5 Best Anonymous VPNs | Are VPNs untrackable/untraceable?
Looking for a way to stay anonymous online in 2021? In this guide we discuss the ways a VPN can and can’t help you protect your identity online and if a VPN can make you truly untraceable. What are the best “anonymous” VPNs in 2021? We recommend these VPNs to stay anonymous online in 2021: ExpressVPN – A VPN that accepts Bitcoin payments and offers secure servers located worldwide with a strong no-logging policy. NordVPN – A highly secure service with features that will provide watertight privacy and data security IPVanish – A great all-rounder that provides easy-to-use apps and access to more than 1, 600 servers. Private Internet Access – A great VPN for gaining watertight privacy. Its no-logs claim has been proven in court and it offers multiple ciphers & settings. PrivateVPN – The cheapest VPN gaining watertight privacy on our list. For just $1. 89, you can gain added anonymity with some great features & a no logs policy. Some VPN services, like AnonymousVPN, claim to keep you “anonymous”. The reality is that they don’t. No VPN can give you complete anonymity because of the way that they work. When connected to a VPN, the provider can detect your IP address in real-time, and some untrustworthy VPNs even store these sensitive logs! A reliable VPN provides high levels of digital privacy because it has strong encryption and a no-logs policy. This kind of VPN will not give you anonymity (like you get with Tor) but it will ensure that everything you do online is kept a tight-lipped secret. Although VPNs do not provide complete anonymity, they are still the best tool for gaining privacy and freedom online. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic to prevent your ISP, local networks, Wi-Fi hotspots, and government from tracking your online habits and web visits. It also stops websites and services from tracking your real IP address. Again, while many people refer to privacy as “anonymity”, the reality is that any anonymous VPN is actually just a secure VPN that keeps zero logs. Without data logs to analyze, there’s nothing to pass onto prying agencies. This is the most secure type of VPN available, but it is important to note that you will never be truly anonymous online unless you use a service like Tor. Before deciding on private VPNs for this guide, we always make sure the providers: Keep no logs at all Provide key privacy and security features that protect your privacy Have strong and well-implemented encryption that is future proof Accept anonymous payments using cryptocurrency Each and every one of the VPNs listed on this page will improve your online privacy massively, so let’s take a closer look. 5 Best VPNs to use to become Anonymous in 2021 We recommend the VPNs listed below if you want to become more anonymous online. ExpressVPN is the most anonymous VPN. It is a highly private and reliable VPN service. Although no VPN can guarantee complete anonymity, ExpressVPN can offer great no logs, great security features, stealth servers. Pricing From $6. 67 – $12. 95 Aggregated or Anonymised Logs? Aggregated
ExpressVPN Demo
ExpressVPN is an industry-leading provider when it comes to privacy and security, helped in part by its support for cryptocurrency payments, which makes it one of the most ‘anonymous’ VPNs around. The service is based in the British Virgin Islands – a superb location in terms of privacy protections. And it has a no-logs policy, which means it will never store any records of what its users do online (or even basic connection logs). During my tests, I enjoyed using ExpressVPN apps. They are easy to navigate and even the most advanced security settings can be toggled on and off with just a few clicks. In terms of speeds, I was highly impressed. I can definitely recommend this VPN for streaming in HD or doing other data-intensive tasks such as gaming. This service also runs its own DNS servers (and a free Smart DNS service). It also supports P2P activity which is fantastic. Plus, I was able to access Netflix US (and it unblocks a total of 24 Netflix regions! ) ExpressVPN comes with a lot of high-end privacy features such as strong OpenVPN encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch to stop you from ever accidentally leaking unencrypted data to your ISP. And ExpressVPN provides obfuscation to let you conceal VPN use from your ISP (by disguising it as regular HTTPS traffic). This stealth feature also lets you evade firewalls in locations such as Iran and China. While VPNs do not technically provide anonymity (you will need to use Tor to surf anonymously online), ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable VPN that has proven that it can completely conceal your online habits from your ISP, the government, and local networks (such as employers or Wi-Fi hotspots). In addition, it will prevent websites from tracking your home IP address. Well worth testing using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Tested by Hannah NordVPN is a no logs service with strong security features including a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscated servers. Pricing From $4. 13 – $11. 95 Aggregated or Anonymised Logs? Anonymized Accepts Cryptocurrency? Yes
Nord Demo
