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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Mullvad VPN Review 2024: Does It Keep Your Data Safe?

Our Score: 7.4/10
Ranked 22nd out of 198 VPNs
Matthew Amos Updated on 10th December 2024 Fact-checked by Anneke van Aswegen Senior Editor

Mullvad is considered one of the most privacy-friendly VPNs and is especially popular for torrenting. However, after a recent controversy, it dropped its port forwarding feature. It’s also not as cheap as many think, so is Mullvad still worth it?

Despite a few flaws, I am confident I can recommend Mullvad VPN. Its privacy features are some of the best, and its security isn’t far behind. Plus, it’s still a good choice for gaming and P2P. However, its server network is small, and it doesn’t offer the best customer service. So, there is still a way to go before it becomes one of the top VPNs.

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

Mullvad VPN Features — 2024 Update

7.4
💸 Price 5.39 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 686+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Sweden
🛠 Support Email support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Not Optimized for Secure Streaming

5.0

My global team and I had a lot of problems trying to stream safely with Mullvad VPN. This isn’t one of the VPNs biggest selling points and many popular platforms didn’t work. It also requires quite a bit of troubleshooting.

Be advised. The VPNs we usually recommend follow strict privacy policies to keep your online activities anonymous. That means you’ll be solely responsible for how you use it. The vpnMentor team and I urge you to please use any VPN lawfully and to never break copyright laws.

Works With: Netflix, Max, Disney+, and ESPN+

Mullvad can safely access Netflix libraries from anywhere with excellent quality. It supported uninterrupted streaming on Netflix UK, Japan, Spain, and the US. Videos loaded almost instantly, taking no more than 5 seconds to start, which is quite impressive.

Screenshot of Netflix player streaming Avatar The Last Airbender while connected to a Dallas Mullvad VPN server I didn't experience any buffering, and the videos played in HD

I was happy that it didn’t prevent us from watching the full US Netflix library, like some VPNs do. We could also watch Japan, UK, and Spain Netflix libraries uninterrupted. We never had to wait longer than 4 seconds for videos to begin, which is pretty impressive.

Mullvad VPN also makes it possible to access Max from anywhere without buffering. Although the platform took a little longer to start — about 7 seconds — the overall playback experience was great.

Screenshot of Max player streaming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom while connected to a Chicago Mullvad serverI could skip around the video without any added buffering

At first, Disney+ would just load indefinitely when connected to multiple US servers. Eventually, with the Dallas server and the automatic protocol setting selected, we could get it working. However, I can’t guarantee it will always work for you, as our attempts to stream other Disney+ libraries were unsuccessful.

We ran into a similar issue with ESPN+. It took some time to find a server that would actually let us stream content on the platform.

Doesn't Work With: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and ITVX

Mullvad VPN can't securely access Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, or BBC iPlayer. Sometimes, switching protocols or trying a different browser can improve your streaming experience. Unfortunately, that never worked for us. Although the VPN let us browse the ITVX library, we encountered an error message every time we tried to play a video.

Screenshot of Hulu blocking a login attempt while connected to a Denver Mullvad serverI tried each protocol and several browsers, but none worked

The best VPNs make it much easier to keep your connection encrypted without missing out on your favorite  platforms. I recommend you check out our list of the top VPNs for streaming to find a service that won’t interrupt your viewing habits.

Speed — Decent Rates, but Inconsistent

6.6

Mullvad is capable of offering great speeds, but it’s unpredictable. During our tests, some servers were much slower than we expected, or the speeds would vary a lot depending on when the test was done.

My teammate and I tested several of Mullvad’s worldwide servers for speeds only. This was necessary to assess its overall performance.

Our speed expert in Indonesia conducted the tests for the chart below. She always measures results at least 10 times on each server before creating averages. All tests were done with the WireGuard protocol since it was the fastest.

Screenshot of a chart showing speed test results for various worldwide Mullvad serversWe lost 27% on nearby servers and 39% on distant ones

Many of these results were quite surprising, like how the UK server was faster than the closest location. The top VPNs will only drop your rates by 10-20% on nearby servers, and the Singapore server came close to that, so it’s not a bad result. But, you’d expect it to be faster than a location that’s over 8,000 km farther away.

However, I did some tests on my own since there are servers much closer to where I live. The nearest server could sometimes improve my speeds, but it also dropped it by 45% in one test. This occurred with the Dallas location, which is only 300 km from me.

I believe Mullvad’s speeds are unpredictable due to overcrowding. It doesn’t have the largest server network and each server only comes with one IP that’s shared by everyone connected to it.

Unfortunately, Mullvad doesn’t give you any way to see how crowded its servers are. This means you might have to hop around to different servers just to get a decent connection rate.

