Choosing the right VPN can be like picking out the fastest car in a race you can’t even see! Knowing which is truly the best for your needs can be tough.
Two popular options always seem to be in the lead: NordVPN and Mullvad.
They both promise to keep your online activity private and secure, but which one actually crosses the finish line first?
In this showdown, we’ll examine the key differences between NordVPN Vs Mullvad, including their speed, security features, and overall value.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which VPN fits you best.
Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both NordVPN and Mullvad.
We’ve used them for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and torrenting, and we’ve run rigorous speed tests to see how they perform under pressure.
NordVPN has over 5,700 servers in 60 countries and boasts an average download speed of 360 Mbps!
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.39/month
Key Features:
- Military-grade encryption
- Threat Protection
- Dark Web Monitor
Take control of your privacy with Mullvad VPN! It offers access to over 800 servers in 40 countries!
Pricing: Mullvad VPN has a simple pricing structure: €5.00/month.
Key Features:
- Port Forwarding
- Bridge Mode
- Multihop Connections
What is NordVPN?
Ever heard of NordVPN? It’s one of the biggest names in the VPN world.
They’ve been around for a while and have a massive network of servers.
NordVPN servers are available in almost 60 countries, so you have many options for circumventing those pesky geo-blocks.
Plus, they make it easy to use their VPN, no matter your device.
Also, explore our favorite NordVPN alternatives…
Our Take
NordVPN gets a 9/10 because it offers a fantastic combination of security, features, and ease of use. The massive server network and strong security features make it an excellent choice for most users
Key Benefits
- Massive server network: Boasts over 5,500 servers in 60 countries.
- Strong security: Uses AES-256 encryption and a variety of security protocols.
- Specialty servers: Offers dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and extra security.
- Strict no-logs policy: They don’t track your online activity.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Plenty of time to try it risk-free.
Pricing
- Basic: $3.39/month – 1GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
- Plus: $4.39/month – 5GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
- Complete: $5.39/month – 10GB of free eSim Data, Secure, high-speed VPN.
Pros
Cons
What is Mullvad?
Now, let’s talk about Mullvad. Think of Mullvad as the quiet champion of the VPN world.
They’re not as flashy as NordVPN, but they’re super serious about your privacy.
Mullvad is based in Sweden, a country known for its strong privacy laws.
They don’t even ask for your email address to sign up! How cool is that?
Also, explore our favorite Mullvad alternatives…
Our Take
Mullvad VPN is known because it’s an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users. It’s secure, anonymous, and open-source. However, it can be more challenging and lacks some of the features other VPNs offer.
Key Benefits
- Strong focus on anonymity: No email address is required to sign up.
- Open-source: Transparent and trustworthy.
- Strong security: Uses WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols.
- Accepts Bitcoin: For anonymous payments.
Pricing
- 1 month: €5/month.
- 1 Year: €5/month.
- 1 decade: €5/month.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
To help you decide between these two top VPNs, let’s take a closer look at a few more key features. This will show you which VPN is the best fit for you.
1. Server Network
- NordVPN: NordVPN has a massive VPN server network with over 6,000 servers in 60 countries. A large server network helps with finding faster speeds and bypassing more geo-blocks.
- Mullvad: A Mullvad VPN review will show its server network is much smaller, with around 800 servers in 40 countries. This is a relatively small server network compared to NordVPN’s.
2. VPN Protocol
- NordVPN: NordVPN uses a proprietary protocol called NordLynx, which is built on WireGuard. It is known for its incredible speed and security. You can also use OpenVPN.
- Mullvad: Mullvad also uses the speedy WireGuard VPN protocol. Like NordVPN, it also supports OpenVPN, giving VPN users flexibility in their VPN settings.
3. IP Addresses
- NordVPN: NordVPN offers both shared and dedicated IP addresses. You can pay extra to get a dedicated IP address, which is useful for avoiding CAPTCHAs and accessing certain IP-restricted networks.
- Mullvad: Mullvad does not offer the option of a dedicated IP address. It uses shared IP addresses, which are good for anonymity as your IP address is mixed with other VPN users.
