10 best no-logs VPNs to use in 2024 | Zero-logs and no tracking

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN is often used at a benchmark when it comes to comparing providers – and for good reason. Not only is the service jam-packed with features and stunning to look at, but it consistently proves its commitment to privacy. Basically, it's everything you want your VPN to be... and then some!

The service sticks strictly to its no-logs policy, and even refrains from collecting timestamps and IP addresses, which is pretty impressive!

ExpressVPN has reassured users even further, however, by inviting independent auditors, PWC, to comb through its no-logs policy and check for discrepancies. None were found, however – ExpressVPN fully adheres to, and lives up to, its claims. This is great news, and means that ExpressVPN is trustworthy enough to use if you're trying to bypass rigid government censorship or network-imposed restrictions.

Top-tier privacy measures

One of the reasons I find myself coming back to ExpressVPN is that it grants total peace of mind. Your digital privacy is vastly improved when you use the service, whether you're at home, using public Wi-Fi, or jetting off on holiday.

The list of ExpressVPN features is long and varied, but if you're a privacy-first person, you'll want to make note of the provider's DNS leak protection, stealth servers, and automatically enabled kill-switch.

Thanks to these features, and P2P support, ExpressVPN is also one of our top picks when it comes to torrenting, as you'll be able to file-share without worrying about your privacy.

ExpressVPN also recently launched its very own encryption protocol called Lightway. Lightway is pretty exciting, as it claims to be quicker, more secure and less resource-intensive than its alternatives, which can only mean good things for ExpressVPN users who want a well-rounded service.

Unblock anything

ExpressVPN has servers in a whopping 105 countries around the world – and they all provide lightning-fast connection speeds, ideal for streaming, and a huge draw for anyone looking to bypass pesky geo-restrictions. There's also a free Smart DNS service included with all subscriptions that'll ensure your Netflix binge-watching runs smoothly!

The service can access more than 30 regional Netflix libraries, and reliably unblock BBC iPlayer, HBO, and Hulu! So, you'll probably never run out of box sets to marathon.

Versatile apps

All of the features I've mentioned are incredibly easy to use – you certainly don't need to be familiar with VPNs to customize your experience or benefit from ExpressVPN's privacy measures. Sleek and stylish apps are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as Android and iOS.

What's more, ExpressVPN offers 8 simultaneous connections, so you can share your subscription with friends and family... or simply protect all of your personal devices! Whilst five connections is nothing to sniff at, other (cheaper) VPN providers are beginning to offer more, so I'd like to see ExpressVPN hone its competitive edge and follow suit.

It's pretty easy to see why ExpressVPN impressed our experts and remains one of our most popular providers to date, but don't just take our word for it; try ExpressVPN today with a 30-day, no-quibble, money-back guarantee.

Has ExpressVPN been audited?

Yes! As you'd expect from one of the industry's leading names, ExpressVPN has submitted to several public audits over the years. ExpressVPN invited Cure53 to review its browser extensions in 2018 and, in August 2021, worked with the firm again to audit its proprietary Lightway protocol. Another auditing titan, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), combed through ExpressVPN's build verification system in 2020, and its wider compliance and privacy policy in 2019.

Nord Demo

NordVPN combines robust security and obfuscation measures with impressive unblocking power, and all for a price that won't break the bank.

NordVPN is a no-logs VPN provider based in Panama. This alone makes it one of the best VPN choices available for privacy fanatics, as it puts it comfortably outside the direct influence of both the NSA and copyright holders. Likewise, Panama's internet is completely uncensored and not subject to government surveillance.

The service isn't interested in keeping tabs on which sites you visit or what you might be downloading, either. I particularly like that NordVPN is committed to proving the legitimacy of its no-logs policy, and has invited independent auditors, PWC, to analyze its logging claims on two separate occasions in recent years.

Privacy focused

Unfortunately, not everyone has unfettered access to the web, and people in places like China and Egypt may struggle to bypass authoritarian restrictions as a result. That's where NordVPN's XOR stealth servers come in. The XOR servers can hop over blocks and banish censorship, and even hide VPN ciphers themselves, effectively beating any VPN restrictions.

Alongside peer-to-peer (P2P) permissions and Tor over VPN functionality, one thing that sets NordVPN apart from the competition is its all-inclusive feature-set. NordVPN has unique advanced features such as “double-hop” VPN chaining (which essentially routes traffic through two servers rather than one).

I also enjoy the NordVPN CyberSec feature, which protects users against malware by utilizing a real-time blocklist. CyberSec comes in incredibly handy if you're looking to banish invasive ads, and can spare you (and your device) a ton of stress if you're connected to a public Wi-Fi network.

NordVPN backs up this privacy-friendly stance by using strongly implemented OpenVPN encryption and accepting potentially anonymous payment via bitcoins.

Ideal for streaming

NordVPN is a streamer's dream with servers in 111 countries . That's obviously ideal for unblocking all sorts of geo-restricted content, and with NordVPN, you'll be able to unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, and many, many more.

When we put VPNs through our rigorous server-based speed tests, NordVPN always impresses, consistently ranking amongst the very quickest VPNs on the market right now. The service is fast enough to handle bandwidth-intensive activities, like gaming and VoIP calls, and can handle HD streams, too! So, you won't have to deal with any more pixelated videos that take longer to buffer than they do to watch...

The newcomers' favorite

VPNs can seem a little intimidating, especially if you've never used one before. Fortunately, NordVPN is really easy to use! I'm constantly recommending the service to VPN first-timers; the apps are all spacious, bright, and designed to be intuitive. I like that the NordVPN map makes picking a server, and connecting to it via the list, super easy, and offers a visual element that some competitors lack.

If you're feeling generous, you can share your NordVPN subscription thanks to 10 available simultaneous connections. Considering that NordVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, this is pretty fantastic value for money. If you do run into trouble, or have any questions, you can reach out to NordVPN via social media, email, or live chat for 24/7 support.

Finally, NordVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to really put the provider through its paces before deciding to commit to a subscription.

Has NordVPN been audited?

Yes! NordVPN has worked with PwC twice, in 2018 and 2020, with the latter instance being an even more in-depth third-party examination of the service's no-logs claim. More recently in 2021, NordVPN invited VerSprite to perform a penetration test – and the encouraging results of this test can be found in the User Control Panel.

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark is a provider that has only been around for a few years. However, in that short amount of time, it has quickly risen to be a consumer favorite in the VPN world.

The VPN provides a watertight no-logs privacy policy, and clearly states in its logging policy that it is not interested in collecting your IP address, connection timestamps, browsing history, or session information. This is what we like to see from VPN providers, and Surfshark even allows users to opt-out of sending anonymous diagnostic and crash data (and other non-personally identifiable information) if they'd rather not.

Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, and whilst the country is not part of the notorious 14-Eyes alliance, it does remain under the jurisdiction of the UK. This isn't ideal, obviously, but it is worth noting that the British Virgin Islands doesn't have any data retention laws.

Super servers

Surfshark has a network of servers in over 100 countries – that's an incredibly generous selection, and it only gets more impressive when you learn that these servers are all entirely diskless and run on volatile memory (RAM). Essentially, this means that Surfshark has a lot more control over its servers than some of its competitors, and can prevent information from being physically taken from its servers once a session has ended, or if a server plug is pulled at some point.

If you're into streaming, gaming, or torrenting, then Surfshark is definitely worth checking out. It's servers are more than quick enough to handle these data-intensive tasks. Surfshark's selection of obfuscated servers, as well as its dedicated and specially-configured P2P servers in Canada and the Netherlands, mean that it's a great VPN for torrenting.

Nifty features

Besides implementing the super-secure OpenVPN protocol, Surfshark also offers DNS leak protection and a kill switch. You'll need to enable the kill switch for yourself, but once you have, you'll find that it's totally reliable. We've put it through some rigorous tests of our own and found that it worked perfectly on both desktop and mobile devices.

But the list of Surfshark features doesn't end there! Users will also benefit from split tunneling (that allows you to determine which of your apps are routed through the VPN and which aren't), a CleanWeb feature that'll banish ads and malware, multi-hop, two-factor authentication, and a Smart DNS service that's ideal for spoofing your location if you're using a console or Smart TV.

And, of course, I'm a huge fan of Surfshark's ability to unblock the most in-demand streaming services out there. I rarely have trouble accessing Netflix and BBC iPlayer with the service, and have also been able to browse Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, and many more.

User friendly

One of Surfshark's key selling points is, frankly, that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections with one subscription. So, if you looking to share you connection with friends or family, or if you just have a ton of devices you'd like to protect, then Surfshark could be the service for you. The Surfshark apps are also incredibly easy to install and use, and are compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Smart TVs.

For any questions or concerns, get in touch with the Surfshark team via live chat – the team is around 24/7 to help out, and we've always found their advice to be speedy and reliable. All in all, you won't regret taking a look at Surfshark, especially given its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Has Surfshark been audited?

Yes! Surfshark invited Cure53 to audit its server infrastructure in 2021. No serious security issues were detected during the course of the audit – and the smaller ones were solved quickly. Cure53 had previously audited Surfshark in 2018, too, and I hope the VPN invites them back for a third time in the future.

PIA Demo

Private Internet Access (or PIA to you and me) has been a main-stay in the VPN market for a long time. The service is a fantastic no-logs VPN, and continues to get better and better thanks to a series of upgrades, cosmetic revamps, and a blossoming network of servers.

Because PIA is based in the US, it's not going to be the perfect VPN for the more NSA-phobic out there. The US government could potentially serve PIA with a warrant demanding that it hand over its data – fortunately, the service abides by a no-logs policy. This means that there's no data to hand over to the government in the first place.

Customizable security

PIA doesn't skimp when it comes to features, that's for sure! All of the provider's tools are exceptionally easy to use, too. You'll be able to access the web via obfuscated servers in a few clicks, or just as easily banish malware, trackers, and invasive ads thanks to the PIA Mace feature.

The PIA desktop software also supports multiple security options, a VPN kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and port forwarding, and it permits a very generous Unlimited simultaneous connections. This is great news for anyone with a lot of devices to protect!

When testing the VPN, I found the apps easy to use and customize, though it was great to see that PIA uses OpenVPN by default! So, even if you're not planning to take a deep dive into its advanced settings, the VPN is as secure as can be and ready to use from the moment you login. The advanced customization options really don't take that long to learn, however. Plus, they give you plenty of advantages – if you want to torrent, for example.

Servers everywhere!

PIA has, frankly, a staggering number of servers spread out across 84 countries . They're quick, don't impose any bandwidth limits, and make bypassing geo-restrictions a breeze. And when it comes to having your pick of shows, movies, and series from around the world, PIA has you covered.

PIA can confidently unblock most major streaming services, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. When we put PIA through its paces to unblock a variety of content, we found that it performed excellently across the board, and didn't struggle to keep up with HD streams.

Low-cost, high-performance

It's hard to overstate just how cheap PIA is when purchased yearly. PIA feels like a premium provider with a budget price tag – that's a rarity, considering how many VPNs feel like the exact opposite. I noticed that PIA also further reduced its prices recently, making it that much more accessible to folks on a budget, and the service also sells static IPs.

Speaking of money, I've always been a fan of how many ways there are to pay for your PIA subscription. You can use a credit card or your PayPal account, sure, but you also have the option to use cryptocurrency or gift cards (including Walmart and Best Buy) if you'd rather stay as anonymous as possible.

And, as per the industry standard, PIA subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to play with the provider before taking the plunge with a long term plan.

Has Private Internet Access been audited?

No. PIA has not worked with a third party auditing firm to produce an evaluation of its no-logs claim – and that's a potential red flag for the most conscientious of users, seeing as the service is based in the notoriously invasive United States. However, PIA has proven its no-log claim in court on two occasions. In both 2016 and 2018, PIA proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that it didn't store identifiable data when it had nothing to hand over to the authorities.

VYPR Demo

Previously, VyprVPN was based in the US, and well known for owning its own server network infrastructure, as well as its Chameleon stealth technology – a reportedly effective method of unblocking the internet in China.

At the same time, VyprVPN went fully "no-logs". This would be good but fairly unremarkable in itself, as there are plenty of no-logs VPN services out there these days. What makes VyprVPN stand out is that it is one of the only VPN companies we know of to have its no-logs claims (not just its software) independently audited by a third party.

Security focused

VyprVPN doesn't pull any punches when it comes to keeping users secure. The VPN offers DNS leak protection, a kill-switch, NAT firewall, and a number of protocols in addition to AES 256-bit encryption. Whilst you could feasibly go with L2TP/IPsec, PPTP, I'd recommend sticking to the OpenVPN protocol for most of your day-to-day browsing. VyprVPN has recently implemented WireGuard, too, which combines performance with security – so, expect to see way more of WireGuard in the near future.

Whilst VyprVPN doesn't have the most expansive network of servers, in over 70 locations, it's still a broad selection. What's more impressive is the fact that the VPN owns the entirety of this network. This means there's no risk of third-parties keeping server logs or interfering, and is a massive bonus in our book.

Stay stealthy

If flying under the radar is your main concern, you'll want to check out VyprVPN's proprietary Chameleon tech. Essentially, Chameleon is VyprVPN's version of obfuscation or cloaking, and can make your OpenVPN traffic look like HTTPS, so nobody can tell that you're using a VPN. Obviously, that's massively handy if you live somewhere where VPNs are banned. Additionally, the service claims that Chameleon can even prevent Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).

By using Chameleon, you'll be able to access the web with freedom and security, and bypass any pesky restrictions imposed by your workplace or government. The fact that Chameleon also cloaks your VPN traffic means that ISPs won't be able to throttle your bandwidth if you decide to stream a movie or hop into an online game, as they won't be able to see what you're up to whilst connected to a VPN server. It's win/win!

To make the most of VyprVPN's privacy features, I'd advise using a few of them in combination – and you'll definitely want to make sure that you've enabled the provider's kill switch. I particularly enjoy the VyprVPN kill switch because it can be customized to run at the application or system level, and can even block LAN traffic upon request.

Packed with features

Not only does VyprVPN offer 10 simultaneous connections to its premium users, but it'll also let you P2P torrent and check out pretty much any streaming service! VyprVPN reliably unblocks Netflix, as well as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO Now, geo-restricted YouTube videos, and much, much more. Plus, you can enjoy your streams in smooth HD thanks to a distinct lack of bandwidth restrictions.

Try VyprVPN for yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and enjoy the fresh, updated VyprVPN 3.0 client!

Has VyprVPN been audited?

Yes! In 2018, VyprVPN invited Leviathan Security to conduct an independent audit and comb through its logging policy. The auditing firm took a look at the provider's servers, apps, and code, which is just what we like to see. However, there have been no public audits of VyprVPN since 2018.

PrivateVPN Demo

PrivateVPN is an outstanding provider from Sweden that lives up to its name. The VPN has a watertight no-logs policy, and implements strong OpenVPN encryption for proven security.

Excellent compatibility

PrivateVPN has apps for all platforms, including macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows. All apps come with a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation (dedicated stealth servers) so you can enjoy total privacy online.

PrivateVPN is one of the few services that can consistently unblock a plethora of Netflix catalogs. Until recently, they had a dedicated streaming service on their app, but had to remove it to prevent streaming services blocking its IP addresses. You can still get dedicated streaming servers from PrivateVPN, but if you're looking to crack a particular country and service, it might help to drop their friendly customer support a message.

Perfect for beginners

The one-click connect function means it's easy to use and perfect if you're looking for your first VPN. If you want to take advantage of different encryption options, obfuscated (stealth) servers, or other features, simply open up the advanced view for a more detailed interface with plenty of control.

P2P Torrenting supported

If you wanted to use the VPN for torrenting, you'll be glad to know that it offers plenty of support, and even lets you choose between OpenVPN TCP encryption so you can guarantee the integrity of your downloads. Add to that the benefit of port-forwarding, and you can torrent safely, securely, and without fear of prying eyes.

Has PrivateVPN been audited?

No. The fact that PrivateVPN hasn't invested in a public third party audit is disappointing, seeing as it's an otherwise stellar service. An audit would go a long way to cementing PrivateVPN's position as a truly security-oriented service and dispelling any lingering privacy concerns, seeing as the VPN is based in Sweden, a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances.

CyberGhost Demo

Owned by KAPE Technologies, CyberGhost makes its home in Romania – a great place for a VPN to live. Romania is not a part of any Eyes alliances, has no known ties to the NSA, and rejected a new draft on data retention law in 2011. Add this to CyberGhost's staunch no-logs policy and frequent transparency report, and you get a service that you can trust to keep your browsing sessions secure.

Again, we'd like to see CyberGhost's policy be picked over by an independent third-party auditor at some point. Right now, we know that some minimal statistics are kept, like they are with ExpressVPN, but again, no timestamps or IPs are ever recorded, presenting no threat to a user's privacy.

Furthermore, if you're really looking to maximize your digital privacy, you'll have the option to pay for your CyberGhost subscription with Bitcoin. Bear in mind, however, that CyberGhost will still be privy to your real IP address if you do.

Secure browsing

I'm glad to see that CyberGhost's kill-switch is enabled by default, seeing as that's one less option that users will have to toggle themselves. This kill-switch will prevent your device from accessing the web if your VPN connection drops, and thereby stop your real IP address and activity from leaking to your ISP. This feature is especially handy for anyone looking to do a bit of torrenting. CyberGhost supports P2P downloads, and actually has a number of optimized servers dedicated to the task!

CyberGhost's NoSpy servers are perfect for bypassing censorship to access the web, discreetly. We can't verify that they're 100% anonymous, but they certainly come in handy if you're looking to further boost your privacy and benefit from their extended bandwidth.

What's more, CyberGhost employs military-grade encryption to keep its users' data and VPN sessions secure. The unflinching combination of AES 256-bit encryption and the OpenVPN protocol means any sensitive information disclosed online will remain completely private. CyberGhost has also recently added WireGuard to its roster of protocols – an exciting update, as Wireguard is largely considered to be next-big-thing, thanks to its blazing speeds and sturdy cryptographic principles.

Access a variety of content

A lot of people are going to use their no-logs VPN to unblock geo-restricted content, and we can't blame you! CyberGhost is an ideal pick for this. The VPN has servers in 100 countries and access to all of the most popular streaming services.

With CyberGhost, you'll be able to browse Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and many more. The VPN can also access a number of speciality sports services from around the world, making it ideal for fans who want to keep up with their respective teams throughout the year.

Intuitive software

CyberGhost VPN combines fully-featured software with incredible ease-of-use, and you'll be able to enjoy up to 7 simultaneous connections with just one subscription.

In addition to stylish, simple apps, CyberGhost has a wealth of guides, articles and FAQs to walk you through setup. It's great to see providers like CyberGhost catering to customers without expansive technical knowhow, and a customer service team is on hand 24/7 to field additional questions – in English, French, and Romanian!

A 45-day money-back guarantee is available to those folks who subscribe for 6 or 18 months, too. This offer is pretty generous in comparison to other VPNs, and gives you plenty of time to trial all of CyberGhost's features for yourself.

Has CyberGhost been audited?

CyberGhost hasn't completed a security audit, but did pass a QSCert audit and verification in 2012, and invited AV-Test to evaluate their service in 2019. Naturally, we'd like to see CyberGhost fulfill its promise to complete a security audit in the near future – and the service could also simplify its incredibly dense privacy policy, as it's quite a chore to get through, currently.

Hide.me Demo

Hide.me is a VPN provider from Malaysia that is perfect for anybody who cares about privacy and security, seeing as the government does not enforce any mandatory data retention laws. What's more, the VPN has a lot of advanced features that ensure your data is always protected.

Hide.me won its place in this list thanks to a robust no-logs policy, and we particularly approve of the fact that the provider has commissioned independent security analysts to audit its logging policy. Being based in Malaysia means that Hide.me isn't required by law to store user logs, and there's no need to even hand over your email address when you sign up for a free plan.

Besides the fact that it doesn't keep any logs, Hide.me also erases its bandwidth connection logs every few hours, and these logs are kept totally separate to any IP addresses or timestamps.

A privacy champion

When you download and install a Hide.me app (available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices), you'll be able to take your pick of protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2 and SoftEther. And, as you'd expect from a premium VPN, Hide.me also employs robust AES 256-bit encryption to keep your sessions secure.

I like that Hide.me allows you to really build up your personal privacy by enabling secure P2P torrenting on most of its servers, offering a split tunneling feature called Stealth Guard, and automatically detecting if your device has connected to a shady and unsecure Wi-Fi network. If you have, Hide.me will suggest that you connect to one of its servers right away to keep you secure and out of the reach of hackers and other bad actors who frequent these public hotspots.

The Hide.me kill-switch is another invaluable bit of tech, and works reliably regardless of the platform you're using. Just remember to enable it manually, first!

Features galore

Hide.me has apps for all platforms with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, and full IPv6 compatibility. Plus, Hide.me provides port forwarding for torrenting.

Users will also be spoiled for choice thanks to servers in 75 locations across the globe. This is great news for anyone who enjoys streaming, and Hide.me has gotten way better at unblocking various services! Now, you'll be able to check out Netflix and BBC iPlayer, amongst others, and share 10 simultaneous connections with friends and family if you're feeling generous.

Try before you buy

Hide.me does offer a free VPN subscription plan, and it's pretty impressive! Free users won't get all the benefits listed above, of course, but they will have 10GB of data per month to play with.

If you decide to upgrade, you can pay for your plan via PayPal, credit or debit card, and various cryptocurrencies. This is the way to go if you're looking to stay as anonymous as possible and it's great to see more and more VPNs offer this option. Unfortunately, the Hide.me plans are all on the expensive side, though monthly prices do drop if you go for a longer commitment. You could argue that other providers offer similar speeds and features for less, but Hide.me does do a stellar job of combining a staunch no-logs service with a variety of features.

So, see for yourself what Hide.me can do by making good use of its 30-day money-back guarantee!

Has hide.me been audited?

Yes! hide.me worked with Leon Juranic of DefenseCode, an  independent security analyst, to conduct an audit – and was one of the very first services to do so, back in 2015. This is an encouraging precedent, but hide.me hasn't invested in any more recent audits, and the 2015 account isn't freely accessible to the public. In 2024, we'd love for hide.me to work with an auditing firm to produce an up-to-date evaluation of its no-logs policy.

StrongVPN Demo

StrongVPN is a secure VPN provider that implements a trustworthy no-logs policy. It has apps for all platforms, and they're jam-packed with all the features you'll need to stay secure online, including a kill-switch and DNS leak protection.

The service itself has been around for a while, since 2005, in fact, and has since been acquired by J2 Global. StrongVPN is based in the US, and some prospective users will be (understandably) wary of this. After all, that's where the NSA and CIA live, and they could feasibly force StrongVPN to hand over data. Luckily, StrongVPN's no-logs policy is airtight. This means that even if the NSA or CIA were to come calling, the provider would have no information to hand over, anyway.

The all-rounder

StrongVPN is compatible with just about every platform, including various routers, and you won't have to worry about any bandwidth caps. We love that this VPN lets consumers run the software on up to Unlimited devices simultaneously, which makes it an ideal no-logs VPN for larger families or users with lots of devices.

And StrongVPN lives up to its name when it comes to security. The VPN uses OpenVPN encryption, though users do have the choice to try out the WireGuard protocol if they wish. I'm particularly glad to see that the StrongVPN kill-switch is now available for Mac users and not just Windows users – an improvement that really ramps up the service's accessibility. I'd definitely recommend giving StrongVPN a test run with its 30-day money-back guarantee, too!

Superb speeds

Currently, StrongVPN boasts over servers in more than over 30 countries – and that's going to be more than enough for most VPN use-cases. Connecting to any of these servers is incredibly quick, and StrongVPN can more than hold its own against other premium VPNs when it comes to server speeds. In fact, you should have no trouble streaming smooth HD videos with StrongVPN, and gaming online, as well as VoIP calls, are just as feasible. During our tests, we also found that StrongVPN has incredibly impressive DNS lookup times. This means your webpages will load that much quicker!

