Mullvad VPN review 2026

Mullvad takes privacy to a level that is unmatched in the industry. Creating an account requires no personal data at all: you get a randomly generated 16-digit number – that's it. No email address, no name, no phone number. Anyone who pays in cash by post remains 100% anonymous. The apps are fully open source and have been audited several times by Cure53 – one of the most renowned security firms. Since 15 January 2026, Mullvad has supported only WireGuard (ChaCha20-Poly1305); OpenVPN has been switched off. Mullvad was one of the first VPN providers to implement WireGuard and actively contributed to its development. In 2023, Swedish police searched Mullvad's offices with a warrant – and had to leave without any data, because simply no customer data existed. This real-world test confirms Mullvad's no-logs promise more impressively than any audit. Scoring (30/30): Absolute top marks for privacy. Anonymous account creation, a proven no-logs policy (police raid 2023), Cure53 audits and open source. Mullvad is the gold standard.

Mullvad relies exclusively on the lean WireGuard protocol and is therefore designed for high speeds. How much speed is lost depends on your line, server distance and load; our grading (“very fast”) is an editorial assessment, not our own series of measurements. However: unblocking streaming is not Mullvad's strength. Netflix, Disney+ and other platforms often recognise Mullvad's IP addresses and block access. Mullvad deliberately invests no resources in the cat-and-mouse game with streaming services – the company sees its purpose in privacy, not entertainment. For everyday browsing, downloads and communication, Mullvad is very well suited. Torrenting is allowed. Scoring (15/20): A fast protocol (WireGuard) for everyday use. A clear deduction for the lack of streaming unblocking, which is a decisive criterion for many users.

According to its own server list, Mullvad operates more than 500 active servers in 50 countries – the smallest network in the comparison, but deliberately so. Mullvad focuses on quality rather than quantity: all servers are either its own bare-metal servers or long-term rented dedicated machines. There are no virtual locations. Transparency is exemplary: on the website, every single server is listed with hostname, location, operator and ownership status (owned/rented). This openness is unique in the industry. Multi-hop (Double VPN) is possible by manually configuring two servers. For users in Europe and North America, coverage is sufficient. Anyone who needs servers in exotic regions such as Africa or the Middle East, however, will not find them at Mullvad. Scoring (10/18): A small but high-quality server fleet with exemplary transparency. A clear deduction for the low number, limited country coverage and missing special servers.

Mullvad's apps are functional and minimalist – no frills, no world map, no marketing overlay. The desktop apps (Windows, macOS, Linux) are open source and can be viewed on GitHub. The user interface shows the connection status, a server list and basic settings – nothing more. Up to 5 devices can be connected at the same time – the lowest figure in the comparison. Split tunnelling is available on Windows, Linux and Android but not on macOS and iOS. There is no ad blocker, no password manager and no extra features – Mullvad is a VPN and nothing else. Customer service is by email only. There is no live chat. The knowledge base is technically excellent but aimed at experienced users. Scoring (12/20): Solid, minimalist apps with open-source transparency. Clear deductions for only 5 devices, no live chat, no extra features and the spartan interface.

Mullvad's pricing model is refreshingly simple: €5 a month. Full stop. There are no long-term contracts, no discount promotions, no lock-ins. Every month costs €5, and you can cancel at any time. This honesty stands in stark contrast to the industry, which advertises “from €2.19 a month” but demands a 2-year upfront payment and then renews at a higher price. The payment methods are varied: credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, Monero, cash by post and even bank transfer. Anyone who sends cash in an envelope to Mullvad's address in Gothenburg can use the service completely anonymously. There is no free plan, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. The €5 a month is fair when you consider the philosophy and quality. Compared with Surfshark (€2.49 a month) or CyberGhost (€2.19 a month) on the 2-year plan, however, Mullvad is around twice as expensive in the first term – without streaming support or extra features. In return, there is no price jump on renewal (NordVPN Basic, for example, €139.08 a year). Scoring (8/12): An honest, transparent pricing model without lock-in. A deduction because €5 a month is expensive in comparison and there is no free tier. The cash option is unique.