Mullvad VPN vs Proton VPN
Choose Mullvad if you want email-free signup, account-number login and Monero payments. Choose Proton VPN if recurring no-logs assurance, port forwarding and live chat matter more to your setup.
| Criterion | Mullvad VPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.8 | 7.9 |
| Latest VPN audit | Leviathan Security Group, 1 Jun 2026 (public report) | Securitum, May 2026 (public report) |
| Owner group | Independent | Proton |
| Cheapest 3-year cost (USD) | $202 | $168 |
| Port forwarding | No | Yes |
| Open-source apps | Yes | Yes |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | No |
| Refund window | 14 days | 30 days |
| Servers (provider-reported) | 566 | 20799 |
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
- Create an account without an email address and log in with an account number.
- Pay with Monero or cash to suit your payment privacy needs.
- Get RAM-only servers and a post-quantum option.
Choose Proton VPN if
- Prioritize recurring, public no-logs assurance of production VPN infrastructure.
- Use port forwarding, which Mullvad does not offer.
- Have live chat available alongside email support.
Our take
Proton has the more directly relevant audit record if your main concern is evidence about logging practices. Securitum’s no-logs assurance engagement dated May 2026 covers production VPN server infrastructure, with a public report and recurring earlier engagements. Mullvad’s public reports cover a broader mix of apps, infrastructure and supporting services. Its Radically Open Security report dated 9 Aug 2023 examined RAM-only servers and found no customer activity logging within that scope. Its newer Android assessment addresses client security, a different question. We would favor Proton for recurring logging assurance without treating either audit history as a guarantee of future behavior.
Ownership gives you a meaningful distinction, but account design is the more immediate choice. Mullvad VPN AB is owned by Amagicom AB; Proton AG’s primary shareholder is the non-profit Proton Foundation. Neither has a wider group identified, and each has named leadership. Mullvad suits you if reducing the personal details attached to signup is a priority: it supports email-free registration, account-number login and Monero payments. Cash and Bitcoin are available with either provider. Mullvad’s RAM-only servers and Proton’s full-disk encryption are different storage safeguards; neither alone settles the privacy comparison.
Mullvad’s 1 month plan costs €5 per month and renews at €5, making the ongoing rate straightforward to budget. Proton’s 2 years VPN Plus plan starts at $3.49 per month and renews at $6.99. Judge that offer by the renewal as well as the introductory rate. The table’s longer-term totals are €180 and $168, respectively, but their different currencies prevent a direct numerical comparison. Choose Mullvad for account privacy and predictable pricing; choose Proton when port forwarding or live chat earns its place in your budget.
FAQ
Can I use Mullvad or Proton VPN to reach my home server?
Proton supports port forwarding, while Mullvad does not, so Proton is the relevant option if your setup specifically requires an inbound forwarded port. For private access between your own machines, start by assessing the network design in our public versus private access guide; port forwarding alone does not establish access permissions.
Which is better for Linux, Mullvad or Proton VPN?
Each offers a Linux graphical app, a command-line interface and WireGuard configuration export, so Linux support alone does not decide this comparison. Favor Mullvad for its account and payment privacy options, or Proton if you need port forwarding.
Do Mullvad and Proton VPN have public no-logs audits?
Proton has recurring public Securitum no-logs assurance reports, including the production infrastructure engagement dated May 2026. Mullvad’s public Radically Open Security infrastructure report dated 9 Aug 2023 examined customer activity logging on the audited RAM-only servers and found none within that scope.
Can I get a refund if Mullvad or Proton VPN does not suit me?
Mullvad lists a refund window of 14 days, while Proton lists 30 days. Check the refund conditions for your payment method before purchasing, then use that window to test your actual setup.