VPN for privacy
If the goal is maximum privacy rather than just changing region, the key criteria are different: a no-logs policy (ideally independently audited), a jurisdiction outside surveillance alliances, a modern encryption protocol, and, where possible, an anonymous payment method.
"No-logs" is a provider's own claim — you can't verify it yourself. It carries far more weight when an independent auditing firm has checked the policy, which is noted in the description of some services below.
How we choose: This shortlist is built from the "No-logs" and "Privacy" tags — based on providers' own claims about data retention and their internal privacy policy.
ExpressVPN
⭐ 4.8
$6.7/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux · Router
$3.5/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux
$6/mo
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux
Mullvad VPN
⭐ 4.6
€5/mo (fixed price)
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux
Proton VPN
⭐ 4.6
$0 (has a free tier)
Windows · macOS · iOS · Android · Linux
€3/mo
Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS · Android
Frequently asked questions
What's an independent no-logs audit?⌄
It's a review of a data-retention policy by a third-party auditing firm — it examines the provider's infrastructure and confirms (or not) that its no-logging claims hold up. It's not a 100% guarantee, but it carries more weight than a bare promise.
Does a provider's jurisdiction matter?⌄
Yes — the country of registration determines which data-retention laws the company is subject to. Providers outside surveillance alliances ("14 Eyes") are, in theory, under less pressure to hand over user data.
Do I need an anonymous payment method for privacy?⌄
If the goal is to avoid a financial trail tied to your VPN purchase, look at providers accepting cryptocurrency or cash by mail — some services in the catalog explicitly support this.