Key takeaways

• Mullvad VPN has a unique fixed-pricing system for short- and long-term subscribers.
• The VPN is optimized to provide strong protection and achieves top speeds ideal for high-bandwidth browsing and streaming.
• Mullvad lacks native apps for some devices, has a small server count, and limits simultaneous connections.

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Mullvad is a VPN service by the Swedish company Amagicom AB. It's primarily known for its solid privacy and also for pioneering some of the most unique VPN features, like secure tunnels resistant to quantum computing threats.

Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed

Although Mullvad isn't always mentioned in the best VPNs conversation around the web, my hands-on tests show it's just as reliable as NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Save for some shortcomings, such as a limited server network, low compatibility, and a reduced number of simultaneous connections, it remains a good option for speed and online security.

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Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN offers users fixed subscription rates and high reliability, focusing on privacy and anonymity.

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Fixed subscription rates are ideal for most

Mullvad costs roughly$5 per month, subject to the dollar rate exchange. Its fixed-pricing model applies whether you're buying a short or extended subscription (you're also free to choose the number of months you want). Comparatively, services like Surfshark charge as much as$15.45 for a single-month subscription.

The pricing model may be off-putting to some long-term users. If you're buying a Mullvad VPN bundle that lasts two years, for example, it'll cost you$120, while Surfshark has an introductory offer of$59.13 for the same duration. However, the renewal cost for such alternative services will rise tremendously after your first term. NordVPN's basic plan, for instance, renews at$139.08 per year after the initial offer of$81.16 for two years. 

Also: TunnelBear VPN review: An affordable, easy-to-use VPN with a few notable pitfalls

To avoid collecting users' information like email addresses and payment card numbers, Mullvad encourages using cryptocurrency payments (you get a 10% discount) or mailing cash. But if you don't mind exposing a bit of your information, you can pay with convenient methods like credit/debit cards, wire transfers, and PayPal. The money-back policy has been reduced from 30 to 14 days, but unfortunately, cash and crypto payments don't qualify for refunds.

Mullvad's online security and anonymity features

Founded on the promise of providing freedom from mass surveillance and online censorship, Mullvad has all the features of a standard VPN plus more. The AES-256-GCM encryption combined with perfect forward secrecy technology is strong enough for threats like brute-force and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. There's a regular and an always-on kill switch (Lockdown mode), both of which ensure that your devices don't access the internet outside the VPN tunnel and leak your sensitive data.

Also: Is your phone eavesdropping on you? Try NordVPN's simple test to find out

One unique aspect of Mullvad is its ability to protect against advanced traffic analysis technology, thanks to the DAITA (defense against AI-guided traffic analysis) feature. It scrambles data packets to and from your device, making it impossible for anyone (like your ISP) to analyze and monitor your activities online.

Tunneling protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN also provide secure connections without compromising speed. But that's not all. Mullvad has Quantum-resistant tunnels for both protocols, giving you protection from modern advanced threats posed by quantum computers. The protocols are customizable. For example, you can switch ports and turn on obfuscation (with Shadowsocks) to disguise your VPN usage from firewalls that block encrypted traffic.

Now to the question of whether Mullvad VPN can expose your identity. Some Reddit users did rounds of diagnostic tests and, apparently, discovered that it can leak DNS information on Android devices. Mullvad developers responded, confirming that traffic can leak outside the VPN tunnel. They blamed the Android ecosystem (not the app) and proposed some security measures to Google. 

I, too, conducted leak tests on Mac, Windows, and Android. I made sure to turn on security settings like the kill switch, and I then enabled IPv6 connections (to check whether it secures IPv4 and IPv6 traffic). Then I connected to dozens of servers and checked whether my details, including IP, DNS, and WebRTC requests, were showing on leak-test platforms. My information was well secured, demonstrating the VPN's robustness at hiding users' identities.

In an effort to boost privacy further, Mullvad VPN switched to diskless RAM-only servers in 2023. These are servers that periodically reboot and delete user data that may have been logged. Plus, you don't need personal information to create an account, which makes it harder for your activities to be traced.

Also: When you should use a VPN - and when you shouldn't

Mullvad recommends using the VPN app together with its other free safe-browsing tools, such as Mullvad Browser and Mullvad Search. These are designed to add anonymity to your browsing activities by blocking data collection through trackers, cookies, and fingerprinting techniques.

Mullvad is based in Sweden, a country with strict data protection laws and minimal retention practices. Also, the VPN doesn't log user activity, a policy that was verified when police raided Mullvad offices in Gothenburg in 2023. The officers acted after getting requests from German prosecutors in regard to an ongoing case, but they left empty-handed because there was no data. This, perhaps, might be enough consolation for those worried that their private information could be shared with authorities in other countries due to Sweden's 14 Eyes Alliance membership.

