P
PSwiss no-logs VPN with a free plan, 20,000+ servers and built-in ad blocking
Free, from $3.49/mo
Mullvad VPN vs NordVPN
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
M
Choose Mullvad VPN if…
- you want open source you can self-host or audit
- you work on Windows, macOS, Linux
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, journalists and activists
N
Choose NordVPN if…
- you want the lower entry price ($2.99/mo vs $5.61/mo)
- you're in its core audience: individual consumers, families
Side by side
Feature Mullvad VPN NordVPN
Pricing modelPaidPaid
Starting price$5.61/mo$2.99/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android—
CompanyMullvad VPN AB · since 2009—
Full feature lists
M Mullvad VPN
- No-logging VPN with encrypted traffic
- Anonymous accounts generated without an email
- Censorship circumvention
- Protection against AI-guided traffic analysis
- Cash and cryptocurrency payments accepted
- Up to 5 devices per account
- Leak checker tool
- Free companion Mullvad Browser built by the Tor Project
N NordVPN
- Encrypted VPN connections that hide your IP address
- Threat Protection included in all plans
- Up to 10 devices per subscription
- NordPass password manager on higher tiers
- Data Breach Scanner on Plus and higher
- 1 TB encrypted NordLocker storage on Complete
- Pay by card, crypto or PayPal
What you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
Mullvad VPN
1 month€5
1 year€5/month
1 decade€5/month
NordVPN
Basic$3.49/mo on 2-year plan; $14.99 month-to-month
Complete$4.49/mo on 2-year plan; $19.99 month-to-month
Prime$7.49/mo on 2-year plan; $29.99 month-to-month
Strengths and limitations
Mullvad VPN
- Flat €5/month with no long-term lock-in
- Anonymous accounts and cash payment option
- 10% discount when paying with crypto
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
- No free plan or free trial
- Port forwarding is not supported
- Limited to 5 devices per account
- Cash payments are excluded from the money back guarantee
NordVPN
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Covers up to 10 devices
- Higher tiers bundle a password manager and 1 TB of storage
- Accepts card, crypto and PayPal
- No free plan
- Long-term plans are billed upfront
- Prices and plan names vary by region and promotion
More comparisons
Other options to consider
PP
Free, from $3.49/mo
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Swiss no-logs VPN with a free plan, 20,000+ servers and built-in ad blocking
VPNFree planOpen source
P
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
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P
From $2.03/mo
P
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
VPNOpen source
P
PP
From $2.40/mo
W
W
Freemium
T
T
Paid
S
SS
Paid
Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy