Mullvad vs McAfee VPN: Which is Best for Security in 2025?

par | Jan 28, 2025

Gagnant
mcafee logo
4.6
Finaliste
mullvad logo
3.5
  • VPN
  • Extension du navigateur
  • Search
  • Encrypted DNS
  • Browser
  • Mullvad browser
  • Paid Plan Starts at €5.00

Choosing a VPN can feel like picking a bodyguard – you want someone rugged, reliable, and who’s got your back. 

But with so many options, how do you know which one to trust?

Today, we’re putting two popular VPNs head-to-head: Mullvad vs McAfee vpn.

Both promise to keep your online activity private and sécurisé, but which is on top regarding safety?

We’ll break down their features, security protocols, and logging policies to help you decide which VPN best fits your needs.

Aperçu

To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both Mullvad VPN and McAfee VPN.

We’ve evaluated their performance in real-world scenarios, examining factors like speed, security, and ease of use.

This hands-on experience allows us to provide an informed and unbiased look at how these two VPNs stack up.

mcafee CTA
4.6sur 5

McAfee Safe Connect VPN encrypts your VPN connection, protecting your data on up to 5 devices.

Tarifs : Plan starts at $39.99/month. More plans are available with offers.

Caractéristiques principales :

  • Bank-grade Encryption
  • Wi-Fi Protection
  • Unlimited Devices
Mullvad VPN logo
3.5sur 5

Take control of your privacy with Mullvad VPN! It offers access to over 800 servers in 40 countries!

Tarifs : Mullvad VPN has a simple pricing structure: €5.00/month.

Caractéristiques principales :

  • Port Forwarding
  • Bridge Mode
  • Multihop Connections

What is McAfee VPN?

You probably know McAfee for its antivirus software. But did you know they also offer a VPN?

McAfee VPN aims to be a simple, all-in-one solution for online security.

It’s like a security suite for your internet connection.

You get VPN protection and extra features to protect you from online threats.

Découvrez également nos favoris McAfee VPN alternatives

Mcafee Homepage

Notre avis

mcafee CTA

McAfee Safe Connect VPN encrypts your VPN connection, protecting your data on up to 5 devices.

Principaux avantages

  • Trusted brand: From a reputable security company.
  • Good basic security: Uses strong encryption.
  • Simple to use: Easy for beginners.
  • Kill switch included: Protects your data if the VPN drops.
  • Garantie de remboursement de 30 jours : Try it out safely.

Tarifs

  • Essentiel: $39.99/yr – 5 devices 1 user.
  • Advanced Individual: $89.99/yr – All devices 1 user.
  • Advanced Family: $119.99/yr – All devices 6 family members.
mcafee pricing

Avantages

  • Wide device compatibility
  • Fonctionnalités de sécurité renforcées.
  • Includes a kill switch.
  • Strong encryption
  • Works on many devices

Inconvénients

  • Moins d'emplacements de serveurs.
  • Les vitesses peuvent être incohérentes.
  • Limited server network
  • Speed fluctuations.

What is Mullvad VPN?

Have you ever wished for a VPN that works? Without all the fuss and distractions? 

That’s Mullvad. This VPN is all about simplicity and strong security: no flashy features, just solid protection for your online activity.

It’s like a quiet bodyguard that keeps you safe without drawing attention to itself.

Découvrez également nos favoris Mullvad alternatives

VPN Mullvad

Notre avis

Mullvad VPN logo

Améliorez votre confidentialité en ligne avec Mullvad VPN. Bénéficiez d'un cryptage robuste et d'une politique stricte d'absence d'enregistrement.

Principaux avantages

  • L'accent est mis sur l'anonymat : Aucune adresse électronique n'est requise pour s'inscrire.
  • Open source: Transparent et digne de confiance.
  • Sécurité renforcée : Utilise les protocoles WireGuard et OpenVPN.
  • Accepte les bitcoins : Pour les paiements anonymes.

Tarifs

  • 1 month: €5/month.
  • 1 an : €5/month.
  • 1 décennie : €5/month.
Prix du VPN Mullvad

Avantages

  • Forte concentration sur la protection de la vie privée.
  • Excellent security features.
  • Politique d'absence de journaux.
  • Applications conviviales.
  • Open-source software.

Inconvénients

  • Réseau de serveurs plus petit.
  • Support client limité.
  • No live chat option.
  • Lacks advanced features.

Comparaison des fonctionnalités

To help you decide between these two vpn providers, let’s take a closer look at nine key features.

We will compare what each vpn service offers, from privacy policies to the size of their server network.

1. Server Network Size and Coverage

  • Mullvad: Mullvad vpn’s server network is notably a relatively small server network. It has about 736 Mullvad vpn servers in 49 countries. Vpn veterans know this smaller server network is by design, as the focus is on quality and user privacy, not the sheer number of locations like many other vpn providers. You still get good connection speeds, especially when connecting to a nearest server.
  • McAfee: McAfee’s server network is larger than Mullvad’s but smaller than industry giants like NordVPN. McAfee claims over 50 server locations worldwide. While they have a decent presence, they don’t focus on raw numbers. Their speed test results are generally good, thanks to servers optimized for fast connections.

