Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.
Mullvad VPN is fast, great for torrenting, and excellent at keeping you safe online. It uses AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, multi-hop, and a dependable kill switch. However, Mullvad prioritizes internet privacy over entertainment. Despite its excellent privacy and security offering, the VPN is terrible when it comes to unblocking streaming services.
Ranked #18 out of 56 VPNs
Mullvad VPN Category Ratings
33.0/10
9.39.3/10
9.79.7/10
8.68.6/10
7.97.9/10
66.0/10
9.39.3/10
88.0/10
7.57.5/10
7.57.5/10
Mullvad VPN Pros & Cons
Extremely safe and private
Advanced customization options & SOCKS5
Multi-hop servers & obfuscation technology
IPv6 support & automatic kill switch
Cash payment available
Good for Linux users & torrenters
Fails to unblock most streaming sites
No transparency report or logging audit
No Fire TV Stick app or Smart DNS
No live chat support
Firefox proxy extension only
Why Trust Our Review?
We’ve spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing 56 VPN services using our impartial review process to recommend you the best VPN software.
Here are some of our key VPN testing statistics:
Total Hours of Testing
30,000+
Weekly Speed Tests
3,000+
VPN Services Reviewed
56
Streaming Platforms Tested Daily
12
IP & DNS Leak Tests Performed
9,500+
How Much We've Spent On Testing
$25,000+
Mullvad is a beginner-friendly VPN with some advanced tools for privacy-seekers. However, it’s not good for streaming. If you want a VPN to stream georestricted content, look elsewhere.
Mullvad won’t unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or most other international streaming sites. It has no Fire TV Stick app or smart DNS, either, and we can’t recommend it for Apple TV.
Mullvad has chosen to focus on internet privacy, and it’s doing that job very well. It’s an independent VPN that comes with a safe logging policy and industry-standard protections, including AES-256 encryption, WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, full IPv6 support, manual settings for custom DNS, and a watertight kill switch system. You can also pay with cash.
While Mullvad has a number of advanced features, they are dependent on what device you’re using. For example, split tunneling isn’t available on macOS or Windows, and OpenVPN protocol isn’t available on iOS. Inconsistency creates confusion, but we like the way the Mullvad apps look and work generally.
Overall, Mullvad is fast, secure, and simple. We just wish it worked on streaming sites too.
EXPERT ADVICE: ExpressVPN is similarly privacy and security focused as Mullvad, but it beats most streaming geo-blocks.
ExpressVPN’s fast no-logs servers unblocks 10 Netflix regions (including US), HBO Max, and many more streaming services. Use its 100% refund promise and try ExpressVPN for free.
We dissect the logging and privacy policies of every VPN. A VPN should never log:
Your real IP address
Connection timestamps
DNS requests
A base of operations outside of 14-Eyes or EU jurisdiction is preferable.
Mullvad is based in Sweden, which isn’t the ideal jurisdiction for privacy as it's in the EU. However, Mullvad’s privacy policy is minimal-logs and reassuringly private. It only collects payment information and customer support queries. It’s not completely zero logs, and we’d like to see a logging policy audit, but it’s very safe.
Ranked #14 out of 56 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy
Mullvad’s privacy policy is clear: it does not log any traffic, user bandwidth, or your originating IP address. It used to log metadata relating to server usage, but it has since abandoned that.
Mullvad VPN does not ask for an email address or any other information in order to create an account. Instead, it gives you a random account number that you use to activate your VPN.
Mullvad doesn’t even run subscriptions anymore. Instead, it runs a one-time payment model so that it need never store any data regarding its users.
This is unique to Mullvad and shows how much it values customer privacy. Just don’t lose the account number.
Sweden/EU Jurisdiction Is Not Ideal
Mullvad is based in Sweden, which means it has to follow the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law. There are serious privacy implications to an EU jurisdiction: Mullvad is obliged to collect your payment information should you pay via bank wire, PayPal, Swish, or Stripe.
Here’s what Mullvad knows based on your payment method:
Bank wire: your name, address, bank account number and Mullvad account number.
PayPal: transaction-ID, your name, country of origin, email address.
Swish: Swish-ID, name, phone number.
Stripe: Stripe charge ID, expiration date, last four digits of the card, card type, and origin country.
