Mullvad VPN vs ProtonVPN: Which Is Better in 2026?

Mullvad VPN vs ProtonVPN: TL;DR

ProtonVPN wins for most users seeking a balance of privacy, features, and value, particularly with its free tier and Secure Core architecture. Mullvad excels for privacy purists who prioritize complete anonymity and don't require streaming capabilities or account management.

Quick Comparison Table

| Feature | Mullvad VPN | ProtonVPN | |---------|-------------|-----------| | Jurisdiction | Sweden (EU) | Switzerland | | No-Log Audit | Yes (Cure53, 2020) | Yes (SEC Consult, 2022) | | Simultaneous Connections | 5 devices | 10 devices (Plus), 1 device (Free) | | Server Count | 600+ servers in 45+ countries | 4,000+ servers in 90+ countries | | Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth | | Starting Price | $5.50/month (flat rate) | $0 (Free), $3.99/month (Plus, 24-month) |

Performance: Speed & Reliability

Mullvad delivers consistently strong speeds across its WireGuard implementation. Independent testing shows minimal speed loss on nearby servers—typically 5-15% from baseline. The service operates approximately 600 servers across 45 countries, with all servers owned or rented directly rather than using virtual locations. WireGuard is the default and recommended protocol, though OpenVPN remains available. Users report stable connections with rare drops, and the network architecture treats all servers equally without "premium" tiers.

ProtonVPN operates a significantly larger infrastructure with over 4,000 servers in 90 countries. Speed performance varies by plan tier. Plus subscribers access the full server network and experience speeds comparable to Mullvad on standard connections. The Secure Core feature routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) before reaching the final destination, adding latency but increasing security. This multi-hop architecture can reduce speeds by 30-50%, though base single-hop connections perform well. Free tier users face slower speeds and limited server access (3 countries), which is standard for free VPN offerings but impacts performance materially.

Both services implement WireGuard effectively, but ProtonVPN's larger network provides more geographic options and load distribution. Mullvad's smaller, curated network compensates with consistency and no performance tiers based on payment.

Privacy: Logging, Jurisdiction & Audit Status

Mullvad operates under Swedish jurisdiction, an EU member state subject to GDPR and the European Court of Justice. Sweden has no mandatory data retention laws for VPN services. Mullvad's no-log policy underwent independent audit by Cure53 in 2020, confirming no traffic logs, connection timestamps, or identifiable user data collection. The service generates random account numbers instead of requiring email addresses, and accepts cash mailed anonymously, cryptocurrency, and bank wire transfers—enabling truly anonymous signup and payment.

In April 2023, Swedish police raided Mullvad's offices seeking user data related to an investigation. Mullvad reported that authorities left empty-handed because no logs existed to seize. This real-world test validated their no-log claims beyond theoretical audits.

ProtonVPN operates from Switzerland, outside EU and US jurisdiction. Swiss law contains strong privacy protections, though the Federal Act on the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications allows targeted surveillance with court orders. ProtonVPN's no-log policy was audited by SEC Consult in 2022, verifying no activity logs or connection metadata storage. The company is operated by Proton AG, which has faced Swiss court orders in the past for its email service (ProtonMail), but these cannot compel VPN log creation that doesn't exist.

ProtonVPN's open-source approach allows public code inspection of its applications, adding transparency beyond closed-source competitors. All client apps are available on GitHub for review.

Both services maintain credible no-log policies with independent verification. Mullvad's anonymous account system eliminates more identity linkage than ProtonVPN's email-based accounts, though ProtonVPN allows anonymous email creation. The Swedish raid on Mullvad provides rare proof-of-concept for no-log claims.

Security: Protocols, Encryption, Kill Switch

Mullvad implements WireGuard as its primary protocol with ChaCha20 encryption, using Curve25519 for key exchange. OpenVPN remains available with AES-256-GCM encryption and RSA-4096 handshake. The kill switch operates at system level on desktop platforms, blocking all network traffic if the VPN connection drops. Bridge mode helps bypass VPN blocking in restrictive networks. DNS leak protection is built-in, with Mullvad operating its own DNS servers rather than relying on third parties. The service supports multihop configurations, routing traffic through two VPN servers sequentially.

ProtonVPN offers WireGuard and OpenVPN with similar encryption standards (AES-256 for OpenVPN, ChaCha20 for WireGuard). The distinguishing feature is Secure Core, which routes traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions before exiting to the destination server. These core servers operate in underground data centers in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden with strong physical security. Secure Core protects against network-based attacks and malicious exit nodes. The NetShield feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware at DNS level, available on Plus and Unlimited tiers.

Kill switch implementation varies by platform but functions reliably across desktop and mobile. ProtonVPN's Stealth protocol disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, useful in environments with deep packet inspection. Port forwarding is not available on either service—a deliberate security choice by both providers.

