Mullvad VPN has earned a loyal following among privacy enthusiasts for its steadfast commitment to preserving users’ anonymity while maintaining transparent practices. Despite consistently ranking high, NordVPN stands out for its comprehensive server network, robust security features, and refined user interface.
Determining the best VPN for your needs may prove a challenging task. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of key metrics, enabling us to effectively determine the most suitable VPN option for your specific needs and enterprise requirements.
Here’s a revised version of your text: Let’s explore which one of these two top-notch VPN providers – Mullvad or NordVPN – best suits your needs, offering unparalleled security and online protection.
- Tailored for individuals seeking unwavering privacy and complete anonymity in regards to their personal information and online purchasing history.
- A top choice for numerous businesses, regardless of size, seeking a comprehensive VPN solution with reliable speeds, a robust server network, and extensive platform support.
Mullvad VPN vs NordVPN: Comparability
Mullvad VPN vs NordVPN: Pricing
Mullvad VPN pricing
Mullvad VPN offers a unique pricing structure, charging a single flat rate for all of its subscription options. Besides conventional monthly and yearly plans, Mullvad VPN uniquely offers a decade-long subscription option.
- $5.40 monthly.
- $5.40 monthly.
- $5.40 monthly.
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Unfortunately, Mullvad VPN does not offer a complimentary trial period for its premium virtual private network service. While Mullvad offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to prospects, it’s likely that prospective customers would appreciate the opportunity to test its VPN services with a free trial, similar to what NordVPN and other providers offer, albeit possibly limited to mobile apps in some cases?
NordVPN pricing
NordVPN offers three paid plan tiers: Fundamental, Plus, and Elite. As you ascend through NordVPN’s plans, distinctive enhancements unfold, with each of the three subscription tiers offering flexibility in the form of monthly, annual, or two-year payment options, culminating in the Final plan’s comprehensive package.
NordVPN offers a complimentary seven-day trial through its Android app. While NordVPN offers a generous free-trial period for its desktop and Apple users, mirroring this access with Apple customers, it still outshines Mullvad VPN’s approach by providing some form of trial entry, unlike the latter’s lack thereof. After enjoying a free trial through its Android mobile app, you can conveniently utilize NordVPN on your desktop.
Like Mullvad, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to its customers, allowing them to test and potentially refund their subscription within this timeframe if they find it’s not a suitable fit.
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What distinguishes Mullvad and NordVPN lies in their distinct approaches to user privacy?
Both providers prioritize anonymous browsing by concealing users’ identities through robust encryption techniques. While they share a common goal, each has its unique characteristics that set them apart from one another.
One of the primary differences is their respective attitudes towards logs.
Safety protocols and encryption
Both Mullvad VPN and NordVPN feature robust safety protocols that meet our expectations from a reliable VPN service in today’s digital landscape. Mullvad VPN leverages both the OpenVPN and WireGuard tunneling protocols to ensure secure connections. NordVPN supports both OpenVPN and NordLynx, a proprietary protocol built upon WireGuard technology.
I appreciate that several VPN providers’ commitment to offering consumers the flexibility of choosing between OpenVPN and WireGuard/NordLynk protocols remains uncompromised. With these protocols, companies can seamlessly transition between the robust security of OpenVPN and the rapid speeds of WireGuard/NordLynx when connecting to a VPN server from either provider.
For encryption purposes, it’s reassuring to note that both Mullvad VPN and NordVPN utilize the widely adopted and highly secure AES-256 encryption protocol. AES encryption boasts exceptional security, with major financial institutions and regulatory bodies employing its robust methods to safeguard sensitive information.
Both Mullvad VPN and NordVPN employ top-tier AES-256 encryption, resulting in a deadlock in this round of our head-to-head comparison.
VPN server community and places
While server options are crucial for some users, NordVPN edges out Mullvad VPN in this category. By mid-2024, NordVPN boasted a vast network of over 6,400 servers across 111 global locations. This text encompasses regions across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
While other VPNs may struggle to match Mullvad’s extensive network, their offering stands out with over 680 servers spread across 44 countries and a whopping 81 cities. While significantly smaller than NordVPN, this VPN’s server count is declining, ranking lower at around 1,000-3,000 compared to the usual 2,000-4,000 servers found in other providers.