As you can see, if you pay via bank wire your Mullvad account number is associated with personally-identifiable information. For this reason, Mullvad warns against paying for its service through bank wire. It states:
“Please avoid making payments through bank wire if you do not want your Mullvad account to be traceable to you.”
For maximum privacy, Mullvad allows subscribers to pay via Bitcoin and even cash. We like that Mullvad is transparent about this and warns potential subscribers, and suggests a way around it.
The only other data Mullvad collects is the content of emails and problem reports that you send, as well as the email address you use. Mullvad advises you to refrain from entering personal data when contacting support.
While Mullvad does receive information requests about its users, it has no information to provide. Mullvad told us:
“We frequently get requests regarding IP-addresses and if we know which user was using it at a certain time. Since we do not have any VPN activity logs, they get very similar responses […] that we have no information that could help their investigation, and that all our IP-addresses are shared by our users.”
Who Is Behind Mullvad VPN?
Mullvad VPN is owned by Swedish company Amagicom AB and run by its CEO, Jan Axel Jonsson. The owners and sole shareholders of Amagicom AB are Fredrik Strömberg and Daniel Berntsson, who describe themselves as “idealists.” The company is based at Engelbrektsgatan 28, 411 37 Göteborg, Sweden.
As more VPNs get acquired and consolidated under larger companies like Kape Technologies (owner of ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, ZenMate), Ziff Davis (IPVanish, StrongVPN, SaferVPN), and Cyberspace (NordVPN, Surfshark, AtlasVPN) Mullvad remains an independent VPN service provider and the owners “are not interested in ever selling it.”
Security & Technical Features
Extensive security within a user-friendly package
9.39.3/10
How is this calculated?
Top-rated VPNs offer OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, AES-256 encryption, and a functional kill switch. We also consider additional security features and the global spread of VPN servers.
Mullvad is a safe, no-frills VPN service. Its security package is not as extensive as leading VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark, but it comes with all the essentials, including a reliable kill switch, AES-256 encryption, and the WireGuard protocol. It also includes some additional tools like multi-hop VPN servers and an effective ad blocker.
Ranked #10 out of 56 VPNs for Security & Technical Features
Protocols
Available in Mullvad VPN
IKEv2/IPSec
No
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
Yes
WireGuard
Yes
Encryption
Available in Mullvad VPN
AES-128
No
AES-192
No
AES-256
Yes
Blowfish
No
ChaCha20
No
Security
Available in Mullvad VPN
DNS Leak Blocking
Yes
First-party DNS
Yes
IPv6 Leak Blocking
Yes
Supports TCP Port 443
Yes
VPN Kill Switch
Yes
WebRTC Leak Blocking
No
Advanced Features
Available in Mullvad VPN
Ad Blocker
Yes
Dedicated IP
No
Double VPN
Yes
Smart DNS
No
Static IP
No
SOCKS
Yes
Split Tunneling
Yes
Tor over VPN Server
No
Tracker Blocker
No
Mullvad’s VPN apps have lots of extra features and have been audited for safety, ideal for high levels of internet security.
Two Safe Protocol Options
Mullvad has OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols available on almost every platform (Android only offers WireGuard). We like that it’s left out protocols like PPTP and IKEv2, using only the two best security protocols in town, because we don’t recommend using any other.
Mullvad has two protocols: WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Mullvad actually donated money towards the development of the WireGuard protocol and was one of the very first VPNs to implement it, which has since become industry practice. Even Mozilla VPN and Malwarebytes Privacy use Mullvad’s trailblazing WireGuard servers.
Under Advanced in the settings menu, there are additional settings for each protocol. For WireGuard you can enable multi-hop VPN servers for double protection, or change your port. You can also choose between IPv4 and IPv6 connections, or stay with automatic.
It’s a shame that Bridge Mode isn’t available on WireGuard and multi-hop isn’t available on OpenVPN.
Split tunneling, which lets you decide which programs should use the VPN connection and which ones shouldn’t, is also only available on Windows, Android, and Linux.
Automatic Kill Switch & VPN-Only Option
Mullvad has an in-built kill switch, so it’s always running, ready to stop your entire internet connection should the VPN connection drop, and you cannot turn it off.
Many VPNs make the kill switch optional, or have it off by default (like Surfshark). We like Mullvad’s approach because it prioritizes security and guarantees no accidental exposure of your real IP address.
Mullvad VPN comes with an automatic, in-built kill switch.
