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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.
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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 vs NordVPN: 2024

Table of Contents

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Georgii Chanturidze
    Georgii Chanturidze

    Senior Writer

    You might’ve read good things about Mullvad VPN’s privacy policy and NordVPN’s unblocking capabilities, but which is the better service? Both VPNs are strong contenders, so it’s not an easy choice. That’s why I stacked up Mullvad vs NordVPN for different use cases, including safe torrenting and HD streaming.

    I compared how these VPNs protect your personal information online. I also tested if they work for Netflix (and other streaming platforms) and how fast they are. Given that these services aren’t free, I also considered both VPN’s pricing, discounts, and hidden costs.

    NordVPN wins in most categories. Mullvad is stronger in some areas (it has one of the most uncompromising no-logs policies). However, NordVPN’s vast network and tunneling protocols can get through nearly any geoblock while maintaining exceptional speeds. Keep reading for a more in-depth analysis.

    Best alternative to NordVPN

    Our Score: 9.9

    ExpressVPN is another choice that beats NordVPN in several areas. It performs slightly better when it comes to streaming and gaming, with reliable fast servers. The privacy policy is also strikingly clear – it won’t collect or share any of your private data.

    Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

    Mullvad NordVPN
    Overall Rating Our Score: 7.35/10

    www.mullvad.net

    Our Score: 9.57/10

    www.nordvpn.com

    💲Lowest Monthly Price $5.39/month for all plans $3.09/month for all plans
    🗓️Price on Renewal $66 per year (subject to change) $99.48 per year (subject to change)
    🤑Coupons Mullvad doesn’t offer discount coupons NordVPN offers 74% off (24-month plan)
    💸Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days
    📺Streaming & Unblocking Can access Netflix, YouTube, and HBO Max, but doesn’t work with most other streaming platforms Can access Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more
    🌍VPN Servers 44 countries with 686 servers 111 countries with 6,293 servers
    Speed Max 21% speed drop, but you can get a boost with port forwarding Max 15% speed drop — ideal for 4K streaming and online gaming
    🎮Gaming Performance Optimal ping on nearby servers, but struggles over long distances Low in-game latency with no data packet loss
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑P2P Support Allows P2P traffic on all servers Allows torrenting traffic and has dedicated P2P-optimized servers
    🔐Security Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, and IPSec/L2TP NordLynx (based on WireGuard), OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, and IPSec/L2TP
    🔌Kill Switch Yes Yes
    IP/DNS Leak Protection Yes Yes
    🏢Based in Country Sweden Panama
    ⚠️ Does VPN Keep Logs No No
    Works in China Yes Yes
    #️⃣ Number of Device Connections 5 10
    💻Device Compatibility Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Linux, Firefox Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, native apps for some ASUS routers
    🔧Customer Support Knowledge base, FAQs, email, Facebook, and Twitter 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, FAQs, email, Facebook, and Twitter

    See More NordVPN Features

    Streaming and Netflix Access — Flawless Victory for NordVPN

    Long story short, Mullvad isn’t focused on streaming. While NordVPN can access nearly every streaming platform, Mullvad struggles even with Netflix US.

    Streaming Platform Mullvad NordVPN
    Netflix ☑️ Yes, but only with obfuscation ✅ Yes,
    including popular Netflix region-exclusive content
    in the US, UK, Canada, Japan,
    South Korea, and Switzerland
    Disney+ ❌ No ✅ Yes
    ESPN ❌ No ✅ Yes
    HBO Max ☑️ Yes, but not consistently ✅ Yes
    Hulu ❌ No ✅ Yes
    Sky ❌ No ✅ Yes
    Amazon Prime Video ❌ No ✅ Yes
    BBC iPlayer ☑️ Yes, but not consistently ✅ Yes
    ABC ❌ No ✅ Yes
    CBS ❌ No ✅ Yes
    YouTube ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    NBC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

    With NordVPN, I accessed major streaming platforms without buffering issues or disconnects. I used it to watch local and international content on my Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, CTV, and other accounts.

    Picture of Shameless US streaming on Netflix while connected to a NordVPN US serverI had no issues with long loading times or interruptions

    For Mullvad, I tried different US-based servers and configurations and WireGuard with obfuscation did the trick. I could still watch Shameless (US) with my Netflix US account, but the configuration severely decreased my speeds. Mullvad worked with BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, ABC News, and STV1 too, but only on a few servers and with occasional buffering issues.

    Apart from that, Mullvad doesn’t work with most streaming services. For example, Disney+ didn’t load for me, and Hulu and Amazon Prime detected the VPN and denied access.

    Screenshot of Jack Ryan available on Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video (and other services) easily identified Mullvad

    Winner
    There’s no real competition here — NordVPN is much better at streaming and bypassing geoblocks. Although Mullvad can let you watch Netflix, NordVPN does it more consistently and with faster speeds.

    Server Network — NordVPN Covers More Locations

    Mullvad NordVPN
    Total Countries With Servers 44 111
    Number of Servers 686 6,293+

    NordVPN has better global coverage, so it's more likely to have a server near you. This means your traffic has less distance to travel, so you can get faster speeds. You also get servers in more countries for unblocking content. Mullvad’s network is smaller, so it isn’t as good at bypassing geoblocks for popular online services.

    Plus, most of Mullvad’s servers are in Europe (with only a handful in the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa). NordVPN, on the other hand, has multiple servers on every continent except Antarctica.

    Additionally, NordVPN has many specialty servers (for double encryption, Onion over VPN, obfuscation, streaming, and torrenting). The service also offers the ability to use dedicated IP addresses for safe remote access to your devices.

    While Mullvad has a smaller network, it also has fewer users, which means it's less vulnerable to overcrowding issues. This is one of the reasons why NordVPN can take a while to connect (up to 15 seconds), whereas Mullvad always starts instantly.

    Finally, other services lease all of their servers, which can leave them (and your data) vulnerable to snoops. But both these VPNs own the majority of their servers, preventing tampering by third parties.

    Winner
    Despite occasionally being a little slow to connect, NordVPN wins with a broader network and more reliable unblocking.

    Speed — NordVPN Is Slightly Faster

    Both VPNs were quite fast on close-by locations and a bit slower on far-flung servers. I tested how Mullvad and NordVPN work with US, UK, and Hong Kong servers, in comparison to my base connection speeds of 85Mbps download and 92Mbps upload. I also measured speeds on the server each VPN selected automatically as the fastest, and how my results changed when using different protocols.

    Speed isn’t always about protocol and server proximity; it also depends on the server load. So, I tested each VPN for several days with various servers to calculate the median results.

    Screenshot of NordVPN's NordLynx protocol speed test resultsNordVPN is more than capable of smooth UHD streaming

    NordVPN showed excellent speeds with the NordLynx protocol. My base speeds dropped by only 15% while connected to the US. These are excellent results if you want bufferless 4K streaming.

    Screenshot of Mullvad's speed test results on distant serversThe WireGuard protocol was faster than OpenVPN while I was testing Mullvad

    I had nearly the same speeds using Mullvad’s WireGuard protocol. It was just a bit slower than the average I recorded with NordVPN. In any case, you need only 25Mbps for bufferless 4K streaming, so both VPNs do an excellent job.

    Speed Tests Mullvad Average Download Speed NordVPN Average Download Speed Mullvad Average Upload Speed NordVPN Average Upload Speed
    Connected to a US server 62.58Mbps 69.84Mbps 90.55Mbps 91.06Mbps
    Connected to a UK server 70.82Mbps 74.12Mbps 87.25Mbps 90.49Mbps
    Connected to a Hong Kong server 45.44Mbps 54.89Mbps 86.47Mbps 86.29Mbps
    Winner
    NordVPN and Mullvad were nose-to-nose this round, but NordVPN wins with slightly faster download and upload speeds.

    Torrenting — Mullvad Wins With Port Forwarding

    NordVPN and Mullvad both support torrenting traffic on all servers and offer a free SOCKS5 proxy. They also work with all torrent clients (including BitTorrent and uTorrent) and don’t limit your bandwidth, so you can download as much data as you want. Plus, both VPNs offer robust encryption and obfuscation to prevent ISPs from detecting your P2P activity and reducing your torrenting speeds.

    Unlike NordVPN, Mullvad supports port forwarding, which can boost your torrenting speed. This feature allows incoming data to get around NAT firewalls, reducing any download delays and increasing your seeding speeds. That said, NordVPN does come with dedicated P2P servers for high-bandwidth torrenting. Still, my tests showed that port forwarding gives you a slightly better speed boost.

    Mullvad also has a more transparent privacy policy than NordVPN. You can even sign up and pay for Mullvad without sharing your personal data, which makes it a safer choice for torrenting.

