One of the most important reasons for using a VPN is to protect the privacy of your online activities. That being said, if your provider collects your information, your confidentiality is just an illusion. However, the best no-logs VPN providers keep none of your data, guaranteeing your online anonymity.
A strict no-logs VPN can be an incredibly valuable tool. Whether you’re a political activist, a journalist, or simply someone who would like to increase their online safety while engaging in P2P file sharing, you’ll find many uses for a VPN. Therefore, we have researched a wide range of different virtual private networks and decided upon the Top 5 best no-logs VPNs to use in 2023.
Top 5 no-logs VPN providers: shortlist
- Best no-logs VPN9.8
- Powerful anonymous VPN9.6
- Best freemium no-logs VPN9.5
- Great confidential VPN for streaming9.3
- No-logs VPN with an enormous server fleet8.9
Why do you need a no-logs VPN?
With all of the different VPN providers available currently, you may wonder why it is so important to go with an incognito provider instead of a free one that does not offer a strict no-logs policy. Therefore, we have compiled a list of different anonymous VPN qualities, that will hopefully incentivize you to rethink your cybersecurity:
- Privacy. If you’re looking for a strict no-logs VPN service, you are most likely already a person that considers their privacy online to be a priority. Key factors to consider in this field are obfuscated servers, jurisdiction over the Five, Nine, and Fourteen Eyes Alliances, and of course, a strict no-logs policy.
- Security. In case you’re still on the fence about your online security, we have some scary statistics for you. This year in the US, around two million IP security cameras, baby monitors, smart doorbells, and other gadgets were found to contain serious flaws that could enable attackers to hijack them. A VPN can be an easy solution to all of your privacy vulnerabilities. Some security features to consider before purchasing a VPN, include malware blocking or antivirus tools, AES-256 encryption, and IP leak protection.
- Great global coverage. In order to gain the most out of your VPN service, we recommend opting for a VPN with a large global coverage. A large server fleet will give you more servers to choose from, meaning you will not run into overcrowded ones. Moreover, you will be able to unlock more streaming content libraries with a large country and server selection.
- Awesome speeds. One of the main concerns when it comes to choosing a VPN service is the decrease in speeds that can occur. In order to protect your speeds, we highly recommend opting for NordVPN. This VPN has the next-gen NordLynx protocol, which makes it the fastest VPN service on the market. At the very least, we highly advise choosing a VPN with WireGuard to avoid latency.
- A combination of features and price. Price is without a doubt one of the key factors to consider when choosing a VPN. That being said, the cheapest option is not always the best. Therefore, we highly recommend opting for a provider that offers the most value for your buck.
- Device compatibility. The vast majority of us use at least a few devices on a regular or even daily basis. Therefore, choosing a virtual private network service that is compatible with the majority of devices and operating systems is vital.
Best no-logs VPNs in 2023: overview
Here you will find detailed descriptions of each VPN service that ended up in the Top 5 list of our best no-logs VPN providers. While they all have a solid no-logs policy, we also evaluated other factors such as device compatibility, security, and privacy features. That’s because our goal was to find not the best no-logs policy but the best VPN with a no-logs policy.
1. NordVPN – best no-logs VPN
Panama
NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2
AES-256
- Unbeatable security and privacy
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction
- Fastest VPN
- No dedicated router firmware
NordVPN is our top no-logs VPN and #1 overall provider. It comes with a pack of excellent security and privacy features, and not logging user data is just one of them. To say it in other words, if you don’t feel safe online with this provider, you probably won’t feel safe at all.
For starters, NordVPN is registered in Panama. This is a privacy-friendly country far from the reach of the Fourteen Eyes alliance. As a result, this VPN doesn’t have to comply with any data retention laws, which is a big plus in case the government decides to take a look at your online escapades.
Due to its location, NordVPN can and does have a strict no-logs policy. Moreover, it has been audited twice by the no-nonsense PricewaterhouseCoopers company.
Their apps have also been audited by VerSprite, which in turn, didn’t find any vulnerabilities. Additionally, the iOS and Android clients got ioXt certificates, which, among many other things, confirm the no-logs approach.
You can also increase your anonymity further by paying in cryptocurrency for the service online. Moreover, you can also purchase NordVPN from a third-party reseller and pay in cash.
Putting privacy aside, NordVPN is also great for online security. Everything starts with the AES 256-bit encryption, continues with the latest tunneling protocols – such as the next-gen Nordlynx, and still doesn’t end with two kill switch types for leak prevention. The threat protection tool that NordVPN offers fends you against malware and even scans your downloaded files for a potential threat. This tool will also block malicious ads and trackers to help you enjoy a smooth browsing experience.
As of now, you can take advantage of all these NordVPN features for just $3.49/month. There’s even a 7-day free trial available (requires Android). Finally, you have nothing to lose, thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee. For more alternative deals, check out these coupon codes.
For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – powerful no-logs VPN
Netherlands
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
AES-256
- Unlimited devices
- Budget-friendly
- Fast speeds
- No-logs policy not audited
At #2, Surfshark isn’t an amateur when it comes to online privacy. Besides, it’s cheap and has no device limit, meaning you can share the account with friends, family, or both.
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands and benefits from its privacy-friendly legislation, even though it’s a Nine Eyes country. As there are no data retention laws, this VPN isn’t obliged to store anything about you or your activities, resulting in zero logs.
Back in 2018, Surfshark VPN got its browser extensions audited by Cure53 – which did not find any critical vulnerabilities. Then you have Surfshark One – a collection of security and privacy tools that include ID leak protection, a private search engine, and an antivirus. If that’s not enough, you’ll be getting GPS override, CleanWeb against malware, and multi-hop that connects you to two servers for double encryption.
Surfshark has strong security fundamentals. It uses military-grade encryption, next-gen WireGuard protocol, and a robust kill switch. So far, we haven’t found any WebRTC, DNS, or IP leaks to speak of. Furthermore, the in-house Nexus feature connects all of Surfshark’s servers together. This means that by connecting to Nexus your web traffic will get routed through a whole network of servers, instead of a single VPN tunnel. This feature, therefore, helps to hide and obscure your web traffic and can even improve your VPN connection speeds.
There are two other features we should mention. The first one is called NoBorders, giving access to content blocked at the state level. The next one is Camouflage, disguising your VPN traffic when you’re in a country like China or Russia that uses DPI.
Now comes the best part – all this can be yours for $2.30/month only. Having unlimited simultaneous connections in mind, that’s a bargain you won’t find anywhere else. Heck, there’s even a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re interested check out these coupon codes for more alternative deals.
For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.
3. Atlas VPN – best no-logs freemium VPN service
United States
WireGuard, IKEv2
AES-256
- Excellent free VPN version
- Stops tracking, malware, and ads
- Very cheap
- Based in the US, not privacy-friendly
AtlasVPN is the best no-logs freemium VPN provider currently available. Based in the US, this service offers roughly 750 in 37+ different countries.
AtlasVPN is a great choice for those of us who put our online privacy and security at the top of our priority list. The service offers such essentials as military-grade encryption, solid leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. Moreover, AtlasVPN endorses a strict no-logs policy that negates its US jurisdiction impact as much as possible. Check out these coupon codes for more alternative deals.
The AES-256 bit encryption cipher that the service offers, makes the application incredibly safe since the cipher is often used in government and military work.
Not only is AtlasVPN an incredibly safe service with a strict no-logs policy in place, but you will be pleased to hear that it is also great for streaming and torrenting. The service is capable of bypassing geo-blocks on a wide range of different streaming platforms such as Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
Furthermore, since P2P is allowed on all servers, you can also be sure that the service works incredibly for torrenting. Additionally, you’ll be glad to hear that the torrenting speeds are great due to WireGuard, meanwhile, a kill-switch and leak protection will hide your IP.
That being said, we highly recommend AtlasVPN’s premium version in order to receive all that the service has to offer. Currently, the prices for Atlas VPN start at as little as $2.05/month. However, in case you are searching for a reliable free VPN – Atlas offers the best free VPN version currently available. For more alternative deals – check out these coupon codes.
For a deeper investigation of Atlas VPN, read our Atlas VPN review.
4. PrivateVPN – no-logs VPN great for streaming
Sweden
OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP
AES-256
- Incredible for streaming
- Great privacy terms
- Amazing for torrenting
- Lacks WireGuard
Those of us who love to stream shows in our free time will be glad to hear that PrivateVPN has made it to our top no-logs providers’ list. PrivateVPN is a virtual private network with a strict no-logs policy. With a lot of attention given by the provider towards entertainment value, this VPN offers great value to bypass geo-restrictions on a wide range of different streaming platforms.
A significantly smaller service with only about 200 servers in around 63 countries, this Sweden-based virtual private network, is one of the top services within the industry. With PrivateVPN, you will be able to unlock geo-blocked content on such streaming platforms as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max.
