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How to compare no-logs VPNs
A no-logs policy is a provider’s claim about what information it collects or retains. An independent audit can add evidence, but only for the systems and controls within its scope and the period examined. It is not a permanent guarantee about every system, future version, or activity a user performs online.
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The evidence available for these services is not directly equivalent: Proton’s 2026 announcement reproduces a statement about examined server infrastructure; ExpressVPN describes a Type 1 assessment of TrustedServer and policy claims at a specified date; and the NordVPN information below comes from a reviewer rather than a report checked directly here.
| Provider | Audit evidence and date | Scope described | Report access | Practical privacy detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Securitum assessment in 2026; Proton calls it its fifth consecutive annual audit. | Examined server infrastructure and whether it logged specified categories of user activity and metadata. | Proton’s announcement links the full report. | Proton lists IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard, and a kill switch that cuts internet access if the VPN connection drops. |
| ExpressVPN | KPMG LLP assessment announced in June 2025; claims examined as of February 28, 2025, under ISAE (UK) 3000 Type 1. | TrustedServer system and privacy-policy claims; ExpressVPN reports reasonable assurance that systems functioned as designed, with no identified issues concerning technical safeguards against activity logging. | ExpressVPN links the report, subject to accepting KPMG’s terms. | ExpressVPN describes TrustedServer as RAM-based, with data wiped when a server reboots. |
| NordVPN | Tom’s Guide reports a Deloitte no-logs audit in February 2026. | The reviewer describes a no-logs audit; details of the underlying report are not independently confirmed here. | Not established by the cited reviewer information; consult the underlying audit report for its scope and access terms. | Tom’s Guide also reports RAM-only servers. |
These are descriptions of different evidence, not scores on a common scale. RAM-based or RAM-only infrastructure is a design detail, not by itself proof that a provider never collects information. Nor do the cited sources establish a controlled, comparable speed or streaming ranking.
#1 Best Overall
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Proton VPN: a published 2026 server-infrastructure assessment
Proton VPN says Securitum conducted its fifth consecutive annual no-logs audit in 2026. The provider’s announcement reproduces this auditor statement: “The technical evidence reviewed during the engagement did not indicate that the examined Proton VPN server infrastructure logs users’ browsing activity, DNS queries, destination services, network traffic contents or user-identifiable connection metadata.” Proton VPN’s June 16, 2026 announcement links the full Securitum report.
The wording matters: it describes technical evidence reviewed during an engagement and the examined server infrastructure. It does not say that every Proton system or future version is incapable of collecting data. “Fifth consecutive annual audit” is Proton’s description of its audit series, not an independent statistic comparing providers.
Rank #2
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Useful connection controls, separate from the audit
Proton lists IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard as supported VPN protocols. Its policy page says the kill switch terminates internet access if the connection to a VPN server is interrupted. These features can affect how a connection behaves, but they do not establish whether a provider retains logs. Proton also says its apps are open source and independently audited; app assessments are distinct from the Securitum no-logs assessment. See Proton’s no-logs policy and feature page.
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In a June 2025 announcement, ExpressVPN said KPMG LLP assessed its TrustedServer system and privacy-policy claims as of February 28, 2025, under ISAE (UK) 3000 Type 1. ExpressVPN says KPMG provided “reasonable assurance” that the systems functioned as designed and identified no issues regarding technical safeguards against activity logging. The report is linked from ExpressVPN’s audit announcement, subject to accepting KPMG’s terms.
Rank #3
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- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
ExpressVPN describes TrustedServer as RAM-based, with data wiped when a server reboots. That describes infrastructure design; the audit conclusion is the evidence about the assessed system and claims at the stated date. ExpressVPN’s Trust Center lists different kinds of audits, including product, protocol and app work. Those should not all be counted as equivalent no-logs assessments. Its Trust Center is the place to review its audit listings and infrastructure description.
NordVPN: recent audit reported by a reviewer
Tom’s Guide’s NordVPN review reports a Deloitte no-logs audit in February 2026 and says NordVPN uses RAM-only servers. This is secondary-source reporting here: the underlying Deloitte report has not been checked directly, so its precise scope, conclusion and public access terms are not established by the cited review information. Read the report itself before treating the review’s summary as a detailed account of what was audited.
Rank #4
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- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
What these audits can—and cannot—tell you
They are time-bounded evidence, not a promise about every future condition
An audit speaks to the systems, controls and period it examined. Proton’s reproduced statement explicitly refers to “examined” infrastructure; ExpressVPN gives a specific assessment date for its policy and TrustedServer claims. Neither description warrants extending the conclusion to every system, change or future operation.
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A VPN does not make you anonymous
A VPN routes your connection through a provider; a no-logs audit addresses only evidence about provider logging within its scope. It does not establish anonymity. Websites and services can still associate activity with accounts or other information they collect, which is outside the narrow audit evidence described above.
Best Value
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- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Features and performance are different questions
Protocols, a kill switch and RAM-based infrastructure can help readers assess how a service handles connections and servers. They are not substitutes for an audit, and the sources cited here do not establish a common independent speed or streaming comparison. Proton’s provider comparison page is vendor-authored and notes limits on access to some competitors’ audit reports; treat cross-provider claims there accordingly. See Proton’s comparison page.
How to choose among the evidence
- If inspectability matters most: Proton links the full Securitum report in its announcement. ExpressVPN also links its report, although access is subject to KPMG’s terms.
- If you are considering NordVPN: use the reviewer’s report as a lead, then check the underlying Deloitte report directly for its date, scope, conclusion and access terms.
- If connection behavior matters: check the provider’s current protocol and kill-switch documentation for your device and app. Those controls answer a different question from whether logs are retained.
- If you need a speed or streaming recommendation: these audit sources do not establish one. Do not infer streaming access from a general provider comparison or treat untested performance as a ranking.
Plan limits, current prices, renewal terms, device coverage and availability are not established comparably by these sources. Check the provider’s current terms for your location before subscribing.
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