DuckDuckGo vs Mullvad VPN
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
It's close: DuckDuckGo edges it 8.9 to 8.9, so the right pick depends on what you need. DuckDuckGo wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Mullvad VPN on 2.
Anyone who wants better privacy without changing how they browse
People who want a VPN that knows as little about them as possible
Score by score
The details
| Feature | DuckDuckGo | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy & Security | Privacy & Security |
| Category rank | #6 of 10 | #7 of 10 |
| Developer | DuckDuckGo | Mullvad VPN AB |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Subscription |
| Usable for free | Yes | No |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is DuckDuckGo better than Mullvad VPN?
It's close: DuckDuckGo edges it 8.9 to 8.9, so the right pick depends on what you need. DuckDuckGo wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Mullvad VPN on 2.
Which is cheaper, DuckDuckGo or Mullvad VPN?
DuckDuckGo: Free browser; optional subscription from $9.99 a month adds a VPN and more. Mullvad VPN: Flat €5 a month (about $5.61); no free plan and no long-term discounts. On value for money, DuckDuckGo scores higher.
Do DuckDuckGo and Mullvad VPN work on the same devices?
Only Mullvad VPN runs on Linux.
Which is more private, DuckDuckGo or Mullvad VPN?
Mullvad VPN scores higher on privacy (9.9/10). App Store label: Data Not Collected. You sign up with a random account number, no email, and can pay with cash or crypto. Apps are open source and servers run from RAM.
Strengths and weaknesses
DuckDuckGo
- Strong protection with zero setup
- Blocks YouTube ads and cookie pop-ups
- Free, with no data linked to you
- VPN and data removal need a paid subscription
- No Linux version
DuckDuckGo is the easiest privacy upgrade you can make. Its browser blocks most third-party trackers before they load, hides cookie pop-ups, blocks YouTube ads and searches without building a profile of you. The Fire Button wipes tabs and data in one tap, and Email Protection strips trackers from newsletters. Duck.ai chat is there if you want it. The paid subscription adds a VPN, personal data removal and identity theft help.
Full DuckDuckGo review
Mullvad VPN
- Collects almost nothing about you
- One flat price with no renewal surprises
- Open-source apps and independent audits
- Less reliable for unblocking streaming services
- No free plan, and no port forwarding
Mullvad is the most privacy-focused VPN you can use. You sign up with a random account number instead of an email, can pay with cash or cryptocurrency, and pay one flat €5 a month with no upsells. The apps are open source, servers run from RAM, and DAITA helps hide your traffic patterns. Its App Store label says it collects no data at all. It has fewer streaming tricks than mainstream VPNs.
Full Mullvad VPN review
