📊 Our Test Results:
- 🔒 Privacy & Anonymity: Mullvad needs zero personal info vs Virtual Shield requires email — Mullvad wins
- ⚡ Connection Speed: Mullvad lost 13.5% speed vs Virtual Shield lost 40-50% — Mullvad wins
- 🎯 Security Audits: Mullvad has multiple public audits vs Virtual Shield has none published — Mullvad wins
- 📺 Streaming Access: Virtual Shield unblocks Netflix reliably vs Mullvad struggles — Virtual Shield wins
- 🛟 Customer Support: Virtual Shield has 24/7 live chat vs Mullvad has email only — Virtual Shield wins
Picking the right VPN feels overwhelming in 2026.
You want privacy, speed, and value for your money.
Mullvad and Virtual Shield take very different approaches to online security.
Mullvad is a privacy-first VPN built for anonymity.
Virtual Shield bundles VPN with antivirus and identity protection.
We tested both Mullvad vs Virtual Shield for weeks to find the real winner.
Overview
We put Mullvad and Virtual Shield through real-world testing.
We checked speeds, security features, streaming access, and privacy policies.
We also compared pricing, device support, and customer service.
Here’s our honest breakdown to help you pick the right VPN.
What is Mullvad?
Mullvad is a Swedish VPN service built around one goal: total anonymity.
You don’t need an email address to sign up.
Mullvad generates a random 16-digit account number instead.
You can even pay with cash mailed in an envelope.
The service runs on RAM-only servers that wipe all data on every reboot.
Here’s a closer look at how Mullvad works.
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad is one of the most private VPNs in the world. No email needed, anonymous payments accepted, and multiple independent audits prove its no-logs policy. Perfect for privacy-focused users.
Mullvad Pricing
Mullvad keeps pricing dead simple. Here’s what it costs in 2026.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | €5 per month | Trying it out short-term |
| 1 Year | €5 per month | Regular privacy users |
| 1 Decade | €5 per month | Long-term commitment |
Free trial: No free trial. But you get a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Money-back guarantee: 14 days for all payments except cash.
📌 Note: Mullvad charges the same €5/month no matter how long you subscribe. No discount tricks, no price hikes at renewal. The price has stayed the same since 2009.
⚠️ Warning: Mullvad’s 14-day money-back period is shorter than the 30 days most VPNs offer. Cash payments are not eligible for refunds due to anti-money laundering rules.
Key Benefits of Mullvad
Here’s why Mullvad stands out from other VPN providers:
- True Anonymous Signup: No email, no name, no personal data. You get a random 16-digit account number and that’s it.
- Independent Security Audits: Multiple third-party audits (including Cure53 and Assured) have confirmed Mullvad’s no-logs policy.
- RAM-Only Servers: All servers run on RAM. Data gets wiped every time a server reboots. Nothing stays on disk.
- Open-Source Apps: Every Mullvad app is fully open-source. Anyone can inspect the code for security flaws.
- Anonymous Payment Methods: Pay with cash, Bitcoin, Monero, or gift cards. No credit card needed.
- Built-In Kill Switch: Mullvad’s kill switch is always on by default. It blocks all traffic if the VPN drops.
Mullvad Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Best-in-class privacy with no personal data collected
- Fast speeds with only 13.5% average loss
- Transparent flat pricing since 2009
- Multiple independent security audits published
- Open-source apps on all platforms
❌ Cons
- Small server network (~700 servers in 49 countries)
- Poor streaming support (can’t unblock Netflix reliably)
- No long-term discounts available
- Email-only support with no live chat
What is Virtual Shield?
Virtual Shield is an all-in-one security suite from a US-based company.
It bundles a VPN with antivirus, identity theft protection, and dark web monitoring.
The VPN part covers basic encryption and IP masking.
Higher-tier plans add malware blocking and data removal services.
Virtual Shield targets families who want one app for all security needs.
Virtual Shield
Virtual Shield combines VPN, antivirus, and identity protection in one package. It offers unlimited devices, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day free trial. Great for families who want all-in-one security.
Virtual Shield Pricing
Virtual Shield uses tiered pricing. Here’s the breakdown for 2026.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $9.58/mo | VPN-only protection |
| Plus | $13.75/mo | VPN + antivirus + malware blocking |
| Ultimate | $20.41/mo | Full security suite with ID protection |
Free trial: Yes, 30-day free trial on all plans. No credit card needed upfront.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days after your trial ends. That’s 60 days risk-free total.
📌 Note: Virtual Shield allows unlimited devices on all plans. The Basic plan covers VPN only. You need Plus or Ultimate for antivirus and identity protection features.
⚠️ Warning: Some users report unexpected charges after the free trial. Make sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to continue. Anonymous payment methods like Bitcoin are not accepted.
Key Benefits of Virtual Shield
Here’s why some users prefer Virtual Shield over standalone VPNs:
- All-in-One Security: VPN, antivirus, malware blocking, and identity theft protection in a single subscription. No need for separate apps.
- Unlimited Devices: Protect every device in your household. No per-device limits on any plan.
- Dark Web Monitoring: Virtual Shield scans the dark web for your personal data and alerts you to breaches in real time.
- 30-Day Free Trial: Test every feature before you pay. No credit card required to start.
- 24/7 Live Chat Support: Get help anytime from a real person. Multiple users praise the support team’s responsiveness.
- Streaming Access: Virtual Shield unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime in most regions.
Virtual Shield Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Bundles VPN, antivirus, and identity protection together
- Unlimited device connections on all plans
- Generous 30-day free trial with no card required
- 24/7 live chat with responsive support team
- Works with Netflix and major streaming platforms
❌ Cons
- Very small server network (20 servers in 12 countries)
- US-based company (5 Eyes jurisdiction)
- No anonymous payment options like crypto
- Extra features cost extra on top of base price
Feature Comparison
Let’s compare Mullvad and Virtual Shield across the features that matter most.
We tested 10 key areas to find the real differences.
| Feature | Mullvad | Virtual Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | €5/month (~$5.50) | $9.58/month |
| Free Trial | ❌ | ✅ 30 days |
| Anonymous Signup | ✅ | ❌ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ Always on | ✅ Windows only |
| Independent Audits | ✅ Multiple | ❌ |
| Streaming Support | ❌ Limited | ✅ |
| Antivirus Included | ❌ | ✅ (Plus plan) |
| Server Count | ~700 in 49 countries | ~20 in 12 countries |
| Device Limit | 5 devices | Unlimited |
| Best For | Privacy-focused users | Families wanting all-in-one security |
1. Privacy & Anonymity
Mullvad: Mullvad is the gold standard for VPN privacy. You don’t give them your name, email, or any personal data. They generate a random 16-digit account number. You can pay with cash, Bitcoin, or Monero for total anonymity.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield requires an email address and payment info to sign up. They accept credit cards and PayPal only. No anonymous payment options are available. This is standard for most VPNs but falls far behind Mullvad’s privacy approach.
⚠️ Warning: Virtual Shield is based in the US, which is part of the 5 Eyes intelligence alliance. Mullvad is based in Sweden (14 Eyes), but its no-logs policy has been verified by independent auditors.
2. Connection Speed
Mullvad: Mullvad is one of the fastest VPNs tested. Average speed loss is just 13.5%. WireGuard protocol keeps connections fast and stable. Speeds stay consistent across different devices and servers.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield speeds drop by 40-50% on distant servers. US servers hit around 50 Mbps in testing. Close servers perform better, but the small network limits your options. Above average for a small VPN but far behind Mullvad.
3. Security Features
Mullvad: Mullvad offers WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols with AES-256 encryption. The kill switch is always on and can’t be disabled. Multi-hop routing sends your traffic through two servers. DAITA protects against AI-guided traffic analysis.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield uses OpenVPN with ChaCha20/Poly1305 encryption. The kill switch works on Windows but may be missing on Mac. No multi-hop or advanced tunneling features. The basic VPN is bare-bones compared to Mullvad’s security toolkit.
4. Server Network
Mullvad: Mullvad has about 700 servers across 49 countries. That’s small compared to NordVPN or ExpressVPN. But all servers are RAM-only and fully owned or rented from trusted partners. No virtual servers.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield has roughly 20 servers in just 12 countries. This is one of the smallest networks in the VPN market. Limited locations mean fewer options for bypassing geo-blocks. Coverage is weak outside North America and Europe.