4. VPN Kill Switch
- NordVPN: The NordVPN app has a reliable VPN kill switch. If your VPN connection drops, the kill switch instantly cuts your internet access, preventing your IP address and other sensitive data from being exposed.
- Mullvad: A Mullvad review will confirm that the Mullvad service also has a trustworthy VPN kill switch. It works similarly to NordVPN’s to protect your data if the vpn tunnel connection drops.
5. DNS Leak Protection
- NordVPN: NordVPN offers full DNS leak protection, ensuring that all DNS requests are sent through the encrypted VPN tunnel. This protects your real IP address from being accidentally exposed.
- Mullvad: Mullvad provides robust DNS leak protection. All DNS requests are handled by their own private DNS servers, ensuring that your online activity remains private.
6. Extra Features
- NordVPN: NordVPN also offers many extra features. Installing NordVPN gives you Threat Protection, Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN to route your traffic through the Tor network.
- Mullvad: Mullvad is more focused on privacy. It has features like Multi-hop (a version of Double VPN) and a special browser called the Mullvad Browser. The Mullvad Browser is a collaboration with Proton VPN’s team, focused on maximum privacy.
7. Pricing
- NordVPN: A NordVPN subscription offers a few different plans, with the best value being the long-term plans. You can also get encrypted cloud storage and a password manager with higher-tier plans.
- Mullvad: Mullvad keeps its pricing very simple with a flat monthly rate of €5. There are no discounts for longer subscriptions, and you get access to all features. You can also pay anonymously with cash.
8. VPN Apps and Devices
- NordVPN: NordVPN has user-friendly VPN apps for almost every device. They have browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and apps for Android TV and Fire TV, which Mullvad lacks.
- Mullvad: The Mullvad app is also easy to use, but it has a much more minimalistic design. Mullvad does not offer browser extensions, but it does have the privacy-focused Mullvad Browser.
9. Money-Back Guarantee
- NordVPN: When you install NordVPN, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.
- Mullvad: Mullvad also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to test out the service and decide if it’s the right fit for you.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- No-logs policy: Make sure the VPN provider doesn’t keep logs of your online activity. This is crucial for privacy.
- Strong encryption: Look for a VPN that uses AES-256 encryption or higher. This ensures your data is unreadable to third parties.
- Kill switch: A kill switch disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed.
- Server locations: Consider where you need to connect to. A VPN with servers in your desired location will provide better speeds and access to geo-restricted content.
- Simultaneous connections: Check how many devices you can connect to the VPN simultaneously.
- Free trial or money-back guarantee allows you to test the VPN before committing to a long-term subscription.
- Independent audits: Some VPN providers undergo independent audits to verify their security and privacy claims.
Final Verdict
So, who wins this VPN comparison in 2025?
It was a close call, but we chose NordVPN as the better overall option. Why? NordVPN is super fast and easy to use.
It has many servers and can unblock almost anything. Plus, NordVPN offers extra features like Onion Over VPN servers for even better security.
While Mullvad VPN offers great privacy, NordVPN is just a bit more user-friendly.
It’s faster than Mullvad and has more servers from which to choose.
If you’re looking for a top VPN that’s easy to set up and use, NordVPN is the way to go. We’ve tested tons of VPNs so that you can trust our recommendation!
More of NordVPN
We’ve looked at NordVPN alternatives, so how does NordVPN stack up directly against them?
Here’s a quick comparison:
- NordVPN vs PureVPN: PureVPN can be more affordable, but NordVPN is generally seen as more reliable with a larger server network and better streaming capabilities.
- NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Both are top-tier, but NordVPN often comes out slightly ahead with more features and sometimes better speeds for the price.
- NordVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark allows unlimited connections and is often cheaper for long-term plans, while NordVPN boasts a larger server count and sometimes faster speeds.
- NordVPN vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN focuses strongly on privacy and even offers a free plan, but NordVPN tends to have more features, better speeds, and wider server availability.
- NordVPN vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN is a newer option that’s often budget-friendly, but NordVPN has a more established reputation, larger server network, and more advanced features.
- NordVPN vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN integrates with an ad blocker, which is unique. NordVPN is a more comprehensive VPN with a wider range of servers and features.
