Mullvad VPN takes a unique approach to secrecy , pop the question multiple bed of shelter at a fixed monthly cost . This capable - source solution accepts untrackable payment and identifies users with just an account number . It vocalize like the ideal root for maintain namelessness .
I reviewed Mullvad VPN last yr and was shanghai by the caller ’s commitment to privacy at a systematically affordable monetary value . While performance was practiced , itcouldn’t compete with the degraded streaming VPNs .
rivalry is heat up with many VPNs adding features and boosting f number while keeping price affordable . I reviewed the 2025 version of Mullvad VPN to regain out if the latest updates keep tempo withthe best VPNs on the market .
Specs
Tiers and pricing
Mullvad is unique in the VPN marketplace . There ’s no hanky panky in its pricing . It cost 5 euros per calendar month ( about $ 5.50 ) to use the Robert William Service on up to five computers , phones , and tablets . That ’s the only subscription option via the fellowship web site .
However , Mullvad VPN is now available on Amazon as a 12 - calendar month leverage for $ 57 , reducing the average monthly cost to $ 4.75 . There ’s also a 6 - calendar month option for $ 29 , which bring out to $ 4.84 per month . If you trust Amazon with your financial information , you’re able to save about $ 8 by paying for a year in advance .
Order Mullvad VPN on Amazon
Sometimes an unbelievable price reduction for the first year of table service turns out to be a ticking time bomb with a cost that detonate to double the initial fee . For representative , NordVPN provides fast , gamy - quality divine service and threat protectionfor $ 60 in the first twelvemonth but skyrockets to $ 139 on renewal .
A fixed - damage plan could be a vast assuagement if you ’re mistrustful of unexpected expenses . Mullvad keep it clean and simple . There ’s no free version , no one-year design , and no bundles or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ons . Mullvad VPN cost 5 euro a calendar month , and that has n’t modify since it first launch in 2009 .
For greatest anonymity , you’re able to channelize Bitcoin or Monero , and even mail paper currency to Mullvad . Mullvad also take acknowledgment cards , PayPal , wire transfer , and other payment types . That convenience comes at the price of unwrap some financial data , but it ’s nice to have that choice .
Design
Mullvad VPN set up quickly and gets justly down to stage business , presenting a corner to enter my report number or to produce a young one . I make an account and was pose with a unique string of bit . The chronicle identification number is all I needed to lumber in . Mullvad does n’t ask for my email address , name , sound telephone number , or name and address .
After signing in , I selected from a leaning of 690 servers in 49 area worldwide . I could specify a particular server , or take a urban center or country to let Mullvad nibble a server for me . On the Windows app , Mullvad VPN offer WireGuard and OpenVPN servers . WireGuard is typically quicker and is the only protocol usable on mobile devices .
The server leaning is searchable and can be percolate by supplier and owner . For example , I filtered by Mullvad - owned , which reduce the server list to the U.K. , Germany , France , and six Nordic state . That guarantees I ’m only using server that Mullvad owns and manages .
I make a lean of pet servers as shortcuts to connect to the counties and area I browse most often . That saves me the endeavor of scrolling or searching .
Back on the dwelling screen , the gear at the top open up setting , where I can adjust the drug user user interface , fine - melody security and VPN options , set up split tunneling , and get support .
The account push at the top permit me see my account phone number so I can jell up Mullvad VPN on other devices . This is also where I can purchase more credit to keep my subscription go .
The design is unobjectionable and promiscuous to navigate . However , I care Mullvad VPN made the diminutive app window resizable so I could see more server at once . Also , a browser app extension would be more commodious .
Features
While Mullvad has always maintained a focal point on privacy and security , the late updates take that to a whole new floor . Mullvad VPN now hides subtle patterns in code traffic as a defense against AI - guided traffic analysis ( DAITA ) . It also corroborate post - quantum encoding that should keep your data secure even if cyber-terrorist and spies use a quantum calculator .
Mullvad did n’t lay off there . The new Shadowsocks obfuscation mask VPN dealings and multi - hop technology routes your activity through two server for surplus security . While there are speed tradeoffs for some of these features , the options are there when I need to maximize secrecy and namelessness .
VPN velocity is still an important consideration when I need to stream video , download files , and run game while protecting my secrecy . Even browsing is better with a firm connection . In last year ’s review , Mullvad was n’t the fastest but proved agile enough for international cyclosis .
Unfortunately , I noticed a public presentation drop when connecting overseas , even with every advanced security department measure interchange off . I get 900Mbps uploads and downloads via an Ethernet connection to my microcomputer before connect to a VPN . I usedSpeedTestto check download rates and was let down to get 14 Mbps for the U.K. and 65 Mbps for France . I hear various servers and tinkered with scope with no advance .
I was pleasantly surprised to see 329 Mbps for a server in Germany . That ’s a 64 % performance dip , but still a very operable download pace . reaction time for European rural area was universally practiced at around 100 Master of Science . That ’s stock for VPNs . Even AdGuard , the fastest VPN I ’ve testedwith speeds over 600 Mbps in Europe , has a Ping River that ’s over 100 mebibyte .