If you’re looking for a secure VPN to use while torrenting – you really can’t go wrong with PrivateVPN. In addition to a robust kill-switch and military-grade encryption, it also offers such perks, as port forwarding, Shadowsocks, and SOCKS5 proxies. This makes PrivateVPN not only one of the safest no-logs VPNs but also, it is one of the leading services for P2P file sharing. Furthermore, the Stealth VPN that the service employs offers you the ability to disguise your use of a VPN.
Moreover, you will be able to take advantage of PrivateVPN’s dedicated IP at no additional cost. By choosing to go with a dedicated server, you will be assigned a unique IP address that no one else is using at the same time. A dedicated IP will help you unlock streaming libraries and save your browsing speeds.
At a starting price of a meager $2.00/month, it is one of the cheapest, high-quality VPNs on the grid at the moment. Moreover, with a 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test out all that the service has to offer with no long-term financial commitment. In case you are interested, check out these coupon codes for more alternative options.
For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.
5. Pure VPN – truly anonymous no-logs VPN
British Virgin Islands
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
AES-256
- Anonymous payment options
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Great 24/7 live chat support
- No kill-switch for iOS
PureVPN is known for its low pricing, great server list, and wide range of supported platforms. However, some tend to forget that it’s one of the few services with an independently-audited no-logs policy.
Let’s start with PureVPN’s jurisdiction. The company is situated in the British Virgin Islands that has no data retention laws. It’s also not part of the Fourteen Eyes alliance, making it an ideal place for a true no-logs VPN.
In 2019, Altius IT successfully audited PureVPN’s no-logs policy. However, that proved to be not enough for this provider. Thus, next year they did a second one, this time KPMG was also allowed to repeat it anytime without prior notice.
As you can see, PureVPN has put some serious effort into becoming a twice-audited provider. Nevertheless, we still have to mention that back in 2017, this company assisted the FBI in obtaining logs of one subscriber. Moreover, let’s not forget that PureVPN belongs to Gaditek, a Pakistani company with a dubious reputation, to say the least.
PureVPN uses NASA-grade encryption and a number of secure tunneling protocols, including WireGuard. Additionally, there’s a kill switch (except iOS) for keeping you safe in case of a VPN failure. PureVPN also has WebRTC, DNS, and IP leak protection – we tested the feature and found no leaks to speak of.
In addition to the core security features, users will benefit from WiFi security that automatically turns on PureVPN on a public network. There’s also an option to get a dedicated IP or DDoS protection for a small fee.
PureVPN prices start from $2.08/month and you can pay with cryptocurrencies. One account lets you connect 10 devices at a time. There’s a 7-day trial for less than a dollar, plus a proper 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out these coupon codes for more deals and offers.
For a deeper investigation of PureVPN, read our PureVPN review.
How we ranked the best no-logs VPNs in 2023
While having an honest no-logs policy is the main criterion when choosing the Top 5 no-logs VPNs, there’s more to that. After all, if a provider collects zero logs but is of poor quality, there’s no point in recommending such a service. So, without further ado, here’s what we took into consideration:
- No-logs policy. We ditched anything that collects more than required to run the service.
- Independent audits. Claiming to have no logs is one thing, and saying that after a third-party audit is another.
- Jurisdiction. A country without data retention laws and not among the Fourteen Eyes members is a big plus.
- Anonymous payments. A true no-logs VPN should offer at least cryptocurrencies as a payment method. Bonus points go for cash and gift cards.
- Anonymous registration. Most VPNs require your email for account creation. Others simply generate a code for logging in.
- Reputation. Shady ownership, cooperation with authorities, and similar practices were also a factor.
How to use a no-logs VPN
- Choose the most reliable VPN provider compatible with your device. We recommend NordVPN.
- Download and install the application of your choice.
- Choose a specific server or pick any location to connect to. With NordVPN you can also choose the ‘Quick Connect’ option, which will ensure the optimal connection on your home router
- Enjoy all that a no-logs VPN has to offer!
What kind of logs do VPNs keep?
The majority of VPNs keep at least some logs. However, that stems not from their desire to collect your data but from business necessity. As mentioned earlier, an email is required for creating an account, while payment information is stored for billing purposes.
Luckily, email can be a throwaway most of the time, and you can make payments with cryptocurrencies or cash. But even then, there will be some technical data collected. Let’s why what are the VPN log types and which ones are necessary:
- Usage logs. This information includes your online activity ranging from connection times, browsing history, metadata, and IP addresses (your originating IP and visited IPs). When a VPN collects usage logs, your privacy is not guaranteed – you can be identified and located.
