Mullvad
Mullvad is built for people who want a VPN with as little personal data attached as possible. You sign in with an account number instead of an email, and the apps stay simple and ad-free.
Service Country:Sweden
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Updated:January 7, 2026
Overview
Mullvad is used by people who care more about privacy routines than extra account features. It is a common pick if you want to keep your VPN use separate from your identity.
Getting started feels different from most services. You create an account number and use that to connect, without handing over an email address.
For day-to-day connections, it supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, with a kill switch to help prevent leaks during dropouts. Split tunneling is there when you want only certain apps to use the tunnel.
It also includes tools that people use in tougher network conditions. Options like obfuscation and Shadowsocks can help when VPN traffic is filtered, and custom DNS and tracker blocking support cleaner browsing.
Features
Network & Advanced Features
- IPv6 SupportThis ensures the VPN is fully compatible with the latest internet addressing protocol (IPv6), allowing you to access the modern web without disabling security features. True IPv6 support provides better connectivity like accessing IPv6-only websites and may prevent connection issues with IPv6-only internet service providers.
- Always-On VPN (Autoconnect)A fail-safe feature that ensures your device automatically connects to a secure server the moment it detects an internet connection. It guarantees that you never accidentally browse the web or use public Wi-Fi without the protection of an encrypted tunnel.
- Split TunnelingA versatile networking feature that lets you choose which specific apps use the VPN and which stay on your local internet connection. This allows you to secure your sensitive banking data while simultaneously streaming local content or gaming at maximum speeds.
- Port ForwardingThis feature allows incoming connections from the internet to pass through the VPN firewall to a specific device on your local network. It is vital for users who need to host game servers, access remote desktops, or maximize speeds for P2P file sharing and torrenting.
- RAM only serversHigh-security servers that run entirely on volatile RAM rather than traditional hard drives. Since RAM requires power to store data, every bit of information on the server is permanently wiped during every reboot, ensuring no data can ever be physically seized.
- Colocated ServersThese are physical servers owned and maintained by the VPN company itself rather than being rented from a third-party data center. This provides an extra layer of physical security and ensures that the VPN provider has total oversight of the hardware handling your data.
- Custom DNSAn advanced networking feature that allows you to manually set your preferred DNS provider (like Cloudflare, Google, or NextDNS) directly within the VPN app. This gives you granular control over your connection, enabling you to improve website resolution speeds, bypass ISP-level DNS filtering, and add extra layers of security like custom ad and malware blocking at the DNS level.
- Obfuscation / Stealth ModeAdvanced technology that disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS web browsing to bypass deep packet inspection. This is the best way to use a VPN in highly censored countries like China or on restrictive networks like schools and workplaces.
- Multi-Hop (Double VPN)A powerful privacy feature that chains your connection through two separate VPN servers in different countries. By encrypting your data twice, it makes it virtually impossible for anyone to trace your online activity back to your original location. However, the downside is slower speeds.
Performance & Gaming
- DDoS ProtectionA robust security shield that masks your true IP address and uses the VPN provider’s massive server infrastructure to absorb and filter out malicious traffic spikes. This is an essential feature for competitive gamers and streamers, as it prevents "Distributed Denial of Service" attacks from crashing your connection or kicking you offline during critical moments.
Device & Platform Support
- Mac
- pfSense SupportIndicates that the VPN service can be installed directly onto your pfSense firewall hardware to protect every device in your home or office. By securing the network at the router level, you ensure that smart TVs, consoles, and IoT devices are always encrypted.
- Windows
- Chrome OS
- iPhone / iOS
- Linux
- Android
- Routers
VPN Protocols
- ShadowsocksAn encrypted proxy protocol specifically designed to help users bypass the Great Firewall and other forms of strict internet censorship. It is lightweight, fast, and highly effective at making VPN traffic look like ordinary web activity.
- WireGuardThe newest and most efficient VPN protocol, built with high-speed performance and state-of-the-art cryptography in mind. It offers significantly faster connection times and better battery life for mobile devices compared to older, legacy protocols.
Privacy & Security
- Kill SwitchAn essential fail-safe that automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your unencrypted data and real IP address from being exposed to the public web for even a single second.
- Audited No-logs PolicyThis means the provider's privacy claims have been independently inspected and verified by a reputable third-party security firm. An independent audit provides objective proof that the company is truly committed to its "zero-logs" promise. VPNs with an audited no-logs policy are considered the best for privacy.
- Open SourceThe software’s code is public and can be inspected by anyone for security flaws. This transparency ensures there are no hidden "backdoors" or malicious features.
- Ad & Tracker BlockingAn integrated security tool that stops intrusive advertisements and malicious tracking scripts from loading on your web pages. It not only enhances your privacy but also speeds up your browsing experience by reducing data consumption.
- No registration requiredAllows you to use the service without providing an email address or personal details. It is the highest level of anonymity for a VPN user.
- AES-256 EncryptionThis is the highest level of data encryption available, utilizing a 256-bit key to scramble your internet traffic. It is the gold standard used by security experts and government agencies to ensure your private data remains unreadable to hackers and ISPs.
- IPv6 Leak ProtectionA critical safety feature that prevents your device from accidentally revealing its real location through the modern IPv6 protocol. It forces all traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel, closing a common loophole used by websites to track users.
- No-Logs PolicyA strict privacy guarantee that the VPN provider does not track, record, or store any information about your online activities. This ensures that even if authorities request data, there is absolutely no browsing history or connection timestamps to provide. This is often mentioned in VPN provider's Term of Service.
- DNS Leak ProtectionThis security feature ensures all your website requests are routed through the VPN's private DNS servers rather than your ISP's. It prevents your browsing habits from being exposed, maintaining total online anonymity even if a connection error occurs.
Pricing & Payments
- Subscription
- Money-back Guarantee
- Cryptocurrency
Support & Trust
- Quick Setup
- Independent AuditA professional security review conducted by a third-party firm to verify that the VPN’s privacy claims and security features are actually working. This "stamp of approval" provides objective proof that your data is being handled according to the highest industry standards.
Account & Usage Limits
- Unlimited bandwidth
Streaming Support
- Android TV
- Kodi
- Fire TV
Browser Extensions
- Firefox extension
Mullvad Alternatives
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a privacy-focused VPN with a long-running reputation among power users. It stands out for open-source apps and lots of connection controls, like split tunneling and a kill switch.
Hide.me
Hide.me is built for people who want strong privacy controls without a noisy app experience. It keeps the focus on no-logs use, modern VPN protocols, and tools that help prevent leaks during everyday browsing.
Swisscows VPN
Swisscows VPN is a privacy-first service from Switzerland that currently works mainly as a browser extension. It routes your web traffic through Swisscows servers, with a focus on no tracking and no logging.
Brave VPN
Brave VPN is built for people who already use the Brave browser and want the same privacy focus across their whole device. It runs at the device level, so it covers other apps too, not just web browsing.
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