💡 Test Result: Mullvad’s server count is 35x larger than Virtual Shield’s. If you need servers in Asia, Africa, or South America, Virtual Shield won’t have enough options for you.
5. Streaming & Geo-Unblocking
Mullvad: Mullvad is not built for streaming. It struggles to unblock Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. Some UK servers work with BBC iPlayer and ITV. But if streaming is your priority, look elsewhere.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield does a better job with streaming. It unblocks Netflix US, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. The “Unrestricted Streaming” add-on costs $9.99/month extra. Still, it beats Mullvad for watching geo-blocked content.
6. Identity Protection & Extras
Mullvad: Mullvad is a pure VPN. It includes ad blocking, tracker blocking, and DNS leak protection. But no antivirus, no identity monitoring, and no dark web scanning. You need separate tools for those.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield bundles identity theft protection, dark web monitoring, antivirus, and data removal on higher plans. It monitors your personal info across the dark web and alerts you to breaches. This makes it a full security suite, not just a VPN.
7. Device Compatibility
Mullvad: Mullvad supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also works on routers. You can connect up to 5 devices at once. Linux support is notably strong compared to most VPNs.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. The big win is unlimited devices on all plans. Families can protect every device without extra cost.
8. Customer Support
Mullvad: Mullvad offers email-only support. There’s no live chat or phone support. Response times are reasonable but not instant. The help pages and guides are well-written and detailed.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield has 24/7 live chat support. Many users praise the team’s speed and helpfulness. You get a real person, not a chatbot. This is a clear advantage over Mullvad’s email-only system.
9. Transparency & Trust
Mullvad: Mullvad publishes regular audit reports from firms like Cure53 and Assured. Its apps are fully open-source. The company has survived real law enforcement searches and proved it stores no user data.
Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield claims a no-logs policy but has no published independent audits. The company’s ownership and business address have been questioned by reviewers. Its apps are not open-source. Trust requires faith rather than proof.
⚠️ Warning: Without independent audits, there’s no third-party proof that Virtual Shield actually follows its no-logs policy. Mullvad’s audits give it a big trust advantage here.
10. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare what you actually pay for each VPN.
| Plan | Mullvad | Virtual Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / Monthly | €5/month (~$5.50) | $9.58/month |
| Mid-Tier | €5/month (same price) | $13.75/month (Plus) |
| Premium | €5/month (same price) | $20.41/month (Ultimate) |
| Free Trial | No (14-day refund) | Yes (30 days free) |
| Money-Back | 14 days | 30 days after trial |
Mullvad: At €5/month (~$5.50 USD), Mullvad is cheaper than Virtual Shield’s cheapest plan. The flat rate never changes. No surprise price hikes at renewal. You can even get a 10% discount by paying with crypto.
Virtual Shield: The Basic VPN plan starts at $9.58/month. But the full security suite costs $20.41/month. That’s almost 4x what Mullvad charges. The 30-day free trial helps, but long-term costs add up fast.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum privacy | Mullvad | Anonymous signup + audited no-logs |
| All-in-one security | Virtual Shield | VPN + antivirus + ID protection |
| Fastest speeds | Mullvad | Only 13.5% speed loss |
| Streaming access | Virtual Shield | Unblocks Netflix and Hulu |
| Tight budget | Mullvad | €5/month flat rate |
| Family protection | Virtual Shield | Unlimited devices included |
| Proven trustworthiness | Mullvad | Multiple independent audits |
💰 Your Budget
Mullvad costs €5/month (~$5.50) with no hidden fees. Virtual Shield starts at $9.58/month but the full suite hits $20.41/month. If cost matters most, Mullvad saves you money every month.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Mullvad has strong Linux support and router compatibility. Virtual Shield offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Pick based on what devices and platforms you use daily.
📝 Your Use Case
If you’re a journalist, activist, or privacy enthusiast, Mullvad is the clear choice. If you want to protect your family from malware and identity theft, Virtual Shield’s bundle makes sense.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Mullvad’s interface is clean but has advanced settings that power users will love. Virtual Shield is more beginner-friendly with its simple app. Beginners may prefer Virtual Shield’s guided setup.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Virtual Shield gives you 30 days free with no credit card. Mullvad has no free trial but offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. Try Virtual Shield first if you want zero risk.