The substantial benefits of a large server pool attract potential VPN customers seeking to access geo-restricted content globally. Theoretically, this setup will further enhance connection speeds by providing more options to select servers closer to your location, thereby reducing latency and lag.
Notably, Mullvad VPN provides a comprehensive insight into its server network on its official website. The solution displays a list of remote servers, their respective providers, and most importantly, server ownership.
While this level of transparency may not go unremarked, I applaud Mullvad’s willingness to publicly disclose the servers they’re leasing and those they own personally.
While some may argue otherwise, it’s evident that NordVPN stands out as the superior choice for businesses seeking a VPN with a robust and diverse server network.
Third-party audits and observe report
When it comes to third-party testing and overall reputation, Mullvad VPN consistently excels. Mullvad’s commitment to transparency shines through its rigorous reliance on unbiased, third-party audits and assessments. Accordingly, the latest development from Mullvad was disclosed on June 28, 2024.
Since 2017, Mullvad VPN has conducted regular audits on various aspects of its service, with all reports publicly available on its official website. Typically, this software is freely available under an open-source license, with the source code publicly accessible for scrutiny and modification.
A rare and notable occasion that underscores Mullvad VPN’s commitment to user privacy was the visit by Swedish law enforcement authorities to their offices in April 2023, seeking customer data; however, the company successfully resisted these efforts? As a testament to Mullvad VPN’s commitment to being a no-logs provider, law enforcement agencies were left with nothing when they searched their offices. Mullvad’s commitment to user privacy is substantiated by its refusal to compromise on data sharing, explicitly stating that no information about buyers will be reported.
It’s far from saying that NordVPN falls short in independent testing circles, disconnected from its internal processes. NordVPN’s security is regularly scrutinized through independent audits, and the latest findings were published in. The fact that it’s closed-source software isn’t inherently bad?
While prioritizing third-party testing and unwavering transparency, I find Mullvad VPN to possess a subtle advantage over NordVPN.
Efficiency and velocity
With its impressive velocity and real-world efficacy, NordVPN emerges as the top performer. During my extensive testing, NordVPN consistently delivered rapid and stable connections, allowing me to maintain seamless productivity as an author in my daily workflow. Utilizing Google apps such as Docs and Drive efficiently, participating in online video conferencing sessions, conducting in-depth analysis across multiple open browser tabs, and occasionally streaming high-definition 1080p movies.
The device performed remarkably well during speed tests, registering a mere 5.80% decline in download speed and a 16.2% decrease in upload speed relative to my internet service provider.
Despite initial reservations, I found my experience with Mullvad VPN’s servers to be constructively beneficial. While performing the same tasks, I experienced no significant lag and was pleasantly surprised by the overall dependability of Mullvad VPN’s servers.
Despite some positive aspects, Mullvad VPN’s performance is hindered by subpar speed test results. Compared to NordVPN, Mullvad VPN experienced a 40.8% decline in download speeds and a staggering 89.8% decrease in upload velocities, indicating significantly greater deficits.
While velocity tests may not provide a complete narrative, they could imply that Mullvad’s performance is less consistent during tasks requiring intense connections? NordVPN’s superior performance in terms of speed and efficiency ultimately secures its victory.
Standout safety features
While NordVPN boasts an extensive array of security features, Mullvad VPN stands out with its unique, privacy-centric enhancements that set it apart from the rest.
Mullvad VPN utilizes a unique, anonymous account numbering system for all paid subscribers. To enhance security, Mullvad does not require users to provide an email address, password, or username for their VPN account, thereby adding an extra layer of privacy for valued clients.
This innovative approach enables customers to purchase a Mullvad VPN subscription via anonymous payment methods such as cash, physical vouchers, or cryptocurrencies. By minimising customers’ digital footprints, our VPN service further enhances the anonymous shopping experience they desire.
Ultimately, I cannot compromise on the number of additional security features NordVPN offers to its customer. Equipped with a robust risk safety system, this application effectively prevents unwanted content, including advertisements, malicious software, and tracking attempts. The system also features a private Meshnet networking capability, enabling secure file sharing and network access via its robust VPN infrastructure.
