After testing more than 30 VPNs I realized that only a premium VPN can ensure my data is secured. I found 5 top VPNs with features like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and data leak protection to keep all your information safe. The top VPN I discovered was ExpressVPN, which has the fastest speeds on the market and RAM-only servers that never store your personal data. You can also try ExpressVPN to stop ISP tracking risk-free with its money-back guarantee and get a refund if you aren’t 100% happy. Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
Short on Time? These Are the Best VPNs to Stop ISP Tracking
Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
Why Do ISPs Track Users?
Although there are several reasons why your ISP may collect data, the most likely reasons are to comply with the legal guidelines of the country or to create revenue by selling your information. Reasons for collecting data are dependent on the specific ISP, and each one has unique policies and practices that may or may not protect a user’s data. Here are more details on why ISPs track users:
Network and Account Management
Similar to how a VPN’s server can become overcrowded, ISP servers can also become overcrowded and get too much data used up. If an ISP tracks that you’re using up too much data — like streaming from sites like Netflix or Hulu regularly — they may throttle your speeds, so you’re not using up as much. Although ISPs may not throttle data, they could still track information to watch out for any network issues or if a specific individual is slowing down a connection for everyone else.
Selling Information to Third Parties (Data Harvesting)
One of the most well-known reasons an ISP will track user data is to store it and sell it to third-party companies for profit, create targeted advertising for higher revenue, and sell services more efficiently and get more customers. Not every country allows this, but in the US, it’s legal to do so, and companies don’t even have to ask for consent.
Legal Requirements
Depending on the country, your government may require an ISP to track user data for national security, data retention, or outright censorship. Typically in these instances, the government is also spying on your data through your ISP. In less extreme cases, countries like Australia, the UK, and Brazil require ISPs to keep users’ data between 12 weeks and 2 years if the authorities need to access it.
What Kind of Data Are ISPs Able to Collect?
If you access the internet without a VPN or any encryption, your ISP can see anything that passes through. This information can include passwords, email contents, websites visited, shared files or photos, and other metadata. Although this is only a short list, more information that can be tracked includes:
Location information: Your IP address contains 2 key pieces of information — your ISP and your location. Anyone who can see your IP address (including your ISP) can see where you are based on that data. Internet traffic data: The most common source of information; when you open up a browser and search for websites, your ISP can see what you search for, what time you looked it up, how long you were on a specific page for, and anything that was downloaded or uploaded. Connected devices: If you connect to the internet with a device (such as a PC, a console, a phone, a Tablet, or more), your ISP can see information like its operation system, what version it uses, browser types, and make and model. Personal data: If you sign up to a website (or an app you installed), your ISP can see any information you enter. This can include addresses, emails, usernames, gender, sexuality, or passwords. Analytical data: Little details about a user’s internet traffic can be tracked. ISPs will collect data on long you were on the internet, when you logged on or off, schedules, how many times you visited a website, or what pages you looked at.
The only way to secure your data from being viewed by your ISP is the use a premium monthly VPN. Your ISP can see any information you use online, but having a VPN will encrypt all data that passes through its servers. Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
Best VPNs to Stop ISP Tracking in 2023
1. ExpressVPN — Unique TrustedServer Technology Erases Any Data After Every Reboot To Protect Information
Key Features: ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer Technology feature stops ISP tracking by never storing information on its servers, due to being RAM-based. Servers that run on RAM don’t have the physical capabilities to store any data long-term and will erase any after it restarts. Not to mention, RAM-based servers are much faster since no data has to be written or stored. I tested all of ExpressVPN’s premium security features to help maintain security, some of its most popular being:
Audited zero-log policy — this allows third-party companies to verify and test ExpressVPN’s zero-log policy to determine if they can obtain any information. Military-grade encryption — a highly regarded AES-256-bit encryption used by the military to encrypt data and stop ISP spying. Kill switch — an enhanced feature that will detect when your connection to the VPN is lost, so it cuts your internet off to stop data from leaking. Split tunneling — this feature allows users to create separate channels, so one remains encrypted from ISP tracking and the second isn’t, so you can still access local content. Server obfuscation — this hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from your ISP (which they can track unless you have it activated).
One downside to having a VPN is that it can significantly decrease your speeds. However, ExpressVPN is the fastest service in the industry and never reduced my speeds by more than 18%, which was never noticeable. ISPs can throttle speeds if they determine that you are using too much data such as when streaming video content, but ExpressVPN shields your activity and lets you access Netflix and watch shows without interruptions.
