Mullvad prioritizes absolute anonymity with no-logs architecture and random account numbers, while NordVPN offers faster speeds, more servers, and better streaming capabilities. NordVPN is better for general users seeking balance, while Mullvad appeals to privacy-maximalists willing to sacrifice some features.
Mullvad vs NordVPN — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Privacy-first VPN with random account numbers and no personal data collection.
Premium VPN with advanced security features and 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
Privacy Architecture. Server Count. Monthly Price (Basic). Streaming Support. Average Speed Performance. Simultaneous Device Connections. Independent Audits. Payment Methods
NordVPN is the better choice for most users due to superior speeds, extensive server network, and excellent streaming capabilities at a competitive price. Mullvad is ideal for privacy-conscious users willing to sacrifice convenience and features for maximum anonymity and minimal data collection. Both are trustworthy, but serve different use cases.
Mullvad: No (zero-knowledge) | NordVPN: N/A
Mullvad: RAM-only (no persistent storage) | NordVPN: N/A
Mullvad: 68% variable by region | NordVPN: N/A
Mullvad: 4+ open-source audits annually | NordVPN: 2 (PwC & Deloitte 2024)
Mullvad: ChaCha20 and AES-256 | NordVPN: AES-256
Mullvad: Annual third-party audit | NordVPN: N/A
Mullvad: Unlimited (same device) | NordVPN: 10+
Mullvad: Limited support | NordVPN: Full support for major platforms
Mullvad: Moderate (7-15 Mbps typical) | NordVPN: Fast (20-50 Mbps typical)
Mullvad: Verified no-logs | NordVPN: Verified no-logs
Mullvad: Cash, crypto, card | NordVPN: Crypto, card, PayPal
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 4+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: None - 30-day money back only
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Panama (5/9/14 Eyes)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: AES-256 (NordLynx)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: NordLynx (WireGuard-based)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, All Platforms
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, regular audits
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, on all platforms
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes - Threat Protection Pro
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Excellent - Panama
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: $69.99/year (2-year plan)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 0 (Premium only)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 6 simultaneous connections
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 7 major browser extensions
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Partial (selected components)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Proprietary/Closed-source
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Partial (proprietary components)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, all platforms
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 12+ (major platforms only)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes (PwC audit 2024)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: WireGuard with ChaCha20
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 8% slower (NordLynx/WireGuard)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: 89% success rate (tested 13 regions)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, ChaCha20, NordLynx
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Yes (Threat Protection included)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: Panama (outside 5/9/14-Eyes)
Mullvad: N/A | NordVPN: No (proprietary)
How to choose between Mullvad and NordVPN
Mullvad vs NordVPN — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Mullvad vs NordVPN. Contains 117 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Mullvad vs NordVPN — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Mullvad vs NordVPN.
Is Mullvad or NordVPN better for streaming?
NordVPN is significantly better for streaming. It successfully unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and other major platforms in most regions. Mullvad has limited streaming compatibility and frequently fails to bypass geo-restrictions, making it unreliable for entertainment purposes.
Which VPN is more private: Mullvad or NordVPN?
Both have strong privacy credentials with verified no-logs policies, but Mullvad takes anonymity further by requiring no personal information, using random account numbers instead of usernames, and accepting cash payments. NordVPN requires email registration but offers transparent privacy practices and regular audits. Mullvad is better for maximum anonymity; NordVPN balances privacy with usability.
NordVPN is cheaper with introductory rates starting at $3.09/month for 2-year plans. Mullvad charges a flat €5/month (~$5.50 USD) with no long-term discounts. However, Mullvad's annual cost (~$60) is lower if you commit upfront, while NordVPN's basic plan costs around $83.43 for the first year after promotion ends.
Mullvad can be used for gaming, but its moderate speeds and smaller server network may result in higher latency and ping times compared to NordVPN. NordVPN's optimized servers and larger infrastructure make it the better choice for online gaming where speed and low latency are critical.
Does NordVPN or Mullvad work in restricted countries?
Both VPNs work in many restricted regions, but NordVPN's larger server network and obfuscation features provide better circumvention capabilities in countries like China and Russia. Mullvad's smaller network may face more frequent blocking. Neither guarantees access in all restricted countries, and users should verify compatibility before travel.
How to Choose Between Mullvad and NordVPN
Privacy Architecture: Mullvad has Random account numbers, no personal data required, while NordVPN has Traditional usernames, zero-logs policy.
Server Count: Mullvad has ~400 servers, while NordVPN has 7,200+ servers.
Monthly Price (Basic): Mullvad has $5.20-$5.80 USD flat rate, while NordVPN has $3.09-$4.99 USD.
Streaming Support: Mullvad has Limited, unreliable unblocking, while NordVPN has Excellent, unblocks all major platforms.
Average Speed Performance: Mullvad has Moderate speeds, while NordVPN has Fast speeds with optimized servers.
Consider: Simultaneous Device Connections
Simultaneous Device Connections: Mullvad has Unlimited on same device, while NordVPN has 10+ devices supported.
Independent Audits: Mullvad has Cure53 audits completed, while NordVPN has Regular third-party audits.
Payment Methods: Mullvad has Cash, crypto, cards accepted, while NordVPN has Cards, crypto, PayPal accepted.