any issues, neither in the privacy nor in the more general security realms." With all of this said, it's easy to see why Surfshark is one of the best no-logs VPN services.

If you'd like to take a deeper dive into everything this VPN offers, don't forget to check our freshly updated Surfshark review.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): The British Virgin Islands.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, IKEv2.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks, whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: Yes, regularly audited.

4. Private Internet Access - Best VPN for Massive Server Coverage

We'll start by saying that Private Internet Access comes from the United States. Since we're talking about the best no-logs VPNs here, you must be surprised that we're recommending a US-based VPN service. However, there's a strong reason for that, so let's explain everything to know about Private Internet Access (PIA).

If you take a look at this VPN's Privacy Policy, you'll see a relatively easy-to-read document. It's saying that only two types of information are collected - and this includes your email address and your payment data (saved by third-party payment processors). Even though PIA isn't putting a lot of emphasis on its no-logs policy, it's more than clear that PIA's servers never collect your personal data. You might be asking if this VPN has proof for its clams, which is where the story of two court cases comes into play.

Back in 2016, Private Internet Access was subpoenaed by the FBI and forced to hand over any personal information it had related to an individual accused of making a false bomb threat. Private Internet Access proved that it had no personal data about the individual in question, so not a single file was handed over. Then, in 2018, the FBI once again ordered PIA to hand over personal information - and again, no personal data was exchanged, simply because there was no data, to begin with.

Finally, we'd like to add that PIA has recently decided to open-source their Android app, and this VPN has integrated the WireGuard protocol as well. This means that PIA is still going strong, especially when it comes to protecting your privacy. To learn more, here's our Private Internet Access review.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): The United States of America.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks, whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: Yes, audited in the past. Also proven via legal means that it doesn't collect any personal information about its customers.

5. ProtonVPN - Best VPN for Security Maximalists

You will hardly find a VPN more dedicated to protecting your privacy than ProtonVPN. Based in Switzerland, this VPN was created to safeguard your private information, and it comes with multiple layers of protection. However, in its core, ProtonVPN is a no-logs VPN service offering advanced features that have been implemented in a very thoughtful way.

The central part of ProtonVPN is something called "Secure Core." These are core servers located in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden, designed to hide your IP address and defend against network-based attacks. Aside from using a range of ultra-powerful protocols, ProtonVPN's core servers also come with high-end physical security. In Switzerland, these servers are found in a former Swiss army fallout shelter, 1,000 meters below the surface, in Iceland, they're located inside a former military base, and in Sweden, the Secure Core servers are also in an underground data center. As you can see, ProtonVPN isn't taking your privacy lightly.

When it comes to the types of data collected by this VPN, that would be your email address, ProtonID, and password, while third-parties collect payment data. In other words, no personally identifiable information is collected. Just recently, ProtonVPN announced its first audit results, highlighting the security of its infrastructure. If that's not enough to persuade you, know that all of ProtonVPN's apps are open-source, which means that this VPN has nothing to hide.

Overall, this is a highly capable VPN service. It can unblock some media streaming websites, supports torrenting, and comes with incredibly fast performance. To learn more about all of these features, here's our ProtonVPN review.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): Switzerland.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks, whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: Yes, recently audited.

6. Perfect Privacy - Best for Average Home Users

Perfect Privacy is a Switzerland-based VPN service, known for offering an incredibly capable set of features. We're talking about features such as NeuroRouting and TrackStop, both of which are designed to secure your Web data and eliminate third-party trackers. However, what's interesting about Perfect Privacy is its dedication to preserving its users' privacy.

If you visit Perfect Privacy's website, you'll see numerous messages saying that this VPN collects zero logs. As per its Privacy Policy, they store only three types of information - your login credentials, the expiry date of your account, and your email address (and you're free to use an anonymous email). It means that if you decide to pay anonymously, no one can know that you're using this VPN service. All of this sounds very reassuring, and it's making it clear that Perfect Privacy has done plenty to avoid collecting any information.

We should also note that back in 2016, Perfect Privacy's servers were seized in Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Even though the reason for this action was never revealed, it's known that no customer information was compromised. As you can imagine, this development had improved the VPN's image quite a bit. However, even though no personal data was affected in this incident, Perfect Privacy has later decided to switch to running their servers in RAM-disk mode. So, you won't find hard drives here anymore, which makes it impossible for anyone to get your information at any moment in time if they were to be seized.

We could spend quite some time talking about this VPN service. So, in case you'd like to learn more, make sure to read our Perfect Privacy review.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): Switzerland.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, IPSec, PPTP, SSH2.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks, whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: No - but proven via legal means that it doesn't collect any personal information, of any kind.