Both services disable IPv6 by default to prevent leaks, and both scored well in third-party leak tests. Mullvad's multihop and ProtonVPN's Secure Core provide similar defense-in-depth approaches, though implemented differently. ProtonVPN's NetShield adds a layer not available with Mullvad.

Streaming & Torrenting Capability

Mullvad does not optimize for streaming services and explicitly states it does not guarantee access to geo-restricted content. Users report intermittent success with some platforms, but Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other major services frequently block Mullvad IP addresses. The service makes no effort to play the cat-and-mouse game of refreshing blocked IPs. This is a deliberate philosophical choice—Mullvad prioritizes privacy uniformity over entertainment access.

P2P traffic is allowed on all Mullvad servers without restrictions. Port forwarding is not available, which limits seeding efficiency in some torrent scenarios, but direct connections work fine for most users.

ProtonVPN actively maintains streaming access on Plus and Unlimited tiers, with dedicated streaming-optimized servers. These successfully unblock Netflix (multiple regions), Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu in testing. Free tier users cannot access streaming servers. The larger server network allows ProtonVPN to rotate IPs when platforms implement blocks, maintaining access more consistently than smaller providers.

P2P is permitted on specific servers marked with a P2P icon, available on all paid tiers but restricted to specific locations. ProtonVPN does not offer port forwarding, similar to Mullvad.

For streaming-focused users, ProtonVPN is the clear choice. For torrent users who don't require port forwarding, both services work adequately, with Mullvad allowing P2P on all servers versus ProtonVPN's subset approach.

Pricing and Value

Mullvad maintains a single flat-rate pricing structure: €5 per month (approximately $5.50 USD), regardless of subscription length. No discounts exist for annual commitments. This covers 5 simultaneous device connections. Payment methods include credit card, PayPal, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash via payment processors), bank wire, and physical cash sent by mail. The cash option truly enables anonymous payment, though processing takes longer.

No free trial exists, but Mullvad offers a 30-day money-back guarantee processed manually through support tickets rather than automated systems.

ProtonVPN offers four tiers:

• Free: $0, 1 device, 3 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan), 100+ servers, medium speed, no streaming/P2P
• Plus: $9.99/month, $71.88/24-months ($3.99/month), 10 devices, full server network, Secure Core, NetShield, streaming servers
• Unlimited: $12.99/month, includes Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass in addition to VPN Plus features

The 24-month Plus plan at $3.99/month undercuts Mullvad significantly for users willing to commit long-term. Month-to-month pricing favors Mullvad. The free tier, despite limitations, provides genuine utility for casual users with basic privacy needs.

ProtonVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency. Cash payment is not available. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to paid plans.

Value assessment depends on user priorities. Mullvad's simplicity and flat rate appeal to those who dislike tiered pricing psychology. ProtonVPN's free tier and bundled Unlimited option provide broader utility for users wanting integrated privacy tools. For VPN-only needs, Mullvad at $5.50 beats ProtonVPN's monthly $9.99, but ProtonVPN's long-term commitment pricing offers better value for price-sensitive users.

Who Each VPN Is Best For

Choose Mullvad if you:

• Prioritize maximum anonymity, including anonymous payment and signup
• Want simple, flat-rate pricing without commitment tiers
• Don't care about streaming service access
• Prefer a focused VPN tool without additional features
• Value demonstrated real-world no-log proof (Swedish police raid outcome)
• Trust Swedish/EU jurisdiction and GDPR protections

Choose ProtonVPN if you:

• Need reliable streaming access to Netflix and other platforms
• Want a legitimate free VPN option for basic use
• Value the Secure Core architecture for added security layers
• Prefer Swiss jurisdiction outside EU/US reach
• Want built-in ad/tracker blocking (NetShield)
• Need more than 5 simultaneous connections (10 on Plus)
• Want to bundle VPN with email and cloud storage (Unlimited plan)
• Appreciate open-source, auditable code

Final Verdict

ProtonVPN wins for most users. The free tier genuinely serves basic privacy needs, the Plus plan provides excellent features at competitive long-term pricing, and streaming support matters to many VPN users. Secure Core and NetShield add security layers beyond basic VPN functionality. The larger server network and Swiss jurisdiction strengthen the overall package.

Mullvad remains the superior choice for privacy maximalists. Its anonymous account system, cash payment option, flat-rate transparency, and proven response to law enforcement searches make it the gold standard for users who refuse to compromise on anonymity. The service doesn't pretend to be everything to everyone—it does privacy exceptionally well and ignores features (streaming optimization) that might dilute that focus.

Neither service represents a poor choice. The decision hinges on whether your primary need is uncompromising anonymity (Mullvad) or feature-rich privacy with practical utility (ProtonVPN).

See the live side-by-side on VPNSpotter.