Top 10 Absolute Anonymous No-Log VPNs in 2023

Most VPN services claim to have pristine logging policies and that they don’t record any user activity data. If years of experience in the VPN industry have taught us anything, it’s that it’s one thing to claim this, and a completely another one to put it in practice. This is because most VPNs secretly store user activity data.

What makes this even more worrying is that it’s extremely challenging to figure out which VPN actually backs up its no logs claim. So what can you do to avoid this issue and pick an absolutely anonymous VPN service?

Well, the only thing you can do is pick a true no-logs VPN service that will keep you anonymous. And, luckily, you’ve already made a step in the right direction by landing on this page! We’ve tested the top no-log VPN services in the industry and compiled the most detailed no-log VPN guide on the Internet.

10 Best No-Logs VPNs for Your Privacy

1. NordVPN

For years, NordVPN has been the standard for privacy and security and firmly ranks in the first place as the best no-log VPN around. It blocks malware and ads, masks your IP, and hides your browsing history. It also protects your DNS queries from leaking, as NordVPN offers DNS leak protection.

Looking at other standard security features, NordVPN comes with strong encryption, a kill switch, and obfuscated servers. NordVPN also features a couple of very interesting in-house settings. Most notably, this includes the NordLynx protocol, Onion over VPN, and Double Protection. 

NordVPN has been tested by independent authorities several times in the past, with each independent audit backing up the service’s claims. It doesn’t log IP addresses, keep connection timestamps, or endanger your real IP address in any way. 

The service is based in privacy-friendly Panama, which doesn’t have any mandatory data retention laws. Moreover, you can buy it with one of several cryptocurrency options, including Bitcoin. This allows you to stay completely anonymous from the moment you sign up.

2. Surfshark

Looking at value no-log VPN services, few providers can match what Surfshark offers. With unlimited connections at only a few bucks per month on a long-term plan, it’s an excellent budget option.

Even so, it comes with some advanced features that make it great for privacy, streaming, torrenting, gaming, and many other online activities. It maintains a 100% zero-logs policy and includes a kill switch, strong encryption, NoBorders Mode, and a CleanWeb setting.

It also boasts a network of over 3,200 servers. Every server is RAM-based and has at least 1 Gbps port. Moreover, every server is protected by private DNS and supports Camouflage Mode, which masks the fact that you’re using a VPN service. Its servers support WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec/IKEv2. 

3. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is an impressive all-around no-logs VPN for those that want a trusted service but can’t afford to spend too much on their monthly subscription plan. And, while it comes at a bargain price and offers unlimited simultaneous connections, Atlas VPN also includes a lineup of great features.

It uses the proven WireGuard protocol and protects your connection with strong encryption. After reading through Alas VPN’s logging policy, we can say that we were pleased with what we saw. What’s more, it’s another top VPN that has been independently audited, ensuring it sticks true to its claims.

Atlas VPN apps also include a feature that allows you to access the Internet from several IP address locations simultaneously, called SafeSwap. There’s also a MultiHop+ connection option that enables you to use rotating VPN locations.

4. PrivateVPN

With a name like PrivateVPN, you can expect this VPN to deliver top-quality privacy protection properties. And, you wouldn’t be wrong. Albeit a very simple and streamlined no-logs service, PrivateVPN offers all of the necessary protection features you would normally look for.

PrivateVPN has great DNS and IP leak protection capabilities. It features adjustable encryption and protocol settings, allowing you to emphasize security over speed and vice versa. Moreover, from a performance standpoint, PrivateVPN is also very powerful when it comes to bypassing region locks and geo-restrictions.

There’s also a kill switch feature that automatically cuts off your connection in case you disconnect from the VPN server. Even so, these occurrences will be so few and far between, as PrivateVPN maintains an unbelievable uptime of 99.98%.

5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN uses a TrustedServer technology. In simple terms, this means that it only uses RAM-based servers. No information is ever written to the hard drive, minimizing your overall privacy and security risks. 

Of course, like any other reputable VPN service, ExpressVPN also has a kill switch to protect you in case of connection drops. Additional useful features include private DNS on every server, split tunneling, and best-in-class encryption. 