Mullvad also has something called Always Require VPN, which is an optional feature that also works like a kill switch. Unlike the normal kill switch which only works once your VPN tunnel is activated, Always Require VPN blocks your internet connection until you connect to Mullvad.
Mullvad can block your internet connection until you connect to an encrypted VPN server.
This is useful if you’re someone who forgets to turn your VPN on. It also means Mullvad has double kill switch protection: an automatic one to protect you from accidental VPN connection drops, and an optional one to kill your internet until you are connected to the secure VPN tunnel.
Mullvad’s iOS kill switch is always running in the background, but to use the kill switch on Android you have to adjust your Android device network settings and activate Always-on VPN or Block connections without VPN. This is an inconvenience and should be integrated within the app as a matter of importance.
Working Ad, Tracker & Malware blocker
Under Preferences, you can find toggle options to launch the app on start up and auto-connect, as well as activate ad, tracker, and malware blockers.
Mullvad comes with a few customization options and a good ad and tracker blocker.
Mullvad doesn’t have the best VPN ad blocker we’ve tested, but it does block the majority of social and analytic trackers, and some pop-up ads. It’s worth toggling on, but it’s not as effective as a proper ad blocker like uBlock Origin.
Full IPv6 Support
Mullvad supports IPv6 connections on its VPN servers even if your ISP doesn’t yet support it.
Enable IPv6 is available on macOS & Windows.
Many VPNs deal with IPv6 incompatibility (and subsequent leaks) by simply blocking IPv6 connections and redirecting you to IPv4. Mullvad is one of only a few VPNs that has found an alternate solution.
Mullvad’s Security Features Compared Across Devices
As there are considerable differences between the Mullvad apps, it might be helpful to compare what’s available on each platform with the table below:
Speed
Very fast speeds on nearby servers
8.68.6/10
How is this calculated?
Speed ratings are calculated using upload speeds, download speeds, and ping (latency).
We test average speeds regularly using a dedicated 100Mbps connection. Local download speed is considered the most important factor.
Mullvad VPN is fast on both OpenVPN and WireGuard connections. Local speeds are particularly excellent, with only a 5% speed loss compared to our normal internet connection. Speeds suffer more when connecting to long-distance countries, but no more than expected.
Ranked #25 out of 56 VPNs for Speed
We tested Mullvad’s speeds on multiple servers, both local and international. It’s not the fastest VPN we’ve tested, but it still delivers impressive connections.
We tested Mullvad’s short-distance speeds by connecting to a server near to our physical location. Here are the results:
Local Speed Test results before using Mullvad VPN:
Download Speed: 96.51Mbps
Upload Speed: 98.52Mbps
Ping: 7ms
Local Speed Test results with Mullvad VPN:
Download Speed: 91.85Mbps
Upload Speed: 93.01Mbps
Ping: 17ms
Download speed loss when Mullvad VPN is running: 5%
A 5% difference between your normal internet connection and a VPN-connected internet is impressive. Most VPNs fail to meet this standard.
Mullvad’s International Speed Test Results
All VPNs reduce internet speed. More so when you’re connecting to a server that is located far away. But Mullvad’s long-distance speed loss is minimal.
Here are Mullvad’s long-distance speed results in full:
Germany: 94Mbps average download speeds
Canada: 65Mbps average download speeds
US: 51Mbps average download speeds
Japan: 27Mbps average download speeds
Australia: 82Mbps average download speeds
Connecting to the US we recorded speeds over 51Mbps, which is very good for such a distance. Likewise, we picked up best speeds of 65Mbps connecting to Canada.
Even further away from our UK base, we still managed best speeds of 82Mbps connecting to Australia when using OpenVPN.
There are better VPNs for long-distance connections, like Hotspot Shield, but we think you’ll be satisfied with Mullvad’s performance.
OpenVPN vs WireGuard: Which Mullvad Protocol Is Faster?
We compared OpenVPN versus WireGuard to see which Mullvad protocol delivers the best speeds. This way, you can select for optimal connections. Here are the results:
We found that both are very fast and perform equally on most connections. The notable difference was Germany and Australia, which were much faster on OpenVPN.
In contrast, WireGuard performed much better when connecting to Canada.
The good news is that Mullvad VPN has fast speeds no matter which protocol you choose. Ping times (latency) were also unaffected by the choice of protocol.
Mullvad’s Speeds Compared to Other VPNs
The graph below illustrate Mullvad’s speeds compared against three top VPNs: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Private Internet Access.