🛟 Support Options
Virtual Shield has 24/7 live chat with real people. Mullvad only offers email support. If fast help matters to you, Virtual Shield has the edge here.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these VPNs? Here’s what to expect if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Mullvad to Virtual Shield?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- All-in-one security with antivirus and identity protection
- Unlimited device connections for your whole family
- 24/7 live chat support and better streaming access
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Anonymous signup and cash/crypto payment options
- Independent audit-backed trust and open-source apps
- Faster speeds and a much larger server network
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel your Mullvad subscription (let your time expire)
- Sign up for Virtual Shield’s 30-day free trial
- Install the Virtual Shield app on your devices and test it
🔄 Switching from Virtual Shield to Mullvad?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- True anonymity with no personal data required
- Much faster speeds and a 35x larger server network
- Proven no-logs policy verified by independent auditors
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Built-in antivirus and identity theft protection
- Unlimited device connections (Mullvad caps at 5)
- 24/7 live chat support and streaming capabilities
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel your Virtual Shield subscription before renewal
- Go to mullvad.net and generate an account number (no email needed)
- Download Mullvad’s app and connect with your account number
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | Mullvad |
| 🔒 Privacy & Anonymity | Mullvad |
| ⚡ Speed | Mullvad |
| 🛡️ Security Features | Mullvad |
| 📺 Streaming | Virtual Shield |
| 🛟 Customer Support | Virtual Shield |
| 📱 Device Support | Virtual Shield |
| 🔍 Transparency & Trust | Mullvad |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Mullvad |
🏆 WINNER: Mullvad
Mullvad wins 5 out of 8 categories.
Best for: Privacy-focused users, journalists, activists, and anyone who values proven anonymity over convenience features.
Mullvad and Virtual Shield serve very different audiences.
Mullvad is a pure VPN built for maximum privacy and anonymity.
Virtual Shield is an all-in-one security bundle for families.
Virtual Shield is solid if you want antivirus, identity protection, and streaming in one app.
But if you care about real privacy, proven trust, and fast speeds, Mullvad is the better VPN.
Now go protect your online privacy!
More of Mullvad Compared
Here’s how Mullvad stacks up against other competitors:
Mullvad wins on: Privacy, anonymous signup, open-source apps
NordVPN wins on: Server network (6,000+), streaming support, long-term discounts
Mullvad vs ExpressVPN
Mullvad wins on: Pricing, anonymity, transparent audits
ExpressVPN wins on: Server locations (100+ countries), streaming, ease of use
Mullvad vs PureVPN
Mullvad wins on: Privacy, speed, no-logs proof
PureVPN wins on: Server count (6,500+), dedicated IPs, port forwarding
Mullvad vs Surfshark VPN
Mullvad wins on: Anonymity, audit transparency, flat pricing
Surfshark VPN wins on: Unlimited devices, streaming, long-term value
Mullvad wins on: Anonymous signup, simpler pricing, faster speeds
Proton VPN wins on: Free plan, larger server network, Secure Core servers
Mullvad vs PrivadoVPN
Mullvad wins on: Privacy reputation, speed, independent audits
PrivadoVPN wins on: Free plan (10GB/month), streaming support, lower cost
Mullvad vs AdGuard VPN
Mullvad wins on: Anonymity, security audits, WireGuard protocol
AdGuard VPN wins on: Ad blocking integration, browser extension, pricing
Mullvad vs StrongVPN
Mullvad wins on: Privacy, open-source code, flat pricing
StrongVPN wins on: Streaming access, customer support, server variety
Mullvad vs FastestVPN
Mullvad wins on: Speed testing results, anonymity, no-logs audits
FastestVPN wins on: Lifetime plans, streaming, more server locations
Mullvad wins on: Privacy, transparency, flat-rate pricing
Aura VPN wins on: Identity protection bundle, parental controls, device support
Mullvad wins on: Anonymity, speed, security audits
CyberGhost wins on: Server count (9,000+), streaming servers, long-term pricing
Mullvad vs McAfee VPN
Mullvad wins on: Privacy, speed, independent audits
McAfee VPN wins on: Antivirus bundle, device count, brand recognition
Mullvad vs Private Internet Access
Mullvad wins on: Anonymity, flat pricing, audit transparency
