What is a no-logs policy?
A no-logs policy means a VPN provider does not store records of your online activity. This includes:
- Which websites you visited
- What files you downloaded
- When you connected and for how long
- Your real IP address
Without logs, even if a government or law enforcement agency demanded your data — there would be nothing to hand over. This is the core promise of a no-logs VPN.
The problem: anyone can claim no-logs
Writing "no-logs policy" on a website costs nothing. The only way to know if a VPN actually keeps no logs is through independent third-party audits — where external security firms inspect the VPN's servers and code.
Some VPNs have also had their no-logs policies proven in court — when law enforcement demanded data and the VPN couldn't provide it because the logs genuinely didn't exist.
No-logs audit comparison
| VPN | Audited? | Auditor | Times | Court tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | ✓ Yes | PwC, Deloitte | 6× | Not publicly |
| PureVPN | ✓ Always-on | KPMG | Continuous | Not publicly |
| Proton VPN | ✓ Yes | Multiple | Several | ✓ Yes — upheld |
| Mysterium VPN | ✓ By design | Open source | N/A | N/A — no central server |
| HideMy.name | ✗ No | None | 0 | No |
| TurboVPN | ✗ No | None | 0 | No |
What makes a no-logs audit credible?
- Reputable auditor — Big Four accounting firms (PwC, Deloitte, KPMG) carry more weight than unknown firms
- Scope — Did they audit servers, code, and infrastructure? Or just the privacy policy document?
- Frequency — One audit in 10 years means little. NordVPN's 6 audits and PureVPN's always-on KPMG audit are more credible
- Published results — The audit report should be publicly available
Our top pick for no-logs privacy
NordVPN — 6 independent audits, Panama jurisdiction, zero logs confirmed. $2.99/mo with 30-day guarantee.
Get NordVPN →