Shielding your privacy and anonymity often boils down to using some of the best no-log VPNs. After all, logging is what most people want to avoid, especially when paying for a service. While 100% no-log VPNs don’t exist, some come close. What’s the catch?
Every provider must keep some logs for the service to function. However, when we address a no-log VPN, we think about a provider that doesn’t keep any sensitive information on its servers. Instead, most of this data is used for troubleshooting and subscriptions.
In other words, we want to avoid providers that log your IP address, online activities, DNS requests, timestamps, etc. Well, you’re in for a treat! Today’s repertoire houses a few top-tier VPN providers with almost zero logs to keep your privacy intact and anonymity guaranteed!
Best No-Log VPN Services to Use in 2024
We’ll get on with the subject right away and immediately showcase our favorite picks:
- NordVPN – best no-log VPN overall in 2024
- ExpressVPN – over 18 third-party security audits
- Private Internet Access – no-logging policy proven in court
- Proton VPN – Swiss privacy with almost no logging at all
- Surfshark – perfect for staying anonymous on a budget
Our advice is to pick NordVPN and call it a day – this provider will blow your socks off. If not, stay with us and find special things about these 5 cybersecurity giants.
1. NordVPN
Starting with NordVPN at #1, we have the most amazing service at the moment, based in Panama. This provider built its reputation on strong security, fast speeds (it’s the speediest VPN), and apps for all devices. But what about its logging? As expected, it’s truly minimal, making it the best no-logs VPN service of 2024.
No-Logging Policy Analysis
Analyzing its privacy policy, we can see that this service keeps minimal stuff on its servers. Bear in mind it uses RAM servers, so every bit of data is wiped with each restart. In short, it logs your email address, server load information, and the timestamp of the last session status.
The latter is here to enforce the simultaneous connections limit and is deleted within 15 minutes after your session is terminated. You’ll also see that it doesn’t store information on visited websites, downloaded files, used bandwidth, IP addresses, traffic logs, geolocation, etc.
That said, the provider ensures you’re untraceable online even if its servers get compromised and all of the data stolen. Lastly, NordVPN has multiple third-party audits from PwC and Deloitte. This is a standout quality that makes the service trustworthy.
Other Important Features
Apart from being the best no-log VPN, NordVPN has a heap of interesting features. It comes with Double VPN servers to encrypt your connection two times. The provider also has Private DNS servers that operate per its VPN no-log policy, and thus, store absolutely nothing.
Another feature we like is Threat Protection. It’s phenomenal for blocking trackers, giving you another privacy benefit. NordVPN’s 6,500+ servers offer impressive performance and most are optimized for P2P. With this privacy-focused VPN, torrenting is always safe.
NordVPN is packed full of obfuscated servers to help you beat censorship in China. It’s simultaneously capable of streaming, with the option to unblock Netflix or stream BBC iPlayer abroad. NordVPN has 10 simultaneous connections and works on all devices.
However, it doesn’t offer a free plan, so you’ll have to pay for it right away. The silver lining is NordVPN’s affordability, coming on top as one of its key features. There’s a 2-year deal with 3 free months at around $3/mo. That’s a small price to pay for the #1-rated no-log VPN.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is stationed in the British Virgin Islands. Like Panama, it sports privacy-friendly laws to help the VPN provider avoid logging and storing user-related data. ExpressVPN is characterized by simplicity but also some of the best no-log policies you’ll find.
No-Logging Policy Analysis
According to its privacy policy, the provider keeps nothing that can be traced to you. It logs only three things. The first is the app’s version, the second is the date of your connection, and the third is the amount of transferred data. Is any of this cause for concern? No.
All three are here for technical support, troubleshooting purposes, and ensuring the best-quality experience for everyone. To prove that all of this is benign, ExpressVPN doesn’t log your IP address, browsing history, DNS queries, and other very sensitive information.
Besides, the provider has multiple audits from PwC, KPMG, and Cure53, giving us plenty of reasons to trust it. In fact, it’s the most audited no-log VPN on this list, and by extension, one of the safest picks, with a no-log policy proven multiple times in practice, not just on paper.
Other Important Features
ExpressVPN’s simplistic apps don’t house a myriad of features. However, in the background, the provider keeps things safe with RAM-only servers to prevent data from lingering around for long. Each server restart means complete data loss, which many users appreciate.
The provider offers additional security measures, such as a kill switch, AES-256-bit encryption, and an all-around Lightway protocol. There’s an interesting bug bounty program that awards $100,000 to a hacker who manages to compromise ExpressVPN’s infrastructure.
So far, everyone failed! This amazing no-log VPN doesn’t shy away from other things. For example, you’ll find the VPN handy for streaming Pluto TV and watching foreign TV channels. P2P optimization is there and you can even use it with Tor for better anonymity.
ExpressVPN supports 8 simultaneous connections and is so elementary, that every beginner will click with it. While its slightly higher price might deter some users, its 48% discount thanks to 3 free months for the annual plan will make everything right. More details can be found in our article showcasing the best deals and coupons for ExpressVPN.
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is, at first, not the most suitable no-log VPN. Its US jurisdiction doesn’t exactly scream privacy – we won’t fault you for thinking that way. Well, the reality is quite different and PIA has proven its minimal logging practices multiple times in court!
No-Logging Policy Analysis
This provider’s no-log policy has been audited by Deloitte. Multiple court cases involving PIA resulted in no data being extracted from the provider, even in cases of criminal offenses. The provider manages to do this by storing only simple stuff that won’t harm your privacy.
Some of the stored data includes your email address and payment method to keep your subscription running. Tax information is also there, along with anonymized debugging information and minor connection events. Other than that, PIA keeps a clean slate.
Things like connection timestamps, DNS queries, bandwidth logs, IP addresses, download history, or anything similar will NOT end up on PIA’s servers. This terrific anonymous VPN also uses RAM servers and even relies on an in-house DNS to protect you from all sides.
Other Important Features
Private Internet Access has many things going for it, which is impressive at this price point. The provider costs just $2 or so a month, offering unlimited simultaneous connections to VPN-protect all your devices. Security is tight with WireGuard and 256-bit encryption, too!
We love that PIA offers Multi-hop that you can customize further to fit your needs. If you need more privacy, there’s always Shadowsocks to obfuscate your traffic. In doing so, the provider is usable in China occasionally, thanks to its ability to bypass deep-packet inspection.
Private Internet Access has an extensive network of 30,000 servers. Some of them are streaming-optimized, while all offer torrenting abilities. Users who’d like more P2P performance can use SOCKS5 as well. Overall, PIA is a nicely balanced provider.
On the one hand, you have an amazing policy against logs, on the other, a heap of quality features. We haven’t mentioned its 24/7 support, unlimited bandwidth, and 10 Gbps server ports, all signifying PIA’s flagship quality. We’ll let you discover all of its features by yourself.
4. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a key provider if you want the highest privacy level and absolutely no logging. It’s based in Switzerland, offering staggering security, open-source applications, and over 6,500+ worldwide servers, making it one of the most impressive no-log VPNs.
No-Logging Policy Analysis
If you visit its site and search for the privacy policy, you’ll be positively shocked. Proton VPN’s logs are so minimal that you won’t believe what you see. Of course, troubleshooting and technical data are stored but everything is kept on bare-metal servers using full-disk encryption over which Proton VPN has FULL control.
Other than that, the provider doesn’t log your visited websites, IP address, session lengths, location-based information, communications, and other privacy-infringing information. The Swiss jurisdiction means the service isn’t forced to store logs thanks to strong privacy laws.
As the icing on the cake, Proton VPN has an audit on its no-log policy by Securitum, a well-established cybersecurity auditor. The fact that the provider uses rock-solid physical server protection tells us volumes about it. Your data will not leak even if servers get damaged!
Other Important Features
Proton VPN’s many features have been addressed in our review of this provider. However, we’ll highlight things such as its large server fleet consisting of over 6,500 servers. Users can also enjoy Secure Core servers for even better encryption and overall privacy.
This provider includes WireGuard to improve your performance and add a layer of security. Moreover, its 256-bit encryption paired with IPv6 leak protection will impress even the most cold-hearted. Another feature we like is NetShield which also blocks ads if they annoy you.
Additionally, Proton uses the VPN Accelerator to speed up your connections and improve the experience further. This goes well with its dedicated P2P, streaming, and Onion Over VPN servers, amplifying the performance even when going on the dark web.
Proton has many valuable features we haven’t touched upon. For example, it uses Stealth VPN to combat censorship and mask your connection. There’s also a non-paid version with unlimited bandwidth that you can use forever. We deem it the best free VPN overall, too.
5. Surfshark
Surfshark is one of the best VPN services with a no-logs policy in 2024.
This provider has been in the British Virgin Islands for years only to switch its jurisdiction to the Netherlands. We don’t think housing there is particularly great because of the 9 Eyes Alliance but hey – Private Internet Access is in the USA (5 Eyes), and look at how amazing it is.
No-Logging Policy Analysis
So far, Surfshark has an amazing track record of keeping nothing user-related on its servers. As with the previous providers, this service keeps minor logs for technical and troubleshooting purposes, most of which are deleted after 15 minutes after your session ends.