We use our internal automated speed test tool to calculate the average download speed loss on a capped 100Mbps connection.
The tool runs VPN speed tests automatically four times a day, seven days a week on our New York server.
The chart above shows how Mullvad’s average download speed loss isn’t much worse than ExpressVPN. The VPN is also beating Private Internet Access, and matching NordVPN’s speeds.
Server Locations
833 servers in 38 countries
7.97.9/10
How is this calculated?
The global spread and coverage of the VPN server network is the most important factor here.
We also consider the number of city-level servers, plus how many IP addresses are maintained.
This rating does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Security & Features rating.
Mullvad has 833 physical servers spread across 38 countries. It’s not a huge amount, but most users should be satisfied, especially if you’re in Europe where most of Mullvad’s servers are. Most of these servers are rented but have been vetted and remain safe.
Mullvad has servers in 38 countries. This isn’t as expansive as many VPN competitors. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, for example. Still, most users should be satisfied and speeds are unaffected by server congestion.
Good City-Level Server Options
Mullvad has a good number of city servers across the globe.
You can choose city-level servers in eight countries:
Australia (six cities)
Canada (three cities)
France (two cities)
Germany (two cities)
Japan (two cities)
Serbia (two cities)
Sweden (four cities)
UK (two cities)
US (13 cities)
EXPERT TIP: Some of Mullvad’s city locations disappear if you change protocol. For example, Osaka and Marseille are not available when using OpenVPN. You should select Mullvad’s automatic protocol for the most city-level options.
The US comes out best for city-level options, with 13 choices. This isn’t far off the best VPNs for the US, which have between 16-18 city servers.
Australia is also a standout with Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney IP addresses all available. Even the best VPN services for Australia usually only have around three or four city options.
However, other parts of the world aren’t served anywhere near as well as the US and Australia. South America (Brazil) and Africa (South Africa) only count one country location each. Asia and the Middle East are poorly served, too.
Mullvad Rents Most of Its Servers
Mullvad VPN is helpfully transparent about what sort of servers it operates and exactly how many of them there are (not all VPNs are).
Using the server page on the Mullvad website, you can find out if they are owned by Mullvad or are rented, whether they are 10Gbps or not, and which work on WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Most of Mullvad’s servers are rented. This isn’t a problem if they are rented from trustworthy companies and Mullvad undertakes a rigorous vetting process. Mullvad claims to do so, and that the servers it rents are not shared with anyone else.
But as Mullvad is so transparent about its infrastructure you can identify and choose to connect to Mullvad-owned servers only. These will be the most secure servers, but the risk to privacy is very low on rented servers too.
All-Physical Server Network
Mullvad operates an exclusively physical server network. This explains why there are so few countries available to connect to.
Virtual servers provide IP addresses from a chosen country even if the server is physically located somewhere else. This is how a VPN like HideMyAss is able to offer IP addresses in almost every country. With Mullvad, though, every single server is located where it says it is.
When it comes to physical vs virtual servers, one approach isn’t wholly better than another. But it’s generally agreed that physical servers are less vulnerable to cyberattacks.
No Static IP Addresses
Mullvad does not operate static VPN IP addresses, sometimes called dedicated IPs. This means that you’ll never be assigned the same IP address twice, which is great for privacy.
But it also helps to explain why Mullvad is so bad at unblocking streaming services: static IP addresses appear more like normal internet traffic compared to dynamic IP addresses.
Streaming
Mullvad fails to unblock US Netflix, BBC iPlayer & more
33.0/10
How is this calculated?
Streaming is rated by the number of different services unlocked, how many regional libraries are viewable, and how consistently the VPN can access them.
Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and more are all tested on a weekly basis.
Mullvad is very disappointing when it comes to streaming. It can only unblock the US Amazon Prime Video library, HBO Max on the Raleigh server, and Australian Netflix. It failed to access US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Ranked #35 out of 56 VPNs for Streaming
Mullvad doesn’t unblock streaming sites and doesn’t pretend to. It no longer works with Netflix and it hasn’t bothered to develop any streaming-optimized servers or an app for Amazon Fire TV Stick.
We tested it on all the major streaming sites and recorded very little success. Only Amazon Prime Video (US), HBO Max, and Australia’s version of Netflix became available to us outside those regions. It won’t bypass Hulu blocks.