NordVPN offers a range of security-oriented server options, featuring obfuscated servers, double VPN functionality, and optimized peer-to-peer (P2P) connections.
While NordVPN boasts an array of advanced security features, it is Mullvad VPN’s unwavering commitment to user privacy that allows it to rival its more popular counterpart on even terms.
Ease of use and design
I prefer using NordVPN for its user-friendly interface and overall app design. NordVPN successfully balances a visually appealing design with an intuitive user interface.
While NordVPN offers an extensive array of features, I didn’t feel inundated, thanks to its thoughtful layout and clear organization. I particularly admired Nord’s sleek and unobtrusive design, which effectively enhances overall user interface sophistication.
Despite my initial skepticism, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Mullvad VPN’s application posed no obstacles in use. The interface was remarkably intuitive, with all settings and standard VPN features neatly organized in their expected locations.
I find that Mullvad VPN’s feature allowing users to curate a customized list of their preferred VPN servers is particularly appealing. This facilitates seamless connectivity to your company’s primary data center site.
While opinions on user interfaces are subjective, I still prefer NordVPN’s refined aesthetic over Mullvad VPN’s design. While Mullvad VPN excels at being user-friendly, its desktop client appears somewhat antiquated compared to NordVPN’s more modern and sophisticated design.
Simultaneous system connections
While NordVPN does offer more simultaneous connection options than Mullvad VPN, Currently, customers can enjoy up to 10 concurrent system connections with our NordVPN app. Offering a vast array of limitless connections to users, this surpasses Mullvad VPN’s current limitation of just five devices.
Considering multiple units for a small business’s VPN server setup, NordVPN’s 10 concurrent connection allowance makes it a more suitable choice.
Mullvad VPN professionals and cons
Execs
- Anonymous consumer account quantity management system for enhanced privacy.
- Constant third-party safety audits.
- Reasonably priced month-to-month subscription.
Cons
- A fledgling server community begins to take shape alongside a nascent nation.
- Inadequate provision of a comprehensive free trial experience.
- Solely 5 simultaneous system connections.
NordVPN professionals and cons
Execs
- Featuring a vast global network of over 6,400 servers across 111 international locations, offering unparalleled reach and accessibility to users worldwide.
- Quick and dependable VPN speeds.
- Polished and intuitive consumer expertise.
- Abundance of further safety capabilities.
Cons
- Monthly subscription plans tend to have a more expensive outcome.
- The free trial is exclusively available through our Android app.
Should you choose between Mullvad VPN and NordVPN for your team’s online security needs?
In reality, NordVPN is an exceptionally well-rounded VPN solution. The provider boasts a robust network infrastructure comprising 6,400+ servers across 111 global locations, backed by a comprehensive suite of security features extending beyond its VPN capabilities. Additionally, it consistently provides extremely stable VPN speeds and performance.
For numerous businesses, regardless of size, NordVPN is an ideal choice to provide comprehensive VPN capabilities that can help unblock geographically restricted content, easily switch IP addresses, and enhance security and privacy across the organization.
Mullvad VPN stands out as an ideal choice for individual users or small business owners prioritizing anonymity above all else. This anonymity feature makes it an ideal choice for customers seeking to minimize their digital footprint, as they can create random accounts and pay anonymously.
Despite Mullvad VPN’s relatively underdeveloped server network, lagging speed test performance, and limited concurrent connection capacity, it still lags behind NordVPN in terms of overall superiority.
Methodology
A comprehensive comparison of Mullvad VPN and NordVPN involves a realistic assessment of each provider’s performance and an exhaustive examination of their respective features, value, and effectiveness.
To assess each VPN provider, scores were given for a comprehensive range of criteria, encompassing safety protocols and pricing among other factors. Notably, I analyzed the five most crucial components, each with its respective weightages:
- Pricing (20%).
- Core VPN options (30%).
- Ease of use (15%).
- Buyer assist (30%).
- Knowledgeable evaluation (5%).
I also took into account genuine customer feedback and respected criticisms to further refine my ultimate recommendations for both Mullvad VPN and NordVPN.
I tested the velocity and efficiency of each VPN on my personal Windows PC, running them through Ookla’s public servers. Here are some potential customer groups that may greatly benefit from using NordVPN or Mullvad:
