Best VPNs for privacy in 2024: Protect yourself online

Want a VPN that provides rock-solid encryption and a no-logging policy? We tested the market to find the best VPNs for privacy.

Want a VPN for privacy that prevents local networks, ISPs, and government agencies from being able to monitor your web visits? The best VPNs for privacy provide a choice of robust VPN protocols that offer rock-solid encryption and features that prevent you from ever leaking unprotected data outside of the VPN tunnel.

There are hundreds of competing consumer VPNs on the market but they don't all offer the same level of protection. Many of the VPNs you can find in app stores suffer from vulnerabilities or have outdated apps and protocols. This makes them unreliable for gaining watertight online privacy. 

In this guide, we tested the market to find the most reliable VPNs for privacy. We thoroughly checked each provider's privacy policy to be 100% sure it never keeps records of your activities. We prioritized VPNs that have commissioned a third-party audit and include important features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation.

If you aim to torrent discreetly, browse the web without employer tracking, or download torrents while evading ISP monitoring, a top-tier VPN for privacy is indispensable. The VPNs recommended in this guide have undergone thorough testing and boast the features required to circumvent restrictions and censorship in nations like the UAE, Turkey, Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia – without attracting government scrutiny. 

These private VPNs will shield your activities from tracking on public WiFi hotspots in venues such as hotels and coffee shops, ensuring unwavering privacy no matter where you choose to connect to the internet. Plus, the encryption provided by these VPNs means you can use public WiFi without fear of hackers and Evil Twin hotspots. 

Below, you can take a quick look at the providers. For additional information that will help you choose between them, scroll down to our in-depth summaries.

The best VPNs for privacy:

1. NordVPN: Top VPN choice for privacy. Reliable apps for all platforms come with strong encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscated servers, and MultiHop connections. Has more than 6,200 servers in 111+ nations. Rock solid no-logs policy has been independently audited. Diskless servers for added protection. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 
2. Surfshark: This is a highly reliable and secure VPN that has had its apps and policies audited by an independent security firm. It has apps for all popular devices that come with strong encryption, a choice of protocols, and a kill switch. IPs are available in 100+ countries, and they work to access popular streams like Netflix. 
3. ExpressVPN: A highly versatile and private VPN based in the British Virgin Islands. Implements a solid no-logs policy and AES encryption. Apps for all devices include a kill switch and OpenVPN with obfuscation. Allows torrenting throughout its network and works with popular streaming services. 
4. ProtonVPN: One of the most advanced VPNs. Comes with strong encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, MultiHop, obfuscation, split tunneling, port forwarding, and Tor over VPN. Servers in 85+ countries work to bypass strict censorship and stream international platforms like Netflix.
5. PrivateVPN: This Sweden-based VPN provider lives up to its name with a self-run network, a robust no-logs policy, strong encryption, and a kill switch. Port forwarding is available for torrenting and it has servers in 63+ countries that work with popular streaming services. 
6. Mullvad: A smaller provider that has a superb reputation for privacy. Based in Sweden. It has reliable apps with a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling.

Summary Table

A VPN for privacy must handle data in a completely secure manner. To make our recommendations, we start by analyzing the privacy policies of the world’s most popular VPNs. 

We have only recommended VPNs that promise never to keep records of the servers you use or any of your activities while connected to the VPN. We also prioritize VPNs that have paid for an independent audit of their apps, servers, and policies. Audits increase trust in the service and ensure the VPN is working as advertised.

Later in this guide, we will provide additional info about how we test and recommend the best VPNs for privacy. For now, here is a list of the most important criteria we looked for:

• No logging policy
• Robust 256-bit encryption
• A kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN connection fails
• A choice of secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard
• Advanced features like obfuscation and MultiHop
• A global server network to get an IP address just about anywhere
• Fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming and torrenting
• Excellent accessibility, with servers that work with Netflix and other popular services
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

Best VPNs for privacy: Detailed reviews

All the VPNs recommended in this guide will provide you with watertight online privacy. You can use them to prevent local networks such as workplaces from monitoring your activities and stop public WiFi providers from snooping on you. 

