Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place? If you’ve narrowed your VPN selection to Mullvad and Proton VPN, we understand your struggle. You wiggle around, trying to reassess the whole Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN situation and see where to go from here.
Both providers seem excellent privacy-wise, they’re incredibly secure and offer easy-to-use apps. Furthermore, both promise pretty much the same; from lightning speeds to limitless streaming and powerful encryption. However, they’re far from similar or identical.
As you’ll see in this comparison, we’re discussing two very different providers. Proton VPN capitalizes on the large server fleet and crafty innovations. Mullvad capitalizes on minimal logging and advanced security. Luckily for you, there can be only one winner.
We’ll take you through our 8-test comparison to see who takes the crown between Mullvad and Proton VPN, and, by extension, which is the better overall provider. The answer is below—don’t close the tab yet.
Mullvad vs Proton VPN: All You Need To Know
If you’re here for the outcome, all you need to know is that Proton VPN is a superior pick to Mullvad.
Why and how are explained in our full Mullvad vs Proton VPN comparison. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick comparison of their most notable features:
| Mullvad VPN | Proton VPN | |
| Our Current Ranking | #8 | #4 |
| Prices | Starting at $5.43 | Starting at $3.59 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free Version | No (No free trial) | Yes, with unlimited bandwidth |
| Logging | No | No |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden | Switzerland |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard | OpenVPN, WireGuard, Stealth VPN |
| Servers | 690 in 47 countries | 8,500 in 112 countries |
| Specialty Servers | No | P2P, Streaming, Tor Over VPN, Secure Core |
| RAM-Only Servers | Yes | Yes |
| Working With Netflix | Yes (1-2 catalogs) | Yes (5-10 catalogs) |
| P2P Allowance | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 | 10 |
Applications & Ease of Use
Both providers have amazing desktop and mobile applications. However, there’s a difference right away compatibility-wise. For example, Mullvad VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also includes its Mullvad Browser if you want more privacy.
Proton VPN offers all of that – excluding the browser – but you get even more apps. The VPN is Smart TV-friendly, meaning it’ll work on Android TVs as well. There’s also a crafty Firestick app, which can be used to unblock streaming sites. What about routers? They’re here too!
You can expect its support for popular firmware from Asus, DD-WRT, and Tomato. We love Proton VPN’s Linux client, which comes with a nice-looking GUI. For example, NordVPN and ExpressVPN don’t have a GUI yet, making them a bit more complicated to use.
Moving on to the app feeling, Mullvad is pretty light. Its apps are designed with taste. It’s minimal and easy to use, with all settings at your fingertips. We appreciate that the design code is identical across all devices, so the learning curve is rather a learning line.
Proton VPN is reminiscent of NordVPN with its more luxurious app. The server list on the left lets you connect to a server promptly. The world map on the right looks like a discounted NordVPN. However, Proton VPN’s apps are still intuitive and snappy, with no fluff.
Mullvad VPN is stuck to its 5 simultaneous connections, while Proton offers 10.
This, combined with easy-to-use apps that work on far more platforms and devices, makes Proton VPN an easy winner in the first round against Mullvad.
Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN Price Comparison
Let’s discuss their prices before moving on to the features. We think this will be an interesting comparison, especially because of Mullvad’s famous no-commitment pricing model. We’ll, however, start with the Swiss subatomic particle (Proton).
Proton VPN Price Analysis
The screenshot below displays the current price of this provider. No doubt, it’s far from the cheapest ever but if you go to its website on your own, you’ll find an even more expensive price. Gizmodo allows you to save on Proton VPN and enjoy its 2-year and 1-year plans for way less.
Our favorite is the 2-year deal at 64% off which costs only $3.59 a month. It’s exactly $86.16 for the first 24 months, so we’re looking at a fairly competitive deal.
The 1-year plan is an incredible deal too, and at $3.99 a month or $47.88 upfront, you’ll hardly find better.
We’ll remind you that ExpressVPN’s equivalent costs $6.67 a month. Yet, Proton VPN can hold its ground nicely and even beat the more expensive foe on multiple occasions. Unlike NordVPN, however, it doesn’t give you any free months.
This is balanced by two things. First, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee. A second, and more important factor is a FREE plan that you can use forever. Yes, it’s a free VPN with 5 server locations, unlimited bandwidth, steel-like security, and no-logging practices.
Think about Proton VPN’s rivals and you’ll see that none of them – except Hide.me – offer a free plan.
Mullvad Price Analysis
Mullvad has a flat fee of €5 a month, which translates to $5.43 if you’re in the USA. The flat fee means you’ll always pay this much every month, no matter how long you plan to use Mullvad. Do you want to use it for a year? Multiply $5.43 by 12 and you’ll pay that much.
This model is great for occasional or short-term users. For instance, you pay to use the VPN for a month while in China. After that, you’re gone and don’t care about it anymore. However, if you’re a long-term user, you won’t make any savings for a year or two.
The good news is that Mullvad’s price never changes. The company started in 2009 and even in 2026, the price is the SAME. Mullvad also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can still be refunded if you don’t like the provider. So, who wins this round?
