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NordVPN vs VPN Unlimited vs Mullvad VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.4/10
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    Rated: 6.5/10
    %s User Reviews
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    Rated: 6.1/10
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    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Catherine Ablett
    Catherine Ablett

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    There are several benefits to each of these VPN services. Both NordVPN and Mullvad are based in VPN-friendly locations, Panama and Sweden respectively unlike VPN Unlimited, which is US-based, and therefore subject to US law. However, VPN Unlimited does come out miles ahead in terms of the number of servers and IP addresses that it has; only NordVPN comes close in terms of the number of server locations. But, in terms of security NordVPN, with its 2048-bit encryption leaps ahead, and while all three providers provide a no-log service, only two - NordVPN and Mullvad - backup their users’ security with the existence of kill switches. All three offer similar payment methods, but NordVPN stands out in terms of value for money. And again, while all three support a wide range of operating systems and platforms, NordVPN is the most reliable.

    Rating

    Features 9.4/10
    Pricing 9.6/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 6.5/10
    Pricing 8.8/10
    Ease of Use 8.6/10
    Reliability & Support 7.0/10
    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 Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    10.0/10

    On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, the ability to unblock tons of streaming platforms, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $3.49/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch? To find out, I did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. I tested its speeds and how well it performs...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    J
    John Hoy
    10.0/10
    Best documentation was easy to understand

    I came from Surfshark which never worked correctly. I had to run from the browser extension with supp... ort telling me it was my network that was causing the problem. That was rubbish. I set Nord up and had it running in a short time from the documentation. I only had to ask support about accessing more servers than just the one I saw. Great product.More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    Dax
    6.0/10
    Average service, some nice features, rubbish support

    Basic features work really well. Basically. I liked the feature that when Nord crashes (as it seems to...  do monthly) it will shut other apps so they aren't exposed. My subscription is based in Australia. Found downloads peak at about 1-1.5Mb/s, which is ok as long as you aren't playing online games. Don't go for the frills (though hard not to when they gamify them). I canceled my subscription because I added the Kill switch and then MFA. Nek Minnit I can't even log in. No way to remove the Kill switch without logging in. Uninstalled, reinstalled no joy. Went to the help page, and it redirected me to up my subscription as the only solution. No chatbot where I am. and I don't have an email app so couldn't email help. After a couple of hours of mucking around. Gave up and went to a competitor. Note: if I hadn't played with the security settings, I would still be with Nord. But if I can't log in, it's a dead service to me.More

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    Review by our expert
    Author Image Andreea Juganaru
    Andreea Juganaru

    Senior Editor

    7.8/10

    VPN Unlimited comes across as a very capable VPN, with its main focus being unblocking multiple streaming sites. I wanted to see if it delivered on this promise, and to test whether its security, privacy, and customer service stacks up against the best VPNs in the industry. While it certainly delivered on some of its assertions, unfortunately, it fell short in some essential areas. It unblocke...

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    Latest positive user review
    J
    J
    8.0/10
    Very Happy with Lifetime license

    I picked up a lifetime license and honestly, it's been "solid". It delivers at good speeds, no leaks ... so far have been detected. Offers a wide range of streaming options & Protocols. I've contacted customer service several times and received replies quickly. The servers for P2p are limited to three locations but are still very functional. I'd appreciate a public audit of how secure the service is but it seems none of this info is published for customers, or potential customers to view.More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    Josh
    2.0/10
    Stay away

    Again they block logins: Ttwitter.com/keepsolidinc/status/1344415142478540803 Except now changing ... browser does not help nor support bothers to respond. I can also confirm receiving DMCA notices as other users reported. This provider is probably honey pot, I would stay away. Should be 0 stars.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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    Pricing

    Starting price $3.49/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 6 devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $4/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 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

    Both Mullvad VPN and NordVPN exceed VPN Unlimited when it comes to privacy, but NordVPN’s security standards are unmatched. While VPN Unlimited has a much larger network of servers than the other two, having a highly secured network is more important, even if it's smaller. This is why NordVPN takes the lead with its Double VPN security - not to mention the great deals and coupons.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    VPN Unlimited and NordVPN both support torrenting openly on some of their servers, but NordVPN has servers which are optimized specifically for torrenting. On the other hand, Mullvad VPN supports torrenting, but in a very limited manner.

    Best VPN for Windows

    All 3 VPN providers offer easy-to-install, easy-to-use apps for Windows. These applications have all their providers’ features built-in and you can switch between protocols and enable/disable the kill switch. All that may give you the impression there's a neck-to-neck competition here, but NordVPN takes the lead with its additional features, such as custom DNS and SmartPlay.

    Best VPN for Android

    Mullvad VPN falls behind in this section, as it still lacks its own Android app, and getting it to work on Android requires some setup steps. NordVPN and VPN Unlimited both have user-friendly Android apps, but the NordVPN Android app is considered more sleek, with way more built-in features and a more stable performance.

    Best VPN for Mac

    The MacOS apps all 3 providers offer are pretty similar to their Windows apps, in the sense that they are all easy to download, install, and use. When it comes down to reliability, security, stability, and privacy, the NordVPN MacOS app takes the lead.

    Best VPN for iOS

    iOS is another section Mullvad VPN falls behind in, as it doesn’t have its own iOS app and requires a manual setup or the installation of a third party app. This means that you won’t be able to use most of its features on iOS devices. NordVPN and VPN Unlimited compete aggressively for this title, but NordVPN wins the challenge due to its additional features and high performance.

    Best VPN for USA

    Even though all 3 providers operate large server networks, including several servers inside the US, NordVPN has the largest network of them all, with 1000+ servers in the US. These include servers optimized for unblocking major streaming services which are geo-restricted to the US.

    The Bottom Line

    Overall NordVPN is a clear and outright winner between these three providers. All offer steady services that allow connection to Netflix and the use of peer-to-peer and torrents, but NordVPN makes the experience easier, offering specific Torrent-friendly servers and access to the BBC, something that isn’t available through Mullvad. In terms of customer service, NordVPN is miles ahead of the other two providers, being the only one to offer dedicated 24/7 live support. It also offers the longest money-back guarantee at 30 days (not that you are likely to need it) and the best value for money packages, especially over the long term.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is NordVPN better than VPN Unlimited and Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is better overall than VPN Unlimited and Mullvad VPN. It has 5462 servers in 60 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $3.49 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between NordVPN, VPN Unlimited 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 NordVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests.

    Is NordVPN faster than VPN Unlimited and Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is faster than VPN Unlimited and 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 NordVPN, VPN Unlimited or Mullvad VPN offer any deals?

    NordVPN, VPN Unlimited, 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.