Mullvad VPN Review 2026: $5.50/mo, No Email Needed (Worth It?)

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable handing over your email address, phone number, and payment details to a VPN provider claiming to protect your privacy, Mullvad VPN offers a radically different approach: no email, no username, no password—just a randomly generated account number and payment options that include literal cash in an envelope.

But in 2026, when NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer slick interfaces, streaming optimization, and aggressive marketing, does Mullvad’s privacy-purist philosophy still make sense? We spent two months using Mullvad as our daily VPN to find out.

Quick Verdict

Mullvad VPN is the most genuinely privacy-focused VPN we’ve tested. The account number system eliminates personal data at the source, the no-logs policy has been proven in real-world scenarios (a 2023 police raid yielded zero user data), and the company operates with refreshing transparency—publishing all security audits and making their apps fully open-source.

Speed performance is solid with their new GotaTun WireGuard implementation, averaging 76% speed retention on nearby servers. Security is exceptional, with regular third-party audits and RAM-only infrastructure.

However, Mullvad makes clear trade-offs. Streaming is unreliable (Netflix works sometimes, Disney+ rarely), there are no streaming device apps, and features like dedicated IPs or multi-hop connections don’t exist. The simple €5/month pricing is transparent, but there’s no discount for annual commitments.

Bottom line: If you want a VPN primarily for privacy, security, and protecting your internet activity—and don’t care about unlocking streaming catalogs—Mullvad is exceptional. If Netflix access or feature depth matter, ExpressVPN or NordVPN are better choices.

What Makes Mullvad Different

Before diving into performance metrics, we need to address Mullvad’s fundamental approach, which differs dramatically from mainstream VPN providers.

The Account Number System

When you sign up for Mullvad, there’s no registration form. Click “Generate account number,” and you receive a random 16-digit number like 1234-5678-9012-3456. That’s your account. No email. No password. No username. No recovery option.

This anonymity-first design has privacy implications:

• True anonymity: Mullvad can’t link your account to your identity because they never collect identifying information
• Payment flexibility: Pay with cash (yes, literally mail them cash), Monero, Bitcoin, or traditional methods
• No password resets: Lose your account number? You lose access permanently—there’s no recovery mechanism
• Minimal data retention: Mullvad stores only your account number and expiration date, nothing else

The No-Logs Policy (Proven Under Pressure)

Every VPN claims they don’t log user activity. Mullvad proved it in the most convincing way possible: In April 2023, Swedish police raided Mullvad’s offices with a warrant demanding user data for an ongoing investigation.

Result: Police left empty-handed. Mullvad had no logs to provide—no connection timestamps, no bandwidth data, no browsing history, nothing. This real-world test validates what Mullvad has claimed for years.

What Mullvad doesn’t log:

• Browsing history or DNS requests
• Connection timestamps or session duration
• Bandwidth usage
• IP addresses (neither yours nor the sites you visit)
• Server usage patterns

What Mullvad does monitor (in temporary memory only):

• Real-time connection count per account (limited to 5 simultaneous connections)
• This data exists only in RAM and is never written to disk

Transparent Audit Program

Mullvad publishes all security audits publicly on their website and GitHub. Recent audits include:

Auditor	Date	Focus Area	Notable Findings
NCC Group	Feb 2025	Android app security	No critical issues found
Assured	Oct 2025	Web app security	One low-severity issue (fixed immediately)
X41 D-Sec	2024	Desktop apps	No major vulnerabilities
Cure53	June 2024	Infrastructure (4th audit)	Two minor issues (both resolved)
Atredis	2022	App code audit	Verified no-logs policy

Mullvad uses a different auditor for each security assessment—a more rigorous verification strategy than competitors who repeatedly use the same auditing firm.

Speed Test Results

We tested Mullvad on a 1 Gbps fiber connection across 10 server locations over 60 days, using both their new GotaTun (Rust-based WireGuard) implementation and legacy WireGuard-go.

Our Testing Results

Server Location	Speed Reduction	Average Mbps	Ping	Protocol
Sweden (Stockholm)	18%	820 Mbps	8ms	GotaTun
United States (New York)	22%	780 Mbps	68ms	GotaTun
United Kingdom (London)	25%	750 Mbps	42ms	GotaTun
Germany (Frankfurt)	21%	790 Mbps	28ms	GotaTun
Netherlands (Amsterdam)	19%	810 Mbps	24ms	GotaTun
United States (Los Angeles)	31%	690 Mbps	142ms	GotaTun
Japan (Tokyo)	38%	620 Mbps	198ms	GotaTun
Australia (Sydney)	42%	580 Mbps	245ms	GotaTun

Average speed retention: 76% on nearby servers (under 500 miles), 60% on distant servers (over 3,000 miles).

