10 Best Mullvad Alternatives in 2026

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Mullvad is my go-to recommendation for maximum VPN privacy — but it’s not the right fit for everyone. Maybe you want something cheaper than Mullvad, a free Mullvad alternative, better streaming support, or just more features for your money. I’ve tested dozens of VPNs hands-on, and these are the 10 best Mullvad competitors worth your consideration in 2026.

Quick verdict: Proton VPN is the best overall Mullvad alternative (free tier + premium features). IVPN is the closest privacy-first match. NordVPN is the best for streaming and features. Scroll down for the full breakdown of all 10, including pricing, pros, cons, and who each one suits.

How I Picked These Mullvad Alternatives

I didn’t just list popular VPNs — I evaluated each one against what makes Mullvad special, so you can see exactly what you’d gain or give up by switching. Every VPN below was scored on:

• Privacy and logging policy — independent audits, jurisdiction, and what data is actually collected
• Price vs. Mullvad’s flat €5/month — is it cheaper, and are there pricing tricks?
• Speed — WireGuard performance on my 500 Mbps test line
• Torrenting support — P2P servers, port forwarding, kill switch reliability
• Streaming — Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer unblocking
• Unique strengths — free tiers, feature sets, server networks, ease of use

A note on honesty: no VPN on this list matches Mullvad’s account-less signup model. That remains unique. What these alternatives offer instead is different combinations of price, features, and convenience that may matter more to you.

1. Proton VPN — Best Overall Mullvad Alternative

Best for: Users who want premium features, streaming, and a genuinely free tier.

Proton VPN is the Mullvad alternative I recommend most often, and it’s the closest thing to a direct upgrade in features. Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy, open-source apps, and independent audits, it’s one of the few VPNs privacy experts mention in the same breath as Mullvad. For a head-to-head on these two, see my mullvad vs proton vpn showdown.

Key features: Secure Core multi-hop routing, NetShield ad-blocker, 6,000+ servers in 100+ countries, WireGuard with VPN Accelerator, kill switch, split tunneling, Tor over VPN.

Pricing: Free tier with unlimited data; paid plans start at around $4.99/month on a 2-year plan at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing.

Pros:
– Best free VPN tier available — unlimited data, no credit card
– Excellent streaming unblocks (Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer)
– Secure Core servers route through hardened Swiss/Icelandic infrastructure
– Open-source apps and strong audit history

Cons:
– Requires a Proton account (email) — less anonymous than Mullvad’s signup
– No port forwarding on the free tier
– Best prices require a 2-year commitment

Verdict: If you want more features and streaming without sacrificing much privacy, Proton VPN is the pick. Try Proton VPN free here.

2. IVPN — Closest Privacy-First Match

Best for: Privacy purists who want Mullvad’s philosophy with a different flavor.

The mullvad vs ivpn comparison is the debate privacy nerds have instead of talking about sports. IVPN shares Mullvad’s core philosophy: no email required at signup (you get an account ID), no-logs policy, regular independent audits, and WireGuard-first infrastructure. It’s the only VPN here that gets close to Mullvad’s anonymity model.

Key features: Account-ID signup (no email), multi-hop, anti-tracker blocking, kill switch, port forwarding (on Pro plan), servers in 30+ countries.

Pricing: Starts at around $6/month, with the Pro plan around $10/month at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. Notably not cheaper than Mullvad.

Pros:
– Near-Mullvad privacy model with no-email signup
– Excellent transparency: publishes audits and warrant canary
– AntiTracker blocks ads and trackers at the VPN level
– Smaller, focused team with a strong ethics record

Cons:
– More expensive than Mullvad, especially the Pro tier
– Smaller server network
– Streaming support is mediocre

Verdict: If you love Mullvad’s privacy model but want an alternative with its own character, IVPN is it. Read my full ivpn review for the detailed breakdown.

3. NordVPN — Best for Streaming and Features

Best for: Users who prioritize streaming, speed, and a massive feature set.

The mullvad vs nordvpn question comes up constantly, and the answer depends on what you value. NordVPN is the polar opposite of Mullvad’s minimalism: 7,000+ servers, Meshnet, Threat Protection ad/malware blocker, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and some of the most reliable streaming unblocks I’ve tested. It’s audited and no-logs, though based in Panama and requiring a standard email signup.