    Winner
    While these VPNs are equally fit for fast torrenting, Mullvad wins by having port forwarding and a more privacy-oriented policy.

    Gaming — NordVPN for Smooth Gaming

    Both VPNs are router-compatible, which is a good start. This means I was able to connect my game consoles to each VPN, even if they didn’t support VPN connections natively. I had no issues testing either VPN with my gaming devices (including Xbox and PlayStation).

    I was interested in how these VPNs work out for competitive multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and Apex Legends. The in-game ping — the time it takes for data to travel between my PC and the game’s servers — was my main criteria for comparison. It’s usually measured in milliseconds (ms). The ideal ping is lower than 20ms, but anything between 20–100ms is considered good for gaming.

    Mullvad (WireGuard) NordVPN (NordLynx)
    Quick Connect 61ms 17ms
    Connected to a US server 107ms 160ms
    Connected to a UK server 50ms 127ms
    Connected to a Hong Kong server 435ms 327ms

    NordVPN gave me the best gaming experience — it was the only service to achieve the sub-20ms ping that’s ideal for gaming (on the server chosen by the Quick Connect feature). As expected, my ping got progressively higher on faraway servers, but I could still play CoD: Warzone battle royale mode thanks to the speedy NordLynx protocol. The same couldn’t be said about Mullvad, which was only fast enough for gaming on the server nearest to me.

    Screenshot of CoD in action wile using NordVPNThe VPN’s NordLynx protocol maintained a stable connection even on long-distance servers

    On the plus

    Winner
    NordVPN is more suitable for competitive online gaming, offering low-latency connections on more servers.

    Security — NordVPN Offers More Features

    NordVPN and Mullvad both safeguard your web data with military-grade security. Both cipher your traffic via AES 256-bit with a 4096-bit DH key — the toughest encryption standard. On top of that, both providers let you route your traffic via 2 encrypted servers for extra security.

    They also use perfect forward secrecy technology that regularly changes the encryption key, basically “dividing” your browsing session data into secure chunks. So, your information is protected from hackers and snoops (even if they get hold of one session key).

    Security Feature Mullvad NordVPN
    Encryption level AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key, SHA-512 HMAC authentication, perfect forward secrecy AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key, SHA2-384 HMAC authentication, perfect forward secrecy
    Kill Switch All operating systems All operating systems
    DNS/IP Leak Protection Yes Yes
    Protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, and IPSec/L2TP NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, and IPSec/L2TP
    Split Tunneling Yes (Windows, Android, Linux) Yes + inverse split tunneling (Windows & Android)
    Private DNS servers Yes Yes
    Tor Over VPN servers Yes Yes
    RAM-only servers wipe data Yes Yes
    Ad & malware blocker Yes Yes
    Double hop servers Yes Yes
    Obfuscation technology Yes Yes

    Both VPNs also use obfuscation technology to hide your VPN traffic as regular traffic. Doing so prevents network administrators and ISPs from detecting VPN use and blocking or throttling your activity. Mullvad’s Shadowsocks obfuscation is available on Bridge servers, but only after manual configuration. NordVPN provides obfuscated servers that are easy to connect to and can be found in a dedicated list on the app.

    Both VPNs offer several protocol options including the OpenVPN protocol, as well as the slightly inferior IKEv2/IPsec and L2TP/IPsec. Additionally, Mullvad has the extra-fast WireGuard protocol. I use it to max out my speeds for gaming and streaming. Still, NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol is even faster. It's based on WireGuard too, meaning it’s just as good at protecting your traffic.

    Screenshot of NordVPN's security settingsYou can select a tunneling protocol, DNS, and other settings

    Each VPN protects you from leaks with a kill switch that cuts your internet if you accidentally lose a VPN connection. In addition, NordVPN gives you the option to terminate connections for specific applications. On the other hand, Mullvad has a Lockdown mode that prevents internet access if your traffic is not encrypted. I didn’t detect any IP/DNS/WebRTC data leaks during my tests of both Mullvad and NordVPN.

    Pictures of Mullvad's security settingsEnable ad, malware, and content blockers, and set up your tunneling protocol

    An ad and malware blocker is present in both VPNs. Mullvad blocks ads and malicious domains while NordVPN has Threat Protection, which additionally scans downloaded files for malware. Both prevented trackers and annoying ads as I read Yahoo News.

    Each service also has RAM-only servers that wipe your data on every reboot. However, NordVPN’s entire network is RAM-based, whereas only a part of Mullvad’s servers supports this technology.