Being on this list, Surfshark doesn’t store anything related to your visited websites, DNS queries, connection duration, transferred data, used apps, and so forth. This no-log VPN service employs RAM servers as well, with full-on AES-256-bit encryption.
Its Dutch jurisdiction isn’t the most privacy-friendly but that’s not an issue. Surfshark was audited as soon as it moved to this country and its no-log policy has been verified. Deloitte and Cure53 did their job tremendously, examining every nook and cranny methodically.
Other Important Features
All of this means you’ll be getting a top-notch provider that avoids logging like the plague. However, Surfshark’s qualities are reflected in other aspects, such as streaming, where the provider performs like a champ. For example, you can access over 30 Netflix catalogs with it!
Its loyal users appreciate features like NoBorders and Multi-hop. The former can beat censorship in China, while the latter encrypts your connection twice. Surfshark also offers periodical IP rotation to keep you untrackable even by movie-like hackers.
Like PIA, this provider offers unlimited concurrent connections paired with state-of-the-art apps. All apps support WireGuard, and on its free Android VPN app, you’ll even get geo-spoofing. Surfshark has a wealth of bonus features – antivirus is one of them.
You’ll have to buy the “One” plan to get them all. That shouldn’t be a problem given Surfshark’s affordability. Similarly to PIA, once again, the price starts at over $2.1 a month. Best of all, you get 3 extra months to enjoy this eye-watering no-log VPN even more.
What Makes a Great No-Log VPN?
Whether you pick a provider from this list or any other, we feel obligated to help you avoid common pitfalls. Namely, very few VPN providers will admit they store logs – that just RARELY happens. All of them are no-log VPNs on paper unless you do a bit of digging.
Things that make a phenomenal provider that keeps no tabs on you are:
- A VERIFIED no-logging policy
- RAM servers
- Excellent reputation
- Other important security features
Wondering why?
A provider must have a verified privacy policy. Third-party auditors should be backing these claims after examining every corner of the VPN. You’ve noticed that all 5 picks we mentioned share this. All have at least two audits from companies like PwC, Cure53, Deloitte, KPMG, and many more.
We also must mention RAM-only servers. RAM loses data with each power loss, making it volatile – you know this if you have a PC (or not). Servers based on RAM are more expensive but infinitely safer because they lose all data with each server restart.
If a server is breached, let’s say, the provider just needs to flip the switch, and boom – all data is lost to oblivion. This means even these “basic” logs won’t remain on the server for long. A great reputation is a must and we don’t think we need to elaborate on that.
You’ve heard great things about NordVPN (perhaps in our NordVPN review), ExpressVPN, PIA, and other choices on the list. Finally, to complement the lack of logging, each provider must be secure and keep your IP address fully concealed. All 5, again, pass this test with flying colors.
Which VPNs Store Logs [Avoid These]
Providers often use what many call “mental gymnastics” to wiggle their way to your heart. Even if they keep logs, most will use euphemisms and vague language, making sure you understand nothing. You’ll then say “Oh, well, screw it, this must be a no-log VPN, let’s get it.”
Hold on. You won’t believe just how MANY providers store so much user-related data. We’ll mention the most popular ones to avoid but rest assured, there are hundreds more!
- Hola VPN. Go to its site and read the privacy policy. At least the provider is open and says that it stores everything, from your browsing history and IP address to DNS requests, timestamps, geolocation, and even social media data.
- Urban-VPN. The New York-based provider does an awful lot of logging. Like its “brother” from Israel (Hola), this one keeps tabs on your online activities, IP address, applications on your device, and other bizarre things. Interestingly, both providers offer unlimited bandwidth and plenty of servers.
- Betternet. This VPN is from Canada (5 Eyes) and stores a good amount of logs. These include timestamps, used bandwidth, location, traffic logs, and a few more. It’s not as bad as Hola or Urban-VPN but be aware of it if you prioritize privacy.
- Hotspot Shield. This provider is very popular but indeed stores some connection logs, geolocation, and mobile advertising IDs. We also found it keeps aggregate information about used apps and visited websites, making it questionable.
Other VPN providers that store logs we recommend avoiding include:
- Kaspersky
- Norton Secure VPN
- Speedify
- SuperVPN
- SurfEasy VPN
- Freedom-IP
- Avira Phantom VPN
- Touch VPN
- Unlocator
The Final Verdict
NordVPN, ExpressVPN, PIA, Proton VPN, and Surfshark are by far the most reputable no-log VPN services in 2024.
We have plenty of experience with them and can attest to their claims. With so many third-party audits and serious security features, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Your online privacy starts with a Virtual Private Network. Don’t let data brokers and ISPs spy on you anymore. Take matters into your own hands, pick the provider from our list, and go online in complete privacy. That’s how the internet should be – free and safe to use!