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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: Holiday.com, 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.
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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: Holiday.com, 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.

NordVPN vs Mullvad VPN vs VPN Unlimited: Which VPN Should You Pick in 2025?

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.4/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.4/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 6.4/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Is NordVPN or Mullvad VPN or VPN Unlimited better for price, speed, streaming, gaming, and privacy?

    Author Image Catherine Ablett
    Catherine Ablett Cybersecurity Researcher
    Updated on March 21, 2024

    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.

    Our Score

    Features 9.4/10
    Pricing 7.5/10
    Ease of Use 9.5/10
    Reliability & Support 9.5/10
    Features 7.4/10
    Pricing 7.0/10
    Ease of Use 7.2/10
    Reliability & Support 5.8/10
    Features 6.4/10
    Pricing 6.0/10
    Ease of Use 8.7/10
    Reliability & Support 7.3/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Akash Deep
    Akash Deep Cybersecurity Researcher
    Our Score: 9.4/10

    NordVPN is everywhere these days — from YouTube ads to sports sponsorships. Its massive marketing claims it's the most trusted VPN service worldwide. But does this popularity actually translate into superior performance, or is it just clever advertising? The team and I spent several weeks thoroughly testing every aspect of NordVPN. We ran extensive speed tests, tried streaming on multiple pla...

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    Latest positive user review
    2
    210493Lu
    10.0/10
    The Best of The Best

    I simply tested all VPNs looking for cutting-edge online security, I tested the most expensive and the...  most talked about virtual anonymity, none made me as happy as NordVPN, it stands out for several reasons that the much more expensive ones it doesn't have, its double encryption, dedicated IPs, onion VPN, makes NordVPN unique, with almost 6,000 servers around the world and 12 million customers like me, you can see that NordVPN is not playing games with its customers and their online security , it always innovates to keep you more secure day after day, for a fair price in the long term and without sacrificing the speed of your connection, recently Nord is developing a new VPN protocol, Nordlynx a version still under construction derived from the Wireguard protocol, if you want to have a VPN of last security that think how it will make you more secure in the next month NordVPN is the right choice, I am completely thankful for being a customer and for finding what to me is the perfect VPN.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Andrew
    2.0/10
    NordVPN has become garbage!

    I've had NordVPN for over a decade, and past couple of years, but more so past 6 months it has become ... complete garbage! Contact them, oh try different servers, try different protocols. I have done all and long before they said to! Issue, Connections often just time out though still says connected, can't access any page. Chose different server, works 5 minutes or all day, but eventually it will time out. Best luck I've had was with open UDP but past month even it's been junk! Obfuscated has worked somewhat better, again until recently and crap! Seems they are more about featuritis and getting more users than having a solid product and keeping past/existing customers. Spend your money elsewhere and avoid hack sites giving their glowing review they are just paid shills!More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos Senior Editor
    Our Score: 7.4/10

    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. Pl...

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    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymous
    10.0/10
    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 :)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

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Andreea Juganaru
    Andreea Juganaru Former Senior Editor
    Our Score: 6.4/10

    VPN Unlimited comes across as a very capable VPN, with its main focus being optimized streaming performance. 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. For example, i...

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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
    Z
    Zeeshan
    2.0/10
    Lifetime plan scam

    I subscribed to a lifetime plan with the expectation of continuous access to the service, as it was ad... vertised as a "lifetime" subscription. However, I am now facing an issue where my account shows that the subscription has expired. This is both confusing and frustrating because the term "lifetime" was a key factor in my decision to purchase this plan. The idea behind a lifetime subscription is that it should last as long as I use the service, without any need for renewal or additional payments. To find that my access has been revoked is unacceptable and disappointing.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $3.39/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices
    Starting price €5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    Starting price $5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    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

    While all three providers maintain extensive server networks that include multiple servers within the US, NordVPN surpasses them all with its vast network, boasting over 21 servers specifically located in the US. Among these servers, NordVPN offers optimized options specifically designed to for streaming securely in HD without issues.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Overall NordVPN is a clear and outright winner between these three providers. All offer steady services for streaming and using peer-to-peer and torrents. However, NordVPN makes the experience easier since it has specific torrent-friendly servers and works with services like Hulu, 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 with dedicated 24/7 live support. It also provides 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 Mullvad VPN
    Go with VPN Unlimited
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is NordVPN better than Mullvad VPN and VPN Unlimited?

    Yes, NordVPN is better overall than Mullvad VPN and VPN Unlimited. It has 7800 servers in 118 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $3.39 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between NordVPN, Mullvad VPN and VPN Unlimited?

    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 Mullvad VPN and VPN Unlimited?

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

    NordVPN, Mullvad VPN, and VPN Unlimited 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 61% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    [*] Please note that ExpressVPN's generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
    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: Holiday.com, 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.

    About the Author

    Catherine is an advocate of net neutrality.