    Apart from that though, Mullvad doesn’t have as many secondary features. For example, NordVPN’s Tapjacking protection detects malicious apps and screen overlays (on Android only). Auto-Connect launches the VPN automatically whenever you connect to a WiFi network while Invisibility on LAN hides your device on networks too. NordVPN’s Plus and Complete plans also come with a Data Breach Scanner.

    Winner
    This is a close call because both VPNs effectively safeguard your data online. Yet, NordVPN has more secondary security features like Tapjacking and Dark Web Monitoring. The obfuscation technology is much easier to enable on NordVPN, too.

    Privacy — Mullvad Is Laser-Focused on Privacy

    NordVPN is based in Panama — a privacy-friendly country outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances intelligence-sharing pact. It also has an independently audited (PwC) no-logs policy that prevents it from collecting or storing your personal information.

    On the contrary, Mullvad is headquartered in Sweden (technically a part of the 5 Eyes Alliance). Yet, it has one of the most transparent logging policies among VPNs (also independently audited by Cure53/Assured). Mullvad specifies that it doesn't log any personally identifiable information, like DNS requests, bandwidth, or timestamps. Its policy explicitly says that it ciphers data that can link to your identity, such as your email address and payment info.

    For additional privacy, Mullvad even lets you register without providing your email address. Instead, you simply generate a token within the VPN app to start using it. NordVPN doesn’t offer this option. Since NordVPN’s logging policy says it will comply with legal requests for information, this could lead to your contact or financial information linking you to the VPN (Mullvad states that it’s not subject to similar laws in Sweden).

    Both VPNs support cryptocurrency payments too. However, Mullvad also lets you pay with cash in an envelope to make your payment harder to trace. This option is ideal if you don’t want any ties between the provider and your identity.

    Winner
    Mullvad is the winner, as it has a more privacy-focused registration process, incognito payment options, and a transparent policy.

    Works in China — It’s a Tie

    NordVPN and Mullvad claim to work around the Great Firewall of China. Bear in mind that you need to use workarounds to download a VPN in China if you don’t install one before visiting the country.

    Mullvad requires you to configure the Shadowsocks protocol for a bridge server outside China. The process is easier with NordVPN — you only need to connect to an obfuscated server. But not every server and configuration is guaranteed to work, so you might have to experiment with locations and security features.

    Winner - draw
    /
    Even though they require extra setup and experimentation, both these VPNs should be able to unblock international online services from China.

    Installation & Ease of Use — Narrow Win for NordVPN

    Mullvad and NordVPN work with all the most popular platforms, including desktop and mobile operating systems. They both support:

    Windows macOS Linux iOS Android
    Fire TV Firestick Android TV Kodi Chromebook
    NAS devices Raspberry Pi Kindle Fire Roku Routers

    That said, NordVPN supports more browsers and routers. Mullvad works only on Firefox, while NordVPN also has Chrome, Edge, and Brave extensions. You can set up Mullad on routers with OpenWrt, DD-WRT, and pfSensei firmware. On the other hand, NordVPN supports nearly all firmware and has a router app for selected ASUS routers.

    Additionally, both VPNs also let you set up SmartDNS (custom DNS server) to bypass geoblocks on devices that don’t natively support VPNs. This lets me access US-only content on my Disney+ account from my PlayStation 5. As a bonus, NordVPN implements Smart DNS functionality into all its apps, thanks to a technology called SmartPlay. It basically helps the server bypass geoblocks more easily.

    Mullvad’s app is fairly intuitive; the settings are neatly divided into Preferences and Advanced. Clicking on the Secure my connection icon connects you to the closest server. You can filter available Mullvad servers based on ownership and hosting provider, too. The app remembers your latest selected location if you want to use it for your next session.

    Screenshots of Mullvad's server location tabMullvad’s settings make it easy to connect to a nearby server, manually select one, or filter available locations

    In Mullvad’s settings menu, you can select a tunneling protocol and its settings (port, IP version, and multihop). You can also activate the kill switch or use split tunneling to exclude certain apps from the VPN. There are also several general settings for the appearance, language, and automatic launch on startup.

    However, NordVPN’s server map is easier to use. You can either connect to the fastest nearby server or click on server markers for each location. It’s also easy to browse through the selection of specialty servers, including those with a dedicated IP, double encryption, and obfuscation.

