The Best No-Logs VPN Services for Privacy (Detailed Analysis)
In our research, we only found five VPNs with zero-logging policies that had been certified by real-world events, such as a subpoena or server seizure.
When choosing the best three, we considered which had regular third-party audits of their logging policies, which had RAM-only servers, and whether the VPN jurisdiction was privacy-friendly.
Here’s an in-depth table showing the exact data that each of these no-logs VPNs records:
You can see the full results of our tests in our detailed results table.
In the rest of this section, we’ll explain our analysis of each VPN service and exactly why we recommend them.
1. PIA VPN: Best No-Logs VPN Overall
A true no-logs VPN with a large server network that’s excellent for torrenting, private browsing, and use in highly-censored countries.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
No-logs policy verified twice in real-world cases | Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction) |
Large RAM-only server network | Holding company’s past controversies |
Third-party audits verified no logging policy | Mac client isn’t user-friendly |
100% open-source apps | Fire Stick TV app doesn’t work well |
Advanced privacy & security settings | |
Torrenting allowed on all servers | |
Costs $2.19/month on a 26-month plan | |
Accepts Bitcoin and gift cards |
Overall No-Logs Rating: 9.3/10
This overall rating is calculated based on the following five category ratings. To learn more, read our No-Logs VPN testing methodology.
Real-World Case: 10/10
Privacy Policy: 10/10
Logging Policy Audit: 10/10
Ram-Only Servers: 10/10
Jurisdiction: 3/10
Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best no-logs VPN, despite its US jurisdiction. Its zero-logs policy has been proven multiple times both in court and via a server seizure.

PIA lets you use all its RAM-only servers for torrenting.
PIA VPN is not only the best VPN for privacy, but it’s also the overall best VPN for anonymous torrenting and accessing the dark web.
But, as with all other VPNs, there has to be a minimal amount of data collected in order to provide a quality VPN service. In this case, PIA must collect some account information: your email address, payment data (immediately deleted), and your territory or zip code.

PIA’s Privacy Policy confirms it doesn’t collect your browsing history, IP address, or connection timestamps.
We believe this amount of data collection is justified, as you wouldn’t be able to open an account or request a refund without it. Additionally, you can sign up with a throwaway email address and use gift cards to pay anonymously.
No-Logs Policy Proven in Multiple Real-World Cases
In July 2016, the Russian government seized PIA’s servers after a new privacy data law was passed that demanded all VPNs must log Russian traffic for up to a year. In response, PIA completely shut down its Russian servers and quit the country.

PIA’s transparency report verifies that it’s never provided logs for a court order, subpoena, or a warrant.
More recently in 2018, PIA was subpoenaed by the FBI but was again unable to provide any logs. What’s more, there was no record of the defendant even signing up for PIA as there was no applicable email address or payment information.
RAM-Only Server Network & Advanced Privacy Settings
PIA operates self-owned DNS servers, preventing exposure of your DNS traffic to third parties, and RAM-only VPN servers.
These servers are configured to routinely reboot, meaning all data is permanently deleted on a regular basis.
All of PIA’s apps come with advanced privacy and security settings you can easily configure. The video we recorded below shows the options available within the desktop app:

Easily changing privacy and security settings in the PIA VPN desktop app.
PIA’s advanced features include an effective VPN kill switch, split tunneling, malware blocker, and shadowsocks proxy.
Successful No-Logs Audit
In August 2022, PIA confirmed in a blog post that it had its strict no-logs policy and server configurations externally audited by Deloitte.
It positively verified that PIA’s “server configurations align with internal privacy policies, and are not designed to identify users or pinpoint their activities.”
We would also like PIA to release the report itself — like IVPN does — as it details any further vulnerabilities that can be improved in the future and updates to look out for.
US Jurisdiction & Owned by Kape Technologies
There are two main drawbacks to PIA. Firstly, it’s based in the US. The US is one of the worst jurisdictions for privacy because it’s part of the Five Eyes data sharing alliance and state surveillance.
Secondly, PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2019, previously Crossrider. The company was previously discovered to be infecting Windows and macOS systems with adware. Adware is a form of malware that shows you pop-up adverts for software and services.
But Crossrider shut down its ad platforms in 2016 and re-branded to Kape Technologies in 2019. We’ve since seen no reason to question the legitimacy or business practices of Kape Technologies.
Ultimately, you’re safe using PIA for general-purpose computing, such as protecting your data on public WiFi and bypassing streaming service geo-blocks.
But if you’re a journalist or a political dissident, you might prefer a smaller company like Perfect Privacy or Mullvad.
Get PIA or read our complete PIA review.
2. ExpressVPN: Best No-Logs VPN for Beginners
A safe no-fuss no-logs VPN service with 3,000 P2P friendly servers, inbuilt obfuscation for firewalls, an effective kill switch, and automatic leak protection.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Based in the British Virgin Islands, a Privacy Haven | Holding company’s past controversies |
No-logs policy proven in a server seizure | Expensive subscription |
3,000 RAM servers in 94 countries | No split tunneling on macOS or iOS |
Extremely user-friendly apps & browser extensions | No Linux general user interface |
Excellent streaming & unblocking capabilities |
Overall No-Logs Rating: 9.0/10
This overall rating is calculated based on the following five category ratings. To learn more, read our No-Logs VPN testing methodology.
Real-World Case: 10/10
Privacy Policy: 7.0/10
Logging Policy Audit: 10/10
Ram-Only Servers: 10/10
Jurisdiction: 9/10
ExpressVPN is a virtually no-logs VPN that’s extremely user-friendly and well-designed.
We call it “virtually no-logs” because it collects anonymous server usage data. But since this data is not personally identifiable, it’s still classified as a no-logs VPN.

ExpressVPN’s privacy policy clearly lists what information it doesn’t collect from a user.
The VPN service is also based in a privacy haven, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a self-governing territory that has strict laws protecting the privacy of individuals and businesses.
The BVI are also an excellent location for a VPN because they are not part of any data sharing alliance (such as Five Eyes or EU). Other countries’ authorities aren’t able to force the BVI government to hand over any data collected in the jurisdiction.
Investigation Proves ExpressVPN Is No-Logs
In 2017, ExpressVPN’s servers were seized by Turkish authorities investigating the death of the Russian ambassador, Andrei Karlov.
However, the authorities were unable to find any personal information about the individual on ExpressVPN’s servers, proving ExpressVPN to be a genuine no-logs VPN service.
This stands in stark contrast to other VPNs, such as PureVPN and HideMyAss, which have cooperated with law enforcement and handed over personal information that lead to arrests of their users.
Very Easy-to-Use on All Devices
While PIA VPN is better for slightly more advanced VPN users, ExpressVPN is ideal for beginners. In our experience, it’s the easiest anonymous VPN available.
All of the VPN service’s apps benefit from a well-designed user interface (UI) across all popular platforms.

It’s easy to change settings and servers in ExpressVPN apps.
There aren’t as many customizable settings as with Private Internet Access, but ExpressVPN does offer all key privacy features, including a VPN kill switch on all platforms as well as IPv6 and WebRTC leak blocking.
A Great VPN for Anonymous Streaming & Unblocking Geo-Restricted Videos
Being no-logs isn’t ExpressVPN’s only benefit: it’s also extremely fast and one of the most reliable VPNs for anonymous streaming.
For instance, Kodi users will find it very easy to stream anonymously using the VPN’s highly secure and user-friendly Fire TV Stick app.

