Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN is a Swedish VPN service that has earned a reputation as one of the most privacy-focused VPN providers in the world. Founded in 2009 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Mullvad (Swedish for "mole") was built from the ground up with a singular focus: protecting user privacy without compromise. Unlike commercial VPN providers that prioritize marketing and upselling, Mullvad takes a refreshingly different approach that puts privacy principles first.

Swedish Jurisdiction and Privacy Laws

Sweden provides a favorable legal environment for privacy-focused services. While Sweden is part of the 14 Eyes intelligence alliance, the country has strong constitutional protections for privacy and does not have mandatory data retention laws for VPN providers. Swedish courts have historically been protective of individual privacy rights, and the country's legal framework requires proper judicial oversight for surveillance requests.

Mullvad has been transparent about law enforcement requests and has consistently demonstrated that they have no data to hand over due to their strict no-logs policy. The company's infrastructure is designed so that even if compelled by law, they cannot provide user activity data because they simply do not collect or store it.

Anonymous Account System

One of Mullvad's most distinctive features is its anonymous account system. Instead of requiring an email address, username, or any personal information, Mullvad generates a random 16-digit account number. This number is all you need to use the service. There's no account creation form, no password to remember (beyond the number itself), and no way for Mullvad to identify who is behind any given account.

This approach eliminates the need for password recovery systems that could potentially be exploited, and it means that even Mullvad cannot associate your account with your identity. If you pay with cash or cryptocurrency, you can use Mullvad with complete anonymity - a feature that journalists, activists, and privacy advocates particularly value.

Flat, Transparent Pricing

Mullvad charges a flat rate of 5 euros per month with no discounts for longer commitments. While this may seem counterintuitive in an industry where annual plans with heavy discounts are the norm, it reflects Mullvad's commitment to transparency and fairness. Everyone pays the same price, and there's no pressure to commit to long-term plans that may not suit your needs.

This pricing model also eliminates the dark patterns common in the VPN industry, where heavily discounted first-year prices give way to much higher renewal rates. With Mullvad, you always know exactly what you'll pay, and you can cancel at any time without losing money on a prepaid annual plan.

WireGuard and OpenVPN Support

Mullvad was an early adopter of WireGuard, the modern VPN protocol that offers better performance and security compared to older protocols. In fact, Mullvad's founder was one of the early supporters and funders of WireGuard development. The company's apps default to WireGuard, which provides excellent speeds and a smaller attack surface due to its simplified codebase.

For users who prefer or require OpenVPN, Mullvad fully supports this protocol as well. The flexibility to choose between protocols makes Mullvad suitable for various use cases, from everyday browsing to more specialized requirements where OpenVPN's broader compatibility might be necessary.

Independent Security Audits

Mullvad regularly commissions independent security audits of its infrastructure and applications. These audits have been conducted by respected firms including Cure53 and Assured AB. The results of these audits are published publicly, demonstrating Mullvad's commitment to transparency. Any identified issues are promptly addressed, and the audit reports provide valuable insight into the security posture of the service.

The company's VPN apps are fully open source, allowing anyone to inspect the code for security vulnerabilities or backdoors. This level of transparency is rare in the VPN industry and provides additional assurance that the software does what it claims.

Server Infrastructure

Mullvad operates servers in over 40 countries, with a focus on using physical servers rather than virtual machines where possible. The company has been transitioning to RAM-only servers, which means that server data cannot persist after a reboot. This "diskless" approach further protects user privacy by ensuring that even if a server were seized, no usable data could be extracted.

Mullvad is also transparent about which servers it owns versus rents, providing detailed information about its infrastructure on its website. This level of openness is unusual in the VPN industry and allows users to make informed decisions about which servers to use.

Payment Options

True to its privacy-first approach, Mullvad accepts various anonymous payment methods. In addition to traditional credit cards and PayPal, users can pay with Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Monero. Most uniquely, Mullvad accepts cash sent by mail - you can literally put euros in an envelope with your account number and send it to their office in Sweden. This option provides the highest level of payment anonymity available.

Limitations to Consider

Mullvad's focus on privacy comes with some trade-offs. The service does not offer the extensive server network that some competitors provide, though its coverage is sufficient for most users. There are no specialized servers for streaming services, and Mullvad does not position itself as a tool for bypassing geo-restrictions (though it can work for this purpose).

The lack of discount pricing may make Mullvad more expensive than competitors for users who commit to annual plans. However, the transparent pricing and superior privacy protections often justify the cost for privacy-conscious users. There's also no 24/7 live chat support - Mullvad relies on email support and comprehensive documentation instead.

Who Should Use Mullvad VPN

Mullvad is ideal for privacy purists who want a VPN that truly prioritizes anonymity over features and marketing. Journalists, activists, security researchers, and anyone who needs to protect their identity will appreciate Mullvad's anonymous account system and multiple anonymous payment options. Users who value transparency and want to support a company with genuine privacy principles will find Mullvad an excellent choice. While it may lack some bells and whistles of commercial VPNs, its core privacy features are unmatched.