 | |
| Developer | Harry Halpin, Claudia Diaz, Jaya Klara Brekke, Mark Sinclair, Ania Piotrowska, Marc Debizet [1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Virtual private network (VPN), Cryptocurrency wallet |
| Launch date | March 2025 |
| Operating system | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Status | Active |
| Pricing model | Free |
| Website | nym |
| Nym | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nym Technologies S.A. |
| Repository | github |
| Written in | Rust |
| Operating system | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| License | GNU General Public License |
| Website | nym |
Nym Technologies is a Swiss company that provides internet privacy technology utilizing Nym mix network and noise generation networks. Nym offers VPN and blockchain-related software and network services. Its most notable service, NymVPN, has been recognized as a top-tier commercial VPN service for privacy and security. [2] [3] It markets its decentralized multi-hop nature and suite of implementations as conferring enhanced anonymity and as protective against AI collection and analysis of metadata and traffic patterns. [4]
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Nym Technologies was formed in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 2018. [5] NymVPN was in development and testing for several years, [6] [7] with the public release in March 2025. It is cross-platform, free and open source software (FOSS). Developed by computer security researchers, it was presented at conferences such as Chaos Communication Congress, [5] HOPE, [8] and at the Free Software Foundation's LibrePlanet [9] during its alpha-beta development and after its public release. The Nym mixnet technology was also tested at some of these events. NymVPN has undergone security audits by JP Aumasson (2021), [10] Oak Security (2023), [11] Cure53 (2024), [12] and Cryspen. Nym Wallet has also been independently audited (2023). [13]
NymVPN operates separate entry and exit nodes using the AmneziaWG implementation of the WireGuard protocol on its "fast" connection mode and 5-hop mixnet on "anonymous" mode and maintains no logs. It supports a command-line interface, split tunneling, custom entry and exit node selection, an internet connection kill switch, zero knowledge credentials and payments, diskless architecture, IPv6, customizable DNS servers, QUIC, SOCKS5, and the app's user interface is available in multiple languages. It is written in Rust. [14]
As of December 2025 the Nym Technologies advisory board consists of George Danezis, Aggelos Kiayias, Ben Laurie, and Bart Preneel. Additional advisors include Daniel J. Bernstein, Chelsea Manning, Karthikeyan Bhargavan, and Carmela Troncoso. [1] Nym partners with academic organizations such as the Security and Privacy Engineering Laboratory (SPRING) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the Computer Security and Industrial Cryptography (COSIC) research group at KU Leuven, and Cyspen. [14]
Alternative services in the security and privacy focused VPN market include Mullvad, ProtonVPN, IVPN, and ultimately Tor VPN when it comes out of beta development and testing. NymVPN exceeds VPN service guidelines recommended by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) [15] and the Freedom of the Press Foundation. [16]
Disadvantages of the mixnet method include increased bandwidth and server load with consequently greater energy usage. [4] Although connection speeds have increased significantly, there are noticeable latency issues that aren't easily fully resolved and can impact certain users. Unlike some other VPN providers, Nym Tech has not announced specific plans to address post-quantum cryptography but has said it is working on the issue and intends to not rush an implementation prematurely. [17] Compute paths and nodes could potentially be compromised. [18] [19] Although it is open source, NymVPN currently does not have a public bug bounty program to incentivize vulnerability investigation and reporting. NymVPN specifically and mixnets more generally are also newer technology with shorter windows of time that have undergone testing, although Nym undergoes security reviews and is FOSS.
