Head-to-head comparison

Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN

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

Feature Proton VPN Mullvad VPN
Pricing Freemium Paid
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Editorial rating ★ 4.2 / 5 ★ 4.8 / 5
Starting price $0 €5/month flat rate
Community votes 16 620

Proton VPN Pros & Cons

  • Free tier with no data caps — genuinely usable free VPN
  • Open-source clients audited by security researchers
  • Swiss jurisdiction provides strong legal privacy protections
  • Integration with ProtonMail for complete Proton privacy ecosystem
  • Free tier limited to 3 countries and slower speeds
  • Streaming unblocking less reliable than ExpressVPN or NordVPN
  • VPN Plus pricing comparable to competitors without their streaming advantages

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: Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN

Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN both serve the VPN Clients category well, but suit different priorities. Proton VPN is the more budget-friendly option, Mullvad VPN carries the stronger editorial rating (4.8 / 5), Proton VPN supports more platforms (6 vs 5). Based on community engagement, Mullvad VPN is currently the more widely adopted choice (620 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN?
Proton VPN is the more affordable option overall — it's offered as freemium, while Mullvad VPN is paid. Check each tool's current pricing plans for exact figures, since promotional rates and annual discounts can shift the comparison.
Is Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN rated higher?
Mullvad VPN has the higher editorial rating at 4.8 out of 5, compared to Proton VPN's 4.2 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 Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN support?
Proton VPN is available on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux. Mullvad VPN is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. Proton VPN covers more platforms overall, which matters if your team works across a wider range of devices and operating systems.
Can I switch from Proton VPN to Mullvad VPN (or vice versa)?
Most vpn clients tools, including Proton VPN 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 Proton VPN or Mullvad VPN?
Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN both serve the VPN Clients category well, but suit different priorities. Proton VPN is the more budget-friendly option, Mullvad VPN carries the stronger editorial rating (4.8 / 5), Proton VPN supports more platforms (6 vs 5). Based on community engagement, Mullvad VPN is currently the more widely adopted choice (620 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.