Best VPNs to stop your ISP from tracking your internet activity

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) almost always keep detailed logs of your activities, effectively allowing them to monetize your digital footprint. This includes details of which websites you visit, what you say in messages and emails, what you search for, and more. Luckily, there is an easy, surefire way to prevent your ISP from monitoring web activity: connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN acts as your digital guardian, encrypting every piece of information flowing from your device and directing it via a secure server in a location of your choice. This protection ensures your ISP remains blind to your online actions—whether it’s the websites you frequent or the personal messages you exchange.

Join us as we demystify the new internet landscape and arm you with the tools to regain control of your online privacy. Below, we detail each VPN provider on this list and explain how to use them. But if you only have time for a quick review, here are our top choices.

Best VPNs to stop ISP tracking:

1. NordVPN The best VPN to prevent ISP tracking! Boasts ultrafast speeds and some of the strongest privacy protections available. Keeps no logs and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Privacy.
2. Surfshark Our top budget VPN for beating ISP tracking. Fast and versatile, with a wealth of security and privacy features. Secure every device you own at once. Fully audited no-logs policy and 24/7 support.
3. Total VPN An easy-to-use provider boasting high speeds and powerful privacy features. Lots of secure servers to choose from, plus strong unblocking ability.
4. ProtonVPN No-logs provider with plenty of advanced privacy features. Fast servers in 100+ countries, as well as the ability to access even the most stubborn region-locked sites.
5. ExpressVPN An easy to use VPN that boasts powerful privacy features. Works flawlessly even in high-censorship countries and can access almost any streaming platform from abroad.
6. IPVanish Owns and operates all the servers on its network. Holds no logs or metadata on any of its users. DNS leak protection and unlimited simultaneous connections. Boasts several unique security and privacy features.
7. CyberGhost Operates NoSpy servers for maximum protection from snoopers. Delivers very fast speeds and refuses to keep any logs of your activities. Great for everyday usage too thanks to its task-specific servers.
8. PureVPN A reliable VPN that takes the stress out of staying safe online. Large network, apps for all major platforms, and 24/7 support. Works with most streaming services.
9. Private Internet Access Solid security credentials. Strict with keeping no logs on user activity. Well priced, but displayed inconsistent download speeds in testing.
10. StrongVPN Strong security and privacy features along with a no-logs policy, but not the easiest apps to use.

How we found the top VPNs that prevent ISP tracking

Every VPN is different, and while this means that there’s a service for every situation, it also makes it tricky for newcomers to decide which one to use. Our team of experts carefully evaluates each provider’s performance in the five key areas below to determine which VPNs are the best, and which are best avoided.

• Speed: A slow VPN connection causes problems, not just because websites take forever to load, but also because you could lose connection without warning. We perform multiple speed tests to make sure only the fastest, most reliable services earn a spot in our list.
• Versatility: Our team considers the total number of servers covered by a provider’s network, how many simultaneous connections users are allowed, and whether the VPN works in high-censorship countries like China.
• Security and privacy: Here at Comparitech, we require providers to offer a wide range of industry-supported security features such as a kill switch, no-logs policy, and uncrackable encryption. Of course, additional tools are always welcome too.
• Ease of use: In our experience, the best VPNs are those that make everyday browsing as simple as possible. This might be by offering around-the-clock customer support, first-class unblocking abilities, or just streamlined, beginner-friendly apps for all of the most popular platforms.
• Value for money: Providers have to be fairly priced for what they offer. After making sure this is the case, our experts hunt down ways to drop the cost even lower, such as taking advantage of long-term price reductions, student discounts, or simply waiting for a sale.

You can read more about how we test the VPNs we recommend and view the results of those tests in our methodology section below. First, let’s take a look at the ones that made the cut. 

Best VPNs for ISP tracking compared

We’ve tested and compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for preventing ISP tracking.

The best VPNs to prevent ISPs from tracking your activity

Here’s our list of the best VPNs to prevent ISP tracking:

1. NordVPN

Jan 2026 Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

NordVPN is our top VPN for preventing ISP tracking. It’s based in Panama and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections per account. There are also more than 8,000 servers spread across 120 countries. That said, the real value is in the company’s strict zero logs policy and its strong encryption suite: 256-bit encryption on OpenVPN and 2,048-bit Diffie-Hellman keys.

