Atlas VPN vs Mullvad
People often mistake Atlas VPN for an active service, but it’s permanently discontinued. Mullvad sets the gold standard for privacy and simple, flat-rate pricing. This comparison quickly explains why Mullvad is the only viable choice for new users today.
Service Permanently Discontinued and Unavailable
We recognize that Atlas VPN previously offered competitive pricing and employed highly responsive customer support staff. However, the company has officially confirmed the permanent discontinuation of its VPN service as of April 2024. Overall, you cannot purchase or use this product now, making it effectively unavailable for any modern security needs.
Pros
- Customer support staff were consistently professional, swift, and competent (e.g., Monica, Webster, Emily).
- Historically offered very competitive and low-cost multi-year special offers.
- Proactive technical support sometimes issued quick, no-question refunds when streaming failed to work.
- Support staff were helpful and clearly explained complex issues to non-technical users.
Cons
- The VPN service was permanently discontinued in April 2024.
- Users reported frequent connection failures and highly unreliable performance.
- The essential Kill Switch security feature was reported as non-functional by some customers.
- Had significant issues reliably connecting to major streaming platforms (e.g., UK's ITVX, Channel 5).
Unmatched Privacy with Fixed Ethical Pricing
We admire Mullvad's radical transparency and ethical pricing structure, setting a benchmark for strictly privacy-focused VPNs. Overall, this service delivers exceptional speed and true anonymity, making it the top choice for discerning users who prioritize security over non-essential streaming access.
Pros
- True anonymity from day one (account number only, no personal data required).
- Remarkably simple, flat-rate pricing (€5/month) since 2009.
- Excellent speeds, high performance, and low latency using WireGuard.
- Supports flexible, privacy-focused payments (cash, crypto with 10% discount).
Cons
- Customer support response times are frequently reported as slow.
- Lack of dedicated, user-friendly apps for key mobile operating systems (iOS/Android).
- Inconsistent unblocking of major streaming services and often blocked by search engines.
AboutAtlas VPN
Atlas VPN has officially confirmed that its service is permanently unavailable. The company discontinued its VPN service in April 2024. 💡 This means that Atlas VPN is no longer accessible to potential new users or existing customers. They also thanked their loyal customers for all their support over the years.
AboutMullvad
Mullvad VPN is a privacy service built to fight for a free and open internet. They strongly believe society improves when people have the right to privacy. The service works to prevent mass surveillance and censorship. By using a trustworthy VPN, you ensure your online behavior is not treated as a commodity. Mullvad VPN is perfect for anyone seeking a dependable and straightforward method to stabilize their digital freedom. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Operational Status
Atlas VPN is permanently shut down; Mullvad is an active, reliable VPN service.
Atlas VPN permanently discontinued its service in April 2024. You cannot purchase or use Atlas VPN today. This makes Atlas VPN entirely unavailable to both new users and existing customers. Mullvad is a fully active and stable VPN service focused on exceptional privacy and speed. Mullvad offers a predictable platform, unlike the defunct and unusable Atlas VPN.
Anonymity & Signup
Mullvad offers true anonymity; Atlas VPN historically required standard personal data for signup.
Mullvad only requires generating a unique account number for initiating sign-up. Mullvad asks for zero personal data—no email, name, or phone number is ever required. Atlas VPN's historical sign-up required standard details, linking usage to a user's identity. Mullvad enhances privacy further by supporting payments via cash and cryptocurrency. This ensures true separation between identity and service use.
Pricing Model
Mullvad uses a simple €5 flat rate; Atlas VPN’s previous promotional pricing is obsolete.
Atlas VPN previously offered low-cost, multi-year deals aimed at budget-conscious users. Atlas VPN’s pricing is currently nonexistent because the entire service has ceased operations. Mullvad operates on a stable flat-rate model of €5 per month, fixed since 2009. Mullvad greatly simplifies budgeting with no hidden tiers, sales, or complicated subscription levels.
Performance and Speed
Mullvad provides excellent high-speed connection; Atlas VPN had frequent historical reliability issues.
Mullvad provides excellent speeds and low latency, especially when utilizing the fast WireGuard protocol. Mullvad’s performance is highly reliable, feeling similar to using a normal internet connection. Atlas VPN users historically reported frequent connection failures and generally unreliable performance. Reliability issues often defeated the entire goal of using Atlas VPN for security or stability. Mullvad is the clear choice for stability.
Customer Support
Atlas VPN had exceptional support; Mullvad's support is generally functional but often slow to respond.
Atlas VPN's support staff were consistently praised as professional, competent, and swift historically. Former users noted specific staff members were excellent at resolving billing and technical issues quickly. Mullvad's customer support times are frequently reported as being quite slow by external users. However, Mullvad users noted that refund requests received a notably speedy response. Atlas VPN's support quality was a historical highlight.
Streaming Unblocking
Both struggle with major streaming platforms; neither is a good primary choice for geoblocking.
Atlas VPN had significant historical issues reliably connecting to major streaming services globally. Technical support sometimes issued quick refunds because streaming features often failed for users. Mullvad's IP addresses are often blocked by video platforms like YouTube and major search engines. Mullvad is generally not recommended if your primary use case is streaming complex geo-restricted content. Both VPNs have significant streaming limitations.
Our Verdict
The verdict here is simple: Atlas VPN is permanently shut down as of April 2024. If you need a functioning VPN to secure your device, Mullvad is the only choice. Mullvad is objectively superior for true privacy and reliable connection speed in almost every way. Atlas VPN cannot provide any security because the service is permanently unavailable today. Mullvad's superpower is its radical commitment to user privacy and total anonymity. You only need a unique account number, not your actual name or email, to connect to Mullvad securely. Mullvad also maintains a predictable, flat fixed rate of just €5/month without annoying price hikes. Atlas VPN’s historical superpower was its exceptional customer support staff, even when the connection failed. Former Atlas VPN users consistently praised support for quick, competent resolution of billing problems. The key deciding factor is functionality: Mullvad works reliably and maintains stable service delivery. Atlas VPN does not exist anymore. Choose Mullvad now if anonymity and guaranteed performance matter more than trying to unblock every streaming service. Mullvad is the definitive choice for stability, transparency, and true anonymity in a modern VPN service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atlas VPN still a viable option for new users today?
No, Atlas VPN is permanently unavailable and stopped all operations in April 2024. You cannot purchase or access the Atlas VPN service today, making it non-viable. You must search for a currently active alternative VPN provider immediately.
Does Mullvad offer better speeds or performance compared to Atlas VPN?
Yes, Mullvad is known for excellent high speeds and low latency using the WireGuard protocol. Atlas VPN users historically reported frequent connection failures and significant reliability problems before the shutdown.
Does Mullvad require an email address or any personal data during sign-up?
No, Mullvad offers true anonymity by requiring only a unique account number for sign-up. You never need to provide an email, name, or other personal data to use Mullvad.
Which VPN is better for streaming geo-restricted content?
Neither service is consistently ideal for streaming major platforms. Both Atlas VPN (historically) and Mullvad often struggle due to services blocking their server IPs. If streaming is your priority, research other options.
Why should I choose Mullvad's €5/month fixed price over Atlas VPN's historical low costs?
Mullvad's pricing is stable and transparent, guaranteeing long-term value. Atlas VPN's low-cost deals often came with unacceptable reliability issues, and the entire service is now defunct.
Did Atlas VPN have better customer support than Mullvad?
Historically, yes. Atlas VPN's support staff were often praised as professional, competent, and surprisingly swift. Mullvad’s support response times are frequently reported as being slow.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.