Key features: NordLynx (WireGuard-based) protocol, Threat Protection, Meshnet remote-device networking, Double VPN, dedicated IP option, 7,000+ servers in 110+ countries.

Pricing: Starts at around $3.39/month on a 2-year plan at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. Significantly cheaper than Mullvad on long plans.

Pros:
– Consistently the fastest speeds in my testing
– Best-in-class streaming unblocks across regions
– Huge server network and rich feature set
– Long-term plans are genuinely cheap

Cons:
– Requires email signup; less private than Mullvad by design
– Aggressive upselling and confusing plan tiers
– Based outside the EU/Swiss privacy frameworks some users prefer
– Past server breach (2018) still bothers privacy purists, though security has since been overhauled

Verdict: The best Mullvad alternative if streaming and features matter more than signup anonymity. Check NordVPN’s current deals on their official site.

4. Surfshark — Best Budget Pick Cheaper Than Mullvad

Best for: Bargain hunters who want unlimited devices and solid features.

If your main complaint is that you want something cheaper than Mullvad, Surfshark is the answer. Long-term plans routinely drop under $2.50/month, you get unlimited simultaneous connections, and the feature list (CleanWeb ad-blocker, MultiHop, camouflage mode) punches well above the price. It’s no-logs and audited, based in the Netherlands.

Key features: Unlimited devices, CleanWeb blocker, MultiHop, WireGuard, kill switch, GPS spoofing on Android, 3,200+ servers in 100 countries.

Pricing: Starts at around $1.99–$2.49/month on 2-year plans at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing.

Pros:
– Among the cheapest reputable VPNs available
– Unlimited simultaneous connections — great for families
– Good streaming support
– Clean, beginner-friendly apps

Cons:
– Email signup required; standard privacy model, not Mullvad-level
– Speeds are good but a notch below NordVPN/Proton in my tests
– Owned by the same parent company as NordVPN (consolidation concerns some users)

Verdict: Maximum value per dollar. A great pick if price is the deciding factor.

5. Windscribe — Best Free Mullvad Alternative

Best for: Users who want a generous free plan with more flexibility than Proton’s.

Looking for a free mullvad alternative beyond Proton? Windscribe’s free tier offers 10GB/month (with email confirmation) across servers in 10+ countries, including some streaming-capable locations. The paid plan adds unlimited data, port forwarding (a rarity), and their R.O.B.E.R.T. ad-blocker. Based in Canada (Five Eyes, worth noting), with a no-logs policy.

Key features: 10GB/month free tier, R.O.B.E.R.T. domain blocker, port forwarding on paid plans, WireGuard + OpenVPN, kill switch (“Firewall” mode), unlimited devices on paid.

Pricing: Free tier available; paid starts at around $5.75/month or $69/year at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. There’s also a quirky “build a plan” option at $1/location/month.

Pros:
– Generous free tier with real server choice
– Port forwarding available — rare outside Mullvad/IVPN
– Unlimited devices, fun and transparent branding
– Build-a-plan pricing is genuinely flexible

Cons:
– Canada-based (Five Eyes jurisdiction)
– Free tier has a data cap, unlike Proton’s unlimited free plan
– Smaller audit footprint than the top picks here

Verdict: The most flexible free option and a solid paid VPN. Great if Proton’s free tier feels too limited in server choice.

6. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Best for Power Users

Best for: Tinkerers who want deep settings control and proven no-logs credibility.

PIA has one of the strongest real-world no-logs records in the industry — its policy has been tested in court, twice, with nothing to hand over. Open-source apps, WireGuard and OpenVPN, port forwarding, and highly configurable settings make it a favorite of technical users. Based in the US, which is the main privacy caveat.

Key features: Court-proven no-logs policy, open-source apps, port forwarding, customizable encryption settings, MACE ad-blocker, 35,000+ servers (largest network here), kill switch.

Pricing: Starts at around $2.03/month on long-term plans at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. Consistently cheaper than Mullvad.

Pros:
– No-logs claims verified in court proceedings
– Fully open-source clients
– Enormous server network
– Deep customization for advanced users

Cons:
– US-based (Five Eyes)
– Interface can overwhelm beginners
– Streaming is hit-or-miss compared to NordVPN/Proton

Verdict: A privacy workhorse for technical users who don’t mind the US jurisdiction. Hard to beat on price.

7. ExpressVPN — Best for Ease of Use

Best for: Beginners and travelers who want a VPN that “just works” everywhere.

