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.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.

ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN 2024

Table of Contents

    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.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 8.1/10
    Pricing 9.5/10
    Ease of Use 8.0/10
    Reliability & Support 7.8/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.9/10

    ExpressVPN is one of the most popular and trusted names in the industry. It’s known for being one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, so I wanted to see if it can live up to these claims. It’s not the cheapest VPN, but it often offers discounts that make it a better value for the money. Other decent VPNs offer similar security features for much cheaper. So, do you really need to pay that muc...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    K
    Kriss
    10.0/10
    Great

    I've been an ExpressVPN customer since 2017 and it's been great: quickly connects to a nearby server i... n the Wash DC region, embedded shortcuts to apps I want to use while using VPN, disconnects quickly, has the kill switch feature which is necessary these days, and has a fine mobile app which works well on my Android phones and tablets. However, I was just notified that the annual price is jumping from $99 to $117 upon the next renewal, so it's time to see how the others compare within VPN Mentor.More

    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

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Ren Sayer
    Ren Sayer

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 8.1/10

    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 V...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    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.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Amon
    2.0/10
    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 re... commended Sweden is tightening with anti-privacy rules... mullvad.net/pt/help/swedish-covert-surveillance-data-act/More

    Pricing

    Starting price $6.67/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 8 devices
    Starting price $5.53/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices

    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

    Similar to its status on Android, Mullvad VPN doesn't provide a native client for iOS. To establish a connection to Mullvad VPN on your iOS gadget, you're required to manually set up the VPN via a third-party OpenVPN application or utilize your device's inherent VPN functionalities. Conversely, ExpressVPN simplifies the process with a sleek and intuitive app for your iOS devices. Like all ExpressVPN applications, it's remarkably speedy and showcases a sophisticated interface.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN both boast robust server networks in the United States, with each provider offering servers in over 20 cities across the country. Both VPNs excel at bypassing geo-restrictions, enabling access to popular websites and streaming services, including US Netflix. However, it's worth noting that while Mullvad VPN delivers impressive speeds, it falls short of matching the super-fast connections offered by ExpressVPN.

    The Bottom Line

    ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and speed, outperforming Mullvad, whose speed falls significantly short in comparison. Mullvad provides only a 3-hour trial and a single 1-month plan, while ExpressVPN features a 30-day money-back guarantee and multiple payment options. ExpressVPN's router app enables users to secure their entire home with a single subscription, making it the superior choice between the two. Furthermore, ExpressVPN's customer service excels with live chat, direct email, and contact form options, as opposed to Mullvad's subpar support. Consequently, ExpressVPN is our indisputable winner.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than Mullvad VPN. It has 3000 servers in 105 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.

    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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.

    About the Author

    Technical writer with a passion for online privacy.