7. VyprVPN - Best for Bypassing Restrictive Networks

VyprVPN comes from Switzerland, a country known for its neutral, independent stance. This was a smart choice, considering that Switzerland isn't part of any data intelligence alliance, such as the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This country isn't even a member of the European Union, even though EU countries surround it, meaning that VyprVPN was thinking about its users' privacy even before officially launching its service.

Back in December 2018, VyprVPN officially became a no-logs VPN service. Since then, this VPN has been operating in compliance with a series of very strict rules. First of all, this is one of the rare VPNs to own its entire server of networks. It means that you won't find rented servers here, as VyprVPN is in full control over its infrastructure. As per its privacy policy, VyprVPN refuses to collect any personally identifiable information about its customers, and it has no relationships with third-parties processing personal data (such as advertisers, for example).

Furthermore, VyprVPN is built upon its proprietary VPN protocol, called Chameleon. This technology was built upon the unmodified OpenVPN 256-bit protocol, where the VPN scrambles packet metadata. In other words, you get the best possible protection for your private data, incredibly fast speeds, and the ability to unblock a wide range of websites and digital services. And all of this is on offer without VyprVPN collecting any logs.

We are sure that many of you will want to learn more about this VPN. So, we offer you our up-to-date VyprVPN review. Go ahead and take a closer look at this VPN.

• Jurisdiction (Headquarters): Switzerland.
• Encryption & VPN Protocols: AES-256; OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, Chameleon.
• DNS/IPv4/IPv6 Leaks: No data leaks, whatsoever.
• Independently Audited: Yes, regularly audited.

What Are VPN Logs?

When talking about VPN logs, we're talking about data generated by VPNs as you use them. Considering that you're using VPN servers to re-route your incoming and outgoing Internet traffic, you can see that these services have the power to collect even the most personal information. This (in theory) includes your Web browsing history, any files you've downloaded, your credentials (usernames and passwords), your financial information, and plenty more.

However, it's important to keep in mind that VPNs are designed to protect your privacy, meaning that they come with built-in mechanisms that prevent them from logging your personal information. The truth is that every VPN will log some information, where no-logs VPN services collect only the most benign data that allows them to run their service.

Why Do VPN Services Collect Logs?

There are many reasons why VPNs are forced to collect logs. However, in the majority of cases, there are justifiable reasons for this action. So, let's reveal some of the most prominent reasons why VPNs collect logs.

• To Limit the Number of Simultaneous Connections: The majority of VPN services impose a limit on how many devices you can use simultaneously. It means that they need to know if you're connected to their servers on one, three, or five devices. And if your VPN allows up to five connections, they need to check if you're not crossing this limit. This is done by checking logs, which in this case, can be anonymous (they don't have to be tied to your username). Some VPNs avoid this type of logging by giving you an unlimited number of connections, like Surfshark, Private Internet Access, etc. Find more info here.
• To Limit Bandwidth & Impose Data Caps: Free-of-charge VPN services impose bandwidth limitations - as they have limited resources available. It means that they need to know that you're staying within this limit, which can be reset daily, weekly, or monthly. You need to know that no-logs VPNs never impose limits like this one, and this one of the reasons why free VPNs aren't recommended, especially if you truly care about your privacy.
• To Comply With VPS Policies: Some VPNs rent "virtual private servers" (VPS) instead of offering dedicated servers (often called - bare-metal servers). This is done to cut costs, as renting a server costs less than owning one. However, this means that VPNs renting virtual servers can't guarantee your privacy, as third-party privacy policies apply in this case. Local authorities can also get to your private information by going around your VPN and asking for your data from the data-center owner. This was precisely what happened in 2014 in the Netherlands when a customer of a "no logs" VPN was identified and arrested because of logs created by a VPS company.
• To Comply With Government Requests: Many VPNs say they don't collect logs until they're forced by governments to do so. It means that a true no-logs VPN service must ensure that no data can be obtained, even if pressured by third parties. There are several examples of VPNs sharing data with governments, despite their claims of not collecting personal information.
• To Analyze Performance & Troubleshoot Problems: Lastly, VPN services can collect logs to analyze their performance, resolve problems with servers and clients, and to further improve their service. In general, this type of logging is benign - but you should still be aware of this happening in the background. No-logs VPN services prevent even this type of logging, or they allow you to opt-out of anonymous "performance logs."

What Are Zero-Logs VPN Services?

Well, this is a very complex question with numerous possible responses. As you've seen so far, there's no such thing as a VPN that collects zero data from you. At the very least, they need to check your username and password to allow you to log in, and they need to check if you're staying within the limits of your subscription. This is why answering the question of what are zero-logs VPN services also requires adjusting your expectations.

Let's approach answering this question carefully by giving you a few examples. Let's say that there's a VPN collecting information such as timestamps and bandwidth, but this information can never be tied to your username. Or, there can be a VPN that collects that same information, relates them to your username - but deletes those logs after each session ends. As you can see, your privacy should be intact in both of those cases, even though the second example slightly raises your chances of "getting caught" (so to say).