The NordVPN app includes a process-specific kill switch, so you can specify which programs are blocked from sending unencrypted web traffic over your ISP network should the VPN connection drop. A wide range of servers is available, including some optimized for extra privacy, such as Tor over VPN and double VPN.

It’s no slouch where performance is concerned, either. In fact, NordVPN regularly places among the fastest providers on the market. We performed another set of tests for this post (checking the speed of its US servers at multiple times of day), just to be sure that we recorded the most up-to-date results. You’ll find these below:

NordVPN fell below 200 Mbps in just one of its three tests and managed to deliver an impressive average speed of 202.03 Mbps. In short, it’s the fastest VPN in this list and can handle whatever you throw at it. We’ve had great results streaming, gaming, torrenting, and video calling while connected.

Apps are available for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This service also provides manual setup instructions so that you can install it directly on your router.

BEST VPN FOR PREVENTING ISP TRACKING:NordVPN is our top choice. Boasts a large server network, fast connection speeds, and great unblocking capabilities. This provider offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

Surfshark is the best budget option for beating ISP snooping. It supports the industry-approved OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, plus there’s a censorship-busting NoBorders mode in case you’re in a country like China or the UAE. All traffic is secured with 256-bit AES encryption, 2048-bit DHE-RSA keys, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

This VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means that it isn’t legally required to store any details of user activity. Accordingly, Surfshark doesn’t log any information that could identify you. You don’t have to take the company’s word for it, either; it has an extensive audit history. 24/7 support is available over live chat, should you need it.

Of course, there’s always a tradeoff between speed and security. To see what kind of performance Surfshark can offer, we tested its American servers three times throughout a typical day. Note that these tests were run on a 250 Mbps connection, so if your base speeds are slower, your results will be too.

Surfshark managed to deliver an average speed of 196.24 Mbps, speeds varying by just 5 Mbps across three tests. That’s a level of performance and consistency that most of its competitors can only dream of. Whether you’re planning on torrenting, watching TV, or just browsing the web, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Surfshark has apps for Linux, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It can even be manually configured for use with supported home routers.

BEST BUDGET CHOICE:Surfshark secures unlimited devices without costing a fortune. It also boasts high speeds, a wide range of security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Prevents ISP trackingTested Jan 2026

Total VPN operates more than 1,800 servers across 80+ countries, so it’s a strong choice for virtually any task. For instance, we’ve had great results torrenting and securely accessing tricky platforms like Netflix while connected. This provider can protect five of your devices at the same time and offers 24/7 support via a ticket system (there’s also a button in the app that’ll take you straight to the website’s support center).

This is a promising start, but how does Total VPN fare in terms of performance? To find out, we ran speed tests on its American servers at various times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon). We used a standard 250 Mbps connection since that’s the average American household broadband speed. Let’s see how Total VPN did:

With an average speed of 185.2 Mbps, this service was faster than almost all of its rivals. You shouldn’t notice any slowdown, even when performing data-intensive tasks like torrenting, streaming, or taking part in video calls. Best of all, Total VPN was extremely consistent, with just 7 Mbps between its top and bottom results.

This VPN makes it impossible for your service provider to see what you get up to online, thanks to its unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption. What’s more, it offers DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, an obfuscated protocol named Hydra, and a strict no-logging policy. Additionally, it’s possible to stop certain sites from loading if the VPN isn’t active (or allow them to bypass the VPN’s encryption entirely).

Total VPN apps are available for Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.

COMPLETE PRIVACY:Total VPN stops ISP snooping with a focused set of security tools. It refuses to keep logs of your activities, has some of the fastest speeds around, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on annual plans (14 days if you sign up for less than a year).

Find out more in our full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

prevents isp trackingTested Jan 2026

ProtonVPN doesn’t mess around when it comes to your security. In addition to uncrackable encryption, it offers a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking. There are roughly 15,000 general-purpose servers spread across 120+ countries, plus multi-hop Secure Core servers designed to provide the highest level of privacy possible. This VPN doesn’t keep any logs and has been independently audited to prove it. There is even port forwarding and split tunneling functionality, though this isn’t available on all platforms.

