Privacy-focused services like encrypted email, secure messaging, and VPNs are growing in importance with each passing day. We live in an era where dissent is crushed and corporations treat user data like chips on a poker table. Your browsing habits, location data, and online communications have become valuable commodities to be traded without your consent.
VPNs have emerged as essential tools for reclaiming digital sovereignty, but not all VPN services actually protect your privacy. Many providers claim to offer security while secretly logging user activity and storing connection records. This creates a false sense of security that can be more dangerous than having no protection at all.
This list differs from our other VPN list, as we are focusing exclusively on services that either have independently audited no-logging policies or make no-logs claims backed by their practices.
1. Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN is one of the very few VPN services that allow you to generate a random account number instead of asking you for your email ID and other personal details. Their Swedish jurisdiction provides strong privacy protections, and they've actually removed servers when governments demanded access.
The service operates with complete transparency about their infrastructure and regularly publishes independent security audit results. Plus, their WireGuard implementation performs exceptionally well on Linux systems compared to traditional OpenVPN protocols. You can even pay anonymously by mailing cash to their office.
⭐ Key Features
- Anonymous account creation.
- Native Linux apps with GUI and CLI options.
- WireGuard protocol optimized for Linux performance.
2. Proton VPN
Proton VPN (partner link) comes from the team behind Proton Mail and leverages Switzerland's strict privacy laws for protection. Their no-logs policy has been independently verified multiple times, and they publish regular transparency reports.
I have been using ProtonVPN for quite some time now, and it's one of the first things I launch when booting into my Fedora-powered workstation. While the connection quality, download speeds, and server availability have been excellent, the ancient user interface for the Linux client can be frustrating sometimes.
Sourav Rudra
⭐ Key Features
- VPN Accelerator for faster connection speeds.
- Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly countries.
- NetShield ad, tracker, and malware blocking at DNS level.
3. Internxt VPN
Internxt VPN (partner links) hides and encrypts your internet traffic, protecting you from invasive tracking, targeted ads, and online surveillance. It has servers in five countries: France, Germany, Poland, Canada, and the UK.
Their premium VPN comes as a bundle alongside their secure cloud storage services, which is the main product they are known for. I have their 1 TB lifetime plan that provides access to their VPN server located in France. The VPN can only be used via Chrome-based browser extension.
While the server network is smaller, it provides stable connections and essential location coverage for European and North American users.
Basically, if you opt for their encrypted cloud storage service, you are getting a VPN for free.
Internxt clearly mentions a no log policy on its website. There are no independent security audits on VPN that I could find. The cloud storage service has been audited by Securitum.
Internxt is celebrating their 5th anniversary, and their services are currently at 87% off using our exclusive code "it'sfoss".
⭐ Key Features
- Blocks ISP tracking and ads.
- Chrome-based browser extension only.
- Integrates with Internxt ecosystem that includes cloud storage and antivirus.
4. IVPN
IVPN focuses on practical privacy features without unnecessary bloat or marketing gimmicks. They collect minimal data and allocate randomly generated accounts to users instead of asking for PII.
Their server network prioritizes quality over quantity, with all hardware under IVPN's direct control to prevent third-party interference. Multi-hop connections route traffic through multiple servers for enhanced anonymity, and anti-surveillance features include advanced obfuscation to bypass network restrictions and deep packet inspection.
⭐ Key Features
- Multi-hop connections for enhanced anonymity.
- Firewall integration with WebRTS leak protection.
- Regular independent security audits with public results.
5. AirVPN
AirVPN caters to power users who want complete control over their VPN experience without handholding or simplified interfaces. The Italian service maintains detailed technical documentation and has an active community where users share configurations and troubleshooting tips.
Port forwarding works great for torrenting and gaming, while unlimited server switches let you hop between locations freely. OpenVPN over SSH and SSL bypasses censorship in restrictive countries, and you can have up to five simultaneous connections per account.
I could not find any security audits or third-party sources on their no-logging policy though.
⭐ Key Features
- OpenVPN over SSH, SSL, and Tor tunneling.
- Port forwarding and unlimited server switches.
- Adding an email address during signup is optional.
6. Surfshark
Surfshark gained popularity by offering unlimited device connections at prices that won't break your budget. This makes it practical for households with multiple laptops, phones, and other devices needing protection.
It packs several practical features beyond basic VPN functionality, including CleanWeb ad blocking, Bypasser split tunneling, and Cookie Pop-up Blocker for cleaner browsing.
We have reviewed Surfshark's Linux app in the past and it is quite a good service.
Ankush Das
⭐ Key Features
- CleanWeb ad and malware blocking.
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections.
- RAM-only servers with automatic data wiping.
7. NordVPN
NordVPN runs one of the largest server networks with thousands of access points across 60+ countries for reliable global coverage. Their specialty servers include P2P-optimized nodes, obfuscated servers for restrictive networks, and dedicated IP options for users who require a consistent IP address.
Multiple independent audits have verified their no-logs claims aren't just marketing promises, and their Double VPN routes traffic through multiple servers located in different countries for added privacy.
There are native GUI and CLI apps that work seamlessly across major Linux distributions without requiring manual OpenVPN configuration files or third-party clients.
⭐ Key Features
- Malware and ad blocking.
- NordLynx WireGuard implementation.
- Double VPN and Onion Over VPN connections.
8. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN costs a bit more than the others on this list, but it makes up for the premium pricing with solid infrastructure and consistent performance. Their servers maintain advertised speeds during peak hours instead of crawling to a halt, and the service reliably unblocks region-locked streaming content.
It's TrustedServer tech ensures all servers run on RAM-only infrastructure, automatically wiping data with each restart for enhanced security, and the Lightway protocol provides quick download speeds for big files.
While the desktop app for Linux is currently in beta, it should work reliably across major distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.
Their no-log policy has been independently audited.
⭐ Key Features
- Best-in-class AES-256 encryption.
- Network Lock kill switch for when your connection drops.
- Access to ExpressVPN's Private DNS for more secure connections.
In the end...
As I mentioned earlier, I am not a security expert, so I cannot vouch for how good their no-log policies are. Many of these services have to battle court orders to resist logging in different geographical regions and those are murky stuff.
My team and I have used the VPNs listed here in our personal capacity as end users. Currently, I use ProtonVPN as It's FOSS has a visionary plan for ProtonMail and all the Proton services.
Choosing a good VPN from the list I provided here is really up to you. If you want full anonymity, Mullvad VPN seems a good bet if you can afford it. If you want something inexpensive that could protect your privacy from targeted advertising, unblock some georestricted contents, Internxt VPN could be worth a look, especially when it is bundled with encrypted cloud storage.
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