Mullvad VPN: Review of the Swedish Anonymous VPN in 2026

Mullvad VPN is one of the few VPNs that prioritizes extreme anonymity: it uses a random account number instead of an email address, accepts cash payments by mail, and has maintained a flat rate of €5 per month since 2009. Based in Sweden and audited four times by Cure53 (most recently in June 2024), Mullvad doesn’t engage in promotional races. It’s designed for users who prioritize privacy over maximum speed and server diversity. Here’s how it works, its limitations, and a comparison with ProtonVPN.

Key points to remember

• Flat rate: €5/month, unchanged since 2009, with no minimum contract term.
• 10% discount for payments made in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Monero, BTC Lightning).
• A random 16-digit account number; no email address or name is required.
• Accepted payment methods: credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, Monero, BTC Lightning, and cash sent by mail.
• Cure53 audits in 2018, 2020, 2022, and June 2024, plus two Assured AB reports in 2025 and 2026.
• Over 700 servers in more than 50 countries, WireGuard up to 10 Gbps, P2P allowed everywhere.

What makes Mullvad VPN different from other VPNs?

Mullvad is known for its radically different approach to the consumer VPN market. While NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost rely on aggressive discounts and 2- to 3-year contracts, Mullvad offers a flat rate with no commitment and focuses on technical privacy.

• Flat rate — €5/month, no hidden fees, no long-term commitment.
• No email address — you'll receive a random 16-digit account number when you sign up.
• Cash payments accepted — send cash by mail to Mullvad, Sweden.
• Crypto payments — Bitcoin, Monero, BTC Lightning — with a 10% discount.
• Client-side open source — Mullvad applications available on GitHub.
• Regular independent audits — Cure53 has audited the infrastructure four times since 2018.

The random account number is the detail that makes all the difference. Instead of registering an email address and password, you generate a 16-digit code when you sign up. You use this number to log in to your account and make payments. This means no personal information is linked to your browsing activity.

This approach is the opposite of that taken by most VPNs, which require at least a verified email address. Through this practice, Mullvad demonstrates that collecting as little data as possible is a technical and ethical choice, not a constraint.

How much does Mullvad VPN cost, and how can I pay for it?

The price is worth a special mention. Mullvad has charged €5 per month (€60 per year if you pay monthly) since 2009. It is the only consumer-grade VPN that hasn’t raised its prices in 17 years.

• Type|Price|Note
• Payment by credit card or PayPal | €5/month | Non-automatic renewal
• Crypto payments (BTC, XMR, Lightning)|€4.50/month equivalent|10% discount
• Cash payment by mail | €5/month | Sending euro banknotes to Mullvad, Sweden
• Bank transfer|€5/month|Available in select European countries
• Long-term commitment|Not available|Mullvad does not offer discounted annual or multi-year plans

The lack of a long-term commitment is intentional. Mullvad believes that 2- or 3-year discounts are marketing practices that are incompatible with privacy (they encourage long-term tracking of users). You pay for the current month, and that's it.

Paying with cash is a unique feature. You send euro bills to Mullvad’s address in Sweden, along with your account number. Mullvad credits your account upon receipt. It’s slow but completely anonymous: no bank records, and no possible link between your identity and your account.

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How reliable is Mullvad VPN from a technical standpoint?

Mullvad is built on a solid technical foundation: the modern WireGuard protocol, a regularly audited infrastructure, and Swedish jurisdiction outside the Five Eyes alliance.

• Over 700 servers in more than 50 countries — fewer than NordVPN (over 5,000) or ProtonVPN (over 3,000), but more than enough for most needs.
• WireGuard protocol — preferred by Mullvad, speeds of up to 10 Gbps on certain servers.
• OpenVPN is also available —for cases where WireGuard is blocked.
• No logs — no-log policy validated by Cure53 audits.
• P2P allowed on all servers — torrents and BitTorrent without restrictions.
• Built-in kill switch — automatically disconnects from the internet if the VPN tunnel drops.
• Port forwarding disabled — Mullvad removed this feature in 2023 for security reasons.

The decision to disable port forwarding in 2023 divided the community. For heavy torrent users, it was a useful feature for optimizing speeds. For Mullvad, keeping this option exposed some users to network security risks, so discontinuing it was necessary.

In terms of server count, 700+ is less impressive than the 5,000 or 6,000 offered by some competitors. But Mullvad stands by this approach: few servers, well-maintained, and no gimmicks with virtual locations (a Mullvad server is physically located in the country listed).

Is Mullvad VPN secure and auditable?

Mullvad is one of the few VPNs that regularly publishes audit reports on its infrastructure. Four Cure53 audits are publicly available, along with two additional reports from the Swedish firm Assured AB.

• Cure53 2018 Audit — the first comprehensive audit of the backend infrastructure.
• Cure53 2020 Audit — Review of Changes and Robustness.
• Cure53 2022 Audit — Focus on Client Applications.
• Cure53 Audit, June 2024 — latest comprehensive review of the infrastructure.
• Audit Assured AB 2025 — the first review by this Swedish firm.
• Assured AB 2026 Audit — Confirmation of Best Practices in Place.

The reports are public and available on the Mullvad website. This level of transparency is rare in the industry, where most VPNs simply claim to be "no-log" without undergoing independent audits. Mullvad is also regularly cited in the Mozilla Foundation’s recommendations, as the foundation uses Mullvad’s infrastructure for its own Mozilla VPN.

In terms of jurisdiction, Sweden is not part of the Five Eyes (the Anglo-Saxon intelligence-sharing alliance) but is a member of the 14 Eyes (an expanded alliance). For most users, this is still largely acceptable. For those who prioritize extreme privacy, a server located outside the EU might be preferable, but few reputable VPNs offer this option.