NordVPN is a provider based in Panama that offers the perfect combination of privacy and value for money. Like ExpressVPN, it has strong OpenVPN encryption, a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscated servers for concealing VPN use and bypassing ISP firewalls. I like that this service has a trustworthy zero-logs policy, which means that it never stores any details about what you do online. And I love this VPN’s live chat support, where an expert customer service team is on hand to answer any questions you might have. I used the NordVPN apps on various platforms and found them all easy to use. I found the choice of servers to be great, and I was impressed with the amount of content I could unblock (which included iPlayer on my Kodi, and Netflix US). Being based in Panama means that this service is well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions such as the UK, the EU, and the US. Starting at just $2. 99 per month, this VPN is incredibly good value for money – especially considering that it has scarcer VPN features such as double hop encryption and Tor over VPN. Admittedly, it does have fewer servers than the number one VPN on this list, but you still get an awful lot of choice in over 60 countries. This is fine for most people’s unblocking needs, and it is cheaper than ExpressVPN, which may suit you. Definitely worth a test run using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Tested by Aaron IPVanish has been independently audited to prove that they don’t log any user date. It comes with obfuscated servers which protect you against online surveillance. Pricing From $3. 20 – $10. 99 Aggregated or Anonymised Logs? Anonymized Accepts Cryptocurrency? Yes
IPVanish Demo
With IPVanish, the name says it all! The US-based provider doesn’t keep any traffic or connection logs, meaning you can browse the web in privacy. The provider makes use of 256-bit encryption as well as a variety of protocols, though I would suggest sticking to OpenVPN if security is your primary concern as this is the most secure encryption protocol around. IPVanish impresses us with a SOCKS5 proxy server, which comes in handy for folks wanting to engage in P2P activity safely or obfuscate their internet traffic. It’s also possible to pay for your IPVanish subscription with Bitcoin. In addition to these stellar security features, IPVanish boasts speedy servers in more than 75 worldwide locations and apps for pretty much every platform you could imagine. Your bandwidth won’t ever be throttled, and you can field any questions that arise to the IPVanish customer service team, available 24/7. All in all, I think IPVanish is a great VPN for privacy-minded individuals, and you can check it out yourself with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Tested by Attila PIA is great VPN for become more anonymous online and improving only security online. It has proven in court that it doesn’t keep logs and has a bunch of different cipher settings. Pricing From $2. 00 – $12. 00 Aggregated or Anonymised Logs? Anonymized Audited? Yes Accepts Cryptocurrency? Yes
PIA Demo
Private Internet Access (PIA) makes it onto our list thanks to its glowing reputation within the Reddit community and high-end privacy services. It is a VPN that is often praised because of its highly secure apps and advanced privacy and security features. This is outstanding considering the relatively low cost of a subscription. I enjoyed using Private Internet Access’ app because it allowed me to personalize it a lot. This customization allows you to set it up exactly how you prefer. You also have a choice of 5 themes for the app, including a dark mode, which is a nice touch. It comes with a great range of privacy features, including OpenVPN on all apps including Mac and iOS apps – which isn’t offered by a lot of providers. With PIA you get apps for all platforms that come with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, strong OpenVPN encryption, obfuscation, a SOCKS5 proxy, port forwarding, and split tunneling. Encryption can be set to be stronger or weaker depending on your specific needs – with subscribers able to switch between OpenVPN UDP, TCP, and a bunch of different ciphers and settings. This makes the VPN great for techy users who want higher levels of customization, or those doing sensitive tasks such as torrenting. Although the VPN is based in the US, it has proven its zero-logs policy in court. The service has also previously refused to allow authorities to log user data, and the VPN maintains a transparency report and a warrant canary. In addition, PIA accepts crypto payments, which is as anonymous as a VPN can really get. It also has fast servers in 74 countries to let you unblock anything you need, and to easily bypass censorship. And I could unblock Netflix US, which is always a bonus. Overall, I found this to be a secure and reliable VPN. You can take it for a test run using its 30-day money-back guarantee. Tested by Hannah PrivateVPN is one of the cheapest VPNs to improve your anonymity. As it name suggests it is a really private VPN with great security features & a zero logs policy. Pricing From $1. 89 – $7. 12 Aggregated or Anonymised Logs? Anonymized Audited? No Accepts Cryptocurrency? Yes
PrivateVPN Demo
PrivateVPN is a service based in Sweden, a location that is good in terms of privacy. I found this service to be a great all-rounder and it’s easy to see why it gets rave reviews from its subscribers. Although it has fewer servers than the VPNs on this list, it impressed me a lot during testing – particularly considering the price. True to its name the VPN has a no-logs policy, which means that it can be trusted not to store any logs of what you do while connected. It also has a wealth of advanced features including DNS leak protection and obfuscated servers. All of these features made me feel safe and secure when using it. A kill switch is available on its Windows client but not on its other apps. This makes PrivateVPN a better prospect for Windows users who need high levels of privacy. And, for those who want to pay for their subscription with added anonymity, Bitcoin payments are accepted. Overall, this is a cheap VPN that is private, efficient, and provides decent speeds for streaming. Like others on this list, PrivateVPN has a money-back guarantee, meaning you can refund it within the first 30 days if you are unhappy. Tested by Ray Fast Anonymous VPNs in 2021 A VPN packed with tech to protect your identity doesn’t necessarily mean it’s slow. In fact, all our recommended anonymous VPN providers offer surprisingly fast speeds, so you can browse the net, stream, torrent, and game without frustration. To help you understand what speeds you can get from our top VPN picks, we run daily speed tests on them and display the results in the table below. Place Provider Average Speed Max Speed Visit Site 1. ExpressVPN 61. 85 Mbit/s 73. 54 Mbit/s Visit Site 2. NordVPN 53. 30 Mbit/s 82. 69 Mbit/s Visit Site 3. PrivateVPN 46. 37 Mbit/s 57. 65 Mbit/s Visit Site 4. Private Internet Access 42. 10 Mbit/s 63. 58 Mbit/s Visit Site 5. IPVanish 0. 00 Mbit/s 0. 00 Mbit/s Visit Site Can you get a truly anonymous VPN? It is impossible for the sites and services you visit to determine your real IP address if you’re using a VPN. This allows you to browse the net with a far greater level of anonymity – you’ll just need to remember to avoid inputting any real account information or payment details! However, depending on how you use online services, they may still be able to detect who you are. Websites can do this by: Using cookies Recognizing you from your login details Engaging in browser fingerprinting Tracking device level information (IMEI or MAC number, for example) Your user agent All these reasons explain why we rarely refer to VPNs as “anonymous”. VPNs provide unprecedented levels of digital privacy – but not true anonymity – mainly because the VPN knows who you are at all times (or can at least detect your real IP address in real time if it wants to). To gain true anonymity, you should use Tor browser. The VPNs in this guide all have zero logs policies and military-grade encryption: which is why they are considered the best anonymous VPNs. A VPN provider can always identify its users’ IP addresses and knows what they are doing online – even if no one else can. Even providers that keep no logs can monitor traffic in real-time. How to be more anonymous with a VPN The bottom line is that a VPN cannot provide definitive anonymity. However, VPNs are packed with features that offer a high degree of digital privacy. Certain VPN features are vital if a VPN is to give you the most “anonymous” experience possible. The VPNs in this guide have all been selected because they provide the highest levels of digital privacy available on the VPN market. So, if you’ve been searching for an “Anonymous VPN” on Google, you’re really looking for these VPNs! Let’s take a look at the all-important “anonymity” features: Choose a No logs VPN service The most private VPNs keep zero logs. That means that after you finish a VPN session, there is no connection logs or usage logs stored anywhere. Everything that you did online is completely unrecorded, including the time you connected and what VPN server you connected to. With no logs stored anywhere, copyright holders or government agencies can never come knocking at the VPN’s door for evidence of a paper trail. Connection Logs and end-to-end (E2E) timing attacks A few minimal connection logs or aggregated statistics aren’t particularly damaging to a VPN service. It’s when these services store connection time stamps and IP addresses, as well as other personally identifiable account details, that it becomes an issue. Timestamps stored alongside IP addresses allow for time correlation attacks (E2E timing attacks). This is when data gathered from third-party endpoints (websites) is tied to a VPN user by analyzing what time they logged onto a specific VPN server. With a little effort, time, and money (and enough information), it is possible to use these logs to figure out what a VPN user did online. For this reason, these kinds of logs can pose a direct risk to your privacy. A no-log VPN is the closest thing you will find to an anonymous VPN. Shared IPs When you use a VPN server with “shared IPs” it means that not only you but many other people are all using that server IP address at the same time. With a large number of people all using the same IP address, it becomes hard to know what each person did online. This provides a certain level of anonymity by mixing in your web traffic with the web traffic of many other VPN users. A dedicated IP, on the other hand, is one that only you use. This kind of VPN IP address is much easier to track you on. Because you are the only person using it – you do not get lost in a sea of fellow VPN users. Pay with bitcoin or with cash If you want to boost your online anonymity, you’ll need to ensure that your VPN provider knows as little about you as possible. We’d recommend using a burner email and a fake name, and paying with “washed” bitcoins wherever you can. Really privacy-conscious VPNs even allow you to send cash in the post! Bear in mind that the VPN will still know which IP address you’re connecting to their servers from. That IP address will be unique to your home, and can be used to determine where you are and some other basic personal details. Double Hop or Chaining VPNs Double Hop is a feature that allows VPN users to jump through various VPN tunnels, usually via two (but sometimes more) servers. This helps to further obfuscate the VPN user’s web habits and location, particularly if those servers are also shared IPs. Chaining VPNs will slow your internet connection down, because of the extra processes it entails. However, if you prefer to trade connection speed for this extra security measure, it is worth a try. Use a VPN with strong privacy When you use a VPN that has strong encryption and a zero logs policy you stop local network administrators (workplaces, schools, shared accommodation, landlords, Wi-Fi hotspots) from being able to tell what you are doing online. ISPs are also stopped from tracking you – so they can’t retain web browsing habits on behalf of the government (in countries with mandatory data retention). In the US, where ISPs are legally permitted to retain and sell web browsing histories to create a source of revenue, VPNs stop ISPs from keeping those logs in the first place. If a VPN keeps zero logs it has nothing to hand over to the authorities – even if they come knocking at the VPN’s door with a warrant. It is for this reason that a zero-logs VPN with strongly implemented OpenVPN encryption is the most private option on the market. How to be anonymous online? For true online anonymity, nobody must be able to detect you are who you really are – or what you are doing – at any stage. VPNs simply do not do this. A VPN provides privacy from scrutiny by third parties (such as ISPs and network admins) using encryption. This is digital privacy NOT anonymity – it is a subtle difference, but it is a very important difference. Using a VPN through Tor Some people want to use Tor and a VPN together. On the whole, this is considered overkill. However, some VPNs accommodate this desire by offering a VPN into Tor and VPN through Tor. For most people, this simply isn’t necessary. Allow me to explain why: Using a VPN into Tor stops the first Tor node from knowing your real IP address. If you are somehow traced through the Tor network, then an adversary will find the VPN server, not your real IP. If using the Tor browser the VPN cannot see your data, but if using a service that routes your regular VPN connection to the Tor network, it can. Either way, this provides no protection from malicious Tor exit nodes. Non-HTTPS traffic entering and leaving Tor exit nodes is unencrypted and could be monitored. Tor exit nodes are also often blocked. VPN through Tor. Some people want to route their traffic via Tor before it arrives at the VPN. This has some merits and can provide an anonymous VPN experience since the VPN will not know your real IP address. However, this is only true if you also sign up to the VPN anonymously with a burner email and using an anonymous payment method (like posting cash through the post or using “washed” bitcoins). The fact that the end-point is fixed rather than random (as is normal with Tor), however, reduces your anonymity on the Tor network. Staying Anonymous on Mobile Because of the reasons mentioned previously, A VPN will not make you anonymous on your Android or iPhone device. On mobile devices, which can be tracked with a MAC address, for example, things get even more tricky. A mobile phone is usually tied to the person that owns it (especially true if you have a mobile contract, but also true for many people with a pay as you go SIM), so anonymity is always going to be very hard to come by. Purchasing a cheap phone and SIM with cash from a supermarket is an option that will provide much higher levels of anonymity. This, combined with a zero-logs VPN which you purchase with a fake name, a burner email address, and pay for in cash or with bitcoins, is the only way to get high levels of anonymity on a mobile device. However, if you use that mobile device from your home’s Wi-Fi address, for example, your IP address will still let the VPN know who you are. If served a warrant by the authorities (and the VPN keeps connection logs), an e2e timing attack could be used to figure out your IP address, which would then be tied to you by your ISP. It is for this reason that a zero-logs VPN is necessary for strong privacy. Furthermore, even if your VPN does not keep logs, it could be served a warrant and gag order and VPN servers could be monitored for activity in real-time. It is for this reason that a VPN is said to provide privacy, not anonymity. Although they won’t make you anonymous, VPNs are in fact great for keeping you secure on public Wi-Fi and unblocking content. Are any free VPNs anonymous? Running a good VPN service takes a lot of time, money, and resources. For this reason, any VPN claiming to be “free” should be treated with a healthy amount of suspicion. Always ask yourself how that free VPN is paying its bills. The worst and most malicious free services have been known to log user data and, in some instances, can sell these logs on to third parties. Whilst there are reputable VPN services out there that really are free, we’d recommend playing it safe and avoiding them if anonymity is important to you. Conclusion A lot of VPNs claim to provide total anonymity, but it’s typically just a marketing tactic used to generate sales. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth investing in a VPN. They’re invaluable online services that provide the highest level of digital privacy available on the market – and all without sacrificing performance. If you have your heart set on achieving true anonymity, however, you should really be using Tor. Just remember that Tor is not suitable for data-intensive tasks like streaming, gaming and P2P torrenting. Luckily, a VPN is an ideal solution in these instances (especially torrenting)! For this reason, VPNs are a unique privacy service that has no real alternative. In this article, we have described how to get the most private VPN experience possible. Our recommended VPNs keep no logs and implement high standards of OpenVPN encryption. Thus, you will be secure using any one of these services. If you have any questions about anything in this article, please don’t hesitate to contact us below.
Best Anonymous (No-Log) VPNs to Use in 2021 | CyberNews
One of the most important reasons to use a VPN is to protect your online privacy from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), government, and other snoopers. But how do you know your VPN isn’t also collecting your data and selling it on? Unfortunately, most VPNs do exactly that. Therefore, it’s vital to choose a VPN with a zero-logs policy – a pledge to not collect any user data.
However, it can be difficult to find a trustworthy VPN, particularly as a lot of providers will claim to have a no-logs policy even if they don’t. In this guide, we will talk you through our favorite anonymous VPNs that don’t keep any of your information. So, read on for everything you need to know.
Best no-logs VPNs for privacy
NordVPN –
best no-logs VPN in 2021
VyprVPN –
cheapest no-logs VPN
Surfshark – amazing speeds and no logs
Private Internet Access (PIA) – no-logs VPN with the most servers
Mullvad – a super-private no-log VPN
LIMITED OFFER: Use coupon code “CYBERNEWS” to get NordVPN, now 72% OFF + 3 Months FREE!
Best no-logs VPNs – our detailed list:We have researched a lot of VPNs and have pulled together a list of genuinely anonymous VPN providers that operate strict zero-logs policies. This means that there is no danger of your data being sold on, hacked, or accessed by outsiders.
Editor’s disclosure: We are aware of and concerned about the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) recently released by the US Department of Justice. It names Express VPN’s CIO Daniel Gericke among the persons who received monetary penalties and agreed to “full cooperation with the relevant Department and FBI components” due to their past misuse of covert surveillance tools, targeting US citizens, as well as journalists and political parties.
At the moment, there are no direct connections established between the misuse of such tools and ExpressVPN. However, in order to offer our readers only the most reliable and safest VPN solutions available, we are temporarily removing ExpressVPN from our lists until further privacy, data security, and ethical evaluations are completed. You can read our full story about the agreement here.
Here are our favorites:
1. NordVPN – best no-logs VPN in 2021
Based in:PanamaServers/countries:5, 500+ servers in 59 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal: Get NordVPN, now 72% OFF + 3 Months FREE!
Visit NordVPN
Whatever your requirements for a VPN, NordVPN has it all: it is fast, reliable, and quite possibly the most secure VPN we have ever tested. It operates a strict zero-logs policy that has been independently audited twice by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Few VPN services can boast of something similar!
Better still, NordVPN is legally based in Panama, which is a very privacy-friendly country. This transcontinental nation is not a member of 14 Eyes – the biggest surveillance agreement in the world whose member states have agreed to share intelligence with one another.
NordVPN comes with military-grade AES-256 encryption, a highly customizable kill switch, protection against IP leaks, and powerful bonus features like Onion over VPN. It uses the NordLynx tunneling protocol, which is a modified version of WireGuard that is even more secure. And it accepts anonymous payment methods, such as cryptocurrency, so you don’t even need to risk revealing your bank details when you sign up. They do not store any of your sensitive information, including traffic logs and user logs.
As well as providing impressive security and privacy policy, NordVPN is one of the best VPNs we have ever tested for features, speed, and usability. It comes with 5, 413 servers in 59 countries, which makes it ideal for bypassing geo-restrictions on international streaming services.
It offers up to 6 simultaneous connections and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
Pros
Most secure VPN
Independently audited no logs policy
Impressive encryption
NordLynx makes things extra secure
Based in Panama
Accepts anonymous payments
Highly customizable kill switch
Dedicated servers for torrenting
Cons
No router app
Torrenting only supported on some servers
2. VyprVPN – cheapest no-logs VPN
Based in:SwitzerlandServers/countries:700 servers in 70 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal: Get up to 12 months FREE!
Visit VyprVPN
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to NordVPN that still protects your privacy, VyprVPN is a really good choice. It’s kinder to your wallet than most of its competitors, and yet it still has a strict no-logs policy that is independently audited. This service is based in Switzerland, which is not a member of 14 Eyes and it has an excellent data privacy record.
VyprVPN uses military-grade AES-256 encryption, as well as a kill switch, public Wi-Fi protection, a malicious website blocker, and their own DNS system – VyprDNS. The VPN also has the super-fast WireGuard protocol, which makes the performance great.
VyprVPN stands out from the VPN crowd because it is one of the best providers if you live in a country that restricts VPN use. This is thanks to the Chameleon 2. 0 tunneling protocol, which disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic. It is ideal for bypassing censorship in countries like China. As a sidenote, VyprVPN is also great if you want to access streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others.
VyprVPN has more than 700 servers in more than 70 countries and offers up to 5 simultaneous connections. It delivers fast speeds and it is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Finally, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it out.
It’s worth noting that VyprVPN does not accept anonymous payment methods – the only chink in this VPN’s privacy credentials.
Great value for money
Based in Switzerland
Chameleon 2. 0 makes it great where VPN use is banned
Can unblock pretty much any geo-restricted content
Great for torrenting
Doesn’t accept anonymous payment methods
Only has 700 servers
3. Surfshark – amazing speeds and no logs
Based in:British Virgin IslandsServers/countries:3, 200+ servers in 65 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal:Get Surfshark, now 81% OFF!
Visit Surfshark
If you’re after a super-fast VPN that doesn’t skimp on security, Surfshark is a great option. It boasts a strict zero logs-policy and is based in the British Virgin Islands, which has rigorous data privacy laws.
Surfshark is also very secure, offering AES-256 encryption, DNS-leak protection, a kill switch, Camouflage Mode, and RAM-only servers that can’t store any of your data beyond the first reboot. It uses OpenVPN, WireGuard, ShadowSocks, and IKEv2(IPsec) protocols. And it accepts anonymous payment methods.
Surfshark has more than 3, 200 servers in 65 countries, and it comes with a NoBorder Mode, which means it can bypass location restrictions, including the Great Firewall of China. This makes it perfect for streaming international content that isn’t available in your country.
Another of Surfshark’s main selling points is that it comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it a fantastic option if you want a VPN for all the family. It is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV.
It is also one of the fastest VPNs we have tested, as it uses the cutting-edge new tunneling protocol, WireGuard.
For all this, Surfshark is one of the cheaper VPNs on the market. With that said, its no-logs policy is yet to be independently tested.
Based in the British Virgin Islands
NoBorder Mode is excellent
WireGuard delivers super-fast speeds
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Excellent for torrenting
Not independently audited
4. Private Internet Access (PIA) – no-logs VPN with the most servers
Based in:USServers/countries:29, 000+ servers in 77 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal:Get PIA, now 83% OFF + 2 Month FREE!
Visit PIA
PIA is a good choice if you want a secure VPN with a staggering number of servers to choose from. It has a strict zero-logs policy, but this is not audited. However, it has been tested in the wild when the FBI demanded user information from PIA (and got nothing useful).
The VPN comes with military-grade AES-256 encryption, and you can even choose different levels of encryption. It also has a kill switch, a free SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxy, and Wi-Fi protection. It uses WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols, and accepts anonymous payment methods, such as cryptocurrency.
But if you want to know why PIA stands out from its competitors, it’s because it has a whopping 29, 000+ Servers in 77 countries, which is more than any other VPN we have tested.
PIA offers up to 10 simultaneous connections, and it is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It uses the cutting-edge new WireGuard tunneling protocol to deliver decent connection speeds. and is decent for streaming.
Considering all the features it comes with, PIA is very cheap. The only unfortunate thing is it’s based in the United States, which is not a friend to data privacy in any sense.
No logs policy tested in the wild
Accepts anonymous payment methods
Supports split tunneling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
A staggering number of servers
Based in the US, which is not privacy-friendly
Can’t unblock BBC iPlayer or DAZN
5. Mullvad – most private VPN on the market
Based in:SwedenServers/countries:700+ servers in 36 countriesUnblocks Netflix:No
Visit Mullvad
If privacy is your primary concern, we would strongly recommend Mullvad. Not only does it come with a strict no-logs policy, but it is also audited regularly. Mullvad’s applications were investigated back in June 2020, and its security infrastructure was audited in December 2020. These audits include a check of the no-logs policy, which is extremely reassuring.
Mullvad offers military-grade AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. It relies on the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, both of which are secure choices, and there’s a slew of nice bonus features.
What makes Mullvad stand out, however, is its completely anonymous sign-up process. This means that you don’t even need an email address to set up an account and there’s no way it can ever be linked to your account. You can pay for subscribing using anonymous payment methods, like crypto. And, to top it all off, the Mullvad website has no third-party trackers – that’s impressive dedication.
Mullvad isn’t perfect though – it only has 700+ servers in 36 countries and is pretty bad at unblocking streaming platforms, such as Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix. But when it comes to keeping your data off its servers, there’s none better.
Regularly audited
Secure protocols
Completely anonymous sign-up process
Bridge Mode keeps things extra secure
Good value for money
Only 700 servers
No split tunneling
Bad for Netflix
6. CyberGhost – most user-friendly no-log VPN
Based in:RomaniaServers/countries:7, 000+ servers in 90 countriesUnblocks Netflix:YesCurrent deal:Get CyberGhost VPN, now 83% OFF + 3 Months FREE!
Visit CyberGhost
If you are new to using a VPN, CyberGhost is a great option because it is really easy to use across all major platforms. It operates a strict zero-logs policy, but it hasn’t been audited. CyberGhost does keep some minimal statistics, but this does not include sensitive data like IP addresses, so there is no real threat to privacy.
CyberGhost is based in Romania, which is not part of the 14 Eyes and has good data privacy laws. The service comes with military-grade AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. It uses WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 tunneling protocols.
At more than 7, 000 servers in 91 countries, CyberGhost can unblock pretty much any streaming service, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. Better still, its apps are some of the most user-friendly on the market. Having said that, we have found in testing that speeds can be a bit hit and miss, depending on the server.
CyberGhost comes with seven simultaneous connections, and it works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Overall, CyberGhost is pretty cheap, particularly considering how many features it has. It comes with a money-back guarantee of up to 45 days, depending on which plan you choose. And it even has a free one-day trial, so you can take it for a spin.
Based in Romania
Intuitive apps
Good for torrenting
Speeds can be a bit patchy
How we tested and selected these VPNsWhen choosing our list of the best anonymous VPNs, we considered the following criteria:
No-logs policy. Unsurprisingly, the most important factor when choosing VPNs for our list is a strict no-logs policy. This may sound obvious, but it is vital, as it means your VPN provider is not storing any of your data, so there is no way it can be sold on to a third party.
Security. Strong security is also absolutely essential when it comes to selecting a VPN, so we only selected providers that offer a range of excellent security features, including military-grade encryption and a kill switch.
Speed. If you want to use your VPN regularly, you will need it to be fast, particularly if you’re using it to stream region-restricted content or torrent. So we only chose VPNs that delivered fast speeds.
Whether or not the apps are user-friendly. It is very important to choose a VPN that is easy to use, particularly if you are new to VPNs. That is why all of the VPNs on our list have apps that are easy to use and are compatible with a range of devices.
Whether or not it is good for streaming. One of the main uses for VPNs is to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from other countries. Therefore, we chose VPNs that can unblock most, if not all, of the major streaming services.
Customer support. Just in case anything goes wrong or you need some extra help, it is crucial to choose a VPN that has good customer support. All of the VPNs on our list offer live chat or email support.
Price. We have also looked at value for money and included a range of VPNs that cater to different budgets.
What is a zero-logs VPN? A zero-logs VPN is a VPN service that doesn’t store data about users’ online activities or connections. This means that it won’t save any information about what you do online, including your personal details, banking information, and search history. Therefore, you can retain complete anonymity. Even your VPN provider won’t be able to see what you are doing.
In fact, this is one of the main reasons for using a VPN, as in many countries, ISPs collect information about users’ online activities and store the information for a period of time. This can then be made available to law enforcement or intelligence agencies. And in the US, ISPs are even allowed to collect and sell your data to advertisers.
A VPN can help you get around this by encrypting your data and hiding it from your ISP. All your ISP can see is that you are connected to a VPN server, which then reroutes your traffic, so your ISP is unable to see what you are doing online.
Unfortunately, however, most VPN providers do log at least some user data, and they may also sell your information on to third parties. So it is vital to choose a VPN that operates a strict zero-logs policy, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or any of the other providers on our list above.
Types of VPN logsVPNs can keep different types of data logs. Here, are a few of the relevant terms and what they mean:
Online activity logs are exactly what the name suggests: this is when a VPN stores information about what you are doing online. Sometimes these are called usage logs. If your VPN provider connects online activity logs, that means it knows what websites you’re visiting, what online services you’re using, etc. Luckily, not all VPNs log this data, and none of the VPNs on our list can see this information.
Connection logs are the most common form of data logs kept by VPNs. And unfortunately, even some VPNs that claim to be completely anonymous keep connection logs. This means that it can keep information related to your VPN session. This can include your IP address, the IP assigned to you by the VPN server, usage timestamps (how long your online session lasted), which protocol you used, and how much VPN data you used.
Personally-identifiable logs are personal information that can identify you. This can include your email addresses, bank details, clear text passwords, date of birth, home address, IP addresses, phone models, device ID, and other sensitive data. Typically, these are not collected through the VPN service, but rather through the website and other means. Many VPNs will give you the choice of whether you want to divulge personally identifiable information (e. g., by offering anonymous payment methods).
Why should I use a no-logs VPN? A no-logs VPN is vital if you care about privacy because it means that no one, not even your VPN provider, can access any of your online activity.
Here are some of the main reasons why that is so important:
It hides your activities from your ISP: In many countries, internet service providers are allowed to collect information about your online activities and store this data for a set period of time. If your ISP logs information about your online activity, it may be obliged to share that information with your country’s law enforcement or intelligence agencies. This can be particularly problematic if you are based in a country like China. If you use a no-logs VPN, however, you can avoid this completely.
Less targeted advertising and more data security: In some countries, including the US, your ISP is legally allowed to sell your data to third parties, such as advertisers. They will then be able to target you with ads. Not to mention, the more people have your data – the bigger the chance it will leak. A VPN will protect you from this by stopping your ISP from gathering any data about your online activity.
You will have peace of mind: A truly anonymous VPN that operates a strict no-logs policy will give you complete reassurance that no one will be able to view your online activity. A VPN works by encrypting and diverting your traffic, so that no one can see what you are doing online.
Which free VPNs do not keep logs? Unfortunately, most free VPNs make their money by logging data about your online activity, including traffic logs and connection timestamps, and selling it to advertisers. So you would be very unlikely to find a completely free VPN that is actually anonymous.
Aside from this, free VPNs generally deliver slow speeds and are usually blocked by international streaming services. This means you wouldn’t be able to use it to access foreign versions of Netflix or Amazon Prime Video or to unblock geo-blocked apps, such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, or HBO Max.
We would strongly recommend paying a small monthly fee for a reputable no-logs VPN, such as Surfshark or CyberGhost. But if you really don’t want to pay to use an anonymous VPN, you could try using a freemium VPN. This is a free version of a reputable VPN, which may have a no-logs policy. Having said that, these VPNs usually have much more limited functionality, and they often come with a monthly data cap. You also would not be able to use them to bypass geo-restrictions on international content.
If you want to try it out, we recommend using ProtonVPN or Atlas VPN, both of which have a no-logs policy and have no data limit. Alternatively, you could try Windscribe’s freemium version, which offers a monthly data cap of 10GB.
FAQs
How are no-log VPNs legal?
In most countries, it is completely legal to use a VPN. And a no-logs VPN is legal because a VPN provider is not required to keep any records of your online activity.
Are no-log VPNs safe?
Yes, VPNs that use a strict no-logs policy are very safe to use because they do not store any of your data. This means that no one can view any of your online activities. So, your sensitive data, including your personal information, banking details, and search history, are completely safe from prying eyes.
Which VPNs do not keep logs?
Luckily, there are some excellent anonymous VPNs, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. CyberGhost, PIA, Mullvad, and VyprVPN also operate strict no-logs policies.
Why do VPN services keep logs?
Unfortunately, a lot of VPN services keep data logs on their users in order to sell that information on to advertisers and other third parties. To get around this, we recommend using an anonymous VPN that operates a zero logs policy, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
More VPN guides from CyberNews:Best Free VPN Services: the best anonymity networks with no cost and no strings attached
7 Best VPNs for Streaming (Movies): the easy way to increase your home library
Best VPNs for Windows: make your laptop or PC extra private
Anonymous VPN – Online Privacy Protection
We’re here to serve and protect.
Your privacy.
No Logs what-so-ever.
We’re dead serious about this. We don’t store any logs of your online activity. So if push comes to shove and governments ask us to hand over logs of our users, we just tell them “sorry folks, can’t help you cause we don’t keep logs”. It’s that simple.
Bypass Internet Censorship
Internet Censorship? Not on our watch! With Anonymous VPN no government of no country will tell you what you can do, say or see when surfing the net. We’re putting the power back in our hands to roam freely where ever your internet heart desires.
Blazing speed
Our dream has always been to create a VPN service that you can use without ever knowing that it’s there, working, protecting your online activity. Dreams do come true at times and we were able to accomplish this with cutting edge hardware and software we custom built for Anonymous VPN – Try it out and see for yourself.
Feel the simplicity
Straightforward and easy to use, Anonymous VPN is as simple as it gets! We custom built it to be simple and intuitive so even Dude’s (our mascot) grandma can use it! So check it out and see for yourself!
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Secure
We use strong industry standard encryption to ensure that your traffic cannot be intercepted at the access point or ISP level.
Frequently Asked Questions about vpn anonymous
Are VPN really anonymous?
Privacy isn’t interchangeable with anonymity and VPNs don’t make you anonymous. … The connection between the VPN server and website (or web service) isn’t encrypted but your identity is protected because the server changes your IP address.Dec 2, 2020
Can you be tracked if using a VPN?
No, your web traffic and IP address can’t be tracked anymore. The VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address by routing your connection requests through a VPN server. If anyone tries to track them, they’ll just see the VPN server’s IP address and complete gibberish.Sep 15, 2020
Is Google VPN anonymous?
As soon as you connect to the VPN, everything you do online is anonymous. Any websites you visit, any online searches you carry out on Google, Yahoo or Bing are out of sight.