ExpressVPN vs Mullvad
Features, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing side by side — and which one to pick.
Best for: Privacy-focused individuals who want their internet provider, network administrators, or local snoops unable to see their online activity., Frequent travelers who need secure connections on public Wi-Fi and access to home-country services while abroad.
Read the full ExpressVPN reviewBest for: People who want a no-logs VPN without giving up personal details, Users in or visiting countries with heavy censorship or firewalls
Read the full Mullvad reviewCommission may apply at no extra cost
ExpressVPN vs Mullvad: pros and cons
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN combines a huge 105-country network with serious privacy: RAM-only servers, no-activity logs, and independent audits. Speed is a clear priority, so streaming and calls stay smooth. The trade-offs are premium pricing tied to long terms and simple apps that limit power users. Overall, it's a strong pick if privacy and speed matter most.
Pros
- Server locations in 105 countries — one of the broadest networks available — so you can almost always connect to a nearby, low-latency server or a specific country on demand.
- Traffic runs through an authenticated, encrypted tunnel, hiding your destinations and activity from your internet provider, hackers on the same network, and other observers.
- Websites see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours, masking your real location and identity while you browse.
Cons
- The headline low price shown in listings applies only to specific promotional terms; standard plans cost more, and the lowest rates generally require paying for a longer subscription upfront.
- The advertised price range is unusually wide, so you won't know your exact cost until you're on the order page with a specific plan and term selected.
- The apps favor simplicity, so users who want manual protocol selection or low-level network configuration may find them limiting.
Mullvad
Mullvad keeps things refreshingly simple: one flat €5/month price, anonymous accounts, a stated no-logs policy, and a free Tor-based browser. It's built for censorship resistance, though there's no free trial, no port forwarding, and no discount for long commitments. Overall, it's a standout pick for privacy-first users who value substance over extras.
Pros
- One flat €5/month price (VAT included) with no tiers, upsells, or annual lock-in — and the rate hasn't changed since launch in 2009
- Anonymous account creation — no email, name, or personal details are required to sign up, and Mullvad states it keeps no activity logs
- Unusually private payment options, including cash by mail, bank wire, and cryptocurrency (crypto payments get a 10% discount)
Cons
- Port forwarding is not supported, which matters for users who host services or need inbound connections
- There is no free plan and no free trial for the VPN — the only way to test it risk-free is the 14-day money back guarantee, and cash payments can't be refunded
- Longer billing terms offer no discount — paying for a year or even a decade costs the same €5/month as paying month to month, so there's no reward for committing
ExpressVPN and Mullvad in detail
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a commercial virtual private network (VPN) service. A VPN establishes a secure connection to the internet by sending your traffic through an encrypted tunnel that no third party can read. While connected, the VPN server acts as a proxy for your web activity, so websites see the server's IP address rather than your own. The result is that hackers, governments, and your internet provider cannot see your destination or activity.
Standout features
- Server network spanning 105 countries
- Encrypted tunnel and IP masking
- Speed-focused connection technology
- Privacy-first server architecture
- Apps for every major platform
Use cases
- Staying safe on public Wi-Fi
- Keeping browsing private from your internet provider
- Accessing home-country services while traveling
- Streaming region-specific catalogs
Mullvad
Mullvad VPN is a privacy-focused service that encrypts your traffic so your ISP can't see your activity and your IP address can't be used to track you. Accounts are anonymous, and the company states it keeps no logs. It also offers Mullvad Browser, a free, open-source browser built with Tor. It's aimed at people who want less tracking, less censorship, and less data collection.
Standout features
- Keep your browsing off your ISP's radar
- Anonymous accounts, no logs
- Built to beat censorship
- A free browser that fights tracking
- A mission you can actually read
Use cases
- Keep your browsing private at home
- Get online from restrictive countries
- Sign up without sharing your details
- Browse with a hardened browser
Pricing compared
List prices from each vendor's pricing page, before taxes and add-ons. Costs are per month.
| Pricing compared | ExpressVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| From (cheapest paid plan) | €2.49/mo Basic | €5/mo 1 Month |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Not stated | Not stated |
| Money-back guarantee | Not stated | 14 days |
| Annual billing savings | — | — |
| Pricing model | Flat price | Flat price |
| Cost for 1 user | €30.31/mo Basic plan, billed annually | €5/moCheaper 1 Year plan, billed annually |
| Cost for 5 users | €30.31/mo Basic plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | €5/mo 1 Year plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Cost for 10 users | €30.31/mo Basic plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | €5/mo 1 Year plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Cost for 25 users | €30.31/mo Basic plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | €5/mo 1 Year plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Plans | 3 | 3 |
| Prices checked | Checked Oct 13, 2026 | Checked Oct 12, 2026 |
| Price history | Price changes: 1 since Oct 1, 2026 (latest: Oct 2, 2026) | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. |
- Cheapest plan that fits each team size. Per-user plans are multiplied by the number of users (respecting stated minimums and seat packs). Plans that include some users cost their base price plus the extra-user price for each user beyond those included. Flat-priced plans with no stated user limit are counted as one licence per user.
Cheaper for your team size
For 1 user (billed annually), Mullvad costs €5/mo vs ExpressVPN at €30.31/mo.
Computed from published list prices on the dates shown. Excludes taxes, add-ons and promotions.