Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site.
The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here.
Business
Bryce Colburn
Bryce Colburn
Verified by an expert
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 2:26 a.m. UTC Nov. 25, 2023
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
Our take
Mullvad offers fast VPN speeds, complete anonymity and flat-rate monthly pricing with no contracts. If you’re looking for a single-user account, Mullvad should make your shortlist.
Mullvad
Blueprint Rating
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$5.37
Download speed (average)
247 Mbps
Pros
- Fast connection speeds for uploads and downloads.
- Options for enhanced privacy and anonymous payments.
- Flat €5 monthly fee (about $5.37).
Cons
- Based in a country with few privacy protections.
- No free trial or free plan.
- Pay per period upfront with no subscription available.
-
Mullvad VPN overview and facts
-
Mullvad VPN pricing
-
Mullvad VPN plans
-
Mullvad add-ons and optional features
-
Mullvad customer support and experience
-
Mullvad vs. NordVPN
-
Mullvad vs. Proton VPN
-
Is Mullvad VPN right for your business?
-
Methodology
Why you can trust our small business experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 18 companies reviewed.
- 64 hours of product testing.
- 774 data points analyzed.
Mullvad VPN is a fast and competitively priced virtual private network (VPN) provider. The company offers a well-rounded VPN that could work well for small business owners and entrepreneurs who work independently and want to maintain a secure, private internet connection.
Mullvad takes one of the strongest approaches to privacy and transparency of all VPN providers we reviewed. It allows you to create an account anonymously, with no need for an email address or other identifying information, depending on your payment method.
Prices are very reasonable, particularly if you’re looking for a short-term VPN or want to pay for one month at a time. Since Mullvad launched, the service has remained a flat €5 per month (about $5.37). The VPN works with most popular devices and you can set up Mullvad to work with compatible routers and open-source VPN clients.
One of the only drawbacks is its headquarters in Sweden, a member of the 14 eyes intelligence alliance. Member countries hold to surveillance and data-sharing agreements, so some VPN users may prefer a VPN based in a country with friendlier privacy laws.
Note: With an ironclad no-log policy, a VPN company has nothing to share with governments requesting access to their logs. Mullvad goes above and beyond when it comes to maintaining users’ privacy by never even collecting your name or email address when you sign up. Therefore, the Swedish headquarters should not be a privacy concern, even though it’s located within the 14 eyes.
Featured VPN service offers
Via NordVPN’s website
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Via Surfshark’s website
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.95
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Via Private Internet Access’s website
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
Mullvad VPN overview and facts
Mullvad VPN is a product from Amagicom, a privately owned VPN company based in Sweden. Founded in 2009, Mullvad has provided users with internet privacy for over a decade. Since it launched, Mullvad has kept users in mind by keeping pricing consistent (without long-term contracts) and never collecting users’ personal information at sign-up.
So, it’s no surprise that most past users are happy with the service, as indicated by an average 4.3-star review on Trustpilot. User reviews repeatedly mention the company’s fair business practices, affordable service and fast VPN speeds.
Mullvad VPN pricing
Mullvad VPN pricing | ||
---|---|---|
Monthly cost | €5 (about $5.37) | |
Free plan | No | |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Mullvad VPN offers a single tier of service with a flat-rate monthly price of €5 per month. That comes out to about $5.37 with the current exchange rate. That’s much simpler than most competitors, which tend to charge more for month-to-month subscriptions and less as you commit to longer terms. It also offers a one-month money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with its VPN. So, though the provider doesn’t offer a free plan, you can try the VPN risk-free for one month.
To sign up, you can generate an account for free, identified with a unique 16-digit number. Then, users prepay for a number of months and add those months to their accounts.
Mullvad accepts payment nearly any way you’d want to pay. You can purchase the VPN service with cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Monero. Prepaid vouchers are available from Amazon, among other retailers, and they work like gift cards.
The option to send cash in the mail using a unique payment token makes accounts completely anonymous.
Mullvad VPN plans
Mullvad VPN plans | ||
---|---|---|
Number of devices | 5 | |
Number of servers | 700+ | |
Download Speed (average) | 247 Mbps | |
Upload speed (average) | 176 Mbps |
With a paid account, you can access all Mullvad VPN servers and features with no limitations. Mullvad employs a strict no-log policy and works with OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Accounts include features for which other providers charge additional fees, such as multi-hop connections (called bridge server connections by Mullvad) and split tunneling. Other useful features include integrated ad and tracker blocking, port forwarding, a killswitch and custom DNS servers. However, not all features work on all devices.
When you sign up for Mullvad VPN, you can connect up to five devices simultaneously and use all of the VPN’s features with no data caps or speed limits. Native applications are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android devices. You can also use Mullvad’s browser, a Firefox plugin or download configuration details for your router or other compatible devices.