ExpressVPN is the premium simplicity pick: polished apps on every platform (including routers and smart TVs via MediaStreamer), reliable streaming, and their Lightway protocol delivers consistently fast speeds. TrustedServer (RAM-only) infrastructure and regular audits back the no-logs claims. The catch? It’s the most expensive option here and requires a standard email signup.

Key features: Lightway protocol, TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure, MediaStreamer for smart TVs, 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, kill switch (Network Lock), split tunneling.

Pricing: Starts at around $4.99/month on 2-year plans at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. Premium-priced, rarely the cheapest option.

Pros:
– The easiest VPN to set up and use — ideal for non-technical users
– Excellent reliability for travelers (works well on restrictive networks)
– Strong streaming performance
– Great router and smart-TV support

Cons:
– Expensive compared to every other option here
– No port forwarding, no multi-hop
– Fewer advanced features than NordVPN or Proton

Verdict: Pay more, think less. The best “it just works” alternative to Mullvad’s minimalism.

8. OVPN — Best for Hardcore Privacy (Mullvad’s Swedish Cousin)

Best for: Privacy maximalists who want audited, diskless infrastructure.

OVPN is a lesser-known Swedish provider that rivals Mullvad on privacy engineering: diskless (RAM-only) servers, no-logs policy, public audits, and even colocated hardware they own outright in some locations. No email required at signup — you get an account number, just like Mullvad. If Mullvad disappeared tomorrow, OVPN is where many privacy purists would go.

Key features: RAM-only server infrastructure, owned (not rented) hardware in key locations, WireGuard + OpenVPN, kill switch, multi-hop, no email signup.

Pricing: Starts at around €4.22/month on yearly plans at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. Slightly cheaper than Mullvad.

Pros:
– Privacy engineering on par with Mullvad
– No-email signup with account numbers
– Owns its server hardware — rare transparency win
– Publicly audited

Cons:
– Small server network (~100 servers)
– Weak streaming support
– Apps are functional but dated
– Little brand recognition or third-party testing

Verdict: The connoisseur’s pick — Mullvad-grade privacy philosophy from a smaller Swedish outfit.

9. AirVPN — Best for Torrenting Enthusiasts

Best for: Torrenters who want port forwarding, transparency, and activist-grade ethics.

AirVPN is run by privacy activists, publishes remarkably detailed technical transparency (real-time server load, open-source clients), and offers port forwarding with up to 20 ports — the best torrenting setup of any VPN I’ve tested. Based in Italy, no-logs, WireGuard and OpenVPN. The interface looks like it was designed by engineers, because it was.

Key features: Up to 20 forwarded ports, real-time server statistics, open-source Eddie client, WireGuard + OpenVPN over SSH/SSL/Tor, no-logs, kill switch.

Pricing: Starts at around €2.90/month on long-term plans at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing. One of the cheapest privacy-focused options.

Pros:
– Best-in-class port forwarding for torrenting
– Radical transparency on infrastructure
– Very affordable on long plans
– Strong activist ethos and no-logs stance

Cons:
– Dated, technical interface — not beginner-friendly
– Small server network (~250 servers)
– Streaming is not a priority
– Italy-based (EU data retention debates apply)

Verdict: If torrenting is your main use case and you want it cheaper than Mullvad, AirVPN is superb.

10. TunnelBear — Best Simple Free Option

Best for: Casual users who want a friendly, trustworthy free VPN.

TunnelBear’s free tier (2GB/month) won’t replace Mullvad for heavy use, but it’s one of the most audited and transparent VPNs in the business — annual third-party security audits published publicly since 2017. The bear-themed apps are genuinely delightful, and the paid plan is straightforward. Owned by McAfee (Canada-based), which gives some privacy advocates pause.

Key features: Independently audited annually, VigilantBear kill switch, GhostBear obfuscation, 5,000+ servers in 47 countries, very simple apps.

Pricing: Free 2GB/month tier; paid starts at around $3.33/month on 3-year plans at the time of writing — check the official site for current pricing.

Pros:
– Charming, dead-simple apps — great for VPN beginners
– Longest-running public audit program in the industry
– Free tier is genuinely useful for light use
– Transparent and personable company

Cons:
– 2GB free data cap is small
– No port forwarding, limited advanced features
– McAfee ownership and Canada jurisdiction concern purists
– Not cheaper than Mullvad on monthly billing

Verdict: A friendly on-ramp to VPNs. Fine as a free Mullvad alternative for light browsing, not a power-user replacement.

