Choosing a VPN can be overwhelming. There are so many options, and everyone claims to be the best.
Two VPNs that are often compared are Mullvad and Oyster.
But which one is faster and more secure? That’s what we’re diving into today.
In this comparison between Mullvad vs Oyster VPNs, we’ll explain their speed and security features in plain English.
We’ll examine what makes each tick so you can decide which one fits you best.
Let’s get started!
Overview
We’ve tested Mullvad and Oyster VPN’s speeds, security features, and overall performance.
This comparison is based on our hands-on experience and in-depth research, clearly showing each VPN’s strengths and weaknesses.
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
OysterVPN offers 950+ servers in 30+ countries, Secure your digital life with OysterVPN today!
Pricing: 30-day free trial available. Plan Starts at $5.99/month
Key Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- No-logs policy
- DNS leak protection
What is Mullvad?
Okay, let’s talk about Mullvad. This VPN is known for its focus on privacy.
It doesn’t keep logs, which is a big deal for many people.
It’s also pretty easy to use, even if you’re not a tech whiz.
Also, explore our favorite Mullvad alternatives…
Our Take
Enhance your online privacy with Mullvad VPN. Benefit from robust encryption and a strict no-logs policy.
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
What is Oyster VPN?
Now, let’s check out Oyster VPN. It’s another option worth considering.
Oyster focuses on providing a user-friendly experience.
Oyster also has a good number of server locations.
If you value having many server choices, Oyster might be a good fit.
Also, explore our favorite OysterVPN alternatives…
Our Take
Don’t miss out! OysterVPN offers 950+ servers in 30+ countries. Secure your digital life with OysterVPN today!
Key Benefits
- Budget-friendly: Offers some of the most competitive prices in the market.
- Unlimited bandwidth: Download and stream as much as you want. No data caps!
- Strong encryption: Uses AES-256 encryption to protect your online activity.
- No-logs policy: They don’t keep records of your browsing history.
- Fast and reliable connections: Offers decent speeds for everyday browsing.
Pricing
- 1-Month: $5.99/month
- 1-Year: $39.99/month
- Lifetime Access: $59.99
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
This is a comparison of two distinct vpn providers: Mullvad, focused purely on extreme anonymity and privacy, versus Oyster VPN, which aims for a balanced and accessible vpn service.
This mullvad vpn review and look at oystervpn features will help users evaluate which offers the better combination of robust security features, server network quality, and simplicity for securing their internet connection.
1. Account Anonymity and Identity
- Mullvad VPN: Requires zero personal information, relying instead on a unique account number for sign-up and payment. This dedication to anonymous identity is the core of the mullvad service.
- Oyster VPN: Uses traditional account sign-up linked to an email address, but it maintains a strict no logs policy regarding user activity, focusing on typical robust security features over extreme anonymity.
2. Server Network Size and Architecture
- Mullvad VPN: Operates a relatively small server network that prioritizes quality, speed, and physical ownership. The mullvad vpn’s server network is transparently listed and owned, giving users high trust in each mullvad vpn server.
- Oyster VPN: Has a smaller server network compared to many major vpn providers, offering servers in a modest number of locations. It aims to provide dedicated streaming servers without relying on vast numbers of virtual servers.
3. Core Security Features and Logging Policy
- Mullvad VPN: Follows an industry-leading strict no logs policy that has been audited. It features all the advanced security features you’d expect, including transparent dns requests handling.
- Oyster VPN: Also boasts a strict no logs policy and includes a reliable kill switch and dns leak protection. Its robust security features focus on maintaining a secure vpn tunnel without collecting user data.
4. IP Address and DNS Handling
- Mullvad VPN: Provides shared, dynamic ip addresses by default, ensuring that traffic from all users is mixed. It exclusively handles all dns requests internally to prevent third-party logging.
- Oyster VPN: Also uses shared ip addresses to maximize user anonymity. It operates its own dns servers to protect against external dns leaks that can expose the user’s internet connection.
5. Advanced Features and Split Tunneling
- Mullvad VPN: Offers a strong split tunneling feature and supports multihop connections (via the Tor network or its own vpn apps). However, its feature set is deliberately minimalist, avoiding unnecessary complexity in the vpn settings.
- Oyster VPN: Includes a split tunneling feature on its desktop and android app clients. It lacks advanced security features like obfuscation or integrated malware blocking.
6. Streaming and Dedicated Servers
- Mullvad VPN: Supports P2P on all its mullvad server locations but does not offer dedicated streaming servers, focusing instead on raw performance and privacy for all traffic types.
- Oyster VPN: Offers dedicated streaming servers designed specifically for unblocking popular streaming sites and providing optimal speeds and consistency for media consumption.
7. Application Availability and Usability
- Mullvad VPN: Provides minimalist, functional vpn apps across all major platforms. Its interface is designed for maximum speed and clarity, which is a key highlight of the mullvad vpn review.
- Oyster VPN: Has user-friendly vpn apps that are easy to install vyprvpn on desktop and mobile devices. It generally appeals to new users seeking a straightforward security tool.
8. Customer Support and Assistance
- Mullvad VPN: Historically provides assistance solely through email, prioritizing user anonymity and avoiding the logs associated with live chat support. Its vpn settings and guides are highly detailed.
- Oyster VPN: Offers standard customer support through email, often coupled with extensive help guides and FAQs to assist vpn users with configuration and troubleshooting.
