Mullvad vs NordVPN comparison: which is better in 2024?

When it comes to secure online browsing and privacy, both NordVPN and Mullvad are top contenders in the VPN market. They share a common goal of safeguarding user data and providing an anonymous internet experience, but their approaches and features differ significantly. NordVPN is the best choice for both businesses and individuals who prioritize premium quality, offering advanced security features, extensive server network and reliable speeds. In contrast, Mullvad is ideal for those who value privacy, providing a straightforward, no-frills service with a strong focus on anonymity.

Having personally tested both VPNs, I evaluated their security protocols, connection speeds, server variety, and ease of use. In this article, I’ll present the results of my tests to help you decide which VPN is better suited for your needs.

NordVPN vs Mullvad: specifications

Although both providers ensure strong privacy, NordVPN outperforms Mullvad with its more consistent speeds, wider server network, and better unblocking capabilities. Additionally, NordVPN offers more adaptable pricing plans, catering to different user needs and budgets.

However, Mullvad shouldn’t be overlooked either—it stands out with its unwavering focus on user privacy and security, offering robust protection that rivals even the best in the industry. While NordVPN takes the lead in versatility and features, Mullvad remains a strong contender for those who prioritize simplicity and anonymity.

Plans and pricing

NordVPN offers a subscription range from $2.99/month to $12.99/month. The most affordable option is the two-year plan at $2.99/month. On the other hand, Mullvad has a flat rate of €5.00 per month, which is approximately $5.45, depending on the exchange rate.

Mullvad is an excellent choice if you need a reliable VPN for a short period, while NordVPN’s long-term plans offer significant discounts, making it more affordable for those seeking a long-term commitment.

When comparing payment methods between Mullvad and NordVPN, there are a few key differences and similarities. Mullvad accepts credit and debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies, and even cash, which supports anonymity. On the other hand, NordVPN offers a range of payment options including credit and debit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies, and Google Pay, providing additional flexibility for digital wallet users.

Regarding trials and guarantees, NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial on Android devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee across all plans, giving users ample time to test the service. Mullvad does not offer a free trial, but it does provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free for a month.

In summary, NordVPN offers greater flexibility and affordability compared to Mullvad, especially for long-term users. This makes it a better choice for those who regularly use VPNs and are looking for a variety of features.​

Mullvad vs NordVPN: server location

When comparing server networks, NordVPN clearly has the advantage over Mullvad. NordVPN boasts over 7000 servers spread across more than 118 countries. In contrast, Mullvad has a smaller network with around 858 servers in 39 countries. This vast difference gives NordVPN a significant edge in providing users with more connectivity options and better performance.

A large number of servers is essential because it reduces congestion, improves speed, and provides more location options for users to connect from. NordVPN has more servers and offers specialized servers for P2P, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN, enhancing its versatility. Mullvad, while smaller, is known for its robust privacy-focused features, although it doesn’t offer the same range of specialized servers as NordVPN.

Netflix and streaming comparison

NordVPN is a better choice than Mullvad for streaming. It reliably unblocks all major streaming platforms, allowing access to content from different regions. NordVPN’s extensive server network and specialized servers are optimized for streaming, which helps to bypass geo-restrictions effectively. Mullvad, while strong on privacy, struggles to unblock popular streaming services, limiting its appeal to users who want access to global content.

During my testing of NordVPN vs MullvadVPN, the latter failed to unblock major streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and ITVX. I only managed to access Netflix US and Amazon Prime Video US. NordVPN, as the best VPN for streaming, successfully unblocked Netflix libraries from 16 various regions, including the US and UK, and bypassed geo-restrictions on other popular services like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. Based on these findings, NordVPN is the more suitable choice for users who want to stream content from any country securely and without interruptions.

NordVPN vs Mullvad speed comparison

Both Mullvad and NordVPN support the WireGuard and OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) protocols, which are known for their impact on speed performance. However, NordVPN generally provides a better user experience compared to Mullvad, especially for streaming. It offers significantly faster speeds due to its NordLynx protocol, which enhances performance and reliability.

To compare their speeds, I tested both VPNs for download and upload speeds across different countries using NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol and Mullvad’s WireGuard protocol.

