It may sound like something out of a movie: alliances of international governments that share intelligence information with one another. But the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, 14 Eyes alliances are very much a reality — and they put your privacy at risk.
With a VPN service, you can encrypt your data and keep it out of the hands of government institutions. But you need a VPN that is outside 5, 9, and 14 Eyes jurisdiction to keep your information truly private.
The Best VPNs Outside the 14 Eyes Alliance
We’ve tested 70+ VPN services found the best VPNs outside 14 Eyes countries for you. Here is our top five:
Top 5 Best VPNs Outside the 14 Eyes Alliance
- NordVPN: Best VPN outside 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances
- ExpressVPN: Highly secure VPN with top-notch features
- CyberGhost: User-friendly and affordable VPN located in Romania
- Proton VPN: Secure and private VPN with free version
- FastestVPN: Located in the Cayman Islands, offers a lifetime deal for just $40 right now
Our best VPN outside 14 Eyes countries is NordVPN. It offers high-end security, has headquarters in Panama City, and protects your data from global surveillance.
Beside the location outside of the 14 Eyes countries, we have also used the following criteria to select our best VPNs outside the 14 Eyes alliance:
- No logs policy to make sure your data are not stored.
- Security features, such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection to protect your IP address at all times.
- Speed so you can browse the internet without lag.
- Price and money-back-guarantee to get the best deal.
The Best VPNs Outside the 14 Eyes Alliance – Detailed List
Overall, we tested and reviewed 40+ different VPN providers to find you the best VPNs outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances. The VPN providers selected are located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions and cannot be compelled to store or give up your data to authorities.
Below, we take a deep dive into each virtual private network to highlight how it will protect your data from intelligence agencies.
1. NordVPN: Best VPN outside 14 Eyes countries
NordVPN is our overall top choice for VPN outside of the Eyes coalition. It’s based in Panama, the best VPN country, as it doesn’t have any mandatory data retention legislation. In other words, NordVPN can’t be compelled to hand over user data to government authorities.
In fact, NordVPN maintains a strict no-log policy, which means it doesn’t collect or store any data in the first place! This has been verified by independent auditors on multiple occasions. RAM-only (diskless) servers ensure that no data is stored. On top of that, NordVPN owns its own server network.
If privacy and security is important to you, NordVPN is the VPN for you. The provider offers a wide range of security tools, including an automatic kill-switch, Threat Protection against malware, and a dark web monitor.
With NordVPN, you get access to a server network of 6441 servers across 111 countries. You can use NordVPN on any major operating system.
Pros
- Based in Panama, a country without data retention
- No logs policy to keep your traffic private
- RAM-only servers make sure NordVPN stores no data
- Many additional security tools
- Protection against malware
- Works excellent for unblocking
- Fast servers for the best online experience
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Sign in on desktop needs to happen through your browser
- Not all servers allow torrenting
For a full rundown of its specs, read our full NordVPN review.
2. ExpressVPN: High-quality VPN outside 5/9/14 Eyes alliance
ExpressVPN maintains a strict zero-log policy and only stores anonymized connection logs. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the 14 Eyes countries. Independent auditors have verified that, on the off chance of a server breach or government request, there isn’t any data to offer up.
The provider employs the best security protocols we have today, including its own Lightway protocol making your VPN browsing experience fast, secure, and reliable. ExpressVPN uses the highest standard of encryption (AES 256-bit) to scramble your data while in transit.
With ExpressVPN, you can enjoy advanced security features such as a kill switch, built-in password manager (ExpressVPN Keys) and a Threat Manager which blocks ads, trackers and malware.
ExpressVPN offers short-term VPN subscriptions (12 months) at a great discount! You can now get 49% off your plan and get three extra months for free. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Based on the British Virgin Island outside of the 14 Eyes countries
- Strict no logs policy to protect your data
- Secure protocols including Lightway
- Built-in password manager for easy and safe sign ins
- Built-in Threat Manager to protect you against ads, trackers and malware
- Great VPN for streaming due to excellent speed
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Most expensive VPN on our list
You can read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review before making a final decision.
3. CyberGhost: Cheap, user-friendly VPN in Romania
If you’re on a budget but still want a VPN outside 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 4 Eyes countries that has great speeds, usability, and top-notch security, then CyberGhost is your best bet. The VPN is based in Romania, one of the best VPN countries.
CyberGhost does not store any user data or logs tied to your IP address. It has RAM-only servers, which only transmit data and are incapable of storing it. All data traffic is encrypted with AES 256-bit encryption, and a built-in kill switch prevents any data from accidentally leaking through.
Unlike the other VPNs in this list, CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee! This gives you plenty of time to test the VPN for yourself.
Already one of the most affordable VPNs around, you can now score an even bigger deal on CyberGhost! Sign up today and pay only $ 2.19 per month.