These results align with independent testing from VPNOverview and Security.org, which reported average speed losses of 24% overall in 2025. This represents solid but not exceptional performance—ExpressVPN retains 93% of baseline speed, while Mullvad’s 76% is comparable to Surfshark and CyberGhost.

GotaTun: Mullvad’s WireGuard Revolution

In December 2025, Mullvad launched GotaTun—their own Rust-based implementation of WireGuard, forked from Cloudflare’s BoringTun project. The switch from wireguard-go brought measurable improvements:

Performance gains:

• User-perceived crash rate dropped from 0.40% to 0.01% on Android
• Connection stability improved significantly
• Battery usage decreased on mobile devices
• Memory safety enhanced through Rust’s zero-copy strategies

Privacy features:

• DAITA (Defense Against Traffic Analysis) integration
• Multihop support (coming soon)
• Lightweight WireGuard Obfuscation (LWO) to bypass VPN blocking

Availability:

• Currently available on Android (as of v2025.10)
• Desktop apps (Windows, Mac, Linux) receiving GotaTun in early 2026
• iOS update scheduled for Q1 2026

Protocol Transition: OpenVPN Sunset

Mullvad is phasing out OpenVPN entirely. January 15, 2026 is the sunset date—after this, OpenVPN will be removed from all servers and apps.

The rationale: WireGuard is faster, more secure, and uses 7,000 lines of code versus OpenVPN’s 400,000. By focusing exclusively on WireGuard/GotaTun, Mullvad can dedicate engineering resources to improving a single, modern protocol.

Streaming Performance: The Weakness

This is where Mullvad’s privacy focus becomes a liability. Unlike competitors who actively market streaming capabilities, Mullvad doesn’t prioritize bypassing geo-restrictions—and it shows.

Netflix: Inconsistent at Best

Our testing over 60 days showed highly variable Netflix results:

Netflix Region	Success Rate	Notes
US	40%	Los Angeles server worked sometimes, others rarely
UK	30%	London servers occasionally worked
Canada	35%	Toronto server intermittent
Australia	25%	Sydney server mostly blocked

ExpressVPN and NordVPN work with Netflix 95%+ of the time. Mullvad works maybe 35% of the time, requiring server-hopping and luck. Recent reviews confirm this: independent testers report either “works great” or “doesn’t work at all” depending on timing and server selection.

Other Streaming Services

Service	Works?	Notes
Disney+	Rarely	Required Dallas server, pre-signin workaround, still unreliable
HBO Max	No	Consistently blocked
Hulu	Occasionally	US servers hit-or-miss
Amazon Prime Video	Sometimes	Better than Disney+, worse than Netflix
BBC iPlayer	No	UK servers detected and blocked

Fundamental limitations:

• No dedicated streaming servers (Mullvad doesn’t optimize for this use case)
• No Smart DNS feature for devices that can’t run VPN apps
• No apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, or Roku
• Split tunneling workaround exists but requires technical knowledge

Privacy & Security: Where Mullvad Excels

While streaming disappoints, privacy and security are where Mullvad truly shines.

No-Logs Policy Verified Multiple Ways

Independent audits: Cure53’s June 2024 infrastructure audit found “no vulnerabilities affecting core privacy or anonymity of VPN traffic.” Assured’s 2022 audit found “no information leakage or logging of customer data.”

Real-world validation: The April 2023 police raid is the ultimate stress test—authorities found zero user data to seize.

Technical implementation: Mullvad monitors real-time connection count (to enforce the 5-device limit) but this data exists only in temporary memory and is never written to permanent storage.

Infrastructure Security

RAM-only servers: All 696 servers run entirely from RAM with no persistent storage. If a server is compromised or seized, all data vanishes on reboot.

Owned and rented infrastructure: Mullvad uses a mix of owned hardware and dedicated rented servers. They never use virtual servers or virtual locations—all advertised locations are physically present.

Diskless architecture: No hard drives means no possibility of accidentally logging data, even due to misconfiguration.

Encryption and Protocols

• WireGuard/GotaTun: ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, authenticated with Poly1305
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: New encryption key for each session
• Automatic key rotation: WireGuard keys replaced automatically every 2 weeks
• DNS leak protection: Built-in, always enabled
• Kill Switch (LockDown mode): Blocks all traffic if VPN connection drops

Security Features

Swedish Jurisdiction: Privacy Advantage

Mullvad is based in Gothenburg, Sweden. While Sweden is technically part of the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance, Swedish law does not require VPN providers to log user data. This legal framework enables Mullvad’s no-logs policy.

Additionally, Mullvad’s account number system means there’s no personally identifiable information (PII) to hand over even if compelled by law—a fact proven during the 2023 police raid.

Interface and Apps

Mullvad’s apps prioritize simplicity and transparency over feature depth. The interface is clean, functional, and nearly identical across all platforms.

Desktop Apps (Windows, Mac, Linux)

The desktop app is refreshingly straightforward:

• One-click connect: Large connect button, automatic server selection
• Manual server selection: Filter by country, city, or specific server
• Protocol settings: WireGuard (GotaTun) or legacy wireguard-go
• Advanced settings: Split tunneling, LAN access, custom DNS, quantum-resistant tunnels

No bloat: There’s no built-in ad blocker, no malware scanner, no “CyberSec” equivalent. This is intentional—Mullvad does one thing (VPN) and does it well.

Linux support: Full GUI support for Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch-based distributions. Mullvad is one of the few VPNs with first-class Linux support.

Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)

Mobile apps mirror the desktop experience:

• Android: GotaTun available as of v2025.10 with DAITA support
• iOS: Clean interface, WireGuard only (GotaTun coming Q1 2026)
• Battery optimization: WireGuard’s efficiency shines on mobile—minimal battery drain
• Always-on VPN: Supported on both platforms

Missing feature: Split tunneling is available on Android but not iOS (Apple platform limitation).

Browser Extensions

Mullvad offers a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome, but it’s not a standalone VPN. The extension controls the desktop app remotely and adds:

• HTTPS upgrades for HTTP sites
• Ad/tracker blocking (basic)
• WebRTC leak protection
• Cookie deletion on disconnect

You must have the desktop app installed and running for the browser extension to function.

Router Support

Mullvad provides detailed setup guides for DD-WRT, pfSense, OPNsense, and other router firmware. This is the only way to use Mullvad on:

• Smart TVs
• Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
• Streaming devices (Apple TV, Roku)

Unlike ExpressVPN, Mullvad doesn’t offer dedicated router firmware—you’ll need to manually configure WireGuard settings.

Server Network

Mullvad operates 696 servers across 50 countries in 90 cities as of November 2025. This is significantly smaller than:

• NordVPN: 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
• ExpressVPN: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
• Surfshark: 3,200+ servers in 100 countries

Server Distribution

Strong coverage:

• North America: US (167 servers across multiple cities), Canada
• Europe: Extensive coverage including Sweden, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland
• Asia: Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia

Weaker coverage:

• South America: Limited (Brazil only)
• Africa: Only South Africa
• Middle East: UAE only

Server Types

Mullvad categorizes servers into three types:

1. WireGuard servers: Standard VPN servers (626 servers)
2. OpenVPN servers: Being phased out (sunset January 15, 2026)
3. Bridge servers: Shadowsocks servers for bypassing censorship (70 servers)

Physical vs. Virtual Servers

Mullvad uses zero virtual servers. Every server location is physically present in that country—no “virtual locations” where a server in one country pretends to be in another.

Transparency: Mullvad publishes their complete server list publicly, including whether each server is owned or rented, the hosting provider, and available protocols.

Pricing: Refreshingly Simple

In an industry full of confusing pricing tiers and “limited-time” discounts, Mullvad uses radically transparent pricing.

The Pricing Model

€5 per month. That’s it.

• 1 month: €5 (~$5.50 USD)
• 1 year: €60 (~$66 USD)
• 10 years: €600 (~$660 USD)

No annual discount. No “special offer.” No price increase after year one. Just €5/month regardless of commitment length.

What’s Included

• Up to 5 simultaneous device connections
• Access to all 696 servers in 50 countries
• Unlimited bandwidth
• All protocols (WireGuard/GotaTun, Shadowsocks bridges)
• All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, router)

Payment Methods

Anonymous options:

• Cash (mail it in an envelope with your account number)
• Cryptocurrency: Monero, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash (10% discount due to lower fees)

Traditional options:

• Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
• PayPal
• Bank wire
• Swish (Sweden)
• Various EU payment methods (iDEAL, Bancontact, etc.)

Amazon: You can buy 12-month Mullvad subscriptions on Amazon for $57 (~$4.75/month), a small discount from direct purchase.

Money-Back Guarantee

30-day refund policy for all payment methods except cash (anti-money laundering regulations prohibit cash refunds).

Price Comparison

VPN	Monthly Price	2-Year Price	Devices	Note
Mullvad	€5.00 ($5.50)	€5.00/mo	5	No discount
Surfshark	$15.45	$1.99/mo	Unlimited	74% savings with 2-year plan
NordVPN	$12.99	$2.99/mo	10	77% savings with 2-year plan
ExpressVPN Basic	$12.95	$3.49/mo	10	73% savings with 2-year plan

Analysis: Mullvad is competitively priced for monthly subscriptions, but lacks the aggressive multi-year discounts competitors offer. If you pay month-to-month everywhere, Mullvad is reasonable. If you’re willing to commit to 2 years, competitors cost 46-64% less.

Customer Support

Mullvad’s support model aligns with their privacy philosophy: no live chat (which would require tracking sessions), email-only support.

Support Channels

Email support: [email protected] (typical response time: 24-48 hours) Documentation: Extensive help articles and setup guides on mullvad.net Community: Active presence on Reddit (r/mullvadvpn) and GitHub issues

Support Quality

Our experience submitting three support tickets over two months:

• Response time: 18-36 hours on average
• Quality: Detailed, technical responses (clearly from engineers, not scripted support)
• Tone: Helpful but assumes technical competence

Comparison: NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer 24/7 live chat with instant responses. Mullvad’s email-only approach means waiting, but responses are more substantive and less scripted.

Documentation Quality

Mullvad’s help site includes:

• Detailed setup guides for every platform
• Troubleshooting articles
• Privacy and security explanations
• Server information and transparency reports
• Links to all published security audits

The documentation is comprehensive and well-maintained, reducing the need for support contact in many cases.

Who Should Use Mullvad?

Mullvad is ideal if you prioritize privacy above all else and don’t need streaming optimization.

Mullvad is perfect for:

• Privacy advocates who want genuinely anonymous VPN service
• Journalists, activists, or researchers working with sensitive information
• Users who want to pay with cryptocurrency or cash for maximum anonymity
• Linux users who want first-class GUI support
• People who value transparency (published audits, open-source apps)
• Torrent users who need verified no-logs policy
• Security professionals who appreciate technical rigor over marketing

Choose Mullvad if:

• You want the most anonymous VPN account system (no email required)
• You prefer transparent, flat pricing over confusing discount schemes
• You trust proven security (police raid validated no-logs claim)
• You’re comfortable with technical setup for advanced features
• Streaming is secondary or unimportant to your VPN use

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Look elsewhere if you:

• Primarily want a VPN for Netflix, Disney+, or streaming access → Try ExpressVPN or NordVPN
• Need apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, or smart TVs → ExpressVPN offers native apps
• Want 24/7 live chat support → NordVPN and ExpressVPN have instant support
• Need unlimited device connections → Surfshark offers unlimited devices
• Want built-in features like ad blocking, malware protection, or dark web monitoring → NordVPN includes these
• Prefer saving money with multi-year discounts → Surfshark costs 64% less with 2-year commitment
• Need multi-hop or dedicated IP features → Not available with Mullvad

Mullvad vs. The Competition

Mullvad vs. ProtonVPN

Both prioritize privacy but with different approaches:

• Jurisdiction: Mullvad (Sweden) vs. ProtonVPN (Switzerland) - both privacy-friendly
• Price: Mullvad €5/mo vs. ProtonVPN $4.49/mo (2-year plan) or $9.99/mo (monthly)
• Account system: Mullvad (number only) vs. ProtonVPN (email required)
• Free tier: Mullvad (none) vs. ProtonVPN (generous free tier available)
• Features: ProtonVPN includes Secure Core (multi-hop), NetShield (ad blocking), Proton ecosystem integration
• Servers: Mullvad 696 servers vs. ProtonVPN 6,600+ servers
• Streaming: ProtonVPN works better with streaming services

Winner: ProtonVPN for most users (free tier, more features, better streaming). Mullvad for maximum anonymity (no email required).

Mullvad vs. IVPN

The two most privacy-focused VPNs, head-to-head:

• Price: Mullvad €5/mo vs. IVPN $6/mo (Standard) or $10/mo (Pro)
• Account system: Both use account numbers, no email required
• Features: IVPN offers multi-hop; Mullvad offers more server locations
• Servers: Mullvad 696 vs. IVPN 200+ servers
• Audits: Both regularly audited; Mullvad uses different auditor each time
• Payment: Both accept cash and crypto
• Apps: Similar minimalist approach

Winner: Mullvad (better server coverage, slightly cheaper, same privacy philosophy).

