The Mullvad VPN Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Mullvad VPN in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Mullvad VPN
The Insider’s Guide
Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among VPNs, read from Mullvad VPN’s own pages.
Made by Mullvad VPN AB · checked Oct 17, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Mullvad VPN’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Mullvad VPN’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 17, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.8
GPA, above 1 of the 16 other VPNs we grade
Mullvad VPN is a VPN from Mullvad VPN AB in Sweden that charges one flat monthly rate however long you pay for. Accounts are a generated number with no email address, and payment can be made in cash or cryptocurrency. The app is open source under GPL-3 and covers up to five devices.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Mullvad VPN, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You sign up with a generated account number rather than an email, so keep that number somewhere safe.
- 1
Best for a VPN with no email or name attached
But there's no trial, no port forwarding, and it covers five devices.
- 2
Paid plans start at about $5.60 a month
As its pricing page puts it: €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead.
- 3
It runs on 5 platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
- 4
Anonymous accounts
Signing up generates an account number; no email or other personal details are asked for, and cash or cryptocurrency are accepted.
- 5
DAITA
Defense Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis, a feature in the app meant to make encrypted traffic harder to analyze.
- 6
Quantum-resistant tunnels
Quantum-resistant VPN tunnels can be switched on in the apps on every supported platform.
- 7
A 1.8 GPA, above 1 of 16
That is against the other VPNs we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace Mullvad VPN you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Mullvad VPN at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Mullvad VPN AB, since 2009
- Category
- VPNs
- Our grade
- 1.8 GPA, weak
- Store rating
- 4.1 on the App Store, 1,465 ratings
The report card
Best for a VPN with no email or name attached
Mullvad is the privacy purist's VPN: you get an account number instead of an email, you can pay in cash, and it's the same €5 a month however long you sign up for. The apps are open source. But there's no trial, no port forwarding, and it covers five devices.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | €5 a month flat, about $5.62, whether you pay for one month or a year ahead, so two years come to €120. That's a little above the middle of what VPNs charge, with no first-term discount to expire. Paying in cryptocurrency takes 10% off. |
| Free plan and trial | F | Nothing free: there's no trial, and the 14-day money-back guarantee excludes cash and, on the VPN page, crypto payments too. A money-back guarantee isn't a trial anyway. |
| Features | C | Anonymous numbered accounts, DAITA against traffic analysis, quantum-resistant tunnels, multihop, obfuscation and DNS blocking. But the listing names the gaps: 5 devices, no port forwarding and no dedicated IPs. |
| Ease of use | C | 4.1 from about 1,500 App Store ratings, below most VPNs here. You sign up with a generated account number rather than an email, so keep that number somewhere safe. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android, with open-source apps. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Mullvad VPN is for
- Great if you don't want your name or email tied to your VPN
- Handy when you'd rather pay in cash or cryptocurrency
- Good for a short trip abroad, as one month costs the same rate as a year
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want to try before paying, as there's no trial
- Skip it if you torrent and need port forwarding, which Mullvad doesn't offer
- Tight if you have more than 5 devices to cover
Good to know
Good for
- People who want a VPN account with no email or name attached
- Paying in cash or cryptocurrency
- Short-term use at the same price as a long commitment
Worth knowing
- Priced in euros: €5 a month, which the page converts to about $5.62.
- Covers up to 5 devices, and offers neither port forwarding nor dedicated IP addresses.
- No free trial; the 14-day money-back guarantee excludes cash payments, and the VPN page also excludes crypto payments.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
~$5.60
A month to start
Mullvad VPN is a paid product, starting at €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead.
That's a little above the middle of what VPNs charge, with no first-term discount to expire.
Flat rate
€5
per month, whether you pay for 1 month, 1 year or longer
Every feature on up to 5 devices, VAT included. The page gives $5.62 as the dollar equivalent. No sales or term discounts.
Read from mullvad.net on Oct 17, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
10% off when paying with cryptocurrency
Mullvad discounts payments made in its accepted cryptocurrencies by 10%, citing lower fees and less administration.
Stated on mullvad.net
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Flat-rate Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, vPN, ad and tracker blocking.
Anonymous numbered accounts, DAITA against traffic analysis, quantum-resistant tunnels, multihop, obfuscation and DNS blocking.
