Mullvad VPN Review 2026 - The Privacy Purist's Choice
Mullvad is the anti-VPN VPN. No accounts, no email, no marketing gimmicks. Just a random number and encrypted internet access. It’s the VPN that privacy advocates actually use — and there are good reasons for that.
Mullvad at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 700+ in 45 countries |
| Protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Encryption | AES-256 / ChaCha20 |
| Devices | 5 simultaneous |
| Account system | Random number (no email) |
| Price | €5/month (fixed, no discounts) |
| Payment | Cash, crypto, card, PayPal |
The Mullvad Experience
Sign Up (30 seconds)
- Visit mullvad.net
- Click “Generate account number”
- You get a 16-digit number. That’s your account.
- Add time (payment)
- Download the app
- Enter your number
No email. No password. No name. Your account is a number, and if you pay with cash or crypto, there is zero connection between that number and your identity.
The App
Clean, minimal, functional. Connects in under 2 seconds with WireGuard. The interface shows your connection status, selected server, and current IP. No clutter, no upsells, no notification spam.
Settings are straightforward:
- Protocol selection (WireGuard recommended)
- Kill switch (always-on by default)
- Auto-connect on startup
- DNS settings
- Split tunneling (recently added)
Speed
Mullvad was one of the first VPN providers to implement WireGuard, and their performance shows it.
| Location | Download | Upload | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | 880 Mbps | 810 Mbps | 3ms |
| Same continent | 740 Mbps | 650 Mbps | 28ms |
| Cross-continent | 610 Mbps | 490 Mbps | 95ms |
Not the absolute fastest (NordVPN and ExpressVPN edge ahead), but Mullvad’s speeds are consistently excellent with minimal variance.
Privacy: Unmatched
The 2023 Raid
In April 2023, Swedish police executed a search warrant at Mullvad’s office, demanding customer data. Mullvad’s response: there is no customer data. The police left with nothing. This real-world test is the strongest possible validation of a no-logs policy.
Infrastructure
- RAM-only servers: Many are physically owned by Mullvad, not rented
- No traffic logging: Verified by infrastructure architecture
- Open source: All code is publicly auditable
- Regular audits: Multiple independent security audits with published results
- Encrypted DNS: Runs its own encrypted DNS servers
Payment Anonymity
- Cash: Mail euros, USD, GBP, SEK, DKK, NOK, or CHF in an envelope
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Monero (Monero is untraceable)
- Card/PayPal: Available but less anonymous
What Mullvad Doesn’t Do
No Streaming Unblocking
Mullvad makes no effort to unblock Netflix, Disney+, or other streaming services. If you connect to a US server and try Netflix, you’ll get the proxy error. This is by design — Mullvad focuses purely on privacy and security.
No Marketing or Affiliate Program
Mullvad doesn’t have an affiliate program. No one gets paid to recommend them. Every positive review you read is genuine (including this one — we make no money from Mullvad links).
No Discounts
€5/month. No annual plans, no bulk discounts, no “limited time offers.” The price is the price, forever. Some see this as expensive; others see it as honest.
Who Mullvad Is For
Perfect for:
- Privacy advocates and security professionals
- Journalists protecting sources
- Activists in surveillance states
- Anyone who distrusts VPN marketing
- Linux users (excellent Linux support)
- WireGuard enthusiasts
Not for:
- Streaming (no unblocking)
- Users who want lots of features
- Budget shoppers (no discounts)
- People who forget numbers (your account IS a number)
Compared to Mainstream VPNs
| Feature | Mullvad | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy focus | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Streaming | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Features | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Simplicity | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Price value | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Final Verdict: 8.5/10
Mullvad is the most genuinely private VPN available. No accounts, no logs, proven under legal pressure. If privacy is your primary concern and you don’t need streaming, Mullvad is the clear choice.
For most users who want a balance of privacy, streaming, speed, and features, NordVPN or Surfshark are better all-rounders at lower prices. But for pure privacy? Nothing beats Mullvad.
Review updated February 2026.