Quick answer: Mullvad is one of the most private VPNs in 2026. You sign up with an anonymous account number, can pay in cash or crypto, and pay a flat €5 per month with no renewal hikes. Its apps are open source and audited, and a 2023 police visit left with no data.
Key takeaways
- Score: 9.0/10, top pick for anonymity
- No email or personal details required
- Flat €5/month, no discounts or renewal hikes
- DAITA and quantum-resistant tunnels
- Not built for streaming; no port forwarding
Last updated: September 26, 2026. Our score: 9.0/10 (editorial rating). Prices are in USD unless stated otherwise and can change at any time.
Mullvad at a Glance
| Our score | 9.0/10 |
|---|---|
| Price | €5/mo flat (about $5.80) |
| Servers | Several hundred (increasingly RAM-only) |
| Countries | Dozens (40+) |
| Speed impact | Low (WireGuard) |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 |
| Logging policy | No-logs (audited; confirmed by 2023 police visit) |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days (not for cash payments) |
| Best for | Anonymity and privacy purists |
Our Verdict on Mullvad
Mullvad takes privacy further than almost any other provider. It collects as little information as possible, publishes its code, invites audits and has had its no-logs approach tested in the real world.
It is not a streaming-first VPN and has a 5-device limit, but for anonymity-focused users, those are small compromises.
Mullvad Pros and Cons
Pros
- Anonymous account numbers, no email needed
- Flat €5 price with no renewal hikes
- Open-source, independently audited apps
- DAITA and quantum-resistant tunnels
- Proven no-logs record
Cons
- No long-term discounts
- Only 5 devices
- No port forwarding and limited streaming focus
Mullvad Speed and Performance
Mullvad uses WireGuard and OpenVPN, and WireGuard speeds are generally strong in independent testing. DAITA and multi-hop add privacy at some cost to speed.
Mullvad Privacy and Security
Mullvad is based in Sweden. Accounts are identified by a random number, and you can pay with cash, cryptocurrency and other methods. Its apps are open source and have been independently audited.
In 2023, Swedish police visited Mullvad with a search warrant but left without data because none existed. Features include DAITA (Defence Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis), quantum-resistant tunnels, multi-hop, a kill switch and DNS content blocking.
Mullvad Streaming
Mullvad does not focus on streaming. Some platforms may work, but results are inconsistent. If streaming is a priority, choose NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN.
Mullvad Torrenting and P2P
P2P traffic is allowed, and the kill switch protects your IP. Mullvad removed port forwarding in 2023, so heavy seeders may prefer AirVPN or PIA.
Mullvad Apps and Ease of Use
Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. They are clean and functional, with clear privacy settings. There are fewer convenience features than mainstream VPNs.
Mullvad Server Network
Mullvad runs several hundred servers across dozens of countries and has been moving to RAM-only infrastructure.
Mullvad Pricing and Value
Mullvad costs a flat €5 per month, whether you buy one month or a year. There are no discounts and no renewal hikes.
Mullvad Customer Support
Support is by email, with detailed guides on the website. There is no live chat.
Who Should Buy Mullvad
Journalists, activists, privacy enthusiasts and anyone who wants anonymous sign-up.
Who Should Avoid Mullvad
Streamers, heavy torrenters who need port forwarding and large households.
Mullvad Alternatives
IVPN offers similar anonymity with multi-tier pricing. Proton VPN offers a free plan and stronger streaming. Mozilla VPN uses Mullvad servers in a simpler app.
Mullvad vs Top-Rated VPNs: Quick Comparison
| VPN | Score | Price | Devices | Jurisdiction | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | 9.0/10 | €5/mo flat (about $5.80) | 5 | Sweden | 30 days (not for cash payments) |
| NordVPN | 9.6/10 | From $3.49/mo (2-year plan) | 10 | Panama | 30 days |
| Proton VPN | 9.4/10 | From $2.99/mo (2-year Plus); free plan available | 10 (Plus) | Switzerland | 30 days (prorated) |
| Surfshark | 9.3/10 | From $2.49/mo (2-year plan) | Unlimited | Netherlands | 30 days |
This table compares Mullvad with the three highest-rated services in our current reviews. Price is only one part of the picture: the refund window tells you how safely you can test a service, the device allowance tells you whether one plan will cover your household, and jurisdiction affects which privacy laws apply to the company. Use the comparison to shortlist two or three options, then read each full review before deciding.
Mullvad Key Specs Explained
Jurisdiction (Sweden): this is where the company is legally based, which determines the laws it must follow if authorities request data. A strong no-logs policy matters more than location alone, because a provider cannot hand over data it never collected.
Logging (No-logs (audited; confirmed by 2023 police visit)): this describes what Mullvad says it records. Independent audits, open-source code and real-world tests such as court cases or server seizures are the best evidence that a policy is followed in practice.
Connections (5): this is how many devices can use the VPN at the same time. Count your phones, laptops, tablets and TVs before choosing a plan.
Speed impact (Low (WireGuard)): every VPN slows your connection a little because traffic is encrypted and routed through another server. Modern protocols such as WireGuard keep the slowdown small on nearby servers, while long-distance and multi-hop connections cost more speed.