On the plus side, we rarely found servers that lowered our speeds more than 50%, no matter how far away they were. So, it’s definitely not a slow VPN. However, if you want a better chance of getting great speeds on every server, you can take a look at our list of the fastest VPNs.

Gaming — Great Choice for Uninterrupted Gameplay

9.4

Mullvad does a great job of keeping you safe without affecting your online gaming experience. Many VPNs can cause issues with your gameplay because just about any time your connection is rerouted, you’re going to get increased ping rates.

You need your ping to be below 85ms to play games without any additional lag. Lag will cause a delay between when you press a button and when your character reacts, making the game impossible to enjoy.

Screenshot of World of Tanks being played while connected to Mullvad's Johannesburg South Africa serverMy tank responded to my inputs the instance I pressed them

Any time my teammates or I connected to local servers, our ping was low enough for gaming. While many distant servers gave us ping rates that were too high, that’s common. I actually haven’t found a VPN that lets you play games without lag on far away servers.

Server Network — Small, but Secure

6.8

Mullvad has 686 servers in 44 countries. While this is far less than top VPNs, the network provides fair coverage. You’ll find most Mullvad servers in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, with dozens of city-specific server options. There are even connections in places like Hong Kong.

I also appreciate how much information it lists about every server on its site. Most importantly the website lets you know which servers are rented and which ones it owns.

Screenshot of Mullvad's server list in the app and a server list from its website showing which servers are rentedI appreciate that you can choose your location and your server

It doesn’t use any virtual servers, which are located somewhere other than the one listed. Mullvad also claims its servers are kept in highly secure data centers.

Mullvad does not offer dedicated IPs, which some of its competitors sell for a little more each month. These can be helpful if you need a consistent IP to run a website. Similarly, Mullvad doesn’t offer any specialized server types besides its “Bridge” servers. That’s just its name for its double VPN compatible locations, and there are about 30 of them.

On a more positive note, I was impressed that I could always connect to a server within 3 seconds. I’ve tested many VPNs that can take 30 seconds or more to make connections and sometimes even longer to disconnect.

Lastly, all of Mullvad’s servers are RAM-only, which means they delete all of the information on them after each reboot. So, while Mullvad doesn’t have the largest network, I do love the privacy features.

Security — Great Features Depending on Your Device

7.2

Mullvad is a secure VPN, but certain apps have fewer features. Some features are also implemented strangely. For example, to use the Shadowsocks protocol, you have to access Mullvad’s multihop (or double VPN) feature. If you’re trying to increase torrenting speeds with Shadowsocks, you can forget about it because “Bridge” will severely lower your speeds.

The double VPN feature isn’t available on mobile devices, and you’ll see many more instances where cool options are left out of certain apps. However, on the plus side, Mullvad did pass all of my leak tests. This is thanks to its AES 256-bit encryption, which is standard in most popular VPNs and nearly unbreakable.

Screenshot of leak tests on ipleak.net done while connected to Mullvad's Latvia serverIt also offers IPv6 protection and prevents WebRTC leaks

One feature I’m happy to see included in all its native apps is its content/ad blocker. On top of annoying ads, it can also block gambling, social media, and adult websites. You can also toggle on malware and tracker blockers.

It blocked around 90% of the ads the testing site I visited threw at me. It couldn’t block everything (like some video ads), but I’ve yet to find an ad blocker that works against 100% of advertisements.

Protocols

Mullvad uses the very secure OpenVPN (both TCP and UDP ports) and WireGuard protocols. These are 2 of the most advanced and popular options. OpenVPN UDP is considered more reliable, while TCP is faster. Any version of OpenVPN is safe since it’s open-source, meaning it’s constantly checked for vulnerabilities.

WireGuard is also secure and was the fastest protocol in our tests. As mentioned above, Shadowsocks is only available via its “Bridge” feature.

Kill Switch

A kill switch acts as your last line of defense when your VPN connection unexpectedly drops. Mullvad has a built-in kill switch that can never be disabled, but it's only available on its desktop apps. I tested it by trying to load a page when changing servers on my laptop, and it said my connection was cut off.

Its “Lockdown” mode simply prevents you from going online without connecting to Mullvad, so it’s similar to other VPNs “Always-on” features.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling allows you to use your VPN connection and local network at the same time. Mullvad only offers split tunneling on its Android, Windows, and Linux apps. When I tried it on my Android smartphone, I could use my local banking app without issues by keeping it out of the VPN tunnel.

Privacy — Requires Less Data Than Nearly Any VPN

9.4

Mullvad has some of the best privacy features of any VPN. The signup process is excellent since you can pay with cash or crypto, and you don’t have to provide any further information. My only minor concern is its headquarters.

Mullvad had one minor security breach in early 2020. It was a privilege escalation attack on versions 2020.3 and older, and it only affected users who may have had a Windows account named build. By the time Mullvad reported the attack, most users were protected because they’d already upgraded to version 2020.4 or were never in any danger. It also started having independent audits soon after, which haven’t found any major vulnerabilities.

