The Best No-Log VPNs in 2023

1. NordVPN - Best No-Log VPN for Privacy

Editors Rating:

9.7 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

Simply put, NordVPN is one of the best providers on the market today. Its well-rounded service is great for almost any application. It’s my go-to VPN for day-to-day tasks, and I’ll unpack the reasons why below.

No-Log Policy

Every VPN has to hang on to some of its users’ data, and NordVPN is no different. It collects only minimal data, however, such as your user name. Other than that, NordVPN keeps no logs of its users’ online activity, and that has been verified by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland and Deloitte. The company most recently completed an audit in 2020 and passed with flying colors. NordVPN takes your privacy seriously, which is why it gets the top spot on my list. The point of using a VPN is to increase your privacy and anonymity online, so you want to find a provider like Nord that goes out of its way not to keep track of you.

Stand-Out Features

Not only does NordVPN log minimal information about its customers — it hangs onto only encrypted login credentials and billing information — but its server fleet is also RAM-only, which means that even if it wanted to share your data, it wouldn’t have anything to provide. Since RAM requires power to store information, every server is wiped clean every time it cycles down. Nothing to see, nothing to share.

NordVPN is also an excellent option if you’re interested in a VPN for streaming. Since it uses obfuscated servers, it can get around the VPN blockers a lot of platforms employ these days. I enjoy watching Japanese game shows, and I use NordVPN from my apartment in Brooklyn to access Tokyo-based servers to open Netflix’s library. (Seriously, if you haven’t watched Japanese game shows, you’re missing out.)

>> Learn More: Best VPN for Netflix

Performance

You’ve probably been told that using a VPN will slow you down considerably. That’s sort of true, but the best VPNs mitigate those slowdowns to the point that they’re negligible. The last time I tested NordVPN, my download speed was about 25 percent slower on my MacBook Pro and only 8 percent on my Acer Aspire. I always give a pretty big caveat when discussing VPN speeds — your mileage will certainly vary — but overall NordVPN has consistently been one of the faster VPNs I’ve tested. Like I said above, it’s the one I use on a day-to-day basis. I have it on right now, and I’m not noticing any connectivity issues.

Price

NordVPN’s prices are surprisingly affordable, given the level of service you receive. It’s right in line with the industry standard of $5 to $15 per month. There’s more information in my guide to NordVPN costs, but here’s a quick breakdown of what its service packages look like.

NordVPN Prices

I always recommend going for longer-term contracts with VPNs. You save a considerable amount of money when you sign up for the long haul, and most providers offer reasonable trial periods. NordVPN, for instance, will give you a refund up to 30 days after purchase if you decide it’s not the right service for you.

>> Learn About: How to Cancel a VPN Subscription

2. Surfshark - Best No-Log VPN for Smartphones

Editors Rating:

9.5 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

If you’re looking for a VPN to protect all your devices, you should definitely consider Surfshark. Its powerful app works just as well on a desktop as it does on a smartphone. Here’s a closer look at our hands-on experience with the VPN.

No-Log Policy

Surfshark is another VPN provider that gathers next to no data on its users, and that was confirmed in 2023 when Deloitte performed an independent security audit. Deloitte’s data showed that Surfshark didn’t gather any data from users — no IP addresses, no session information, no time stamps, nothing. Nada.

Surfshark, however, is based in the Netherlands, which is under Nine Eyes jurisdiction. That’s a Jason Bourne-y way of saying the government could compel Surfshark to give up user data, but since it isn’t logging or storing anything anyway, there wouldn’t be much to give up. Just something to consider.

>> Read About: Best VPNs for the Netherlands

Stand-Out Features

Similar to NordVPN, Surshark’s fleet of servers was recently transitioned to RAM-only, meaning there’s no physical data stored on any of its users. That’s the gold standard in the VPN industry, and I’m a little wary of any provider still using a traditional server fleet. If you’re looking for privacy, this is exactly what you want to hear.

Surfshark also offers camouflage mode and a no-borders function that both help users evade the VPN blockers employed by strict governments and streaming platforms that want to enforce geographically based licensing agreements. When I was recently traveling across Europe, I used Surfshark’s obfuscated servers to connect to my U.S. Hulu library and binge-watched “Futurama” from my hotel room in Berlin. What can I say? I like to have a little taste of home sometimes.