Regarding overall performance, NordVPN emerged as one of the fastest VPNs, showing more consistent speeds across different regions, particularly in upload speeds, which maintained higher retention percentages. Mullvad demonstrated substantial download speeds in the UK and the US but lagged behind in Canada. On average, NordVPN maintained higher overall speed retention, making it a better choice for users who prioritize consistent and fast internet performance across various locations.

Which VPN is better for torrenting: Mullvad or NordVPN?

Mullvad and NordVPN both support torrenting, but they approach it differently. NordVPN offers dedicated P2P servers optimized specifically for torrenting activities, ensuring fast and secure file sharing. Mullvad, on the other hand, claims that all of its servers are P2P-friendly, and my testing of NordVPN vs Mullvad has confirmed this to be the case. It means you can torrent on any Mullvad server without restrictions.

Both VPNs performed well during my testing of NordVPN vs Mullvad with torrenting, providing secure and reliable connections. NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers offer slightly better speeds and additional features like split tunneling on more platforms, which can be beneficial for managing your traffic. Mullvad also performed admirably but lacked the same level of specialized features.

In summary, NordVPN is better suited for torrenting than Mullvad due to its higher speeds, optimized P2P servers, and broader feature set.

Mullvad vs NordVPN: which is more secure?

Mullvad and NordVPN both prioritize security, offering robust features like AES-256 encryption, strict no-logs policies, and leak protection. These features ensure that your data remains safe and private while using either VPN service. However, Mullvad did experience a security issue where an API leak could have exposed user IP addresses. Fortunately, the problem was promptly fixed after being reported by the ZATAZ hacking group.

In terms of security, Mullvad isn’t better than NordVPN. NordVPN is generally considered safer due to its advanced security features, including rigorous third-party audits. While Mullvad offers strong security with AES-256 encryption, the OpenVPN protocol, and multi-hop technology, a recent API leak incident has raised concerns about its security reliability, suggesting that NordVPN may offer a more comprehensive and reliable security infrastructure.

Privacy

NordVPN and Mullvad both use AES-256 encryption, one of the most robust encryption standards available, to protect users’ data. Mullvad VPN is a smaller VPN provider based in Sweden (a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance), while NordVPN stands out as one of the most popular VPNs available today, operating under Panama’s jurisdiction, which has no mandatory data retention laws. It also enhances user privacy with features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN, which add extra layers of security.

Both VPNs protect against DNS and IP leaks, but NordVPN’s advanced security features give it a slight edge in overall privacy.

Logging

NordVPN and Mullvad both enforce strict no-log policies, ensuring no user activity or connection logs are stored. NordVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited four times by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Deloitte (last time in 2024), confirming their commitment to user privacy.

Mullvad’s no-logs policy is similarly strong, though it has not undergone as many independent audits as NordVPN (two audits by Radically Open Security in 2023 and Cure53 in 2024). Mullvad’s approach focuses on minimizing data collection from the start, even allowing anonymous account creation without requiring an email address. Both VPNs are transparent about their practices, but NordVPN’s multiple audits add an extra layer of trust.

Mullvad VPN vs NordVPN: Features Comparison

Mullvad and NordVPN share several core features, including AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and support for multiple advanced tunneling protocols. Both also offer robust DNS and IP leak protection, ensuring user data remains secure. However, NordVPN provides additional features that enhance the user experience, such as Double VPN, which routes traffic through two servers for extra security, CyberSec to block ads and malware, and SmartPlay, which allows seamless streaming by bypassing geo-restrictions.

Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a feature that helps users access geo-restricted content by changing the DNS of their device without encrypting their internet traffic, allowing for faster streaming speeds. NordVPN has Smart DNS, while Mullvad lacks this feature. NordVPN’s Smart DNS, known as SmartPlay, is automatically enabled and doesn’t require any manual setup. It’s handy for accessing streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer from anywhere worldwide. To activate it, simply connect to a NordVPN server, and SmartPlay will take care of the rest.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling is a feature that allows users to route some of their internet traffic through the VPN while letting the rest access the internet directly. It’s particularly useful for accessing local services while securing specific online activities. Both NordVPN and Mullvad have it, but not on all supported platforms:

To activate split tunneling in NordVPN on Windows, click on the settings cogwheel icon in the app, navigate to the “Split Tunneling” section, and select which apps should bypass the VPN. On Android devices, go to “Settings,” choose “VPN connection,” and then enable and customize split tunneling from there​.