    Screenshot of NordVPN's interactive map of server locationsNordVPN’s app lets you quickly connect, find a server on the map, or browse a list of available locations (regular and specialty servers)

    NordVPN’s security settings are also clearly laid out. Here you can configure the protocol, kill switch, Threat Manager, split tunneling, and more. NordVPN also lets you create profile presets with your preferred settings (protocol, server, and security features). This is handy for saving time when you launch the VPN.

    Both services take a few minutes to install and configure. The sign-up is a bit quicker for Mullvad as you don’t need an email address for registration, but you do need to generate a 16-digit account number first. I found NordVPN easier to set up overall.

    Winner
    Both VPNs have user-friendly apps and easy installation. However, NordVPN has a slightly more eye-catching design, more browser extensions, and native router firmware for some ASUS routers.

    Reliability & Support — Only NordVPN Offers 24/7 Support

    Customer Support Features Mullvad NordVPN
    24/7 Live chat No Yes, but the original question can’t exceed 40 words
    Email support Yes Yes
    Phone support No No
    Step-by-step setup guides Yes, with pictures Yes, with video tutorials
    Searchable knowledge base Yes Yes
    Exhaustive FAQ section Yes Yes

    Both VPNs have vast knowledge bases full of in-depth FAQs, guides, and blogs. Mullvad offers detailed screenshots, but NordVPN goes a step further by featuring video tutorials.

    Only NordVPN has a 24/7 live chat for quick assistance and troubleshooting. If you’re stuck with Mullvad, your best bet is to contact the support team via email. That said, NordVPN’s staff responds to emails a bit faster, too. For example, NordVPN replied to my query about a refund in 3 hours, whereas Mullvad answered me in 7 hours.

    Winner
    NordVPN is a clear winner because of its responsive 24/7 online chat support.

    Tips on Choosing Between Mullvad and NordVPN

    A decision between Mullvad and NordVPN depends on what you want to use them for. Use my ranking criteria as a baseline for your tests if you decide to compare them yourself.

    • Bypasses geoblocks — Your VPN should unblock the streaming services you need, so you can watch your favorite shows and films from anywhere.
    • Fast speeds — All VPNs slow you down as they reroute your traffic but the best ones are still fast enough for torrenting, streaming, and gaming.
    • Robust security features — Only a VPN with military-grade encryption (AES 256-bit), IP/DNS protection, and a kill switch can safeguard your data online.
    • Respectable privacy practices — Your provider shouldn’t collect, store, or share your personal information and (ideally) should allow you to pay without exposing your identity.
    • Easy-to-use apps — Choose a VPN with user-friendly apps that allow simultaneous device connections and responsive support.
    • Trustworthy money-back guarantee — A reputable VPN should offer a reliable money-back policy so you can test it risk-free.

    Our Score

    Features 9.6/10
    Pricing 9.1/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 9.5/10
    Features 7.4/10
    Pricing 7.0/10
    Ease of Use 7.2/10
    Reliability & Support 5.8/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.6/10

    On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, a speedy and reliable connection, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $3.09/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch? To find out, we did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. The team and I tested its speeds and how well it performs whe...

    Read all
    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
    S
    SAM
    2.0/10
    BUYER BEWARE!

    BUYER BEWARE! If you purchase NordVPN, it will throttle your interned speed/connectivity by 50%, like ... it did to mine. I pay $100/month to get speeds of nearly 600mbs. With NordVPN turned on, my speeds decrease to 250mbs. Nord’s “customer support” is useless and unprofessional, and, after nearly 3 weeks of endless “try this, try that”, they were unable to resolve the issue and blamed it on everything under the sun except their product, when it is OBVIOUS that, since I have zero speed issues with Nord turned off, and ONLY experience the issues with Nord turned on, it is NordVPN that is causing the issue. When I asked them for a refund of my one year subscription paid in advance and in good faith, they refused, and have now decided to ignore me. So, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED. Their VPN will devastate your internet speeds, their “support” is ridiculous, they are in denial, and they will not refund your money, even if their product is a failure…More

    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

    Pricing

    Mullvad NordVPN
    Starting Price $5.39/month $3.09/month
    Price (On Renewal) $60 per year (subject to change) $99.48 per year (subject to change)
    Payment Accepted Cash, credit card, bank wire, PayPal, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Giropay, Swish, Epstransfer, iDEAL, Bancontact, Monero, Przelewy24 Credit card, cryptocurrency, PayPal, prepaid debit card, Google Pay, AmazonPay, iTunes, Sofort, Alipay, UnionPay, ACH Transfer
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 days 30 days
    Number of devices per license 5 10
    Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices) Manual setup Manual setup and dedicated firmware for ASUS routers
    See Plans See Plans

    NordVPN offers regular discounts, while Mullvad’s pricing is always the same. This means NordVPN is cheaper with a long-term plan if you’re a first-time user. For example, I subscribed to NordVPN with a 2-year plan for only $3.09/month. This isn’t the case if you cancel your NordVPN subscription at some point (its renewal price is almost triple).

    You can also choose different levels of NordVPN subscription: currently “Complete”, “Plus”, or “Standard” for 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years. Standard is the cheapest option, while Plus and Complete are more expensive but add features like a password manager, data breach scanner, and cloud storage.

    On the other hand, Mullvad costs $5.39/month flat. It's not subscription-based — you can top your account at any time. Plus, the provider gives a 10% discount for crypto payments and it's possible to pay by sending cash in an envelope. You can pay for NordVPN in cash, but only if you buy the VPN in a retail store (which is still technically traceable).

    Both Mullvad and NordVPN offer a 30-day money-back policy as well, so you can try their features without risks. Just contact the support team to get your refund.

    Winner - draw
    /
    NordVPN is more wallet-friendly if you subscribe long-term for the first time, but the renewal price can bite. Mullvad's price always stays the same. So, it depends on your personal preference.

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Mullvad leads in terms of privacy and torrenting speeds, but NordVPN wins due to faster overall speeds and excellent unblocking capabilities. Besides, only NordVPN has 24/7 online support.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Both VPNs have P2P traffic support, unlimited bandwidth, and split tunneling. However, Mullvad comes out on top because of its excellent privacy policy and port forwarding feature for extra download speed.

    Best VPN for Windows

    NordVPN is slightly better due to its more user-friendly interface and neatly organized server lists. It supports nearly all Windows operating systems (from XP and up).

    Best VPN for Android

    NordVPN has a more intuitive design for Android. It also has exclusive features, like Tapjacking protection.

    Best VPN for Mac

    NordVPN is better optimized for macOS. You can create profile presets for your online needs or use existing profiles for browsing, speeds, and downloads.

    Best VPN for iOS

    NordVPN wins with clean and minimalistic apps for iOS. Siri integration lets you launch the VPN with your voice.

    Best VPN for USA

    NordVPN easily accesses US-based content from anywhere thanks to its 17 local servers.

    The Bottom Line

    It’s safe to say both of these VPNs offer great speeds, strong security features, and straightforward apps. Although NordVPN is trustworthy, Mullvad is the more privacy-focused service with a crystal clear no-logs policy. The port forwarding also makes Mullvad slightly faster when torrenting, but only by a small margin.

    That said, NordVPN is the best all-round option for everything else, thanks to consistently fast speeds. It also has a broader server selection and outstanding bypassing capabilities — you can access nearly any online service with its network.

    FAQ

    Is NordVPN better than Mullvad?

    NordVPN is a better service than Mullvad overall. Notably, both VPNs safeguard your data with industry-leading encryption and leak protection. Mullvad is also more privacy-friendly and has port forwarding for reliable torrenting. However, NordVPN offers better unblocking capabilities, faster speeds, and a more intuitive interface.

    Is NordVPN faster than Mullvad?

    NordVPN is faster than Mullvad. Both VPNs support unlimited bandwidth and you can slightly improve your torrenting speeds with Mullvad’s port forwarding feature. Still, NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol is better suited for streaming and online gaming.

    Does Mullvad work with Netflix?

    Mullvad only worked with Netflix on some servers. It was also blocked by other platforms, including Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. On the contrary, NordVPN’s global network easily bypasses geoblocks for Netflix and other popular streaming services.

    There are other options though. It’s worth noting that ExpressVPN is extremely reliable and works with a huge range of streaming platforms.

    Do NordVPN or Mullvad VPN offer any deals?

    Only NordVPN offers special deals and discounts. Mullvad’s pricing is the same for all plans throughout the year. To save money you can check out the latest NordVPN coupons. For example, it’s possible to sign up for NordVPN’s long-term subscription for only $3.09/month with 74% off.

    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 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.

    About the Author

    Georgii Chanturidze is a Senior Writer at vpnMentor with a knack for VPNs, cloud services, and anti-malware tools. He meticulously researches and tests services for vpnMentor’s readers, providing valuable, accurate information.