Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
Mullvad vs Proton VPN
Proton VPN takes it by 4.5 points, 90.0 against 85.5. That margin is worth reading past — Mullvad wins 2 of the seven criteria outright.
Mullvad
85.5The strongest privacy posture of any provider in this dataset, and the only one we cannot earn a commission from.
- From
- $5.50/mo
- Based in
- Sweden
- Devices
- 5
- Audits
- 2
We earn nothing from Mullvad. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
Criterion by criterion
Mullvad wins 2, Proton VPN wins 2, 3 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | Mullvad | Proton VPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 10/10 (20.0) | 10/10 (20.0) | Tied |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 6/10 (9.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Proton VPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 10/10 (15.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Mullvad |
| Transparency | 15 | 10/10 (15.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Mullvad |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 7/10 (7.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | Tied |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 6/10 (6.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | Proton VPN |
| Total | 100 | 85.5 | 90.0 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
Mullvad is ahead on
- Leak protection. Kill switch is always on by design across desktop and mobile, with IPv6 and DNS resolved in-tunnel.
- Transparency. All clients are open source, signup issues a random account number with no email, and cash payment is accepted by post.
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Switzerland sits outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, and the parent company is majority-owned by a non-profit foundation.
- Platform coverage. Native apps including Apple TV and Android TV, plus router support and 10 simultaneous devices.
Choose Mullvad if
Readers who want the least possible account data held about them.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip Mullvad if: Your main reason for buying a VPN is watching a specific streaming catalogue. Mullvad does not chase streaming platforms and does not claim to.
Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
Questions
- Is Mullvad or Proton VPN better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 85.5, a gap of 4.5 points out of 100. That is close enough that the deciding factor should be which criteria matter to you rather than the total.
- Which is cheaper, Mullvad or Proton VPN?
- Proton VPN, at $4.49/mo against $5.50/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Both published audits in 2024.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. Mullvad operates from Sweden and Proton VPN from Switzerland. Proton VPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.