Similarly, to activate this feature on Mullvad VPN, go to the “Preferences” section in the app, select “Split tunneling,” and choose which apps or IP addresses should bypass the VPN.

Specialized Servers

NordVPN offers a variety of specialized servers tailored to specific needs, while Mullvad does not. NordVPN’s specialized servers include Double VPN for extra security, P2P servers optimized for torrenting, Onion Over VPN for Tor users, and obfuscated servers to bypass internet restrictions in countries with heavy censorship. These servers are easy to access within the NordVPN app; simply go to the server list and select the appropriate category based on your needs.

Ad & Malware Blocker

NordVPN includes an ad and malware blocker feature called CyberSec, while Mullvad does not offer any ad-blocking functionality. CyberSec blocks malicious websites, ads, and trackers, providing a safer and cleaner browsing experience. It also helps prevent your device from being part of DDoS attacks.

To enable CyberSec, go to the settings in the NordVPN app and toggle the CyberSec option. This feature enhances online privacy and security by automatically filtering out unwanted content.

Additional Features

In addition to the features already mentioned, NordVPN offers several other functionalities that enhance user experience. NordLynx, a protocol built around WireGuard, provides faster speeds without compromising security, making it ideal for those prioritizing performance. Meshnet allows users to securely connect devices across different networks, which benefits remote teams or gamers wanting to create a virtual LAN party. On the other hand, Mullvad offers bridge mode, which helps bypass VPN blocks in restrictive regions, making it an excellent option for users in countries with heavy censorship.

Both VPNs offer manual server selection, but NordVPN also includes Threat Protection, which adds an extra layer of security by blocking ads, trackers, and malware. These additional features cater to users looking for more than just basic VPN protection, making NordVPN a more feature-rich option.

Do Mullvad and NordVPN work in China?

When it comes to bypassing China’s Great Firewall, NordVPN is a clear winner. NordVPN provides obfuscated servers specifically designed to work in restrictive environments like China. On the other hand, Mullvad does not explicitly market its service as intended for use in China, leading to inconsistent reliability.

Mullvad has received mixed feedback regarding its performance in China. While some users have successfully bypassed the Great Firewall, others encounter difficulties. A key drawback of Mullvad VPN in China is its inconsistent performance and lack of specific features designed to bypass stringent censorship, such as obfuscated servers.

NordVPN, however, is generally more reliable in China due to its obfuscated servers. These servers disguise VPN traffic to appear as regular internet traffic, making it harder for the Great Firewall to detect and block. Plus, NordVPN’s Tor over VPN feature further enhances anonymity, making it a preferred choice for users needing consistent access in China.

In summary, NordVPN is a more reliable option for users in China than Mullvad due to its specialized features, which are designed to bypass stringent internet censorship.

NordVPN vs Mullvad: device compatibility

Both NordVPN and Mullvad VPN are compatible with many devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. However, NordVPN allows more simultaneous device connections than Mullvad and has dedicated apps for Android TV, Chromebook, and Fire TV, which Mullvad VPN lacks.

Desktop applications

Both NordVPN and Mullvad offer desktop applications that are generally easy to navigate, but their interfaces cater to different user preferences. NordVPN’s desktop app has a sleek, user-friendly design with a map-based interface that makes server selection intuitive. Mullvad, in contrast, adopts a more minimalistic and straightforward interface, focusing on simplicity without many visual elements.

While testing NordVPN vs Mullvad, I found NordVPN’s desktop app particularly useful because of its detailed server list and specialized servers for P2P, Double VPN, and more. The CyberSec feature, which blocks ads and malware, is also easily accessible from the app—a feature that Mullvad lacks.

Switching to Mullvad, I appreciated the app’s simplicity and the focus on privacy, with features like easy toggling between WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. However, I found the feature set more limited compared to NordVPN, particularly when comparing its Windows and iOS versions. For instance, split tunneling is available only on specific platforms, which can be a drawback for some users.

In conclusion, while both desktop applications are practical and secure, NordVPN’s app offers more features and flexibility, making it a better choice for users who want a comprehensive VPN experience. Mullvad, however, is ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and straightforward privacy controls.

Mobile applications

NordVPN’s mobile app is visually appealing and intuitive, with a familiar map interface and quick access to various features. Mullvad, by contrast, keeps things simple with a clean, minimalistic design focused on functionality without unnecessary extras.