Pros
- Based in Romania, outside the 14 Eyes Alliance
- No logs policy to protect your privacy
- RAM-only servers to make sure no data is stored
- Special servers voor streaming, torrenting and gaming
- Offers a Security Suite for Windows
- Very affordable VPN
- 45-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Logs the number of connections
Find out more about this provider in our full CyberGhost review.
4. Proton VPN: Secure VPN with a free version
Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, one of the best VPN countries, as it puts it under strong privacy laws and outside of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliance. The provider can’t be compelled by government agencies to hand over data.
Proton VPN has advanced security features, including NetShield ad blocker, DNS leak protection, and Tor over VPN. We are very fond of the Secure Core Servers, which provide two layers of encryption by using a double VPN connection. The first server is owned and operated by Proton and is always based in a privacy-friendly country.
Moreover, Proton has various fantastic subscriptions, including an entirely free VPN. You can also opt to use the integrated services of ProtonMail and ProtonDrive for an even more substantial online security package. Have a look!
Pros
- Based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws
- Strict no logs policy to keep your data private
- Open source apps so everybody can check Proton's safety
- Secure Core Servers for extra safety
- Advanced security features
- Free VPN available
- 30-day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- No live chat available
- No dedicated IP's
If you want to compare it against the other VPNs, read our full Proton VPN review.
5. FastestVPN: Lifetime VPN outside 14 Eyes
With FastestVPN, you can get a VPN lifetime deal: pay only $40 in total and secure your private data for life! From experience, we know that this VPN is secure, easy to use, and works with international streaming services, including Netflix.
More importantly, since FastestVPN is located in the Cayman Islands, you don’t have to worry about mandatory data retention. Not that there would be any data to give up: FastestVPN has a clear zero logs policy, which has been audited and verified.
All industry-standard security features are there, including DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and even a split tunneling feature. The built-in ad blocker prevents you from accidentally clicking on malicious links and infecting your device.
There is a 31-day money-back guarantee that you can make use of when signing up. Not satisfied? You’ll receive a full refund!
Pros
- Based in the Cayman Islands outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance
- No logs policy to keep your data private
- Additional security features
- Allows torrenting and streaming
- Built in ad blockers
- Affordable lifetime deal
- 31 day money-back-guarantee
Cons
- Doesn't have a lot of servers
- Is slow on servers further away
- No dedicated IP's
If you would like to know more about this VPN, you can read our in-depth FastestVPN review.
How We Chose the Best VPNs Outside 14 Eyes Countries
Not each VPN will protect you from global mass surveillance and personal data collection by your internet service provider and government agencies. To enhance your online privacy, we suggest you use one of the VPN services mentioned in this article.
Here are the criteria when picking them:
- Location: Where a VPN service is based, determines its jurisdiction. The VPNs recommended in this article are all located in countries that don’t have mandatory data retention legislation.
- No-logs policy: If a VPN provider doesn’t store any data in the first place, it won’t be able to hand over anything on government order. When VPNs adhere to this, they have a “zero logs policy” or “no-logs policy.” When reviewing, we make sure these policies have been audited and verified.
- Security: We recommend VPNs with high-end security features, including a kill switch, DNS leak prevention, IP leak prevention, and military-grade encryption. These will protect your data while in transit.
- Speed: Finally, a good VPN connection should generate fast speeds that make browsing, streaming, and gaming enjoyable and free of lags. The VPNs have minimal to no connection drops.
It’s also a clear benefit if a VPN has a money-back guarantee so that you can test the VPN connection for yourself before committing.
The Best VPNs Outside the 14 Eyes Alliance – Comparison
The table below shows a quick comparison of the best VPNs outside the 14 Eyes Alliance.
| Editor’s Pick | |||||
| VPN |  |  |  |  | |
| Servers | 5000+ | Thousands | 5000+ | 3000-5000 | 500-1000 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| Logs | Zero logs | Zero logs | Zero logs | Zero logs | Zero logs |
| Operating systems | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Money-back guarantee | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 45 Days | Money-back guarantee, 30 Days | Money-back guarantee, 31 Days |
| Price | $ 3.39 | $ 6.67 | $ 2.19 | $ 3.59 | $ 1.66 |
| Score | 9.3 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Visit NordVPN | Visit ExpressVPN | Visit CyberGhost | Visit Proton VPN | Visit FastestVPN |
What is the 14 Eyes Alliance? 5/9/14 Eyes Explained
Post World War II, the 5 Eyes alliance — the most prominent of the coalitions — developed from the collaboration between the United States and the United Kingdom and intensified during the Cold War. Over time, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand joined, and the objective changed to sharing intelligence.
Once more countries joined, the 9 Eyes and 14 Eyes alliances were formed. Each coalition operates on different terms, and some work more closely together than others, but overall, they collect, assimilate, and exchange information about their citizens.
While the objective may be to protect national security, user privacy is violated in the process.