ISPs can track your information if you manually input it into an app on your device. ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager feature disables any apps on your protected devices from transmitting data to blacklisted websites or servers. ExpressVPN has a list of blacklisted websites that it has caught trying to sell user information. Although your data is encrypted once you connect to ExpressVPN, it still has a separate browser extension for Chrome and Firefox to add an extra layer of protection. The browser extensions allow you to control ExpressVPN remotely through apps like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave. Having these extensions will ensure strong HTTPS encryption. One of ExpressVPN’s drawbacks is its price, which is a bit more expensive than most VPNs. But with the number of premium features, you get to stop ISP tracking and the low price of $6.67/month for a 1-year subscription, you’re getting a really good deal. ExpressVPN is the top choice for preventing ISP tracking due to its highly-rated security features and fast, RAM-based servers. You can even try ExpressVPN risk-free and buy the service confidently since you also get a 30-day guarantee. With the money-back guarantee, you can request a refund without any issues. I tested the option and connected to an agent through the 24/7 live chat. I didn’t have to wait long and was approved to get my refund back almost instantly. My money was back in my account in only 5 days. Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
2. CyberGhost — Provides NoSpy Servers So Users Can Browse the Internet with Additional Protection
Key Features: CyberGhost advertises its NoSpy servers as a much safer option than its normal options and can drastically help stop your ISP from tracking data. This is achieved by the fact that CyberGhost owns all its NoSpy servers and hosts each one in Romania. The country of Romania has no laws on data retention, so your data is even less likely to be stored — although CyberGhost still has a strict zero-logs policy to back this up too. Third parties can’t access these servers; each offers a dedicated uplink and provides bigger bandwidth. Along with more secure servers, CyberGhost also provides a list of additional features to help keep your data protected:
An audited no-logs policy — a verified policy that no data is saved and is upheld by third parties that randomly test the policy at any time. AES 256-bit Encryption — the strongest encryption possible and scrambles any data, so tracking it becomes impossible. Automatically on kill switch — it doesn’t need to be turned on and can cut the internet if your VPN’s connection stops. Split tunneling — this allows you to create 2 channels where you can look up local content on one and have an encrypted connection on the other to protect data. IP leak protection — protects against accidental leaks that your ISP could see and expose your data.
CyberGhost has different kinds of optimized servers that can enhance streaming, gaming, or torrenting. While testing CyberGhost, I watched shows of higher quality while on its optimized servers without lag or buffering. Typically, I even saw a 30% speed buff when on the optimized streaming servers versus the normal ones.
For different levels of security, CyberGhost has multiple security protocols such as WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. Protocols like WireGuard also prioritize speed while protecting data from your ISP. I consistently got faster speeds on WireGuard versus IKEv2 or OpenVPN, but I could easily switch to them if I needed a more secure connection. One of the few cons I found with CyberGhost was the fact I got larger speed drops on farther away servers than other VPNs. I attempted to see if switching to WireGuard would help, but my speeds were still lower than average. It didn’t affect my browsing or streaming capabilities, and I could still stay connected without risking my ISP tracking my data. I got CyberGhost’s long-term plan for as low as $2.11/month — a discount of 84%. But with its 45-day money-back guarantee, I could try CyberGhost risk-free to stop ISP tracking. After requesting a refund through a 24/7 live chat support agent, who refunded my money immediately. After checking, I saw I had the money back in about 7 days. Stop ISP tracking with CyberGhost
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Largest VPN Network with 35,000+ Servers to Encrypt Data from ISP Spying
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has one of the largest server networks on the market. It has servers in over 84 countries worldwide (with at least 1 in ever US State), and 35,000+ total. It was never hard to find a server nearby, and I could always connect in a few seconds. While PIA’s huge server network helps protect against ISP tracking by itself, it also provides other security features such as:
Independently audited no-logs policy — upheld and tested by third parties to ensure PIA never stores data. Premium military-grade encryption — the highest tier of encryption you can get to ensure all your data is scrambled and hidden from ISP tracking. Multi-Hop server obfuscation — is another way to mask your internet traffic by connecting to multiple servers and making it harder to track. Automatic kill switch — adds a feature that is already turned on and ready to stop any internet connection when your VPN becomes disconnected. Leak protection — creates an additional security step to ensure no DNS, WebRTC, or IP leaks, so your location is always secured.
