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Our Rating
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.6 / 5
- Privacy & Security: 4.8 / 5
- Speed & Performance: 4.5 / 5
- Streaming: 4.6 / 5
- Ease of Use: 4.7 / 5
A strong all-round VPN with significantly improved trust thanks to its audited no-logs policy.
For years, X-VPN, developed by LIGHTNINGLINK NETWORKS PTE. LTD., a Singapore-based company, has been widely used – SensorTower estimated roughly 600,000 downloads and about $70,000 in revenue in the month preceding June 2026 – but its privacy claims, particularly its no-logs policy, have often been met with skepticism in earlier reviews. Many questioned whether X-VPN could truly avoid collecting user data, especially without independent audit.
In 2026, that question finally has a clearer answer.
We conducted a fresh, hands-on evaluation of X-VPN, testing its performance, streaming capabilities, usability, and most importantly, its privacy practices. This review places a strong focus on how X-VPN handles user data today, especially in light of its recently completed independent no-logs audit.
Our initial impression is that while X-VPN still delivers solid performance and accessibility, its biggest improvement lies in transparency. The addition of an independently audited no-logs policy significantly strengthens its credibility compared to previous years.
No-Logs Policy
Independent Audit: What Was Verified?
On February 28, 2026, X-VPN completed an independent audit of its no-logs policy, conducted under the ISAE 3000 (Revised) assurance standard, by Deloitte Singapore – a Big Four firm – a milestone Reuters also reported. X-VPN publicly announced the result on June 6, 2026, stating that zero IP addresses and zero connection timestamps are stored for users, and on June 5, 2026 Reuters reported that the audit specifically found no retention of IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, or timestamps. A follow-up disclosure that same month further revealed that 100% of X-VPN’s servers operate in RAM-only mode, meaning all data is erased on every restart or shutdown – consistent with ContentGrip’s November 21, 2025 reporting that X-VPN erases traffic metadata within seconds and writes zero logs to disk.
The audit evaluated how X-VPN’s privacy claims are enforced in practice. The scope covered several key areas:
- X-VPN does not store or record sensitive user information.
- X-VPN processes only the minimum user information needed to provide the service.
- VPN servers, core databases, and code remain secure and compliant across deployment, operation, and maintenance.
- Privacy Policy governance remains aligned with actual operations and data-handling practices.
- DPO-related oversight mechanisms remain independent, transparent, and traceable.
The audit procedures also included inquiries with relevant personnel and examination of internal systems and controls, ultimately confirming nine distinct categories of data – including IP addresses, destination IPs, DNS queries, downloaded content, and connection timestamps, per Techritual’s June 2, 2026 breakdown of the audit’s scope – that X-VPN does not store, providing a deeper level of verification than a surface-level policy review.
What X-VPN Does NOT Collect (Based on Audit Results)
As reiterated in X-VPN’s privacy policy published in August 2026 – and echoed by the company’s help center, which received a matching update that same month confirming it logs zero browsing history, zero DNS queries, zero IP addresses, and zero payment details tied to users – the service does not track, collect, or store data that could identify users or reveal their activity while using the VPN. In practical terms, this means the service does not retain information that could identify what you do online or trace activity back to you.
According to its policy, X-VPN does not collect or store:
- Your real IP address
- The IP addresses of websites or services you access
- Browsing history or visited websites
- DNS queries
- Content you download
- VPN servers you connect to
- Connection timestamps
- Sensitive payment details
This is important because these types of data points are typically what allow VPN providers, or third parties to reconstruct a user’s online activity. Without them, linking actions to a specific user becomes significantly more difficult. Third-party coverage has landed on the same reading: D-Addicts noted in May 2026 that X-VPN had completed one third-party no-logs audit with zero activity-data fields logged, and The Silicon Review reported on May 13, 2026 that the service collects zero browsing history, zero DNS queries, zero IP addresses, zero connection timestamps, and zero sensitive payment data under its no-logs policy.
What Data X-VPN DOES Collect
Like most VPN services, X-VPN still processes a limited amount of information necessary to operate its service. A May 7, 2025 SafetyDetectives review noted the service logs one email address per account for statistical purposes and deletes limited connection timestamps after 48 hours – a narrower retention window than many competitors – and Techritual’s June 2, 2026 breakdown confirmed this amounts to just four essential account-data categories: email address, encrypted password, order number, and order history, none of it tied to user activity.
