comparison · VPN providers
Bahnhof vs Calyx VPN
Both are listed in VPN providers. The table below pulls directly from each service’s data sheet; see each entry for sourcing.
| Field | Bahnhof | Calyx VPN |
|---|---|---|
| KYC | optional KYC | no KYC |
| Category | VPN providers | VPN providers |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden (operator-disclosed) | United States (Calyx Institute, NY) |
| Payment methods | card, bank-transfer, cash-by-mail | donation |
| Fiat on-ramp | no | no |
| Custodial | no | no |
| Open source | no | yes |
| Founded | 1994 | 2014 |
| Last verified | May 12, 2026 | May 12, 2026 |
Bahnhof — summary
Bahnhof is the Swedish ISP-and-VPN operator with one of the longest-running explicit anti-surveillance histories in the industry — the same operator that hosted WikiLeaks.
- + 30+ year operating history with consistent anti-data-retention posture.
- + Hosts WikiLeaks and other contested content historically.
- + Swedish jurisdiction with documented refusals of data-retention compliance.
- − Email at signup binds the account.
- − VPN product is a smaller part of a broader ISP/hosting business; review what you're buying.
- − Sweden remains subject to EU AML/CTF cooperation.
Calyx VPN — summary
Calyx VPN is the non-profit no-account VPN from the Calyx Institute.
- + Operated by Calyx Institute non-profit (founder Nicholas Merrill of the 2004 National Security Letter case).
- + No accounts, no signup, no identity binding at all.
- + Open-source Bitmask client; reproducible builds.
- − U.S. operator subject to U.S. legal process; the operator's transparency posture is what mitigates this.
- − Smaller server fleet than commercial peers.
- − Speed and capacity are membership-limited.
When to choose which
Treat this section as heuristic. Privacy properties depend on how you use the service, not just which one you pick.
- Choose Bahnhof if 30+ year operating history with consistent anti-data-retention posture..
- Choose Calyx VPN if operated by calyx institute non-profit (founder nicholas merrill of the 2004 national security letter case)..
- Either way, re-check the entry’s last verified date — the VPN providers category churns.
Compared as of .