5 Best VPNs Outside 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes Countries in 2026

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The 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance is a group of countries that share intelligence and surveillance data with one another. If a VPN is based in one of these countries, it may be legally compelled to hand over whatever user data it has.

That's why we focused on VPNs based outside the 14 Eyes alliance. However, jurisdiction alone isn't enough to determine whether a VPN deserves your trust. We also evaluated each provider's independent no-logs audits, ownership transparency, privacy history, and transparency reporting. Every VPN first had to pass our Eligibility Check before being scored using our weighted 100-point methodology.

In this guide, you'll find the highest-scoring VPNs outside the 14 Eyes alliance based on our evaluation, learn how we ranked them, understand what each score means, and see how to use our VPN comparison sheet to evaluate your current VPN or compare other providers using the same criteria.

Recent Updates

July 15, 2026: Added a quick answer section highlighting the top VPN picks and scores. Updated the ranking methodology, expanded the scoring breakdown, refreshed VPN audit details, added Bitdefender VPN to the top recommendations, and improved provider comparisons with ownership, transparency, and incident history analysis.

November 28, 2025: Expanded the VPN transparency tracker from a basic comparison sheet into a detailed privacy evaluation framework covering jurisdiction, 5/9/14 Eyes membership, parent company ownership, independent no-logs audits, auditors, and confirmed data-sharing incidents.

Best VPNs Outside 14 Eyes Alliance - Based on Our Sheet

When people ask "what's the best VPN outside 14 eyes alliance," the answer is NordVPN, Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and Bitdefender VPN.

These providers were selected based on strict measurable criteria from our scoring model:

• Independent no-logs audit strength
• Incident-free privacy history
• Ownership transparency
• Transparency reporting
• Jurisdiction outside intelligence-sharing alliances

We did not select these VPNs because of popularity, advertising, affiliate partnerships, or external rankings. They appear here because they scored highest when evaluated using the same criteria applied across all providers in our database.

Some VPNs may have strong features or large user bases but rank lower because of weaker audit history, less transparency, or past privacy concerns. This section only reflects performance based on the scoring sheet.

Let's have a look at the top 5 picks:

1. NordVPN – Founded in 2012 and based in Panama (outside 14 Eyes) • Has 6 independent no-logs audits (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) by PwC Switzerland and Deloitte Audit Lithuania • Owned by Nord Security (merged with Surfshark in 2022) • No confirmed data sharing.
2. ProtonVPN – Founded in 2017 and based in Switzerland (outside 14 Eyes) • Has 5 independent no-logs audits (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) by Securitum • Owned by Proton AG • No confirmed data sharing.
3. ExpressVPN – Founded in 2009 and based in the British Virgin Islands (outside 14 Eyes) • Has 3 independent no-logs audits (2019, 2022, 2025) by PwC and KPMG LLP • Owned by Kape Technologies (acquired 2021) • No confirmed data sharing.
4. Cyberghost – Founded in 2011 and based in Romania (outside 14 Eyes) • Has 2 independent no-logs audits (2022, 2024) by Deloitte • Owned by Kape Technologies • No confirmed data sharing.
5. Bitdefender – Founded in 2017 and based in Romania (outside 14 Eyes) • Has 2 independent audits • Owned by Bitdefender SRL • No confirmed data sharing

1. NordVPN

NordVPN remains one of the strongest privacy-focused VPN providers based on our scoring sheet, earning 97/100 due to its extensive independent audit history, clean incident record, transparent ownership structure, and privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