>> Read More: Best VPNs for Streaming Hulu

Performance

Surfshark isn’t the fastest VPN I’ve ever used, but it’s certainly not the slowest either. (Here are the slowest and all-around worst VPNs.) I’ve used Surfshark off and on for the better part of three years, and I’ve rarely noticed significant connection slowdowns. Its app is really simple to use and install regardless of your device, and I’ve been using it on my iPhone since 2020. One thing that may be a drawback for some folks is that the company doesn’t offer a dedicated router app like ExpressVPN does, but if you’re OK installing it on all your devices instead, you’re golden.

Price

Surfshark is a little more expensive than my No. 1 pick, NordVPN, but not outrageously so. As always, I recommend going with the longest subscription term to save a few bucks. Also note that there are three service packages, so make sure to read my guide to Surfshark pricing to get a clear understanding of which package is right for you.

Surfshark Prices

3. Private Internet Access VPN - Best No-Log VPN for Customization

Editors Rating:

9.4 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	No
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

If you’re the type of person who wants to pop the hood and fine-tune everything, Private Internet Access (PIA) may be the right VPN for you. It offers a tremendous amount of customizability, and it takes your privacy very seriously.

No-Log Policy

Private Internet Access lives up to its name in terms of anonymity. It does not collect any browsing information or record data, including IP address, browsing history, browsing duration, DNS queries, connection logs, or bandwidth consumption. Similar to the other VPNs on this list, it records only your account information for billing purposes, and it has passed independent auditing.

Stand-Out Features

There are two types of VPN users in this world: those who want a set-it-and-forget-it solution and those who want to turn the knobs and twist the dials to optimize everything. If you fall into the latter camp, PIA is likely for you. Its user interface is a little difficult to unpack at first, but once you get your bearings, you can fiddle with just about everything until your service absolutely sings.

It also has a whopping 35,000 servers across the globe, which matters a lot when you travel as much as I do. To put that in context, NordVPN has about 6,000 servers and Surfshark has about 3,200. PIA always had a server in close proximity during my recent trip to South America, so my performance was never affected all that much, even when I was working from a cafe in Quito.

>> Learn More: Best VPN for Travel 

Performance

PIA is a great VPN for globetrotters like me, but it works noticeably better on a Windows computer than it does on a Mac. I’ve tested PIA all over, but the performance is always significantly better when I’m on my Vivobook as opposed to my MacBook Air — sometimes by orders of magnitude.

Price

There’s more information on PIA’s cost in our pricing guide, but here’s the CliffsNotes version: It’s one of the more affordable VPNs on this list. A one-year plan is $3 cheaper per month than Surfshark’s top-of-the-line plan and $4 cheaper than NordVPN.

Private Internet Access Pricing Breakdown

*Includes four free months

4. ExpressVPN - Best No-Log VPN User Experience

Editors Rating:

9.1 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	No
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

In the immortal words of Monty Python: “And now for something completely different.” Private Internet Access offers nearly unlimited customizability, which is great, but if you want a VPN that will just work, ExpressVPN is a great option.

No-Log Policy

Multiple independent auditors have confirmed ExpressVPN does not log any of its users’ online activity. It also uses RAM-only servers, so there wouldn’t be any data to collect anyway. I really like this selling point, since I never have to worry about my digital privacy while, say, banking from my local coffee shop.

Stand-Out Features

The best feature of ExpressVPN is its lack of features. Seriously, the UI is practically a big on-off button. Sometimes I like to just keep my VPN running in the background and not mess around with it too much. ExpressVPN is excellent for that. I actually just checked my work laptop, and I’ve had ExpressVPN running on it for three and a half weeks without having to lift a finger.

I also really like ExpressVPN’s Lightway VPN protocol. It’s proprietary, but it’s based on the open-source WireGuard protocol — just tweaked a little to make things faster and more secure. If you run Express with Lightway selected, you’ll have a really secure platform on which you’ll rarely notice any connectivity issues.

>> Learn About: How to Remain Anonymous on the Internet

Performance

Part of ExpressVPN’s user-friendly appeal is that it offers lightning-fast speeds. OK, maybe not lightning-fast, but quick enough that you won’t really notice you’re running a VPN. I’ve been running ExpressVPN on the work laptop I use when I run to the cafe down the block, and I haven’t had to touch it in weeks. My connection is always super reliable and super zippy.

