Quick answer (July 2026): NordVPN wins for most users — more servers, better streaming support, and cheaper on a 2-year plan. Mullvad wins for privacy purists: anonymous sign-up (no email), flat €5/mo pricing, and open-source clients. If you stream video or want the lowest long-term cost, pick NordVPN. If you distrust every company with your email address, pick Mullvad.
TL;DR Quick Answer
NordVPN wins overall — scoring 9.2/10 vs Mullvad's 8.6/10. Choose NordVPN for streaming, more features, and best long-term value. Choose Mullvad for maximum anonymity and zero-trust sign-up. Both are genuinely private — the difference is in how much you need to be unidentifiable to the provider itself.
NordVPN
NordVPN
7,000+ servers, streaming, PwC-audited no-logs
Score: 9.2/10
Mullvad
Mullvad
Anonymous accounts, open-source, flat €5/mo
Score: 8.6/10
Winner
Our Verdict
NordVPN
Best for most users — see full reasoning below
→ Read our reasoning
NordVPNVPN · from $3.39/mo (2-yr plan)
7,000+ servers across 118 countries. PwC-audited no-logs policy, NordLynx (WireGuard-based) protocol, Threat Protection, Meshnet, and reliable streaming unblocking. Best suited for users who want features, speed, and the lowest long-term price.
MullvadVPN · €5/mo flat rate
Anonymous account numbers — no email, no name needed. Accepts cash and Monero. Open-source clients, multihop support, WireGuard and OpenVPN. Flat €5/mo pricing regardless of term. Best suited for privacy purists who want zero-trust sign-up.
Verdict at a Glance
Both NordVPN and Mullvad are genuinely private, no-logs VPNs with independent audits. The choice is about what you optimise for:
- NordVPN wins on features (streaming, Threat Protection, Meshnet), server count (7,000+), and long-term value ($3.39/mo on 2-year).
- Mullvad wins on anonymity (no email sign-up, cash payments accepted), flat pricing with no commitment, and 100% open-source clients.
For most people — especially those who want to unblock streaming or use a VPN for general privacy — NordVPN is the better pick. Mullvad is the right answer if you're a journalist, activist, or simply refuse to hand any personal data to a VPN provider.
Try risk-free
Start with NordVPN — 30-day money-back
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it for a month — if it's not right, you get a full refund, no questions asked.
Try NordVPN risk-free →
Pricing Comparison
Mullvad's flat pricing is unusually simple: €5/month for everyone, no tiers, no upsells. NordVPN's monthly rate looks higher but drops sharply on longer plans — making it cheaper than Mullvad over 2 years.
NordVPN vs Mullvad pricing comparison
| Plan | NordVPN | Mullvad |
|---|
| Monthly rate (monthly billing) | $14.99/mo | €5/mo (~$5.40) |
| Annual rate | $4.99/mo | €5/mo (no discount) |
| 2-year rate | $3.39/mo | €5/mo (no discount) |
| Free trial / money-back | 30-day money-back | No (pay per month, cancel anytime) |
| Anonymous sign-up | Email required | Account number only — no email |
| Payment methods | Card, PayPal, crypto | Card, cash, vouchers, Monero |
| Simultaneous connections | 10 devices | 5 devices |
Bottom line on pricing: If you pay month-to-month, Mullvad is dramatically cheaper. If you commit to 2 years, NordVPN undercuts Mullvad at $3.39/mo vs ~$5.40/mo. Most mainstream users will benefit from locking in NordVPN's 2-year rate.
Feature Comparison
NordVPN vs Mullvad features
| Feature | NordVPN | Mullvad |
|---|
| Server count | 7,000+ in 118 countries | ~700 in 40+ countries |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| No-logs audit | PwC-audited, multiple rounds | Cure53 audited |
| Open-source clients | Partial | Fully open-source |
| Streaming unblocking | Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, etc. | Not optimised for streaming |
| Kill switch | Yes (all platforms) | Yes (all platforms) |
| Multihop / double VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Threat Protection (ad/malware block) | Yes — built-in DNS blocking | Yes — DNS blocking (DAITA) |
| Meshnet (private network) | Yes — unique feature | No |
| Split tunnelling | Yes (Windows, Android) | Yes (Windows, Android, Linux) |
| Overall score | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
Key differentiator: NordVPN's Meshnet lets you create private encrypted networks between your own devices — no equivalent in Mullvad. Mullvad's open-source clients and cash acceptance are unmatched in the mainstream market.
Our Final Verdict
NordVPN is our recommendation for most users. Here is why:
- Choose NordVPN if you want streaming support, more servers, extra features (Meshnet, Threat Protection), 10 simultaneous connections, or the cheapest 2-year rate ($3.39/mo). NordVPN's no-logs policy has been independently audited multiple times by PwC — privacy credentials are strong.
- Choose Mullvad if you refuse to give a VPN your email address, want to pay cash, prefer open-source clients end-to-end, or do not need streaming. Mullvad's anonymous account system is genuinely category-leading.
Both services have passed independent audits and are operated by trustworthy companies. The difference is in how much you need to be anonymous to the provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordVPN better than Mullvad?
For most users, yes — NordVPN scores 9.2/10 vs Mullvad's 8.6/10. NordVPN wins on server count, streaming, features, and long-term value. Mullvad wins for privacy purists who want anonymous sign-up and flat €5/mo pricing with no commitment.
How much does NordVPN cost vs Mullvad?
NordVPN starts at $3.39/mo on a 2-year plan, or $4.99/mo annual, or $14.99/mo monthly. Mullvad is €5/month flat — no annual discount, same price regardless of term. At current rates, Mullvad is roughly $5.40/mo at any term.
Does Mullvad offer a free trial?
Mullvad has no free trial and no money-back guarantee, but accounts are anonymous (no email required) and you can top up as little as one month at €5. NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Which is more private — NordVPN or Mullvad?
Mullvad is the more private option: accounts are just numbers (no email), they accept cash and Monero, clients are open-source, and they have passed independent security audits. NordVPN is also strong — PwC-audited no-logs — but requires an email address and a subscription. For most people, NordVPN's privacy is more than sufficient.
Can NordVPN unblock Netflix? Can Mullvad?
NordVPN reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most major streaming platforms. Mullvad is designed for privacy, not streaming — it works on some services but is not optimised for bypassing geo-blocks. If streaming matters to you, NordVPN is the clear winner.