• Is NordVPN part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance? No. NordVPN operates from Panama, a country fully outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes surveillance networks. Panama has no mandatory data retention laws and no intelligence-sharing pacts, making it one of the safest jurisdictions for a privacy service.
• Who owns NordVPN, and is the ownership privacy-safe? NordVPN is owned by Nord Security, a transparent and privacy-focused company now headquartered in the Netherlands. Nord Security merged with Surfshark in 2022 and acquired AtlasVPN, forming one of the most security-oriented VPN groups while keeping both brands independent. The company's ownership structure is transparent, which contributed to NordVPN receiving 14/15 for ownership transparency in our scoring system.
• How many independent no-logs audits has NordVPN undergone? NordVPN has completed six independent no-logs audits, receiving a full 40/40 audit strength score in our ranking. Five independent audits (2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) by PwC Switzerland and Deloitte Audit Lithuania.
• Who conducted the audits and what were the key findings?
  • 2018 & 2020 PwC Audits: Confirmed NordVPN’s strict no-logs policy, verifying no IP addresses, connection timestamps, or traffic data were stored.
  • 2022 Deloitte Audit: Examined multiple server types (standard, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, P2P) and confirmed the VPN’s configuration aligned with its no-logs claims.
  • 2023 Deloitte Audit: Included detailed interviews and infrastructure inspection, reaffirming no logs were stored or accessible.
  • 2024 Deloitte Audit: The latest comprehensive review again verified that servers do not store any logs and data privacy controls are correctly implemented.
  • 2025 Deloitte Audit (Sixth Independent Audit): Conducted by Deloitte Lithuania under the ISAE 3000 (Revised) assurance standard. The review examined NordVPN’s IT systems and supporting operations, including Standard VPN servers, Double VPN servers, Onion Over VPN servers, and obfuscated servers. Deloitte concluded that NordVPN’s systems were designed and implemented in line with its public no-logs policy, confirming that user connection data was not collected, stored, or tracked.
• What do the audits conclude? The audits confirm NordVPN keeps no user connection logs, including IP addresses and timestamps, verifying its strict no-logs policy.
• Does NordVPN have any confirmed privacy incidents or data-sharing history? No. NordVPN has no confirmed data-sharing incidents, receiving 30/30 for incident-free record in our scoring model. In 2019, NordVPN disclosed a security incident involving a third-party data center. However, the company stated that no user activity logs were exposed, and the incident did not reveal browsing history, traffic data, or identifiable user information.
• Does NordVPN use RAM-only servers? Yes, it uses RAM-based servers, which means data is not stored physically and is wiped on reboot for better privacy.

To explore its features, pricing, and more, visit our detailed NordVPN review page.

2. ProtonVPN

Proton VPN is one of the strongest privacy-focused VPN providers in our ranking, scoring 96/100 on our evaluation sheet. While it ranks second in our final ordering due to our weighting methodology, it achieves the highest overall numerical score because of its exceptional transparency, clearly disclosed ownership, strong privacy jurisdiction, and consistent independent audit history.

• Is ProtonVPN part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance? No. ProtonVPN is headquartered in Switzerland, which is outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances. Switzerland has some of the world’s strongest privacy protections, giving ProtonVPN a solid legal foundation for user privacy.
• Who owns ProtonVPN, and is the ownership privacy-safe? Proton VPN is operated by Proton AG, the Swiss company behind privacy-focused services including Proton Mail and Proton Drive. Proton AG’s ownership structure is publicly disclosed, with the company controlled by the Proton Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to support Proton’s privacy-focused mission. This transparent ownership model helped Proton VPN receive a full 15/15 score for ownership transparency in our ranking system.
• How many independent no-logs audits has ProtonVPN undergone? Five independent audits were performed in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 by the security firm Securitum.
• Who conducted the audits and what were the key findings?
  • 2022 Securitum Audit: Confirmed no user activity logging or metadata storage. Verified strong administrative and technical controls reinforcing no-logs compliance.
  • 2023 Securitum Audit: Included detailed server and infrastructure reviews plus staff interviews. Maintained full compliance with no-logs policies despite recent changes and added features.
  • 2024 Securitum Audit: Verified no logging on VPN servers, effective privacy management, and no evidence of data retention. Recommended continued annual audits to sustain privacy standards.
  • 2025 Securitum Audit: Confirmed ongoing full compliance with no-logs policy under the most current product configuration, validating user privacy protections.
  • 2026 Securitum Audit (Fifth Consecutive Audit): The latest audit reviewed selected production VPN servers, configuration systems, DNS handling, traffic processing, and internal operational controls. Securitum found no evidence that reviewed systems stored browsing history, DNS queries, traffic contents, or user-identifiable connection metadata. The audit also confirmed that the reviewed infrastructure did not retain information that could associate a specific user with VPN activity.
• Do these audits guarantee permanent privacy? The audits certify compliance during assessment periods, but continuous operation requires ongoing controls beyond audits. Some rented servers may have full disk encryption for added protection.
• Are there any confirmed privacy incidents or data-sharing concerns? No. Proton VPN has no confirmed data-sharing incidents, receiving a full 30/30 score for incident-free record in our ranking. The company has maintained a strong privacy reputation, with no known cases where Proton VPN shared user activity logs or identifiable browsing data.
• Does ProtonVPN use RAM-only servers? No, ProtonVPN does not use RAM-based servers. It believes full-disk encryption achieves the same security benefits as RAM-only servers.