9. Pricing Model and Commitment
- Mullvad VPN: Uses a flat-rate monthly fee without long-term discounts or recurring subscriptions, ensuring the price is the same for all users. This unique approach aligns with its ethical stance.
- Oyster VPN: Offers competitive long-term pricing and a typical day money back guarantee for users to test its vpn service risk-free before committing to a long-term plan.
What to Look For When Choosing a VPN?
Beyond the features we’ve discussed, here are some extra things to keep in mind:
- Jurisdiction: Where is the VPN provider based? Look into their local laws regarding data retention.
- Logging Policy Details: “No logs” can mean different things. Carefully read the policy to understand what (if anything) is recorded.
- Kill Switch: Does the VPN app have a vpn kill switch? This crucial feature protects your IP address if the VPN connection drops.
- DNS Leak Protection: Ensure the VPN service prevents DNS leaks with necessary vpn protocols, which could expose your browsing activity.
- Independent Audits: Has the VPN provider undergone any independent security audits? This adds credibility.
- Payment Methods: Does the VPN provider accept privacy-focused payment options, like cryptocurrency?
- Simultaneous Connections: How many devices can you use a VPN on simultaneously? Where’s the server location?
- Streaming and Torrenting: If these activities are essential, confirm the VPN supports them.
- Customer Reviews: Check what other users are saying about their VPN experience.
Final Verdict
So, which one wins in the Mullvad vs Oyster VPN showdown?
For us, Mullvad is the best choice. Its rock-solid privacy, consistently fast speeds, and easy-to-use interface make it a top choice.
Oyster VPN has its strengths, especially its wider server selection and more affordable plans.
Mullvad’s dedication to privacy and performance puts it ahead.
If you’re looking for one of the best VPNs, a premium VPN experience, and value privacy above all else, we recommend Mullvad.
While there are free VPN options, they rarely offer the same level of security and performance.
Trust our testing and choose wisely!
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 vs Virtual Shield: 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 vs 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 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: 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.
More of OysterVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to OysterVPN, so how does OysterVPN stack up directly against them?
- OysterVPN vs NordVPN: It boasts a massive server network and cutting-edge security features like Threat Protection.
- OysterVPN vs ExpressVPN: It is known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly interface, often outperforming OysterVPN in speed and server reliability.
- OysterVPN vs PureVPN: It boasts a larger server network. OysterVPN is recognized for its straightforward approach and lifetime deals.
- OysterVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It typically offers more features and unlimited connections. OysterVPN is valued for its simplicity and long-term subscription offers.
- OysterVPN vs ProtonVPN: It emphasizes strong security and privacy. OysterVPN focuses on ease of use and affordability with lifetime plans.
- OysterVPN vs PrivadoVPN: It often provides more consistent speeds and a stronger focus on privacy. OysterVPN is known for its simple interface and lifetime deals.
- OysterVPN vs AdGuard VPN: It excels in ad and tracker blocking. OysterVPN is a general-purpose VPN with a focus on simplicity.
- OysterVPN vs Virtual Shield: Both are relatively basic VPNs, though OysterVPN has a more established presence and offers lifetime subscriptions.
- OysterVPN vs StrongVPN: It is known for robust encryption and reliable connections. OysterVPN is recognized for its user-friendly nature and lifetime deals.
- OysterVPN vs FastestVPN: It is a budget-friendly option. OysterVPN is known for its simple interface and lifetime subscription offers.
- OysterVPN vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection. OysterVPN focuses on providing a simple VPN service with long-term options.
- OysterVPN vs CyberGhost: It offers a larger server network and specialized servers, while OysterVPN offers more basic offerings.
- OysterVPN vs McAfee VPN: Both are often considered basic VPN options. OysterVPN offers lifetime subscriptions.
- OysterVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections. OysterVPN is simpler with long-term deals.
- OysterVPN vs Mysterium: It is a decentralized VPN. OysterVPN uses a traditional server network with a focus on simplicity and lifetime plans.
- OysterVPN vs Windscribe: It offers a free plan with a data limit. OysterVPN provides straightforward paid plans and lifetime options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mullvad the best VPN?
Mullvad is one of the best VPNs on the market, especially if you prioritize privacy. While it isn’t the fastest VPN, it’s a secure VPN service and a premium VPN provider known for its strong security. It depends on what you’re looking for in a VPN.
How does Mullvad compare to other top VPNs like NordVPN, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN?
Each VPN has strengths in the ExpressVPN vs. Mullvad VPN comparison and NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN debates. Compared to Mullvad VPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN often have more servers and features. Check out our vs Mullvad VPN comparison article for more details.
What about Oyster VPN? Is it a good, cheap VPN?
Oyster VPN can be a good choice if you’re on a budget. Read our OysterVPN review for more information. It’s an essential VPN that offers good value but may not have all the advanced features of a premium VPN.
Which VPN is best for streaming or gaming?
You might consider a VPN for BBC iPlayer or other streaming services. A VPN for gaming needs low latency. While Mullvad is good, you might want to explore different options in our guide to the best VPNs for streaming and our best VPNs for gaming list.
Are there any good free VPN services?
While free VPN services are available, they often have limitations and potential privacy risks. To get the best experience, try a VPN like Mullvad, Oyster or another from our best VPN list. If you’re looking for a VPN and want the best value for money, a cheap VPN or affordable VPN service from a reputable provider is a better choice than a free VPN.
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