ProtonVPN vs Mullvad VPN
Head-to-head comparison of two popular vpn tools. See which one is right for your needs.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
Mullvad VPN has a higher rating (4.6/5) compared to ProtonVPN (4.5/5). However, ProtonVPN offers a free tier which Mullvad VPN does not.
ProtonVPN
4.5ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused VPN from the makers of ProtonMail, based in Switzerland. It offers a genuine free tier with no data limits, open-source apps, and Secure Core servers that route through privacy-friendly countries. ProtonVPN is ideal for privacy-conscious users.
Pricing
Free / $4.49/month
Key Features
- Free Tier
- Secure Core
- NetShield Ad Blocker
- P2P Support
- Tor over VPN
- Kill Switch
- Open Source Apps
- No Logs
Pros
- + True free tier
- + Swiss privacy laws
- + Open source
- + Strong security focus
Cons
- − Slower free servers
- − Smaller server network
- − Fewer streaming features
Mullvad VPN
4.6Mullvad VPN is a privacy-focused VPN that requires no email or personal information to sign up. It uses account numbers instead of usernames and accepts cash payments. Mullvad is the VPN choice for maximum anonymity and has been audited multiple times.
Pricing
$5/month
Key Features
- No Personal Info Required
- Account Numbers
- Cash Payments Accepted
- WireGuard Support
- Open Source
- Audited
- Port Forwarding
- Multihop
Pros
- + Maximum privacy
- + Simple flat pricing
- + No data collection
- + Trusted by experts
Cons
- − Small server network
- − No streaming optimization
- − Basic apps