<strong>Our recommended provider is outside the US, uses encryption, accepts Bitcoin, supports OpenVPN, and has a no logging policy. <ahref="/providers/vpn/#criteria">Read our full list of criteria for more information</a>.</strong>
<p><strong>Mullvad</strong> is a fast and inexpensive VPN with a serious focus on transparency and security. They have been in operation since <strong>2009</strong>. It is the only VPN provider that currently meets our criteria for recommendation. Mullvad is based in <spanclass="flag-icon flag-icon-se"></span> Sweden and does not have a free trial. Visit <ahref="https://mullvad.net/">mullvad.net</a> to create an account.</p>
<p>Mullvad has 409 servers in 39 countries at the time of writing this page. Typically the more servers a provider offers, the better: With hundreds of servers in operation, you are far more likely to find a fast connection and a server geographically closest to you.</p>
<p>In addition to standard OpenVPN connections, Mullvad supports WireGuard. WireGuard is an experimental protocol with theoretically better security and higher reliability, although it is not currently recommended for production use.</p>
<p>Mullvad's VPN clients have been audited by Cure53 and Assured AB in a pentest report <ahref="https://cure53.de/pentest-report_mullvad_v2.pdf">published at cure53.de</a>. The security researchers concluded:</p>
<blockquoteclass="blockquote">
<pclass="mb-0">...Cure53 and Assured AB are happy with the results of the audit and the software leaves an overall positive impression. With security dedication of the in-house team at the Mullvad VPN compound, the testers have no doubts about the project being on the right track from a security standpoint.</p>
<p>Mullvad supports the future of networking <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPv6">IPv6</a>. Their network allows users to <ahref="https://mullvad.net/en/blog/2014/9/15/ipv6-support/">access services hosted on IPv6</a> as opposed to other providers who block IPv6 connections.</p>
<h5><spanclass="badge badge-success">Remote port forwarding</span></h5>
<p>Remote <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_forwarding">port forwarding</a> is allowed on Mullvad, see <ahref="https://mullvad.net/help/port-forwarding-and-mullvad/">Port forwarding with Mullvad VPN</a>.</p>
<p>Mullvad in addition to accepting credit/debit cards and PayPal, accepts <strong>Bitcoin</strong>, <strong>Bitcoin Cash</strong>, and <strong>cash/local currency</strong> as anonymous forms of payment. They also accept Swish and bank wire transfers.</p>
<h5><spanclass="badge badge-warning">No Mobile Clients</span></h5>
<p>While iOS and Android clients are reportedly in the works, mobile users will need to use a traditional OpenVPN client and configuration files, which are a bit more difficult to configure.</p>
<p>The Mullvad VPN clients have a built-in killswitch to block internet connections outside of the VPN. They also are able to automatically start on boot. The Mullvad website is also accessible via Tor at <ahref="http://xcln5hkbriyklr6n.onion/">xcln5hkbriyklr6n.onion</a>.</p>
<strong>Note: Using a VPN provider will not make you anonymous, but it will give you better privacy in certain situations. A VPN is not a tool for illegal activities. Don't rely on a "no log" policy.</strong>
<p><strong>ProtonVPN</strong> is a strong contender in the VPN space, and they have been in operation since <strong>2016</strong>. ProtonVPN is based in <spanclass="flag-icon flag-icon-ch"></span> Switzerland and offers a limited free pricing tier, as well as premium options. Unfortunately due to its lack of an independent security audit it does not meet the complete criteria for recommendation, see our notes below.</p>
<p>ProtonVPN has not undergone a security audit by an independent third party, and therefore cannot be strongly recommended at this time. We have still chosen to list it on this page with the assumption that an audit will be published soon:</p>
<blockquoteclass="blockquote">
<pclass="mb-0">We are currently undergoing a complete security audit of our VPN applications by a reputable Swiss security company. The results of the audit will be summarized in a public report for cases like this.</p>
<footerclass="blockquote-footer">Marc Loebekken, ProtonVPN AG Legal counsel</footer>
<p>ProtonVPN has 610 servers in 44 countries at the time of writing this page. Typically the more servers a provider offers, the better: With hundreds of servers in operation, you are far more likely to find a fast connection and a server geographically closest to you.</p>
<p>ProtonVPN does technically accept Bitcoin payments; however, you either need to have an existing account, or contact their support team in advance to register with Bitcoin.</p>
<p>In addition to providing standard OpenVPN configuration files, ProtonVPN has mobile clients for iOS or Android allowing for easy connections to their servers.</p>
<p>The ProtonVPN clients have a built-in killswitch to block internet connections outside of the VPN. They also are able to automatically start on boot. ProtonVPN also offers "Tor" servers allowing you to easily connect to onion sites, but we still strongly recommend using the official Tor Browser for this purpose.</p>
<p><strong>IVPN</strong> is another strong premium VPN provider, and they have been in operation since <strong>2009</strong>. IVPN is based in <spanclass="flag-icon flag-icon-gi"></span> Gibraltar and offers a 3 day free trial. Unfortunately, due to its lack of an independent security audit, it does not meet the complete criteria for recommendation, see our notes below.</p>
<p>IVPN has undergone a <ahref="https://cure53.de/audit-report_ivpn.pdf">no-logging audit from Cure53</a> which concluded in agreement with IVPN's no-logging claim. However, IVPN has not undergone a more comprehensive security audit by an independent third party, and therefore cannot be strongly recommended at this time.</p><p>We have still chosen to list it on this page with the assumption that an audit will be published soon. <ahref="https://nitter.net/ivpnnet/status/1181954975687163905">IVPN has hired Cure53</a> to undertake a comprehensive audit covering the IVPN website, public and internal server infrastucture. They expect the audit to begin in November 2019 and be completed by the 6 auditors in January 2020.</p>
<p>IVPN has 77 servers in 31 countries at the time of writing this page. Typically the more servers a provider offers, the better. IVPN has a decent (but not exceptional) server count that will most likely provide adequate coverage to most users.</p>
<h5><spanclass="badge badge-success">Remote port forwarding</span></h5>
<p>Remote <ahref="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_forwarding">port forwarding</a> is possible with a Pro plan. Port forwarding <ahref="https://www.ivpn.net/knowledgebase/81/How-do-I-activate-port-forwarding.html">can be activated</a> via the client area. Port forwarding is only available on IVPN when <ahref="https://www.ivpn.net/knowledgebase/116/Port-forwarding-is-not-working-why.html">using OpenVPN and is disabled on US servers</a>.</p>
<p>In addition to accepting credit/debit cards and PayPal, IVPN accepts <strong>Bitcoin</strong> and <strong>cash/local currency</strong> (on annual plans) as anonymous forms of payment.</p>
<p>In addition to providing standard OpenVPN configuration files, IVPN has mobile clients for iOS or Android allowing for easy connections to their servers.</p>
<p>The IVPN clients have a built-in killswitch to block internet connections outside of the VPN. They also are able to automatically start on boot. IVPN also provides "AntiTracker" functionality, which blocks advertising networks and trackers from the network level.</p>
