The VPN market in 2024 is characterized by a race for privacy audits, the integration of the WireGuard protocol, and the expansion of server networks. We have selected eight solutions ranked according to the rigor of their logging policies, network coverage, speed measured on WireGuard, and the features-to-price ratio. Providers whose no-logs policy has been subject to a recent and accessible independent audit are systematically favored.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN remains the most documented reference in the industry. Its no-logs policy repeatedly audited by independent firms places it at the top in terms of trust. The NordLynx protocol, based on WireGuard, offers short connection times and stable speeds across most tested locations.
The server network covers a large number of countries, facilitating access to geo-restricted streaming catalogs. The kill switch works on both desktop and mobile, a point where several competitors remain vulnerable.
Notable limitation: the monthly pricing without commitment is among the highest on the market. Savings only materialize with a long-term subscription. To position NordVPN against other players, a VPN comparison on The Click details the performance gaps between providers.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN relies on its proprietary Lightway protocol, a direct competitor to WireGuard, which reduces battery consumption on mobile while maintaining robust encryption. The published security audits cover both the server infrastructure and client applications.
The jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands exempts it from intelligence-sharing alliances, a technical argument that weighs heavily for privacy-conscious users. The server network, although less extensive in sheer numbers than NordVPN’s, prioritizes high-speed locations.
Price remains the main barrier: it is one of the most expensive VPNs, even on long-term plans. The additional cost is justified mainly if connection speed in Asia or the Middle East is a priority criterion.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark stands out with a policy of unlimited simultaneous connections, eliminating the constraint of counting devices covered by a single subscription. On WireGuard, the measured speeds place it just behind NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Recent independent audits have been reported for Surfshark, although detailed reports are not always freely accessible. It is therefore important to distinguish a declared no-logs policy from one whose exact audit scope is verifiable.
Its CleanWeb mode integrates ad and tracker blocking directly into the VPN tunnel, avoiding the need to stack browser extensions. For multi-device family use on a budget, Surfshark is the most consistent choice.
4. ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is the only major provider to offer a free plan with no bandwidth limits, backed by the Proton ecosystem (mail, calendar, storage). The infrastructure relies on Secure Core servers that route traffic through countries with strong data protection before reaching the exit server.
The source code of the applications is fully open, audited by the community and third-party firms. This transparency exceeds what most commercial competitors offer.
Counterpart: the server network remains more modest and speeds on the free plan are intentionally throttled. The paid plan addresses these limitations, but the monthly price is in the higher range.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost publishes quarterly transparency reports detailing the number of legal requests received and the responses provided, a complementary indicator to audits. These reports serve as a verification tool that few providers offer with such regularity.
The server network is one of the largest on the market, with preconfigured profiles for streaming and downloading. The highly guided interface is suitable for users who do not wish to manually configure protocols and DNS.
The downside of this simplicity: advanced customization options remain limited. Technical profiles looking to configure granular split tunneling or a private DNS will find the application too closed.
6. Mullvad VPN
Mullvad adopts a radically different model: no email account, payment possible in cash or cryptocurrency, and a single monthly rate identical for all users. Anonymity begins at registration.
The Swedish provider integrates WireGuard natively and maintains a smaller but fully controlled server network (bare-metal servers, no shared virtual machines). This infrastructure choice reduces the attack surface on the hosting side.
Mullvad is not suitable for those seeking to unblock streaming catalogs: the number of locations is limited, and no specific optimization is planned for these uses.
7. Private Internet Access (PIA)
PIA combines open-source code with one of the largest server networks available. The no-logs policy has been tested in U.S. courts multiple times without any connection logs being produced.
- Configurable split tunneling by application and IP address, on both desktop and mobile
- Available protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, with a choice of encryption level
- Integrated MACE blocker against ads, trackers, and malicious domains
The weak point remains the interface, which is less intuitive than those of NordVPN or CyberGhost. The learning curve is real for a non-technical user.
8. Hide.me
Hide.me offers a limited but ad-free free plan, backed by an audited no-logs policy. The Malaysian jurisdiction places it outside the most common surveillance agreements.
- Native support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and SoftEther, the latter being rare among mainstream competitors
- Stealth Guard feature that prevents any internet connection if the VPN is not active on selected applications
- Multihop servers to chain two locations and enhance traffic anonymization
The server network remains modest compared to the leaders in the ranking. Hide.me is aimed at users who prioritize protocol diversity and configuration granularity over geographic coverage.
In France, decisions from the Paris court made in October 2026 ordered certain intermediaries, including VPN providers, to block sites of pirate sports broadcasts. The obligation is for a reasonable blocking effort, not a guaranteed result. The use of a VPN remains legal for individuals, but the regulatory landscape is evolving and justifies choosing a provider transparent about its practices.