Price

Here’s where ExpressVPN really loses some points: It’s significantly more expensive than its competitors. Not so much as to be unreasonable, but certainly noticeable. I have more on this in my guide to ExpressVPN subscription costs, but below is a quick breakdown.

ExpressVPN Costs

5. PureVPN - Best No-Log VPN for Streaming

Editors Rating:

8.9 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	No
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

Do you like keeping up with the latest TV shows and watching great movies from all over the world? I have a VPN for that. PureVPN is a great option if you’re looking to watch media on a number of streaming platforms, and it’s even better if you’re looking for a VPN provider that doesn’t keep track of your online comings and goings.

No-Log Policy

If you’re a VPN nerd like me, you’re probably wondering why PureVPN is on this list. After all, it helped the FBI identify one of its users based on his usage. The company got a ton of flak for that, because its “no log” claim was apparently a little misleading.

But PureVPN has since changed its tune. In 2018, it overhauled its privacy policy and contracted with an independent security firm, Altius IT, to verify it was no longer holding on to any data that may identify one of its customers. The firm concluded: “[We] did not find any evidence of system configurations and/or system/service log files that independently, or collectively, could lead to identifying a specific person and/or the person’s activity when using the PureVPN service.”

There is definitely an asterisk next to PureVPN on this list, but I’m confident the company is now on the right side of things.

Stand-Out Features

Streaming! If you want to unlock all kinds of content, PureVPN is a great service. In my tireless tests, I’ve never been stymied by a particular streaming platform not liking the PureVPN server I’m connecting through. Want to stream Disney+ in Korea? Here’s a way to do exactly that.

>> Learn More: Best VPN for Korea

Performance

Since PureVPN is tailored to the streaming crowd, it’s correct to expect its speeds to be blazing fast. In the numerous times I’ve used it to watch content overseas — or to unlock overseas content from my living room in Brooklyn — I’ve never run into any buffering concerns. It’s fast enough to watch YouTube videos of ’90s-era professional wrestling, so I’m sure it will be fast enough to help you get your work done anonymously and uninterrupted.

Price

There are three tiers of protection with PureVPN, and three different subscription terms. I have more info on this in my PureVPN price guide, but I’ll break it down simply below.

PureVPN costs

Note that both Max and Plus offer a password manager and end-to-end file encryption. Max will provide you with a personal privacy manager, which is basically a beefed-up ad blocker. It’s worth it, in my opinion.

>> Learn About: Is a VPN Encrypted and Does It Encrypt All Traffic?

6. FastestVPN - Best No-Log VPN for Families

Editors Rating:

8.3 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Multi-hop	Yes
Camouflage Mode	Yes
Kill Switch	Yes
Split Tunneling	No
Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Yes

Need a VPN for the whole family to enjoy? FastestVPN offers lifetime subscriptions and up to 10 connectable devices, which is great if you have a bunch of family members under one roof and you want to protect them all. Remember: Children can be the victims of identity theft, too, so you should keep them protected online.

No-Log Policy

Just like PureVPN, FastestVPN had its no-log policy verified by Altius IT. The firm was confident in saying FastestVPN doesn’t log IP addresses, passwords, or any other piece of identifiable data. That means I’m confident in saying it too.

Stand-Out Features

One of the coolest things about FastestVPN is that it allows for a whopping 10 simultaneous connections. If you’re online as much as my wife and I are, you’ll understand how important that is. When we used FastestVPN, we were able to connect all our devices — not just the desktops and the laptops, but the phones, the tablets, and even the TVs without having to pay for another subscription.

>> Read More: VPN Speeds Compared

Performance

As you may expect from a company that claims it’s the fastest VPN in existence, FastestVPN’s speeds are pretty solid. I can’t say it’s the fastest VPN I’ve ever used, but it’s certainly up there. The majority of its server fleet can handle over 10 Gbps, which certainly helped when I was downloading that director’s cut of “Last of the Mohicans.” (Watch it if you haven’t; Daniel Day-Lewis is incredible.)

Price

FastestVPN could also call itself CheapestVPN, since it’s the most affordable on this list. I have more information in my article on FastestVPN’s costs, but here’s a quick rundown.

FastestVPN Costs

FastestVPN is one of the only services I’ve ever seen that offers a lifetime deal. Hey, $40 isn’t that bad when you consider you’d spend more than that in just a few months with most of the other providers on this list.

>> Further Reading: A Breakdown of VPN Costs