2. Logging and Privacy Policy

  • Mullvad: Mullvad VPN has radically open security and a gold-standard no-logs policy, which has been verified by external audits. They don’t store customer données or any user activity data. You sign up with a random account number, not an email, enhancing user privacy. This is one of the main reasons many vpn users trust Mullvad.
  • McAfee: McAfee claims a no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track your online activities or browsing history. However, as an American company, they are subject to US data laws. While they encrypt your internet connection, users who prioritize maximum anonymity often prefer vpn providers outside of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliances.

3. Advanced Security Features

  • Mullvad: Mullvad offers robust features like a vpn kill switch, which protects your true ip address if the vpn tunnel fails. They provide excellent dns leak protection, ensuring your dns requests stay within the secure tunnel. They also offer multi-hop and use the secure OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols.
  • McAfee: McAfee focuses on foundational security. It provides a reliable vpn kill switch on its Windows apps, preventing your real ip address from being exposed when the vpn fails. They also offer dns leak protection. However, they lack some of the more advanced features like multi-hop and port forwarding offered by a few vpns.

4. Simultaneous Device Connections

  • Mullvad: Mullvad allows up to five devices simultaneously on a single account number. This covers most vpn users’ needs for their Windows laptop, mobile devices, and more.
  • McAfee: McAfee Secure VPN offers unlimited simultaneous device connections with its higher-tier McAfee+ plans, which is a big deal for families.18 Their standalone VPN product typically supports up to five devices simultaneously.

5. Pricing Structure

  • Mullvad: Mullvad’s pricing is unique: a flat rate of €5 per month. There is no discount for a longer annual plan, but the simplicity and transparency are highly valued by many.
  • McAfee: McAfee’s pricing is more complex, often bundled with their security suite. While the upfront annual plan price can be low, the renewal rates can increase significantly.

6. Application and Compatibility

  • Mullvad: Mullvad’s apps are simple, functional, and available for major operating systems, including solid linux apps. They also have a dedicated Mullvad Browser for enhanced privacy.23 The interface is simple, appealing to vpn veterans who prefer function over flash.
  • McAfee: McAfee’s vpn apps are user-friendly, catering to both ios users and android users. It is often integrated with their main antivirus product. The ease of use is a highlight, though their macos app or dedicated android tv support might be less feature-rich than the desktop version.

7. Speed and Performance

  • Mullvad: Despite Mullvad vpn’s smaller server network, Mullvad’s speeds are consistently fast, especially when connecting to nearby servers using the WireGuard protocol. Our speed test showed stable download and upload speeds for a top-tier vpn service.
  • McAfee: McAfee’s focus on a fast vpn tunnel means good overall connection speeds for day-to-day use. They perform well on speed tests, making them suitable for casual streaming and downloading.

8. Unique Privacy Enhancements

  • Mullvad: Mullvad passes on privacy. Unique features include port forwarding, the no-email-required account number sign-up, and a commitment to having no single point of failure. They’ve also had multiple successful external audits by firms like Radically Open Security.
  • McAfee: McAfee’s unique selling point is its integration with its identity protection and overall digital security suite. This offers protection against identity theft and provides a one-stop-shop for security-conscious users.

9. Customer Support

  • Mullvad: Mullvad doesn’t offer live chat support; you have to contact Mullvad through email. This is slower, but their support team is knowledgeable. This is a trade-off for their strict privacy focus.
  • McAfee: McAfee provides 24/7 customer assistance, often including live chat support, making it much easier to contact McAfee for immediate help.

Que rechercher lors du choix d’un VPN ?

  • Online Privacy and Logging: A good virtual private network should have a strict no-log policy. Check the mullvad vpn review to see which vpn companies truly don’t log your browsing history or ip addresses.
  • Caractéristiques de sécurité : Look for a reliable vpn connection with features like a vpn VPN-compatible router setup, a vpn kill switch, and protection against DNS leaks.
  • Réseau de serveurs : Review the server list and the number of servers. A wide choice of server locations helps bypass geo location information blocks for different sites.
  • VPN Apps and Settings: Ensure the vpn apps are available for your system and offer easy access to vpn settings, like split tunneling and smart dns.
  • Unique Privacy Features: Some vpn services offer unique payment options like Bitcoin Cash and an account number instead of personal info. Mullvad’s servers offer this.
  • Vitesse et performance : Test the upload speed and download speeds. You want a vpn tunnel that provides a seamless experience for streaming services like BBC iPlayer.
  • Streaming and Access: Check if the vpn market choice reliably unblocks streaming services and gambling sites. Not all vpn providers focus on this.
  • Price and Guarantee: Avoid free vpns for anything more than occasional use. Look for a strong money-back guarantee on paid plans.
  • Device Support: Faire sure the vpn service offers enough simultaneous connections and good device support for mobile carrier devices and Apple TV.
  • Trust and Audits: Look for vpn providers that have passed third-party audits. For instance, the mullvad vpn server infrastructure was audited to confirm its security.
  • McAfee and Hotspot Shield: While you might trust McAfee Safe Connect or Hotspot Shield, do a thorough mcafee vpn review to ensure their privacy policies meet your needs.
  • Third-Party Data: Be wary of third-party advertisers and providers who use proprietary protocols like catapult hydra. Stick to well-known protocols for secure vpns.

