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 Surfshark
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're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, journalists and activists
S
Choose Surfshark if…
- you work on Chrome
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, families
Side by side
Feature Mullvad VPN Surfshark
Pricing modelPaidPaid
Starting price$5.61/mo—
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome
CompanyMullvad VPN AB · since 2009Surfshark B.V.
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
S Surfshark
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries at 10 Gbps
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Split tunneling, rotating IP and double VPN
- Ad and cookie pop-up blocker
- Antivirus with real-time scans and webcam protection
- Scam text detection and AI email scam checker
- Data leak alerts for email, ID and credit cards
- Masked email and persona generator
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
Mullvad VPN · mullvad.net
Surfshark · surfshark.comWhat 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
Surfshark
Surfshark Starter£1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months)
Surfshark One£1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months)
Surfshark One+£2.89/mo (£78.03 for first 27 months)
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
Surfshark
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries with RAM-only, audited no-logs setup
- Antivirus certified by AV-Test
- 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support
- No free plan
- Identity theft coverage limited to US residents, excluding New York State
- Incogni data removal only for US, UK, EU, Swiss and Canadian residents
- Scam call protection not yet available
More comparisons
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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
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Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
VPNOpen source
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PP
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W
W
Freemium
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T
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N
N
From $2.99/mo
Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy