What to Look for in a VPN for Privacy

1

No-Logs Policy

Independently audited privacy claims

2

Jurisdiction

Based outside 14 Eyes surveillance alliance

3

Double VPN

Route traffic through multiple servers

4

Anonymous Payment

Pay with cryptocurrency for extra privacy

Top 5 Best VPNs for Privacy

Based on our testing specifically for privacy, these VPNs performed best. Each has been evaluated for the features that matter most for this use case.

#1
M

Mullvad VPN

★★★★ 8.8/10 800 servers 43 countries
$5 /month
90
Speed
99
Privacy
65
Streaming
80
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 5 Devices

Pros

  • Anonymous account creation (no email needed)
  • Flat pricing regardless of subscription length
  • Accepts cash and cryptocurrency

Cons

  • Limited streaming capabilities
  • Smaller server network
#2
P

ProtonVPN

★★★★★ 9.1/10 4,600 servers 91 countries
$4.99 /month
89
Speed
99
Privacy
87
Streaming
85
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 10 Devices

Pros

  • Based in privacy-friendly Switzerland
  • Open-source and independently audited
  • Secure Core multi-hop servers

Cons

  • Smaller server network than competitors
  • Free tier has limited server access
#3
N

NordVPN

★★★★★ 9.5/10 6,400 servers 111 countries
$3.29 /month
95
Speed
98
Privacy
96
Streaming
92
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 10 Devices

Pros

  • Industry-leading security features
  • Massive server network in 111 countries
  • Excellent streaming unblocking capabilities

Cons

  • Occasional server connection delays
  • No free trial available
#4
E

ExpressVPN

★★★★★ 9.4/10 3,000 servers 105 countries
$8.32 /month
97
Speed
96
Privacy
98
Streaming
78
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Netflix Support
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 8 Devices

Pros

  • Fastest VPN speeds with Lightway protocol
  • Best-in-class streaming unblocking
  • User-friendly apps on all platforms

Cons

  • Premium pricing compared to competitors
  • Only 8 simultaneous connections
#5
I

IVPN

★★★★ 8.5/10 80 servers 37 countries
$5 /month
85
Speed
97
Privacy
68
Streaming
75
Value

Key Features

  • Kill Switch
  • No-Logs Policy
  • Split Tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • P2P Torrenting
  • 7 Devices

Pros

  • Transparent and ethical company
  • No email required for signup
  • Open-source apps

Cons

  • Very small server network
  • Does not work with streaming services

Quick Comparison

VPN Rating Speed Price Devices
#1 Mullvad VPN
8.8/10 90/100 $5/mo 5 Get Deal
#2 ProtonVPN
9.1/10 89/100 $4.99/mo 10 Get Deal
#3 NordVPN
9.5/10 95/100 $3.29/mo 10 Get Deal
#4 ExpressVPN
9.4/10 97/100 $8.32/mo 8 Get Deal
#5 IVPN
8.5/10 85/100 $5/mo 7 Get Deal

Frequently Asked Questions

A no-logs VPN doesn't record your browsing activity, connection times, IP addresses, or any data that could identify you. The best providers have their policies independently audited.

Privacy-friendly jurisdictions include Panama (NordVPN), British Virgin Islands (ExpressVPN), Switzerland (ProtonVPN), and Sweden (Mullvad). These countries have no mandatory data retention laws.

Yes, Mullvad and IVPN allow signup without email. Some VPNs accept cryptocurrency or cash payments for additional anonymity.

RAM-only servers store data in volatile memory rather than hard drives. When servers restart, all data is wiped, making it impossible to retain user logs.

Look for independent audits by firms like PwC, Deloitte, or Cure53. Real-world court cases where providers couldn't produce logs also verify claims.

A VPN significantly improves privacy but isn't complete anonymity. For maximum anonymity, combine a VPN with Tor, secure browsers, and good operational security practices.

VPNs in privacy-friendly jurisdictions are not subject to data retention laws. Even if compelled, no-logs VPNs have no data to hand over.

Look for AES-256 encryption, secure protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN, perfect forward secrecy, and DNS leak protection.

Not necessarily. ProtonVPN offers a free tier with the same privacy protections as paid plans. However, many free VPNs monetize user data, so choose carefully.

Double VPN routes traffic through two servers, adding a layer of protection. It's useful for high-risk situations but overkill for everyday privacy needs.