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a great location for a service of this type. This is because the British Virgin Islands government has a lenient stance when it comes to online data retention. 

Moreover, the British Virgin Islands also aren’t a part of any international surveillance alliance, which means they’ll never disclose any info when asked to do so by a government from a different country.

6. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is known for having the most extensive server library in the business. Even more impressive than its network of close to 30,000 servers is the fact that each one of them is RAM-based.

But, besides this, it’s also a very safe VPN with a proven no-logs policy. While it is based in the US, which may put off some potential users. However, there’s no reason to worry. Even if it gets a subpoena, it wouldn’t have anything to share on its users.

PIA is an open-source VPN, meaning that anyone can inspect its code if they have any doubts. It includes ad and malware blocking settings, advanced encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, and dedicated IP options. 

7. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a superb VPN with a massive server network. While some of its servers are virtual, CyberGhost transparently lists which servers are physically located in the named location and which aren’t. It’s based in Romania, which is an EU country but isn’t a part of any online surveillance alliances and has very user-friendly privacy laws. 

The service has been audited independently, so you can trust that their zero-logs claim is completely true and easy to verify with the auditor. You can also rely on DNS and IP leak protection, a kill switch, and the advanced WireGuard protocol.

It offers a handful of apps and browser extensions and also supports consoles and a variety of smart TVs. Its long-term plans come with a handy 45-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, you can also pay with Bitcoin if you want absolute anonymity.

8. VyprVPN

VyprVPN comes with a few very powerful features. Headlining their service is the in-house engineered Chameleon protocol. It’s an outstanding protocol with superb bypassing capabilities. The Chameleon protocol is available on over 700 servers across more than 70 locations worldwide.

This VPN offers VyprDNS and VyprCloud. The latter is particularly fascinating, as it provides you with additional security when accessing cloud servers. VyprVPN has also put an advanced kill switch in its apps.

It has a strict no-logs policy and has been audited, so there’s no questioning whether the claims are true. It’s based in Switzerland, a country notably known for its neutrality and lack of legal cooperation with other countries. 

It’s also worth mentioning that VyprVPN prides itself on keeping everything internal, as it doesn’t work with any third parties to maintain its servers or hardware.

9. TorGuard

TorGuard advertises as an “anonymous VPN” and a 100% private service free of any logs or data leaks. Its mobile and desktop apps block advertisements, come with internal encrypted DNS and have built-in Shadowsocks.

The VPN has over 3,000 servers in over 50 countries, all supporting the WireGuard protocol. You can rely on round-the-clock support, making this VPN a very user-friendly one.

TorGuard’s performance features depend on which plan you opt for. This is because it has a Standard and Pro plan besides the usual plans set in specific timeframes. The service also offers a business variant and even an anonymous email service that ensures complete email protection.

10. Perfect Privacy

Rounding off our list of the ten best no-log services is the Swiss-based VPN Perfect Privacy. It has a relatively small server base spread across 26 countries. But, this is only because this provider focused on quality over quantity. It only uses dedicated servers and doesn’t have any virtual server locations in its network.

Perfect Privacy has standard protection features like a kill switch and IPv6 leak protection. That said, it also has a few advanced and very convenient tools. These are the MultiHop VPN feature, Stealth VPN, TrackStop, and NeuroRouting. Each serves a specific purpose in making you more private and better protected while connected to Perfect Privacy’s servers.

This is a premium VPN primarily targeting privacy-oriented users, so it comes with a fairly expensive subscription plan, even if you opt for a more long-term plan. However, when you consider the sheer amount of features this VPN is loaded with, it’s well worth the price. 

How We Tested which VPNs Have The Best No-Logs Policy

The only way to see if a VPN has a no-logs policy is to manually check it. And, to save you from having to do so, we’ve thoroughly tested the best no-log VPNs in the business. 

We’ve read through each featured VPN’s privacy policy and reviewed all important aspects that make a quality no-logs VPN. With that in mind, we’ll get to the latter part later on down the page.