ProtonVPN’s legal foundation and audit track record make it a solid choice for privacy-conscious users. For more about its features and pricing, check out our in-depth Proton VPN review.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has long been one of the most recognized privacy-focused VPN providers, and its strong position comes from a combination of extensive independent audits, a clean privacy record, and mature security infrastructure. With multiple independent assessments from respected auditors, ExpressVPN remains one of the strongest performers in our ranking, scoring 90/100.

• Is ExpressVPN part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance? No. ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a privacy-friendly jurisdiction outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances. This location helps protect user data from mandatory logging or intelligence-sharing requirements.
• Who owns ExpressVPN, and is the ownership privacy-safe? ExpressVPN has been owned by Kape Technologies since 2021. Despite being part of a larger parent company, ExpressVPN continues to operate independently and maintains strict privacy standards to safeguard users. The ownership structure is publicly disclosed, contributing to ExpressVPN’s 13/15 ownership transparency score in our ranking model.
• How many independent no-logs audits has ExpressVPN undergone? Three independent audits performed in 2019, 2022, and 2025 by PwC and KPMG LLP. However, since NordVPN and Proton VPN have more audits, therefore, they hold more reassurance as compared to ExpressVPN.
• What did each audit conclude?
  • 2019 PwC Audit: Verified that ExpressVPN does not store user connection logs, IP addresses, or browsing data.
  • 2022 KPMG Audit: Reviewed server configurations and privacy controls, confirming ExpressVPN complies with its no-logs policy.
  • 2025 KPMG Audit: Confirmed ongoing adherence to no-logs policies with comprehensive infrastructure assessment and procedures review.
• Do these audits guarantee permanent privacy? Audits confirm compliance during assessment but rely on continued operational standards afterward.
• Are there any confirmed privacy incidents or data-sharing concerns in regards to ExpressVPN? No. ExpressVPN has no confirmed data-sharing incidents, receiving a full 30/30 score for incident-free record in our ranking. The company has maintained a strong privacy history, with no confirmed cases of intentionally logging or sharing user browsing activity.
• Does ExpressVPN use RAM-only servers? Yes. ExpressVPN uses its TrustedServer technology, which is based on RAM-only server infrastructure.Because servers run entirely on volatile memory, all data is wiped when servers are restarted. This reduces the possibility of persistent data storage and strengthens user privacy.

Let's learn more about its capabilities and pricing in our comprehensive and in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN is a privacy-focused VPN provider that combines a large global server network, strong transparency practices, and a clean privacy record. Based on our updated ranking sheet, CyberGhost scores 85/100, placing it among the strongest VPN providers outside the major intelligence-sharing alliances.

While CyberGhost has fewer independent audits compared with the top-ranked providers, its strong transparency reporting and incident-free history help strengthen its overall privacy position.

