Both are the most privacy-respecting VPNs tested — the choice depends on your threat model. ProtonVPN wins on features (Tor over VPN, Secure Core, open-source apps, free plan). Mullvad wins on payment anonymity (cash, Monero, no email required to sign up). For most users: ProtonVPN. For maximum anonymity including at the payment layer: Mullvad.
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | ProtonVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99/mo (2-yr) | €5/mo flat rate (~$5.44) |
| Free plan | ✓ Unlimited bandwidth | ✗ |
| Open-source | ✓ All apps | ✓ All apps |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Sweden (14 Eyes) |
| Anonymous payment | No | ✓ Cash, Monero |
| No account signup | No | ✓ Account number only |
| Tor over VPN | ✓ | ✗ |
| Speed tested | 889 Mbps | 812 Mbps |
| No-logs audits | 3+ (SEC Consult etc.) | ✓ Annual |
| Streaming | 10+ libraries | Limited |
| Multihop | ✓ Secure Core | ✓ Native |
When to Choose ProtonVPN
- Tor over VPN — integrated Tor routing
- Free plan unlimited bandwidth
- More streaming libraries (10+)
- Slightly faster (889 vs 812 Mbps)
- Wider server network / more countries
- Swiss jurisdiction (stronger than Sweden)
When to Choose Mullvad
- Anonymous cash/Monero payments
- No email required to sign up
- Flat €5/mo — no annual commitment required
- Sweden has strong tech privacy culture
- Post-quantum encryption deployed 2024
- Simpler, no-frills philosophy
User Opinions on ProtonVPN vs Mullvad
Both are the only VPNs I recommend. Mullvad if you want to pay in cash and leave no trace. ProtonVPN if you want features like Tor routing. Different tools for different threat models.
Mullvad's no-account model is unique. You get a number, pay with cash, and that's it. No email, no name, nothing. No other mainstream VPN does this.
ProtonVPN's Secure Core feature is clever — routes through Iceland or Switzerland before destination. Adds latency but the security benefit is real for high-risk use.
Mullvad €5 flat rate is predictable. No promotional pricing, no renewal shock. ProtonVPN's promotional price is good but you need to track renewals.
ProtonVPN free plan is the real deal — I tested it for 3 months before upgrading. No cap, no ads. That built my trust in the company.
Both are audited and open-source. The philosophical difference: ProtonVPN has history fighting for rights (ProtonMail). Mullvad has history of refusing police searches of servers.
Sources: Reddit r/VPN, r/privacy, Trustpilot, Google Play, App Store. Collected Feb–Mar 2026. Representative of overall sentiment — VPNHotDeals.com includes both positive and critical opinions.
Both are excellent for high-risk users. Mullvad wins if anonymous payment is required (cash/Monero, no signup email). ProtonVPN wins if Tor routing is needed (built into the app). For most journalists, ProtonVPN's Secure Core + Tor over VPN is the strongest feature set.
Yes — Mullvad publishes all app source code on GitHub, same as ProtonVPN. Both are fully auditable by independent security researchers.
Yes — unlimited bandwidth, no data cap, no ads. Restricted to 3 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan) and 1 device at a time. Speed is slower than paid plan. Only truly trustworthy free VPN. Full guide: Best Free VPN 2026 →