Besides having a strict no-logs policy, each of our best no-logs VPNs must have a spotless history when it comes to divulging user data. The top-ranked VPNs on our list also feature warrant canaries. They have also been audited by an independent organization at least once in the past few years.

As we’ve studied the industry in great detail over the past several years, we were disappointed to see that for some services the term “no-logs VPN” doesn’t really mean that this is the truth. Certain VPNs use this term liberally even though they might not have a zero logs policy as they claim.

For instance, the well-known service IPVanish provided identifiable information to government authorities a few years back. Although the company claims that it since hasn’t kept any logs, one incident is enough to make you extra careful and potentially cause you to avoid using the service. 

While IPVanish is occasionally our recommendation for some online activities, in this context, it is unequivocally unsuitable. This is why we only included the VPNs that didn’t have any such incidents. That way, you don’t have to worry about any potential precedents already having been set.

So, keeping all of this in mind, we advise you to only stick with the services we’ve recommended on this page. They are proven to be safe and private. More importantly, each has a user-friendly logs policy that doesn’t record any identifiable data. 

What is a No-Logs Policy?

As its name gives away, a no-logs policy means that a VPN doesn’t collect and store any information on you when you use its servers. In other words, the moment you connect to the VPN’s server, you’re off the map, and your Internet traffic becomes fully protected. That is if a VPN enforces a strict no-logs policy. 

We say this because some VPNs might claim that they don’t keep any logs while, in fact, keeping some data of their users. While this data doesn’t have to contain a lot of identifiable information, it’s still more than what you signed up for.

So, knowing this, it’s crucial to make a clear distinction between VPNs that keep some logs and those that have a 100% no logs policy. With that in mind, choosing the right no-logs VPN is challenging but not impossible. This brings us to the next key part of the guide.

How to Choose the Most Private No-Logs VPN

The top ten best no-log VPN services we’ve discussed above all keep zero logs, a fact we’ve made sure of through strenuous research. That said, if you want to pick the best no-log VPN, you also need to factor in a few additional aspects. In this regard, here’s how  to choose the most private no-logs VPN service:

Confirmed Strict No-Logs Policy

In the context of this zero-logs VPN service guide, the first thing to make sure in a VPN is that no logs claims can be checked. This could be through either concrete examples or verifiable data. Of course, we’ve done this step for you, as each of our top ten secure VPN services featured above has a confirmed no-logs policy.

Strong Security Properties

A great no-logs VPN also possesses a handful of security and privacy protection features. A secure VPN with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch, alongside a sound logging policy, will make sure it’s virtually impossible to access your data.

To expand on these data security features, a VPN might offer obfuscated servers, port forwarding for more convenient use, or some specific in-house settings like a few of the services we’ve mentioned on this page.

Independent Audits By Trusted Authorities

Apart from strong security features and the fact that the VPN claims it doesn’t keep any logs, the service should also be independently audited by an outside authority known for its reputation in the industry.

When a VPN is independently audited and gets a seal of approval from an outside agency, it significantly improves its reputation. What’s more, an independent audit can also sometimes find other underlying issues that the VPN can fix to improve its service even further. 

Based In a Privacy-Friendly Country

As we’ve mentioned previously, if a VPN is based in a country with strict privacy laws, it might get pressured into giving out data on its users. While this is a dealbreaker for those who want maximum anonymity, it’s not as crucial as the previous three categories. 

That’s why we say that this is an optional trait, but one we recommend you keep in mind. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, pick a VPN based in a country that’s not a part of any major international surveillance alliance.

Server Quality

Of course, the best no-log VPNs should also excel in terms of the quality of their servers. When it comes to this, servers should ideally be RAM-based so that no data is stored on physical disks and that data is erased every time the server is rebooted.

Moreover, every server should also offer IP and DNS leak protection or even have a built-in NAT firewall. Besides these privacy protection features, these secure servers should also be based across various locations worldwide. This would give you the best variety of choices no matter your location.

Additional Usability Characteristics

Protecting your VPN traffic is key, but it’s also worth considering the medley of other features that will impact your overall experience. This includes aspects like speed, streaming, torrenting capabilities, and customer support.

