Is NordVPN better than Mullvad?

It depends on your priorities. NordVPN has more servers, better streaming support, and cheaper long-term plans. Mullvad is better for privacy with anonymous sign-up, open-source apps, and independently audited no-logs policy.

Is Mullvad VPN any good?

Mullvad is an excellent VPN for privacy-focused users. It offers anonymous sign-up, flat-rate pricing, open-source apps, and RAM-only servers. However, it is not ideal for streaming or users who want extensive customer support.

Is Surfshark better than Mullvad?

Surfshark is better for streaming and offers unlimited device connections at a lower annual price. Mullvad is better for privacy with anonymous accounts and independently audited no-logs policy.

Is Mullvad VPN legal?

Yes, Mullvad VPN is completely legal. Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Mullvad is based in Sweden and operates within all applicable laws.

What is the #1 best VPN?

The best VPN depends on your needs. For privacy, Mullvad is a top choice. For overall features and speed, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are frequently recommended. For budget users, Surfshark offers strong value.

How do I cancel VirtualShield?

You can cancel VirtualShield by contacting their support team through live chat or email. Make sure to cancel within the 30-day money-back guarantee period if you want a full refund.

VirtualShield uses AES 256-bit encryption and has a no-logs policy. However, it is based in the US which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance, and it has not published independent security audits.

Who owns VirtualShield?

VirtualShield is operated by VirtualShield LLC, a company based in the United States. The company has been criticized for limited transparency about its ownership structure.

Is Mullvad faster than NordVPN?

Mullvad offers competitive speeds with an average speed loss of around 13.5%. NordVPN is generally faster on distant servers. Both use WireGuard protocol for optimal performance.

Are virtual VPN servers safe?

Virtual VPN servers can be safe if the provider uses strong encryption and maintains a strict no-logs policy. Physical servers like those used by Mullvad offer an extra layer of security since data is stored locally and wiped on reboot.

Do you have to pay for Mullvad VPN?

Yes. Mullvad does not offer a free plan. The flat rate is €5 per month. You can pay with cash, cryptocurrency, credit card, or PayPal.

What is Mullvad used for?

Mullvad is used to encrypt your internet connection and hide your real IP address. It is popular among privacy-focused users, journalists, and anyone who wants anonymous browsing without sharing personal data.

How do I contact VirtualShield?

You can contact VirtualShield through their 24/7 live chat on their website. The support team is super helpful and will respond quickly to your questions. Premium phone support is also available as a paid add-on for $14.99 per month. In this crazy world of online threats, having a support team that can respond fast makes a big difference for the customer experience.

Is Mullvad a reliable VPN?

Yes. Based on our Mullvad VPN review, it is a reliable and secure VPN. The Mullvad service runs on high speed servers with a successful connection rate that rarely drops. Upload speed and connection speeds are competitive. The VPN market has many options, but few VPNs match Mullvad on privacy. It is a trustworthy choice among other VPNs for users who care about keeping their customer data and user activity data private.

Does VirtualShield have a user friendly interface?

Yes. VirtualShield has a user friendly interface that works well on all major platforms. The app is straightforward on both desktop and mobile devices. Even beginners can connect with ease. You can earn extra points with VirtualShield by referring friends through their referral program.

Can Mullvad handle a search warrant?

Mullvad passed a real-world test in 2023 when Swedish police executed a search warrant at their office. Because all Mullvad servers are RAM-only and no customer data is stored, there was nothing to hand over. This confirmed their no-logs policy in practice, not just in audits.

Is VirtualShield a comprehensive solution?

Yes. VirtualShield is a comprehensive solution that includes VPN, antivirus protection, identity protection, and dark web monitoring. The up town approach of bundling everything together means you do not have to manage multiple apps. It saves you from spending a lot more money on separate security tools. Every satisfied customer gets access to the full suite on the Ultimate plan.

Mullvad vs Virtual Shield: Best Online Privacy in 2026?

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated May 3, 2026

Winner

4.3

No Email or Personal Info Needed
WireGuard Protocol for Speed
RAM-Only Servers in 44 Countries
Open-Source Apps You Can Audit
Independently Audited No-Logs
Pay with Cash or Crypto
Flat Rate: €5/month

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Runner Up

3.8

VPN + Antivirus + ID Protection
Dark Web Monitoring Built In
Up to 15 Devices (Family Plan)
24/7 Live Chat Support
Ransomware Protection Add-On
30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Plans from $9.58/month

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⚡ Quick Verdict:

Pricing: Mullvad charges a flat €5/mo (~$5.50). VirtualShield starts at $9.58/mo for Basic VPN only.
Best for: Mullvad for privacy-first users who want anonymous browsing. VirtualShield for users who want VPN, antivirus, and identity protection in one app.
Key difference: Mullvad is a pure VPN with open-source apps and no personal data required. VirtualShield is a full security suite with dark web monitoring and antivirus protection.
Our pick: Mullvad for most users — stronger privacy, lower price, and more servers worldwide.

Mullvad and VirtualShield take very different approaches to security and privacy.

One is a pure VPN built for user privacy and anonymous browsing.

The other bundles VPN with antivirus protection and identity protection.

Few VPNs are as different from each other as these two.

This Mullvad vs Virtual Shield comparison breaks down both so you can pick the right fit.

Overview

This Mullvad vs Virtual Shield comparison covers pricing, privacy features, and server networks.

We look at Mullvad VPN’s server network, Mullvad’s pricing, and Mullvad’s speeds against VirtualShield’s features.

Mullvad’s apps are open-source. Mullvad’s servers are RAM-only.

Our sources include published specs, documentation, and user reviews.

By the end, you’ll know which tool fits your needs.

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What is Mullvad?

Mullvad is a privacy-focused VPN service based in Sweden.

