Almost all VPN services claim to be "no logs", but which ones truly keep zero logs? Here they are with the facts to back them up (either proven in court cases or by audit).
Which services are truly VPN no logs? Use the ones proven in court or through audit to be zero logging.
Once again, VPN no logs claims are in the news and under scrutiny. Too often, VPN providers have been exposed as lying about their ‘no logging’ claims (cough, IPVanish, cough).
Most recently, IPVanish VPN’s non-logging claims were called into question when it was found to have cooperated with Homeland Security in the USA and very likely handed over logs about one of its customers. This occurred in 2016 but only came to light years later in court documents.
This was reminiscent of a similar episode with PureVPN handing over IP address connection logs about one of its customers to the FBI despite PureVPN’s claims to be a "zero-logs" VPN.
ThoughPureVPN has since had their logs policy audited multiple times, which we'll highlight below, along with several other proven no-logs VPNs.
'Best VPNs with No Logs Proven' contents (select to expand)
VPNs with Proven No Logging
If you are looking for a no-log VPN service whose claims have been proven, these are your go-to choices.
NordVPN (Audit)
NordVPN's no-logging claims have been proven by audit not once, but three separate times. Their most recent audit was conducted by Deloitte, a "Big Four" auditing firm, between November 21st and December 10th, 2022.
With such a proven track record, you can be sure your activities are safe when using this VPN.
NordVPN is the #1 best VPN service.
- fast & easy-to-use
- based outside the USA
- no logs of any kind (confirmed by audit)
- 100% allows p2p torrent file-sharing
- connect 6 devices at the same time
- 30-day money back guarantee
- value priced longer-term plans
- recommended by C|net and PC Mag
- join 8 million users!
- 5,400 servers in 61 countries
- unique features including Double VPN and Onion Router over VPN
Try it 30 days risk-free. Read full review »
Private Internet Access - PIA VPN (Court Cases and Audit)
Private Internet Access VPN's no logs claims have been tested in court not once, but twice.
In the most recent case, a hacking trial in San Jose federal court showed that PIA was unable to link online activities with a customer’s identity. This is the second time PIA’s no logging claims have been tested and proven in legal court documents.
And in 2022, PIA opened themselves up to a third-party audit by Deloitte.
If you are worried that PIA is unsafe because it is based in the USA, don't be. We can't put it any better than PIA itself from this answer to one of the most common questions it gets asked:
PIA does not log, period.
Try it risk-free for 30 days.
VyprVPN (Audit)
VyprVPN now boasts certification from an independent audit proving that it does not log.
The folks behind VyprVPN, GoldenFrog, have a distinguished track record for aggressively protecting their customers and putting their money with their mouth is. Furthermore, VyprVPN and a handful of other VPN services recently partnered with the Center for Democracy & Technology to create the “Signals of Trustworthy VPNs” report.
In other words, you are in very safe hands with no-logs VyprVPN.
- based in Switzerland
- 100% no-log VPN service (proven by audit)
- torrenting allowed & safe
- 5 simultaneous logins
- censorship-defeating Chameleon™ VPN technology
- 3-day money-back guarantee
- 24x7x365 support by live chat
- 700 servers in 70 countries with 200,000+ IP addresses
- Over 1,000,000 users
Comes with a 3-day risk-free trial period. Read review »
PureVPN (Audit)
PureVPN has been audited as a no log VPN service.
PureVPN joins the ranks of confirmed no-log VPN services by audit.
This audit was performed by Altius IT, which audited PureVPN’s servers, server configurations and system log files to examine the VPN service’s no-log claims.
PureVPN then got a second audit in 2021, conducted by KPMG.
But they've taken things a step further by introducing an "Always-On Audit Policy", which allows KPMG to surprise audit them at any time.
Comes with a 31-day full money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN (Seizure Case)
Not so long ago, ExpressVPN’s no logs claims were also confirmed when one of its servers was seized in Turkey but the server was found to contain no logs.
In 2019, ExpressVPN was also audited by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), to confirm their no-loggins and other security claims. They also had their Windows app audited by F-Secure in 2021.
That's a savings of 49%. Try it 30 days risk-free.
ProtonVPN (Audit)
ProtonVPN submitted to an external audit by Securitum in 2022, which they passed with flying colors.
They also maintain a Transparency Report, which is updated any time there is a legal request for a user's data (which isn't often, according to the report).
More Tips to Stay Anonymous Online
Using a VPN with no logs is an important step to being anonymous online. But it's not the only step you need to take.
To stay truly anonymous online there are still things to keep in mind, even when using one of these trusted VPN services.
For example, when engaged in any activities you want to keep totally private when using your VPN service (for example, download torrents anonymously), do not use the same IP address for other activities that could be cross-referenced back to you.
In particular, this means do not log into any password protected accounts with the same IP address assigned to you by the VPN service. In fact, it's best not to do any other activities at all with that same IP address.
Instead, split your VPN connection or do your “normal” Internet activities on a different device, whether connected to a VPN or not. Doing this ensures that those other activities are done with a different IP address, one that cannot be cross-referenced and linked to your other more controversial activities.
Make Sure Your IP Address Cannot be Cross-Referenced
Here's a simple example: you connect to your VPN server and start doing activity X, which you want to keep private. You then open another web browser tab and log into your Gmail account.
Doh!
Gmail's records will now have the same IP address you were using at the exact same time you were engaged in activity X. You have basically confirmed that you were the person engaged in activity X!
Any party that requested information from Google would be able to make the connection to your identity, as they have it on file (and you logged in after all).
The number of such information or user requests to Google is exploding and the requirements are not that strict. In Google's own words [emphasis added], "Government agencies, courts and parties in civil litigation regularly ask technology and communications companies for information about how a person has used the company's services. When we receive such a request, our team reviews the request to make sure it satisfies legal requirements and Google's policies. Generally speaking, for us to produce any data, the request must be made in writing, signed by an authorized official of the requesting agency and issued under an appropriate law ..."
The same example applies equally to Facebook, your online banking, your local news site, any apps you use; heck, any website or app (whether password protected or not) that could be traced back by the IP address you used to access it.
Had you split your VPN connection for the different activities or used a different device (or app) using a different IP address, you would be safe(r) from this risk.
Best No Log VPN: Wrap-Up
Look around and you'll see almost all VPN services saying that they keep "no logs".
But the truth is something quite different. Be wary of statements about no-logs and zero-logs, and do some research before blindly believing such claims. You need be sure that your VPN service is not keeping any logs of your activities when you are connected to it.
Public, independent proof of VPNs that do not log is very important because it can be only months or even years later, in the aftermath of legal cases or other situations, when we learn whether a VPN's no logging claims are true.
You do not want to sign up for a VPN that claims to be no logs only to find out the hard way that they really do!
As you've seen above, some VPN services have had their claims tested in court or by audit, and have been proven to be true. Stick to these tried and tested no-logs VPN services, to be as safe and private as possible.
If you want reliable VPN provider choose that one which is based somewhere outside of USA and Europe. Try to find VPN which operates in location where no mandatory data retention laws exist.