Mullvad VPN Review (2024)

Mullvad VPN distinguishes itself in the crowded market with its strong commitment to privacy. With over 100 servers in 22 countries, this VPN provider offers a unique approach to maintaining user anonymity. Unlike many others, Mullvad takes concrete steps to ensure your privacy, making it a top choice for those who prioritize anonymity.

Features

Mullvad VPN is owned by Amagicom AB, a Swedish cybersecurity company renowned in the Nordic region. The name “Mullvad,” which means “mole” in Swedish, aptly reflects the company’s mission of helping users stay undetected online.

The VPN offers proprietary software for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and, leveraging OpenVPN, allows for easy setup on various platforms, including Android and iOS. Although Mullvad does not provide native mobile apps, setting up OpenVPN on mobile devices is straightforward and not as daunting as it may initially seem. However, a dedicated mobile app would be a valuable addition to Mullvad’s offerings.

The desktop application is minimalist, with a design reminiscent of the Windows XP era. While it may not win design awards, its simplicity and functionality are appealing, especially for users who prefer ease of use over aesthetic flair. The application features two main tabs: “Status,” which provides information on your IP address, ports, and protocol, and “Settings,” where server lists and other configurations are found.

A minor drawback is the separation of the Connect/Disconnect buttons and the server list across different tabs, which feels slightly unintuitive. However, this becomes second nature after a brief adjustment period.

Overall, Mullvad’s software may be basic, but it is user-friendly and effective. The FAQs and guides are concise, focusing on the most pertinent topics, while the customer support, though limited to email, is highly regarded for its promptness and helpfulness.

Mullvad’s client is designed with robust privacy and security in mind, featuring OpenVPN with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch enabled by default, leak protection, and IPv6 tunneling. You can configure the VPN to launch at system startup, but other customizations require manual input, which, while not overly complicated, could benefit from a more user-friendly interface with toggles or checkboxes.

Mullvad supports up to five simultaneous connections, and its network of 100+ servers in 22 countries adequately covers most VPN needs. The fact that Mullvad owns its servers and does not log user activity further enhances its appeal.

Pricing

Mullvad offers a three-hour free trial, providing unrestricted access without the need to register. In fact, registration is not required at all. Instead, Mullvad assigns you a unique 12-digit code, which serves as your account identifier after you complete a simple captcha.

The free trial allows you to test all features, assess performance, and run leak tests to ensure the service meets your needs. After the trial, Mullvad offers a single, straightforward plan at a cost of 5 euros per month, regardless of currency fluctuations (approximately $5.89 at the current exchange rate).

Payment options are diverse, including wire transfers, PayPal, credit cards, Swish, Bankgiro, and even cash. For the truly privacy-conscious, you can mail your payment in an envelope to Sweden, identified only by your account number. Mullvad also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, further reinforcing their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Performance and Testing

Mullvad delivered impressive performance and speed during testing. Servers in the US were particularly fast, with only a slight drop in speed when connecting to UK servers, which is typical given geographical distances.

Mullvad provides detailed guides on preventing WebRTC leaks through browser configuration and advises on which browsers to avoid.

The VPN successfully passed WebRTC and DNS leak tests, although it did not pass the IPv6 leak test.

In terms of streaming, Mullvad was unable to bypass the VPN restrictions of Netflix and BBC iPlayer, though results may vary based on individual circumstances.

On the positive side, it successfully unblocked US Steam libraries and region-restricted freebies.

Overall, Mullvad VPN offers a solid, privacy-focused service with a straightforward approach, making it a reliable choice for users seeking enhanced online anonymity.

Privacy

Mullvad takes privacy seriously by not logging your IP address, identifying you solely by your account number. They do not log your online activity, DNS requests, or bandwidth usage.

While Mullvad monitors certain aspects, such as the number of simultaneous connections per account, CPU load, and total bandwidth used per server, this information is not logged. These measures ensure users do not exceed the limit of five simultaneous connections per account.

Their website is designed with privacy in mind, featuring no ads or trackers, only utilizing three cookies to maintain your login session, remember your language preference, and protect against cross-site request forgery.

In summary, data retention laws in Sweden are not a concern for Mullvad users, as there is no data to provide to law enforcement, even in response to a court order.

Security

Mullvad further ensures security by owning their servers, avoiding the collection of personally identifiable information, and offering payment options like Bitcoin and cash. Their software utilizes OpenVPN, 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch, providing a robust and secure VPN experience