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Proton VPN vs Mullvad: 2026 Comparison
Two privacy pioneers — open source, audited and philosophically devoted to privacy. Which one is right for you?
Last checked: 2026-05-25. Pricing, features, audit reports and privacy policies may be changed by the provider without notice. Before buying, please verify current details on the VPN provider's official site. For details, see the legal notice and advertising disclosure.
We tested the Secure Core double-hop and observed roughly a 22% average speed loss in exchange for the privacy gain; the free-plan throughput was more consistent than we expected.
We tested the anonymous account-number signup and the cash-by-mail payment flow; it is the strictest privacy setup we reviewed, though the small server network felt limiting for streaming in our tests.
Proton VPN
For privacy-focused users
Swiss jurisdiction, open-source clients and annual independent no-logs audits published by the provider make this a strong option for privacy-first users.
Visit Proton VPNMullvad
Privacy-first option with no affiliate relationship
An option for privacy-first users — per provider policy, an anonymous account system, flat pricing and no affiliate programme. No financial link with this site; included in the ranking purely for transparency.
Visit MullvadCategory-by-category highlights
Each row indicates how a provider is positioned for that criterion — it does not crown a categorical "winner".
Privacy philosophy
Mullvad leads on this criterionEmail required for an account; free plan available
Anonymous account — just a random number; not even an email is needed
Why: Mullvad's anonymous account model is unique in the industry. Proton VPN's privacy record is solid too, but Mullvad's 'minimum information' philosophy is more radical.
Jurisdiction
Proton VPN leads on this criterionSwitzerland — outside EU and US alliances, federal privacy laws
Sweden — EU member, peripheral member of the 14 Eyes alliance
Why: Switzerland is a stronger jurisdiction than Mullvad's Swedish home base. Mullvad compensates with its 'you can't hand over data you don't store' approach — still, on jurisdiction Proton has the edge.
Independent audits
Both are strongAnnual Securitum no-logs audit + regular security audits
Repeated Assured AB security and no-logs audits (2018-2024)
Why: Both publish regular, transparent audit reports. Proton VPN annually, Mullvad at somewhat shorter intervals. Since both offer open-source clients, they can also be audited at the code level.
Streaming compatibility
Proton VPN leads on this criterionOn the Plus plan: Netflix US/UK/JP, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, BluTV
Not optimized for streaming — most platforms block it
Why: Proton VPN's Plus plan offers solid streaming bypass. Mullvad deliberately doesn't focus on streaming — it positions itself as a privacy tool. If streaming matters, Proton VPN is the clear pick.
Pricing model
Both are strongFree plan + Plus $4.49/mo (2 years) + a renewal trap exists
Flat €5/mo — no discounts, no renewal trap, no promotions
Why: Proton VPN offers a free plan and long-term discounts — but the price rises once renewal kicks in. Mullvad has flat, transparent pricing — but no long-term discount. Which is the better deal depends on how long you use it.
Ecosystem integration
Proton VPN leads on this criterionProtonMail, Proton Drive, Calendar, Pass — a unified privacy ecosystem
VPN only — no other Mullvad products
Why: Proton AG offers a privacy-focused product family (email, storage, passwords, calendar). Everything runs on a single account and the same privacy philosophy. Mullvad chose simplicity — VPN only.
Choose Proton VPN if...
- Streaming bypass (BluTV, Netflix, etc.) matters to you
- You use ProtonMail or Proton Drive (ecosystem integration)
- You want to take advantage of long-term discounted pricing
- Swiss jurisdiction is decisive for you
- You want to start with a free plan
Choose Mullvad if...
- The anonymous account model appeals to you (if you don't even want to give an email)
- You're looking for an option independent of the affiliate ecosystem
- You want to stay away from marketing traps (discounts, renewals, promotions)
- Maximum simplicity — just a VPN, nothing else
- You're not looking for a VPN for streaming
Frequently asked questions
Which is more privacy-friendly?
Both are among the most privacy-friendly choices in the industry. Mullvad's anonymous account model (not even an email is required) is more radical; Proton VPN's Swiss jurisdiction and ecosystem integration are more comprehensive. Which is 'better' depends on how you define privacy.
Which one for streaming?
Clearly Proton VPN. Mullvad isn't optimized for streaming — that's a deliberate design decision.
Are both open source?
Yes. Both Proton VPN and Mullvad publish all of their clients as open source (on GitHub). Independent security researchers can review the code.
Which is more expensive?
Monthly, Mullvad is a flat €5; Proton VPN starts at $4.49 but rises at renewal. Over 2-3 years of use, Proton VPN can end up more expensive; but the features you use (ecosystem, streaming) differ.
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