This ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN comparison will answer a crucial question; which VPN is better? We know that privacy enthusiasts love these. Both keep a track record of no logging, with multiple third-party audits. On top of that, both offer cutting-edge security.
Mullvad and ExpressVPN are known to be fast VPN services with apps for desktop and mobile platforms, too! To make matters worse, their prices aren’t so different, making you further question your choice. Should you choose ExpressVPN or go with Mullvad VPN instead?
Let us ease your worries. Our Mullvad vs ExpressVPN duel will be resolved after 8 intensive rounds. At the end, we’ll count the scores and see who is the winner. If you think you’ll get your “it depends” answer, you’re wrong. One is better than the other; here’s who.
Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN: All You Need To Know
Let’s answer the burning question; ExpressVPN is better than Mullvad VPN. We think you saw that coming.
By how much?
You’ll have to read our intricate comparison to see that. For now, here’s a quick ExpressVPN vs Mullvad table comparison of their features.
| Mullvad VPN | ExpressVPN | |
| Our Current Ranking | #8 | #2 |
| Prices | Starting at $5.43/mo | Starting at $6.67/mo |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days |
| Free Version/Free Trial | No | No/7-Days via iOS/Android |
| Logging/Jurisdiction | No/Sweden | No/British Virgin Islands |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard | OpenVPN, Lightway |
| Servers | 690 in 47 countries | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Specialty Servers | No | Dedicated IP |
| RAM-Only Servers | Yes | Yes |
| Working With Netflix | Yes, 1-2 catalogs | Yes, 15+ catalogs |
| P2P Allowance | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 | 8 |
Applications & Ease of Use
We’ll tap into the ExpressVPN vs Mullvad comparison and right away begin with applications and ease of use.
Both providers sport minimalistic apps that span desktop and mobile platforms. We love ExpressVPN’s added device support, which Mullvad, unfortunately, still lacks in 2026.
For example, Mullvad works only on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. ExpressVPN supports all of these, plus other devices like Smart TVs, tvOS, Firestick, routers, gaming consoles, and many more. There’s another advantage; simultaneous connections.
Mullvad is still locked to 5, while ExpressVPN has raised its bar to 8. Granted, neither is better than NordVPN’s 10 but 8 is ample for many. Ease of use is both VPNs’ strength. ExpressVPN’s app looks aesthetic, it’s snappy, and works like a charm – splendid!
We love that server connections take a second and you can immediately go online. Mullvad has been reviewed on our site where we praised its apps and quick connections. Its Settings menu is a bit convoluted and some features are harder to find and customize.
Mobile apps are there too, and we must say both providers rock. Their mobile apps are identical to their desktop counterparts, resulting in the absence of the learning curve. So, device support, simultaneous connections, and ease of use are on ExpressVPN’s side.
As a result, ExpressVPN wins the starting round over Mullvad, making the score 1:0 thus far.
Install ExpressVPN on All Devices
Mullvad vs ExpressVPN Price Comparison
Neither are known as the most affordable providers around. We can assign that title to these few VPNs instead. However, Mullvad’s fixed price of $5.43 a month is great for short-term users.
Do you want to avoid commitment? Great, you can enjoy flexibility fully!
However, if you opt for a longer “treatment” the price of $5.43 remains. So, for example, if you want a 1-year plan, you’ll still pay $5.43 a month, which would be about $65. Long-term users have no special commodities or discounts but at least, you’re not “forced” to commit for a year, two, or more.
ExpressVPN has a more “typical” pricing structure that’s as flexible as a gym barbell. It offers three plans but really, the middle one is the best. It’s a 12-month plan with a 48% discount thanks to 3 free months, at $6.67 a month. It’s about $1.24 more expensive.
If we translate this to an upfront payment, the initial 15 months will cost you around $100. Despite this discount, ExpressVPN is more expensive than Mullvad, making the latter the winner. Doing the math, Mullvad will cost you about $82 for 15 months, for instance.
Yet, for ExpressVPN, you have to pay about $20 more. Both providers have a 30-day money-back guarantee as well, so if you’re unimpressed, a refund is always viable. Mullvad lacks a free trial, which is a shame but ExpressVPN has a 7-day one via iOS and Android.
Despite this, Mullvad is still a winner due to its ~30% lower price tag than that of ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN vs Mullvad: Features Analysis
If ExpressVPN costs 30% more than Mullvad VPN, is it really that much better? Well, so far, we have a tie, so let’s see how these providers stack up against each other in terms of features.
Shared Features
As VPNs mostly work the same and offer similar features, ExpressVPN and Mullvad follow the same trend. You can expect bank-grade AES-256-bit encryption on both sides, coupled with a few additions like a kill switch, split tunneling, and OpenVPN support.
OpenVPN is standard in both but this protocol isn’t better than WireGuard. Luckily, both have protocols aside from OpenVPN, which we’ll address in a minute. When it comes to shared features, users can expect “passive” ones like RAM-based servers and Private DNS.
Of course, IPv6 leak protection is there, along with DNS leak protection to fully conceal your identity. We love that both offer an ad blocker. Mullvad can block ads, trackers, and malware and ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection can do the same. More efficiently, we should add.
Both providers can also be parental control apps, as they can block porn sites. You’ll find this great if you have children who need protection from obscenity.
If you’re an adult, perhaps you can use both VPNs to watch Porn – we leave this choice to you.
Enjoy Ironclad Security With ExpressVPN
Unique Features
This ExpressVPN vs Mullvad round will examine their unique features. Now, ExpressVPN is notorious for being light on features and this trend continues in 2026. However, despite its shortcomings, the provider isn’t without tricks on its sleeve. Here’s what’s up.
Security Protocol Differences
The protocol selection in both is what some would call barren. Yet, you only need two or three protocols if they’re safe and secure. Mullvad comes with WireGuard, which can be customized by selecting different ports and enabling advanced security features.
You can use its quantum-resistant tunnels that will protect you from quantum computer attacks. On the flip side, ExpressVPN offers Lightway, which is a proprietary option with incredible performance, security, and privacy.
Don’t believe us?
Well, ExpressVPN has an audit on this very protocol, which quickly became its highlight. Lightway has proven to be superior to WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Later in the Mullvad vs ExpressVPN comparison, we’ll see how these stack up in terms of speed.
Multi-hop & Bridge Mode
ExpressVPN’s painful lack of Multi-hop rears its ugly head every time we need more online privacy. To remedy that, you can pick Mullvad instead, with its Multi-hop or bridge mode, as it’s called in the case of OpenVPN. These are the same features; one is assigned to WireGuard and OpenVPN uses another one.
As you may know, Multi-hop doubles your encryption by routing your traffic through two servers. You can choose which servers to use, which we also love about Surfshark. Multi-hop connections can be slower but they’re far more secure than your “Single-hop” connections.
Mullvad doesn’t offer that many more features than its rival. However, given its inclusion of said features and more freedom in connection customization, unexpectedly, Mullvad VPN wins over ExpressVPN in this round.
Do ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN Store Logs?
While ExpressVPN resides in the British Virgin Islands, Mullvad is stationed in Sweden. We have two polar opposites but they agree on one thing; privacy. This is easily noticeable when we peek at their privacy policies that, again, scream privacy at the top of their lungs.
ExpressVPN keeps no logs of your digital footprint. By that, we mean your IP address, visited websites, timestamps, browsing history, DNS queries, etc.
The same goes for Mullvad, which also doesn’t log your email address, as it’s not required for the sign-up process.
ExpressVPN and Mullvad use RAM servers, so every bit of data is cleaned with each server restart. Both providers maintain a clear no-log policy with specks of logging to keep the server alive. For example, the number of concurrent connections you have.
This must be stored to enforce their simultaneous connection limits. We appreciate their transparency as well. Mullvad has open-source apps that have been, along with a no-log policy, audited a few times. ExpressVPN is almost identical but on steroids.
This company underwent multiple audits on its apps, Lightway, and a no-log policy. Our analysis of ExpressVPN highlighted its scope and the fact that it’s one of the largest VPN companies. These audits require time and money, both of which are on ExpressVPN’s side.
All things considered, this round of the Mullvad vs ExpressVPN analysis ends in a tie. In terms of privacy, you’re looking at two extremely competitive VPNs that won’t leave you disappointed.
Which VPN Is Faster: ExpressVPN or NordVPN?
Let’s see which VPN is faster in this Mullvad vs ExpressVPN clash. We tested both providers while in Belgrade; our non-VPN internet speeds are displayed below. When it comes to testing, we love to be thorough and leave very little or no room for mistakes.
For this reason, both were tested 3 times a day, 3 days in a row, and with 3 server locations. Since we were in Europe, we used one location in the UK and the other two in the USA and Japan. We’ve compiled the best results and calculated their average speed losses.
Bear in mind both VPNs were tested with their most powerful protocols i.e. Lightway and WireGuard. Now, let’s glance at the table below and see which provider is faster:
| Download Speed Loss | Upload Speed Loss | |
| Mullvad | 34% | 7% |
| ExpressVPN | 24% | 9% |
ExpressVPN is better than Mullvad VPN in the Speed round. Being 10% faster in download speeds and 2% slower in upload speeds, the difference is visible from a plane.
The latter is such a small difference, that you’ll barely feel it. Look at this table:
| UK (Download/Upload) | US (Download/Upload) | Japan (Download/Upload) | |
| Mullvad | 298.61/18.69 Mbps | 215.32/18.39 Mbps | 154.37/17.80 Mbps |
| ExpressVPN | 298.82/18.50 Mbps | 274.61/18.35 Mbps | 206.33/16.73 Mbps |
These were our exact speed test results from both VPNs. Indeed, ExpressVPN’s transfer speeds are more “meaty” and will satisfy even those most demanding.
