Head-to-head comparison

ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN

Comparing ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN to help you pick the right VPN for your needs.

Premium high-speed VPN trusted by millions across 160+ countries with 24/7 support.

#VPN Paid WebMacWinLinux ★★★★☆ 4.3
740
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The most private VPN — no email, no account name, just a random number.

#VPN Paid MacWinLinuxiOS ★★★★★ 4.8
620
Visit →
Feature ExpressVPN Mullvad VPN
Pricing Paid Paid
Platforms Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Editorial rating ★ 4.3 / 5 ★ 4.8 / 5
Launched 2009 2009
Starting price $12.95/month €5/month flat rate
Community votes 740 620

ExpressVPN Pros & Cons

  • Consistently fast speeds on the proprietary Lightway protocol
  • Best-in-class router application and setup documentation
  • Reliable unblocking for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and streaming platforms
  • 24/7 live chat customer support with knowledgeable agents
  • Threat Manager blocks trackers and malicious domains
  • Most expensive mainstream VPN at $12.95/month (monthly) or $99.95/year
  • Owned by Kape Technologies, which has a controversial history
  • Only 8 simultaneous connections (NordVPN allows 10)
  • No multihop (double VPN) servers
  • Fewer specialty servers than NordVPN

Mullvad VPN Pros & Cons

  • No email or personal information required at signup
  • Accepts cash (mail-in), Monero, and Bitcoin for complete payment anonymity
  • Flat €5/month — no deceptive multi-year pricing schemes
  • All client applications are fully open-source and auditable
  • Multiple independent security audits published publicly
  • Smaller server network (~700 servers) than NordVPN or ExpressVPN
  • No long-term discount — always €5/month
  • Weaker streaming unblocking than mainstream VPNs
  • Less polished apps compared to NordVPN or ExpressVPN
  • No dedicated P2P servers

Verdict: ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN

ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN both serve the VPN category well, but suit different priorities. Mullvad VPN carries the stronger editorial rating (4.8 / 5), ExpressVPN supports more platforms (6 vs 5). Based on community engagement, ExpressVPN is currently the more widely adopted choice (740 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ExpressVPN or Mullvad VPN?
ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN use a similar pricing model (both paid), so the cheaper choice depends on which specific plan tier and feature set you need rather than the base pricing model.
Is ExpressVPN or Mullvad VPN rated higher?
Mullvad VPN has the higher editorial rating at 4.8 out of 5, compared to ExpressVPN's 4.3 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
Which platforms do ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN support?
ExpressVPN is available on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Mullvad VPN is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. ExpressVPN covers more platforms overall, which matters if your team works across a wider range of devices and operating systems.
Can I switch from ExpressVPN to Mullvad VPN (or vice versa)?
Most vpn tools, including ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
Should I choose ExpressVPN or Mullvad VPN?
ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN both serve the VPN category well, but suit different priorities. Mullvad VPN carries the stronger editorial rating (4.8 / 5), ExpressVPN supports more platforms (6 vs 5). Based on community engagement, ExpressVPN is currently the more widely adopted choice (740 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.