With a solid reputation for performance, we expected impressive speeds from this VPN. It was happy to deliver, averaging 163.28 Mbps after three tests, with only 9 Mbps of fluctuation throughout the day. For context, that’s enough to download a 1 GB file in under a minute, watch live broadcasts, and torrent without the slighest noticeable interruption. You’ll find our full test results below:

In our opinion, ProtonVPN is one of the most versatile services on the market. It delivers top-tier performance, allows torrenting, and works with all manner of region-locked sites. Support staff are on hand 24 hours per day, but the website also boasts an expansive help section that provides answers to common questions. With up to 10 simultaneous connections permitted, you’ll be able to secure all of your most commonly used devices at the same time. Anyone looking for another layer of anonymity can pay in Bitcoin or cash.

ProtonVPN has its own Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux apps. It also supports most routers, but you’ll have to follow manual configuration instructions.

CUSTOMIZABLE TOOLS:ProtonVPN allows experienced users to tailor their security setup to fit their needs. This no-logs service offers first-class speed and streaming ability, plus friendly and knowledgeable support staff. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our complete ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

ExpressVPN is a well-respected provider that manages to deliver a high level of privacy without asking much of the user. It uses uncrackable encryption to stop your ISP seeing what you get up to online, backed up by a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a true zero-logs policy (which has been verified by external auditors). You can even block ads, trackers, and malicious sites and browse the web safely in places like China and the UAE thanks to this VPN’s automatic obfuscation.

This VPN boasts its own connection protocol named Lightway, which the company claims is far faster than OpenVPN. With that in mind, we ran a series of speed tests using Lightway and ExpressVPN’s American servers on a 250 Mbps connection. ExpressVPN achieved an average speed of 133.27 Mbps, outstripping most of the competition and allowing you to video call, torrent, or stream safely even if you’re currently traveling abroad. Let’s take a closer look at those results:

ExpressVPN recently switched over to a tiered pricing model, meaning it’s possible to sign up for a lower price than ever before. Basic plans allow 10 simultaneous connections with more expensive plans permitting up to 14. These all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, access to 24/7 live chat-based support, and MediaStreamer, this VPN’s Smart DNS service.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux (command-line). ExpressVPN is the only major service with its own router firmware too, so if you’d like to connect every device you own, it’s a natural choice.

BROWSE SAFELY ANYWHERE:ExpressVPN puts your privacy first. It offers military-grade encryption protocols coupled with a neat design and fast connection speeds. Great at unblocking geo-restricted sites and services. Plans include a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

IPVanish is one of the few VPN providers to actually own, rather than rent, its servers. That means it has greater control over who can access its 2,000+ servers. By default, users connect using OpenVPN with 256-bit AES full encryption, SHA512 authentication, and ephemeral 2,048-bit RSA keys with perfect forward secrecy. However, it also supports the WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols. Best of all, users can protect every device they own simultaneously.

The company keeps no records of traffic or metadata on its users, so despite being based in the US, it couldn’t produce any information on users even if it wanted to. This has been backed up by several independent audits. IPv6 and DNS leak protection is built in, and a kill switch can be enabled in the settings.

IPVanish uses 25 Gbps whereas most of its rivals cap out at 10 Gbps, so theoretically it should outpace most other services. To check whether that’s the case, our team ran speed tests in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. This VPN achieved an average speed of 185.18 Mbps, making it the third-quickest service in our list. This makes it a fantastic choice for anyone hoping to stream, play online video games, or chat with friends. See for yourself:

As if that wasn’t enough, this provider also does very well at accessing stubborn geo-blocked services. IPVanish can, for instance, unblock platforms like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus from anywhere in the world.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its new Advanced subscription plan bundles the VPN with 1TB of storage and a cloud-based secure browser, making it even better value.