Is Mullvad Right for You?
Mullvad is best for: anonymity and privacy purists. It is especially well suited to these use cases: privacy, anonymity, journalists, activists. If that matches how you plan to use a VPN, Mullvad deserves a place on your shortlist. If your priorities are different, for example you mainly want the cheapest price, the most devices or the best streaming performance, compare it with the alternatives above before you buy.
Why Mullvad Has No Deals
Mullvad deliberately avoids discounts, bonus months and multi-year lock-ins. The company believes a single fair price is more honest than a low introductory price followed by a large renewal jump.
That means Mullvad never looks like the cheapest VPN on a deals page, but it also means you never have to watch for renewal dates or hunt for coupons. Over several years, the total cost can be competitive with services that start cheap and renew high.
Mullvad also has no affiliate programme, which is part of why you will rarely see it promoted heavily. We include it because it is one of the most trustworthy VPNs available.
Our Mullvad Rating Explained
We score Mullvad 9.0 out of 10, which on our scale means an excellent VPN with only minor trade-offs. Our rating weighs privacy and security most heavily, followed by performance, features, ease of use and value for money over the full cost of ownership, not just the introductory price. A provider can lose points for unclear logging practices, a limited refund policy, a small network or a steep renewal jump, and it can gain points for independent audits, open-source code, generous device limits and fair renewal pricing.
In Mullvad’s case, the score reflects these strengths: anonymous account numbers, no email needed, flat €5 price with no renewal hikes and open-source, independently audited apps. It is held back mainly by the following: no long-term discounts, and only 5 devices. If those drawbacks do not matter for how you use a VPN, Mullvad may be an even better fit for you than the number suggests.
What to Check Before You Buy Mullvad
Before paying, confirm four things at checkout. First, the total amount due today, because most long-term VPN plans are billed upfront rather than monthly; Mullvad currently starts at €5/mo flat (about $5.80). Second, the renewal price and date, which can be very different from the introductory rate. Third, the refund terms (30 days (not for cash payments)), including whether refunds are full or partial and whether app-store purchases follow different rules. Fourth, the device allowance (5), so you know whether one plan covers your whole household.
It also helps to decide in advance what you need most. If streaming is the priority, test your platforms early in the refund window. If privacy is the priority, read Mullvad’s privacy policy and audit summaries. If you torrent, check whether Mullvad offers the P2P features you rely on, such as port forwarding. A few minutes of checking now can save you from paying for the wrong service.
How to Cancel Mullvad
To cancel, sign in to your Mullvad account on the official website and open the subscription or billing area. Turn off automatic renewal to stop future charges; you normally keep access until the end of the period you already paid for. If you want a refund and you are still within the 30 days (not for cash payments) window, contact Mullvad support by chat, ticket or email and include your account email or order number. Purchases made through the Apple App Store or Google Play usually follow the store’s own refund rules instead.
How to Set Up Mullvad
- Visit the official Mullvad website using the button on this page and choose a plan.
- Create your account and complete payment. Keep your confirmation email, because you will need it for any refund request under the 30 days (not for cash payments) policy.
- Download the Mullvad app for your device from the official website or your device’s app store.
- Sign in, then turn on the kill switch (if available) before your first connection so your traffic never leaks if the VPN drops.
- Connect to a nearby server for everyday browsing, or choose a specific country when you need a local IP address.
- Check that your IP address has changed using any IP-check website, then install Mullvad on your other devices.
How We Review VPNs
This Mullvad review is research-based and was last verified on September 26, 2026. We checked Mullvad’s current pricing and plan terms, its privacy policy, published independent audits and security reports, supported protocols and platforms, and recent independent coverage of its performance and ownership. Speed notes describe the protocols Mullvad uses and how consistently it performs in widely published independent testing; they are not a single lab result, because real-world speed depends heavily on your own connection, device and distance from the server.
Before you commit, we recommend running your own quick test during the refund window: connect to a nearby server, run a speed test with and without the VPN, and try the specific streaming, gaming or work apps you use every day. That is the most reliable way to know whether Mullvad suits your setup.
Every OnlyVPNGuide review looks at the same areas: privacy policy and audit history, company ownership and jurisdiction, security features such as kill switches and leak protection, protocol support, server coverage, streaming and P2P policies, app quality across platforms, support options, and the full cost of ownership including renewal prices and refund terms. We check provider documentation, published audits and independent reporting, and we update reviews when prices, features or ownership change. Scores are editorial and are never sold. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, which does not change the price you pay or how we rate a service.
Mullvad FAQ
Does Mullvad need an email?
No. You get an anonymous account number.
How much does Mullvad cost?
A flat €5 per month.
Is Mullvad good for streaming?
Not reliably; it focuses on privacy.
Does Mullvad support port forwarding?
No, it was removed in 2023.
How many devices does Mullvad allow?
5.
Is Mullvad safe?
Yes. It is audited, open source and has a proven no-logs record.
Final Verdict
Mullvad is the gold standard for anonymity. If privacy matters more to you than streaming or discounts, it is one of the best VPNs available.