Mullvad VPN Review: Privacy-First, But UI Feels Outdated
Mullvad is a respected name in privacy circles—transparent, independent, and focused on user anonymity. It’s one of the few VPNs that accepts anonymous cash payments and doesn’t ask for an email. While it's strong on privacy, its interface and usability may not appeal to the average user.


Introduction
Mullvad VPN is built for people who care most about privacy, anonymity, and transparency. You don’t sign up with an email address—each account is just a random number—and you can pay with cash, cryptocurrency, or regular payment methods. The apps are open-source, and Mullvad is designed to collect as little data as possible. There’s one simple price and no bundles, making it a very straightforward, privacy-first VPN.
Rating Summary
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Speed & Performance | 8.0 |
| Privacy & Security | 9.5 |
| Streaming & Torrenting | 7.5 |
| Ease of Use | 8.5 |
| Pricing & Value | 9.0 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Testing Methodology (Standardized for vpns.best)
Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Devices: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Network: | 500 Mbps fiber broadband |
| Protocols Tested: | WireGuard (default), WireGuard with traffic disguise (obfuscation/QUIC), OpenVPN (UDP, desktop only and being phased out) |
| Speed Test Servers: | United States (New York), Netherlands (Amsterdam), Japan (Tokyo) |
| Tools Used: | Speedtest.net, Fast.com, DNS and WebRTC leak tests |
| Test Frequency: | 3 sessions per day across 2 days |
| Performance Indicators: | Download/upload speeds, ping, stability, streaming access, torrent performance, leak results |
Speed and Performance
Sample results on a 500 Mbps line (illustrative)
| Server Location | Protocol | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, United States | WireGuard | 360 | 350 | 15 |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | WireGuard | 340 | 345 | 25 |
| Tokyo, Japan | WireGuard (traffic disguise) | 320 | 335 | 170 |
In everyday use, Mullvad feels quick. On nearby servers (for example New York if you’re in North America or Amsterdam if you’re in Europe), WireGuard keeps most of your base speed and feels snappy for browsing, calls, and HD streaming.
Long-distance connections like Tokyo are naturally slower and have higher ping, but still usable for general browsing and streaming. Mullvad is also in the process of fully moving to WireGuard and plans to remove OpenVPN, so WireGuard is the main protocol to expect going forward.
Privacy and Security
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Logging policy: |
Strict no-logs; they say they do not store identifiable activity data and design their systems so there is very little to log. |
| Protocols: | WireGuard (default) and OpenVPN (UDP) on some platforms, with OpenVPN being phased out in 2026. |
| Core protections: | Encrypted tunnel, kill switch, DNS handled inside the VPN, leak protection. |
| Extra privacy tools: |
Multihop routes, traffic disguise modes (to make VPN traffic look more like normal web traffic), DAITA (to make traffic patterns harder to analyze), and early “quantum-resistant” tunnel options.
|
| Transparency: | Apps and clients are open-source, and Mullvad has gone through independent security audits. |
| Anonymity: | No email accounts; you get a numbered account and can pay with cash by mail, crypto, or regular methods. |
This is the main reason to choose Mullvad. Anonymous numbered accounts, minimal data collection, open-source apps, and clear policies on the website all point in the same direction: strong privacy and low trust requirements.
Streaming and Torrenting
Service / Use | Result |
|---|---|
Netflix & other platforms: |
Sometimes works, but not guaranteed; Mullvad doesn’t market streaming support. |
YouTube and general browsing: |
Unrestricted |
Torrenting: |
Allowed on all servers with good speeds; no special P2P limitations. |
Smart DNS: |
Not available |
Mullvad is not a “streaming VPN.” You may get into Netflix or other services on some servers, but there are no streaming-labeled locations and things can change over time.
For torrenting, it’s much stronger. P2P is allowed everywhere, speeds are solid, and many users share the same IPs, which helps blend your traffic with others. Mullvad no longer offers new port forwarding, though, which some advanced torrent users will notice.
Apps and User Experience
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Windows | Yes |
| macOS | Yes |
| iOS | Yes |
| Android | Yes |
The apps are simple and privacy-focused:
Clear server list (with locations such as New York, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and more)
One-click connect with WireGuard as the default
Options for multihop and traffic disguise, if you need extra privacy or want to bypass blocks
Built-in link to Mullvad’s own “check for leaks” page
The design is plain rather than flashy, but consistent across devices. Some features sound a bit technical, yet you can safely ignore most of them and just use the default settings. Each account supports up to 5 devices at the same time.
Pricing and Plans
Flat rate: €5 per month for everyone, VAT included where applicable.
No different tiers, bundles, or renewal price jumps.
Same price whether you pay for one month or several months in advance.
Payments: cards, PayPal, bank transfer in some regions, various cryptocurrencies, and cash by mail.
14-day money-back guarantee for most digital payments (cash and some crypto excluded).
It’s one of the simplest, most honest pricing models in the VPN market: no tricks, no “first term discount then huge renewal,” and no upsells.
Customer Support
Email support via the address listed on their site.
Detailed help center with setup guides, FAQs, and privacy explanations.
No 24/7 live chat or phone support.
Responses are generally clear and technical when needed, but this is not a “chat with us instantly” style of service. It fits Mullvad’s more privacy-aware, slightly more technical audience.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Very strong privacy design: anonymous numbered accounts, strict no-logs stance.
Open-source apps and independent audits for transparency.
Flat €5/month pricing with no renewal tricks or tiers.
Fast, stable performance on WireGuard; good for torrenting and everyday use.
Extra privacy tools like multihop, traffic disguise modes, DAITA, and early quantum-resistant tunnels.
Cons
Not focused on streaming; Netflix and similar platforms are hit or miss.
No Smart DNS and no new port-forwarding slots.
Smaller server network and fewer “extras” than big mainstream VPNs.
Apps and docs can feel a bit technical for complete beginners.
Final Verdict
Mullvad VPN is an excellent choice if your top priorities are privacy, fairness, and simplicity. Anonymous accounts, open-source apps, and a flat €5/month price make it easy to understand and easy to trust, while still giving you strong speeds and stable connections.
If you mainly care about unblocking lots of streaming libraries or want a VPN packed with flashy extras, Mullvad may feel basic. But if trust, anonymity, and transparency matter more than bells and whistles, it remains one of the best VPNs you can choose.