How does Mullvad VPN compare to ProtonVPN?

ProtonVPN is Mullvad's most natural competitor in the privacy segment. Here is a direct comparison:

• Criterion|Mullvad VPN|ProtonVPN
• Price|€5/month flat rate|$2.99/month with a 2-year plan (Plus)
• Commitment|None|Monthly, 1 year, 2 years
• Anonymous registration | Random number, no email | Email required
• Crypto/cash payments|Yes, cash, BTC, Monero, BTC Lightning|Yes, BTC, cash
• Number of servers|700+ in 50+ countries|3,000+ in 70+ countries
• Maximum speed|WireGuard 10 Gbps|Very fast speeds, wider network
• Free available|No|Yes (limited)
• Independent audits|Yes (Cure53, Assured AB)|Yes (Securitum)
• Jurisdiction|Sweden (not part of the Five Eyes, but part of the 14 Eyes)|Switzerland (not part of the Five Eyes or the 14 Eyes)

The verdict depends on your priorities. For absolute anonymity, Mullvad comes out on top thanks to its random account numbers and cash payments. For speed and network coverage, ProtonVPN wins with a significantly larger number of servers. In terms of monthly price, ProtonVPN beats Mullvad with a 2-year subscription, but Mullvad wins in terms of flexibility (no commitment).

For more information, check out our ProtonVPN vs. NordVPN comparison, our ProtonVPN review, and our guide to the best VPNs: NordVPN, CyberGhost, and Proton.

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What are the pros and cons of Mullvad VPN?

Benefits

• Uncompromising anonymity — random account numbers, cash payments, a privacy-first philosophy.
• Fixed price — €5/month since 2009, no unpleasant surprises at renewal.
• Regular audits — four publicly available Cure53 audits + Assured AB.
• WireGuard 10 Gbps — a modern protocol offering high speeds on primary servers.
• P2P everywhere — torrenting allowed on all servers, with no performance degradation.
• No user tracking —no emails, no cookies, no in-app analytics.
• Open-source clients — apps available on GitHub, auditable.

Disadvantages

• No long-term contract discount — you cannot reduce the monthly price by paying for two years in advance.
• Smaller server network — 700+ compared to 3,000+ at ProtonVPN or 5,000+ at NordVPN.
• No free plan —unlike ProtonVPN, which offers a limited free plan.
• No port forwarding — removed in 2023, which is a problem for heavy torrenting.
• No dedicated IP option — no static IP address available.
• Limited streaming catalog — Netflix and others are not Mullvad's stated priority.

Mullvad isn't designed for geo-restricted streaming. If your goal is to watch US Netflix or HBO from France, specialized VPNs (such as ExpressVPN or Surfshark) are better suited for the task. Mullvad is a privacy VPN, not a streaming VPN.

Who is Mullvad VPN best suited for?

Not all VPN users have the same priorities. Mullvad is particularly well-suited to certain types of users.

• Journalists, activists, whistleblowers — uncompromising anonymity.
• Privacy-conscious regular users — users who want to reduce their digital footprint.
• Regular torrent users — P2P allowed everywhere, with no performance degradation.
• Occasional travelers — Coverage for 50+ countries, which is sufficient for standard travel.
• Technical users — open-source apps, fine-grained configuration control.
• Criticism of long-term contracts — they prefer to pay for the current month without a commitment.

For users who are primarily interested in unblocking foreign streaming services, check out our comparison of the best budget VPNs for 2026 and our comparison of free vs. paid VPNs. For users who already have Mozilla VPN, please note that it uses Mullvad’s infrastructure: Mozilla VPN runs on Mullvad’s servers and protocols under a different brand name.

Frequently asked questions

Does Mullvad VPN work for watching Netflix US?

Not always. Mullvad isn't marketed as a streaming VPN, and some international streaming services block its IP addresses. For Netflix US, VPNs that are more focused on streaming (ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN) are more effective. Mullvad is designed for anonymity and security, not for bypassing geo-restrictions.

How many devices can be connected to a Mullvad account?

Mullvad allows up to 5 devices to be connected simultaneously on a single account. This is in line with industry standards. To connect more than that, you’ll need to either purchase multiple accounts (each for €5/month) or look into a legal shared subscription.

How does cash payment work at Mullvad?

You send euro banknotes by mail to the Mullvad address in Sweden, with your account number written on a separate piece of paper. Mullvad receives the money, verifies it, and credits your account. The process takes one to two weeks, depending on the postal service. It’s slow but completely anonymous.

Does Mullvad really keep no logs?

Audits by Cure53 and Assured AB confirm the no-log policy. Mullvad does not store browsing history, connection logs, or individual bandwidth usage. The only data associated with an account is the 16-digit number and the remaining days balance.

Is Mullvad VPN legal in France?

Yes. Using a VPN is legal in France for everyday purposes: privacy protection, public Wi-Fi security, and browsing. Use for illegal purposes (such as illegal downloading, fraud, etc.) remains prohibited, regardless of the VPN used. The responsibility always lies with the user.

Can you share a Mullvad VPN subscription?

Mullvad allows up to 5 devices to be connected simultaneously on a single account. Legal co-subscription is possible as long as you stay within the 5-device limit. For sharing with verified users, see our Mullvad sharing guide and our Mozilla VPN sharing guide (which uses the Mullvad infrastructure).

Does Mullvad offer a free trial?

No, Mullvad doesn't offer a free plan or a free trial. You can purchase a one-month subscription for €5 to try it out. A money-back guarantee is available under certain conditions; please check the Terms and Conditions. This is a different approach from ProtonVPN, which offers a permanent (limited) free plan.