Mullvad failed to unblock Hulu and most other streaming services.
Like with Astrill VPN, it’s fair enough that Mullvad is focused on privacy. But a VPN can do both. We’d love to see Mullvad expand into unblocking streaming sites, especially unblocking Netflix. Then we can recommend it wholeheartedly.
Torrenting
P2P servers and fast MiB/s
9.39.3/10
How is this calculated?
We calculate the average download bitrate of every VPN using a bespoke torrenting setup.
Testing also factors in the percentage of servers which permit P2P, plus useful features like port forwarding.
Mullvad is much better for torrenting than streaming. All of its servers allow P2P activity, it downloads at 8.2MiB/s on average, the privacy policy is safe, and it comes with port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy for faster file sharing.
Ranked #4 out of 56 VPNs for Torrenting
Mullvad is a top torrenting VPN. All of its servers are optimized for P2P activity. Some VPNs, like TorGuard, now ban popular torrenting websites, but Mullvad still has no restrictions in place.
We tested Mullvad VPN on safe torrent clients like qBitorrent to see how it performed as a torrenting VPN. We found that the download speeds were quick and stable; we recorded an excellent average torrenting bitrate of 9.8MiB/s.
We tested Mullvad VPN on qBittorrent to see how well it functions as a torrenting VPN.
While Mullvad wasn’t as fast as the best VPNs for torrenting, it is still a fast and private choice – kill switch protection and a safe logging policy make sure of that.
SOCKS5 Proxy & Port Forwarding Is Available
Mullvad allows you to use port forwarding for faster P2P connections. Port forwarding is also a useful manual tool for gamers who use VPNs, as it allows you to optimize speeds, change your NAT type, and reduce lag.
SOCKS5 is available on all of Mullvad’s servers once you activate it for the application you wish to use it on. This is great for torrenters and even reduces the chance of seeing CAPTCHAs.
Bypassing Web Censorship
Doesn't work consistently in China
66.0/10
How is this calculated?
Our remote-access server in Shanghai, China routinely tests if a VPN can beat restrictions and access a free, open internet. Obfuscation technologies and nearby servers are also a contributing factor.
This rating does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Security & Features rating.
Mullvad VPN has Bridge Mode to get around web blocks in places like Russia and China, but it’s not always matched our expectations of an anti-censorship VPN. Currently it is unable to get around tough web restrictions in China.
Ranked #28 out of 56 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship
Mullvad’s Bridge Mode works by first connecting you to one of Mullvad’s ‘Bridge servers’, which use the Shadowsocks proxy to avoid fingerprinting, and then connect you into the country you wish to bypass web blocks in.
This technique for bypassing censorship doesn’t always work: we tested Bridge Mode on our server in Shanghai and it wouldn’t get around the Great Firewall of China, which has the strictest web censorship in the world.
Mullvad’s Bridge Mode is available on OpenVPN only.
Bridge Mode is more likely to work in countries with less sophisticated censorship technology, such as the UAE, Turkey, and Russia.
Mullvad has servers close to Russia, including Estonia and Latvia, should you need to get around Russian web blocks and access banned websites like Twitter and BBC News.
EXPERT TIP: To enable Mullvad’s Bridge Mode and get around web blocks, go to Settings > Advanced > OpenVPN > OpenVPN Settings > Bridge Mode > On. You can then choose your Entry and Exit locations via the locations list.
Device & OS Compatibility
Available on major devices only
How is this rated?
A quality VPN should maintain functional, fully-featured applications and extensions for as many platforms and devices as possible.
This does not directly contribute to the Overall Rating, but instead makes up a portion of the Ease of Use rating.
Mullvad VPN is compatible across the major mobile and desktop devices, including macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It’s also available fully-featured on Linux complete with a GUI. We’d like to see a smart DNS feature and Fire TV Stick app going forward, and some useful browser extensions.
Mullvad's Apps
Mullvad VPN has application for all the major devices, including:
Mullvad is one of the best VPNs for Linux because of the simplicity, usability, and effectiveness of its GUI, which is identical to the Windows one.
Five-Device Limit
Mullvad allows you to use the VPN on five different devices at once. This is about as generous as the industry standard, but there are competing VPNs like Surfshark that offer unlimited simultaneous connections and no device limitations at all.
Games Consoles & Streaming Devices
Mullvad does not cater to streaming devices or games consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. While it does have a port forwarding option, it’s still not the best VPN for gamers.
