Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Proton VPN is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.9. Proton VPN wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Mullvad VPN on 2.
People who care about privacy and want a trustworthy VPN, free or paid
People who want a VPN that knows as little about them as possible
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Proton VPN | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy & Security | Privacy & Security |
| Category rank | #3 of 10 | #7 of 10 |
| Developer | Proton AG | Mullvad VPN AB |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Subscription |
| Usable for free | Yes | No |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Proton VPN better than Mullvad VPN?
Proton VPN is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.9. Proton VPN wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Mullvad VPN on 2.
Which is cheaper, Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN?
Proton VPN: Free plan with no data cap; VPN Plus from $3.49/month on a 2-year plan. Mullvad VPN: Flat €5 a month (about $5.61); no free plan and no long-term discounts. On value for money, Proton VPN scores higher.
Do Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux.
Which is more private, Proton VPN 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
Proton VPN
- Free tier has no data cap or ads
- Strong privacy credentials and Swiss jurisdiction
- Stealth protocol helps on restrictive networks
- Free plan picks your server country and covers one device
- Streaming and advanced features need a paid plan
Proton VPN has the best free VPN plan you'll find: no data cap, no ads and no activity logs, with servers in 10 countries picked for you. Paid plans unlock every location, streaming support, Secure Core multi-hop routing and the NetShield ad blocker. The apps are open source, the company is Swiss, and the no-logs policy has passed five yearly audits. Free speeds can dip at busy times. Get it if you want a VPN you can trust.
Full Proton VPN 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