- Anonymous accounts
- Signing up generates an account number; no email or other personal details are asked for, and cash or cryptocurrency are accepted.
- DAITA
- Defense Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis, a feature in the app meant to make encrypted traffic harder to analyze.
- Quantum-resistant tunnels
- Quantum-resistant VPN tunnels can be switched on in the apps on every supported platform.
- Multihop and obfuscation
- Route traffic through two or more servers in different jurisdictions, and use obfuscation to get past firewalls that block VPNs.
- DNS content blocking
- Built-in toggles block ads, trackers and malware through Mullvad's DNS, except on Android, where custom DNS entries do the same job.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Mullvad VPN is made by Mullvad VPN AB, and has been around since 2009.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
1/16
Other VPNs it is graded above
Mullvad VPN's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 1 of the 16 other VPNs we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (B, above 0 of 16) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Its paid plans start at about $5.60 a month, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 9 of the 15 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 8 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 17 VPNs we grade, cut by the letter each got. Mullvad VPN’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 1 of 16
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 16
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 16
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 16
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 16
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 16 VPNs. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Mullvad VPN is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Mullvad VPN you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 14 of the 16 other VPNs grade higher. It costs $67.24 a year. Mullvad VPN is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Mullvad VPN’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Proton VPN, Windscribe, Private Internet Access and NordVPN
The 4 tools Mullvad VPN is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Proton VPN
Free plan · from $83.88/yr
Open-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap.
- Proton VPN has a free plan. Mullvad VPN does not.
- Only Proton VPN lists a browser extension.
- 2.6GPA
Windscribe
Free plan · from $3/mo
VPN with a 10GB free plan and pay-per-location pricing.
- Windscribe has a free plan. Mullvad VPN does not.
- Only Windscribe lists a browser extension.
- 2.2GPA
Private Internet Access
From $47.88/yr
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices and servers in all 50 US states.
- Only Private Internet Access lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
NordVPN
Free trial · from $139.08/yr
Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links.
- Only NordVPN lists a browser extension.
- Mullvad VPN is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Mullvad VPN free?
No. Mullvad VPN is a paid product, starting at €5 per month, the same rate for any length paid ahead.
How much does Mullvad VPN cost?
Mullvad VPN lists one plan. Flat rate: €5 per month, whether you pay for 1 month, 1 year or longer.
What platforms does Mullvad VPN work on?
Mullvad VPN is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Does Mullvad VPN offer any discounts?
Mullvad VPN publicly lists the following: 10% off when paying with cryptocurrency.
How is Mullvad VPN rated?
Mullvad VPN's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.1 out of 5 from 1,465 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Is Mullvad VPN open source?
Yes. Mullvad VPN is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Mullvad VPN?
Mullvad VPN is made by Mullvad VPN AB. It dates from 2009.
What are the alternatives to Mullvad VPN?
The closest alternatives to Mullvad VPN in our directory are Proton VPN, Windscribe, Private Internet Access and NordVPN.
How does Mullvad VPN compare with other VPNs?
Mullvad VPN's GPA of 1.8 is higher than 1 of the 16 other VPNs we grade, and level with 1.
Is Mullvad VPN good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Mullvad VPN C for value for money. Its paid plans start at about $5.60 a month, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 9 of the 15 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Mullvad VPN?
To replace Mullvad VPN you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Mullvad VPN’s own pages on Oct 17, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 17, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Mullvad's own pages on 17 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Mullvad VPN AB. Prices change, so check mullvad.net before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
1,858
Tools graded, in 46 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
1,858
tools graded
46
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Mullvad VPN, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/mullvad
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Mullvad VPN: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 17, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/mullvad
Know someone choosing between VPNs?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/mullvad/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded VPNs after Mullvad VPN, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- VPNs Insider's GuideEvery one of the 17 VPNs we grade, compared
- hide.me Insider's GuideMalaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices3.0 GPA
- PrivadoVPN Insider's GuideVPN with a 10GB free plan and ad blocking on paid plans2.8 GPA
- Proton VPN Insider's GuideOpen-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Mullvad VPN’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. Mullvad VPN is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Mullvad VPN AB. Prices and plans change: check mullvad.net before you buy.