I live in Canada and expected peachy speeds with a Canadian host , but Mullvad VPN only managed 97 Mbps downloads . That ’s a large penalisation when connect to a nearby host . At least the Ping River was good at 37 disseminated multiple sclerosis . To be fair , the tightlipped waiter was 1,000 mile away . Given my location , it ’s better to choose a U.S. server .
plug into to the U.S. yielded much better result : 642 Mbps downloads with a latency of 44 ms . That ’s more like it . Since I had salutary execution with this server , I propel on to testing the impact of enabling DAITA , post - quantum , befuddlement , and multi - hops .
Obfuscation is an significant feature forVPNs to conk out through administrative firewalls at schoolor oeuvre . Mullvad VPN ’s new Shadowsocks WireGuard implementation work well , but thin hurrying by about half . If you leave befuddlement in machinelike mode , Mullvad only uses it when it ca n’t colligate , so that ’s the dear pick .
While quantum decryption is currently unlikely , using quantum - immune tunneling did n’t noticeably feign speed . The same is true for DAITA — the anti - AI - tracking feature is equally fast when gear up to use only a single server . That limits choices moderately , but provide extra protective cover without a speed penalization .
If I call for a connection in a country that does n’t have a DAITA host , I can allow multi - record hop . In that case , Mullvad VPN link to a DAITA server first , then routes through my favourite location . Directing dealings through more servers always tighten speed .
For exercise , NymVPN energy multi - hop secrecy to the limit point , croak through up to five servers before exiting the VPN web . At that extreme attack , bandwidth is so low that it ’s only usable on wandering devices . Fortunately , NymVPN also sustain a two - hop mode .
Mullvad VPN ’s two - hops technique prune my cyberspace carrying out by about half . If I felt I was a prey of hackers and spies , the tradeoff could be worthwhile .
Beyond speed , Mullvad VPN volunteer split - tunneling so I can specify sure apps that can short-circuit the VPN . Those apps can see my location to tailor-make a feed and get maximal throughput no matter of which VPN waiter I choose .
Mullvad VPN also has content blocking agent for malware , tracker , ads , gambling , grownup mental object , and social medium . The ship’s company monish that the malware blocking agent is n’t foolproof , and in my situation - checks , it run out all 13 malware mental testing on Wicar . You still necessitate an advanced antivirus app to protect your calculator from hackers .
Support
As a low-spirited - cost VPN with no secret costs , Mullvad VPN has to keep staff costs lowly . The company volunteer a living center with detailed documentation that I can surf and look for for quick answers .
For personal help , the only choice is to email support . I tested customer divine service with a doubt about Mullvad VPN ’s malware blocking agent . It take about eight hour to get a answer . A one - day turnaround is usual for e-mail support , so Mullvad was three clock time faster than I gestate . The agentive role confirmed it ’s a reputation - base blocking agent that is n’t foolproof .
Most VPNs proffer similar malware blocking , but to really safeguard your computer , the good antivirus softwareprovides more racy real - fourth dimension protection and prevention with ongoing CAT scan and cleanup spot .
Privacy and security
Since total anonymity is prosperous to accomplish with Mullvad VPN , there are no privacy concerns . To Mullvad , I ’m just a number , which is a good thing for a VPN service .
There ’s no pauperization for trust . They simply do n’t live who I am . They do n’t know my electronic mail address unless I touch support . Even then , there ’s no way to tie my email to my account number .
I can pay via crypto or cash to pass any fiscal trail . Mullvad clear up defrayal information after the 30 - daytime repayment menstruation has passed , so I can pay with a credit card and only leave behind a irregular footprint .
That said , Mullvad has regular independent audit to verify its security protocol and no - log policy .
Is Mullvad right for you?
Mullvad VPN ’s system ensures thoroughgoing privateness without need trust . That might be an essential detail if you ’re at endangerment of spying or probable to be aim for identity thieving . Residents of oppressive countries need dependable namelessness since expressing opinion can be serious .
Even if you do n’t have a critical need for privacy , it ’s courteous to do it trackers and hackers will have a hard time identifying you with Mullvad VPN . However , the performance tradeoff is significant for international use . I enjoyed good speed with nearby U.S. server , but European servers were slower than anticipate , even with forward-looking protective covering switched off .
Mullvad VPN ’s monthly fee is the lowest I ’ve get wind , butthe best VPN dealsrequire a long commitment of one or more class of service . For representative , Surfshark is a loyal , reliable VPNthat cost $ 48 each year .
you’re able to evenuse in high spirits - quality VPNs for freewith a few limitations . Proton VPN is one of the fastest solutions , and the free reading earmark inexhaustible role on 2,300 servers in five land . That go is hard to tucker if you ’re on a tight budget .
Overall , I found the Mullvad VPN to be an excellent way to see to it anonymity and stay ahead of advanced hack on techniques . However , the latest update have impacted speed in most placement . Still , I like Mullvad ’s no - frill approach and recommend it to anyone who ’s sick of chase flock and wants careen - solid privacy protection without any hassle .