Additionally, consider the devices you want to use the VPN on. You want quality VPN apps and even browser extensions so that you can freely use the no-logs service on any device you prefer.

Apart from this, assess the financial side of the VPN. Does the VPN service offer good value for money and is it affordable for you? Arguably even more important, are there any anonymous payment methods in the form of cryptocurrencies?

Why Should You Use a No-Log VPN?

Considering all of the things we’ve discussed so far, what are the most common and most important reasons for using a no-logs VPN? Here are the top three reasons why you should use a reputable VPN that doesn’t keep any activity logs:

Hide Your Activities

The number one reason privacy-conscious users use a no-logs VPN is to hide their online activities from their ISP and the government. This is particularly important if you live in a highly authoritarian country like China, Russia, or the UAE.

Protect Against Snoopers

Apart from your ISP snooping on your activity, you might have a number of other third-party snoopers tracking your every online move. If this isn’t worrying enough, all it takes is one malicious user to make your life harder than it needs to be. A no-logs VPN will encrypt your data and ensure no one sees what you’re doing online.

Enjoy More Anonymous Connections

Lastly, a VPN will help you avoid annoying ad targeting. Not to mention, the more third-party companies and businesses have your data, the bigger the chance is that it ends up in the wrong hands. With a VPN, you’ll automatically be protected from this risk.

VPNs that Keep Logs (AVOID THEM!)

Knowing the principal reasons you should use a no-log VPN service, it’s easy to understand why you should avoid a VPN service that keeps logs. But, to appreciate the safety of no-log VPNs even more, you should also comprehend the types of logs a VPN service can collect on you.

A VPN service can keep several different types of logs. Here’s a closer overview of the most common type of user information a VPN can store:

• Connection Logs – the most common identifiable logs VPNs that store user logs keep. This category includes various information such as what server you use, how much bandwidth you use up, and connection timestamps that measure how long you use the VPN’s server. It can also include your IP address and the VPN’s IP addresses you’re connected to.
• Traffic Logs – stepping up from the first category, this includes significantly more harmful logs VPN services might keep on you. It can range from logging information on your online activities to saving the messages you send while connected to the VPN’s server.
• Personally Identifiable Logs – undoubtedly the most dangerous of the three types of logs a VPN can keep. This is because it includes information that directly pinpoints you as an individual user. This can include your payment details, email and password, address, type of device you’re using, and other private data.

Sadly, many VPNs that claim not to keep any logs have proven otherwise. VPNs like Betternet, UrbanVPN and Hola have all been busted for keeping data logs while claiming the opposite . These logs included all sorts of data. Even worse, Betternet was even accused of selling user data to third parties.

Risks of Using a VPN That Keeps Logs

Ok, we’ve established what type of logs VPN services can collect and why you should use a VPN with a no-logs policy. But, what even are the risks of using VPN services that store data? Well, there are several significant and very worrying risks you’re potentially exposing yourself to if you use such a VPN. Here are the top risks of using a VPN that logs your data:

Data Leaks In Case of Hacker Attacks

Firstly, there’s always the threat of the VPN being targeted by hackers. While VPN attacks are few and far between, they can still occur. And, if they happen to a VPN that you’re using and it stores traffic logs, this could spell bad news for you.

Privacy Issues Due To Human Error

Moreover, even if your VPN isn’t directly targeted by malicious online users, you could still experience privacy issues. Human errors can always happen, and we’ve seen several examples of VPN services accidentally leaking user data due to in-house errors. 

In this scenario, you don’t want the VPN to have any data log info. So, even if it has server issues, you don’t have to worry about any of your valuable data leaking.

Concerns of Government Subpoenas

Lastly, there’s always a threat of a government-issued request to provide data. Some VPNs are based in countries that have stricter Internet privacy laws or are a part of international surveillance organizations. While this isn’t a big problem on its own, a VPN that keeps logs and is based in such a country is a solid recipe for a headache.

