Mullvad vs ProtonVPN
Mullvad is Privacy-focused VPN with anonymous accounts — no email, no personal data, while ProtonVPN is Free VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with no data limits and no ads. The biggest difference up front: ProtonVPN is free, while Mullvad starts at €5/mo. Mullvad is built for privacy maximalists wanting anonymous vpn, whereas ProtonVPN targets privacy-conscious users wanting free vpn from a trusted brand.
| Feature | Mullvad | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Anonymous Accounts | ✓ | — |
| No Ads | — | ✓ |
| No Data Limit | — | ✓ |
| No Logs | ✓ | — |
| Secure Core | — | ✓ |
| Swiss Privacy | — | ✓ |
| WireGuard | ✓ | — |
| €5 Flat | ✓ | — |
Pricing: ProtonVPN is completely free (Free with 3 countries), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Mullvad starts at €5/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Mullvad offers Anonymous Accounts, No Logs and WireGuard that ProtonVPN lacks. ProtonVPN brings No Ads, No Data Limit and Secure Core that Mullvad does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target individuals teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Mullvad's biggest strengths are: includes anonymous accounts as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes wireguard as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. ProtonVPN's biggest strengths are: includes no data limit as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes no ads as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows.
Watch out for: With Mullvad, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay €5/mo from day one to use it. With ProtonVPN, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose Mullvad if
- You need a tool built for privacy maximalists wanting anonymous vpn
- You specifically need Anonymous Accounts and No Logs
- You care about includes wireguard as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
choose ProtonVPN if
- You need a tool built for privacy-conscious users wanting free vpn from a trusted brand
- Budget is a hard constraint — ProtonVPN is free, Mullvad is not
- You specifically need No Ads and No Data Limit
- You care about includes no ads as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
- The free tier works for you: free with 3 countries
frequently asked
What is the difference between Mullvad and ProtonVPN?
Mullvad is Privacy-focused VPN with anonymous accounts — no email, no personal data, while ProtonVPN is Free VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with no data limits and no ads. The biggest difference up front: ProtonVPN is free, while Mullvad starts at €5/mo. Mullvad is built for privacy maximalists wanting anonymous vpn, whereas ProtonVPN targets privacy-conscious users wanting free vpn from a trusted brand.
Should I use Mullvad or ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN is the free option; Mullvad charges €5/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Mullvad over ProtonVPN?
Choose Mullvad if You need a tool built for privacy maximalists wanting anonymous vpn; You specifically need Anonymous Accounts and No Logs; You care about includes wireguard as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows.
When should I choose ProtonVPN over Mullvad?
Choose ProtonVPN if You need a tool built for privacy-conscious users wanting free vpn from a trusted brand; Budget is a hard constraint — ProtonVPN is free, Mullvad is not; You specifically need No Ads and No Data Limit; You care about includes no ads as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows; The free tier works for you: free with 3 countries.
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