Our verdict: Mullvad's radical approach to anonymity – account numbers instead of emails – makes it unique among VPN providers. It accepts cash and cryptocurrency, and its flat €5/month pricing comes with no upsells or hidden tiers.
Overall Score
Mullvad – Above Average
Mullvad's radical approach to anonymity – account numbers instead of emails – makes it unique among VPN providers. It accepts cash and cryptocurrency, and its flat €5/month pricing comes with no upsells or hidden tiers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Anonymous account – no email needed
- Accepts cash & crypto payment
- Flat monthly rate, no hidden tiers
- Strong WireGuard implementation
Cons
- No streaming-optimized servers
- Fewer countries than competitors
Speed Performance
We ran Mullvad through 20 speed test iterations on a dedicated 1 Gbps connection using the fastest available protocol (WireGuard), tested at peak and off-peak hours across multiple server regions:
Mullvad showed acceptable speeds for everyday use, though it fell behind top picks in our high-bandwidth test scenarios.
Streaming Performance
Mullvad does not optimize for streaming and is transparent about this. Many major streaming platforms actively block Mullvad IP ranges, and Netflix access is unreliable across most servers. If streaming geo-unblocking is a priority, Mullvad is not the right choice. It is designed specifically for privacy – not entertainment access – and positions itself accordingly.
Gaming
Mullvad performs adequately for standard online gaming on WireGuard, with 17–22ms latency overhead in our tests. However, its removal of port forwarding support (discontinued due to abuse concerns) limits its appeal for users who host game servers or run peer-to-peer applications. For standard online gaming without self-hosting requirements, Mullvad is functional but not specialized.
Security & Encryption
Mullvad uses WireGuard as its primary protocol. All connections are protected with AES-256-GCM encryption. The kill switch cut all traffic within 1–2 seconds of disconnection in our tests, and DNS leak checks via DNS leak testing tools returned clean results on all servers tested.
Mullvad supports WireGuard multi-hop at no extra cost, routing traffic through two servers in different countries. The DAITA (Defence Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) feature adds randomized dummy traffic and packet pattern obfuscation to prevent advanced traffic analysis attacks – a threat model most VPNs do not address. A built-in DNS content blocker covers ads, trackers, and malware. The Mullvad Browser, developed with the Tor Project, is available as a companion tool. SOCKS5 proxy support is included.
Supported protocols: WireGuardOpenVPN
Privacy & Logging Policy
No-logs policy: Mullvad does not log IP addresses, connection timestamps, session data, or DNS queries. The privacy policy clearly defines what is and is not collected.
Mullvad is based in Gothenburg, Sweden (a 14 Eyes country). However, Mullvad's architecture minimizes what data could be disclosed: accounts are identified only by randomly generated numbers, no email is required or stored, and no connection logs are kept. Swedish authorities previously seized Mullvad servers – the seized hardware contained no usable user data, validating the no-logs policy in the most concrete way possible. Cash and cryptocurrency payments mean even payment data cannot link accounts to identities.
Apps & Interface
Mullvad's Windows app is technically focused and slightly more complex than consumer-oriented VPNs. The interface shows connection status, server selection, and connection details. Settings provide fine-grained control: WireGuard key management, DAITA toggle, custom DNS configuration, multi-hop server selection, and split tunneling. The interface design is utility-focused rather than visually polished – this is deliberate, reflecting Mullvad's target audience of technical users and privacy professionals.
Supported platforms: WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinux
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Price | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $5.50 | 5 |
| Best Value | $5.50/mo | 5 |
All paid plans include a money-back guarantee. The longer-term plans offer the best per-month value.
Limitations
Streaming reliability is limited. Port forwarding was discontinued (due to policy concerns). The flat €5/month pricing (no annual discount) is competitive monthly but cannot match the long-term value of annual plans from competitors. The server network (700+ in 49 countries) is smaller than most in this ranking. The interface has a learning curve for non-technical users.
Our Verdict
Mullvad: Decent VPN for PC
Mullvad is in a category of its own for anonymity. The account-number system, cash payment option, and server seizure validation give it a level of practical anonymity no other VPN in this ranking can demonstrate. For general use cases, ZoogVPN or NordVPN serve most users better – but for users with genuine anonymity requirements, Mullvad is the right tool.
Check our full ranking to compare it against other options.