For instance, if a government agency comes to the VPN service with a request, the service can’t refuse it. So, if it has detailed logs on your online activities, browsing data, and interests, it will sell you down the river to minimize any legal or financial repercussions from the government.

No-Log VPN FAQs

Are no-log VPNs totally safe to use?

Yes, no-log VPNs are the safest VPN services you can sign up with. As these VPNs don’t keep any data on your activities, they protect you in case of VPN data breaches and data requests from government authorities. In other words, when a no-log VPN doesn’t keep anything, it can’t share anything even when pressured.

Are there free VPNs that do not keep logs?

Yes, there are a handful of free VPNs without logs. The most trusted VPN you can use for free is Atlas VPN. Besides the premium paid subscription, Atlas VPN also provides a slightly-limited free plan. You can take advantage of a smaller server selection, but still with all of the privacy and safety features.

With that being said, we generally don’t recommend using free no log VPS. Other than Atlas VPN, most free VPNs can’t be trusted. This is because the majority of them actually make money from selling your information. So, if you want a privacy-focused VPN, we only recommend Atlas VPN, as it is a freemium service anyway.

How to find out if my VPN provider keeps connection logs?

The best way to prove whether or not you’re with a zero-log VPN is to check if its no-log policy is audited by an independent body. You can also go through the VPN’s logging policy and check for yourself exactly what the service does or doesn’t store. 

What are VPN logs?

In simple terms, VPN logs are data logs that the VPN keeps on your activities. To expand on this, all of the information that is normally available to your ISP is also visible to the VPN you’re using. This is why you want a VPN that keeps as few logs as possible and ideally doesn’t store logs at all.

Is it legal to use a zero logs VPN?

Yes, it’s entirely legal to use a log-free VPN service. As the main purpose of every VPN is to keep you private, a logless VPN is the best you can get, as such a service doesn’t collect any usage logs. That said, before you pick any of the no logs VPNs from this guide, make sure that using a VPN is legal in your country. 

Do ISPs keep logs?

Yes, ISPs can keep logs of your online activities. However, the answer is not that straightforward. It’s because this practice also depends on the country you’re located in. For example, the US government requires ISP to keep customer data records for at least 90 days.

Still, this can significantly vary from country to country. For instance, the UK government mandates that ISPs in this country must keep user browsing histories and metadata logs for at least 12 months. Conversely, many countries don’t have any mandatory data retention laws.

Having said that, the best rule of thumb is to assume that your ISP is keeping logs on you. That way, you can get ahead of the curve and use a no-log VPN as a preventive measure to safeguard your online privacy.

What is a warrant canary, and why is it important for no-log VPNs?

A warrant canary is an instrumental feature of VPN services and it serves a very important purpose. In short, it’s a communication method through which a VPN service can inform its users that it has been served with a subpoena without breaking any laws for doing so.

More specifically, VPNs feature warrant canaries on their websites to inform their users that they haven’t received any such government subpoenas to date. It’s updated fairly frequently, as the update time frame varies from service to service. By checking the warrant canary, you can quickly determine if the VPN is targeted by the government.

Does it matter where the VPN is located?

Yes, the country in which a VPN service is based matters. This is because some countries have stricter online privacy laws than others. Moreover, some countries even make up international surveillance alliances. 

The best privacy-friendly locations when in this context include places like Panama and the British Virgin Islands. This is because they aren’t a part of any online surveillance alliance and have very loose online privacy laws.

Conclusion

After everything we’ve discussed in this detailed guide on the best no-log VPNs, one thing is undoubtedly clear. You shouldn’t make compromises when it comes to VPN logging policies. If the VPN you’re interested in doesn’t have a no-logs policy, you should avoid using it. There are simply too many untraceable VPN services out there to settle for a VPN that doesn’t possess this characteristic.

The ten most private VPN services we’ve outlined above are all great VPN companies that don’t keep any user logs. Even so, if you’re looking for the best anonymous VPN service, NordVPN is the top no-logs VPN service, in our opinion. It’s the most reliable VPN on the market, based in a privacy-friendly country, doesn’t keep any logs, and has been proven safe and private by independent audits.