For users who put privacy above all else, ProtonVPN and Mullvad are two of the most respected names in the VPN industry. Both are built by teams with deep roots in privacy activism, and both operate under jurisdictions that favor user confidentiality. But they take meaningfully different approaches to protecting your data. ProtonVPN offers a feature-rich suite with Secure Core routing, while Mullvad focuses on radical simplicity and anonymous account creation.
| Feature | ProtonVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Sweden |
| Server Count | 2,800+ in 70 countries | 800+ in 40 countries |
| Simultaneous Devices | 10 | 5 |
| Free Tier | Yes (unlimited data, no ads) | No (free trial only) |
| Anonymous Payment | Cash, crypto | Cash, crypto, cash voucher |
| Pricing | $4.99/month (2-year) | EUR 5/month (flat rate) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
ProtonVPN operates under Swiss law, which is one of the strongest privacy jurisdictions in the world. Switzerland is outside the Fourteen Eyes alliance and has robust data protection laws. Swiss courts have repeatedly upheld privacy rights, and the country's legal framework does not require VPN providers to retain user data.
Mullvad is based in Sweden, which is a member of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing network. While this might seem like a disadvantage, Mullvad's no-logging policy means there is nothing to share. Swedish authorities have attempted to compel Mullvad to hand over user data in the past, and the company was unable to comply because it simply does not collect any data tied to user identities.
ProtonVPN's standout feature is Secure Core, which routes your traffic through privacy-friendly countries before reaching your destination. For example, if you connect to a US server, your traffic might first pass through a server in Switzerland or Iceland. This adds a layer of protection against server compromise and traffic correlation attacks.
Secure Core is particularly valuable for users facing targeted surveillance, such as journalists, activists, and researchers working in sensitive areas. The tradeoff is speed, since the multi-hop routing adds latency and reduces throughput.
Mullvad does not offer an equivalent multi-hop feature, but it provides a clean, single-hop experience with excellent security practices. All Mullvad servers run on RAM-only memory, and the company owns and operates its own server hardware rather than renting from third parties. This gives Mullvad full control over its infrastructure.
Secure Core routing, Swiss jurisdiction, and a transparency report make ProtonVPN the stronger pick for users facing targeted threats.
Mullvad takes an unusual approach to account management. When you create an account, Mullvad generates a random 16-digit account number. There is no email address, no password, and no personal information required. You simply use this number to log in. This means there is no account data to tie back to your identity.
ProtonVPN requires an email address to create an account, though you can use a burner email. ProtonVPN also offers anonymous payment options including cash sent to its office and cryptocurrency payments.
Mullvad accepts cash payments sent in an envelope to its Swedish office, along with crypto, cash vouchers, and bank transfers. The flat pricing model of EUR 5 per month with no tiers or discounts means there is no incentive to share more data for a better deal.
ProtonVPN delivers solid speeds using WireGuard and its custom VPN protocol called VPN Accelerator. In our testing, ProtonVPN retained 75-80% of baseline bandwidth on nearby servers. International connections saw more variance, particularly when using Secure Core, which added 40-60 ms of latency.
Mullvad is surprisingly fast for a privacy-focused VPN. Without the overhead of multi-hop routing, Mullvad maintained 80-85% of baseline speeds on nearby servers. The smaller server network means less crowding, and we experienced consistent performance across different times of day.
For users who prioritize speed alongside privacy, Mullvad has a slight edge in everyday use. ProtonVPN with Secure Core disabled is competitive, but the multi-hop feature does impose a noticeable speed penalty.
Neither ProtonVPN nor Mullvad is designed primarily for streaming, but they perform differently in this category. ProtonVPN can unblock Netflix and BBC iPlayer on some servers, though it is not consistently reliable. Mullvad has explicitly stated that it does not optimize for streaming unblocking and makes no guarantees about accessing geo-restricted content.
If streaming is a priority, both VPNs are suboptimal choices compared to NordVPN or ExpressVPN. However, ProtonVPN is the better option of the two, as its Plus plan includes some streaming-optimized servers.
ProtonVPN offers the best free VPN plan on the market. The free tier provides unlimited data with no ads, though it limits you to servers in three countries (US, Netherlands, Japan) and restricts speed during peak hours. No other major VPN offers unlimited data on a free plan.
Mullvad does not offer a free tier. It provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, which effectively serves as a trial period, but there is no permanent free option.
ProtonVPN's pricing is tiered. The free plan costs nothing, the Plus plan starts at $4.99 per month on a two-year commitment, and there is also a Visionary plan that bundles Proton Mail and other Proton services. The tiered structure means you pay more for additional features.
Mullvad charges a flat EUR 5 per month (approximately $5.40) regardless of how long you subscribe. There are no discounts for longer commitments, which is unusual in the VPN market. This pricing model reflects Mullvad's philosophy: straightforward, no upselling, no data collection to support targeted deals.
| Pricing | ProtonVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Yes (unlimited data) | No |
| Monthly | $9.99/month (Plus) | EUR 5/month |
| 2-Year | $4.99/month (Plus) | EUR 5/month |
| Payment Methods | Card, PayPal, cash, crypto | Card, cash, crypto, voucher |
ProtonVPN is the better choice for users who want a privacy-focused VPN with additional features. Secure Core provides extra protection for sensitive use cases, the free tier is excellent for trying the service, and the larger server network offers more geographic options. If you are a journalist, activist, or anyone who faces targeted surveillance, ProtonVPN's multi-hop routing is a significant advantage.
Mullvad is ideal for users who want maximum anonymity with minimal complexity. The no-email account system, flat pricing, and cash payment option make it the most anonymous VPN service available. If you want a VPN that collects nothing and ties nothing to your identity, Mullvad is the clear choice.
ProtonVPN wins with a score of 4.5 against Mullvad's 4.4. The deciding factors are the free tier, Secure Core feature, larger server network, and broader feature set. However, Mullvad remains the top pick for users who value absolute anonymity above all other considerations, thanks to its account-free signup and flat pricing model.
Secure Core, free tier, and a larger server network give ProtonVPN the edge for privacy-focused users who also want features.
No-email signup, flat pricing, and cash payments make Mullvad the most anonymous VPN on the market.
Both ProtonVPN and Mullvad offer 30-day money-back guarantees.
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