Proton VPN vs Mullvad: Which Is Better in 2026?
Advertising disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you. This never affects our rankings or reviews.
The two privacy-first choices. Both are open source and audited; they differ on how much they ask about you, and on whether streaming matters at all.
Choose Proton VPN if: you want strong privacy plus a usable free tier and some streaming capability.
Visit Proton VPNChoose Mullvad if: you want the smallest possible data trail — no email, flat price, cash accepted.
Visit MullvadHead-to-head: BP Score breakdown
| Proton VPN | Mullvad | |
|---|---|---|
| BP Score | 4.3 | 3.3 |
| Value | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Features | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Support | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Scalability | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Pricing | Free plan with no data cap; paid from ~$4.99/mo | Flat €5/mo, no discounts, no tiers |
| Best for | Privacy-minded users and anyone who needs a real free option | Privacy purists who want the smallest possible data trail |
Winner highlighted per row. Scores use our BP Score method.
Pros & cons
👍 Proton VPN
- The only major free VPN with no data cap and no ads
- Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy law
- All apps are open source and independently audited
- Secure Core routes through hardened servers in privacy-friendly countries
- Made by the Proton Mail team, with a long privacy track record
👍 Mullvad
- No email or personal details needed — you get a random account number
- One flat price of €5/mo with no upsells, tiers or fake discounts
- Accepts cash and cryptocurrency for genuinely anonymous payment
- Open source and repeatedly independently audited
- Sweden-based with a long, clean track record
👎 Proton VPN
- The free tier is limited to a few countries and slower speeds
- Smaller server network than NordVPN or CyberGhost
👎 Mullvad
- No streaming focus — it will often not unblock services
- Smaller server network than the big commercial providers
- No long-term discounts, so it is not the cheapest over time
FAQ
Which is more private, Proton VPN or Mullvad?
Mullvad asks for less: no email, a random account number and cash payment accepted. Proton VPN is Swiss-based with excellent privacy but a normal account model.
Which is better for streaming?
Proton VPN on paid plans. Mullvad deliberately does not chase streaming unblocking.
Do either have a free plan?
Proton VPN has a free tier with no data cap. Mullvad has no free plan — it is a flat €5 a month.
Read the full reviews: Proton VPN · Mullvad
