Mullvad vs ProtonVPN
Choosing the right VPN can feel overwhelming with so many options promising privacy, speed, and security. If you’re trying to decide between Mullvad and ProtonVPN, this comparison will help you understand their key differences and which one might suit your needs better. We’ll start with straightforward points about pricing, features, and ease of use, then dive into more technical details about performance, protocols, and privacy.
Both Mullvad and ProtonVPN are well-regarded for protecting user privacy, but they take different approaches that affect how they work day to day. Mullvad is known for its strong anonymity and simple, flat-rate pricing without accounts or emails. ProtonVPN, developed by the same team behind ProtonMail, offers a broader feature set, including streaming support and multi-device plans, but with a more traditional subscription model.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear picture of how these VPNs compare in terms of value, security, speed, and usability — helping you pick the one that fits your priorities.
> Summary: This comparison breaks down mullvad vs protonvpn by pricing signals, features, privacy posture, performance, and which option fits different users.
Quick Recommendation
- Choose Mullvad if: You want maximum privacy with minimal fuss, don’t need streaming or fancy extras, and prefer paying anonymously without an account.
- Choose ProtonVPN if: You want a feature-rich VPN with strong security, better streaming support, and flexible subscription plans including free and paid tiers.
Pricing and Value
Mullvad’s pricing is straightforward: a flat rate of €5 (about $5.50) per month, regardless of how many devices you connect. You don’t create an account or provide an email; instead, you get a randomly generated account number to log in. This no-strings-attached approach appeals to privacy purists who want to avoid any personal data collection.
ProtonVPN offers a free tier with limited servers and speeds, plus paid plans starting at around $5/month for the Basic tier, up to $10/month for Plus, which unlocks faster servers and advanced features. Unlike Mullvad, ProtonVPN requires an account and email, though it has a solid reputation for privacy.
Value-wise, Mullvad’s single-price simplicity is attractive if you want a no-frills, privacy-first VPN. ProtonVPN’s tiered pricing gives more flexibility and features but can cost more if you want the best performance and streaming capabilities.
Features Compared
| Feature | Mullvad | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Account Setup | Anonymous account number only | Email + account required |
| Number of Devices | Unlimited | 1-10 depending on plan |
| Server Locations | ~900 servers in 39 countries | ~1700 servers in 63 countries |
| Streaming Support | Limited | Good (Netflix, Disney+, etc.) |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | No | Yes |
| Multi-hop VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Tor over VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Ad/Tracker Blocking | No | Yes (Plus plan) |
| Open Source Apps | Yes | Partially (clients open source) |
| WireGuard Support | Yes | Yes |
Mullvad focuses on core privacy features without extra bells and whistles. It supports multi-hop VPN chains and Tor integration, but lacks split tunneling or built-in ad blocking. ProtonVPN offers a richer feature set including split tunneling and ad blocking on paid plans, making it more versatile for everyday use.
Performance and Protocols
Both VPNs support WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, but their implementations differ in ways that affect speed and reliability.
- WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol known for high speed and low latency. Both Mullvad and ProtonVPN use it extensively. Mullvad’s WireGuard implementation is praised for its minimal overhead and kernel-space execution, which reduces CPU load and improves throughput.
- OpenVPN is older but widely supported and configurable. ProtonVPN’s OpenVPN servers often perform well, especially on slower or more restrictive networks.
Performance depends on factors like packet size, how the VPN handles routing and encryption (the “control plane” and “data plane”), and whether the VPN client runs in user space or kernel space. Mullvad’s lean approach reduces latency and improves packet handling, often resulting in faster connections for gaming or video calls.
ProtonVPN’s larger server network can help avoid congestion, but some users report slower connection times compared to Mullvad. ProtonVPN also supports “Secure Core” multi-hop routing through privacy-friendly countries, adding an extra layer of anonymity at some speed cost.
Privacy and Security
Privacy is where both VPNs shine but with different philosophies:
- Mullvad requires no personal information, not even an email address. You pay anonymously via cash, Bitcoin, or other privacy-friendly methods. Its strict no-logs policy means it does not record any user activity or connection metadata. This makes Mullvad a favorite for users who want to minimize their digital footprint.
- ProtonVPN also has a no-logs policy and is based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws. It collects minimal data for account management but does not log traffic. ProtonVPN uses Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) to ensure encryption keys are regularly rotated, limiting exposure if a key is compromised.
Both VPNs use AES-256 encryption with ChaCha20 available in WireGuard. ProtonVPN’s apps are partially open source, allowing security audits, while Mullvad’s client is fully open source, providing transparency.
Ease of Use
- Mullvad has a minimalist app interface focused on quick connection and privacy. The lack of account setup simplifies onboarding but can confuse users unfamiliar with account numbers. The app supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with manual configuration options for routers.
- ProtonVPN offers polished apps with more user-friendly features like server recommendations, split tunneling, and built-in streaming profiles. Its account-based system is familiar to most users. ProtonVPN supports the same platforms plus browser extensions.
For beginners, ProtonVPN’s guided interface and support resources may be easier. Mullvad suits users comfortable with a more technical setup who prioritize anonymity.
Who Each Option Fits Best
| User Type | Best Fit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Purists | Mullvad | No email, anonymous payment, no logs |
| Streaming Enthusiasts | ProtonVPN | Better streaming support and server variety |
| Casual Users | ProtonVPN | User-friendly apps and flexible plans |
| Tech-Savvy Users | Mullvad | Open source, minimal, advanced privacy |
| Budget-Conscious | Mullvad (flat rate) | Simple, affordable pricing |
| Multi-Device Households | ProtonVPN | Supports multiple simultaneous connections |
Related Reading
Related protocol articles:
Troubleshooting articles:
Foundational article:
Conclusion
Mullvad and ProtonVPN both provide strong privacy and security but cater to different audiences. Mullvad’s anonymous, no-account model and lean design make it ideal for users who want the utmost privacy without extras. ProtonVPN’s richer feature set, better streaming support, and flexible plans appeal to everyday users and families who want ease of use alongside security.
If your priority is absolute anonymity and a simple pricing model, Mullvad is the better choice. If you want a VPN that balances privacy with convenience, streaming, and multi-device support, ProtonVPN is likely the better fit.
References
- RFC 4301: Security Architecture for IP
- RFC 7296: Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2
- RFC 8446: The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol Version 1.3
- RFC 8439: ChaCha20 and Poly1305 for IETF Protocols
- NIST SP 800-207: Zero Trust Architecture
- Vendor documentation should be reviewed before publication