Since you can only sign up for one user at a time, Mullvad is best for solo entrepreneurs or small businesses looking for VPN service for a single user. Other providers like NordVPN offer team and group plans with the ability to pay for and manage VPN access for an entire team. But for single users, Mullvad offers an excellent VPN package.
Mullvad add-ons and optional features
Mullvad’s flat-rate pricing means there are no additional charges for optional features. It’s all included, and you never have to pay more than the standard €5 per month. However, Mullvad does have some optional features and connection choices you can make while setting up your VPN.
These include Lockdown mode, split tunneling, a choice between tunnel protocols and multihop with WireGuard. Each adds additional security layers in its own way. Here’s an overview of each of these features.
- Lockdown mode: To ensure you are never online without VPN protection, this feature blocks internet connectivity if you manually click “disconnect” or “quit.”
- Split tunneling: This feature allows you to use the VPN for some apps while opting out of using it for other apps for which you do not need VPN coverage.
- Tunnel protocols: Your VPN protocol allows for the secure transfer of your data. You can choose between WireGuard or OpenVPN tunnel protocols. OpenVPN is considered the gold standard protocol due to its no known security issues and higher privacy standards, but WireGuard is faster in terms of upload and download speeds.
- Multihop with WireGuard: This feature allows you to “hop” from one server to another while browsing the internet. That way, if one server is compromised, you rapidly get protection from another server as hackers would not be able to follow you from one server to another easily.
Mullvad customer support and experience
In terms of customer experience, Mullvad’s customer support is limited to email and self-help resources. If you use one of the native Mullvad apps, they are easy to install and use if you’re comfortable with computers. Configuring a router and taking advantage of advanced features, such as port forwarding and split tunneling, requires more computer knowledge.
Self-help guides provided by Mullvad are generally very good, but you can’t reach anyone for live customer support since the VPN provider doesn’t offer live chat or phone support. You can send in questions to Mullvad’s support team by email, but responses take about a day.
Therefore, if you don’t have an IT team or your employees aren’t tech-savvy, Mullvad may not be the best option for you. Instead, you may be better suited by a company like IPVanish, which offers phone support, a rarity in the VPN industry. However, if you’re comfortable working through issues with how-to guides, Mullvad’s library of guides and blogs should work for you.
Mullvad vs. NordVPN
Monthly price | Live chat | Dedicated IP | Download speed (average) | Money-back guarantee | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mullvad | $5.37 | No | No | 247 Mbps | 30 days |
NordVPN | $12.99 | Yes: Human | Yes: Add-on | 235 Mbps | 30 days |
NordVPN is one of the biggest and most well-known VPN companies, but it’s not much different than Mullvad when it comes to performance. Download and upload speed differences are negligible, and both support a similar list of devices and features. However, NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses and a larger number of servers in more countries.
With more robust features, NordVPN is more expensive than Mullvad. Monthly plans start at $12.99 per user in comparison to about $5.37 for Mullvad. If you’re willing to make a long-term commitment, NordVPN is a little cheaper than Mullvad, though you’ll need to pay for the length of your contract upfront. In comparison, Mullvad’s price never changes and doesn’t require a long-term commitment, so it still may be the better bet for budget-conscious buyers.
NordVPN also doesn’t match the privacy provided by Mullvad. In addition to keeping more personal information for logging in and payments, NordVPN once suffered a data breach on one of its servers, exposing user data in a rare but serious instance for a company with a privacy-focused mission. On the other hand, Mullvad can be signed up and paid for with complete anonymity.
If you’re looking for a business solution to support your entire team, NordLayer by NordVPN is a great option. But if you simply need a single-user account, Mullvad is likely your better bet.
Mullvad vs. Proton VPN
Monthly price | Live chat | Dedicated IP | Upload speed (average) | Money-back guarantee | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mullvad | $5.37 | No | No | 176 Mbps | 30 days |
ProtonVPN | $9.99 | Yes - Limited Hours for Premium Users | No | 252 Mbps | 30 days |
ProtonVPN performs similarly to Mullvad but costs more for its premium speeds. At $9.99 per month compared to Mullvad’s $5.37 monthly price, ProtonVPN costs more when you pick a one-month or even one-year plan. The two VPNs’ pricing evens out when you pick a two-year ProtonVPN plan. But, long-term commitments require a lump sum payment upfront. Therefore, Mullvad is the better option if you’re on a budget and looking to avoid long-term contracts.
ProtonVPN also works on a smaller list of devices and isn’t configurable with routers or other VPN software. And you’ll need to provide more personal information to sign up. However, it’s located in one of the most privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland).