It does not require an email address or any personal info to sign up.

Instead, Mullvad generates a randomly generated connection ID — a 16-digit account number — for each user.

The Mullvad VPN apps are fully open-source and run on all major operating systems including Linux apps, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and Android TV.

The Mullvad service has passed multiple independent audits by firms like Radically Open Security and Cure53.

Mullvad

A privacy-first VPN with anonymous sign-up and flat-rate pricing. No email, no name, no tracking. Pay with cash, crypto, or card.

TRY MULLVAD NOW →

READ FULL REVIEW →

MULLVAD TUTORIAL →

Mullvad Pricing

Mullvad keeps pricing dead simple. There is one plan at one price.

Plan	Price	Best For
1 Month	€5 per month	Short-term privacy needs
1 Year	€5 per month	Long-term privacy users
1 Decade	€5 per month	Maximum commitment savings

Pricing verified May 2026.

Free trial: No free trial available. Mullvad offers a 14-day money-back guarantee instead.

Money-back guarantee: 14 days for most payment methods. Cash payments are excluded.

📌 Note: Mullvad has never raised its price since launching in 2009. The flat €5/mo applies no matter how long you subscribe. Crypto payments get a 10% discount.

⚠️ Warning: There are no long-term discounts. Unlike most VPN providers, Mullvad does not offer cheaper rates for yearly or multi-year plans. The tradeoff is no surprise renewal price hikes.

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Key Benefits of Mullvad

Here’s what makes Mullvad worth considering:

Anonymous Sign-Up: No email, no name, no phone number. Just a randomly generated connection with a 16-digit account ID. You can pay with bitcoin cash mailed in an envelope.
Audited No-Logs Policy: Multiple independent security audits confirm Mullvad stores zero user activity data or customer data. The audits are published openly.
Open-Source Apps: Every Mullvad app is fully open-source. Anyone can inspect the code. This makes it one of the most secure VPNs for VPN veterans and privacy-conscious users.
RAM-Only Servers: All Mullvad servers run on RAM only. Private data is wiped completely upon reboot. The number of servers sits at around 684 across 44 countries.
WireGuard Protocol: Mullvad runs exclusively on WireGuard for fast speeds and strong encryption. OpenVPN and WireGuard were both supported until January 2026 when OpenVPN was retired.
Built-in Ad Blocker: The app blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains without extra add-ons. It also prevents DNS leaks by routing all DNS requests through encrypted servers.
Multi-Hop and DAITA: Route traffic through multiple servers. DAITA protects against AI-guided traffic analysis. Note that Mullvad does not support split tunneling or port forwarding.
Mullvad Browser: Mullvad offers the Mullvad Browser, a privacy-focused web browser built with the Tor Project team. It pairs well with the VPN for extra protection.

Try Mullvad VPN now

What Our Team Noticed

Our writer signed up for Mullvad and explored the platform hands-on. Here’s what stood out:

Mullvad Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

No personal information required to sign up
Flat €5/mo pricing with no renewal surprises
Fully open-source apps verified by independent audits
RAM-only servers that wipe data on every reboot
Accepts cash and cryptocurrency for anonymous payment

❌ Cons

Smaller server network compared to NordVPN or ExpressVPN
Poor at unblocking streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer
No long-term subscription discounts available
Email-only customer support with no live chat option

Try Mullvad VPN now

What is Virtual Shield?

VirtualShield is an online security suite based in the United States.

The VirtualShield VPN bundles a VPN server network with antivirus and identity theft monitoring.

The platform also offers dark web monitoring and data removal for customers who want all around security.

Most users choose it for the sole purpose of getting a single user security package rather than VPN alone.

Virtual Shield

A full security suite with VPN, antivirus, and identity protection. Covers dark web monitoring and webcam privacy in one app.

TRY VIRTUAL SHIELD NOW →

READ FULL REVIEW →

VIRTUAL SHIELD TUTORIAL →

Virtual Shield Pricing

VirtualShield offers three tiers. Each adds more security features.

Plan	Price	Best For
Basic	$9.58/mo	VPN-only users on a budget
Plus	$13.75/mo	Users who want antivirus added
Ultimate	$20.41/mo	Full identity and security protection

Pricing verified May 2026.

Free trial: No free trial. VirtualShield does not offer a free plan.

Money-back guarantee: 30 days. If you are not satisfied, you can request a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

📌 Note: VirtualShield requires payment for the entire contract up front. The monthly maintenance cost drops when you choose a longer existing plan. The Plus plan adds unrestricted streaming and the Ultimate plan adds premium phone support. If you finally cancelled your subscription, the company does offer refunds within the guarantee window.

⚠️ Warning: Some users have reported unexpected charges and difficulty getting refunds after the 30-day window. Make sure to cancel before the guarantee period ends if you are not happy.

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Key Benefits of Virtual Shield

Here’s what makes VirtualShield worth considering:

All-in-One Security: VPN, antivirus, and identity protection bundled together. As a valued customer, you do not need to buy separate apps or spend a lot more money on three different services.
Dark Web Monitoring: The service scans the dark web for your private data. You get real-time alerts if your data shows up in a breach. The customer experience is smooth for non-technical users.
Family Plan: Connect up to 15 mobile devices and desktops simultaneously on the family plan. The basic plan covers three devices. Good for protecting an entire household.
24/7 Live Chat: The tech support team is super helpful and available around the clock. Many satisfied customers praise how fast they respond to issues.
Webcam Privacy: VirtualShield includes webcam privacy to block unauthorized access to your camera. This adds an extra layer of protection for your online identity.
Unrestricted Streaming: With the unrestricted streaming add-on, you can access Netflix content and other geo-blocked sites. This is an important factor for users who stream often.

Try Virtual Shield now