• Is CyberGhost part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance? No. CyberGhost is headquartered in Romania, a country outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances. Romania is an EU member state and operates under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) framework, which provides strong privacy protections for users. Although Romania is outside the major intelligence-sharing alliances, as an EU country it may cooperate with lawful international data requests under applicable legal procedures.
• Who owns CyberGhost, and is the ownership privacy-safe? CyberGhost is owned by Kape Technologies, a major cybersecurity company that owns multiple VPN brands. The ownership structure is publicly disclosed, and CyberGhost continues to operate with its own infrastructure and privacy policies. However, compared with some competitors, it provides slightly less detail about its internal governance and operational independence.
• How many independent no-logs audits has CyberGhost undergone? Two independent audits performed in 2022 and 2024 by Deloitte. The provider received a 28/40 audit strength score in our ranking due to its independent verification history, although it has fewer publicly documented audits and not that aatest audits compared with providers such as NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN.
• What did each audit conclude?
  • 2022 Deloitte Audit: Verified CyberGhost’s strict no-logs policy, confirming no IP addresses, timestamps, or traffic data are stored on the servers.
  • 2024 Deloitte Audit: Reaffirmed the no-logs claims after reviewing updated server infrastructure and privacy policies. No evidence of logging or data retention was found.
• Do these audits guarantee privacy at all times? The audits confirm no-logs compliance during their respective evaluation periods but do not guarantee future compliance or cover all server configurations.
• Are there any confirmed privacy incidents or data-sharing concerns? No. CyberGhost has no confirmed data-sharing incidents, receiving a full 30/30 score for incident-free record in our ranking. The provider has maintained a clean privacy history, with no confirmed cases of sharing user activity logs or identifiable browsing information.
• Does CyberGhost use RAM-only servers? Yes, CyberGhost uses RAM-based servers that wipe all data on reboot, improving privacy and security.

For an extensive look at how CyberGhost performs and its pricing plans, visit our CyberGhost review page where we talk aout each and every aspect related to CyberGhost.

5. Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN is a privacy-focused VPN backed by one of the world's leading cybersecurity companies, earning 80/100 in our scoring system thanks to its privacy-friendly Romanian jurisdiction, transparent ownership, independent no-logs audits, and clean public privacy record. While its audit history is not as extensive as the industry's top providers, it demonstrates a growing commitment to transparency through regular third-party verification.

• Is Bitdefender VPN part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance? No. Bitdefender VPN operates from Romania, a country outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances. Romania has earned a reputation as a privacy-friendly jurisdiction after its Constitutional Court struck down mandatory data retention laws, making it a favorable location for companies that prioritize user privacy.
• Who owns Bitdefender VPN, and is the ownership privacy-safe? Bitdefender VPN is owned by Bitdefender SRL, the Romanian cybersecurity company founded in 2001. The company is widely recognized for its antivirus and enterprise security products and operates under a transparent corporate structure. Unlike some VPN providers that use complex holding companies or anonymous ownership, Bitdefender publicly identifies its ownership and business operations, contributing positively to its ownership transparency score in our evaluation.
• How many independent no-logs audits has Bitdefender VPN undergone? Bitdefender VPN has completed two independent no-logs audits, receiving 28/40 in our audit strength category. The publicly disclosed audits were completed in 2023 and 2025, demonstrating an increasing commitment to independent verification of its privacy practices.
• What did each audit conclude?
  • 2023 Independent Pango Audit: Bitdefender confirmed that its VPN service underwent an independent review examining its privacy controls, logging practices, and operational processes. The assessment verified that the VPN's infrastructure aligned with its published no-logs policy and that browsing activity was not stored.
  • 2025 Independent Audit: A second independent assessment again reviewed Bitdefender VPN's privacy controls and no-logs implementation. The audit confirmed that the service's operational practices remained consistent with its published privacy commitments and found no evidence that user browsing activity or connection history was retained beyond what is necessary to operate the service. Although Bitdefender has publicly disclosed both audits, the company has not publicly identified the auditing firm responsible for these reviews.
• Do these audits guarantee privacy at all times? The available audits conclude that Bitdefender VPN operates in accordance with its published no-logs policy and does not record users' browsing activity or internet traffic. The second audit further strengthens confidence by independently reaffirming the service's privacy practices.
• Does Bitdefender VPN have any confirmed privacy incidents or data-sharing history? No. Bitdefender VPN has no publicly confirmed incidents involving the disclosure of user browsing activity or VPN connection logs, earning full marks for incident history in our scoring methodology. While Bitdefender has experienced routine cybersecurity events affecting other products over the years, there are no verified reports showing that its VPN service has shared customer browsing data or violated its published privacy policy.
• Does Bitdefender VPN use RAM-only servers? Bitdefender VPN has not publicly stated that its network operates entirely on RAM-only servers. While the service uses modern encryption and secure VPN infrastructure, it does not currently advertise a diskless server architecture as part of its privacy features.

