OVPN

OVPN stands apart in the crowded VPN market through its uncompromising approach to privacy. Founded in 2014 in Stockholm, Sweden, this company has built its reputation on a simple but powerful principle: own and control every piece of hardware that handles customer data. With 96 entirely self-owned servers running without hard drives, OVPN offers a level of verifiable privacy that few competitors can match.

The Self-Owned Server Difference

Most VPN providers rent servers from third-party data centers, relying on contractual agreements to ensure their servers aren't tampered with. OVPN takes a fundamentally different approach: they own every single server in their network. Each server is purchased, configured, and physically installed by OVPN staff. This eliminates the possibility of data center employees accessing VPN infrastructure or installing monitoring equipment.

The servers are housed in colocation facilities where OVPN rents only the physical space and network connectivity. The hardware itself belongs to OVPN and can only be accessed by their personnel. This level of control is rare in the VPN industry and represents a significant investment in infrastructure that demonstrates genuine commitment to user privacy.

Diskless Architecture

OVPN servers run entirely in RAM without hard drives. This means that when a server is powered off or rebooted, all data is immediately and irreversibly lost. There is no persistent storage that could retain logs, session data, or any information about user activity.

This architecture provides protection against both external threats and legal demands. Even if a server were seized by authorities, it would contain no usable data. The moment power is disconnected, any information in memory is gone. This isn't just a policy; it's a physical impossibility for data to be retained.

Court-Tested No-Logs Policy

OVPN's no-logs policy isn't just a marketing claim; it has been tested in Swedish court. In 2019, copyright holders attempted to compel OVPN to provide user data. OVPN successfully demonstrated to the court that they simply don't have the data being requested. The diskless architecture and no-logs policy meant there was nothing to hand over.

This court case provides real-world validation of OVPN's privacy claims. While many VPN providers claim no-logs policies, few have had their claims tested in legal proceedings. OVPN's victory established a legal precedent and provides users with confidence that the privacy promises are genuine.

Swedish Jurisdiction

Sweden, while part of the EU and subject to some data retention requirements for telecommunications providers, has specific exemptions for VPN services. OVPN is not classified as a telecommunications provider under Swedish law and therefore is not subject to mandatory data retention.

Swedish privacy laws generally provide strong protections, and the country has a tradition of press freedom and whistleblower protection. While Sweden is a member of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliance, OVPN's architecture means there is no data to share even if compelled.

Protocol Support

OVPN supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. WireGuard, the modern VPN protocol, offers significantly faster speeds and more efficient battery usage on mobile devices compared to OpenVPN. OVPN's implementation of WireGuard maintains privacy despite the protocol's default behavior of keeping peer information in memory.

OpenVPN remains available for users who prefer the more established protocol or need compatibility with specific setups. Both protocols are configured with strong encryption defaults, and users can customize settings for their specific needs.

Multi-hop Connections

For users who want additional privacy, OVPN offers multi-hop connections that route traffic through multiple servers in different countries. This makes traffic analysis significantly more difficult, as an observer would need to correlate activity across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

Multi-hop is available at no extra cost and can be configured through the OVPN applications. While it does reduce speed due to the additional routing, the privacy benefits may be worth the tradeoff for users with specific threat models.

Speed and Performance

With 96 servers across 30 locations, OVPN's network is smaller than some competitors but maintains excellent performance. The self-owned infrastructure allows OVPN to optimize each server for VPN traffic specifically. Users typically see minimal speed reduction when connected, particularly when using WireGuard.

The smaller server count means OVPN may not have locations in every country, but the locations they do have are thoroughly optimized and monitored. Quality over quantity is the guiding principle.

Applications and Ease of Use

OVPN provides native applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. The apps are clean and straightforward, focusing on functionality without unnecessary complexity. Connection is typically one-click, and users can easily switch between servers and protocols.

For advanced users, OVPN provides configuration files for use with third-party OpenVPN clients and WireGuard. The Linux application offers command-line control for server environments, and router configuration guides are available for whole-network protection.

Pricing

OVPN's pricing starts at 4.22 per month when paid yearly, positioning it competitively with other premium VPN providers. Monthly pricing is higher, reflecting the significant infrastructure investment in self-owned servers.

Unlike some competitors, OVPN doesn't offer massive discounts for multi-year commitments that lock users in. The pricing is transparent without hidden fees, and all features are available on all plans. A 10-day money-back guarantee allows users to test the service risk-free.

Transparency and Trust

OVPN publishes detailed information about their infrastructure, including photographs of their servers being installed in data centers. They maintain a warrant canary and publish a transparency report documenting legal requests received. This level of openness is uncommon in the VPN industry and helps users verify the company's claims.

The company also publishes detailed technical documentation about their security practices, allowing knowledgeable users to evaluate the implementation themselves.

Limitations

The self-owned server model means OVPN has fewer servers and locations than providers who rent infrastructure. Users needing connections in specific countries may find OVPN lacking coverage. The emphasis on privacy over features means some conveniences found in other VPNs (like dedicated streaming servers) may be absent.

The applications, while functional, may feel basic compared to feature-rich alternatives. Users who prioritize extensive features over verifiable privacy may prefer other options.

Who Should Use OVPN

OVPN is ideal for privacy purists who want more than promises; they want verifiable architecture. The self-owned servers and diskless design provide concrete assurance that privacy claims can be trusted. The court-tested no-logs policy demonstrates that these aren't just marketing materials.

Journalists, activists, and anyone with genuine privacy needs will appreciate OVPN's approach. Users who prioritize having the most server locations or the cheapest price may want to look elsewhere, but those who value quality and verifiable privacy will find OVPN an excellent choice.

Conclusion

OVPN represents what a privacy-focused VPN should be: infrastructure designed from the ground up to protect users. The combination of self-owned servers, diskless architecture, and a court-tested no-logs policy provides a level of assurance that few competitors can match. For users who take privacy seriously, OVPN deserves strong consideration.