Remarkable server connections for low latency gaming

Another area where Mullvad VPN thrives is speed. You can expect quick connections with either protocol, though theoretically WireGuard should be much faster. It's recommended to select automatic protocol settings so the app can always choose for you. Remember to also choose servers nearest to your location for the best performance, although connections can still be affected by many other factors, like congestion during peak usage times.

Also: The best VPN for gaming: Expert tested and reviewed

Mullvad VPN speeds came close to my 150Mbps baseline home connection when I connected to the South African servers (I am located in Kenya). It clocked 139Mbps on my first readings and consistently remained above 120Mbps on my successive tests of the app (ranging from a 7% to 20% drop). Mullvad met my expectations even in locations outside my region, like the US and Australia, though the server presence in a few countries meant I was a bit limited. Also, connecting or switching servers takes barely 2 seconds, a big contrast with big players like Surfshark, which at times take a full minute to connect. Here's a summary of how the VPN performed in some select locations.

Aside from the consistent download speeds, upload speeds also remained stable, and latency didn't shoot as much. That's every gamer's dream, because these conditions are ideal for achieving lag-free gaming while connected to the VPN. Still, you'll have to use the servers closest to you for the best results.

What about streaming and torrenting?

Mullvad's small network of roughly 650 servers in 49 countries makes it less preferred for switching IP addresses internationally. The best VPNs for travel, like ExpressVPN, run servers in more than 100 countries, making it much easier to spoof your location anywhere. Again, Mullvad VPN doesn't provide optimized servers or static and dedicated IPs, which is a drawback for users who may prefer private IPs over shared ones.

The first time I launched the app, I experienced some server connectivity issues. The VPN kept rerouting through multiple US locations without connecting. After a few trials, I turned off the Quantum-resistant tunnel in WireGuard settings, and the VPN connected without problems. This might have been an isolated case, but if you encounter similar issues, try disabling this setting and see whether it helps. You can also check the Mullvad website if the servers you're trying to connect to are offline.

Also: The best Netflix VPNs: Expert tested and reviewed

Server infrastructure aside, is Mullvad good for streaming? Yes, the fast speeds are ideal for ultra-HD streaming, though according to some reviews online, Mullvad might not be as reliable for bypassing geo-restrictions. In my streaming test, however, Mullvad worked with multiple Netflix libraries, including those in the US, UK, and Japan, accessing content on the first try (I didn't get any error notifications on repeat trials either). 

Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports, and ESPN Plus are also among the platforms that worked with Mullvad. But take note that streaming platforms are getting better at blocking VPNs, which means you're never guaranteed that your VPN of choice will work every time.

Mullvad also supports torrenting on all its servers, and the fast speeds are a bonus for performance. However, it might not be the best VPN for peer-to-peer file sharing, due to the lack of dedicated torrenting features. Port forwarding, for example, was discontinued in 2023 because of misuse and security concerns. Also, the torrent client setup guidelines previously published on the website have since been removed.

User experience and compatible devices

Mullvad's sign-up and sign-in processes are as simple as they get. There's no need to type or remember your username or password; you can just copy and paste the unique code generated for your account (from the website) and you're good to go. It's advisable to keep the code safe and accessible, since it's the only way to use the service. But Mullvad also offers account recovery options if you lose your login details.

The app has a minimalistic design, convenient for the less tech-savvy and the experienced alike. The app's default settings are optimized for best performance, but you do have advanced configurations from the settings panel, including API access setup. It's easy to manage servers from the app. For instance, you can create custom server lists and populate them with your favorite servers (rented or Mullvad-owned) for easy access.

Mullvad's compatibility is limited, offering only native apps for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. You may use some workarounds to get it operational on noncompatible devices like smart TVs. One way is to configure the VPN's WireGuard or OpenVPN settings on your router (if it supports either of those protocols) and then connect your devices to the network. Installing Mullvad on a router is preferred if you want to exceed the maximum five-device limit set by the provider.

Also: The best Android VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed

You can also install Mullvad on Android TV devices using the APK file on the website, or use remote media networking tools like Tailscale to set up Apple TV with Mullvad VPN as the exit note. All these methods may be too complex for a regular VPN user who prefers using a simple app.

's buying advice

Mullvad is a value VPN mainly for those looking for anonymity and fast speeds. Its one-price policy is also appealing if you don't want to be overcharged for short-term use. Plus, it's a fairly decent pick for international streaming and geo-blocks. However, the VPN's many limitations, like dismal multiuser support and middling server distribution, can adversely impact your overall experience. It's definitely worth trying if you don't have a long list of expectations.

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