Mullvad VPN is a privacy-focused VPN service based in Sweden that charges a flat rate of 5 euros per month with no long-term contracts or discounts. It does not require an email address or personal information to sign up, using only a generated account number. Mullvad accepts cash payments by mail for maximum anonymity and maintains a strict no-logs policy.
Mullvad is consistently rated as the best VPN for privacy, competing with Proton VPN on privacy credentials and Windscribe on flexibility. Its refusal to offer discounts, affiliate programs, or marketing gimmicks limits its mainstream visibility but builds trust with privacy advocates. The flat-rate pricing is unusual in a market dominated by multi-year discount plans.
Swiss-based with 8,600+ servers and a free tier. Open-source apps and part of the Proton ecosystem. Broader feature set and larger network than Mullvad.
Flexible pricing with a build-a-plan option ($1/location) and free tier. R.O.B.E.R.T. ad/tracker blocking. Better for streaming but Canada-based (Five Eyes jurisdiction).
Similar privacy philosophy to Mullvad with transparent operations. Gibraltar-based jurisdiction. Slightly higher pricing but comparable privacy commitment.
Largest mainstream VPN with aggressive marketing and broad server network. Focuses on streaming and speed. Less privacy-focused than Mullvad's minimalist approach.
Mullvad's refusal to use affiliate programs, influencer marketing, or discount gimmicks builds genuine trust with privacy-conscious users. This approach limits reach but creates strong word-of-mouth advocacy in security communities.
Account-number-only signup with no email requirement and cash payment acceptance sets Mullvad apart from all competitors. This is the gold standard for anonymous VPN usage that privacy advocates specifically seek out.
Mullvad does not market itself for streaming, unlike Windscribe and ExpressVPN. Users who need reliable Netflix or streaming unblocking will choose competitors. This is a deliberate trade-off for privacy purity.
No, Mullvad uses a generated account number instead of email registration. You can even pay with cash mailed to their office for complete anonymity. No personal information is required at any point.
Mullvad charges a flat 5 euros per month with no long-term contracts or discounts. This transparent pricing avoids the deceptive marketing common in VPN advertising where low monthly rates require multi-year commitments.
Both are highly privacy-focused. Mullvad offers anonymous signup and cash payments for maximum privacy. Proton VPN has a free tier, more servers, and ecosystem bundling. Mullvad is more private; Proton VPN is more feature-rich.