Mullvad VPN vs NordVPN
Choose Mullvad if you want signup without email, open-source apps and predictable renewal pricing. Choose NordVPN if repeated no-logs assurance engagements, a dedicated IP option and chat support matter more to your setup.
| Criterion | Mullvad VPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.8 | 6.7 |
| Latest VPN audit | Leviathan Security Group, 1 Jun 2026 (public report) | Deloitte, 12 Dec 2025 (gated or summary only) |
| Owner group | Independent | Nord Security |
| Cheapest 3-year cost (USD) | $202 | $260 |
| Port forwarding | No | No |
| Open-source apps | Yes | Unknown |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | Yes |
| Refund window | 14 days | 30 days |
| Servers (provider-reported) | 566 | 7121 |
Providers change prices often, and we regularly verify prices against their own pricing pages, though small differences from current prices are possible. Prices checked 11 Oct 2026. Three-year costs in US dollars at a fixed exchange rate.
Choose Mullvad VPN if
- Account-number login without email, plus cash and Monero payments.
- Open-source apps and public technical audit reports.
- Matching introductory and renewal rates without a long commitment.
Choose NordVPN if
- Repeated independent assurance engagements examining its no-logs claim.
- Dedicated IP availability for setups that need a consistent outbound address.
- Chat support alongside email.
Our take
NordVPN's repeated no-logs assurance engagements address its logging claim more directly than an app security review. Deloitte's engagement dated 12 Dec 2025 examined server infrastructure, configurations and deployment across several server types, although the report is gated or available only as a summary. Mullvad offers public reports across apps, infrastructure and backend services. Its Radically Open Security report dated 9 Aug 2023 examined RAM-only servers and whether customer activity was logged, making it relevant evidence alongside the app audits. We would weigh scope and report access before audit volume: a client assessment and a logging assurance engagement answer different questions.
Mullvad better suits you if reducing the personal information attached to your account is the priority. You can register without email, use an account number and pay with cash or Monero. Mullvad VPN AB is owned by Amagicom AB, with no wider group found; NordVPN belongs to Nord Security, which also owns Surfshark. NordVPN requires email but offers chat support and a dedicated IP option. Its incident history also deserves weight: a rented server was accessed through an insecure data-center management account in 2018, with disclosure after 19 months. The provider says other servers were unaffected. That disclosure delay matters when judging operational trust.
Mullvad makes the ongoing cost easier to judge. Its 1 month plan starts at €5 per month and renews at €5. NordVPN Basic starts lower at €3.89 per month for a 2 years commitment, then renews at €11.59 per month. Across our modeled comparison period, those plans total €180 and €232 respectively. Choose Mullvad for budget predictability and less commitment. NordVPN can still suit you if its support or dedicated IP option solves a specific need, but judge the renewal cost alongside the introductory offer.
FAQ
Can I sign up for Mullvad or NordVPN without an email address?
Mullvad supports signup without email and uses an account number for login; NordVPN requires an email address. Both accept cash and Bitcoin, while Mullvad also accepts Monero.
Can I use Mullvad or NordVPN to reach my home server?
Neither offers port forwarding, and NordVPN's dedicated IP option alone does not establish access to your own machines. If remote access is your main goal, start with our public vs private access comparison to choose the connection setup.
Is Mullvad or NordVPN better for Linux?
Both offer a Linux GUI, a CLI and WireGuard configuration export, so those features alone do not settle the choice. Mullvad is the stronger fit if open-source apps and explicit IPv6 support are requirements; NordVPN suits you if chat support or a dedicated IP is the deciding factor.
What happened when police searched Mullvad's office?
In 2023, officers visited with a warrant to seize computers holding customer data. According to Mullvad, the requested data did not exist and officers left without taking anything. That account describes a specific event, rather than independently establishing how every part of the service operates.