The lack of Smart DNS also means that Mullvad isn’t the best choice for Apple TV. You can set Mullvad up on your home router, but this process is quite technical. If you really want to, though, we have a guide dedicated to setting up a VPN on your router.
Mullvad’s Firefox Extension Isn’t a VPN
Mullvad VPN has a browser extension for Firefox that it calls Mullvad Privacy Companion. It’s not actually a VPN but it can be used to connect to Mullvad’s SOCKS5 proxy servers.
It also works as a WebRTC blocker and tip tool that offers details about your current connection and suggests you install things like uBlock Origin and Cookie AutoDelete.
Mullvad’s Firefox extension doesn’t do much.
This is good advice, but we’d like to see Mullvad invest in a fully-fledged VPN service for browsers. Currently, Mullvad’s Firefox extension doesn’t serve much purpose.
Mullvad’s network and infrastructure is actually used by Mozilla for its own VPN. Unsurprisingly, our review of Mozilla VPN found that the two products perform very similarly.
Ease of Use
Mullvad looks good & works smoothly
88.0/10
How is this calculated?
This rating mainly consists of the intuitiveness of setup and everyday use.
Device or platform compatibility and customization options are also a factor.
Mullvad’s apps are sleek, clutter-free, and pleasing to the eye. We like them for their simplicity and the explainers beside each feature, making it less intimidating for newcomers. We’ve never encountered a bug using Mullvad and the structure of the interface is identical across platforms. To avoid confusion, we do wish the features and tools were the same on all devices.
Ranked #24 out of 56 VPNs for Ease of Use
How to Connect to a Server with Mullvad
Connecting to a server on Mullvad for macOS
Connecting to a server on Mullvad for Android
How to Change Settings in Mullvad
Changing settings on Mullvad for Android
Changing settings on Mullvad for Android
Mullvad is one of the more pleasant VPN apps we’ve encountered. For usability and design, it’s excellent, without losing any credIbility as an advanced VPN for technically-minded users.
The app is composed of a simple interface, including a home connect button, a server locations list, and a settings cog. This is all you need.
Going deeper into the settings, there are a few options, including account information, preferences, and advanced settings. Nothing is overwhelming, as can be the case with providers like AirVPN and Windscribe.
Where there are more technical features, Mullvad includes a helpful explainer. But some stuff still isn’t obvious, like Mssfix.
20 Languages Available
One thing we appreciated was how you can easily change the language of the Mullvad app. With a click of a button you can switch between 20 languages, making it easier to use for many people across the globe.
You can use Mullvad VPN in 20 different languages at the click of a button.
The Differences Between Mullvad Apps
However, there are considerable differences between each Mullvad app in terms of what features or tools are available, making it more confusing to use.
Some Mullvad features also have to be configured from within your account on the Mullvad website, like WireGuard Keys. We prefer a self-contained experience.
Mullvad Desktop Apps: macOS & Windows
The Mullvad macOS and Windows apps are identical in every way, except for the fact that split tunneling is only available on Windows. All other features are included on both.
Mullvad Mobile apps: iOS & Android
Mullvad VPN on iPhone and Android is similar to its desktop counterpart, but it’s got fewer settings. The Android mobile app is slightly more advanced than iOS because it includes split tunneling. On the other hand, the iOS app has the ad, tracker, and malware blocker.
OpenVPN protocol isn’t available on iPhone or Android, which also means you can’t use the OpenVPN-exclusive Bridge Mode. Both are missing the Always Require VPN option.
Mullvad’s iOS app has fewer settings compared to desktop.
Both mobile applications use the WireGuard protocol and automatic WireGuard key rotation. This setting changes your WireGuard keys every four days for extra security.
Customer Support
Excellent website, but no live chat support
7.57.5/10
How is this calculated?
This rating is based on our assessment of each VPN’s:
Email support
Live chat support
Online resources
Not every VPN offers all of these, and they often vary in quality and response time.
Mullvad’s website support is refreshingly helpful, transparent, and well-written. Email support is also very useful and replies are quick. We wish Mullvad had live-chat support for instant assistance, though. Currently, other VPNs offer more extensive support.
