Comparison
Mullvad VPN vs Proton VPN
Two of the most credible open-source VPNs take opposite paths to the same goal: Mullvad strips identity out of the equation entirely, while Proton VPN builds trust through annual audits and a genuinely usable free tier. The right choice depends on whether anonymity or accessibility comes first.
Choose Mullvad VPN if
Choose Mullvad if anonymity is your first requirement — numbered accounts instead of email sign-ups, cash payment accepted, and a flat €5/month that never changes. Its fully open-source clients and repeatedly published audit reports make it the most credible option for people who want a VPN that knows nothing about them.
Mullvad VPN Trust Report ›Choose Proton VPN if
Choose Proton VPN if you want a genuinely usable free tier or a VPN that fits into a wider encrypted ecosystem alongside Proton Mail. Five consecutive independent no-logs audits, Swiss jurisdiction and streaming support on the Plus plan make it the safer default for most everyday users.
Proton VPN Trust Report ›| Pricing | ||
| Price | €5/mo flat One price since launch — no tiers, no renewal hikes, no annual-discount games. | Free · Plus $9.99/mo Free tier has no data cap; Plus unlocks the full network and streaming. |
| Free tier | — No free plan; the flat €5 rate is the only offer. | Yes, no data cap No credit card required; servers in a rotating set of countries. |
| Anonymous payment | Card, cash or crypto Cash can be mailed in an envelope; accounts are randomly generated numbers. | Standard payment methods Accounts are not tied to payment identity, but sign-up uses an email account. |
| Privacy & security | ||
| Account model | Numbered account, no email No email, username or subscription profile is ever collected. | Email-based account Free tier requires no credit card; Swiss jurisdiction sits outside EU/US retention mandates. |
| Independent audits | Regular Cure53 + X41 audits Fourth Cure53 infrastructure audit (2024) found no way to compromise traffic anonymity; reports published in full. | 5 consecutive no-logs audits Securitum audits annually since 2022, most recently May 2026, plus a SOC 2 Type II attestation (2025). |
| Trackers in Android app | 0 tracker signatures Exodus Privacy static analysis of v2025.11 found none. | 1 tracker signature Exodus Privacy lists 1 tracker and 12–13 permissions. |
| Experience | ||
| App Store rating | 4.1 (1.4K ratings) A smaller, privacy-focused user base. | 4.6 (77K ratings) One of the most widely reviewed VPN apps on the App Store. |
| Streaming support | — Deliberately skips the streaming-unblocking arms race; built privacy-first. | Included with Plus Plus plan adds streaming support, 10 devices and the NetShield ad and malware blocker. |
| Install size & languages | 49 MB · English +20 more Lightweight clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. | 270 MB · English +33 more Larger client with a broader language set and a network spanning 140+ countries on Plus. |
The bottom line
Choose Mullvad VPN if
Choose Mullvad if anonymity is your first requirement — numbered accounts instead of email sign-ups, cash payment accepted, and a flat €5/month that never changes. Its fully open-source clients and repeatedly published audit reports make it the most credible option for people who want a VPN that knows nothing about them.
Choose Proton VPN if
Choose Proton VPN if you want a genuinely usable free tier or a VPN that fits into a wider encrypted ecosystem alongside Proton Mail. Five consecutive independent no-logs audits, Swiss jurisdiction and streaming support on the Plus plan make it the safer default for most everyday users.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Mullvad VPN and Proton VPN?
Two of the most credible open-source VPNs take opposite paths to the same goal: Mullvad strips identity out of the equation entirely, while Proton VPN builds trust through annual audits and a genuinely usable free tier. The right choice depends on whether anonymity or accessibility comes first. In short: choose Mullvad VPN if choose Mullvad if anonymity is your first requirement — numbered accounts instead of email sign-ups, cash payment accepted, and a flat €5/month that never changes. Its fully open-source clients and repeatedly published audit reports make it the most credible option for people who want a VPN that knows nothing about them. Choose Proton VPN if choose Proton VPN if you want a genuinely usable free tier or a VPN that fits into a wider encrypted ecosystem alongside Proton Mail. Five consecutive independent no-logs audits, Swiss jurisdiction and streaming support on the Plus plan make it the safer default for most everyday users.
Is Mullvad VPN or Proton VPN cheaper?
At our last review, Mullvad VPN is listed at “€5/mo flat” and Proton VPN at “Free · Plus $9.99/mo”. Pricing is recorded as published by each developer and re-checked when the report is refreshed.
Which of Mullvad VPN and Proton VPN supports more platforms?
Mullvad VPN runs on macOS 14+ · Windows 10+ (64-bit) · Linux · iOS 17+ · Android 9+. Proton VPN runs on Windows 10+ · macOS · Linux · iOS 17+ · Android.
Are Mullvad VPN and Proton VPN both safe to use?
Both carry an independent Altapp Trust Report. Mullvad VPN: 8/9 of nine checks verified, last full review Jul 17, 2026. Proton VPN: 8/9 of nine checks verified, last full review Jul 17, 2026. Each covers source verification, data and permissions, and known risks. Altapp publishes no score of its own — the count is a tally of what could be independently confirmed.