Having such a large network protects against server overcrowding and lag, so speeds are still just as fast as other VPN providers. After testing PIA over multiple servers worldwide, I found nearby servers only gave me a 25% speed drop. The drop wasn’t noticeable, and I streamed The Mandalorian in UHD without buffering.
A beneficial feature PIA had was the MACE Ad Blocker — which I found was exceptional at stopping ads. MACE did more than just block ads; it also limited ISP tracking because it helped stop malware and trackers from stealing my data. PIA maintains MACE and any blacklisted sites, so you cannot change these settings and can only turn the setting on or off. PIA’s headquarters are in the US, a country that is a member of the 5 Eyes alliance. This can be worrisome, considering some ISPs might use this fact to try to access data that VPNs could store. Nonetheless, independent auditors maintain PIA’s commitment to protecting user data and the accuracy of their privacy claims by conducting random checks. You can get PIA for as long as $2.11/month if you get the 2-year + 3 months plan. With this plan, you can try PIA to stop your ISP from spying and get the same 30-day money-back guarantee no matter which plans you try. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you can get a refund by contacting a customer support agent and have your money back within 6 business days. Stop ISP tracking with PIA
4. PrivateVPN — Public WiFi Protection Feature Stop Third-Party ISPs from Gathering Personal Data
Key Features: PrivateVPN’s Public WiFi protection feature is essential for keeping my data safe from unsecured networks. With this feature turned on, PrivateVPN creates an additional security layer over its encrypted tunnel. This is needed because public WiFis are typically unsecured and can be accessed easily or hacked to gain someone’s personal information. It’s nice knowing that my data is safe from public ISP spying, but PrivateVPN also had other security features to stop my ISP from tracking my data at home:
Zero-log privacy policy — takes away any risk of your data being saved, so ISPs or any third-party services can’t access it. Customizable AES 256-bit encryption — allows you to choose from the standard AES-256-bit to AES-128-bit encryption to get a speed boost and no security loss. Kill switch— can be switched on, this feature will secure any leaked data by cutting internet access when a VPN connection drops DNS and IP leak protection — fully encrypts your IP so it will never leak and expose your current location. Dependable and secure protocols — let youchoose between OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN TAP, L2TP, and PPTP, depending on how much security or speed you need.
I still tested the speed while connected to PrivateVPN’s servers because I wanted to ensure my connection never dropped in case it exposed my information to my ISP. PrivateVPN’s speeds never dropped more than 25% on nearby servers, even when I was streaming shows in UHD. Additionally, I could torrent, game, or browse the internet without significant speed loss.
The StealthVPN feature allows me to turn on obfuscation to block my ISP from tracking the fact I was connecting to a VPN. Although, PrivateVPN’s obfuscation uses the Shadowsocks proxy (which gets blocked easily). After testing ExpressVPN and seeing the advanced obfuscation it offered, it was worrying to see PrivateVPN not up to par. Although it already has an affordable plan, you can try PrivateVPN’s 3-year subscription to get the lowest price of $2.00 a month. While I tried this plan, I also tested the VPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee and decided to contact a representative through email. I got a confirmation email after 2 hours to refund me and saw my money in my account in a week. Stop ISP tracking with PrivateVPN
5. IPVanish — Owns Entire Server Network So None of Your Data Goes through a Third Party
Key Features: IPVanish doesn’t outsource any of its servers, unlike many other VPN providers on this list. Usually, a VPN will rent servers from third-party companies instead of maintaining its networks, meaning it can’t always control where your information goes. Outsourced server owners could even sell information, so using IPVanish reassured me that my data was always safe. Additionally, IPVanish allows up to unlimited devices simultaneously, so you can stop your ISP from tracking your data no matter what you use. My family and I connected all our devices (a total of 12) and found each could be protected and used all at once. I could even set up IPVanish on a smart TV to stream all my content without my ISP knowing. I realized IPVanish had other options to help protect my data from being tracked, including:
Zero-logs policy — never stores any data that a user might enter, so an ISP or third-party force can never access it. AES 256-bit encryption — is military-grade encryption that makes all your data extremely difficult to crack or track. Kill switch — stops any data leaks by cutting the connection to the internet if your VPN gets disconnected. Scramble obfuscation — creates 2 tunnels so your ISP can’t track that you’re using a VPN and attempt to throttle your connection. High-end security protocols — such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, PPTP, and IKEv2 are all available options.
