Alternatives to Mullvad VPN
A flat-rate VPN service with anonymous account numbers instead of usernames, and open source apps. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Mullvad VPN
A flat-rate VPN service with anonymous account numbers instead of usernames, and open source apps.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Mullvad VPN.
Mozilla VPN
A paid WireGuard-based VPN service from Mozilla that runs on Mullvad's server network.
Mozilla VPN uses the same Mullvad server network over WireGuard, but requires a Mozilla subscription for up to five devices and its client is not open source.
IVPN
Gibraltar-based VPN with multi-hop routing and anonymous signup.
IVPN also allows signup without email and cash or Monero payment, adding multi-hop routing with open-source apps, but costs more than budget providers.
Proton VPN
A VPN from the Proton Mail company with a free tier that has no data cap, and open source clients.
Proton VPN adds a free tier with no data cap and Secure Core routing from a Swiss company, but requires an account and streaming needs a paid plan.
AirVPN
Activist-run VPN with OpenVPN, WireGuard and detailed server statistics.
AirVPN offers OpenVPN and WireGuard with live per-server statistics, port forwarding and cryptocurrency payment, but has no iOS app and relies on forum-based support.
Private Internet Access
Long-running VPN with fully open-source apps and port forwarding.
Private Internet Access has fully open-source apps, port forwarding and a browser extension, but is owned by Kape Technologies and operates under United States jurisdiction.
Windscribe
Canadian VPN with built-in ad blocking and a usable free tier.
Windscribe adds a free tier with a monthly allowance plus built-in ad and tracker blocking and port forwarding, but is based in Five Eyes member Canada.
NordVPN
Large commercial VPN with the WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol.
NordVPN brings a very large server network, the NordLynx protocol and meshnet, but its apps and infrastructure are closed and renewal pricing rises after the first term.
ExpressVPN
Commercial VPN with RAM-only servers and its own Lightway protocol.
ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers, its own Lightway protocol and router firmware, but its apps are closed source and it is among the most expensive consumer VPNs.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Mullvad VPN as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Avast SecureLine VPN
A subscription VPN app from Avast for encrypting internet traffic on desktop and mobile devices.
Mullvad VPN uses anonymous account numbers, open source apps and a flat €5 monthly price with Linux support, but has no free trial or free tier.
AzireVPN
A Swedish privacy-focused VPN service built on WireGuard and diskless servers it runs itself.
Mullvad VPN also needs no personal details, using random account numbers, and adds open source apps, Linux support and a flat €5 monthly price.
Cloudflare WARP
A free WireGuard-based tunnel to Cloudflare that encrypts your traffic without pretending to be a privacy VPN.
Mullvad VPN is a paid service at a flat €5 a month with anonymous account numbers and open source apps, and it changes your apparent location, unlike WARP.
cryptostorm
A privacy-focused VPN service that uses hashed access tokens instead of named customer accounts.
Mullvad VPN uses random account numbers instead of identities, with open source apps, WireGuard by default, mobile apps and a flat €5 monthly price.
hide.me VPN
An independent commercial VPN service with a free plan, WireGuard support and native IPv6.
Mullvad VPN drops the free plan for a flat €5 a month, but adds anonymous account numbers, open-source apps and a Linux client.
Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
A commercial VPN app from Kaspersky that encrypts your internet traffic on public and home networks.
Mullvad VPN uses anonymous account numbers, open source apps and a flat €5 monthly price, and adds Linux support but no free trial.
Mysterium VPN
A paid decentralized VPN that routes traffic through residential IP addresses in over 100 countries.
Mullvad VPN provides open source apps, anonymous account numbers and a flat €5 monthly price, with Linux support but data-centre exits and five WireGuard keys.
Obscura VPN
A two-hop privacy VPN that splits your identity and your traffic between separate operators.
Mullvad VPN keeps anonymous account numbers and adds open source GPL-3.0 apps at €5 a month, but a single provider handles both your identity and your traffic.
OVPN
A Swedish paid VPN service with a no-logging policy and diskless servers on hardware it owns.
Mullvad VPN offers anonymous account numbers, open source GPL-3.0 apps, a Linux app and a flat €5 monthly price, but no port forwarding listed.
PrivateVPN
A Swedish commercial VPN service with apps for desktop, mobile and routers.
Mullvad VPN replaces proprietary clients with open source apps, uses anonymous account numbers and charges a flat €5 per month.
PureVPN
A commercial VPN service with apps for desktop, mobile and TV devices and a large server network.
Mullvad VPN drops add-ons and tiers for one flat €5 monthly price, with open-source apps and anonymous account numbers instead of personal details.
StrongVPN
A long-running commercial VPN service with WireGuard support, SmartDNS and eSIM data in one plan.
Mullvad VPN uses anonymous account numbers, open source apps and one flat price of €5 a month, but has no free tier and no SmartDNS or eSIM bundle.
Surfshark
VPN with unlimited simultaneous devices on one subscription.
Mullvad VPN charges a flat €5 a month with no renewal jump and open-source apps, but limits you to five WireGuard keys instead of unlimited devices.
TorGuard
A commercial VPN and proxy service with stealth connection options and client apps, including Android.
Mullvad VPN offers open-source apps, anonymous account numbers and a flat €5 monthly price across desktop and mobile platforms.
VPN.ac
A commercial VPN service with WireGuard, OpenVPN and obfuscated protocols and servers in many countries.
Mullvad VPN offers open source apps, anonymous account numbers and a flat €5 monthly price, with WireGuard as default, but no SecureProxy gateways.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
WireGuard
A small, fast VPN protocol and set of official clients that connect two machines by exchanging public keys.
Tailscale
Builds a private network between your own devices using WireGuard, without opening ports or running a server.
Riseup
An activist-run collective providing email, VPN, mailing lists and collaboration tools for social movements.
DNS Leak Test
A web test that shows which DNS servers your connection is actually using.
OpenVPN Community
The VPN protocol and client that has been the default for two decades, and still runs on everything.