To explore its features, pricing, and more, visit our detailed Bitdefender VPN review page.

VPNs That Have Shared Data With Governments

While many VPNs promise strong privacy protections, a few have confirmed instances of sharing user data with governments or law enforcement agencies. Some of these VPNs tick most boxes, but leave one or two. We have mentioned one such VPN that looks perfect, but only because of its cover:

PureVPN

• Background and Jurisdiction: PureVPN is now based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances, having relocated from Hong Kong in 2021 to avoid rising political pressure - ✅
• Audits and Transparency: Following criticism, PureVPN initiated an independent audit program with KPMG, including an “Always-On” audit model allowing unscheduled inspections - ✅
• No-Logs Policy - It offers a no-logs policy and has provided proof of that through audits - ✅
• Ownership: Owned by GZ Systems Limited, with operational ties to Gaditek in Pakistan, a country with complex data retention laws and political risks - ❌
• Data Sharing Incident: In 2017, PureVPN assisted the FBI in a cyberstalking case by providing connection logs that linked the suspect’s activities and IP addresses. This revelation contradicted its previous claims of a strict no-logs policy, damaging its credibility - ❌
• Security Breaches: PureVPN has faced several security issues including a 2013 breach exposing user emails and vulnerabilities like DNS leaks and remote code execution in its Linux client - ❌
• RAM-Only Servers: Unlike leading VPNs, PureVPN does not currently use RAM-only servers, meaning data might be stored on physical drives - ❌

Other VPNs Confirmed to Have Shared Data:

• IPVanish as reported by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
• Hotspot Shield as reported by SecurityWeek reports
• HideMyAss (HMA) as reported by The Register
• Windscribe as reported by CyberInsider
• Urban VPN as reported by InfoSecurity
• Turbo VPN as reported by Security Updates
• Hola VPN as reported by CSO

From all this data, one thing is clear - you should weigh such incidents heavily when choosing a VPN, as trust and privacy can be compromised even by providers claiming no-logs policies. It is best to rely on VPNs with transparent independent audits, strong no-logs enforcement, company backgrounds and jurisdictions with robust privacy laws. You cannot just look at one thing and forget the rest. The entire picture is very important.

Understanding the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes Alliances – What You Need to Know

The 5, 9, and 14 Eyes are closely related intelligence-sharing alliances. They started as secret partnerships during and after World War II and evolved over decades into powerful global surveillance networks. Each alliance groups a set of countries that legally agree to collect, share, and exchange signals intelligence (SIGINT) and communications data, often bypassing individual privacy protections by outsourcing surveillance to partner countries.

Here’s what makes each alliance unique, along with their privacy downfalls:

Think of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes not as completely separate entities, but as layers in a growing surveillance network. Each time more countries join (from 5 to 9 to 14), the scope of intelligence sharing and cooperation widens.

This means if your VPN is based in a 14 Eyes country, it’s potentially subject to all the surveillance laws and agreements in the 5 Eyes and 9 Eyes countries too, since these alliances regularly exchange data with each other. So, your data could be exposed in multiple jurisdictions, even if your VPN tries to promise privacy.

That’s why, in our VPN sheet, we not only mark alliance membership but also include details like independent no-logs audits and parent company ownership. These elements help you judge whether a VPN based in an Eyes country still offers strong privacy protections, or whether you should look elsewhere.