The information collected includes:
- An email address (users can use disposable or anonymous email services)
- An encrypted password
- Basic billing information, such as order IDs
- Historical order records
In addition, X-VPN collects non-identifiable technical metrics – what Techritual’s June 2, 2026 reporting characterized as three types of aggregated operational data: CPU usage, memory load, and service availability – to maintain performance and stability. These metrics are not linked to individual users.
X-VPN’s Verdict on Privacy
X-VPN’s no-logs policy is no longer just a claim, it is now proved by an independently completed audit conducted by Deloitte under the ISAE 3000 (Revised) assurance standard, with CIO’s June 5, 2026 coverage of that audit confirming zero user IPs, zero destination IPs, zero VPN servers used, zero DNS queries, zero timestamps, and zero payment details stored. Reinforcing this, TechTimes in May 2025 cited a CIO 2025 report showing zero X-VPN data-disclosure events for the year, and X-VPN’s own transparency report, published October 15, 2025, tallied 239,000 DMCA requests and 65 law-enforcement inquiries against zero user-data disclosures, per CIO’s reporting. On March 11, 2026, X-VPN’s official review page pointed to AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and its ongoing Big Four audit program as evidence its no-logs policy holds up in practice, indicating the scrutiny is continuous rather than a single point-in-time exercise – a claim X-VPN’s own Trust Center reinforced on September 24, 2026, stating its servers run entirely in memory with no persistent local-disk storage and that an internal system called THA continuously validates no-logs controls across its server fleet.
Another privacy-positive change is X-VPN’s increased protocol transparency. The service now includes open-source protocol options, including OpenVPN and WireGuard. Notably, WireGuard and OpenVPN are also available on the free plan, which gives users more visibility and control over how their VPN connection is secured.
Combined with its minimal data collection practices, X-VPN now presents a much stronger case as a privacy-focused VPN than it did in previous years.
Performance
To evaluate X-VPN’s speed more clearly, we tested it from a Singapore-based network environment on Macbook using V2Ray configuration. Because our lab setup uses higher-bandwidth connections than most consumer VPN reviews, we were able to measure X-VPN’s ceiling more accurately under less restrictive conditions.
On our primary 10Gbps Mac test line, baseline speeds (without VPN) reached 3557.7 Mbps download and 3387.7 Mbps upload. Once connected to X-VPN, performance remained impressively strong.
Speed Key results (Singapore-based testing)
| Scenario | Download Speed |
|---|---|
| No VPN (baseline) | 3557.7 Mbps |
| Local (Singapore) | 2833.7 Mbps |
| Mid-distance (UK) | 2702.2 Mbps |
| Mid-distance (Germany) | 2712.4 Mbps |
| Long-distance (US) | 2812.5 Mbps |
The most striking result here is how well X-VPN maintains download speeds across distance. Even when connecting from Singapore to Europe or the United States, speeds stayed in the 2700–2800 Mbps range in our best-case setup. That level of consistency is impressive, and suggests that X-VPN’s routing and protocol optimization have improved significantly compared to earlier versions.
Protocol choice also played a major role. In our tests, X-VPN’s V2Ray-based configuration consistently delivered the best results on our Macbook, outperforming other options in both speed and stability. This indicates that the service’s performance gains are not just due to network conditions, but also improvements in how traffic is handled.
Overall, X-VPN’s performance in 2026 is a clear step forward. It now delivers consistently high download speeds across both short and long distances, with only moderate drops in upload performance over longer routes. Its top-end speeds, especially on macOS put it firmly among the faster VPNs we’ve tested.
Streaming
Streaming performance is often where VPNs either stand out or fall short. During our tests, X-VPN showed a strong ability to bypass geo-restrictions across major streaming platforms.
We tested access to several popular services, including:
- Netflix (multiple regional libraries)
- BBC iPlayer
- Hulu
- YouTube region-locked content
Netflix Region Access
We tested X-VPN’s ability to access several popular Netflix libraries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Spain.
The results were consistently positive. X-VPN successfully bypassed geo-restrictions across all tested regions, with no persistent proxy or VPN detection errors during playback.
| Region | Access | 4K Supported |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ✅ Unblocked | Yes |
| United Kingdom | ✅ Unblocked | Yes |
| Japan | ✅ Unblocked | Yes |
| Spain | ✅ Unblocked | Yes |
In our testing, switching between regions was relatively smooth, and video playback stabilized quickly after connection. Even when connecting to distant servers, X-VPN maintained sufficient speeds for high-resolution streaming.