- Connection logs. These generally include dates, connection data, time, and IP addresses (sometimes). This data is not as invasive or as sensitive as usage logs unless they include your real IP address, of course. Most VPNs collect connection logs to resolve user problems, monitor the number of devices and data used as well as help optimize the VPN network. Unfortunately, there’s been a tendency to collect more sensitive data like the IP address under the flag of connection logging — one more reason to read the Privacy Policy carefully.
- Personally-identifiable logs. These can be part of both connection and usage data, including anything that can help put a name tag on you. Some of the examples are email, billing info, IP, address, and device ID. Usually, these are collected on the VPN provider’s website.
- No logs: simply put, a no-logs VPN offers the guarantee of privacy online. However, implementing a completely no logs policy is an uphill task as providers also need to enforce device connections and bandwidth. No logs or zero-log policy has also become a marketing weapon for VPN providers. Therefore, you need to make sure you choose a service that walks the walk and not just talks the talk.
Best VPN with no logs by Reddit
Reddit is a popular platform to look for honest product reviews and get advice from experts. Thus, we’ve checked what are the recommendations for the best no-logs VPN on Reddit. It turned out that some of the favorites overlap with our list.
As you can see, NordVPN is holding up pretty well. Unsurprisingly, this VPN is at the top of our list too.
Furthermore, most Redditors claim that a VPN with no logs doesn’t exist. While that’s true, they miss the point that users are actually interested in personally-identifiable logs, such as email or banking details. And here’s where VPNs start to differentiate from each other. All of our top no-logs VPN services tend to offer anonymous payment options and the possibility of not disclosing your personal email address.
Are there any free no-logs VPNs?
If you’re reading this article, you’re more likely than not to care about your anonymity online. Therefore, avoiding free VPNs is the best you can do. Opting for a free VPN would usually mean sacrificing your privacy.
There are plenty of free VPNs that claim to be no-logs. Unfortunately, after a closer inspection, you will find that most log more than the minimum, and some even include malware! If that wasn’t enough, free VPNs actively sell user data to third parties because that’s their business model.
However, you will be glad to hear that there are a couple of trustworthy VPNs with free application versions. These include Proton VPN and Atlas VPN. Both of these providers offer strict no-logs policies and even additional security and privacy features. Even though you’ll get way more by opting to go with premium versions of these services, these free variants will provide you with the best no-logs policy you can get from a free service.
However, if what you’re looking for is complete anonymity, our top pick for you would be NordVPN. This independently audited no-logs VPN service provides utmost security and complete privacy. Furthermore, you can obtain their 7-day free trial to try the service risk-free. In case you’ll fall in love with the service as millions of users already have worldwide, their subscription price starts at a meagre price of $3.49/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom line
A strict no-logs policy is one of the key factors to pay attention to when choosing your VPN provider.
After comparing and contrasting different virtual private network providers we were able to determine that NordVPN is the best incognito VPN currently available. In addition to their independently audited no-logs policy, you will get your money’s worth with all the different privacy, security, and entertainment perks that the service offers.
You may also like to read:
Are VPNs legal in Your Country
How to Change Location with a VPN
Best VPN for Coinbase
Best VPN for China
Best VPN for Torrenting
Best VPN for Amazon Prime
FAQ
Which VPN doesn't keep logs?
The best no-logs VPN is NordVPN. Not only does it have a strict no-logs policy, but its no-logs policy has also been independently audited.
Can I be tracked using NordVPN?
Simply put – no. NordVPN uses NASA-grade encryption cipher and obfuscated servers, amongst other privacy and security features. Therefore, no one will be able to track your online activity with NordVPN.
Can ISP know you are using a VPN?
You’ll be glad to hear that ISP is unable to track your online activity with a VPN activated. We highly recommend investing in a reliable VPN service, to conceal your location, the websites you visit, and your device’s IP address from your ISP.
Is NordVPN really no-log?
Yes, it is. NordVPN had its no-logs policy audited independently by PwC. Besides, it’s based in Panama, where there are no data retention laws to speak of. We recommend trying out NordVPN – now 68% off.
Ivacy shouldn’t be on this best zero log vpn list because they are shady and their it’s parent company is super shady. Why include such a VPN here? PureVPN were saying they’re a vpn without logs and that turned out to be a lie so why should we trust Ivacy?
Hi there –
We’d love to hear your reasons why you believe Ivacy is super shady.
-Julie
Does private internet access keep logs? Would like to get an account with them and I don’t know what to believe. Most people seem to say no, yet there are a few that said it does. I want to know if this is a no log vpn or not.