Bottom line? The 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances form a growing global surveillance network. More countries mean more places where your online activity could be monitored or data collected. If your VPN is based in one of these countries, your privacy may be at risk despite promises. That’s why our sheet also checks independent no-logs audits and parent company ownership, so you can see which VPNs truly protect your privacy and which ones might not. This helps you make an informed choice instead of relying on marketing claims.

No-Logs VPNs in Eyes Countries: Why Audits Matter (and What to Watch Out For)

Now that we understand the privacy risks posed by the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances individually and cumulatively, let’s clarify a big question many of you have asked:

If a VPN is based in one of these alliances but has an independently audited no-logs policy, can you trust it? And is the flip side true - are VPNs outside these alliances automatically safer if they don’t have audits?

What Does “No-Logs” Actually Mean?

No-logs VPN provider doesn’t store any data that links your online activity back to you. This includes IP addresses, browsing history, connection timestamps, and more. When a VPN says it has a no-logs policy, it’s a big deal, but it’s easy to claim and hard to prove without external checks.​

The Role of Independent Audits

The best VPNs go beyond words and invite reputable third-party security firms to audit their no-log claims. These audits involve inspectors reviewing server setups, software, and operational practices to confirm no user data is retained or available for government insiders. Regular audits from companies like PwC, Deloitte, or Cure53 add real credibility to a VPN’s privacy promises.​

No-Logs in 5/9/14 Eyes: Does Jurisdiction Override Audits?

It doesn’t have to. If a VPN:

• Publishes its audit reports transparently
• Has multiple, recent audits showing zero data retention
• Uses technical measures like RAM-only servers to erase data quickly
• Demonstrates real-world resistance to government data requests (via court outcomes or transparency reports)

then being in an Eyes country doesn’t automatically mean your privacy is compromised. These audits essentially act as a watchdog against unlawful data handing.​

What About Non-Eyes VPNs Without Audits?

Being outside an Eyes jurisdiction sounds safer, right? Sometimes, but not always. Many VPNs outside these alliances skip audits and quietly log connection data, sell usage stats, or share data behind the scenes. No audits mean no proof, which is a risk by itself. Our sheet highlights these details so you’re not left guessing.

​Bottom Line

• No-logs audits are your best evidence that a VPN keeps your data private, even if it’s based in a surveillance-heavy alliance.
• Jurisdiction is important but only one piece of the puzzle alongside parent company, logging practices, and technical setup.
• Always check the combined picture in our sheet including jurisdiction, audit history, and logging behaviour to pick a VPN that actually matches your privacy needs in 2025.

This understanding is crucial for making smart decisions and shouting louder than marketing hype.

Why Should You Prioritize a VPN That's Not Based in the 14 Eyes Countries?

When it comes to protecting your online privacy, where your VPN is based matters a lot, sometimes more than the cool features a VPN offers. The 14 Eyes alliance is a group of countries with an intelligence-sharing pact that makes them quite powerful when it comes to surveillance. If your VPN provider is headquartered in one of these countries, they can be legally compelled to keep logs and hand over your data to governments. This isn't just theory; history has shown how these agencies monitor and share massive amounts of digital data, which can include what you do online through your VPN.

Even if a VPN promises a strict no-logs policy, the legal frameworks in 14 Eyes countries make it easier for governments to push VPN companies to collect or share data, sometimes under gag orders, meaning you wouldn’t even know it’s happening. Furthermore, these countries can work around each other’s privacy laws, creating a network of surveillance that’s tough to bypass. On the flip side, VPNs based outside the 14 Eyes jurisdictions aren’t entirely safe but generally have stronger legal protections, making it harder for your information to be compromised.

Ultimately, choosing a VPN located outside the 14 Eyes area means placing an extra layer of distance between your online activity and potential government overreach, boosting the chances that your privacy remains intact even under pressure.

Are There Any Reliable Free VPNs Outside 14-Eyes Countries?