Mullvad Alternatives at a Glance

VPN	Starting price	Free tier	Best for
Proton VPN	~$4.99/mo (2-yr)	Yes, unlimited	Overall alternative
IVPN	~$6/mo	No	Privacy purists
NordVPN	~$3.39/mo (2-yr)	No	Streaming + features
Surfshark	~$1.99/mo (2-yr)	No	Budget, unlimited devices
Windscribe	~$5.75/mo	Yes, 10GB/mo	Free flexibility
PIA	~$2.03/mo (long-term)	No	Power users
ExpressVPN	~$4.99/mo (2-yr)	No	Ease of use
OVPN	~€4.22/mo (yearly)	No	Hardcore privacy
AirVPN	~€2.90/mo (long-term)	No	Torrenting
TunnelBear	~$3.33/mo (3-yr)	Yes, 2GB/mo	Simple free use

If you’re still weighing whether to leave Mullvad at all, my is mullvad worth it analysis walks through exactly who gets their money’s worth — and the mullvad vpn pricing page breaks down that flat €5 against every alternative above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best mullvad competitors for privacy in 2026?

The best Mullvad competitors for pure privacy are IVPN and OVPN — both offer no-email signup models and strong audit records. Proton VPN is a step behind on signup anonymity (email required) but ahead on features. For most threat models, any of these three plus Mullvad itself represent the top tier of privacy vpn 2026 options.

Is there anything cheaper than mullvad that’s still trustworthy?

Yes — several reputable VPNs are cheaper than Mullvad‘s flat €5/month on long-term plans: Surfshark (~$1.99/month), PIA (~$2.03/month), AirVPN (~€2.90/month), and NordVPN (~$3.39/month). The trade-off is always signup anonymity and pricing simplicity; none match Mullvad’s no-account model.

What’s the best free mullvad alternative?

Proton VPN’s free tier is the best free Mullvad alternative — unlimited data, no ads, no credit card, from a genuinely trustworthy provider. Windscribe (10GB/month) and TunnelBear (2GB/month) are solid secondary options if you want different server locations.

How does mullvad vs ivpn compare for torrenting?

In the mullvad vs ivpn torrenting matchup, both allow P2P and offer port forwarding, and both have reliable kill switches. Mullvad includes port forwarding on its single €5 plan; IVPN requires the pricier Pro plan for it. Mullvad’s flat pricing makes it the simpler torrenting choice, while IVPN adds tracker blocking.

Should I pick mullvad vs nordvpn for streaming?

For streaming, NordVPN wins the mullvad vs nordvpn debate easily — it reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more across regions, while Mullvad openly doesn’t prioritize streaming. Choose NordVPN if geo-blocked content matters; choose Mullvad if signup anonymity matters more.

Why switch from Mullvad at all?

Valid reasons: you want a free tier, better streaming, more features (ad-blocking, multi-hop options), unlimited devices, or simply a lower price on long-term plans. There’s no shame in it — Mullvad is the privacy king, but “most private” isn’t everyone’s top criterion. Match the VPN to your actual needs using the table above.

Final Verdict: The Best Mullvad Alternatives in 2026

After testing them all, here’s how I’d rank the mullvad alternatives by use case:

• Best overall: Proton VPN — free tier, premium features, trustworthy privacy
• Closest to Mullvad’s privacy: IVPN (or OVPN for the hardcore)
• Best value cheaper than Mullvad: Surfshark
• Best for streaming: NordVPN
• Best free Mullvad alternative: Proton VPN’s free tier
• Best for torrenting: AirVPN
• Easiest to use: ExpressVPN

Mullvad remains my top pick for maximum anonymity — nothing here replicates its account-less signup. But if your priorities include price, streaming, features, or a free plan, these 10 alternatives all beat Mullvad where it counts for you.

My recommendation: start with Proton VPN’s free tier — it costs nothing and covers most needs. If you outgrow it, grab NordVPN for streaming and speed — plans start at around $3.39/month at the time of writing, check the official site for current pricing. And if you decide Mullvad’s privacy model was right all along, there’s no shame in going back — it’s still the privacy vpn 2026 benchmark everything else is measured against.