Our Methodology
We evaluate VPNs based on verifiable privacy properties, not marketing claims. Our criteria include: independent no-logs audits, jurisdiction and legal framework, open-source client availability, payment anonymity options, and technical features like DNS leak protection and kill switches.
We test each VPN using PrivKit's own privacy scanner, DNS leak test, and WebRTC leak test to verify their claims independently.
VPN Comparison
VPN Privacy Comparison 2026
| Feature | MullvadTOP | Proton VPN | IVPN | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $5 | $5-10 | $6-10 | $4-12 | $7-13 |
| Simultaneous devices | 5 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| Server count | 800 | 3000 | 80 | 6200 | 3000 |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden | Switzerland | Gibraltar | Panama | BVI |
| No-logs audit | |||||
| Anonymous signup | |||||
| Cash payment | |||||
| Open-source clients | |||||
| WireGuard support | |||||
| Multi-hop / Double VPN | |||||
| DNS leak protection | |||||
| Kill switch |
Our Top Picks
1. Mullvad — Best Overall Privacy
Mullvad stands out for accepting anonymous cash payments by mail, requiring no email address for signup, and having fully open-source clients. At a flat $5/month with no discounts or upsells, it's refreshingly transparent. Based in Sweden (within the EU), it has strong privacy laws and has been audited by Cure53.
2. Proton VPN — Best Free Tier
From the makers of ProtonMail, Proton VPN offers a genuinely usable free tier with no data limits. The paid plans add Secure Core (multi-hop) routing through privacy-friendly countries. Swiss jurisdiction provides strong legal protections. All clients are open-source.
3. IVPN — Best for Minimalists
IVPN is a small, privacy-focused provider with a transparent team and regular audits. Cash payments accepted, no email required. The smaller server network is a tradeoff for their focus on doing privacy right rather than scaling.
What to Avoid
- Free VPNs without a clear business model — if you aren't paying, your data is the product.
- VPNs based in Five/Nine/Fourteen Eyes countries that have not published no-logs audits.
- VPNs with proprietary protocols only — open standards (WireGuard, OpenVPN) can be independently verified.
Verify Your VPN
After connecting to your VPN, run our Full Privacy Scan to verify:
- Your IP address matches the VPN server location
- No DNS leaks are detected
- No WebRTC leaks expose your real IP
- Your timezone matches the VPN server's location