Honestly, it’s hard to tell. If you love Mullvad’s flexibility, you’ll prefer it over Proton. If you’re a long-term VPN user, Proton is better for its cheaper prices. In our book, Proton VPN is the winner because it’s more affordable, and we prefer to use a VPN long-term if it’s good.
Proton VPN vs Mullvad: Features Analysis
Whether it’s good or not non-negotiable because Proton VPN and Mullvad have some impressive features under their belts. This Mullvad vs Proton VPN comparison will compare them and see which provider gives you more value for the money.
Shared Features
Despite being rivals – at least in this setup – they share something. That “something” is a standard set of VPN features you’ll find in most providers. We’d like to mention:
- 256-bit encryption.
- Automatic Kill Switch. It’s worth noting that both have an “advanced” kill switch that prevents internet access until you connect to a VPN server.
- Split Tunneling. We prefer Proton VPN’s variant because it can be applied to apps and IP addresses, unlike Mullvad’s version, which only works with apps.
- WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols.
- Ad-blocking and protection against trackers and malicious sites.
- IPv6 and DNS leak protection.
- Private DNS and RAM-only servers.
These are the somewhat basic features of both providers. As expected, there will be differences, all of which are outlined in the next sub-section of the Proton VPN vs Mullvad duel.
Unique Features
Compared to feature-light providers you’ll often see, Proton VPN and Mullvad are known for innovations and advanced security options you’ll rarely find elsewhere.
Secure Core & MultiHop Servers
These features sound very similar on paper – and they are. We have Proton VPN with Secure Core servers in Iceland, Sweden, and Switzerland. Each time you use this feature, you route your traffic through two servers, one of which is from these three countries.
The main advantage is that Proton OWNS these servers, so your data passes through its physically-secured servers rather than third-party ones. Secure Core servers apply an additional encryption layer, which prevents data leaks and ensures your privacy.
Enjoy Improved Privacy With Proton VPN
We explained how Double VPN connections work in another article and Secure Core is, at its core (no pun intended) exactly that. MultiHop is the same. It routes your traffic through two servers but in the case of Mullvad, these two servers are random ones.
You choose the entry and exit server, press Connect, and voila! We noticed that Secure Core servers are slightly faster, and because they’re owned by Proton, likely safer. MultiHop or Bridge Mode (OpenVPN variant of the same feature) is performing like a slog in Mullvad.
Advanced Protection Tools
When it comes to advanced protection, both Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN have their own tricks.
Proton VPN uses NetShield to safeguard you from ads, trackers, malicious sites, and malware. By clearing out this fluff, you get better performance for smoother browsing.
Mullvad’s vision of advanced protection is slightly extended. This provider can block all of that but also adult and gambling sites, serving as a form of parental control. If you have children, you’ll prefer this feature because it’ll protect them from harm on the internet.
Obfuscation Features
Both providers offer obfuscation, which combats censorship efficiently. Ideally, a VPN should work in China but that’s a topic for the last Proton VPN vs Mullvad comparison. Proton VPN uses Alternative Routing by default and offers Stealth VPN to circumvent censorship.
Mullvad uses a more “traditional” way of obfuscation to mask your VPN traffic and make it look like an ordinary one. In addition, it offers quantum-resistant VPN tunnels to future-proof your connection and protect you against quantum computer attacks.
Overall, Mullvad’s obfuscation is more powerful than Proton VPN, which we’ve discovered on multiple occasions. So, in terms of security features, both have ups and downs (very, very few downs, actually), and it’s hard to pick out the winner. That, of course, means it’s a tie between Mullvad and Proton VPN.
Do Mullvad and Proton VPN Store Logs?
So, when it comes to logging, both providers have something to be proud of.
Our Proton VPN analysis praised this provider’s attention to privacy. There, we highlighted its immaculate no-logging policy that’s surely one of the best around.
In short, Proton VPN doesn’t keep track of your IP address, browsing history, visited websites, DNS requests, location, etc. The information that Proton stores is minimal and is connected to troubleshooting data and your necessary email address.
Mullvad has a no-log policy too and you already know what that means; zero privacy issues. However, since it doesn’t require an email for subscription, even your email is left unscathed. Mullvad generates an account number that is used to sign in – pretty clever.
Both VPNs use RAM-only servers too, which means unwanted logging is cleverly avoided. Third-party audits are there, ensuring both providers can bear their trustworthiness proudly. Mullvad has an audit from Cure53 – the same company that audited ExpressVPN and Surfshark.
Secure Your Online Presence With Proton VPN
Proton VPN has a few from Securitum and SEC Consult, where the former was on its no-logging policy. In fact, Proton VPN’s no-log policy has been audited in 2024, so it’s relatively “fresh.” To cut it short, this is another tie in the Proton VPN vs Mullvad comparison for obvious reasons: absolutely NO logging!
Which VPN Is Faster: Mullvad or Proton VPN?
Seeking speedy connections and Godlike smoothness? Perhaps you should consider neither.
These aren’t the fastest options, especially when we pin Proton VPN against NordVPN, where the latter trumps it.
But which VPN is faster in our Mullvad vs Proton VPN comparison?
Glad you asked. Above are our speed test results in Belgrade, without using a VPN. We tested both providers 3 times a day, 3 days in a row, using 3 server locations in the UK, the USA, and Japan. Both options were compared using WireGuard to get the best speeds.
| Download Speed Loss | Upload Speed Loss | |
| Mullvad | 34% | 7% |
| Proton VPN | 43% | 21% |
The table above shows the average speed loss percentages based on our tests. On average, Mullvad ended up being faster than Proton VPN! We have huge differences in download and upload speeds of 9% and 14% respectively. However, let’s check the table below now:
| 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 |
| Proton VPN | 195.66/18.47 Mbps | 260.69/11.56 Mbps | 119.74/16.21 Mbps |
As you can see, even in practice, Mullvad’s performance advantage is more than obvious. This is accentuated when using both near and distant servers, so the choice is obvious for those in need for speed (pun intended).
Streaming & Torrenting Comparison
If you’re a huge fan of cinematography and value it more than your own life, Proton VPN will be a better choice than Mullvad.
Watching Netflix is a breeze with its dedicated streaming servers scattered like ants around the globe. Proton VPN can unblock more than a few catalogs.
On top of that, it’s a great VPN to use for BBC iPlayer and other UK channels. Rest assured, its servers can also unblock sports streaming platforms such as Sky TV, ESPN Plus, and more.
If you’re an Aussie wandering abroad, you can also count on Proton VPN to access and watch Foxtel Go outside Australia.
Stream Endlessly With Proton VPN
Mullvad isn’t very skilled at streaming, and its reach is limited to Netflix US. Is that enough? No?
Well, you can also unblock BBC iPlayer on a good day and a few other, less popular channels. On a good note, Mullvad’s speed is more befitting when streaming in 4K, resulting in smoother footage. Alas, that’s in vain if you can’t access the platform in the first place.
Torrenting is another Proton VPN’s forte. You get dedicated P2P servers here, ensuring everything flows smoothly. Features like port forwarding and SOCKS5 are there, and along with the VPN Accelerator, make Proton VPN quite fast when downloading larger files.
Unlike Proton, Mullvad VPN doesn’t have dedicated servers of any sort. Yet, its P2P prowess stands firmly and you can download torrents using any server. We prefer VPNs for torrenting listed here, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN but these to scratch that itch and perform well.
So, if Proton VPN is superior to Mullvad for streaming and they are tied for torrenting, Proton VPN wins.
Server Locations: Proton VPN vs Mullvad
A big server fleet is indicative of a serious VPN service that doesn’t mind investing millions of dollars in upgrading its infrastructure.
As such, Proton VPN offers well over 8,500 of them in 112 countries. A stark contrast to Mullvad’s 690 servers in 47 countries worldwide.
We don’t need to deepen this analysis to conclude which provider is better. Proton VPN’s server variety swims out on top as its magnum opus. We mentioned streaming and torrenting servers but there are also Tor Over VPN servers we haven’t addressed.
Thanks to Proton VPN’s privacy, they’re extremely useful for navigating the dark web. Among these servers are the aforementioned Secure Core servers owned by Proton. It’s worth mentioning that dedicated IP addresses are offered to business users.
If you need one, you better seek it from more reputable VPNs with dedicated IPs. We prefer NordVPN for the fastest one and Surfshark for the cheapest one. In case you haven’t noticed, Proton VPN has won this round. Just saying.
Use Thousands of Servers from Proton VPN
Bypassing Censorship: Which VPN Does It Better?
Chinese residents and expats are happy enough with NordVPN and ExpressVPN to overcome censorship. We can tell you first-hand that Proton VPN won’t work there, as the provider even admits on its website in this sad post from 2019. The same rings true today.
Its Stealth VPN protocol is good enough for the UAE, Turkey, and a few other countries. In China, you’ll have to decide on Mullvad instead. Its powerful obfuscation combats the Great Firewall fiercely. You can pair it with WireGuard and enjoy fast speeds and security at once.
Users have reported that Mullvad can sometimes be blocked but that’s fixed after a bit of tweaking and altering the servers. Proton VPN, on the other hand, is “dead” in China and can’t be used at all. More reliable options would be NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
However, if you like Mullvad’s no-commitment price structure, by all means, go for it.
Conclusion: Proton VPN Wins Against Mullvad VPN
Congrats on getting here – we have a winner. Proton VPN beats Mullvad with a score of 6:4. We must admit Mullvad’s efforts were valiant, as the provider held its ground firmly in security, privacy, and torrenting. It even won speed and censorship rounds!
Proton VPN is better than Mullvad VPN regarding compatibility, affordability, streaming, and server locations. It’s a more robust provider whose reputation and popularity are much higher as well. No doubt, Proton VPN is better but does that mean you should hurry and get it now?
Well, perhaps you shouldn’t hurry; it won’t run away. But yes, the conclusion is that you should get Proton VPN over Mullvad VPN. It’s cheaper and offers more, as long as you don’t mind its underwhelming performance. In that case, NordVPN, an even cheaper provider, will serve you way better.