FAST AND RELIABLE:IPVanish has a large network of servers. Uncongested network achieves fantastic speeds. Strong security and online privacy features. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. CyberGhost

Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN with thousands of servers spread across 100+ countries. It publishes regular transparency reports, refuses to keep any logs of your activities, and has been audited on several occasions. Better still, this service offers unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. Customer support is available around the clock over live chat, and users can connect up to seven devices at a time.

That’s not all this service has to offer; there’s also an automatic ad-blocker, malware scanner, and the ability to connect via a random port. The latter feature allows you to use HTTPS even on networks that usually block this traffic. Each one of CyberGhost’s security features comes pre-configured and enabled by default.

This provider’s expansive network means you’re less likely to be assigned an overcrowded, sluggish server. With that in mind, our team performed several speed tests on CyberGhost’s American servers. This provider delivered an average speed of 160.83 Mbps, with around 5 Mbps of fluctuation across a full day. This means it’s more than fast enough for torrenting, live streaming, or making video calls. Here are our full test results:

This VPN separates its server list, with general-purpose servers in a different tab from those that are optimized for streaming, gaming, or P2P activities. On that note, we were able to access major services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Netflix while connected. You may also find that the general-purpose servers can access streaming platforms that aren’t officially mentioned.

CyberGhost apps are available for Windows, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Android. The VPN can be manually configured to work with select internet routers.

GOOD CHOICE FOR NOVICES:CyberGhost is an inexpensive yet powerful VPN that provides strong security and privacy protections, and very high speeds. It even comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost

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8. PureVPN

prevents ISP trackingTested Jan 2026

PureVPN is a great choice for anyone looking to protect their privacy with minimal fuss. It prevents ISP tracking using cutting-edge encryption on the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard protocols, stops IPv6 and DNS leaks, and includes a kill switch, which makes sure you’ll never accidentally browse unprotected after a drop in your connection. It also recently extended tracker-blocking to all users, instead of just Plus and Max subscribers. This is one of the only VPNs that still works in China.

PureVPN offers access to thousands of servers spread across 60+ countries. It can reliably access a wide range of geo-restricted sites, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. There is no rule against P2P activity, no bandwidth limitations, and a strict no-logging policy in place. Users can secure up to 10 devices at a time and contact staff over live chat in the event of any issues.

Our team performed multiple speed tests on PureVPN’s servers in the USA, while on a 250 Mbps test connection. This VPN did pretty well, with an average download speed of 117.59 Mbps and only around 8 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. That’s a solid result, and should allow you to watch your favorite shows in the highest-possible quality, free from any stuttering or buffering. Let’s take a closer look at PureVPN’s speed test results:

PureVPN apps are available for iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. Additionally, this provider has detailed setup instructions for a huge range of router firmware.

AUTOMATIC OBFUSCATION:PureVPN puts your privacy first and can even scramble your traffic if it detects that you’re in a country with extreme censorship. Offers impressive performance, reliable servers, and a 31-day money-back guarantee with every plan.

Read our full review of PureVPN to learn more.

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9. Private Internet Access

Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

Private Internet Access provides access to more than 30,000 servers in 90+ countries. Its security offering is extremely customizable, allowing you to change everything from the encryption level to the remote port used. There’s also a wealth of advanced functionality, including port forwarding and split tunneling support. Users can secure an unlimited number of devices and can speak with customer support staff at any time using the 24/7 live chat service.

The most secure configuration is OpenVPN combined with 256-bit AES encryption, SHA256 authentication, and 4,096-bit RSA keys with perfect forward secrecy. PIA operates its own servers, and its app includes DNS leak protection and a kill switch to prevent any traffic from leaking onto the unencrypted ISP network. It doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has been independently audited to prove it.

Private Internet Access tends to be fast enough for most tasks, though it has trouble reaching the same heights as some of its rivals. After testing the speed of its servers in the US three times, our team recorded an average speed of 55.12 Mbps. As expected, this is well above what’s needed for streaming 4K video or virtually any other day to day task. Still, if your connection is on the slower side, you may want to consider one of the VPNs mentioned above. Here are the results:

To its credit, Private Internet Access was able to access a wide range of geo-blocked streaming platforms including Netlfix, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+. It even works in countries with extreme digital censorship, like the UAE or China.

PIA is US-based but doesn’t keep any logs, and it has even published court documents to prove it. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Its website also provides manual setup guides for most home routers.

STRICT NO LOGS POLICY:Private Internet Access has top security, low price, rich security features, and great customer service. Speeds can be inconsistent. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PIA review.

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10. StrongVPN

Prevents ISP TrackingTested Jan 2026

StrongVPN is a US-based provider with around 1,000 servers spread across 30+ countries. It supports several protocols, but we’d suggest using OpenVPN or WireGuard for the most secure connection. This provider refuses to keep any logs of your activities and allows users to connect automatically whenever the app opens.

There’s no need to worry about security. StrongVPN uses 256-bit encryption and SHA512 authentication, with both a kill switch and leak protection just in case. Unlike most other services, StrongVPN can even help you access the wider internet in countries where digital censorship is the norm, like China and the UAE.

Now, given that this VPN has a fairly small network, you might be surprised to hear that it’s actually fairly quick. Our experts tested StrongVPN’s American servers three times (morning, noon, and afternoon) and noted an average download speed of 66.12 Mbps. That’s a solid result, well above the recommended speeds for everyday tasks like streaming. However, as the table below shows, there was around 10 Mbps of fluctuation, so we’d like to see that improved.

This provider is great at bypassing regional restrictions. Our testers were able to access some of the most popular streaming platforms aeound including Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. You can connect up to 12 devices at a time, which should be plenty for most households.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. StrongVPN can also be manually configured for use with most routers — just check its website’s help section for step by step instructions.

MOST RELIABLE:StrongVPN confidently overcomes geo-blocking. Reliable network of servers. Good on privacy and they retain no internet browsing logs. Ample security. Manual configuration may challenge some users. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of StrongVPN.

How to stop ISP tracking with a VPN

Here’s how to hide your online activity from your ISP with a VPN:

1. Sign up for one of the VPNs recommended in this article. NordVPN is our top choice.
2. Download and install the VPN app, making sure to choose the correct version for your device.
3. Open the app and select a server location – one closest to you will ensure the fastest speeds, but if you want to access restricted content, make sure to choose a server in a location where it’s available. (i.e a UK server to access BBC iPlayer from abroad).
4. Hit the Connect button. Wait a few moments for the connection to complete, and that’s it! Your ISP can no longer see what you do online, this includes your download and search history.
5. If you encounter any issues with your VPN, try clearing your cookies and cache then reloading the page.

Why is your ISP tracking you?

This is actually a fairly complex question with several contributing factors. The first and simplest answer is that in many countries, ISPs are legally obligated to keep tabs on their customers’ online activities. This allows them to alert the authorities if you do anything illegal, and essentially means that every individual’s browsing habits can be scrutinized if needed.

The other main reason Internet Service Providers track you is so that they can understand your needs (and how well their company is meeting them). For instance, it can analyze user data and see what time of day most people are active, allowing the ISP to prepare additional resources for when they’re needed most. They’re also able to throttle certain kinds of traffic, so that users are discouraged from bandwidth-intensive activities during peak times.

Finally, your ISP likes to keep an eye on you so that it can sell details of your browsing habits to advertisers and promote deals or services it thinks you might be interested in.

If you’d prefer that your ISP not see what you get up to online, the best way to protect yourself is to connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN). They’ll know that you’re connected to one, but won’t be able to see which sites you visit or what you do there, greatly enhancing your online privacy.

What can your ISP see?

Your ISP is almost certainly tracking you to some degree, but to what extent comes down to individual ISPs and the jurisdictions in which they operate. An ISP can track any data passing through your internet connection that isn’t encrypted. That includes your browsing history, search queries, purchases, emails, downloads, location, and streams, among other data. Much of the web is now encrypted by default through HTTPS (SSL). But even with that encryption in place, your ISP can still track what websites you visit and when.

In the USA, ISPs are not barred from collecting information about your internet use, nor are they prohibited from sharing that information with third parties, so it’s best to assume that they are and take the necessary precautions.

VPNs for ISP Tracking FAQ