Mullvad VPN
Privacy-first VPN with flat pricing and anonymous signup
Mullvad is a Swedish-based VPN service launched in 2009 that prioritises anonymity through its unique numbered-account system requiring no personal information. It exclusively uses the WireGuard protocol (having retired OpenVPN in January 2026) and offers advanced privacy features including DAITA (Defence Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis). The service maintains a transparent, zero-logs policy with independent security audits and charges a consistent flat rate of €5/month across all subscription lengths.
How we scored it
Six-factor weighted score. Each dimension scored 0–10 by our editorial team across testing periods of 3–18 months. No vendor influence.
What it actually costs
Intro pricing shown — see the renewal note for what you'll pay after the introductory term. We don't hide the second-act price.
The real cost
What you'll actually pay across 4 years, including the renewal cliff. We blend the math so you see the true monthly cost.
When the bill actually arrives
Most hosts advertise intro pricing prominently and renewal pricing in the fine print. Here\'s the trajectory drawn to scale.
Mullvad VPN against the field
The highest-scoring alternatives in the same category, compared on the figures we hold for all of them.
| Mullvad VPNThis page | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReviewCost score | 7.8/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Cheapest plan | Standard (Flat Rate) | — | — |
| From | $5.50/mo | $3.49/mo | — |
| Renews at | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Biggest strength | Truly anonymous signup with randomly-generated numbered account requiring no email or personal data | Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers consistently fast speeds, particularly with Lightway Turbo on Windows | Audited no-logs policy and full open-source codebase provide exceptional transparency |
| Biggest drawback | Unreliable for streaming services—inconsistent access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Disney+ with no dedicated streaming servers | Device limits (10/12/14) lag behind competitors like Surfshark and PIA that offer unlimited simultaneous connections | No 24/7 live chat support—email-only, with 1-3 day response times reported |
Prices are the published figures at the time of writing and change often. Renewal pricing is shown where the vendor publishes it. See how we review.
What people ask about Mullvad VPN
Straight answers to what buyers actually ask, drawn from the documentation and published user reports.