When I first tested ProtonVPN while traveling in Singapore, I was worried about whether my browsing history could still be tracked. At the time, I was using public Wi-Fi in a café, and even though the connection felt secure, the thought of my online activity being logged left me uneasy. I started searching online with the exact question: “Does Proton VPN keep logs?”. After learning about it’s strict no-logs policy, I felt more confident using it regularly. The result was peace of mind knowing that my sensitive browsing sessions weren’t being recorded or shared.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Whether it truly keeps logs
- What its no-logs policy means in practice
- How Swiss jurisdiction enhances privacy protections
- Independent audits and transparency reports
- How it compares with other top VPNs
Let’s begin by answering the central question directly.
Does Proton VPN keep logs?
Does Proton VPN keep logs? The short answer is no. It has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not record your browsing activity, DNS requests, or IP addresses. This ensures that your internet activity cannot be traced back to you, even if someone requests the data.
Does Proton VPN keep logs?
When people ask, Does it keep logs?, it’s important to understand the difference between two common types of data VPNs may collect:
- Activity logs: These include websites you visit, searches, streaming activity, and downloads. It does not keep these.
- Connection logs: Some VPNs record timestamps, bandwidth usage, or session durations. It minimizes even these, only keeping temporary technical data for service maintenance that is automatically deleted.
According to the CISA Cybersecurity Framework, minimizing unnecessary data collection is a core principle in reducing risks of exposure, and ProtonVPN’s no-logs stance aligns with this best practice.
What the no-logs policy really means
It’s no-logs policy is designed to protect users by ensuring their online activity is never stored, tracked, or shared. Understanding what this actually covers makes it clearer how your privacy is safeguarded.
Data ProtonVPN does not collect
It makes it clear that several types of personal data are never stored. These include:
- Browsing activity, including websites you visit and content you stream
- DNS queries, which could otherwise reveal the sites you access
- IP addresses, ensuring your identity stays disconnected from your activity
When I started using this VPN for work while abroad, I noticed a difference compared to free VPNs that often required personal data just to sign up. With this one, the absence of unnecessary tracking felt like a huge step up in maintaining privacy.
If you’d like to learn more about practical ways to reduce online tracking and strengthen your digital privacy, you can explore detailed guides at Safelyo.
Minimal technical data and why it’s harmless
While it does not keep logs, it does use minimal technical data to maintain stable service. This includes:
- Basic session status, such as whether a connection is active
- Temporary load balancing metrics to distribute traffic evenly
Swiss jurisdiction and privacy laws
It’s headquarters are based in Switzerland, which plays a major role in shaping its no-logs policy. The country is known for having some of the strongest privacy protections in the world, making it a safe legal environment for VPN services.
How Switzerland’s legal environment protects ProtonVPN users
Switzerland is outside of both the EU and US jurisdictions, meaning it is not bound by intrusive surveillance frameworks such as the EU Data Retention Directive or the U.S. Patriot Act. This independence allows it to resist data requests that might be mandatory elsewhere. Swiss law does not require VPN providers to log user activity, which reinforces it’s ability to maintain its strict no-logs stance.
When I stayed in Zurich for a short-term work project, I learned firsthand how locals often highlight data protection as part of national identity. Using this VPN in its home country made me realize that its legal foundation is not just marketing. It’s backed by a system that genuinely prioritizes privacy.
Contrast with US and EU data retention laws
By comparison, many countries in the EU enforce mandatory data retention rules for ISPs, and U.S.-based providers may be subject to surveillance orders or National Security Letters. These regulations can compel companies to collect or hand over data, even if users were promised otherwise.
It avoids these obligations thanks to its Swiss jurisdiction, giving users greater assurance that their online activity won’t be exposed due to foreign government demands.
Independent audits and transparency reports
While it states it keeps no logs, independent verification is essential for building user trust. That’s why it submits its apps and infrastructure to external audits and publishes transparency reports for the public.
Key results from independent audits
It has undergone audits by respected cybersecurity firms, such as SEC Consult, which reviewed its apps for privacy and security compliance. The results confirmed that it’s no-logs policy is technically enforced, and any issues found were minor and quickly addressed.
When I first read an audit report, it reassured me that the claims on it’s website weren’t just promises. Knowing that independent experts had verified the absence of logging gave me more confidence in continuing to use the service daily for sensitive browsing.
Warrant canary and transparency reports
This VPN also publishes a warrant canary, which is a public statement confirming it has not received secret government data requests. If the statement ever disappears or changes, users will know something has happened.
In addition, ProtonVPN releases regular transparency reports showing how many legal requests for data it has received and more importantly, that it has no logs to hand over.
According to NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework, transparency and third-party validation are key principles for reducing systemic trust risks. iT’s adoption of these measures strengthens its credibility as a privacy-first service.
ProtonVPN vs other VPN logging policies
VPN providers often market themselves as “no-logs,” but the definition of that term can vary. Some record limited connection details for troubleshooting, while others eliminate nearly all identifiable data. Comparing different providers helps clarify where ProtonVPN stands.
The table below outlines how it’s logging approach compares with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, based on publicly available policies and audits:
|
VPN Provider |
Activity Logs |
Connection Logs |
Independent Audit |
Jurisdiction |
Transparency Reports |
|
ProtonVPN |
No |
Minimal (temporary, non-identifying) |
Yes |
Switzerland |
Yes |
|
NordVPN |
No |
Minimal (connection metadata) |
Yes |
Panama |
Yes |
|
ExpressVPN |
No |
Minimal (diagnostic data, optional) |
Yes |
British Virgin Islands |
Yes |
|
Surfshark |
No |
Minimal (aggregated performance data) |
Yes |
Netherlands |
Yes |
As seen above, all four providers avoid storing activity logs that could reveal what users do online. The main differences lie in how each handles short-term connection logs and where they are legally based.
Independent audits and transparency reports are now standard across most major VPNs, which makes claims about no-logs easier to verify. Jurisdiction remains one of the few areas where providers differ significantly, since local laws determine whether companies could be compelled to log or share data in the future.
FAQs
Users often have recurring questions when trying to understand its no-logs policy. Below are some of the most common ones, with concise answers for clarity.
Is ProtonVPN really log-free?
It states that it operates under a strict no-logs policy. Independent audits have confirmed that it does not record user activity such as browsing history or IP addresses. Like many VPNs, it may process temporary technical data for maintenance, but this is not stored permanently.
Has this VPN ever handed over data?
According to it’s transparency reports, it has received legal requests for user information in the past. However, because it does not keep activity logs, it has stated that there was no identifying data to provide.
Can I trust it more than free VPNs?
Free VPNs often rely on advertising or data collection to cover their costs. ProtonVPN’s policies indicate that it does not monetize user data. Still, users should evaluate all VPN services carefully by reviewing audits, privacy policies, and transparency records before making a decision.
Conclusion
So, does Proton VPN keep logs? Based on its policy, audits, and transparency reports, the answer is no. It does not keep activity logs, and its Swiss jurisdiction further strengthens its privacy stance.
Here are the key takeaways from this article:
- This VPN does not record browsing activity, DNS requests, or IP addresses
- Temporary technical data is used only for stability and not stored permanently
- Swiss laws support its no-logs approach by avoiding mandatory data retention
- Independent audits and transparency reports provide external verification
- Compared with other VPNs, It aligns with industry standards on logging, with jurisdiction being a notable differentiator
If you’re exploring VPNs and want to understand how providers differ, reviewing their privacy policies and audits is the best starting point.
To continue building your knowledge on privacy and security, check out the “Privacy & Security Basics” section at Safelyo.