ExpressVPN streams US streaming sites from anywhere.
ExpressVPN is also extremely effective at unblocking geo-restricted streaming services. It works with 10 international Netflix libraries, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Expensive & Owned by Kape Technologies
With its best price at $6.67 per month, ExpressVPN’s subscription is more expensive than the average VPN.
However, we believe it’s still good value for a private VPN that offers IP and DNS leak protection, access to all major streaming services, and RAM-only servers in 94 countries.
Similar to PIA, another potential drawback for those skeptical of big business is that ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2021.
However, ExpressVPN continues to operate independently and there’s no evidence that it doesn’t provide the same level of privacy protection as it did before the acquisition.
Get ExpressVPN or read our complete ExpressVPN review.
3. Perfect Privacy: Most Secure No-Logs VPN
Proven no-logs VPN with tons of security features and a RAM-only server network.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
No-logs policy proven in a real-world case | Hasn’t been third-party audited |
Independent company based in Panama, a privacy-haven | Small server network covering 25 countries |
RAM-only server network | Apps look outdated and intimidating |
Has a kill switch, ad blocker, double VPN, and Tor over VPN | Slower speeds |
No IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks | Doesn’t work with Netflix |
Supports torrenting on nearly all VPN servers | Less affordable |
Neurorouting encryption technology on Windows | |
Accepts Bitcoin payments |
Overall No-Logs Rating: 8.9/10
This overall rating is calculated based on the following five category ratings. To learn more, read our No-Logs VPN testing methodology.
Real-World Case: 10/10
Privacy Policy: 10/10
Logging Policy Audit: 0/10
Ram-Only Servers: 10/10
Jurisdiction: 9/10
Perfect Privacy is owned by a small company in Switzerland, which stands in contrast to PIA and ExpressVPN. Its privacy policy confirms that it doesn’t collect “IP addresses, access time or duration, nor bandwidth caused by individual users.”
It also clarifies that it does save “general server information in its website” but doesn’t record any individual usage. This means it can never be linked back to a user.

A screenshot of Perfect Privacy’s privacy policy that shows it doesn’t keep any activity logs, but does collect some personal information for billing.
Perfect Privacy’s no-logs policy even suggests that you can use an anonymous email provider to open an account. You can also pay using Bitcoin, which can be more difficult to trace.
Perfect Privacy Is a Proven No-Logs VPN
Perfect Privacy’s no-logs policy was put to the test in September 2016 when Dutch authorities seized two of Perfect Privacy’s Rotterdam servers.
Fortunately “no customer information was compromised due to the seizure” because Perfect Privacy keeps no logs and all the information was fully encrypted.
RAM-Only Servers & Excellent Security Features
Perfect Privacy has an entirely RAM-based server network which can be trusted to erase any data stored if there’s ever a server seizure.
It also offers a unique proprietary routing algorithm called Neurorouting. This novel feature ensures that your traffic stays encrypted for as long as possible.
However, Neurorouting is only available on Windows — frequent macOS or mobile users might prefer to use ExpressVPN, which has intuitive and easy-to-use apps on all platforms. In comparison, Perfect Privacy’s apps are much less attractive.
Perfect Privacy also offers an effective kill switch, multi-hop VPN servers, an ad blocker, and includes port forwarding in its subscription.

Under Firewall and DNS settings you can enable the VPN kill switch (Firewall) and leak protection.
The suite of security features offered by Perfect Privacy is great for advanced VPN users, but can be intimidating to a complete beginner.
Perfect Privacy Is Expensive & Hasn’t Been Audited
Despite its merits, Perfect Privacy has some serious flaws that prevent it from being a VPN we would recommend to all users.
Firstly, it hasn’t been independently audited. We feel this isn’t too much of an issue, though, as its no-logs claims have been proven in a server seizure. Nevertheless, it’s good to show commitment to continued security by implementing audits.
Secondly, at $8.95 per month, it’s expensive in relation to other VPNs. To compare, Surfshark has a cheaper subscription with RAM-only servers, unlimited device connections, and is better than Perfect Privacy for streaming.
Lastly, Perfect Privacy has a very small server network, relatively slow speeds, and doesn’t unblock Netflix. Though the VPN service excels in privacy and security, it fails to impress in many other areas.
Get Perfect Privacy or real our complete Perfect Privacy review.