Verdict final

So, which VPN comes out on top? For us, it’s Mullvad. Why?

Because it nails the most important things: security and privacy.

Mullvad is like that super reliable friend who always has your back. It’s got strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy.

This means your online activity stays hidden, and your IP address is masked. Plus, it’s easy to use, even if you’re new to VPNs.

McAfee is a decent VPN with features like a kill switch and fast speeds. But it’s not as focused on privacy as Mullvad.

Ultimately, the best VPN for you depends on your needs.

If you want the best security and privacy, Mullvad is our top pick.

But if you need features like unlimited device connections and prefer a familiar brand, McAfee is a solid choice.

No matter which you choose, using a VPN is a smart move to protect your digital security.

More of McAfee VPN

Here’s a quick comparison of McAfee VPN with alternatives:

  • McAfee VPN vs NordVPN: It is faster with more features, while McAfee is simple and budget-friendly.
  • McAfee VPN vs ExpressVPN: It is faster, user-friendly, offers better privacy, and is better for streaming. McAfee is basic.
  • McAfee VPN vs PureVPN: It has: larger server count. McAfee: basic.
  • McAfee VPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It is faster, has unlimited devices, has more features, and is better for streaming. McAfee is basic.
  • McAfee VPN vs ProtonVPN: McAfee: basic. ProtonVPN: stronger privacy.
  • McAfee VPN vs PrivadoVPN: McAfee: basic. PrivadoVPN: potentially faster, stronger privacy, free tier.
  • McAfee VPN vs AdGuard VPN: McAfee: basic VPN. AdGuard VPN: ad-blocking focus.
  • McAfee VPN vs Virtual Shield: Both are basic VPNs. Alternatives offer more.
  • McAfee VPN vs StrongVPN: McAfee: basic. StrongVPN: robust encryption.
  • McAfee VPN vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN: budget-friendly, comparable, or better.
  • McAfee VPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
  • McAfee VPN vs CyberGhost: McAfee: basic. CyberGhost: user-friendly, specialized servers, more features.
  • McAfee VPN vs Private Internet Access: McAfee: basic. PIA: larger network, unlimited devices, more customization.
  • McAfee VPN vs Mysterium: McAfee: basic VPN. Mysterium: decentralized.

More of Mullvad

We’ve explored alternatives to Mullvad, so how does Mullvad stack up directly against them?

  • Mullvad vs NordVPN: It prioritizes privacy, while NordVPN excels with a massive server network and extra features.
  • Mullvad vs ExpressVPN: It 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: It 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: It 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: It 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: It 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: It’s primary strength is its ad-blocking integration. Mullvad is a more comprehensive VPN focused on privacy and security.
  • Mullvad contre le bouclier virtuel: Mullvad offers more advanced security features and a stronger focus on privacy than the simpler Virtual Shield.
  • Mullvad vs StrongVPN: It is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. Mullvad also prioritizes security, but with a different approach to user anonymity.
  • Mullvad vs FastestVPN: It 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: It includes identity theft protection, while Mullvad’s core focus is on providing a private and secure VPN service.
  • Mullvad contre CyberGhost: It 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: It is a basic VPN often bundled with security software. Mullvad is a dedicated VPN service with a strong emphasis on privacy and security.
  • Mullvad contre l'accès Internet privé: 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: It 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.

Questions fréquemment posées

Is McAfee VPN safe?

McAfee VPN is a safe and legitimate VPN service from a well-known cybersecurity company. It uses strong encryption to protect your data and offers security features like a kill switch. However, it’s not the best choice for privacy due to its location within the 14 Eyes surveillance alliances.

What is the difference between McAfee Safe Connect VPN vs. McAfee VPN?

McAfee Safe Connect VPN was the company’s older VPN product. It has now been replaced by McAfee VPN, which offers improved features and performance.

Can you compare McAfee Safe Connect VPN vs. NordVPN?

While both offer secure connections, NordVPN is generally considered superior due to its stronger focus on privacy, more extensive server network, and more advanced features. NordVPN also offers a wider choice between the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols.

Does Mullvad have a browser extension?

No, Mullvad doesn’t have a dedicated browser extension. However, you can use the Mullvad VPN app to protect your internet connection, including your browser activity. This provides a more comprehensive layer of security compared to browser extensions.

Is there a list of the best VPNs like Mullvad?

Yes, many other VPNs prioritize privacy and security, such as Mullvad. Some popular alternatives include Proton VPN, IVPN, and Échelle de la queue. These VPNs often offer strong encryption, strict no-logs policies, and features like multi-hop to further enhance your anonymity.