- NordVPN vs Virtual Shield: Virtual Shield aims for simplicity. NordVPN offers more advanced features and customization options.
- NordVPN vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for strong encryption. NordVPN offers a larger server network and a broader feature set.
- NordVPN vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is budget-friendly. NordVPN is generally faster and has more features.
- NordVPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. NordVPN focuses on VPN features and often has better performance.
- NordVPN vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers. NordVPN often has better speeds and more advanced features.
- NordVPN vs McAfee VPN: McAfee VPN is bundled with security software. NordVPN is a dedicated VPN service with more extensive features and better performance.
- NordVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for privacy and customization. NordVPN often has a more user-friendly interface and better streaming capabilities.
- NordVPN vs Mysterium: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN. NordVPN uses a traditional server network known for its speed and reliability.
More of Mullvad
We’ve explored alternatives to Mullvad, so how does Mullvad stack up directly against them?
- Mullvad vs NordVPN: Mullvad prioritizes privacy, while NordVPN excels with a massive server network and extra features.
- Mullvad vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is known for its consistently fast speeds, user-friendly interface, and strong streaming capabilities. Mullvad prioritizes privacy with anonymous accounts, but its speeds might not be as consistently high, and it’s not as effective for unblocking streaming services.
- Mullvad vs PureVPN: PureVPN boasts a larger server network, which can be advantageous for bypassing geo-restrictions. Mullvad is often favored for its stronger commitment to privacy and transparent practices.
- Mullvad vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark is generally more affordable for long-term plans and allows unlimited connections. Mullvad stands out for its strong privacy focus and anonymous account creation. Surfshark tends to be faster in speed tests.
- Mullvad vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN offers a balance of strong security and good speeds, with a more feature-rich interface. Mullvad emphasizes simplicity and anonymous use, sometimes at the cost of speed and additional features.
- Mullvad vs PrivadoVPN: PrivadoVPN offers a decent free plan and good speeds, while Mullvad has a wider server network and a longer-standing reputation for privacy.
- Mullvad vs AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s primary strength is its ad-blocking integration. Mullvad is a more comprehensive VPN focused on privacy and security.
- Mullvad vs Virtual Shield: Mullvad offers more advanced security features and a stronger focus on privacy than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- Mullvad vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. Mullvad also prioritizes security, but with a different approach to user anonymity.
- Mullvad vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is a budget-friendly option. Mullvad, while having a simple pricing structure, isn’t the cheapest but focuses on privacy and security.
- Mullvad vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection, while Mullvad’s core focus is on providing a private and secure VPN service.
- Mullvad vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost is user-friendly with specialized servers for various activities. Mullvad prioritizes privacy and simplicity over a wide array of server types.
- Mullvad vs McAfee VPN: McAfee VPN is a basic VPN often bundled with security software. Mullvad is a dedicated VPN service with a strong emphasis on privacy and security.
- Mullvad vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for its customization options and a large server network. Mullvad focuses on a no-frills approach with strong privacy.
- Mullvad vs Mysterium: Mullvad uses a traditional server network focused on privacy and security, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN with a different anonymity model and potentially less consistent speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordVPN or Mullvad better for torrenting?
Both NordVPN and Mullvad are good choices for torrenting. They allow P2P traffic on their servers and prioritize user privacy. However, NordVPN has dedicated P2P-optimized servers, which might offer slightly better performance.
Can I use NordVPN and Mullvad VPN at the same time?
While technically possible, using two VPNs simultaneously is generally not recommended. It can significantly slow down your internet speed and isn’t necessary for most users.
Does Mullvad VPN keep logs of my activity?
No, Mullvad has a strict no-logs policy. They don’t track your online activity, browsing history, or connection timestamps.
What other features does NordVPN offer?
NordVPN also offers features like Threat Protection (which blocks ads and malware), Meshnet (which allows you to create your own secure network), and a Dark Web Monitor (which alerts you if your credentials are leaked).
Which is the better VPN in 2024: NordVPN or Mullvad?
For most users, NordVPN is the better choice in 2024. It offers faster speeds, a larger server network, and is more user-friendly overall. However, Mullvad is a strong contender if your top priority is privacy.
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