Easy streaming

Streaming is where StrongVPN really excels. Not only can the provider unblock all the most popular services, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, but it can also reliably access a long list of other channels – so no matter what you want to watch, or where you are, you'll be able to check out content from around the globe in a few clicks. Personally, I find StrongVPN to work best when unblocking content from the US.

Initially, I found that StrongVPN was unable to access BBC iPlayer via a UK server. This was disappointing, but fortunately, StrongVPN offers its users a free Smart DNS service! This is incredibly handy for situations just like this, where you need a little extra help spoofing your location. After testing the SmartDNS, I was able to access BBC iPlayer from outside the US without any trouble.

Has StrongVPN been audited?

No. StrongVPN hasn't invited any auditing firms to examine its privacy policy or no-logs claim, though the provider says that it plans to. We think it's particularly important that US-based StrongVPN invests in a security audit – the States are notoriously data-hungry, and the looming threat of a warrant or gag order could deter some would-be customers.

Proton Demo

ProtonVPN is run by the same folks behind the secure email service, ProtonMail. ProtonMail is exceedingly popular with privacy advocates and ProtonVPN is quickly coming to be regarded with the same level of respect and trust.

ProtonVPN goes the extra mile to reassure users of its security and transparency – and that's what I like best about the service. It has invited auditors to comb through its no-logs policy and publicly published the reports, and it's an open source provider that makes its home in Switzerland. I like this, because it keeps ProtonVPN beyond the reach of the 14 Eyes Alliance and ensures that it can operate free of invasive data retention laws.

When it comes to logs, Proton keeps no usage logs whatsoever, no IP logs, and the last login time is overwritten on each new connection. All of this makes Proton an excellent VPN for privacy, and truly one of the best no-logs providers on the market today.

Security you can trust

ProtonVPN has a modest network of servers in 91 countries – other providers have more servers in more places, of course, but you'll still be able to sail past geo-restrictions and explore a world of content with ProtonVPN. What's more, all of ProtonVPN's servers are bare metal and single-occupancy, and the provider has even increased its server capacity in response to a surge in usage sparked by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of encryption, ProtonVPN opts for AES 256-bit protection, and implements OpenVPN on its Windows and Linux clients. Mac, Android, and iOS clients use IKEv2, instead. Both of these protocols are known to be robust and reliable – though OpenVPN tends to be thought of as the gold standard when it comes to security, and IKEv2 a favorite of folks looking for speed.

ProtonVPN users will benefit from a kill-switch, though it doesn't make use of the Windows system firewall, which could leave your original IP exposed in the event of an OpenVPN crash. It's not ideal, and whilst I'm bringing up some minor gripes, I'll add that ProtonVPN currently lacks any dedicated obfuscation servers.

Thoughtful features

The Secure Core feature is essentially a double-VPN that can protect against targeted surveillance. Similarly, ProtonVPN allows users to connect to Tor servers directly through the VPN, and all without having to first install the Tor Browser.

The ProtonVPN software is available for all platforms and can be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously (depending on your plan). As I mentioned earlier, the ProtonVPN servers all provide fast speeds for streaming and completing other data-intensive tasks. ProtonVPN supports P2P activity, too, so you'll be able to torrent securely.

A VPN for everyone

ProtonVPN is one of the few VPNs out there to offer a fully secure, no-logs service for free. This free plan is absolutely fantastic, though you can still trial the premium version without paying a penny by making good use of the ProtonVPN 7-day free trial.

The free plan does not impose any speed or bandwidth restrictions, though you might notice that speeds are a little slower, due to increased load. Additionally, free users only have access to seven VPN servers. Even so, ProtonVPN secured our top spot for Best Free VPN in 2024, and the free plan is so good that plenty of users stick to it instead of upgrading.

If you do choose to upgrade to a paid plan, however, you'll benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Has ProtonVPN been audited?

Yes! ProtonVPN asked SEC Consult to perform a thorough examination of its open source apps – and we're happy to hear that the provider has plans to work with SEC Consult again to produce more security-focused audits. Hopefully, the upcoming evaluation will dig into ProtonVPN's no-logs policy and server infrastructure. This is set to take place at some point in 2024, so watch this space!