With this said, we're willing to provide our own definition of zero-logs VPN services. We believe that a zero-logs VPN is a VPN service that never collects any information that could, in any way, compromise or endanger your privacy. And more importantly, we believe that true zero-logs VPN services are willing to allow third-parties to audit everything about their operations, providing much-needed proof for their claims.

Why Should You Use a No-Logs VPN Service?

Without any protection, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sees everything you do online. Depending on where you live, there's also a very high chance of your ISP collecting and storing your personal data. The same applies to any website you visit or any digital service you use. In other words, your incoming and outgoing data is fully exposed, allowing it to be collected by just about anyone.

Once you introduce a VPN application to your day-to-day Internet browsing, you get an extra strong layer of protection. By keeping all your Web data inside an encrypted tunnel, you essentially become invisible online. Your ISP and third-parties won't get to see what you do online (here's more information on what your ISP sees when you're using a VPN). However, if you're not using a no-logs VPN, there's a chance of your VPN collecting data about your Web browsing. It means that your private information is still protected online but not in the most effective way.

By using a no-logs VPN service, you make sure that truly no one knows about your online whereabouts. You block your ISP from seeing what you do online, the same way you block any third-parties. And considering that your (no logs) VPN isn't collect any of your private information, nothing personal leaves your device.

What Are the Main Types of VPN Logs?

There are four main types of VPN logs: usage, connection, real-time, and server logs. Now, let's take a closer look at each of those.

• Usage Logs: VPNs that collect usage logs know about everything you do online, including which websites you've visited, which files you've downloaded, and similar. This same type of information is already collected by your ISP. However, this information is collected by your VPN in an encrypted way. To avoid being forced to collect usage logs, VPNs usually pick a country with favorable laws, which is why you'll often see VPNs being based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, or Gibraltar.
• Connection Logs: This type of logs includes information about your VPN connection. More precisely, your IP address is logged along with timestamps of when the VPN connection is initialized and ended. This information also includes how much bandwidth you've consumed during each of your VPN sessions.
• Real-Time Logs: To ensure smooth performance at all times, VPNs need to know about patterns of how their servers are used so that they can allocate the required resources adequately. This means that these logs are generated in real-time, and they're valid only for a short period. As such, they can't endanger your privacy.
• Server Logs: If a VPN is renting servers instead of owning them, they don't have full control of what information is processed. Data-centers have their own privacy policies, and they usually aren't overly concerned about their customers' privacy. This is why using a VPN with bare-metal servers is always a good idea, ensuring that your VPN actually owns all of its servers.

To dive deeper into different kinds of VPN logs and learn some behind-the-scenes tricks of reading between the lines of privacy policies, we've prepared a special guide Here's what VPN services hide about their connection and usage logs.

What Should Your VPN Service Never Collect?

When searching for a VPN, it's crucial to take a good and hard look at their privacy policies. We know that those documents can be lengthy and hard to read, but remember that they explain how your personal information is handled. So, let's talk about the types of information that your VPN should never log.

First and foremost, you should pick a VPN that doesn't generate usage and connection logs. This means that you'll want your IP address to remain private, as well as any connection timestamps, and other network information. We're also talking about the information related to the bandwidth you've consumed, DNS queries, your Web browsing history, and similar. If tied to your account, any of the previously mentioned information could form a piece of a much greater puzzle, generating an image of where you've been online.

Keep in mind that some VPNs claim to collect "metadata" in an anonymous way. This means that certain connection logs are generated and logged - but this data is anonymized prior to being collected. In other words, these connection logs can never be tied to your username. Even though this sounds reassuring, we recommend avoiding those VPN services. When pressured by authorities, your VPN can decide to keep collecting connection logs - which, in this case, won't be anonymized anymore.

What's Okay for Your VPN Service to Collect?

As highlighted earlier, VPNs simply must collect some information - as this allows them to operate. To sign-up for a VPN, you need to provide your email address, create a password, and submit your payment information. All of this information can be encrypted, and this doesn't mean that your privacy is exposed in any way. Also, keep in mind that some VPNs allow you to pay via cryptocurrencies, which is always the best option if you're seeking total online anonymity.

VPNs can also collect aggregated diagnostic data. This means that unsuccessful connection attempts can be logged, as well as crash reports. Along with this, your VPN needs to know if you're within your subscription's limits, which means it might collect information about your hardware and software (like app versions you have installed). All of this information is aggregated and can't be used to reveal what you're doing online. In addition, the most reputable VPNs allow you to opt-out of diagnostic logs.

So, that would be all we've prepared about the best no-logs VPNs. If you have any questions for us, or are still in doubt about choosing a VPN, feel free to use the comments section below. Send us your message, and we'll make sure to respond.