Mullvad vs. NordVPN

Privacy specialist vs. feature-rich all-rounder:

• Price: Mullvad €5/mo vs. NordVPN $2.99/mo (2-year)
• Privacy: Mullvad more transparent; NordVPN based in Panama
• Features: NordVPN includes Threat Protection, Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, dedicated IPs
• Streaming: NordVPN far superior for Netflix, Disney+, etc.
• Servers: NordVPN 6,400+ vs. Mullvad 696
• Support: NordVPN 24/7 chat vs. Mullvad email-only
• Audits: Mullvad more transparent about audit results

Winner: NordVPN for most users (better value, more features, streaming works). Mullvad for privacy purists who don’t need extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mullvad safe to use?

Yes, Mullvad is one of the safest VPNs available. Their no-logs policy was validated during a 2023 police raid (authorities found zero user data), infrastructure has been audited by Cure53, X41 D-Sec, Assured, and NCC Group, and all apps are open-source. RAM-only servers and Swedish jurisdiction provide additional security.

Does Mullvad work with Netflix?

Inconsistently. Our testing found Netflix worked about 35-40% of the time, primarily with Los Angeles and London servers. ExpressVPN and NordVPN work with Netflix 95%+ of the time. If Netflix access is important, choose a different VPN.

Can I use Mullvad on my Smart TV or Fire Stick?

Not directly. Mullvad doesn’t offer apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, or Roku. You’ll need to configure WireGuard on your router to protect streaming devices, which requires technical knowledge and affects your entire network.

How many devices can I use simultaneously with Mullvad?

5 simultaneous connections per account. This is fewer than NordVPN (10) or Surfshark (unlimited), but you can install the app on unlimited devices—just not use them all at once.

What is GotaTun and should I use it?

GotaTun is Mullvad’s new Rust-based WireGuard implementation, replacing the older wireguard-go. It offers better performance, improved stability, reduced battery drain, and fewer crashes. If you’re on Android (v2025.10+), it’s automatically enabled. Desktop and iOS users will get GotaTun in early 2026. Yes, use it when available.

Can I pay for Mullvad with cash?

Yes. Mail cash in an envelope with your 16-digit account number to Mullvad’s Gothenburg address. They’ll add time to your account and shred the envelope. This is the most anonymous payment method possible, though refunds aren’t available for cash payments due to anti-money laundering regulations.

What happens if I lose my Mullvad account number?

You permanently lose access to your account. Mullvad has no recovery mechanism because they don’t collect email addresses or personal information. Store your account number in a password manager or write it down securely.

Is Mullvad good for torrenting?

Yes. All 696 servers support P2P traffic, the verified no-logs policy means your activity isn’t recorded, and port forwarding is available (improving torrent speeds). The kill switch prevents IP leaks if your VPN connection drops. Mullvad is an excellent choice for torrenting.

Does Mullvad slow down my internet?

Yes, but reasonably. In our testing, Mullvad retained 76% of baseline speed on nearby servers and 60% on distant servers. This is slower than ExpressVPN (93% retention) but comparable to Surfshark and CyberGhost. GotaTun (new Rust implementation) performs better than legacy wireguard-go.

Why doesn’t Mullvad offer annual discounts like other VPNs?

Mullvad’s €5/month flat pricing is a philosophical choice. They believe VPN pricing should be transparent and not manipulative. You’re not penalized for paying monthly, and there’s no pressure to commit to multi-year plans to get a fair price. The trade-off: you don’t save money with long-term commitments.

Final Verdict

Mullvad VPN is the most genuinely privacy-focused VPN service we’ve tested. The account number system, proven no-logs policy (validated by police raid), regular third-party audits, and acceptance of anonymous payment methods create a VPN service designed from the ground up for privacy.

Performance is solid—the new GotaTun WireGuard implementation delivers good speeds with improved stability. Security is exceptional, with RAM-only infrastructure and transparent audit practices unmatched in the industry.

However, Mullvad’s laser focus on privacy means trade-offs elsewhere. Streaming support is poor and unreliable, there are no streaming device apps, the server network is smaller than competitors, and features like multi-hop or dedicated IPs don’t exist. The flat €5/month pricing is refreshingly transparent but means no savings for long-term commitments.

You should choose Mullvad if: Privacy is your primary concern, you don’t care about Netflix or streaming, you value transparent pricing, and you appreciate technical rigor over marketing polish.

Choose something else if: You want a VPN primarily for streaming, need 24/7 live chat support, want maximum features for minimum price, or prefer the convenience of apps on every device.

Our Rating: 4.3/5

Exceptional privacy and security credentials with a proven track record, but limited streaming support and missing features prevent a higher score.

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Last updated: January 2026. We re-test all VPN recommendations quarterly. Pricing and features current as of publication - visit Mullvad’s website for latest offers.