While using NordVPN’s mobile app, I found the inclusion of split tunneling on Android particularly helpful, allowing selective app protection. The CyberSec feature, which blocks ads and malicious websites, enhances security and improves browsing speed—a clear advantage over Mullvad.

While Mullvad’s mobile app lacks advanced features, it provides a straightforward, privacy-first experience. Switching between protocols is easy, and the app’s design is consistent with Mullvad’s overall emphasis on simplicity and security. However, it doesn’t offer the same range of features as NordVPN, and the limited functionality, particularly on iOS, may be a drawback for some users.

Overall, while Mullvad’s mobile app is efficient and privacy-focused, NordVPN’s app offers a more feature-rich experience, better suited for users who want versatility and extra security features on their mobile devices.

Customer support

Both NordVPN and Mullvad offer email support and a comprehensive knowledge base. However, NordVPN stands out with its 24/7 live chat support, allowing users to receive immediate assistance. Mullvad lacks this live chat feature, which may lead to longer wait times for responses.

During my testing of Mullvad VPN vs NordVPN, the latter’s 24/7 live chat assisted me almost immediately with helpful and detailed responses to queries. The email support from NordVPN was also prompt, usually responding within a few hours. Mullvad’s email support, while knowledgeable, took longer to respond—typically within 24 hours. Both VPNs have extensive knowledge bases, but I noticed that NordVPN’s is more detailed, covering a more comprehensive range of topics.

In conclusion, NordVPN excels in customer support with its rapid-response live chat and extensive resources, making it a more reliable option for users needing quick assistance. Mullvad, while competent, may not be as responsive due to the absence of live chat support.

Mullvad vs NordVPN: video review

Would you rather hear the pros and cons of each service in video form? Here’s a quick video detailing everything I discuss in this Mullvad vs NordVPN comparison:

Final verdict: is Mullvad or NordVPN better in 2024?

NordVPN is generally better than Mullvad, as it offers a larger server network, faster speeds, and advanced features like Meshnet and dedicated IP addresses. While Mullvad is known for its affordable monthly plans and strong privacy focus, NordVPN’s extensive capabilities and superior customer support make it a more versatile and comprehensive VPN solution.

That said, Mullvad VPN is not without its strengths. It strongly focuses on privacy with minimal data collection and anonymous payment options. Its straightforward pricing and simplicity appeal to those who value transparency and want a no-frills VPN experience. Mullvad’s commitment to security is also commendable, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize anonymity and a simple, privacy-focused service.

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FAQ

Which VPN is better for torrenting: Mullvad or NordVPN?

NordVPN is generally considered better for torrenting compared to Mullvad. It offers faster speeds, dedicated P2P servers, and enhanced security features like secure file sharing, which can enhance the torrenting experience. Mullvad also supports torrenting on all its servers, but it lacks the specialized P2P servers that NordVPN offers. Additionally, NordVPN provides features like a kill switch and split tunneling, which enhance torrenting safety.

Why does NordVPN speed decrease during torrenting?

NordVPN speed may decrease during torrenting due to the encryption process and server load. When using a VPN, all data is encrypted, which can slightly reduce speed. Additionally, if the chosen server is far from your location or heavily used, it can result in slower connections. However, NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers can help minimize these speed reductions, ensuring a smoother torrenting experience.

Is Mullvad faster than NordVPN?

No, NordVPN is generally faster than Mullvad VPN. While Mullvad offers good speeds, especially with its WireGuard protocol, NordVPN provides more consistent and higher speeds across various regions due to its extensive server network and optimized NordLynx protocol. NordVPN’s extensive and specialized server options often result in better overall performance, particularly for streaming and torrenting.

What advantage does Mullvad have over NordVPN?

Mullvad’s main advantage over NordVPN is its strong focus on privacy. Unlike NordVPN, Mullvad does not require any personal information to create an account, ensuring greater anonymity. Additionally, Mullvad features a straightforward pricing structure with no long-term commitments and offers a more affordable one-month plan compared to NordVPN.

Is Mullvad the best VPN for privacy?

Yes, Mullvad VPN is considered one of the best VPNs in terms of privacy, thanks to its strict no-logs policy and anonymous account creation process. Unlike many other VPNs, Mullvad doesn’t require an email address or any personal information to sign up, making it highly attractive for privacy-conscious users. However, while Mullvad excels in privacy, other VPNs like NordVPN offer robust privacy features with additional benefits, such as a broader range of servers and features.