Quick Verdict
Pros
- No personal info required
- Flat €5/month pricing
- Open-source apps & audits
- Strong WireGuard performance
- Cash/crypto payments
Cons
- 5 device limit
- No port forwarding
- Inconsistent streaming
Table of Contents
Overview
Mullvad earns our #8 spot in 2025 for its radical commitment to privacy—no email, no accounts, just a randomly generated number. Based in Sweden (14-Eyes), it operates 780+ servers in 38 countries with a flat €5/month (~$5.40) pricing model. No tiers, no upsells, no long-term discounts.
Founded in 2014 by Amagicom AB, Mullvad pioneered anonymous sign-ups and cash payments. All apps are open-source, regularly audited, and RAM-only servers wipe data on reboot. Our 120+ hour testing focused on anonymity, speed consistency, and real-world privacy protections.
Perfect for whistleblowers, journalists, or anyone distrustful of traditional VPNs—but casual users may miss streaming reliability and unlimited devices.
Features & Functionality
Mullvad prioritizes privacy over bells and whistles:
780+ Servers
38 countries, RAM-only.
5 Devices
Simultaneous connections.
Multi-Hop
Route via two servers.
WireGuard + OpenVPN
Modern & legacy protocols.
Bridge Mode
Bypass VPN blocks.
Kill Switch
Lockdown & app-level.
Specialty Features
Mullvad includes:
- Anonymous Accounts: 16-digit code only
- Cash Payments: Mail euros to Sweden
- Open-Source: Full client code on GitHub
- No Logs: Proven in 2020 police raid
- Quantum-Resistant: Post-quantum encryption
Pricing & Plans
One plan, one price, forever:
Standard Plan
- 5 simultaneous devices
- All servers & protocols
- Open-source apps
- Cash/crypto/card
- No refunds (30-day trial via resellers)
Important Pricing Notes
Flat Rate: €5/month regardless of commitment.
No Refunds: Direct purchases final; use resellers for trials.
Payments: Crypto, cash, bank wire, card (via Stripe).
No Upsells: Truly one-price model.
Performance & Speed
Testing on 1 Gbps lines across 20+ locations:
Speed Test Results
WireGuard hit 680 Mbps on nearby EU servers. Long-distance (EU to AU) averaged 180 Mbps. Low server density causes occasional congestion.
Streaming & Gaming
Unreliable for Netflix (works ~45% of servers). Excellent for gaming with stable ping and no jitter on close servers.
Ease of Use
Minimalist apps focus on function over form.
Desktop & Mobile Apps
Enter account number, connect. No server list clutter—auto-selects fastest. Mobile supports split tunneling and always-on.
Smart Features
Auto-connect, multi-hop routing, bridge mode for censored networks.
Customer Support
Mullvad offers self-service with limited direct help:
Support Channels
- Email: Responses within 24 hours
- Guides: Detailed setup, troubleshooting
- Blog/Status: Transparency reports
- No Live Chat/Phone
Support Quality
Email responses are technical and thorough. Extensive documentation reduces need for support.
Security & Privacy
Mullvad is a privacy fortress:
- No Logs: Verified in 2020 raid—no data to seize
- Anonymous Sign-Up: No email, no phone
- AES-256-GCM: With ChaCha20 option
- RAM-Only Servers: Data wiped on reboot
- Third-Party Audits: Annual by Cure53, Assured
- Diskless Infrastructure: No persistent storage
Sweden jurisdiction is a concern, but no-logs policy and anonymity mitigate risks. Zero leaks in extensive testing.
How Mullvad Compares (#1–#7 & #9–#10 in Our Rankings)
Mullvad ranks #8 for privacy purity but loses points on device limits and streaming:
Bottom Line
Mullvad secures #8 with unmatched anonymity, open-source transparency, and a proven no-logs record. It’s the gold standard for privacy-focused users who don’t need streaming or unlimited devices.
We recommend Mullvad if you need: True anonymity, cash payments, open-source apps, or post-quantum security.
Get Mullvad (€5/month)