These VPNs will completely secure you against ISP-based mandatory data retention, and stop your web traffic from being hoovered up by government spies. They will also prevent websites from detecting your location, and allow you to torrent without revealing your IP address to other users P2P. 

That said, each VPN is slightly different. Each has some unique attributes or features so we recommend reading our summaries to get the most private VPN for your specific requirements.

NordVPN is our favorite provider for gaining online privacy. The VPN represents incredible value for money considering the superb feature set it delivers, and it has all the features you need to prevent online tracking, torrent safely, and protect yourself against hackers on public WiFi.

The VPN is based in privacy-friendly Panama, a country that lacks mandatory data retention directives and allows NordVPN to implement a strong no-logs policy. It has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Amazon Firestick, and Linux that come with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, MultiHop connections, 256-bit encryption, a choice of reliable VPN protocols, split tunneling, and Tor over VPN.

The VPN has been subjected to a full independent audit, meaning that its apps and server network do not suffer from any underlying vulnerabilities. In addition, the VPN runs on a network of self-managed diskless servers that run exclusively in RAM. This allows the VPN to wipe any of its services instantly by pulling the plug – ideal in an emergency.

Each subscriber can connect up to 10 devices at once. This makes the VPN suitable for people who own many devices, or families who all require use of a VPN. The VPN has more than 6,200 servers in a hopping 111+ countries, allowing you to get an IP address on any continent. 

Best of all, our tests proved that this VPN works to access numerous Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Crave, and many other popular streaming services around the globe. Live chat support is available 24/7 to ask questions and you can try it yourself thanks to its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. 

BEST PRIVACY VPN: NordVPN is a popular VPN based in Panama. It is fast, secure, and reliable. It has everything you need to prevent online tracking and surveillance. Protects against hackers when using public WiFi or working remotely. Includes a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, and a free Smart DNS service. 24/7 live chat support. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is a service we can recommend to any home internet user in need of a highly versatile VPN. The VPN is very affordable considering the level of service it provides. This makes it suitable for people who need online privacy without breaking the bank. What’s more, the VPN allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription – making it perfect for families who want to use a VPN on multiple devices when at home, at work, on campus, and while out and about on public WiFi.

The VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux, making it extremely versatile. Those apps come with a kill switch, 256-bit encryption, a choice of protocols, obfuscation, split tunneling, ad and tracker blocking, and a free Smart DNS service that works to access US platforms on devices that won’t let you install a VPN directly (such as gaming consoles). The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a country that lacks invasive surveillance agencies and mandatory data retention directives. It has a watertight no-logs policy which has been audited, and it runs on a network of diskless servers.

Users can connect to more than 3,000 servers in 100+ countries, making it a superb option for accessing home services on vacation and for bypassing regional locks to watch international streaming services like Netflix US. In our tests, the VPN worked to stream iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and countless other platforms. Torrenting is also allowed throughout its network.

If you have any questions about installing or using the VPN, you can easily contact its 24/7 live chat support. A highly secure VPN at a very affordable price point.

SUPERB VALUE: Surfshark has robust encryption and a no-logging policy. Diskless servers for added protection. Obfuscation to conceal VPN use in countries like China and the UAE. Servers in more than 100 countries, ideal for accessing Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Hulu, etc. Speedy Wireguard protocol for gaming and streaming. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a market-leading VPN service that was established in 2009. The service prioritizes user privacy with a strong no-logs policy that has been independently audited, ensuring that all your internet traffic and data remain confidential.

The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which helps to protect its users from invasive jurisdictions like the US, the EU, and Britain. Its network consists of more than 3,000 diskless servers that run in RAM for added security, and those servers are available in over 100 countries to allow you to bypass online censorship and region locks.

ExpressVPN has custom apps for all popular platforms that come with AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, and split tunneling. OpenVPN connections are automatically obfuscated. Its custom Lightway protocol is perfect for HD streaming, gaming, and torrenting – and the VPN allows torrenting throughout its network.

In our tests, ExpressVPN worked to access over a dozen Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, YouTube TV, BBC iPlayer, and many other popular international services. Live chat support is available 24/7. 

The only real drawback is that it is a touch expensive. However, it is a highly reliable VPN that provides excellent privacy to hundreds of thousands of users worldwide.

FAST AND RELIABLE: ExpressVPN is a versatile all-rounder that offers excellent privacy and reliability. Lightway protocol gives you fast speeds for streaming and gaming. No-logs policy and strong encryption make it great for torrenting and using Kodi. Prevents ISP throttling and tracking. Perfect to bypass blocks at work with complete privacy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN is a provider based in Switzerland that could easily have made the top of this list. The VPN was developed by the team behind ProtonMail, meaning the service has an outstanding reputation and a dedication to user privacy. The VPN has been fully audited and as you would expect from such a well-known name in the privacy niche, it maintains a rock solid no-logs policy.

Customs apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, and Android, and those apps are packed with advanced features that make Proton a favorite among tech heads. These include a choice of protocols, strong encryption, stealth VPN for obfuscation, MultiHop, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and port forwarding. The latter makes it perfect for users who want to regularly seed torrents.

Each subscriber can connect up to 10 devices, which is usually more than enough for power users and families. Servers are available in 85+ countries, which ensures users can get an IP address on any continent. In our tests, the servers worked to watch popular streaming services in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan. This includes accessing multiple Netflix regions.

So, why is this VPN below the options above? Firstly, Proton VPN is quite advanced, meaning that some people may find it more confusing. It is also a little more expensive than our top two choices, meaning you should be certain you need all of its features before committing.

However, if you want a super fast VPN with WireGuard connections designed for data-intensive tasks like torrenting and streaming, and you also want one of the most secure and reliable VPNs on the market, Proton VPN is well worth a try.

ADVANCED VPN: Proton VPN is a highly robust VPN that connects incredibly quickly. It has fast speeds for streaming and is highly robust in terms of security. A no-logs policy ensures all your activities remain private. Works to access most international streaming services, including US Netflix. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

PrivateVPN is a Sweden-based provider established in 2016. It lives up to its name by prioritizing user privacy above all else. The VPN is well known for its torrenting-optimized servers and port forwarding capabilities. It launched with the backing of hacktivists who support consumer torrenting rights.

With a robust no-logs policy and servers spanning 63+ countries, PrivateVPN guarantees anonymity and data protection no matter where you use the VPN. This makes it ideal for preventing ISP and government snooping and for bypassing blocks at work without being monitored. Obfuscation also makes it a worthwhile option for people visiting or living in countries with a lot of censorship.

 While it may not be the fastest VPN available, its affordability and privacy features make it a compelling option for users seeking heightened security. In our tests, it still performed well for streaming Netflix and other streaming services.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms, PrivateVPN's user-friendly apps include essential security features like a kill switch, obfuscation, DNS leak protection, military-grade encryption, SOCKS5 proxy, port forwarding, and split tunneling. 

Despite its smaller server count compared to competitors, PrivateVPN strategically positions its servers to seamlessly access popular streaming services like Hulu, iPlayer, and HBO Max. You can compare it to any other VPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee. A private VPN that offers great value for money.

ROBUST PRIVACY: PrivateVPN is a smaller VPN service that has a superb reputation. It is highly secure and offers excellent value for money. Servers in 63+ countries work with many popular streaming platforms including a dozen Netflix regions. Solid no-logs policy and based in Sweden. Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of PrivateVPN.

Mullvad has been around since 2009 and has maintained an impeccable reputation as a smaller provider dedicated to user privacy. The VPN has apps for all platforms that come with advanced features like MultiHop connections, obfuscation, and Tor over VPN. The VPN provides a choice of protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. It employs highly reliable AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. 

The VPN network extends to 41+ countries, which gives you fewer choices than our top recommendations. However, those are Tier-1 servers that provide superb speeds. The VPN has split tunneling, but it has now decided to remove its port forwarding feature, meaning it is falling out of favor with users who torrent.

Mullvad has a system-level kill switch that prevents any traffic traveling outside of the secure tunnel. This makes it a reliable VPN for preventing online tracking at the hands of ISPs and government agencies. The obfuscation feature makes the VPN safe to use in countries like China and the UAE.

The main drawback is that this VPN is a touch expensive. It is primarily designed to provide privacy and does not work with as many streaming services as our top choices. For this reason, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, if security and privacy are your priority, then it remains a highly respected VPN. You can pay in cash for added privacy if you want to.

STRONG PRIVACY FEATURES: Mullvad VPN is a Swedish service that has a superb reputation. It is a fast and reliable VPN that can protect you against ISP snooping, government surveillance, and hackers on public WiFi. MultiHop and bridging modes are available for obfuscation. Secure to use in countries with surveillance. 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Read our full review of Mullvad.

VPN for privacy – testing methodology

To find the most private VPNs, we tested the market in search of VPNs that have rock-solid privacy policies and encryption. We strove to find the very best VPNs for concealing your online activities from online services, government surveillance, nosey ISPs, and local networks. 

To identify VPNs that meet these stringent criteria, we employed a meticulous VPN testing methodology. Our careful approach involves carrying out leak tests, encryption assessments, and a comprehensive analysis of the privacy policy to check that the VPN never maintains any records of user activities.

We also check that each VPN offers a choice of apps for various platforms and that they have important features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and obfuscation. We also consider speeds and performance as well as the ability of the VPN to bypass online blocks and restrictions. 

Below, we have included a list of features and attributes that each provider had to meet to be considered for this list of the best private VPNs:

• Security: The VPNs highlighted prioritize user data protection and privacy. Each VPN provides robust encryption, modern protocols, kill switches, and DNS leak protection, ensuring complete privacy for all your online activities whether you're at home, work, or on public WiFi networks.
• Privacy: Every VPN recommended in this guide has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your IP address, server use, and browsing activities are never recorded or shared with third parties. 
• High-speed servers: Our recommendations offer exceptionally fast server networks and protocols. This allows you to gain a seamless experience when streaming, gaming, and making video calls.
• Global network: The VPNs in this guide are not only private but useful for getting access to IPs in remote locations. They work to bypass local network blocks, government censorship, and region locks.  
• Apps for all devices: These VPNs offer user-friendly apps for a wide range of devices, ensuring privacy and accessibility across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
• Reliable customer service: Each VPN has round-the-clock live chat support, and email support to ensure you can always get help with using the service you paid for. 
• Advanced features: Users who prioritize privacy may want features like a kill switch, obfusction, MultiHop, and Tor over VPN. We strived to find the most reliable VPNs that offer as many of these features as possible

Besides these features, our top three picks must also have completed a full third-party audit and have diskless servers. This ensures that the VPN's privacy claims have been tested and verified, and increases security for its users by allowing the VPN to instantly erase a server in case of an emergency or government intervention.

VPN for privacy – FAQs

Is a free VPN private?

Although there are a few reliable VPN providers that offer a basic free plan, it is important to remember that these are few and far between. Most of the free VPNs available on app stores like Google Play have dodgy privacy policies that allow them to track all your web visits for profiling purposes. These VPNs will keep records of your IP address and the websites you visit, and then sell that data to third parties such as marketing companies and data brokers. This renders those VPNs useless for gaining online privacy, which is why it is important to understand the dangers involved with 99% of free VPNs.

The few secure VPNs that offer a free plan provide a limited version of their VPN that allows you to connect to just a few locations. These services also impose download limits, meaning you can only use the VPN on a limited basis each month. In addition, the free servers block access to popular services like Netflix to encourage people to upgrade to a paid plan.

The good news is that trustworthy premium VPNs that offer a free plan do not compromise privacy in any way. While you are limited in where you can connect, the VPN’s encryption, security features, and no-logging policy are still implemented at 100%. This means that you can still use the free version to hide your activities from local networks and ISPs.

Just remember that you must do some research and be sure to use only reputable free VPNs. Choosing a free VPN at random could result in exposure to dangerous services that suffer from vulnerabilities, have dangerous data policies, and even hide sypware in their apps.

What features should a VPN for privacy have?

A VPN designed for privacy should ideally possess the following features:

• A strict no-logs policy
• Strong encryption
• A kill switch
• DNS leak protection
• Multi-platform support
• Based in a trusted jurisdiction
• Additional privacy features such as obfuscation, MultiHop, diskless servers, and tracker blocking for added protection
• Independent audits

By prioritizing these features, you can select a VPN that effectively safeguards your online privacy and security.

Why do I need a VPN for privacy?

Everything you do online can be monitored by local networks and internet service providers. In addition, the websites, apps, and services you use can track your device’s unique IP address, which means they know every time you return to their website. This data is used for profiling purposes. Additionally, your ISP can see every site you visit, and any unencrypted data you download or upload.

A VPN encrypts your connections to stop all local networks (workplaces, public hotspots, internet providers in rented accommodation, campus or dorm internet, or any other location where there is internet) from being able to monitor what you do online. 

The VPN’s encryption gives you the freedom to search the web without fear that your activities could be monitored by any eavesdroppers including government agencies. This is vital when living in or visiting countries that implement widespread surveillance and censorship. 

No matter why you want online privacy, the VPNs in this guide are perfect. They will completely conceal your internet traffic in an encrypted tunnel that prevents all eavesdroppers from being able to see what you are doing online. As a result, you can reduce your digital footprint.

Can I bypass VoIP blocks with a VPN for privacy?

Yes. If you travel to a country where VoIP services are restricted, such as the UAE or Saudi Arabia, you can use a VPN to regain access. The encryption provided by a VPN will conceal your activities from local networks and ISPs while also giving you an IP address in a region where VoIP is still available. This will allow you to make Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, or Facetime calls without being tracked by local authorities.

Will a VPN prevent ISP tracking?

Yes. One of the primary benefits of a VPN for privacy is that it will prevent your ISP from detecting your web visits. The encryption provided by a VPN means that you're free to use the web without worrying about ISP tracking and mandatory data retention directives. Encryption helps to thwart a persistent layer of tracking and stops ISPs from being able to pass information about you on to government agencies.

Can I gain online privacy at work using a VPN?

Yes. When you connect to a VPN the local network administrator at your workplace will no longer be able to monitor your activities. As a result, you can bypass any blocks imposed on the network to use social media, YouTube, Netflix, or any other service that interests you without being tracked.

Are all VPNs private?

No. There are dozens of competing consumer-facing VPNs and they were not all created equally. Some VPNs have leaky apps, others suffer from network vulnerabilities, and some even have dodgy privacy policies that allow them to track you for profiling purposes. It is vital to subscribe to a VPN with a robust no-logging policy and high-quality data protection features designed from the ground up to supply its users with watertight online privacy.

How do I use a VPN for privacy?

Using a VPN to gain online privacy is very easy. As long as you stick to one of the VPNs recommended in this guide, you can follow the steps below:

1. Pick the VPN that has the features you require. We recommend NordVPN because it is fast, secure, and offers superb reliability and accessibility. Pick Surfshark if you want a cheaper option, or any of our other recommendations if they suit your needs better.
2. Navigate to the VPN’s website using our link. This will automatically implement a special discount that we have agreed with the VPN – getting you a better deal.
3. Subscribe to the VPN. Remember that longer subscription plans will get you a substantial discount.
4. Download and install the VPN software onto your device.
5. Choose a VPN server and click Connect.

As soon as the VPN connection displays that it has connected to the VPN server location you are protected. This means that you have an IP address in a remote location and all of your data is being sent through a protected tunnel preventing any eavesdroppers from tracking your activities.