BBC iPlayer & Hulu
We also tested X-VPN with region-restricted platforms that are typically more aggressive in blocking VPN traffic.
- BBC iPlayer (UK): Successfully unblocked with stable playback
- Hulu (US): Accessible without proxy errors, streaming remained smooth
These platforms are often used as benchmarks for VPN effectiveness, and X-VPN handled both without requiring multiple retries or server switching during our tests.
YouTube Region Testing (US & Australia)
To further evaluate regional access, we tested location-specific content on YouTube using U.S. and Australian servers.
Both regions were able to load geo-restricted content correctly, indicating that X-VPN can reliably alter location data for less restrictive platforms as well.
Overall Streaming Performance
Overall, X-VPN delivers a strong streaming experience across major platforms. It consistently bypassed geo-restrictions in our tests and supported high-resolution playback without buffering on premium servers.
While performance may vary slightly depending on server load and distance, the results place X-VPN among the more capable VPNs for streaming.
Features & Security Tools
Beyond its core VPN functionality, X-VPN includes a wide range of security and privacy tools. We focused on how these tools perform in practical use and whether they meaningfully enhance user protection.
Core Security Features
At a baseline level, X-VPN includes the essential protections expected from a modern VPN service.
Protocols
X-VPN allows users to manually select their preferred protocol directly from the VPN settings, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, V2Ray, and its proprietary Everest protocol.
In testing, switching between protocols was straightforward, giving users more flexibility to balance speed, stability, and obfuscation depending on their needs.
Kill Switch
The kill switch worked reliably during testing, immediately cutting off internet access when the VPN connection dropped. This helps prevent accidental IP exposure, especially when switching networks or experiencing unstable connections. X-VPN offers this feature in both free and premium options.
DNS Leak Protection
We did not detect DNS leaks during testing, indicating that DNS requests are properly routed through the encrypted tunnel rather than exposed to the ISP.
AES-256 Encryption
X-VPN uses AES-256 encryption in both free and premium plans, which remains the industry standard for secure data transmission and is widely trusted for its resistance to brute-force attacks.
These core features form a solid foundation and are in line with what top-tier VPN providers offer.
Advanced Privacy Protection Tools
What sets X-VPN apart is its broader suite of built-in privacy tools, many of which go beyond what is typically included in standard VPN packages.
Ad Blocker & Tracker Blocker
These features reduce intrusive ads and prevent third-party tracking scripts from loading, which can improve both privacy and browsing speed.
Malicious Website Blocker
This tool helps block access to known phishing or malware-infected domains, adding an extra layer of protection beyond the VPN tunnel itself.
Download Protection
Designed to detect potentially harmful files, this feature adds a security checkpoint for users who frequently download content.
Cookie Blocker & URL Cleaner
These tools help remove tracking elements from URLs and limit cookie-based tracking, reducing the amount of identifiable data shared with websites.
Search Engine Link Checker
This feature flags potentially unsafe links directly in search results, which can help users avoid malicious sites before clicking.
Individually, these tools may not replace dedicated security software, but together they create a more comprehensive privacy environment than most VPNs provide by default.
Advanced Technologies
X-VPN also integrates several newer technologies that are less commonly found in traditional VPN services.
Post-Quantum Encryption
This forward-looking feature is designed to protect data against potential future threats from quantum computing. While still emerging in the industry, its inclusion reflects a focus on long-term security.
Tor over VPN
This allows users to route traffic through both the VPN and the Tor network, adding an extra layer of anonymity for high-privacy use cases.
Split Tunneling
This feature lets users choose which apps or traffic go through the VPN and which use a regular connection, improving flexibility and performance. It’s also the first VPN to offer app-based split tunneling, giving iOS users app-based control.
Multi-Tunneling
X-VPN’s multi-tunneling feature allows users to switch server routes without disconnecting entirely, which can be useful for accessing multiple regions at once with one connection.
Overall Feature Assessment
X-VPN offers more than just basic VPN functionality. Its combination of core protections, extended privacy tools, and forward-looking technologies makes it one of the more feature-rich options available.
The breadth of tools provides added value, especially for those looking for more than just encrypted browsing.
Ease of Use
X-VPN is clearly designed with accessibility in mind, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced users.
The interface is clean and intuitive across platforms, with a straightforward layout that prioritizes ease of navigation. The main connection button is prominently displayed, allowing users to connect with a single click without needing to adjust settings.
For new users, the onboarding experience is minimal. On the free version, there is no registration required, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry. Users can install the app and start using the VPN immediately, without providing personal information.