ProtonVPN is best for users looking for a larger suite of privacy tools, including alternatives to Gmail and Google Drive. If you’re interested in ProtonVPN, you should try out its free plan, which gives you access to the VPN service with limited speeds and servers. This is a great way to test out a VPN and see if it’s right for you.
Learn more in our full ProtonVPN review.
Is Mullvad VPN right for your business?
Overall, Mullvad VPN is a great choice for privacy-centric business owners. It’s best for solo businesses or small business owners who don’t need VPN coverage for a large team. Flat-rate pricing, fast speeds and support for nearly any device make it a standout option.
If you’re less tech-savvy, you may want to consider another provider with better support, like ExpressVPN. And while accounts are anonymous (no personal information is necessary at sign-up), the Swedish headquarters could mean that users with extreme privacy concerns should look for an alternative, such as IVPN. However, many users should find it easy to look past the 14-eyes location because of Mullvad’s dedication to user privacy and strict no-log policy.
With a low monthly cost and no contracts, Mullvad is easy to try out with a low commitment, giving you plenty of opportunity to decide if you want to pay to continue using the service. Its 30-day money-back guarantee further reduces the risk of trying out the service.
Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the Best VPNs of 2023.
Featured VPN service offers
Via NordVPN’s website
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.99
Download speed (average)
235 Mbps
Via Surfshark’s website
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$12.95
Download speed (average)
263 Mbps
Via Private Internet Access’s website
Free plan
No
Cheapest monthly plan
$11.95
Download speed (average)
124 Mbps
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer users a free trial. However, the VPN provider makes it easy to test out their service by enlisting a flat-rate pricing model without contracts. You pay for a month at a time, so you can pay for one month and then decide if you want to add more time to your account. Mullvad also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a refund if you’re unhappy in the first month.
Mullvad is based in Sweden. Sweden is a member of an intelligence-sharing alliance known as the 14 eyes, an expanded group of countries known as the five eyes. Member countries of the data sharing agreement could request VPN companies under their jurisdiction share activity logs. However, Mullvad allows users to use its service anonymously and upholds a strict no-log policy. Therefore, the Swedish headquarters shouldn’t be a concern for users.
Mullvad VPN operates more than 650 servers in over 40 countries. On the VPN provider’s website, you’ll find a transparent list of all owned and rented servers by location with details on the server status. This level of transparency goes beyond what most providers offer in the industry.
Mullvad is considered a secure VPN. It offers more privacy and anonymity than most providers, including options to pay with cash or cryptocurrency. Mullvad VPN doesn’t log user activity and accounts are tied to random 16-digit identification numbers instead of your personal email address. This user account system makes Mullvad one of the most privacy-friendly VPNs.
Mullvad VPN supports the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. WireGuard is the current industry standard, offering strong encryption and fast speeds.
The easiest way to connect to Mullvad VPN is with one of its apps. To quickly connect, download and install Mullvad’s Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or Linux applications. If you only care about web traffic, you can download a privacy-first browser designed by Mullvad or install a plugin for Firefox. If you want to protect your entire internet network, you can also download configuration files for routers.
Mullvad doesn’t log any user activity. Accounts are only identified by an account number, and servers don’t store any activity or user logs. In fact, some Mullvad servers are RAM-only, meaning they can’t physically store data for long-term access.
The average download speed with Mullvad is 247 Mbps and uploads clock in at 176 Mbps. Mullvad VPN speeds are in line with the fastest VPNs in the industry.
Mullvad VPN works with most popular devices, including Windows, Mac and Linux computers as well as iOS and Android phones. You can also configure Mullvad VPN to work with compatible routers, offering VPN protection to all connected devices. However, not all features work on all devices.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
BLUEPRINT
Eric Rosenberg is a financial writer, speaker, and consultant based in Ventura, California. He is an expert in topics including banking, credit cards, investing, cryptocurrency, insurance, real estate, and business finance. He has professional experience as a bank manager and nearly a decade in corporate finance and accounting. His work has appeared in many online publications, including Business Insider, Nerdwallet, Investopedia, and U.S. News & World Report.
BLUEPRINT
Bryce Colburn is a USA TODAY Blueprint small business editor with a history of helping startups and small firms nationwide grow their business. He has worked as a freelance writer, digital marketing professional and business-to-business (B2B) editor at U.S. News and World Report, gaining a strong understanding of the challenges businesses face. Bryce is enthusiastic about helping businesses make the best decisions for their company and specializes in reviewing business software and services. His expertise includes topics such as credit card processing companies, payroll software, company formation services and virtual private networks (VPNs).
More Stories
- How to start a small business: A step-by-step guide
Business Eric Rosenberg