In operation for more than a decade, Mullvad places emphasis on privacy and anonymity. While you might not have heard of them before, you shouldn’t pass them by. This is due to a lack of advertising and affiliate programs. So what does this service have to offer? We’ve dug through the biggest review sites out there to bring you this summary.
Pricing on Mullvad is so-so. On a monthly basis, their rates are cheaper than many competing services. However, they do not offer discounts for subscribing for 6 or 12 months. So you pay less by monthly rates but pay more when looking at long-term costs.
Payment methods are some of the most comprehensive on offer including cash, bitcoin, bitcoin cash, bank wire, PayPal, Swish, Bankgiro, and credit or debit cards. Paying in cryptocurrency will even net you a slight discount.
While cash offers a high level of privacy, it limits your refund options. However, there’s still crypto support if you want easy, risk-free payments.
Mullvad is compatible with most devices. You’ll find dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Support for Android, iOS, and Chrome OS is available through the OpenVPN app. If you have a router capable of running DD-WRT, Mullvad’s site includes everything you need to get up and running.
Mullvad’s software isn’t the prettiest user interface around, but it offers easy access to common features and is generally user-friendly. If you’re brand new to VPNs, you might need to research a few terms. However, reviews indicate that the default settings offer a respectable level of protection if you’re not up to diving into the settings.
Security Gladiators says, “Mullvad VPN’s overall theme seems to be of simplicity... The app is very straightforward to use… And we have already mentioned the fact that the installation process is painless and quick.”
Mullvad allows up to five simultaneous connections. This is comparable to many competitors. And, you can also set up the service on your router if you need to protect many devices at once.
In terms of features, Mullvad is easily one of the top VPNs. Whether you’re looking for protection while torrenting, trying to secure your email, or want protection while using the Wi-Fi at your favorite restaurant, you’ll find helpful features which help you make the most of your VPN subscription.
Popular features include:
Mullvad offers encryption using the OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols. WireGuard is one of the newest protocols available and claims to be the future of VPN. You can also encrypt using AES-256 or Blowfish encryption standards.
VPN Ranks says, “Netflix has invested heavily to fortify the site against VPN services. However, this has not stopped VPN providers like Mullvad from working seamlessly with the streaming service… The US servers of this VPN have no issue in unlocking Netflix as my tests for this Mullvad VPN review revealed.”
At first glance, being based in Gothenburg, Sweden -- a 14-eyes country -- doesn’t appear to score any points for Mullvad on a privacy front. However, they’re extremely transparent on what they log and try to track as little information as possible.
Instead of providing an email address, user name, and other personally identifiable information, they assign you a random account number. This is the only thing linking you to your account.
If you pay using cash, bitcoin, or one of the other anonymous methods, you are virtually invisible.
VPN Ranks says, “Because Mullvad does not even ask for your email when you sign up. You can even pay the provider in Bitcoin, making sure you are a ghost to them.”
While Mullvad achieves some of the highest marks around in terms of security, this comes at the cost of transfer speeds. While you’ll still be able to stream video and perform other tasks online, don’t expect large file downloads or peer-to-peer file sharing to be snappy using Mullvad.
That said, if your focus is on privacy, Mullvad is hard to beat.
VPN Ranks highlights this in their review, saying, “While one expects a slash in speed in a VPN connection, this kind of drastic decrease is problematic to say the least.”
Customer support is another area where Mullvad receives middling marks. Email is your only support option for advanced problems. While they offer a 24-hour response time, this might not feel reassuring if you’re having an urgent problem. Fortunately, there is an FAQ section for basic problems should you need it.
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If you need basic protection or peace of mind while using public Wi-Fi or checking your email, there are more affordable options available. But if you’re looking for the best privacy options around and a truly anonymous VPN service, definitely consider Mullvad.
VPN Ranks says, “There are many features in Mullvad that makes it stands out; the token-based account, the unique payment method and kill switch option to name a few. But what really separates Mullvad from other VPNs is its simple and straightforward mode of operations.”
VPN Analysis says, “Mullvad’s commitment to anonymity is commendable. The company has set up its subscription system to help dodge any possible legislation that requires VPN providers to hand over user activity logs. You are certainly safe from prosecution with this service.”
- Max Eddy & Kim Key, PC MagazineIt's not the most polished we've seen, but Mullvad's excellent VPN secures your connection and protects your privacy for an unbeatable price.
- Yael Grauer, The WirecutterMullvad is transparent about its security and privacy practices. The VPN offers reliable connections and is easy to use on laptops, phones, and tablets.
- Richard Sutherland, Tom's GuideMullvad’s commitment to security and the anonymity of its users will please the security-conscious, but it does lack a number of features. Long-term pricing is a little expensive, but its rolling contract will appeal to those who don’t want to sign up for years to get the best deal.
- Simon Batt, Make Use OfMullvad VPN is an easy-to-use VPN with great speeds and a generous selection of servers. It respects your privacy, delivers content quickly, gets around geo-blocks without issue, and comes at a fantastic price that makes this VPN a must-have for light to medium-intensive use.
- The VPN LabThe company is well-known as the only VPN that accepts cash payments sent by post. Apart from zealously defending the privacy of its users, Mullvad is also one of the most sophisticated VPNs with the widest range of anti-censorship technologies. For all its elaborate features, Mullvad is actually pr...
Overview | |
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Headquarters | Sweden |
Pricing/Sign Up | |
Starting Price (per Month) | $5.00 |
Plans and Pricing | Visit Site |
Free Trial | 3 hours |
Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
Payment Options | Credit Cards, PayPal, Bitcoin |
ID Required | - |
Features | |
Server Locations (# of Countries) | 20 |
Number of Servers | 82 + |
Devices Per License | 5 |
Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
Unlimited Bandwidth | No |
Double-Hop / Double VPN | No |
Accesses Netflix | No |
P2P / Torrenting Allowed | Yes |
Accepts Bitcoin | Yes |
Non-US Company | Yes |
Protected | |
Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard |
Encryption | No |
No Logs / No Tracking | Yes |
Dedicated IP Available | No |
VPN Over Tor | Yes |
Wi-Fi Leak Protection | No |
Private DNS Server | No |
DNS Leak Protection | Yes |
IP Leak Protection | Yes |
WebRTC Leak Protection | Yes |
IPv6 Leak Protection | Yes |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Supported Platforms | |
Operating Systems | Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, Linux, Android |
Mobile App | No |
Router | Yes |
Browser Extension | No |
Customer Support | |
24/7 Support | No |
Live Chat Support | No |
Telephone Support | No |
Email Support | Yes |
More | |
Additional comments |
Other Names (AKA): MullvadVPN |
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