Ranked #31 out of 56 VPNs for Customer Support
Customer Support
Available in Mullvad VPN
24/7 Live Chat Support
No
24/7 Email Support
No
Chatbot
No
Live Chat Support
No
Email
Yes
Email Support via Online Form
No
Tutorial Videos
No
Online Resources
Yes
Mullvad’s help center is genuinely useful, with straight-to-the-point, clearly-written troubleshooting fixes, user guides, and suggestions, as well as explainers of Mullvad’s features.
You can access the help center via the FAQ & Guides link in the app. You can also report a problem within the app itself.
You can report a problem from within the Mullvad app.
If you want to contact Mullvad directly, you can send an email. We sent an email at 2:37pm and got a response at 2:50pm. 13 minutes isn’t a long wait for an email response, so we were impressed.
We’d like to see Mullvad invest in 24/7 live chat support for instant assistance. Most top VPNs have this level of support on hand.
Price & Value
$4.85 per month flat price
7.57.5/10
How is this calculated?
Price & Value for Money receives a rating, but is not factored into our Overall Rating. We believe the reader should decide what is or isn’t a reasonable price.
A good rating here isn’t just based on how cheap the VPN is, but for the value it offers overall.
Mullvad no longer offers subscriptions for privacy reasons, and it costs the same no matter what: $4.85 per month. A single tier pricing, one-time payment system is unique among VPNs, and its simplicity is appealing. You aren't tied to long-term deals. However, it's still too expensive. On longer-term deals, top VPNs can cost $3.00 per month or less.
Ranked #12 out of 56 VPNs for Price & Value
Mullvad operates a pay-as-you-go system, asking you to ‘top up’ every month with the same price of $4.85. There are no deals to be had.
In the long run, Mullvad is pricier than most VPNs because it doesn’t offer savings for long-term contracts.
PrivateVPN, for example, costs the equivalent of $2.00 per month on its three-year deal.
But, if you take the < ahref="/best-vpn/cheap-vpns/">VPN on a pay monthly basis, Mullvad is very cheap. Most VPNs charge over $10.00 for a month-to-month service.
Payment & refund options
Mullvad accepts payment via a large number of methods:
American Express
Bank Wire / Direct Transfer
Bitcoin
Bitcoin Cash
Cash
Giropay
iDeal
Mastercard
PayPal
Voucher
Mullvad is one of the few VPN services that lets you pay with cash, which is the best form of non-traceable payment.
If you do want to send an envelope of cash to Sweden, Mullvad accepts these currencies: EUR, USD, GBP, SEK, DKK, NOK, CHS, CAD, AUD, and NZD.
To promote private payments further, Mullvad gives a 10% discount if you pay with Bitcoin.
Mullvad is also partnered with a number of resellers, who offer different pricing plans. You can buy a Mullvad coupon from Selfridges in London, for example.
Mullvad Refund Policy
Mullvad has a 30-day money-back guarantee in place. This is standard practice among most VPN services. Only a few VPNs offer a longer refund period, such as CyberGhost – which offers 45 days.
You cannot claim for a refund if you pay for Mullvad VPN with cash.
No Free Trial Available
Mullvad does not have a free trial. If you want to test Mullvad VPN out before committing, you’ll have to buy a subscription and take advantage of the 30-day refund period, claiming your money back before it expires.
The Bottom Line
Do We Recommend Mullvad?
Simple security is Mullvad’s philosophy. Mullvad VPN has the respect of most privacy advocates due to its impressive security credentials and principled stance on privacy issues.
It’s a great choice if you prioritize online anonymity and don’t want to overcomplicate things with marketing jargon or fluffy extras. It’s a flat-price package that changes your IP address and encrypts your data securely.
However, if you want to watch movies and TV from outside your home country you should not choose Mullvad. Almost no effort is made to unblock streaming services like US Netflix or BBC iPlayer. There is no Smart DNS or Fire TV Stick app, either.
For an even simpler experience, we’d love to see Mullvad improve its mobile service and streamline the apps more closely. Mullvad has lots of features, but they’re spread unevenly across platforms, in a way that requires guidance. Luckily, Mullvad’s website and email support is excellent. We just wish it had a live chat option, too.
Alternatives to Mullvad VPN
ExpressVPN
9.79.7/10
ExpressVPN excels where Mullvad struggles. It works well on most devices, bypasses most geo-blocks, and is very fast across long-distances. Read ExpressVPN review
Surfshark
9.29.2/10
Surfshark is packed with security features like Mullvad, but it’s much cheaper in the long run.
Read Surfshark review