While testing 12 different connections, I expected my speeds to be much slower. IPVanish pleasantly surprised me by providing a fast speed that allowed me to browse the internet, stream content, and call over WiFi without interruptions. Not to mention, if I found that my connection slowed too much, I could switch to a protocol that boosted my speed.
You can stop ISP tracking on unlimited devices, but, unfortunately, IPVanish doesn’t offer as many premium features as other premium VPNs. It’s best to look for its cheapest plans that start at $3.33/month for a 2-year subscription. Each plan still comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied, and I tested this option to see if it held up. I went into IPVanish’s account settings, chose to cancel from there, and I got my money back the next day. Stop ISP tracking with IPVanish
Comparison Table: 2023 Best VPNs to Stop ISP Tracking
Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs to Stop ISP Tracking
I tested dozens of VPNs to find the best VPNs in 2023 to stop my ISP from tracking my data and used these criteria:
Strict no-logs policy: Having a zero-logs policy ensures none of the VPNs on this list will attempt to store any data they receive while you use the product. Top security features: Each VPN needs military-grade encryption, a killswitch, and leak protection, so I knew my ISP couldn’t track my data. Multiple server connections: I could connect to dozens of nearby servers no matter where I was, so I never had to worry about overcrowding or connection loss. Superfast speeds: Every VPN on this list provided fast speeds, so I could stream content, browse the internet, or play my favorite games without interruption. 24/7 customer service: I tested each VPN’s customer service options and loved that all 5 had a 24/7 live chat, so I never had to speak over the phone or wait on an email. Value for money: Just because I don’t recommend a free VPN doesn’t mean I want to pay a lot for one. I tested each feature and made sure it was worth paying for.
Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
Quick Guide: Stop ISP Tracking in 3 Easy Steps
Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
A proxy is meant to conceal your IP (and location) by encrypting browser traffic, but if you use an HTTPS proxy, your ISP can still see what websites you visit. They just won’t see the content or specific pages on that website. DNS and SOCKS proxies won’t encrypt any data (they can still access content) so your activity is completely open to being viewed by your ISP. If you’re in an internet-restricted country — where online activity is heavily watched — with a government-provided ISP, they could easily track VPNs. To check if you can use a VPN or if any are tracked, you should check with your country’s laws to ensure you’re not using one illegally. A number of countries and states in the US have laws that protect users from being tracked by ISPs. For example, California has passed a net neutrality law that stopped ISPs from blocking or slowing lawful traffic — something that was previously allowed due to tracking. The best way to determine if your ISP is tracking you is to contact your provider and ask. Depending on the ISP, you could ask for a copy of any information from you that is stored. Most ISPs have a clear privacy policy or Terms of Services that you can look through. Most free VPNs are free for a reason — to collect and sell your information to third parties just like your ISP does. This is how they remained free, to begin with. Even if they don’t sell your data, most don’t have the high military-grade encryption needed to hide your data or offer security features like a killswitch to protect you if your VPN connection is cut. You also risk downloading malware from one of these free VPNs. Not all of them are bad, but even the best free VPNs in 2023 might struggle to keep you protected. This can be due to limited data, limited server selection, slow speeds, or limited security features. I recommend checking out VPNs with generous money-back guarantees instead. For example, CyberGhost gives you 45 days to request a refund. All I had to do was ask for my money back via live chat. The whole process was quick and easy, and I didn’t have to give a reason for wanting a refund. After talking with the customer service agent, I had my money back in a week. Stop ISP tracking with CyberGhost
Stop ISP Tracking With a Quality VPN Today!
ISPs are always tracking data and will continue storing as much as possible until you can protect yourself. The more time you go without a VPN, the more data they get from you. Instead of just sitting around unprotected, choose a top-tier VPN to stop your ISP from tracking you. This will protect your data and stop throttling attempts from your ISP. After testing dozens of VPNs, 5 prevent an ISP from tracking my data. Of those 5, ExpressVPN is the best to stop ISP tracking due to its fast speed and top-security encryption. I recommend you try ExpressVPN to stop ISP tracking risk-free since it has a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee that can be used if you aren’t 100% satisfied. Stop ISP tracking with ExpressVPN