Does Mullvad Keep Logs? No

Mullvad doesn’t keep any activity logs. All it requires at sign up is your payment method (and you can use cash or crypto), which is in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Its servers do record the number of current VPN connections and the amount of bandwidth used. This information is anonymized, meaning it can’t be linked to you. All VPNs need to record a minimal amount of data to keep their infrastructure running, and it’s tough to find a VPN that collects less than Mullvad.

Was Mullvad VPN Audited? Yes

Mullvad has undergone multiple independent audits that prove they follow their claims. I like that it uses different companies each year to conduct these. So far, it’s been audited by Cure53, Radically Open Security, and Assured AB, all highly reputable firms.

I appreciate that the full results for each audit can be read on its website. While that might seem like a given, I’ve encountered several VPNs that don’t share the results of their audits.

A few minor fixes have been suggested with each audit, but Mullvad has never been found to log identifiable customer data. These audits have been a great step in improving its reputation after its past controversy.

Based in Sweden

Mullvad is located in Sweden, which is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. This is an agreement between governments to share their citizens’ information. While some claim that Sweden’s laws are pretty favorable to VPNs, I still prefer it when VPNs keep their headquarters outside of the Eyes Alliance.

However, the good thing is that Mullvad won’t have anything to share if it’s ever forced to hand over information. So, its location isn't a concern.

Does Mullvad VPN Work in China? No Guarantee

Mullvad's support claims there are customers who use it in China, but it’s possible it won’t work there.

Screenshot of an email response from Mullvad where they say some customers claim to use it in China They recommend using Bridge mode to access Shadowsocks

While the Chinese government has banned many VPNs, there have been no publicly-reported cases of them going after individuals for using them. We don’t condone any illegal activities, so we recommend you read up on the laws before deciding to use a VPN in the region.

There are someVPNs that have been proven to work there. If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out our list of the best VPNs for China.

Torrenting — Barely Lowered My Download Speeds

9.0

All of Mullvad’s servers are enabled for P2P file-sharing. Along with its excellent privacy and security features, this makes it a good choice for torrenting. Even without port forwarding, its speeds are still very good.

I could download a 700MB copyright-free movie in about 10 minutes with no VPN connected. With a US Mullvad server, it only took me 16 minutes to complete the same file.

There are a few VPNs I’ve tested that lower my speeds less, but not by much, so I was happy with this result. While torrenting is legal in most countries, downloading copyrighted files isn’t. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities, so we advise you to only access torrents within the public domain.

Installation & Apps

7.2

Installation & Apps — Easy-To-Use, but All Apps Aren’t Created Equal

Mullvad’s apps are easy to set up and use, but I wish its features were more uniform.

Screenshot of Mullvad's Windows app showing its various settings menusIt can take a little getting used to to find everything

The apps are attractive and fairly simple to navigate. I would prefer it if there were a few more tabs because it can be a bit confusing trying to figure where each feature is placed. Otherwise, I have no issues with the apps’ actual design.

Setup & Installation

If you’re downloading Mullvad to one of the major operating systems, it won’t take longer than 3 minutes to get started.

Screenshot of the Mullvad websites' download page highlighting where to get in the install file for WindowsYou can download it from the site or through your mobile store

I was especially impressed by how easy it is to set up on Linux. There’s a full GUI, and it can be installed without using the command line, which I love.

Device Compatibility

Mullvad works with all major operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can also install its app on Chromebook too. To use it on WiFi devices like your smart TV, PlayStation, or Xbox, you need to install Mullvad on a VPN-compatible router. The router setup instructions can be found on Mullvad’s FAQ page under “routers."

The router setup is also required for media players like Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon FireStick. However, you can install its app on Android TV.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have any browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. However, it does offer its own browser for Windows. It recommends using this in tandem with your VPN and claims it’s as secure as the Tor browser. The Mullvad browser automatically opens in private/incognito mode as well.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux

I appreciate that all of these devices get the same protocols, but you miss out on split tunneling on Mac. Thankfully, each one of these native apps comes with the kill switch. Otherwise, the apps are nearly identical in design and organization.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

I’m disappointed that there’s no kill switch for mobile devices. You also can’t access split tunneling with an iPhone. Without the kill switch, I can’t feel completely safe using these mobile apps. To get one of the best VPNs for your phone, you can read this list of the top VPNs for mobile.

Router Compatibility

You can manually install Mullvad on certain routers, but it’s a bit complicated. There are guides on its site for connecting to its servers on ASUS Merlin, OpenWRT, and DD-WRT routers. However, sometimes you have to replace the firmware, which could damage your router if it’s done improperly.

It also doesn’t offer a full router app with features like a kill switch. If you want to easily keep all the devices in your household safe, I’d recommend you take a look at our list of the best VPNs for routers.