Hi there Kareem,
Private Internet Access has a clear no-logging policy. In fact, a 2015 court case gives backing to this claim. You can read more about them in our full Private Internet Access review.
Just like it says in the article, PIA is one of the best vpn without logs on the market. And I am certain of this because I use them and have tested them to see for myself. All the things they did in the past (denying the FBI details because they don’t keep logs) just proves they are honest in what they say. What’s even more impressive is the fact that they are located in the US, making it even harder for them to remain a no log vpn and yet, they still do it.
Is NordVPN trustworthy? And does NordVPN store logs? I’ve heard a lot of good things about this company and I want to make sure they are the real deal. Their prices are just too good to be true.
Hi Johnston,
NordVPN is definitely a trustworthy VPN provider. In fact, that’s why they’re one of the top 2 VPNs in the world. They also recently had their no-log policy audited by the big 4 auditing firms, PwC. You can read a lot more about it in our full NordVPN review.
I think NordVPN is trustworthy and I use them because they are based in Panama and it’s easier for them to be a no log vpn than it is for others located in other countries. There are no nordvpn logs because they chose their base in a great country. More and more people are using them because they have good prices and are offering a great service overall. There’s always something to improve like speed when on some servers and constant improvements as time goes by and I think Nord is capable of making these changes and remaining one of the top 3 providers.
I personally like Surfshark. It’s a no log vpn, the 2 year plan they have is among the best you can find anywhere, they do a great job overall and can be compared with ExpressVPN and NordVPN to a certain degree. It probably isn’t the best vpn without logs but what it can do and it’s price. I’ve been with them for the past 3 months or so and I have nothing to complain about. Whenever I have questions, their support helps out quite quickly, their speed is good to very good when I’m torrenting, it’s very easy to setup and use on a daily basis, they have plenty of servers across the globe, etc. What more can I ask from a $2 monthly vpn service? It’s actually a pretty great deal considering all of the good things I mentioned above. I don’t know if there’s any VPN that can match it overall (price per quality offered).
Hi Deardevil,
Surfshark is definitely one of the best VPNs we’ve reviewed, and it’s still pretty new. In fact, we believe that once it becomes more well-known, it can be a great contender for the top spot as far as VPN speed, security, privacy and price are concerned. We think it’s a pretty good choice and are glad to know you’re enjoying it so far.
Thanks for reading!
-Julie
I’m also a Surfshark user and yes, they do offer a lot for the chunk of change they charge you with on that 2 year plan. Many people choose NordVPN because it’s a lot more known right now but Surfshark is just as good and cheaper than Nord is and it’s a no log vpn. It just has less servers and maybe doesn’t have the same level of encryption, while still being top-notch. Is it the best zero log vpn out there? No. ExpressVPN probably is the king. But does it do its job and cost a lot less than that? Yes, yes it does do a bang-up job.
By the way, cool username; I saw what you did there 😉 and that’s one of favorite shows.
These are some of the best VPN providers listed here on this page. Express VPN no doubt tops it all. Good to see some new ones on this list too like Air VPN. This seems a good one, but is not as popular as the others listed here.
The Indy audit has to be done without any prior warning to any co that is willing to be audited and possibly more than once, to ensure that they keep up their policy, otherwise a privacy invading co could just take off the invasive software prior to the audit and return it after the audit.
I bought a lifetime subscription to WindScribe and run the mobile, desktop, and browser apps. The unlimited data and the faster-than-usual speeds is nothing compared to other VPNs. Glad to know they don’t keep logs also
I’ve many times seen VPNs which claim a no logs policy only to be disappointed. So I’ve decided to do some research before I choose a new VPN. This list was extremely useful, I found some really good choices. Thank you!
I think connection logs aren’t that bad, Bart. If you trust your VPN provider, then you don’t have to worry about that. Basically, it’s the only way the provider can help you with connection issues and such.
It’s hard to find out if a VPN offers a completely no-log service or if they are just telling you that to get your business. I realize that they may need to keep basic logs to resolve issues with the service, but not to log my activity and keep track of the sites I visit. Thanks for the information in this article, you’ve done a lot of the hard work for me!
Hi Raison, yes, that’s one of the major problems with claims of no-log policies. But there seems to be a growing trend of VPNs doing no-log policy audits, where auditing companies check whether the VPNs truly are no log. VyprVPN and NordVPN have done it recently. We also wrote about the independent audit trend in general (and hope it continues). You can read it here: Papers, please: the rise of the independent VPN audit