The best no-log VPNs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed Macky Briones | usagoldmines.com

A VPN service is a virtual private network that encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and provides a relatively anonymous and secure connection. The point of a VPN is to make it more difficult for people to eavesdrop on you or monitor your online activities, but there is little point in using a VPN if your information is being collected or exposed. 

That’s why choosing a no-logs VPN is crucial. Some free VPN providers offer a VPN in exchange for your data and records, negating the whole point of a VPN. That’s why you should pick a paid plan from a reputable VPN with a no-logs policy.

See also: What is a VPN and why do you need one?

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by the ZDNET team. We’ve been talking about VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure.

We analyzed the no-log best VPNs below using the following criteria that are most important in helping you make an informed decision:

• No-logs policies: We thoroughly examined the transparency and security standards of each VPN we recommend. Each VPN must operate a no-logs policy and keep user data collection to a minimum.
• Security: There’s no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs.
• Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags.
• Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections.
• Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.
• Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations performed well given these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming. 
• Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our no-logs VPN recommendations naturally have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps.
• Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team.
• Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety.
• Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

When you are selecting your new no-logs VPN, consider the following factors:

• Privacy: It is important that your new VPN takes user privacy and security seriously. Look for no-logs pledges, transparent security reports, warrant canaries, and practices like frequent patch updates.
• Price: You need to consider the overall price of your new VPN plan. Try to take advantage of promotions, but ignore countdown timers — they typically are just marketing tools. While top-notch VPNs can cost upwards of $10 per month, many are available for only a few dollars. Many VPN providers will also offer free, limited mobile app trials. We recommend that you avoid free VPNs — with a few exceptions — as they may sell your data or bombard you with ads.
• Simultaneous connections: If you’re paying for a VPN, you might want to use it across multiple devices, such as a desktop, a laptop, or smartphone. We recommend that you sign up for a plan supporting at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer unlimited connections.
• Contract length: You must also decide how long you want to use a VPN. If you opt for a two-year term, you tend to secure the best prices, but other options are available. After you’ve made a selection, you typically have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Apps: When selecting a VPN, you should consider what devices you want to protect. For example, if you have a Windows PC and an iPhone, take a look at the apps on offer to see if you like their user interfaces and functions.

A no-logs policy ensures that a VPN will not log your activity, including the websites you visit, the online services you access, or DNS queries when your requests are sent through its server network. 

A no-logs policy doesn’t mean that the VPN provider doesn’t log all traffic and data. For example, a VPN provider may still log your VPN usage records, sessions, and billing information. They may also be required to log some customer information to comply with the laws of the country they are headquartered in.

The police can request user information from a VPN provider in the same way they do for any other organization. With a court order, the VPN vendor will have to comply, but the information they can provide depends on their logging activities.

Law enforcement may be able to detect VPN use and may investigate IP addresses associated with you, but it’s highly unlikely they would go down this route unless you are suspected of involvement in illegal activity. Remember, a VPN is not a foolproof privacy barrier and does not guarantee full anonymity. 

To check if your VPN is safe and working properly, first choose a reputable vendor known to have a strong security background.

Next, compare your IP address before and after enabling a VPN connection. You can find this under your device’s settings (typically under Wi-Fi) or by visiting whatismyipaddress.com. If they both display the same IP address, your VPN may not be working properly.

You can also visit dnsleaktest.com to see if any DNS leaks are detected while you are using a VPN, which could be a sign that your information is being leaked.

Finally, be careful with free VPNs offered by unknown or shady companies, especially if they are outside of official app repositories. This could open your device to surveillance or malware. 

Yes, no-logs VPN services are legal in the US, but the legality of using VPNs varies from country to country.

It is important to check the laws of your location before using a VPN. Some countries ban their use outright, such as North Korea, Belarus, and Iraq, whereas other countries, including Russia and China, frown upon using any non-state-controlled VPN.

For a list of countries where VPN usage is illegal, check out NordVPN’s guide.

Potentially, yes. If your VPN is working properly, your data and activities are hidden within an encrypted tunnel, and you have improved protection and anonymity online, but this doesn’t mean that your browsing history isn’t logged through your browser or that monitoring software on corporate PCs isn’t logging your activities. Corporate VPNs may also log your website visits. 

Our recommendations above are the best no-logs-focused VPNs on the market today. If they aren’t quite right for your particular needs, there are other trustworthy options below.