Simultaneous Device Connections

You can connect up to 5 devices at the same time under one Mullvad account. To test this, I connected my Windows laptop, smartphone, Android tablet, old MacBook Pro, and old iPhone at the same time. As expected, I didn’t experience any lag or slow down whatsoever.

Pricing

7.0
1 Month Plan
$ 5.39 / month per month
1 year Plan
$ 5.39 / month per month
1 decade Plan
$ 5.39 / year per year

Pricing — Average and No Long-Term Discounts

Mullvad has a flat-rate pricing structure, which means that you pay the same amount (5 EUR) per month for every subscription type (monthly, yearly, or by the decade). Compared to other VPNs, its price is in the middle at (in USD) $5.39/month — not too cheap but not too expensive.

It only offers a 10% discount when paying by cryptocurrencies. Mullvad’s price hasn’t changed since 2009 either, and its website states that it never intends to change its price.

This VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which lets you try it before committing. I wanted to test this out, and I was impressed by how easy it was to cancel via email.

Screenshot of an email from Mullvad's support staff approving my cancellation and refundWith no live chat, I can't guarantee they're always this fast

Mullvad offers a variety of payment options, including credit card, PayPal, Swish, SEPA, GiroPay, Monero, Bancontact, Przelewy24, iDEAL, Bankwire, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Mullvad vouchers. Additionally, they provide the unique option of cash payment by mailing physical bills (in 10 different currencies).

Reliability & Support

5.8

Reliability and Support — No Live Chat

You can only contact Mullvad via email, and it can take a while to get responses. This was disappointing as just about every top VPN offers a 24/7 live chat these days. I will say that there were a few instances when I was answered immediately (like when I wanted to cancel). However, sometimes it took much longer.

Screenshot of email response from Mullvad support about dedicated servers, virtual servers, and server load percentages Sometimes it took nearly 24 hours to get an email response

Its website provides a decent FAQ section, but nothing beats having an actual conversation. Plus, unlike some other VPNs that only offer email support, I always felt like Mullvad staff wanted to spend as little time as possible answering my questions. This VPN is impressive in many areas, but it has a lot of catching up to do in this category.

Compare Mullvad VPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4
Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — Privacy-Friendly and Great for Torrenting and Gaming

When it comes to privacy and security, Mullvad is a great choice. You won’t find many VPNs with better logging policies or more privacy-friendly sign up processes. Its security features are great too, and I was especially impressed with its ad blocker.

However, it’s not perfect. Its server network is small, there’s no 24/7 live chat, and some of its apps are missing crucial features. The price isn’t that cheap either when you compare it to the long-term deals many of its competitors offer. I recommend you check out our top-ranked VPNs first before committing to Mullvad VPN.

  • Privacy-friendly sign up process
  • Great for gaming
  • Fast downloads
  • Solid security
  • Excellent no-logs policy

FAQs on Mullvad VPN

How much does Mullvad cost, and is there a free version?

Mullvad costs $5 Euros per month, and there is no free version. However, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which lets you try it without risk. The monthly price for Mullvad is the same for all subscription types because it uses a flat-rate pricing system, and the price has stayed the same since its inception in 2009.

Is Mullvad safe to use?

Yes, Mullvad VPN is safe. It passed all of my leak tests, and it comes with necessary security features like a kill switch. On top of that, it has one of the best no-logs policies in the business. After a minor vulnerability was revealed in 2020, it started having annual independent audits of its policies, which has proved it follows its claims.

Is Mullvad VPN better than NordVPN?

No, NordVPN is better than MullvadVPN in several areas. It offers faster speeds, a bigger server network, and excellent customer service via its 24/7 live chat. Mullvad can only be contacted by email, and NordVPN is actually cheaper with its long-term plans.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: mullvad.net
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Mullvad VPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
8.2
Based on 68 reviews in 9 languages

Write a Review on Mullvad VPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Anonymous
Anonymous
10/10
Simplicity at its best...

I have tried several premium VPNs with all the bells and whistles but when I came accross Mullvad VPN I was very please on its security level and how simple it was to set up. No Email address to sign up a big plus. Very happy with Mullvad VPN :)

Anonymous
Anonymous
10/10
Happy with it

Contrary to what this article states, some servers do work with Amazon Video, you might have to cycle through a few to find one but there are ones that work. Secondly, I've had more success with Mullvad in China using the WG servers than other VPNs. I currently have this setup running on a GL-inet router and it's working great.

Amon
Amon
2/10
Mullvad-vpn is no longer so secure and private...

Mullvad-vpn is no longer so secure and private... There are new rules that make this vpn a bit not recommended Sweden is tightening with anti-privacy rules... mullvad.net/pt/help/swedish-covert-surveillance-data-act/

      About the Author

      Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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