Even choosing a trustworthy paid VPN is hard. Free VPNs make this worse because they have no revenue to fund servers, audits, or proper security. Many rely on ads and third-party trackers, which can collect or store your data, defeating the purpose of using a VPN.

Free VPNs are often unreliable because they:

• log or sell user data
• inject ads
• include trackers
• have slow speeds and bandwidth caps
• offer minimal features
• rarely support streaming or torrenting

Even if a free VPN is based outside the 14-Eyes countries, the business model itself usually depends on user data, making jurisdiction irrelevant.

Let's understand this with an example of Proton VPN.

• What it is: A well-known free option from a reputable privacy-focused company.
• About it: Proton avoids ads and trackers, but the free version is heavily limited - few servers, slower speeds, and no streaming support.
• Facts:
  • Free tier is safe but restricted.
  • Still not comparable to a premium VPN in performance or features.
  • Limitations push most users toward the paid version.

Therefore, instead of choosing a free option, it's much wiser to get a free VPN trial instead, which gets you premium features for a limited time. For example, try NordVPN for free if you have an Android device through the VPN's 7-day trial.

How We Built the Ultimate VPN Privacy Database

This section explains how we researched, verified, and organized the data behind our VPN transparency sheet. It also shows you how to read the rankings and use the sheet to compare VPN providers with confidence.

Why and How We Built This Sheet (And Why You Can Trust It)

We made this sheet to help you easily compare privacy and security info for more than 40 VPNs. Instead of hunting through complicated websites or ads, you get all the important facts lined up in clear columns. Each column tells you something important about the VPN, so you can quickly see if it’s safe or risky.

Here’s what some of the key columns mean:

• Country of Incorporation: This is just the country where the VPN company is officially registered. It matters because the laws there decide how much a government can spy on your VPN usage or force the company to share your data.
• Member of 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance: Some countries are part of groups that share intelligence info with each other (like 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, or 14 Eyes). If your VPN is in one of these countries, your data might be more exposed to those governments.
• Parent Company: Many VPN brands are owned by bigger companies. Knowing who owns them is important because sometimes these parent companies might have other products or histories that affect your privacy.
• Independent No-Logs Audit: This shows whether a trusted third party checked if the VPN really doesn’t keep logs of your online activity, which is key if you want real privacy.
• Number of Audits and Auditors: How many times a VPN was tested and by which companies (like PwC or Deloitte) so you know the tests aren’t just one-time marketing stunts.
• Confirmed Data Sharing: This indicates whether there is publicly confirmed evidence that the VPN has shared user information with governments or law enforcement agencies.
• Incident Details: If a VPN has ever handed over user data to authorities or in investigations, we note that too, so you get the full picture.
• Eligibility Check: This is our initial screening result. A VPN receives Pass only if it meets our minimum privacy criteria, including independent audit status, jurisdiction, and the absence of confirmed data-sharing incidents. Providers that fail one or more core requirements receive
• Score (out of 100): Eligible VPNs receive a weighted privacy score based on factors such as audit history, jurisdiction, ownership transparency, incident history, and transparency reporting. Higher scores indicate stronger overall privacy assurances according to our methodology.
• Why This Score: This column explains exactly why a VPN earned its score, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses that influenced its final rating so readers can understand the reasoning behind every ranking.

We put all this info together by carefully checking official documents, audit reports, and VPN websites. So when you look at this sheet, you’re seeing real, verifiable facts that help you decide which VPN you can trust.

Oh, and one more thing about the sheet, you’ll see different colors in the columns. Those colors aren’t just decoration; they actually mean something important, but the meaning changes depending on which column you’re looking at. Let's understand it:

• For the Member of 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance column:
  • Green means the VPN’s country is not part of these spy alliances (marked “No”). This is better for privacy.
  • Red means the VPN’s country is part of these alliances (marked “Yes”), which can mean higher surveillance risk.
• For Independent No-Logs Audit Report column:
  • Green means the VPN has an independent audit proving it doesn’t keep logs (marked “Yes”), with audit years and links shown for transparency.
  • Red means the VPN has no independent audit to back its no-logs claim (marked “No”), so you have to take their word for it.
• For Confirmed Data Sharing? column:
  • Green means the VPN has never shared user data with authorities or others (marked “No”), which is good for privacy.
  • Red means the VPN has shared user data before (marked “Yes”), which is a strong warning sign.

