NordVPN vs Mullvad
The complete all-rounder against the uncompromising privacy service. Two champions with opposite philosophies.
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NordVPN
The complete package. Fast, secure, and good at everything.
Mullvad VPN
Maximum privacy. No account, no logs, one flat price.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | NordVPN | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Price | From $3.09/mo | From $5.50/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Best for | 10 devices at once | 5 devices at once |
| Category | Top picks | Privacy-first |
| Provider | Nord Security | Mullvad VPN AB |
| Visit NordVPN | Visit Mullvad VPN |
Our verdict
This duel is about what you are after. Mullvad is unmatched on privacy. No account, anonymous payments, and one flat honest price with no teaser games. But streaming is not a priority there and devices are capped at five. NordVPN does everything. High speeds, reliable streaming, ten devices, and a repeatedly audited no-logs policy.
For most people that makes NordVPN the more practical winner. If privacy outranks everything, Mullvad is your service.
“We ran NordVPN for four weeks and it lived up to its reputation. Speeds were high, streaming worked everywhere, and the no-logs policy has been independently verified multiple times. On a two-year plan, the best all-round choice right now.”Editorial team, on NordVPN
“Mullvad plays no marketing games. Flat price, no account, no logs. For pure privacy, this is the most honest service we know. For streaming, look elsewhere.”Editorial team, on Mullvad VPN
Frequently asked questions
NordVPN or Mullvad: which is the better choice?
NordVPN for most people, because it does everything. High speeds, reliable streaming, ten devices at once and a repeatedly audited no-logs policy. Mullvad is the pick when privacy outranks everything else. It needs no account, accepts anonymous payment and charges one flat honest price. But streaming is not a priority there and you are capped at five devices.
Is Mullvad more expensive than NordVPN?
Yes on the long plan, no on a single month. Mullvad charges a flat $5.50 a month, $66.00 a year, while NordVPN's two-year plan works out at $3.09 a month, $37.08 a year (US dollars, prices last checked August 2026). NordVPN by the month is $12.99. Mullvad's price never moves, so there is no intro rate waiting to expire.
Can I use Mullvad without giving my email address?
Yes, and that is the whole point of it. Mullvad issues a randomly generated account number instead of asking for an email address, and you can pay in cash. NordVPN needs a normal account with an email address, like almost every other service. If you want as little of a paper trail as possible, that difference settles the duel.
Does Mullvad work for Netflix and other streaming services?
Not dependably. Mullvad is not built for streaming and we would not buy it for that. NordVPN streamed everywhere during our four weeks of testing, and that is one of the reasons it takes this duel. If you want anonymity and streaming both, you are asking for two different jobs and you may need two different services.