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Mullvad and Proton VPN are two of the best VPNs in the business when it comes to privacy. I’ve tested each extensively and use them regularly, and I’m always impressed with how both services keep pushing the boundaries of what a virtual private network can do. Each provider handles privacy a bit differently, but both offer solid core protections along with a few standout advanced features.
Either one is a great choice if you’re an activist, whistleblower, attorney or anyone else with critical privacy needs, but Proton VPN has wider appeal for casual users.
I recommend Mullvad for privacy purists who don’t need extras, don’t want to share personal information and prefer to avoid long-term subscriptions. Proton VPN is a better fit for those who want strong privacy alongside everyday usability -- like streaming -- plus access to a large global server network.
Mullvad vs. Proton VPN compared Major features compared Mullvad Proton VPN Price 5 euro ($6) per month Free, $10 per month, $60 for the first year (then $80 per year) or $108 for the first two years (then $80 per year) Avg. speed loss 24% 16% Server network 703 servers in 50 countries 15,800-plus servers in 126 countries Encryption ChaCha20 AES 256-bit, ChaCha20 VPN protocols WireGuard WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEV2/IPSec, Stealth Jurisdiction Sweden Switzerland Simultaneous connections 5 10 Compatibility Windows, MacOS, Linux (with GUI), iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Browsers Windows, MacOS, Linux (with GUI), iOS, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Chromebook, Routers, Browsers
Mullvad Price $5 per month Latest tests No leaks detected, 24% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 690 servers in 49 countries Jurisdiction Sweden Mullvad VPN is the best VPN for privacy. From its cutting-edge privacy features and open source apps to its minimal data collection and lack of recurring subscriptions, everything Mullvad does is rooted in its unwavering commitment to privacy. If airtight privacy is your primary concern, Mullvad is the way to go. Unlike most other VPNs, Mullvad doesn’t require any personal information at signup -- not even an email address, username or password. You can even buy a subscription card from Amazon and pay with cash or crypto, so you don’t need to share any payment details with Mullvad at all. That said, while Mullvad is fast and straightforward to use, it doesn’t work well with most streaming devices, offers servers in only about 50 countries and often struggles to unblock streaming services. That makes it less than ideal for casual users who primarily want a VPN for streaming.
Proton VPN Latest tests No leaks detected, 16% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 12,000-plus servers in 117 countries Jurisdiction Switzerland Price $10 a month, $60 for the first year or $108 for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $80 per year) Proton VPN, like Mullvad, is a solid option for privacy-critical users thanks to its advanced privacy features. But its vast network of servers spanning 126 countries and reliable streaming performance make Proton VPN more universally appealing (including for casual users) than Mullvad. Proton VPN’s free tier is the only free VPN we recommend because it doesn’t compromise on privacy or put limits on bandwidth or usage, even though it limits free users to servers in 10 countries. Proton VPN’s paid subscription plans are reasonably priced and give you access to all server locations and its full list of premium features.
Speed winner: Both are fast, but Proton VPN was faster in our latest tests
Proton VPN's speeds were consistently fast during our 2025 speed tests. Screenshot by CNET
Mullvad and Proton VPN were two of the fastest VPNs we tested in 2025, but the 16% speed loss we calculated with Proton VPN gives it a slight edge over Mullvad, which came in at 24%. Considering that using a VPN can often cut your speeds by 50% or more, Mullvad and Proton VPN deliver excellent speed performance that’s plenty fast enough for data-heavy activities such as streaming, gaming, torrenting or video calls. For the fastest possible speeds, use the WireGuard protocol with both providers.
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