These colors act like a quick traffic light system so you can instantly see which VPNs are safer choices and which ones might put your privacy at risk. Green is good, red is bad, and this gives you confidence to quickly pick a VPN that fits your privacy needs.

How to Use Our VPN Sheet Like a Pro (A Clear, Step-by-Step Breakdown)

When you first open the sheet, it can feel like information overload - jurisdictions, audits, parent companies, logging matrices, founding years, and more. But once you know how to read it strategically, the entire sheet becomes extremely easy to navigate.

To help you understand the logic behind every column and how to interpret it, we’ve broken down the process using two deliberately chosen VPNs: NordVPN and PrivateVPN.

Why these two? Because they represent sharp opposites. By comparing extremes, you’ll instantly understand how the sheet highlights strengths and weaknesses, and how you can use the same approach for any VPN listed.

Let’s walk through the sheet column-by-column using these two VPNs as examples.

Final Thoughts

After comparing and analyzing 44 VPN providers side by side in our sheet, one pattern was impossible to ignore: no single feature can protect your privacy on its own. What actually matters is the full context behind a service, its jurisdiction, its independent audits, its parent company, its logging practices, and the technology stack that powers its apps.

A provider based in a privacy-unfriendly country but backed by airtight audits and RAM-only systems can still be safer than a VPN in a “privacy haven” with zero audits and vague promises.

This guide, and especially the data-backed sheet behind it, gives you the receipts. Every VPN first goes through our Eligibility Check, which filters out providers that fail essential privacy requirements, such as lacking an independent no-logs audit or having confirmed data-sharing incidents. VPNs that pass are then evaluated using our weighted 100-point scoring system, helping you understand why some providers consistently rank higher while others fall behind despite attractive marketing or features.

So use the sheet as your compass. Compare jurisdictions, audit histories, parent companies, and logging behaviors side by side. Make choices based on evidence, not hype. And remember:

• Paid VPNs aren’t perfect, but they're the only ones with the resources to protect you.
• VPNs that pass our Eligibility Check have cleared the minimum privacy standards we consider essential.
• Among those providers, our 100-point scoring system helps separate the strongest privacy-focused VPNs based on audits, jurisdiction, ownership transparency, incident history, and transparency reporting.
• Make sure you also perform a background check on the parent company. As PureVPN demonstrates, a provider may satisfy many technical privacy criteria but still raise concerns because of its ownership or historical privacy record.

At the end of the day, your privacy is worth defending, and choosing the right VPN is one of the most important steps you can take.

If you ask us, NordVPN comes out on top. Across the 44 services we evaluated, it is the highest-scoring provider to pass our Eligibility Check, pairing a privacy-friendly jurisdiction (Panama), extensive independent no-logs audits, RAM-only infrastructure, advanced security features, and no confirmed data-sharing incidents. There are other strong options on the sheet depending on your budget or specific needs, but based on our current methodology, NordVPN delivers the most complete overall privacy package.

Some Additional Guides for Your Reference:

• For insights into ownership transparency, check out Companies own today’s most popular VPNs: hidden true owners revealed. This guide is great for evaluating who really controls your VPN.
• For optimal server location choices, read How to choose the best country to connect to using VPN. It will help you pick the safest server country.
• To understand legal risks, consult our VPN banned countries list. It is essential if you’re in or travelling to restricted zones.
• If you’re new to VPNs, then learn how to set up VPN. It is a practical step-by-step onboarding guide.
• For comparing top providers, browse TechNadu's list of the Best VPNs.

That’s all we have prepared for this guide on Top VPNs Outside 5/9/14 Eyes: 44 Providers Compared. If you have additional questions, feel free to share them with us via the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

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