That’s why gamers prefer using ExpressVPN over Mullvad or slower picks like VyprVPN or Proton VPN. This comes as no surprise, as our experts consider ExpressVPN one of the most reliable VPNs for online gaming.
Browse Smoothly With ExpressVPN
Streaming & Torrenting Comparison
Streaming was never Mullvad’s strength and the trend rides this wave in 2026. Yes, you can unblock Netflix US with it or watch BBC iPlayer anywhere. But try to access other more demanding services that frequently detect VPNs and you’ll be shocked – negatively.
Mullvad’s performance is impressive, so if you’re shocked positively and can access the streaming service you want, expect NO buffering. ExpressVPN is the same, and since it’s faster than Mullvad, the experience will be award-winning. Fortunately, it’s better at unblocking sites.
ExpressVPN easily unblocks over 15 Netflix catalogs. Moreover, its crafty browser VPN extension with location spoofing sometimes performs even better. This is great when you encounter a “stubborn” streaming service, as you’ll get over the geo-block promptly.
Not to mention ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS or MediaStreamer support that works with US streaming services.
Torrenting-wise, both perform on par. ExpressVPN or Mullvad VPN – it doesn’t matter which one you choose. Both have P2P support on all their servers.
However, we always recommend using one nearby to maximize the performance. Let’s calculate the results. We have a score of 1:1 reading torrenting, and 1:0 for ExpressVPN for streaming. Drop your calculator; this one is simple. ExpressVPN wins this round against Mullvad.
Stream & Torrent With ExpressVPN
Server Locations: Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN
Another easy win for the British Virgin Islands champion is this important round. Before we declare it the winner officially, let’s see how many server locations it boasts.
At the time of writing, we’re looking at way over 3,000 servers in 105 countries and 160+ cities.
These numbers look meaner than the Ford Mustang and roar louder than a W12 engine. All servers have 10 Gbps ports, allowing for hasty speeds and stable performance. While there aren’t dedicated servers, we have other great news; ExpressVPN has dedicated IP addresses!
Now, Mullvad looks like a Chihuahua compared to ExpressVPN’s server fleet. With around 690 servers in 47 countries, Mullvad is akin to TunnelBear, which is quite popular among free VPN users. However, TunnelBear has more servers; 3,000, despite being free.
Mullvad lacks dedicated IP addresses and the server variety is poor. The server distribution is average but that’s expected from a shallow server park. ExpressVPN has servers everywhere, so expect popular and non-popular locations. Servers in India are there; Mullvad lacks them.
ExpressVPN’s fusion of virtual and physical servers strikes perfection. Coupled with meaty numbers and impeccable server infrastructure, it’s clear that ExpressVPN wins this one by a long shot.
Bypassing Censorship: Which VPN Does It Better?
Both ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN work well if you’re in China. This is thanks to obfuscation, which makes your VPN connection look like a non-VPN one.
As a result, both providers can trick the Great Firewall into allowing you to go online and enjoy more freedom and ironclad privacy in the process.
With Mullvad, we had success with WireGuard and obfuscation. OpenVPN was also working well but we noticed a few unsuccessful connection attempts occasionally. ExpressVPN stood firmly and with Lightway, beat the Great Firewall to a pulp at least 8 out of 10 times.
Other countries are no match for these. People can unblock WhatsApp in the UAE and enjoy infinite calls with both. The same goes for fighting censorship in Russia, China, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, and other locations. VPNs aren’t legal anywhere, though, so be careful.
We listed VPN-friendly countries here, so glance at this guide before you use a VPN in your country. Now, for the winner… well, they share equal pieces of the cake. A tie.
Conclusion: ExpressVPN Wins Against Mullvad VPN
After a hard-fought battle, these VPNs have concluded their intense contest. The one that emerged victorious was undoubtedly ExpressVPN, winning by a score of 6 to 4 over Mullvad.
On paper, this sounds like a “tight” win. It’s a marginally better option; right?
Well, most people tend to disagree – including us. ExpressVPN is as secure as Mullvad, has more third-party audits, and offers more simultaneous connections and apps. On top of that, it’s way faster and more suitable for streaming, which MANY users will prioritize.
Lastly, the ExpressVPN vs Mullvad comparison favors the former in server count, which is massively larger. Mullvad offers Multi-hop, which is a slight advantage and is cheaper, with splendid no-commitment plans. Apart from that, most aspects are similar.
We recommend buying ExpressVPN instead of Mullvad VPN despite the higher price. If ExpressVPN is too much for you and cheaper VPNs are your bag of beans, spend your money on NordVPN. We have compared Mullvad to NordVPN as well, concluding that the latter is way better and even cheaper.