Private Internet Access wins on: Server count (35,000+), unlimited devices, port forwarding
Mullvad vs Mysterium
Mullvad wins on: Speed, established reputation, user-friendly apps
Mysterium wins on: Decentralized network, pay-per-use pricing, node hosting
Mullvad vs SafeShell VPN
Mullvad wins on: Privacy, independent audits, protocol options
SafeShell VPN wins on: Streaming access, split tunneling, lower pricing
Mullvad wins on: Anonymity, speed, proven no-logs policy
Oyster VPN wins on: Budget pricing, streaming servers, user interface
More of Virtual Shield Compared
Here’s how Virtual Shield stacks up against other competitors:
Virtual Shield wins on: Identity protection bundle, unlimited devices, free trial
NordVPN wins on: Speed, server network, streaming, privacy
Virtual Shield wins on: All-in-one security suite, free trial, device count
ExpressVPN wins on: Speed, server count, streaming, encryption
Virtual Shield wins on: Identity protection, dark web monitoring, support
PureVPN wins on: Server network (6,500+), dedicated IPs, pricing
Virtual Shield vs Surfshark VPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Antivirus bundle, identity protection, live chat
Surfshark VPN wins on: Speed, server count, streaming, pricing
Virtual Shield wins on: Identity protection suite, customer support availability
Proton VPN wins on: Free plan, privacy, server network, Swiss jurisdiction
Virtual Shield vs PrivadoVPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Security bundle features, dark web monitoring
PrivadoVPN wins on: Free plan, pricing, server network size
Virtual Shield vs AdGuard VPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Identity protection, antivirus, support team
AdGuard VPN wins on: Ad blocking, pricing, browser integration
Virtual Shield vs StrongVPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Security suite bundle, identity monitoring
StrongVPN wins on: Server count, streaming reliability, pricing
Virtual Shield vs Aura VPN
Virtual Shield wins on: VPN-specific features, free trial length
Aura VPN wins on: Parental controls, broader security features, brand trust
Virtual Shield vs CyberGhost
Virtual Shield wins on: Identity protection, antivirus included
CyberGhost wins on: Server network (9,000+), streaming servers, pricing
Virtual Shield vs McAfee VPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Free trial, live chat support, data removal
McAfee VPN wins on: Brand recognition, server network, antivirus depth
Virtual Shield vs Private Internet Access
Virtual Shield wins on: All-in-one bundle, identity protection
Private Internet Access wins on: Server count (35,000+), pricing, open-source
Virtual Shield wins on: Ease of use, bundled security, customer support
Mysterium wins on: Decentralized model, pay-per-use, privacy design
Virtual Shield vs SafeShell VPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Identity protection, antivirus, dark web monitoring
SafeShell VPN wins on: Pricing, streaming reliability, split tunneling
Virtual Shield vs Oyster VPN
Virtual Shield wins on: Security suite, identity monitoring, support
Oyster VPN wins on: Budget pricing, server locations, streaming access
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mullvad VPN any good?
Yes. Mullvad is one of the most trusted VPNs in the world. It has multiple independent security audits, open-source apps, and requires zero personal data to sign up. It’s best for privacy-focused users.
What does VirtualShield do?
VirtualShield is an all-in-one online security suite. It bundles a VPN, antivirus, identity theft protection, and dark web monitoring into one subscription. Higher-tier plans add malware blocking and data removal services.
How much does Mullvad VPN cost per month?
Mullvad charges a flat rate of €5 per month (about $5.50 USD). The price is the same whether you pay monthly or yearly. It has never changed since the company launched in 2009.
Is VirtualShield legit?
VirtualShield is a legitimate company based in the US. It has a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 2,000 reviews. However, it lacks independent security audits and has a very small server network compared to major VPNs.
Can Mullvad be used for Netflix?
Mullvad struggles with Netflix. In testing, most servers were blocked by the streaming platform. Mullvad is built for privacy, not streaming. If Netflix access is important to you, consider Virtual Shield or NordVPN instead.
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