The 5 Best VPNs With RAM-Only Servers

For most of us, a VPN’s primary purpose is to protect online privacy and keep our activities away from prying eyes. But when it comes to privacy, it’s important to realize that not all VPNs are created equally.

While most VPN providers advertise themselves as no-logs services, there is no way you can verify the integrity of that claim. An independent security audit can help pick the right zero-logs VPN, but a sure-fire way is to opt for a VPN that uses RAM-only servers.

So, what are RAM-only servers? How do they improve security and privacy? And which VPN services operate entirely on RAM? Let’s find out!

What Is a RAM-Only VPN Server?

A VPN that uses RAM-only servers stores all your data, the operating system, and the entire software stack in Random Access Memory, or RAM.

Since RAM is volatile memory, it retains data only when connected to a power supply. All the data is wiped clean each time the server is rebooted or turned off.

Using a VPN with RAM-only servers is an effective way to achieve complete anonymity. Even if the authorities, third-party malicious actors, or hackers seize the servers, they won’t be able to access your data since RAMs don’t store data permanently.

However, when searching for a VPN with RAM-only servers, you will realize that your options are limited. That’s because setting up these servers requires a considerable initial investment and has operational costs that only the top brands can afford.

To help you put your money on the right service, we tried and tested several VPNs and compiled a list of the five best VPNs with RAM-only servers.

The Top 5 VPNs With RAM-Only Servers

• ExpressVPN—Best VPN service with TrustedServer technology
• NordVPN—Independently audited no-logs VPN
• Surfshark—Unlimited simultaneous device connections
• PIA—Extensive network with RAM-only servers
• CyberGhost—Affordable VPN with NoSpy servers

When you browse the internet for the best VPN in any category, chances are, you’ll find ExpressVPN among the top search results. That’s a clear indication of the service’s popularity among users.

ExpressVPN offers over 150 servers in 94 countries across the world. All its servers use ExpressVPN’s proprietary TrustedServer technology using RAMs. On top of that, it has a proven no-logs policy and uses the AES 256-bit encryption to ensure complete anonymity.

According to ExpressVPN’s blog post, the service is independently audited by PwC, and they verified the company’s claim of keeping no logs. ExpressVPN’s zero-log claims were also tested when the Turkish authorities asked for data on the suspected murderer of Andrei Karlov—the Russian ambassador to Turkey. The company didn’t provide any data to the authorities as it doesn’t keep any data logs.

ExpressVPN also offers an automatic kill switch that cuts your internet traffic if your VPN connection drops. The feature is enabled by default and ensures your privacy until the VPN connection is restored.

Although ExpressVPN works exceptionally well, it’s slightly more expensive than its competitors on this list. However, you can try it out risk-free using the 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN’s top-tier security features earn it a spot on our list of best VPNs for privacy-conscious users. It’s based in Panama, which is considered a privacy-friendly country with no data retention laws.

NordVPN offers over 5,400 servers in 59 countries, so it’s easy to find a server near you and enjoy fast speeds. The company ships its own hardware to the data centers that only its staff can access, meaning that nobody can tamper with them.

Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN guarantees that it doesn’t monitor or log internet activity. Since the servers run entirely on RAM, you can rest assured that your data is wiped clean after each session. To further verify its zero-logs claim, NordVPN is independently audited twice by PwC—something only a few VPNs can brag about.

NordVPN offers a kill switch, a handy ad blocker, and full leak protection. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously on a single subscription. And if you aren’t happy with the service, you can ask for a refund within 30 days.

Surfshark upgraded all its 3,200 servers to RAM-only profiles in July 2020. Our research shows that the company never records users’ IP addresses, network traffic, or browsing history. It only keeps the user’s IP and timestamp of connection, both of which are deleted within 15 minutes due to its RAM-only server setup.

The company is based in the Netherlands, which is a privacy-friendly country. Plus, Surfshark is independently audited twice by Cure53. It was also one of the first VPN services to terminate its Indian servers in response to the new cyber law, further cementing its privacy commitments.

Surfshark offers all the premium privacy features, including an internal kill switch, secure tunneling protocols, DNS, and IPv6 leak protection. It uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption so that no one can see your internet activity.

Surfshark is the only VPN on the list that supports unlimited simultaneous device connections for a price much lower than its competitors. It also supports crypto payment and complements it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a top choice for users who want a VPN with RAM-only servers on a budget. Its subscription plans start at $2.19 per month if you opt for biennial payments, and you can protect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

We were a bit concerned about its zero-log policy since the service is located in the US—a member state of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. However, PIA’s no-logging policy was put to the test twice in 2016 and 2018, but the company confirmed that it had nothing to provide.

With PIA, you can choose between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption protocols, depending on the level of protection you want. Like other VPNs, PIA offers a kill switch and leak protection. We tested the IP and DNS leak protection feature and couldn’t detect any leaks.

CyberGhost offers over 7,000 servers in more than 90 locations, all of which run on volatile memory. Unlike other VPNs, CyberGhost uses special NoSpy servers that ensure complete end-to-end encryption. You get high speeds and reliable connections without worrying about sneaky third parties tracking your internet activity.

However, the heavier protection often comes at the cost of slower speed. You may experience browsing issues, low streaming quality, and lag when using the NoSpy servers.

CyberGhost allows up to seven device connections simultaneously and backs up its subscription plans with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Bolster Your Security With RAM-Only Servers

A RAM-only server is a feature that guarantees ultimate privacy to VPN users. Such servers run on RAM and don’t monitor, store, or log any data to hard drives.

However, only a few services currently run on Random Access Memory, so you don’t have much choice if you want to achieve complete privacy.