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ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.9/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 6.1/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Daniel Krohn
    Daniel Krohn

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Express and Mullvad VPN are like two beasts in a fight, with different features that may help them win, as long as they are used in the right way. Both have a kill switch, both give the user access to various countries, both are compatible with major operating systems, and they both let you access Netflix from different locations. Mullvad allows the user to pay with Bitcoin and with cash, which is a big advantage for it, as it makes payment easier on the user's part and allows for anonymous payment. Both Express and Mullvad allow connections to 3 devices simultaneously, and both give the user access to their VPNs via tablets and smartphones. Also a mutual benefit is the availability of access of China. Choosing between these two VPNs may prove to be a hard task, but what Mullvad lacks, Express makes up for it in a very impressive way.

    Rating

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.2/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 6.1/10
    Pricing 6.8/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.4/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    10.0/10

    ExpressVPN is one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, but the one drawback has always been the price. It often offers discounts that make it more affordable, but there are other decent VPNs offering similar security features for much cheaper. So, do you really need to pay so much for a VPN as good as ExpressVPN? To find the answer, I performed extensive tests on desktop and mobile devices run...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    T
    Trygve
    10.0/10
    Fantastic VPN

    I have just started using ExpressVPN and I must say that I was very impressed by how user-friendly it ... was and how easy it was to set up on the different devices I have at home. I also tested their customer service with chat and they were quick to respond and I got good help. I can recommend this productMore

    Latest negative user review
    C
    Charli
    6.0/10
    Ok, but expensive

    Seems ok, but I wouldn't say it's worth $20AUD a month. That's steep if you live in a backwater like A... ustralia, where the currency is not valuable. Easy enough to set up - you don't need to be Einstein - but unless you're a tech nerd who can take a look under the bonnet, you'll just have to trust what they say about their product. It frequently drops out without the slightest warning, often when it's the only thing online at the time - despite fast and flawless fiber internet, rendering expression entirely useless UNLESS you have it sitting on your desktop where you can keep an eagle eye on it to actually see it when it drops out so you can kick it back into service again (it doesn't do it by itself), which seems to defeat its purpose, so I'm taking away 2 stars for that. Support is good and they do get back to you as fast as they can.More

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Ren Sayer
    Ren Sayer

    Senior Writer

    7.0/10

    Mullvad VPN has been popular among privacy buffs for some time now, but I’ve always wondered about its other features. Does it offer good value for your money? To find out, I tested its mobile and desktop apps and did some thorough research on its features. From this, it’s clear that Mullvad VPN offers more than privacy and has strong security features — it isn’t far behind the premium...

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    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    This is the best !

    This is definitely the best VPN I have ever used ! First, there is no password for this service accou... nt. Second, the kill switch cannot be turned off. This is great news for error-prone users ! Third, payment for services can be made in bitcoin or monero. This helps improve anonymity. Fourth, and this is guaranteed by other services, is that it is open source and no-log. The service is operated in Sweden and can be trusted with respect to privacy. The disadvantages are higher fees and fewer servers than other companies. However, compared to the above four advantages, this is not a major issue. I would recommend this level of service to my family and close friends. fantastic !!!!!More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Anonymously
    4.0/10
    Bad service

    Used to work fine, now it's messed up my internet connection twice when I tried to install it. It some... how messes with my modem or something and now I'm struggling to try to get it back working again. Waste of money, twice and now I'm quarantined without my internet working, thank mullvad you've ruined the coming days for me...More

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    More Info

    Pricing

    Starting price $6.67/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    See Plans

    Best VPN by category

    Best VPN Overall

    Mullvad VPN has come a long way to compete closely with a top-ranked provider like ExpressVPN. The two VPNs share many features, such as strong encryption and advanced security features like a kill switch and split tunneling. Both services reliably give you access to heavily restricted content, and both providers offer cross-platform support. However, ExpressVPN wins by a thin margin thanks to its much larger server network, faster speeds, and location in the British Virgin Islands, a privacy haven.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    ExpressVPN allows torrenting on all its ultra-fast servers without speed or bandwidth limits. Mullvad VPN also permits torrenting, but on a much smaller number of servers with slower speeds.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Both ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN have superb native apps for Windows. Mullvad VPN’s Windows client is user-friendly, customizable, and has a built-in kill switch, but even these features aren't quite enough to match ExpressVPN's app. ExpressVPN for Windows is easier to use, faster, and more attractive. It also includes a Smart Location option to help you choose the fastest server available with one click.

    Best VPN for Android

    This is where Mullvad VPN falls far behind. The provider doesn't offer a custom client for Android devices. You need to use a third party OpenVPN client to manually configure your connection, which isn’t very convenient for most users. ExpressVPN wins this category easily with an elegant, fast, and very user-friendly Android app that you can run on three devices at the same time.

    Best VPN for Mac

    These two VPNs offer custom apps for Mac that are very similar to their Windows clients. They’re both easy to use by beginners and advanced VPN users alike, have kill switches, and allow you to change connection settings. However, ExpressVPN offers more server locations, more tunneling protocols, and higher connection speeds.

    Best VPN for iOS

    As with Android, Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer a native client for iOS. If you want to connect to Mullvad VPN on your iOS device, you need to manually configure the VPN using a third party OpenVPN app or your device's built-in VPN capabilities. ExpressVPN makes things much easier with a slick and user-friendly app for your iOS devices. Like all ExpressVPN apps, it's very fast and has an elegant interface.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN both have a strong server presence in the US. Each has servers in more than 20 US cities, and both can jump over geo-restrictions to unblock popular websites and streaming services, including US Netflix. However, while Mullvad VPN delivers high speeds, it can't match ExpressVPN’s super-fast connections.

    The Bottom Line

    Express has unlimited bandwidth and speed, which Mullvad lacks in as its speed cannot come anywhere near that of Express. Mullvad only allows a 3-hour trial and only has a 1-month plan, whereas Express has a 30-day money back guarantee option and various payment plans. Express has a router app that allows the user to protect their entire home in one subscription, which makes it a better choice of the two. Additionally, ExpressVPN's customer service is top notch with options of live chat, direct email and a contact form, as compared to Mullvad’s poor customer service. With that said, Express VPN is our winner without a shadow of the doubt.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with ExpressVPN
    Go with Mullvad VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than Mullvad VPN. It has 3000 servers in 94 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $6.67 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then ExpressVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is ExpressVPN faster than Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than Mullvad VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do ExpressVPN or Mullvad VPN offer any deals?

    Both ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.