Across devices, X-VPN maintains a consistent experience. It is available on major platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, TVs, and browser extensions, ensuring flexibility for different use cases – with the Android app actively maintained, as shown by APKMirror listing version 208.3 as its newest release as of September 15, 2026.
More advanced settings, such as protocol selection (you can choose from OpenVPN, WireGuard, or Everest) or tunneling options, are available but not intrusive, meaning users can access them when needed without overwhelming the default experience.
Overall, X-VPN strikes a good balance between simplicity and functionality, making it easy to use without sacrificing control.
Pricing & Plans
X-VPN offers both a free plan and a premium subscription, catering to different types of users.
Free Plan
The free version is one of the more generous offerings in the VPN space, and Techritual confirmed on June 2, 2026 that it follows the exact same no-logs policy as the paid plans. It includes:
- Unlimited data usage
- No account or login required
- Access to 1,000+ free servers across 26 locations
- Manual location selection on iOS and Android, including city-level server options in the US
- AES-256 Encryption
- Kill Switch
- Follow the same no-logs policy like the premium version
There are no strict data caps, making it viable for everyday browsing and even light streaming.
Premium Plan
The premium plan expands significantly on performance and features. It includes:
- Access to 8,000+ servers across 50+ locations (per Trustpilot’s latest user-facing profile as of August 2026)
- Optimized servers for streaming and gaming
- Full access to advanced features and security tools
Pricing starts at around $2.99 per month on the 2-year plan and $3.99 per month on the 1-year plan as of June 2026, per HostingCharges.in’s 2026 review – figures Geekflare also confirmed in its April 2026 comparison as among the lower entry prices in the category – backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee that is in line with industry standards.
Overall, the pricing structure is competitive, especially considering the feature set and the availability of a fully usable free version.
Final Verdict
X-VPN has evolved considerably from what many earlier reviews suggest, including a Security.org review as of July 2026 that had flagged limited transparency and a lack of features like split tunneling, criticisms the company’s completed audit and expanded toolset now directly address.
Its biggest improvement lies in transparency. The completion of an independent no-logs audit marks a meaningful step forward, addressing one of the most common concerns surrounding the service. This alone significantly strengthens its position as a privacy-focused VPN.
Beyond privacy, X-VPN performs well across key areas. It delivers solid speeds, reliable streaming access, and a wide range of features that go beyond basic VPN functionality. The free plan, in particular, stands out for its accessibility and lack of restrictive limits.
FAQ
Is X-VPN safe?
Yes, X-VPN is safe to use based on our testing and its current privacy practices. It includes essential security features such as AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, along with a broader set of privacy tools like malicious website blocking and tracker blocking.
More importantly, X-VPN completed an independent ISAE 3000 audit of its no-logs policy in February 2026, conducted by Deloitte, a Big Four firm, which confirmed zero user-activity logs are kept. That significantly improves its credibility compared to VPNs that rely only on self-declared privacy claims.
Does X-VPN keep logs?
No. According to its policy and the results of its independent no-logs audit, X-VPN does not keep logs that could identify users or reveal their online activity.
This means it does not store data such as:
- Your IP address
- The websites you visit
- Browsing history
- DNS queries
- VPN servers used
- Download content
- Connection timestamps
- Sensitive payment details
Is X-VPN legit?
Yes, X-VPN is a legitimate VPN service with improved transparency and verified privacy practices.
X-VPN is developed by LIGHTNINGLINK NETWORKS PTE. LTD., a Singapore-based company, and Singapore is not part of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. This can be seen as a positive factor for users concerned about international data-sharing frameworks.
More importantly, X-VPN has completed an independent audit of its no-logs policy. As of August 2026, the company’s Trust Center and third-party reviews consistently reference that single Big Four audit and zero identifying activity logs retained, which provides external validation that its privacy claims are enforced in practice, rather than being purely self-declared.
Is X-VPN fast?
Yes, X-VPN delivers strong speeds, especially on its premium servers and modern protocols.
In our testing, X-VPN maintained high download speeds across both local and long-distance connections, with only moderate reductions compared to baseline performance. This makes it suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities such as 4K streaming, gaming, and large downloads.
X-VPN also supports multiple modern protocols, including WireGuard, which is known for its speed and efficiency. Additionally, recent optimizations, such as improvements to the V2Ray protocol on macOS, have further enhanced performance, particularly in more demanding or restricted network environments.