For a more in-depth breakdown, here is everything you need to know about the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes.
What information is collected?
The intelligence agencies collect and exchange information pertaining to, but not limited to:
- Phone taps
- Contact information and information about those you contact
- Online activity, including browsing and search history
- Personal emails
- Chat messages
Why Should You Choose a VPN Outside the 14 Eyes Alliance
To avoid your private data being retained and passed around by the Eyes governments, you should choose a VPN that’s located outside the 14 Eyes alliance.
A virtual private network encrypts your data and ensures that no third parties, including internet service providers and governmental institutions, can access it.
However, some VPN providers are located within the 5/9/14 Eyes countries. This means that they might be compelled by state agencies to hand over data, which can then be easily exchanged.
If you choose a VPN provider whose headquarters are located outside of the 14 Eyes in countries with more favorable data retention laws, it’s much less likely that governments will be able to access your personal information.
VPNs Based in 14 Eyes Countries
There are some VPN providers out there that provide ample security, unblocking capabilities, and great speeds. However, they have one unfortunate caveat — they’re located in countries that are members of the 14 Eyes alliances.
Check out our table below for VPN providers which are based in 5, 9, and 14 Eyes countries.
| VPN Provider | Country Based (Jurisdiction) | Intelligence Alliance |
|---|---|---|
| AirVPN | Italy | 14 Eyes |
| BolehVPN | Italy | 14 Eyes |
| CactusVPN | Canada | 5 Eyes |
| GOOSE VPN | The Netherlands | 9 Eyes |
| HMA VPN | United Kingdom | 5 Eyes |
| Hotspot Shield | United States | 5 Eyes |
| IPVanish | United States | 5 Eyes |
| Mullvad | Sweden | 14 Eyes |
| Opera VPN | Norway | 9 Eyes |
| Private Internet Access | United States | 5 Eyes |
| PrivateVPN | Sweden | 14 Eyes |
| StrongVPN | United States | 5 Eyes |
| Surfshark | The Netherlands | 9 Eyes |
| TorGuard | United States | 5 Eyes |
| TunnelBear | Canada | 5 Eyes |
| Urban VPN | United States | 5 Eyes |
| VPNSecure | Australia | 5 Eyes |
| Windscribe | Canada | 5 Eyes |
A VPN located in the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes countries isn’t necessary unsafe. It is very important however that these VPNs have a strict no logs policy that gets audited regularly by independent sources. This ensures the VPN does not store any data. Data that is not stored, can’t be shared with the government.
VPNs in the list above with a strict no logs policy are for example Private Internet Access, Mullvad, Surfshark, TorGuard and TunnelBear.
In short: Keep Your Data Private With NordVPN
The #1 VPN we recommend outside the 5/9/14 countries is NordVPN. This VPN is outside US jurisdiction and is based in Panama, the best country for a VPN, as it doesn’t have any mandatory data retention legislation. On top of that, it’s a fantastic VPN with top-notch security features.
Ready to secure your data right away? Right now, you can get NordVPN with 72% off! There’s also a 30-day money-back-guarantee that lets you try out the VPN service risk-free.
Save big with up to 72% off a two-year subscription!
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
For more information on the best VPNs for different purposes, have a look at these related articles:
- Best VPNs for Online Banking: Protect Your Bank Account
- The Best VPN for Business: Top Corporate VPN Picks
- Best VPNs for Crypto Trading and Bitcoin
Looking for a quick answer? Below, you can find the most frequently asked questions about VPNs outside of the 14 Eyes countries.
Most of the countries in the world aren’t a part of this alliance. The 14 Eyes alliance is made up of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and certain European countries.
Panama is based outside of the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliance countries. This makes it a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. Any VPN based in Panama, such as NordVPN, cannot be compelled to store user data. Read our NordVPN review to find out more.
NordVPN isn’t based in a country that is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance. The company is based in Panama, which has privacy-friendly data laws. This makes NordVPN a fantastic choice for those that care about their privacy and want to escape government surveillance.
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes countries. This makes ExpressVPN a fantastic choice for privacy-conscious users who would like to escape surveillance.
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands which is part of the 14 eyes and shouldn't be on the list.
You're right! There was a period of time when Surfshark still had part of its HQ on the British Virgin Islands and could benefit from that, but it seems they have since fully made the move to the Netherlands. In terms of privacy, Surfshark does still have a legally functioning no logs policy (with RAM-only servers), but it is now indeed situated in a 9 Eyes country. We will update our article as soon as possible.
Does AVG have a VPN that is within the 14 eye countries
No, AVG's VPN (and their parent company Avast) is situated in the Czech Republic, which isn't part of 14 Eyes. It does have a rather vague privacy policy, however, which is why we didn't include it in our current list. If you'd like more info on this VPN and our experiences with it, you can have a look at our full AVG Secure VPN review.