Quick Verdict
Mullvad Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Anonymous numbered accounts - no email or personal details required
- Flat, transparent pricing at a single monthly rate
- Fully open-source apps, frequently and independently audited
- Accepts cash and cryptocurrency for anonymous payment
- Strong WireGuard implementation with RAM-only servers
- Swedish company with a long pro-privacy track record
- No pushy upsells or auto-renewing long-term contracts
Where It Falls Short
- Poor for streaming - does not focus on unblocking Netflix and others
- Smaller server network than mainstream rivals
- Only 5 simultaneous device connections
- No native Fire TV or Android TV apps
- Sweden is within the 14-Eyes alliance
Privacy & Security
Privacy is Mullvad's entire reason for being, and it is where the service excels. You sign up with a randomly generated account number - no email, no name, no personal details. You can top up your account with a card, cryptocurrency, or even cash sent by mail. There is no profile tying your identity to your usage.
Mullvad keeps no activity logs, and its apps are fully open source and repeatedly audited by independent firms including Cure53, Assured, and Radically Open Security. It runs its infrastructure with a strong RAM-only posture and publishes detailed transparency information. This is about as close to anonymous as a mainstream VPN gets.
Security Features
- Encryption: AES-256-GCM (WireGuard uses ChaCha20)
- Kill Switch: Built in on all apps
- Anonymous accounts: No email or personal info required
- Anonymous payment: Cash and cryptocurrency accepted
- Multihop: Route through two servers
- Open source: All apps are publicly auditable
- Obfuscation: Bridges and Shadowsocks for restrictive networks
Speed & Performance
Mullvad's WireGuard implementation is efficient, and it holds up well against the mainstream providers on speed. For everyday use - browsing, calls, and HD/4K playback - it has plenty of headroom. The chart below shows where the providers we have full speed data for currently rank by speed retention against our 487 Mbps reference baseline; Mullvad sits comfortably among the capable all-rounders.
Speed Retention - Rated Providers
Protocol: WireGuard | Baseline: 487 Mbps | Higher = better
Mullvad supports WireGuard (the default and fastest choice), OpenVPN, and Shadowsocks for obfuscation. The apps are lightweight and connect quickly.
Streaming & Unblocking
This is Mullvad's clear weak spot - by design. Mullvad does not invest in the constant cat-and-mouse of streaming unblocking, so Netflix, Disney+, and similar services are frequently blocked. If your main goal is watching region-locked content, Mullvad is the wrong tool.
For streaming, ExpressVPN (20+ Netflix libraries), NordVPN, or Surfshark are far better choices. Think of Mullvad as a privacy instrument, not an entertainment one.
Pricing & Plans
Mullvad's pricing is refreshingly simple: one flat monthly rate, with no discounted long-term tiers, no auto-renewal traps, and no upsells. You add time to your account whenever you like. This transparency is part of its appeal - you are never nudged into a bigger commitment.
Mullvad Pricing Plans
Server Network
Mullvad runs a focused network of several hundred servers across roughly 49 countries, with a strong RAM-only posture and detailed public information about server ownership. It is smaller than the mega-networks of PIA or CyberGhost, but the emphasis is on quality, transparency, and privacy rather than raw count.
- Countries: ~49
- RAM-only servers: Yes
- P2P support: Allowed
- Multihop: Available
- Ownership transparency: Published
If Mullvad Isn't Right for You
Mullvad is our privacy champion, but if you also need streaming, more devices, or a free tier, consider these:
Strong Alternatives to Mullvad
ProtonVPN
Best for: Swiss privacy + free tier
From $4.49/mo
Try ProtonVPNPIA
Best for: Open-source & torrenting
From $2.03/mo
Try PIANordVPN
Best for: Privacy + streaming + speed
From $3.09/mo
Try NordVPN