Mullvad vs NordVPN - Privacy vs All-Round
A privacy purist against a do-everything all-rounder. We compared both on the same criteria and the same reference baseline. Mullvad is built for anonymity; NordVPN is built to do it all.
Quick Verdict
Mullvad is the more private VPN - anonymous accounts, cash payment, and frequently audited open-source apps. NordVPN is the better all-rounder - faster, great for streaming, more devices, and a far larger network. Your choice comes down to whether anonymity or versatility matters most.
Choose Mullvad if:
- • Anonymity is your top priority (no email, cash payment)
- • You value open-source, frequently audited apps
- • You prefer flat, transparent pricing with no upsells
- • You do not need streaming access
Choose NordVPN if:
- • You want reliable streaming (15+ Netflix libraries)
- • Speed is a priority (89% retention)
- • You want a large global network (118 countries)
- • You need more device slots and extra features
Score Comparison
Category-by-Category Scores
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mullvad | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.4/10 | 9.4/10 |
| Privacy Score | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Anonymous Signup | Yes No email needed | No |
| Cash Payment | Yes | No |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Speed Retention | 84% | 89% |
| Streaming | No | Yes 15+ Netflix |
| Best Price | $5.5/mo (flat) | $3.09/mo |
| Devices | 5 | 10 |
| Servers | 650+ | 7,000+ |
| Countries | 49 | 118 |
| RAM-Only | Yes | Yes |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden | Panama |
Privacy Comparison
This is Mullvad's category. It issues a random account number instead of asking for an email, accepts cash sent by mail as well as cryptocurrency, and publishes fully open-source apps that are repeatedly audited by firms including Cure53, Assured, and Radically Open Security.
NordVPN is also strongly private - audited by Deloitte and PwC, based in privacy-friendly Panama, with a no-log policy - but signing up requires an email and it is not open source. Both are trustworthy; Mullvad simply collects less about you.
Speed, Streaming & Features
NordVPN pulls ahead everywhere outside of pure privacy. It is faster (89% retention), reliably unblocks 15+ Netflix libraries plus Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, runs a much larger network across 118 countries, and bundles Threat Protection for ad and malware blocking. Mullvad, by design, does not chase streaming and keeps a leaner feature set.
Our Verdict
Pick Mullvad for anonymity, NordVPN for everything else. If your goal is the most private signup possible and you do not need streaming, Mullvad is exceptional. If you want a fast, versatile VPN that also handles Netflix and a house full of devices, NordVPN is the better overall choice.
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee